Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong: View pages

Our 22nd Wedding Anniversary my dearest, another of our years has past and still we are far from each other but that wonderful thing Hope lives eternally with us and we do trust that our day of reunion is not far distant. First of all release from this detention so that we can have cable and letter communications with each other.

This time last year we had hopes that it couldn't be so very long but it has lasted longer than we anticipated, however dear I feel very confidant that our united strength shall smash the axis powers completely and so allow us to lead our lives someday. I am longingly longing to have word from you and of you Nell, tho' some people have lately received letters none have come my way but I know that there are letters somewhere for me from my sweet.

This day has been spent very quietly as of course every day is and D.B.B. went for a walk around the boundary. For supper I supplied a tin of corned beef which we divided and toasted your good health in a cup of tea and wished you the very best of everything. God bless you my Lass.

There isn't very much new to tell, my voice is still a lost number and tho' I have a gargle and some cough mixture there appears to be little of an improvement.

D.B.B. and I were down at J.Fs' place last night for a mug of coffee and a talk over the dockyards probabilities and the hope of reconstruction. He gave us a packet of Royal Leaf cigarettes each when we came away. We have to be in the region of our own block by 8 o'clock each night, roll call is at 10 and lights out at 11pm.

J.Fs' series of lectures are going very well, attended by a large number. I went to both services at church last Sunday tho' for the 10 o'clock service I've got to leave early to go on rations.

The news trickling through is still very good and the daily 'comic cuts' (Hong Kong News) gives us quite good confirmation and sometimes a wee bit more as well.

The shows in St Stephens hall were quite good, being three one act plays. They were on for three nights, I went on Thursday. There is to be something new each week. Well dear I hope you are going strong and getting on champion. I'd love to hear from you my love.

A huge number of parcels were distributed last Monday and I was very fortunate getting five in all. Bone got two, Meffin two and McIntyre two and most of the parcels were from our yard people.

Y.A.N. Gow
1st Floor, 28 Tai Foo St.
1tin Del Monte coffee 1lb
1tin Falcon butter 12oz
1tin condensed milk
1tin sugar 2lbs
1tin jam 5lbs
1lb bread

A.H.Liv
133 Das Vocand Rd. 
1bag mixed cocoa beans 1 1/2lb
1bag sugar 2lbs 
1tin jam 12oz 
1tin pears
1tin salmon
1pkt Sunlight Soap

A.H Lenng
Pletchacker
2tins corned mutton
2tins fish

Hoo Cleorg Wo Co
2 tins fish 
1tin beef 
1tin mutton
5lbs Sugar
2 towels (face)
2 tubes toothpaste 
2 pcks washing soap
1tin tobacco

Lo Wai Mai Room 105 Lock Hig Bldg. 33 Queens Rd.
1 pullover, size 34 (HS)
2 singlets
1 tooth brush
1 tube toothpaste
1 face towel
1lb salt
1tin lard 2 1/4lbs

All good stuff and all very acceptable so that our wee larder has a good stock for our rough days when iron rations may be the order of the day. We hope in the very near future too. What we usually do when the chow is very poor as it so often is we open one of these tins and divide out equally whichever it is it makes a tasty bite.

It is pleasing to get these gifts from our Chinese and shows that they haven't quite forgotten us and also it shows a lot of courage on their parts sending us these gifts and lets us know too that their sympathies are with us and that they too also hope for the day when Hong Kong will be British again.

J.F. was very pleased at receiving his parcels. On Tuesday 19th J.F. came up and gave me a pile of Yen to pay out to the Staff, each of us is getting M.Y.10 each which was also very acceptable in these harsh times.

J.F. gave his lecture on Monday night on 'Launching' and on Friday afternoon Hugh Smith gave one on 'Stability' both of which were very good.

My voice is still lost so on Friday morning I had a consultation with Dr. Talbot who says I have acute laryngitis and an ulcer on one of the cords. He prescribed medicine for me and at the same time has proscribed the use of my voice so I've not to talk at any rate as little as possible. This morning Talbot was operated on for  appendicitis very suddenly.

A very large ship arrived this week and is now freely rumoured that about 1000 volunteers have been taken away in her. That is only rumour but never the less it might be true.

I didn't go to the concert this week well it was super classical and I'm not very high brow these days.

It is now over a year since we arrived out at Stanley (Thursday by the day and Friday by the date) and we have remained in this block and the same room all that time, let's hope we wont have to remain here very much longer, ten in one room is at least eight too many. We look on the bright side and hope for happier days to come our way soon and may the day of our reunion be not far distant.

