R. E. Jones Wartime diary: View pages

Windy but drier.

Find that public opinion did not want my resignation from kitchen. However some made observation that my squad’s cooking was not as good as others.

((G))

Blackout ordered.

Repat. rumours about.

Saw Steve am practice on ‘cello. Cigs for Mary.

Cold, windy & drizzly.

Rice not cooked am.

((G))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G))

raining.

No $ so M bought my cigs.

Blackout cancelled 9.30pm.

Repat. rumours. 800 in first batch, all families.

Wind veered to SW early am & temp. & humidity rose, so did the mosquitoes.

((G))

Swim am & pm.

((G))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G))

Rice not cooked both meals.

Cloudy, hot, humid.

Took Bonnie to beach am.

((G))

Swim pm.

Statement made by Gimson re repatriation. A & B lists medical for men. A & B lists women & children, optional A.

Empire Day Concert at St Stephens, very patriotic.

((G))

Hot, humid.

Swim am with Bonnie.

((G))

Swim pm.

Softball with S.

((G))

More statements re repat. All women & children must go except those of dual nationality who have the option of staying.

Dr Carnaval tested all males in block re condition for going with women & children or remaining.

No swim am but went pm.

Softball with Steve pm.

((G))

Many men working swindles or trying to get away on medical grounds. Many rumours re date of arrival of ship. 28th inst. 6th, 9th & 12th June so far.

Hot & humid.

Ruhr Valley flooded? ((Sounds like Jones heard of the Dambusters Raid, officially named "Operation Chastise", which took place on 16–17 May 1943 and did flood the Ruhr Valley.))

Hot, humid & rainy. 5AM off roof.

Swim with B am. Swim pm.

Heard rehearsal of “Taming of the Shrew”

Medical inspections still going on in connection with “Mercy ship” evacuation. Some swindles cropping up too.

((G))

Swim with B am.

((G))

Rained heavily 1 PM.

John ((possibly fellow prison officer, John Joyce?)) lent me mosquito net.

((G))

Steve played at concert.

((G))

Hot & humid.

Official from Tokyo inspected Camp.

Cooler & rainy.

((G))

Swim am with B.

((G))

Tiffin lousy, rice not cooked.

Beach not open pm. due to heavy rain.

((G))

Rain off & on all day.

No swimming.

((G))

Hiscock brought packet of cigs to share.

((G))

Rain & wind all day.

((G))

This month did Chinese & plodded away at German. Swimming helped too.

((G))

Dreams most vivid of finding Marj & Rae living with others onboard ship, but Rae had red hair.

((G))

Took B for a little walk.

A, 1,2 & 3 3½lb sugar each. J.V. in evidence up there. Our sugar 2¾ lb.

Beach open pm.  

((G))

Better weather but still showery.

Communal work am on store in garage.

Swim pm.

B.B. now i/c Bonnie. 

((G))

Walk with Steve pm.

Mail 12 months old arrived from Can. Africa & home.

Showery.

Store building am. Swam pm. Stung by jellyfish, burning pain disappears in ½ hr.

B.B. busted pants.

Talk with Steve pm.

((G))

(Russia severed diplomatic relations with Japan?)

Showery.

Communal work am.

((G))

Softball with Steve.

((G))

(Went up to H.Qs. to see chickens Norwegians to be included in repatriation.

Rained nearly all day.

((G))

Steve went to concert.

((G))

Fine day.

((G))

New Moon.

Fine.

Communal work am.

Shoes from W.Fare.

Swim pm.

((G))

To St. St’ns hall pm with Steve.

Black-out until further orders.

Majima arrived but he had nothing of interest to report according to the bulletin.

Comm. work am Bon helped.

((G))

To Steve’s pm & started on blanket bag for M.

Bread, jam & coffee with Webbers. ((Probably fellow Prison Officer W E Webber))

Fine day.

((G))

Rained off roof 1am.

Comm. work.

((G))

Swim with Bon & B.B.

((G))

To Steve’s pm on blanket bag.

Rec. letter from home (25-7-42)