Japs said we must move out. Some one among us suggested we move to some offices within their knowledge in Shell House. So all we ARP folk immediately did so, only a short walk from Dina House. We swept the floor and cleaned up, and saw some of the wounded soldiers on Hong Kong Hotel verandah opposite.
Jap planes were showing off against a blue sky, dropping leaflets. Some sort of Jap. parade ((probably the Jap forces ceremonial entry into the city, some officers on horses.))
After half an hour in Shell House, some one in authority came and we were told we had to go back to Dina House, and wait until we were sent somewhere. Did so - we ladies were given a lift to Tai Koon Hotel, Des Voeux Road, next to Central Market. Men followed on foot. Separate cubicles, ladies on 2nd floor, men on fourth floor. ((More a brothel than a hotel.))
((Cubicles were all in a line, along which ran a wide verandah looking out on to Des Voeux Road; wooden and glass partitions in between. Each cubicle had a large bed which took up most of the width, then a wash basin. Another line of cubicles backed on to the front row, so you could talk through the flimsy partitions to 5 immediate neighbours. Some one said the hotel was a brothel. I couldn't bring myself to undress, fearing some kind of contamination, so slept in my day clothes.))
We all pooled whatever tinned food we had, and clubbed together and bought vegetables, there was a kitchen on our floor. Desperately cold. We were allowed out, Tony escorted me to Hong Kong Hotel where I saw Olive who was billeted there, and Sid in hosp.
Mr Himsworth reported he had seen Mum at the Queen Mary Hospital and that she was OK.
((At that time I knew nothing of Mum's horrific experiences at the Jockey Club Hospital which Jap soldiers entered and raped some of the young nurses; all this is told in detail in my Mother's memoir 'It Was Like This...'))