D.B.B. and I were invited to Bungalow F to J.F's for a cup of coffee and a talkee talkee and we discussed the war and the dockyard.

Things go on very much the same as usual the only thing that keeps us bright is the news leaking into the camp and it is very good indeed and is often confirmed in the daily Hong Kong rag so that the rumours are not all 'bull'. The Russians are doing very well and pushing ahead the work in Africa is nearly cleaned up which is first rate. It would appear that the Home Front has to be cleared and finished before the real thing commences against the Japs. We can take it and don't mind waiting a bit longer. But my dear I would love to hear from you and know how were keeping.

However I live in hope that a letter will arrive one of these days. Louis DeRowe had one from his wife in Victoria and W.L. Newligging had one also, these being the only two letters from Canada that have arrived in the camp. I don't remember if I said that J.F. had one from his brother at home and all were well.

My voice is very slow in picking up but I've got a new gargle from Dr. Pringle which is doing my throat good. J.F, C.C.R. and I went to the Gaol Birds Show (Second Stretch) on Thursday night and it was very good, slapstick comedy with a very provocative finale composed of songs given by police representing Australia, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Army, Air Force and Navy. However the Japs in charge here thought that the authorities in town might get a wind of it and so they cancelled the show for the next two nights. They are very touchy little blighters.

D.B.B. and I were invited to J.F's for coffee last night (Friday) and had a discussion on the dockyard and the progress of the war.

I received a parcel from the Mei Lee Ironworks (Ching Chai Sze) last night (Friday) containing 2 toothbrushes, 2 cakes Palmolive Soap, 2 towels, 1 tin corned mutton and 1 tin Golden Oregon cigarettes. This is really a splendid sign and show that the Chinese are getting bolder and showing where their sympathies lie. I wish I was back at my desk again for there is a lot of useful work for us yet to do.

The weather is very cold and raw but I'm pleased to say that I keep and feel very fit. My weight is now about 175lbs (12 1/2 stone). Meat is getting very scarce in town and we are living mostly on fish, beef or pork is only received once or twice at most per week. One gets rather fed up with fish stew (ugh) if served up too often but like everything else in our present circumstances we have too be thankful we are able to get food and as long as the flour lasts out and get bread daily we mustn’t grumble too much.

Yesterday was Chinese New Years Day 'Kung Hei Fah Choy' and a miserable wet day it was too. However as the Chinese say that rain on that special day is a sign of good luck, we look forward to the good signs being fulfilled and our team or incarceration ended and happy days being our lot again and trust our reunion will come soon dear.

The news is again very good from what we hear, it seems hardly possible that the Germans can last out much longer, the Russians seem to be just rolling them up, the faster the better and then look out Mr Nippo.

I received a parcel from Wong Ling (ironworker) on Thursday night containing 2 singlets, 2 pairs of underpants, 1 pair of socks and 1 pair of long stockings, all very useful too and for which I am grateful to him. I spread the things that I don't personally require around the rest of the lads and I often clothing from J.F. for distribution amongst our people who need it most.

On Monday 1st February we made another distribution of food stuff amongst the block residents amounting to 4 tins of meat and vegetables, 2 tins of corned beef and 2lbs of sugar and then yesterday I gave out 3/8lb of tea to everyone so all are more or less happy. The Red Cross food stuff is a real life saver and greatly helps our rations, the sugar especially is necessary to give that amount of energy that we require for our ration of sugar from the Japs only comes to 1.8oz per week.

I am very glad to say that my throat is very much better and my voice is gradually coming back to normal so I should be OK very soon, only I must avoid catching a cold which is slightly difficult to prevent in weather like this.

F and J Willey lost their young son Brian 2 1/2 years on Monday. The wee chap has had a lot of trouble with his tummy it being swollen considerably and was unable to eat rice. It is all so difficult to get proper treatment tho' our medicals do the best that lies in their power, but with a shortage of preparations and drugs it is not easy and the Japs are not very helpful.

I don't know if I mentioned that Prof Digby went through' a serious operation but recovered rapidly and is now going strong again.

There was a meeting in the Prison Officers Club relative to the Union of the Union Churches in Hong Kong and Kowloon with the Methodist Church at Wanchai which is either no more or so badly shelled as to make its rebuilding impossible and undesirable any rate in that spot. J.F. as the oldest trustee present was in the chair and it was unanimously agreed that reunion of the free churches was very desirable. It is now left to the Methodists to agree to this proposal.

