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3 pkts. Hatamen $1.80

3 one-act plays

Wedding – F.E.G. Hall & Ruby Eileen Bliss (Wittenbach) ((There was a Rev Wittenbach in the camp, presumably he performed the service?)) given away by father; bestman – S D Begg; b.maid – J. Armstrong

I must here record that today is the wedding day of Eileen Bliss and Mr Frederick Hall. All day the occupants of the next room, Eileen, Mrs Glanville and Joan Armstrong, have been working away at their preparations for the wedding and the reception. The bridal party has just now left on its way to the ‘church’ i.e. the BCC office (transformed), some 50 yards distant!

Cookhouse.

Muggy.

Hall & Bliss married.

Much conjecture re Canadians going.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Sandbach / Martin

2 male kitchen crews organized by Mr. S. Kemp

“White Cliffs of Dover” (W. Cox)

Dull.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm. He & Mary at loggerheads again.

((G.))

Play “White Cliffs of Dover” at St Stephens

Lousy day. Blast most women anyway.

“White Cliffs of Dover”

Stericker, Drown

((G.))

Colder today.

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Evans (“Meteorology”)

Received letter & snap of Rae from Marj bless her posted Red + last July. All was well with them then.

Good news re sinking of Jap convoy off Bismark Arch. ((see: Battle of the Bismarck Sea, 2–4 March 1943)) & of 8th Army in Tunisia confirmed. Russian news OK too.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

Eve called.

Mutal Fielder 'celebrates' the birthday of her fiancee, Kenelm Digby, who's interned in Kuching:

Mr Zindel visited Camp 

Wet & cold.

Cookhouse all day.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

Zindel came.

Much good news about. US to bomb Japan & Burma campaign developing in our favour.

3. CIVILIAN INTERNEES:-

The Hong Kong News of 19.2.1943 contains the following:-

“If I were you” (PG Wodehouse) (Play by WHE Colledge – W Kirlen/Ripley ((unclear name, maybe W Kirby?)) R Dormer ((sp?)), R Bates,  V Blackburn, Colledge, E M Gray, Cole, Curtis, N Moodie) (Dr.Valentine)

Better day.

Zindel’s visit revealed little of use to us.

No more allowances yet.

Plenty of rumours re repatriation.

((G.))

Walk with Steve pm.

((G.))

I haven't tried to write for sometime. The last few days the Camp has been buzzing with rumours of repatriation. The Japs have asked for a list of Canadians and also those with near relatives in Canada and so it is thought that possibly a boat is going to Canada. I hope others will be allowed to go as well - some perhaps to Australia and some home. We might yet be together for our Silver wedding - I have been building castles in the air! We must get some food soon - they have cut our rations again. We used to get 6oz of flour daily - that is now down to 2.

"The White Cliffs" performance was held around this time, possibly several times as the name is mentioned in diary entries by R. E. Jones on 7 Mar, and by Eric MacNider on 12 Mar. For a more detailed description we have to wait for John Charter writing on 11 Jun and 12 Jun:

The BAAG records include the comings and goings at Kai Tak Airport. Here's an example for 12th March 1943:

Death of Christine (or Christina) Cameron, aged 45.

Sources:

Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 2008, 186

http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/searchgarrison/nonuniformedcivilians.html

“White Cliffs”

I.Q. 21st. auction (Marmite Y 17.50; 5 lb. jam tin Y16)

Death of Christina Cameron, wife of J.J. Cameron