20 Feb 1943, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

Submitted by Alison Gerrard on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 12:10

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.

Date(s) of events described