To Brian's funeral. Father Meyer made him a coffin out of the drawer from a chest-of-drawers, lining it with bunched-up white satin. Children sang 'Heaven is the Prize' - unforgettable.
Diary pages from this date
At Brian's funeral, the children were asked if they would like to lead the procession and to see if they could find something white to wear. When the day came, hundreds of little ones, each carrying a bunch of wildflowers, turned up to say goodbye to Brian. It was quite a sight. Someone had made a coffin out of some old timber, and in it, Brian Patrick Hirst Gill's body was laid to rest in the cemetery that overlooked the tranquil waters of Stanley Bay.
Source:
Allana Corbin, Prisoners of the East, 2002, 240
Issue coconut oil
Beach closed until further notice
B.O.
Overcast, squally.
Ground rice etc etc. 5hrs work.
No news, rations lousy, no smokes. No meeting as rumoured.
F & F finished Jap working party. ((What was "F&F"))
Little fellow Gill buried 6pm.
5 days wood. 100 catties.
With Steve pm gave me some tob. & curry pwd.
Sky cleared at 9pm & temp. dropped.