Last night D.B.B. and I were invited down to J.F's this is becoming a Friday evening habit and makes for us at any rate a very nice change especially when J.F. gives Davie and I a packet of cigarettes when we come away and for these we are very grateful as we are only able to buy 4 packets one week and 3 the next week which don't last very long. Also he gave us a Teenkin cabbage and some new home side type potatoes  together with a tin of lunch tongue, 1 tin of fish and 1 tin of pickles and jolly nice too.

Today we received M.Y.15 being a gift from the British Government done through the Red Cross so that we are all in funds and feeling considerably very much happier.

We are still getting on all right and are thankful that the weather has greatly improved. We all have been suffering another of the irritations such a having blackouts at dusk and lights out at 10pm. The Japs are of course jittery and scared not so much for us as for themselves, however we trust that they'll get it in the neck one of these days.

We have had no cigarettes this week and even the parcel I got yesterday from Dr Goh had had a tin of tobacco removed. This parcel from Dr and Mrs K.A. Goh 2 Tik Kwai Terrace, Tai Heng Hill, Causeway Bay contained 2 tins of pineapple, 1 tin beans, 1 tin shelled peanuts, 1 piece soap, 1 pair stockings, 4 small packets of tea, 1 toothbrush, 1 toothpaste, 1 face towel, 1 pair of underpants. This is again a very nice gesture and much appreciated. J.F. got a similar parcel.

D.B.B. and I were again down at J. F's last night, had a coffee and one of Johns own baking scones and a talk on generalities and he gave us a packet of cigarettes on coming away which were very welcome.

The committee of these blocks 8 and 9 have ended our term of office and on Wednesday next week there is to be a new election. I am standing again and we'll see later what the result will be.

The news which gradually finds its way into the camp besides that which appears in the Hong Kong rag is on the up and up and is very heartening and it would not surprise us greatly to hear of the collapse of Germany in the near future and then Mr Nippo can look out for a nasty shock.

I'm glad to say that my throat is now almost better and practically back to normal again.

Fish seems to be the only available meat just now and with handling the fish I've received some nasty sores and jags which have turned septic, one has to handle them with great care otherwise in our condition sores turn septic very easily if we could get gloves it would be easy.

I went to church last Sunday but had to come out early to go to the distribution of rations.

The latest hot news is that Mrs Polson is being married on Monday first 15th by Rev. A.P.Rose in the office of the British Command Council. The Banns are to be called on Sunday. The groom is called Bowers, a sergeant in the Police and R.C. She and this man have been walking out a lot evidently they also did that pre-war. Well well John Polson has now been dead for over 13 months and tho' the marriage is not surprising we thought they'd wait till we were all freed and have it outside. However love will have it's own way.

The marriage above mentioned ((Polson/Bowers)) really took place, the Chalmers and the Stalkers being invited and the couple got a spare room for 2 nights but are now back again living in their own previous quarters.

On Monday J.F. gave a lecture on the Strength of Ships. On Monday morning K.S.Morrison died suddenly when on his way to play the chanter at the Leprosarium and was buried on Tuesday morning.

The committee election for our blocks was held on Wednesday and at the block meeting at night the results were given out as follows, J.Barnet 188, J.Cooper 184, G.G.(self) 180, M. DeVille 134, Hallowes 131, Giffen 126 and the rest trailing behind. This means three new members, the last named on the committee. I do hope that this will be the last election and that we'll be out before another is necessary and if all the news is true it should be so.

Today we received the balance of the British Government gift of Yen so by receiving 5 Yen and I'm using a good portion of the money to repair a pair of shoes I got from Sid Herriot ((maybe Sid Herrett)) some time ago. I've had them sent into town to get rubber soles and heels so I should be well shod.

The shipbuilding lecture on Friday afternoon was given by C.R.Rowcliffe on Machinery Survey and Maintenance. I went to church last Sunday and heard K.M.Dow and he as usual was very good he always draws the people.

On Friday I received a parcel from A. Lin (Cleong Wo) 133 Ocs Vocad Rd ((probably Des Voeux Road)) containing 1 bag (2lb) of sugar, 1 bag mixed cocoa, 1 packet tea, 1 tin jam, 1 tin corned mutton and 2 toothbrushes. There had been 6 packets of cigarettes. but these had been removed. This is the latest sort of Japanese irritation. If we are to have cigarettes these can only be procured through' the canteen in a very limited, way we got 5 packets on Tuesday which we have to pay for and some the previous week. The whole thing is of course a scam and some Jap official is making squeeze to be sure. 

D.B.B. and I went to J.F's later in the evening and had our usual coffee a couple of John's own scones and a crack and on coming away he gave us a packet of cigarettes.

About 40 Norwegians are to come into the camp on Monday 22nd.

