10 Aug 1942, Joan Whiteley's wartime diary

Submitted by jo.price on

Up at 6 A.M baggage checked by the Japs at 8.30A.M spent morning saying goodbye -1.15pm all on platform all patients who could walk & all staff present.  We piled into 2 buses – staff sang Auld Lang Syne – we all felt awful. Stopped at Queens Pier – all out.  Paraded in formed 4 & waiting boiling sun till we all felt faint, for people from St Theresa’s.  They arrived – all looking terribly pale – we couldn’t speak to them.  Colonel Tokunaga arrived (to our surprise) All called to attention (more surprise) Long speech – praising our work! (your stay will not be short) Out to Stanley in 2 buses.  All to collect in hall & small bundles checked.  Heavy bags arrive and we stand for over 3 hours beside our bags until they are again examined.  Up to our new quarters. 2 room with Rollin & Davies – can’t think when I felt more like weeping.  Were given large pas??? & just fell into bed.  Terrible night – mice & cockroaches – all sleeping on floor.

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