Wakey Wakey earlier this morning. We had stopped at Sabang, on the northern tip of Sumatra. Water looked very deep - we were anchored quite close to land, and took on about 100 Marines who had only been there ten days ago from Penang. Low lying hills, luxuriant in trees, could see absolutely no sign of habitation at all. Stayed about a couple of hours.
Pitching and rolling rather upsetting.
The ginger steward said Empress of Australia had dumped her passengers in Madras.
Men of No. 44 (Royal Marine) Commando give an evening stage show for those left in Stanley. The show only features a few simple props and the performers use borrowed costumes and make-up but their material ranges from religious song to slapstick humour.
Under the headline, 'Staney Shrinks', today's China Mail runs a story on page 2 stating that people are leaving the camp every day, and singling out John Stericker, who is returning to his tobacco factory in Kowloon. He was the only person never to miss a council meeting in camp.
Postage has been free in Hong Kong until today when charges are introduced after the 10 a.m. collection. But the first day's trading in stamps yields a disppointing sum of less than HK$350. As an official points out, stamp collectors have missed the boat.
Sources:
Stage Show: Hong Kong Sunday Herald, September 30, 1945, 6
Postage: China Mail, September 29, 1945, 1
Lovely day, calm.
Minesweeper warned re floating mine 0900.
A/c to Westw’d 5pm.