Diary pages from this date

To picture show last evening, on hangar deck.  It was 'In Old Oklahama' with John Wayne and Martha Scott.  Clifton and I sat on a ladder at the side and told each other how ludicrous it was to be sitting on an aircraft carrier, watching a film.  It was rather rough.

I slept very well, although felt a little rocky till I got off to sleep.  I'm on the top layer, quite near the hatch, supplied with one blanket, lucky I'd packed a sheet.  My immediate neighbour was Nan Grady, much to our surprise when we climbed aloft and met each other. We have 4 sittings for meals.

We're awakened by piercing oscillating whistle which means the tannoy is going to work, then a bugle, then 'Rise and shine, you've had your time.' Then 'Dress of the day is tropical rig.'

So far I've felt very well today.  Breakfast was lovely but I didn't tempt tummy too much - skipped eggs and bacon, had just grapefruit, shredded wheat, bread and marmalade.

Doreen also on board.

Had prayers led by a Brother in the Pilots' Ready Cabin.

Captain gave a nice little speech on hangar deck; we had canteen vouchers given us.  Clifton, Tim Fortescue, etc. are sleeping on camp beds on deck.

Weather rather rough.

In the evening Lance-Sergeant H. W. Jackson of the Fingerprint Department of the Hong Kong Police is savaged by a large shark while swimming alone off Tweed Bay Beach, close to the part generally named 'The Diving Rocks'.

Captain Arthur Nathaniel Braude, his wife Irene, 15 year old John Stanton with his friends, and a number of Canadians are on the beach, and the Captain dives in as soon as he hears the Sergeant's agonised screams. Stanton and the others jump in, swim to the rock and splash to try to frighten the shark. Braude manages to get the wounded man to the rocks, and the Canadians help to pull him onto them. Mrs. Braude, a trained nurse, does what she can, but the wound to his left side, is too large, and Sergeant Jackson is beyond help. He dies within a minute of being brought to shore.

Sources:

China Mail, September 24, 1945, 1

http://hongkongsfirst.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/first-man-killed-by-shark…

http://battleforhongkong.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/shark-attack-at-tweed-b…

Notes:

Captain Braude was held in Argyle Street and Shamshuipo, his wife in Stanley. 

There is some confusion as to the victim of the post-war shark attack, others sources giving Lance-Sergeant H, M, Goldie. However, it seems the best sources give Lance-Sergeant Jackson and it's unlikely although not impossible there were two fatal attacks in a short period of time as deaths caused by sharks are rare in Hong Kong waters.

Fine, occasional squalls. A/c to S, 9.00am. Sea calm.

Lists & baggage ready for Aust. passengers dis-embarking.

Much though [sic – thought?] re--- as usual, wish it was two weeks ago.

REPATRIATION NOTICE No. 6

The Repatriation Office is open to the public for enquiries, registration, etc., between the following hours:—

Monday to Saturday only
  10.00 a.m.—12.00 Noon.
  2.30 p.m.—4.00 p.m.

Sundays closed.

23rd September, 1945.

Published on p.4 of SCMP for 26 Sep 1945.