The Norwegians arrived in camp on Monday and a lot of them were merry and bright and their news is that the European war should be over by the end of April. We all do hope so.

Two of the Standard Ships have been on trial and we think they must be the two ships nearest to completion from Kowloon and Taikoo Docks. I hope they don't get very far when they start on their voyages.

On Monday we were all vaccinated against smallpox a wise precaution. Another of the shipbuilding lectures was held on Monday this time the subject being Insurance of Ships by H.T.Smith.

I was at church both in the forenoon and afternoon on Sunday and later J.F. and I went for a walk round the camp boundaries. I had previously sent a pair of shoes to be sent into town to be soled and heeled with local rubber and I got them back on Thursday and quite a nice job too cost M.Y.6.50 I feel pleased now as I am well shod and hope to be able to us them when we meet again and that latter possibility may not now be so very far off.

Tonight J.F. told me that we had to report at C.S.O. tomorrow and later on Bob Young showed me the official chit relating to actual Canadians and those whose wives and families are resident in Canada, so we are to report tomorrow at 2.30pm.

It is said that there is a food ship on the way here from Canada and this ship is carrying a certain number of Jap repatriates and so it is possible that this ship said to be the 'Esripasholm' ((probably 'Gripsholm')) will take us Canadian blokes back to Canada.

We made the March issue of foodstuffs at 5pm this evening I could not do it any sooner owing to being on rations during the forenoon. We issued 6 tins of corned beef and 2lbs of sugar to each resident of the block all are happy now.

My hands are still badly scarred with fish jags, each jag turns septic with a small white head. We are still getting fish nearly every day but fortunately today as well as fish we got a small quantity of pork. Meat that is both beef and pork are very scarce in the colony and I think things in that line are bad in the colony just now.

Last Sunday afternoon J.F. and I set off to report at the C.S.O. and just as we had started the rain came down in lumps. There was quite a crowd at the offices and we formed a queue. Mr Gearson ((Gimson)), the Col. Secretary asked the questions, wife's name and address and if repatriated could I keep myself. So it all looks very hopeful. Evidently the Japs had to have the information on Monday morning.

Another notice asking those with relatives such as father, mother, brother and sister in Canada to call at the C.S.O. so the number has increased. It is said that there is room for 200 on the food ships when it arrives, when that will be we do not know.

On Sunday forenoon when in church I was called out as the Chinese Supervisor wanted to see me. I was standing near the door at the back so it was easy to slip out. He presented me with M.Y.50 from Hoo Cheong Wo which was jolly good and welcome too. However I was quite concerned about it and wondered too if it wasn't a present from some of the lads in the Dockyard. At any rate I told J.F. about it and asked if he wanted it so as to divide it up amongst the others. It later transpired that he also got 50Yen from H.C.W. and he said I should just keep the money and use it as I required it.

On Monday I went to see Dr Dean Smith about my tongue which is very raw and he gave me acid nicotine tablets to take. The rawness is due to a lack of vitamin B and caused by the lack of other nourishment that we require. I told him about my throat and voice and he gave me a chit to Prof Digby relative to the same. I saw Digby on Tuesday at the Tweed Bay Hospital and got an examination from him but owing to the lack of a proper mirror he wasn't able to do all that he hoped to be able to do. I also got him to lance a suppurating finger on my left hand caused by a fish jag.

I received a postcard from Dewar from Argyle Street Camp Kowloon saying he was fit and well and so were all the Dock lads who were left. He asks me to excuse the scribble as his eyesight is not as good as it was. We know that some of the lads have been shipped to Japan, McColgan, Kew, Johnson, Paterson, Elliot, Clark (TSR). I went to see the football this afternoon, the club beat the Police 3-1.

D.B.B. and I went to J.F's on Saturday night for our yarn and a cup of coffee and biscuits. On Sunday I went to church at 10 o'clock for a wee while and then pushed off for the rations and at 4 o'clock J.F. and I went to church together.

Home and Australian letters have been received in the camp this week mostly written in July and August last year. Jim Johnson, Davie Bone's son-in-law got one from Betty in Australia and all were well also two telegrams from Canada were received by some chaps in this block but no date of sending was given. Then yesterday Norman Meffan got a letter from Elma from Bannockburn and Craig got one from his sister in Fairlie and all fine.

So those of us who have been unlucky so far are hoping that our turn to hear of our loved ones will come very soon. Actually we know that there are piles of letters still in town but the Jap is a slow customer when dealing with mails and why we can't be allowed to write to you well it just fair takes the biscuit.

