A reshaping of the camp's welfare system has been decided on, and camp secretary John Stericker posts a notice on the board to inform James Ivor Barnes, who's in charge of the storeroom, of the new division of responsibilities and to assure him his work continues to be required and appreciated:
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Naturally I am thinking of Joy's birthday tomorrow. My "programme of thinks" is as follows: - I'm always awake and up by 7 or a little past - that is 10pm the night before with you and I think of you sitting by the fireside or getting off to bed. Then I usually try for 40 winks after our midday meal - I always rest a little but rarely fall off - so I think of you then - that is 12.30 - 1.30 or so - the middle of the night with you. Then I start thinking again at 4 (7am with you) when you will be getting up I expect and I can continue thinking of you till I go to bed.
Cold, damp.
Our Second Wedding Anniversary! And both spent in prison camp! Oh well, it is somewhat unique, though not quite what we would choose. Not so unique, however, as being married in a prisoner of war camp – and people still go on getting themselves engaged and married here. I don’t know if I have recorded the fact that Robert Minute and Peggy Sharpe have become engaged: entirely a camp romance.
Many Happy Returns to Joy. I thought of her at 10 past 4 - I am sure she would be up and about getting ready for her 'Varsity Classes. Very cold and bleak today so I stay in as much as possible. No news. AMLAML. B.
Colder.
((G.))
Still upset with tummy. No dancing tonight.
Chinese New Year.
Yesterday was Chinese New Years Day 'Kung Hei Fah Choy' and a miserable wet day it was too. However as the Chinese say that rain on that special day is a sign of good luck, we look forward to the good signs being fulfilled and our team or incarceration ended and happy days being our lot again and trust our reunion will come soon dear.
The news is again very good from what we hear, it seems hardly possible that the Germans can last out much longer, the Russians seem to be just rolling them up, the faster the better and then look out Mr Nippo.
Issue of Y15 (adults) Y10 (children).
3 pkts R.L. $1.80.
Maudie Minn’s party for us was most enjoyable. When we arrived she greeted us with the news that she had, that afternoon received a post card from Capt. Minn. She was so excited about it. Three lines had been blacked out by the censor and so far we have not been able to decipher it! But judging by the context it referred to the disposition of his allowance from the Japanese, or rather the balance of it after sending some to Maudie and some to Sophie for parcels.
The first monthly allowance sent by the British Government through the Red Cross is received. It's 20 yen per adult and 15 yen per child - just enough to buy a few items of food at the Canteen.
Source:
Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 94
Cold & wet.
Vomitting. Epsom salts.
((G.))
Rec. Y15. Reps. £3-15-0 or $60HK.
Brown / Alton
It has got much colder again after 2 days of muggy drizzly weather. Friday 5th was C. N. Y. - again this year as 19 years ago the day after Joy's birthday. I had a terrible day yesterday. We have at last got a little allowance - it's supposed to be 20 Military Yen for all over 12, and Y 10 for those under 12 but the I.R.C. delegate miscalculated and only sent enough for Y15. I had to pay out to all in I.Q. - 743 persons - totally Y10,835 - and I had awful trouble as I hadn't enough 5 Yen notes. I let the Police pay themselves and so got rid of Y3,300.
HSBC Banker Charles Hyde is one of the most wide-ranging and courageous of the British Army Aid Group's agents in Hong Kong. He's involved with fund-raising, smuggling money and drugs into Stanley, arranging escapes and gathering intelligence.
He sends a report that the BAAG believe is written today about developments in occupied Hong Kong: the escape of Kennedy-Skipton, the departure of more POWs to Japan in late January, the arrival of about 30 more beri-beri sufferers in Bowen Road Hospital, and so on.
In bed nearly all day.
Saw Steve pm.
Colder.
Good news re Russian advances. Felt somewhat better.
((G.))
Jail show (second stretch)
Bl. out dusk; lights out 10 pm.
Dr. came. Diagnosed dyspepsia & indigestion. Br. Soda. & on Clinic food.
Jap gun practice & black-out.
Saw Steve pm.
((G.))
New moon.