Diary pages from this date

Out of the blue on the morning of August 21st, two men arrived from Kobe POW camp, who informed us that the personnel at the Kobe camp had taken the law into their own hands and left. They had commandeered lorries and broke into warehouses and stores, taking whatever food they needed. They also brought papers which confirmed beyond doubt that the war was at an end.

Our officers immediately demanded to see the Japanese camp commandant and informed him of what had happened in Kobe. They told him that unless he brought into our camp by noon the next day, decent food, cigarettes, medicines, etc., they would order all POWs to break camp and commandeer their own food.

That night we noticed that the Japanese guards had been reinforced and that barriers had been erected on the road outside the camp.  We eagerly looked forward to noon for a "show-down".

Leaving hospital today.

Fishing boats bobbing up and down, close enough to barter their fish through the barbed wire on hospital embankment.

Mr F. Kelly sent me 2 hot baked sweet potatoes which I ate and hope I won't regret.

Messrs. F. Gimson, H. R. Butters, D. Sloss, R Minitt have gone to town today to confab. in Mr Zindel's office (Red Cross official).



All sorts of rumours about what happened to our U.S. parcels, but it seems that the Japs saved the food in tunnels. Rumour that milk, butter and flour being sent in today.



Visitors from men's camps came. (Among them) Charles Pike RAMC. He looked quite well, though pale and hair rather moth-eaten. He brought us (in small paper pokes) sugar & salt; and soup and oil, and writing paper! We had tea of fried sweet potatoes.

We had news of deaths of Naval Dockyard friends in Shamshuipo: Mr Sutton, Mr. Lee, Mr. Egan and son, and Mr. Peckham. Mr Peckham had died just two days ago.



After the meal of fried sweet potatoes, we went to gates to see visitors off, saw Major Grieve (at one time pre-war Mabel had worked for him), and Mr. Harper (Naval Dockyard).

General issue of siege biscuits, and matches and soy sauce.



In evening Peggy Barton & I went to dance at St. Stephens ((the Japs had prohibited dancing in the camp)) to look on from the gallery, but soon went downstairs and had a wonderful time dancing with Dick and Philip Appleyard ((Peggy's friend)). There was a big Union Jack with V through it at the back of the stage, Reg Jenner's band, and Bill Hewitt as M.C. A lot of hot tea available. Radio there, we heard it for first time.

An American announcer who hummed and hawed told us the news summary was for pows and internees in Pacific. Rather depressing.. delays in signing Peace, envoy plane held up....which to our suspicious minds sounds like the Japs up to their old tricks.

The internees are still confined to camp for their own safety, but Franklin Gimson leaves Stanley to discuss matters with Red Cross Delegate Rudolph Zindel in a chaotic and dangerous Hong Kong. It's a city with almost no electricity, in the grip of mass looting, while the only powerful armed force remains the Japanese military.

Issue 3 lbs rice

Gimson went to town for conference with Zindale

Br. Prisoner brought from Canton

Walked to town. Hot and tired. Hear Japs giving newspaper staff 40 catties rice bonus, but denied to boy who shook hands with Wylie.

G roof 1am. ⨳ A mixture of contradictions difficult to interpret.

Very little work in the shop now. 

Visitor from town & Camps.

Camp officials to town for conference with R.C. Rep. Zindel.

Camp Radio Press indicates we shall be all moved to Manila shortly.

1 Box matches. 2oz Oil. 8oz Soy & 38 Siege biscuits issued.

Dance at St. Stephens 8-10.30pm.

US bombers dropped cigs & chocolate on S.S.P. Camp yesterday.

Lorry load of Salt, Coffee, Milk, Cigs & butter.

G came back 10pm. ∴ hold ins Saal. [sweet in hall]