On Tuesday forenoon I went down to the Tweed Bay Hospital for an  appointment with Prof Digby and Dr Talbot who both gave my throat and vocal cords a thorough overhaul. I'm glad to say that my throat is now showing a decided improvement and there is only a slight ulceration on the valve of the vocal cord. I have been given some medicine to take as an inhalation.

Repatriation looms very strongly in the limelight and may occur if all that is being said is true, it may not be very long before I'm on the way to you. It can't come too soon for me. In View of this we are all very busy getting records put on paper to take home and fares on to London.

I issued 3/8lb tea to the block on Thursday morning which was very welcome to the single person who uses more tea than we are as a crowd do. I got a parcel today from Ah Lein 133 Des Voeux Rd. containing 1 tin Quaker Oats, 1 tin jam, 1 tin grapefruit, 1 bag mixed cocoa, 1 bag sugar, and a piece of bacon 2 3/4lbs all of which is most welcome to our wee larder.

Also last weekend I got a parcel from Cheung Chai Sze of the Mei Lee Ironworks 25 Pine Street Tai Kok Tsai containing 1 tin margarine, 1 tin sardines, 1 tin corned mutton, and 1 packet of sugar and very nice too.

D.B.B. and I were at J.F's tonight and had our usual coffee and a crack on things in general and he gave us a packet of cigarettes as we came away just before eight o'clock.

Rumour is still going round the camp relating to repatriation but most of it is just speculation and tripe. We haven't been informed of anything concrete, but it is quite definite that the latter is being discussed at home and Tokyo.We shall just have to wait and see what the outcome is.

The weather has turned much warmer now and the mosquitoes are in their glory however I've been very fortunate in getting a loan of a mosquito net from George Harris (Police) and it is a life saver all right for the mosquitoes we have sing a loud chorus and we call them dive bombers. Flies are a horrible nuisance just now too and bite like the dickens. ((I see an internee George Harris who had been a lighthouse keeper, and another Joseph Harris in the Police, so I'm not sure which one George Gerrard is referring to.))

There isn't a great deal of news to record this week and life with us goes on pretty much as usual with the chow of the poorest tho' they have increased our rice ration that ain't much use, only gives one a pot belly. My weight is not bad being in the region of 175lbs I don't wish to get any heavier than that. 

D.B.B. and I were down at J.F's tonight for our usual coffee and crack. I'm glad to say that my throat is now better and not bothering me anymore.

Went to church with J.F. at 4 o'clock I also went to the morning service for a wee while but owing to rations I usually have to leave before the sermon.

On Monday we received a whole egg for our meat ration didn't we live high and that for two meals. Fortunately we had a tin of sausages which tided us over the midday meal, rice and vegetables are not much use by themselves.

On Thursday evening we each received 25 Yen which is mighty welcome and will allow us to buy essential requirements from the canteen.

On Friday morning the British Community Council had a big meeting with Mayina and the Jap Superintendents on the question of food and some pretty straight talking was indulged in and we hope it will do a power of good and get us something better in the chow line than we have been receiving. Evidently it did for we had beef on Saturday for rations which was really a pleasant change from fish.

There is not much new to place on record this week except that the news we receive indicates that we are doing well on all fronts. No further word about repatriation but our hopes are high that a ship will come and take us out of this life so that we can be of use to the cause.

Some more letters have arrived Meffin and MacIntyre and Waller got ones so also did C.C.Roberts  but we others are still hoping that ours will be released soon. D.B.B. and I were at J.F's tonight for coffee and the usual yarn.

The weather this week has been awful, wind and rain and very cold, the usual way with the month of March, however it is most likely that warmer days will come soon again.

Nevertheless I'll be jolly glad when the news of repatriation comes along for dearest I'm heartily sick of this life, the chow and everything. I seem to have taken a scunner to rice these days and tho' I know it is necessary to take some to keep going, still there is that feeling of dislike. I much prefer the rice I make up at night-time for our supper which has less salt and sugar in it and is well strained and boiled and pleasant to eat.

The news is still good especially in North Africa which should be cleared up soon. I went to the 4 o'clock service on Sunday with J.F. and this evening D.B.B. and I were at his place for our usual Saturday chat.

I was very fortunate today for the Chinese Supervisor gave me 50 Yen which had been sent by Hoo Cheong Wo and Co. and in the afternoon I got a parcel from the Mei Lee Ironworks per Chang Chai Sze, 25 Pine Street, Kowloon containing 1 tin pork and beans, 1 tin mushroom and duck, 1 tin sweet corn, 1 tin preserved plums, 1 tin jam and 1 packet of sugar and this lot goes into our Mess larder.

I was quite concerned about the 50 Yen from H.C.W. and spoke to J.F. about it. He also received the same from H.C.W. I wanted either to give the money to him for distribution amongst our staff or else give the other five 10 Yen each, that is D.B.B., C.W.C.C. ((probably George Wiiliam Calder Craig)), M.D.M. ((probably Norman Dunn Meffan)), T. Marsh ((not sure who this is)) and H.S. However J.F. wants to think about it and will speak to me later on.

Glad to say that the weather has taken a turn for the better and is much more pleasant, nice and warm and sunny. J.F., D.B.B. and I went for a walk round the camp on Sunday evening. J. F. and I had been to the 4 o'clock church service. 

Later J.F. raised the question of the 50Yen with me and said he didn't wish to interfere with what I did with it, it was my money and I could please myself so I gave 10 Yen each to the five Taikoo people in the room with the injunction not to say anything about it. All were highly delighted as it means being able to buy eggs or sugar and bananas when they are next on sale and helpful if we drew a tab in the canteen. D.B.B. and I are very fond of bean curd and soya sauce and we buy at each opportunity.

The American Community (14 in all) have received a telegram from Cordell Hall expressing sympathy and extending good wishes . Bob Young got a letter on Tuesday from his wife in which she said that she and the children had left Victoria for Toronto. I think both for the kiddies education and company. Also Mrs John Fleming And Mrs Penn had gone there too. N. Meffan is the lucky lad for he also received two letters from his wife making about six letters from Australia and one from Elma at home so he is fortunate and looking for more. However J.F. and I are hopeful that our turn will come soon.

I went to the concert tonight but it was a poor show. Last night (Friday) D.B.B. and I went down to F Bungalow having coffee and our usual crack with J.F. 

On two days this week we received Australian frozen mutton as rations, not very much but a welcome change from fish. Beef seems to be impossible to get and what little the Japs get into the colony is of course required for themselves.

There is very little news but it would appear that the North Africa affair should be cleared up very soon. Here the days pass quickly fortunately. I always have plenty to do being on the ration business all forenoon arriving here mostly between 12 and 1 o'clock, have my chow, then do a spot of washing of clothes, then myself and possibly collect other stores, affairs about the block and the afternoon is gone. However Nell I keep well and cheery and longingly hope to be with you soon.

Went to church at 4pm on Sunday. J.F. couldn't attend as he was on kitchen duty at his place. I had a great thrill when I received a letter but it was only from Willie Melrose from Australia, he is with the Australian Shipbuilding Board and getting on all right. He, Simpson, Higgs and Adams were the lucky ones being on leave during this affair.

However darling I'm still hoping that my 'real' letter will turn up soon and oh boy that will be great. But the real thrill will be when repatriation comes along and then ! George Rodger got a letter from his wife on Thursday and oh boy was he pleased, he had previously got one from his sister Jessie in Crieff.

It is said here and strongly vouched for that Grayburn and Streetfield of the Hong Kong & Singapore ((should be '& Shanghai')) Bank have been taken to the prison as prisoners for what reason of course we don't know. Many people who have seen him exercising in the prison swear that it is Grayburn all right. He of course has never been in the camp having been in the bank all the time, together with quite a number of bank lads.

Davie Bone gave his lecture on trial Trips and Data on Friday afternoon and it was most interesting. This afternoon I received a parcel from Ah Lin containing 1 bag (2lb) of sugar, 1 bag mixed cocoa, 1 piece of  bacon, 1 tin jam, 1 tin grapefruit, 1 tin mutton, 1 packet Sunlight soap, 1 tube toothpaste, and two small towels. We opened the grapefruit and had it dry with our boiled rice at supper tonight.

J.F. invited D.B.B. and I down to his place, we go at 6 o'clock and return to our room at 8 o'clock. John had a tin of instant Postain and it was jolly nice, we had two cups each also a biscuit and a bun. D.L.Newbigging joined us for a wee while. We discussed dockyard business and local rumours.

The latest rumour is that three ships are on the way here, one with food for us, we can do with a change or something to really supplement the meagre and far from satisfying rations we get. Fish, sweet potatoes, spring onions and spinach for two meals along with rice for 2,500 people don't make for much variety. However we keep cheery and hope for better days to come.

My big news this week is that I have heard about you dearest. On Monday I received a letter from Walter dated 26th June 1942 in which he said they had been in regular and frequent communication with you. He said 'you have been a brave we wife so don't worry, she is keeping her end up' and for these words I am very grateful and greatly heartened. It is really cheery. All I hope now is that a letter will come from you soon.

