Diary pages from this date

Got sunburnt on Flight Deck, when we had a display of AA fire, straight, orange flashes streaking into a puff put in the sky by one of the 5 inch guns.

Paravanes (one on each side of the ship) were let down, like great blue fish.

Intriguing little transports 'Clarkat' moving about the ship.  Moving decks which go up from hangar to flight deck.  Enormous steps we have to climb over every secton of 'downstairs'.  Bathroom queue reminiscent of Stanley.

We are supposed to sight Singapore tomorrow.

In evening our ship picked up an SOS and answered it, thought they had it, turned on the searchlights and discovered it was a junk - and not the ship that was in trouble.

The China Mail notes that the navy is providing Stanley with electricity from a lorry next to the power station outside the prison. But 'it's the same old story' as during internment - the excessive use of 'hot plates' means that the supply has to be tempoarily cut off t some areas.

There were three groups holding church services during internment: the united Protestants, the Catholics and the small band of Christian scientists. Today it's reported that the Christian Scientists, who'd been continuing their services in Stanley, are now moving them back to town because of the declining numbers at the camp. They can't use their old premises in Macdonnell Road though, as these have been thoroughly looted; instead they'll be meeting on the first floor of St. George's Building in Chater Road

Ten year old Peter Hall and his mother Mabel have been re-united with George Hall, who spent the war in Shamshuipo. Today they leave Stanley and board a mine-sweeper HMS Strahan at 2 p.m. This takes them to Hong Kong harbour where they board HMS Striker. They arrive at Sydney on October 9 and are housed with other former internees in a Red Cross Home, Glen Mervyn, in an eastern suburb.

Sources:

Electricity, Christian Scientists: China Mail, September 25, 1945, 2

Halls: Peter Hall, In The Web, 2012 ed., 73

Fine, SW wind.

“Empress” boat arrived 2pm.

Passengers for Aust. checked up by Aust. Govt. Rep.