Diary pages from this date

The Hong Kong University Senate meets in camp. It looks forward to the post-war situation - 'a unique opportunity for a new start'. The expansion of the university is called for, with a new site and buildings prepared over a 3-5 year period:

There would be a grave danger of the future being crabbed if it were suggested that a small start be made in the hope that the institution would grow.

This is an act of courageous optimism and faith in the future: camp rations have never been lower and the internees have just entered a long, hard winter with an electricity supply that's intermittent at best, and it's only three days since the water crisis was resolved.

Source:

Clifford Matthews and Oswald Cheung, Dispersal and Renewal: Hong Kong University During The War Years, 1998, 401

Note: see also entries for July 16, 1943 and September 5, 1944

"sing as we go" (p.by???? &Nor?? B??? Sullivan, Jenner, McLeod, Pearson, Todd,??, M.O'Connor, E. Curtis, J.& B. Keates, D G Wilson, Betty Mills, Heath, C. Thornhill, Luke, I. Stevens, E. Grant, ???, ???, A. Farqhar Scott, S. Bruce, June Winklemann)

Warmer, dry, cloudy. E wind.

Finished on Sewing shop.

Lorry arrived with wood & veg.

U.S. 9th reach Roer river, the last natural fortification before the Rhine. Allies have massed troops etc on Western front & are waiting for drier weather in Poland & it seems that a general double offensive will take place from E to W. Frazer rejoins his fleet from London probably with orders etc for Pacific offensive.

Workers oil & sugar issued.

Saw Himsworth re another job.

Full Moon.