All of us are very hopeful that the Canadian mail bag is now open as J.F. received one from Mrs F dates April 42 and also Simmons of the Tramways and Harry Butler of the Treasury ((probably H R Butters)) and on Tuesday Bill Buchannan got a cable but no date given. The letters are all in town all right, but the Japs way of censoring is very slow. However there is a new man Lectore ((???)) in charge and he is evidently more interested in us than his predecessor was and is gearing things up a bit so that a small parcel of letters have come in here every day this week.

Craig and I took Hugh Smith to the Tweed Bay Hospital on Saturday. He is suffering fever and tachycardia, he hasn't been well all week, but I think he'll soon recover and be fit again, his girl friend Margaret Black is a Sister at the hospital so that should make his stay in hospital a pleasure.

Then I went to a meeting of the bowlers, we are putting in a team from the rations, Anderson ((not sure which one)) is very keen on it and tho' there are only three old bowlers amongst us and the rest are only novices, all are anxious that the Quarter Masters' staff and rations party should be represented.

At night D.B.B. and I were down at J.F.s' for a cup of instant postain and a biscuit and our usual yarn. J.F., D.B.B. and I most nights have been going for a walk round the camp and a sit on the rocks on hillside near to the Leprosarium. We yarn and watch the parade going round. We have nicknames for a lot of people, the ghost train, the bicycle. 

The school children are on Easter holidays but it has made no difference to the noise for rehearsals go on all the time. John Masefield passion play 'Good Friday' was given on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. J.F. and I went on Thursday night and it was very good and well acted.

We are now able to buy eggs, bananas and oranges in limited quantities and of course as far as our pocket money will go, but a fried egg in place of fish soup is a real treat and a banana on our tongue is OTT.

Last Saturday evening we were suddenly told that there would be a blackout and we had to make the best arrangement we could which is difficult in hot weather, but even before 10 o'clock the guards came round and made us put out our lights altogether. Then the authorities got nasty with the poor results of the blackout during the next two days until we finally had to put out the lights at sunset, which made conditions rather miserable. However they finally withdrew the ban on Friday and so we are back to normal conditions again.

One of the rooms had a gramophone and kept us amused and cheered with funny records such as Max Miller etc.

Last Sunday was Easter Sunday and I went to the 7 o'clock service taken by Sandbeck and at the 10 o'clock service I was a sideman it was a special service taken by five of the ministers. Downie not preaching just now as he has had all his teeth out. ((Possibly James Downie Thomson, though he was a manager at Dairy Farm before the war, not a priest.))

D.B.B. and I went to the hospital to help H. Smith bring his clothes and bedding up here as he was discharged today. When one goes to hospital you have to take blankets and pillows with you as the hospital is so short, so your mug, spoons and plate, sugar if you have any and any tit bits of your own.

Last week a coroners inquest was held into the death of a Mrs Evans who died on the operating table due to the lack of oxygen, which the Authorities wont supply to the hospital. Dr H.Talbot has been arrested and put into the prison. It is said that he has received a sentence of 18 months and Grayburn has received 4 years. so Bidweed one of the internees who escaped a year ago and was caught with three others has died in prison. ((That sounds like Kenneth Bidmead, though in fact he survived the war and lived until 2007.))

On Monday I went to our engineering lecture on Charter Party and it was most interesting. J.F., D.B.B. and I have our usual walk at night and tonight D.B.B. and I went to J.F. for a cup of instant postain and a biscuit and had our usual yarn.

We have been told that we can write a 200 word letter which will be dated 30th April and it is expected that we will be able to write monthly and by backdating the letter we'll be able to send one for May. This is jolly nice to think about.

Late last Saturday night the Chinese Supervisor came and handed me 50 Yen from Hoo Cheong Wo of which I gave 5 Yen to N.D.M., H.S., C.W.C. and T.M ((probably George William Craig and Thomas MacIntyre)) and 15 Yen to D.B.B. This gift of H.C.W. is very acceptable and most useful to us just now, as the Jap authorities have told us they are holding back our allowance because instructions have not yet been received from Tokyo and also because the Jap Government are not giving their own internees in other countries any allowance, which looks as if their exchange is not of a high standard, it of course is not.

After a few days freedom from blackouts we are again in the throes of having no lights and bed at 10 o'clock. However the weather is very fair and warm, but fortunately on our side of the building there is a nice cool breeze and I still sleep with a blanket on me. We are also able to go about without a shirt on and just a pair of khaki shorts and so my legs and body are getting very tanned.

The news continues to be very good and it is grand to know that the North Africa affair is nearing and end. Today's news indicates that it is really all over.

