Extract from a letter with today's date from Stanley Camp. The name of the sender is not given. [Later identified as R G Ward]
I have been head baker for about 800 people for just over a year. Our food is as what we can expect, and we collect it in billy-cans. We all received a fine food parcel from the Red Cross and also a sum of money, which went into food and clothes for us. We are extremely lucky to have a small room to ourselves. Camp work is done by those who are fit, that is cooking, sanitation and general.
A layout of things made in camp was held; some articles were vey well made - most of the tools had to be made first.
I miss my radio but we have a Hong Kong paper that gives us news of outside. Douglas gets soya milk from a baby clinic and Francis gets schooling; There are about a dozen doctors, hospital, dental clinic, cemetery and jail in camp and a Social Hall, so we want for little. We even get cigarettes issued for cash.
Source:
The Prisoner of War - Special Monthly Edition, April 1944
Comments
The Prisoner of War - Special Monthly Edition dated April 1944
The Prisoner of War - Special Monthly Edition dated April 1944 (recently appeared on eBay)
From a letter that was sent home dated 30 April 1943 from Stanley Camp. Name of internee not given.
"I have been head baker for about 800 people for just over a year. Our food is as what we can expect, and we collect it in billy-cans. We all received a fine food parcel from the Red Cross and also a sum of money, which went into food and clothes for us. We are extremely lucky to have a small room to ourselves. Camp work is done by those who are fit, that is cooking, sanitation and general.
A layout of things made in camp was held; some articles were vey well made - most of the tools had to be made first.
I miss my radio but we have a Hong Kong paper that gives us news of outside. Douglas gets soya milk from a baby clinic and Francis gets schooling; There are about a dozen doctors, hospital, dental clinic, cemetery and jail in camp and a Social Hall, so we want for little. We even get cigarettes issued for cash."
There were two boys in camp,
There were two boys in camp, Douglas and Francis Ward, who'd fit the description.
There were several "Mr Ward" in camp, but I think the most likely match for the author of the letter is Mr R G Ward, as he'd be about the right age to have children. (The other Mr Wards were much older.)
Regards, David
Thanks, Moddsey. I originally
Thanks, Moddsey. I originally had some text here but mived it when I found that I'd misdated the events described. I forgot to ask David to get rid of the 'ghost' entry - so this will do nicely.
I recognise the names of the
I recognise the names of the two children of the writer of that letter who would be Mr R.G. Ward. They lived near us in the Married Quarters. In 1944 they had another son, Gerald, for whom my sister Mabel used to make baby clothes.
Barbara