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The start of another year and still here, but we are more hopeful of release than we have ever been. We are moving rapidly on all fronts and this we gather from the meagre news that is in the daily rag and reading between the lines sort of thing. At any rate we feel more confident that our day of freedom is not so far distant now.

The chow put on by the kitchen was quite good considering the small and poor rations we get, however to supplement we made another pie of corn mutton and vegetables and has helped to fill the empty places.

I received three small parcels from Lo Fung I, Lam Chang Wei and Mei Lee Ironworks and these were very acceptable and helped to replenish our impoverished stocks. There is still no further news of repatriation, but continue to hope.

Camp became Military Internment Camps. HK (C.C. Hattori; D.C.C. Meijima. Rep. of Internees – Gimson)

Stanley Camp becomes The Military Internment Camp. But the Japanese military will not take full control for some time, and when it does the internees will not be treated as POWS, which seems to be what some worried relatives back in the UK fear when they get to hear of the new name.

 

Franklin Gimson likes the camp production of Laburnum Grove, noting in his diary that it contains 'more decent humour than is usually to be found in modern drama'.

Source:

Franklin Gimson, Internment in Hong-Kong March 1942- August 1945, 43

((Following text not dated:))

Very quiet New Year's Eve and later Chinese New Year.

Getting dozen tomatoes daily from garden but small and family complain make throat sore.

Electricity supply to be restricted to 8 to 12 p.m.

To Kotewall for long session. Paid and gave me coffee.

Dull & drizzly.

Everyone happy & optimistic re our chances of being happier this year.

Change of administration to be made.

With Steve pm. 

Plenty congee today.

Some news to come re repatriation & new Camp conditions?