Another batch of people have come into the camp on Friday. Mrs Selwyn-Clarke and sanitary inspectors, doctors and bankers, 18 in all and they have been accommodated in 'D' bungalow near to us and are feeding with our block. They are glad to be in here as conditions in town are pretty hopeless. Of course they are more lucky than us in being able to bring all their clothes and goods and chattels whereas we only had what we stood up in. However I am never jealous of these people as the corner we went in made it so that we were fortunate to get off with our lives.

The bathing season has commenced but I don't go a shower does me. Hatton the head of the Foreign Officers and representative for the camp has said in a bulletin that all letters have been delivered. We know that this is nonsense, and it looks as if the residue of the letters have been burned or consigned to the wastepaper basket. However we'll see.

I'm glad to say I'm still keeping fit and in good health and my weight is about 172lbs. D.B.B. and I were at J.Fs' tonight for our usual cup and yarn but in view of the early blackout we came away early. My letter to you was handed into the C.S.O. office on Tuesday 4th May and I hope you get some day.

After several more days of blackouts they have again been called off for which we are thankful, it would appear that Canton has been bombed two nights in succession and so the Japs are jittery.

On Monday I received 10 Yen from Lam Cho Chaw, so also did J.F. and J. Watson. This is a good sign and shows that Lam is not 'feart'. I have the feeling somehow that is working for Hoo Cheong Wo in his place. We had a canteen tab this week and so I was able to get some things such as sugar, shoe laces, bean curd etc. and so long as we have enough money to buy eggs and bananas this helps to supplement our chow.

Well the great news of the great victory in North Africa is very fine and with the knowledge that Winston C. is over in Washington with a retinue of experts gives us an idea that things will moving soon on all fronts. Time is passing on and we are all getting very tired of this life of restriction. We try to do the best we can but it all gets very boring.

We have started a bowls team composed of Q.M.S. staff (that is W.J.Anderson) and the rations parties and Andy suggested the name of 'Trojans' and this we are known by. We lost our first game last Tuesday against the Police Green, most of our team are purely novices, my side being A.Wyllie, C. Rowcliffe, H.T. Smith and myself as skip, we lost 16-12 we got one point.

The lectures go on on Mondays and Fridays, other talks were on Radio and Mining.

D.B.B. and J.F. and I go our usual walk round the camp on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Friday J.F. usually has a meeting and then on Saturdays D.B.B. and I go to J.Fs' for our cup and yarn.

My thoughts are always so much of you dear and I try to visualise how things are going with you, how you are keeping and I always trust that you are fit and well, how you are off financially, are you still at 1050 Chiles Street, did you get the money I sent you over HI, Line Services sent you both word and money and so on.

I do wish that repatriation would come along soon so that within the next few months or even the end of the year we could be reunited again. Here's hoping. At church at 10am for a little while and again at 4pm.

No parcels have come in for a while. On Monday we received each 1/4lb of margarine from the International Welfare which is very welcome indeed as lard in the canteen is soaring to such a price as everything else that it is now nearly impossible to buy unless one has a good wad of Yen. Sugar is now one Yen (4 Hong Kong dollars) per lb., soya sauce one Yen per tin, bean curd 65 sei Wong Tong 240 Yen per lb. and so on. (one Hong Kong dollar = 1s.3d.)

The latest bulletin announces that we are to be no more allowances and the Japs say we are receiving ample food, plenty of rice 8oz per head per day but dear little of anything else. Beef or mutton seldom and in small quantities, tomatoes are in season but the rest of the vegetable is just puree. lep sap, water spinach and yin choi on  alternate days, might be good for rabbits but that is all. Food of course is scarce in town and in any case in the Japanese mind we are only dogs bodies.

J.F. has asked me to be one of sidemen at the church services and it was my turn on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock.

The weather has been very typhoony or monsoony all week with rain and strong winds and also we have ad to suffer blackouts and to  make them effective the fuses are drawn so that no lights are possible. In this weather it is uncomfortable unless one goes to bed immediately it is dark. However the blackout was lifted tonight and I'm taking the opportunity of writing this now.

D.B.B. and I were down at J.Fs' tonight and he gave me a wad of money for distribution amongst our staff, 10 Yen per head which is very nice and cheering so I'll be a welcome visitor when I go on my rounds tomorrow. I think this will be the last distribution for a while as it is very difficult to get money into the camp now. The last time we paid out was on the 19th January over four months ago.

Repatriation rumours are still very strong it being said that the camp will be cleared by the end of September. Well my dear it can't come too soon for I'm longing to see you and hope the day is now not so far distant.