On the 24th September, 1945 we were taken from the camp to the Manila Docks. We could see the total devastation of this part of Manila, which had suffered severely in the fierce fighting, which had taken place prior to the Japanese surrender. We boarded an American naval transport, loaded not only with ex-POWs (American, British, Dutch, etc.) but a large number of American troops returning to their homes. The accommodation was in triple tier bunks. There were so many on board that we all were split into two groups, one lot could use the bunks while the other was on deck.
After the conditions of the past few years, even this could not spoil our happiness on finding freedom again. Plenty of good food and sunshine made us all put on weight. The Americans did all they could to make our voyage pleasant. Our thoughts at this time were very confused. After years of deprivation and brutality, we were suddenly in a world of plenty with freedom of movement. It was difficult for us to adapt to our new way of life. We had been cut off for so long from any news except the barest scraps. We heard words like: G.I., D-Day, atomic bombs, Coke, pin-ups, etc. It was a new language we had to learn.