Diary pages from this date

Two alarms but we heard no raids, we've all been very jumpy.

To work in afternoon.

Mr Bailey is all right ((he was in Bungalow C)) but a bit shaken, his face all little scratches from the blast, and his clothes sort of shaggy. Gave him cigarettes.

Haven't seen newspaper, but it's supposed to say 300 planes were over yesterday and 25 shot down; rumour that 3 pilots who came down by parachute were installed in the prison, and that a guarantee has been given that there'll be no more shooting from the camp. (Doesn't apply to the Prison, though.)

The funerals were at 4pm, only relatives and personal friends allowed to go.

Rice increase to 16 ozs. from 1st Feb. Olive and I will probably have to come off hospital rations.

The 14 victims of yesterday's bombing are buried in a communal grave.

George Wright-Nooth is on the grave-digging party:

While we were digging news came that two more had died in hospital, so we had to lengthen the grave.

The remains are sewn up in rice sacks, as there are no coffins.

Source:

George Wright-Nooth, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, 1994, 241

((Following text not dated, but written after the bombing of Stanley Camp on 16th January:))

Great astonishment. 200 Canadians and Volunteers digging vegetable garden in centre of racecourse. Rosary Hill women hang around. Mavis Xavier and others pinched briefly for signalling.

Bill Shea arrested. Wife Rose sad. Food rejected.

Stanley Camp bombed, fourteen killed. Up to 9th January not a bomb since Xmas though daily alerts.

Clear, cold, fine.

Fires over HK way & on the hills to N. observed last night.

Pointed up Hosp. Cookhouse brickwork.

2 A/r alarms 10.45-11.15am  -  1.30-2.00pm. nothing happened.

Went to see damaged bungalow. Gear being salvaged. Apparent that American explosive is extra powerful.

Bomb dropped SE corner of Prison Boundary walk & in Gaol. Bullets & shrapnel marks all over the Camp. Japs have promised not to fire at planes from Camp again.

Rice ration to be increased from 1st Feb.

Col. came out. 

List of names cabled home. Funeral of yesterday’s victims 4pm. No one but close relatives or friend to represent allowed to attend.

Lorries arrived with wood.

Grass party out.

Japan raided 14th. Ise shrine damaged. Benins & Taiwan raided 15th. Japs admit some damage here. Advances made by us in Phillipines & Burma.