02 Jun 1945, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

Submitted by Alison Gerrard on Sun, 11/01/2020 - 12:44

I wasn't able to finish my notes last Wednesday as I developed a terrific fever and had to lie down then in the early hours of the morning bowels just opened wide and in the morning I made an attempt to the lavatory but only got half way and Davie Bone managed to revive me and bring me back to bed. I suffered a lot from looseness, red hot urine, fever and terrific shattering headache and finally was forced into Tweed Bay Hospital on Monday night 29th May. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I was very lousy and spent a measurable time both day and night, but I'm glad and thankful to say that today I am more like myself tho' still very weak and not yet allowed up. My water works got into a bad way and generally speaking I am not as well and as strong as I used to be. I'm on Sulphathiazole, 2 tablets every 4 hours and they are a splendid cure all right.

This time I am in ward no 3 the Medical ward and double the number of beds to ward 1 but not nearly so dreary. I'm benefiting from the eggs procured from our chicken farm, I have received 2 (pigeon?) eggs since except Thursday (1 only).

On Friday I received your two glorious and loving letters of 16/5/43 and 30/8/43 and for both of these I was very grateful and so glad to know that you were well and doing so well and the greetings and news contained therein were very welcome and pleased me very much.

I hopefully trust that it wont now be very long before we are celebrating together again. For me it can't come too soon. I wrote another postcard to you last week the previous one being February last, but I hae me doots as to whether you'll ever get it.

The Japs have made a new switch in rations, reduced the one issue drastically but have promised us once a week beef, pork or pheasants, which I'm inclined to think is all baloney however we'll wait and see. Also they have promised to increase the vegetables quantity but as they can't supply proper veg as it is well I ask you.

The Japs have stopped the supply of newspapers to the camp as from the end of last month (May) so that we get no news war or otherwise at all, rumours are expected to be wild rumours.

Date(s) of events described