Mr Hattori, a former diplomat, now head of the Japanese Foreign Affairs Deprartment, makes his first visit to Stanley since his appointment.
He's presented with a Memorandum outlining internee grievances, the chief of which is the amount of food provided.
Source:
Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment 1942-1945, 2011, 191 ff.
Went to church at 4pm on Sunday. J.F. couldn't attend as he was on kitchen duty at his place. I had a great thrill when I received a letter but it was only from Willie Melrose from Australia, he is with the Australian Shipbuilding Board and getting on all right. He, Simpson, Higgs and Adams were the lucky ones being on leave during this affair.
"Mimi" ((for details see 15th))
Issue of 5 Brocade or May Blossom
((Harry Ching was released from his imprisonment by the Japanese today.))
On 17th April hear my name called. Taken to waiting room. Told I must return when called up, mustn’t move or leave without permission and must not gossip. I promise.
Sandbach / Alton
To Nethersole Hospital, share room with Bill Sling. Bones ache. Some fever. Can't sleep. T.B. both lungs. Weight 117.
Dearest, I seem to choose Sunday for writing these days - no real reason.
"Mimi" ((for details see 15th))
Alton "Farming in Kwangtung"
The banker Charles Hyde is arrested for his role in a plot to help Captain Mateen Ansari escape from Ma Tau-chung Camp. The plot has been infiltrated by Japanese intelligence - in fact, it might have been instigated by them - and a letter written by Hyde with regard to the plan falls into the hands of a pro-Japanese Indian.
((Following text not dated:))
Dull but improved pm. Little done all day.
1lb vitamin biscuits issued. The Japs gave them to us but they were ours in the first place & have been allowed to go musty. A rats nest was found in one tin.
Bulletin re meeting with Hatori promulgated, nothing much in it.
Span yarn with Steve pm whilst Mary & G walked with kids.
Full moon.
Issue of 1lb. flour ?? ((unclear)) siege biscuits
Masefield's "Good Friday" (Charter, Mills, W Cox, Wittenberg, Laurensz)
(("Good Friday" is a poem by British writer and Poet Laureate, John Masefield. Not sure who the other, unlinked performers' names refer to.
AJ Savitsky painted this portrait of Richard Mills in character:
