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Fine hot & somewhat humid.
((G.))
Watched softball & then walked with Steve pm.
((G.))
Blackout. Slept on roof. Spend much time up there alone thinking of M & Rae & G & Bon trying to piece together a pattern for the future, wishing I was able to help G, that I had the substance with which to make her happy & imagining what I’d do if I had the substance. All seems futile at present.
Extract from a letter with today's date from Stanley Camp. The name of the sender is not given. [Later identified as R G Ward]
Wind to E. Cloudy & cooler. Rained off the roof at 3.45 AM.
Willcocks called for Steve re Fergusson ((not sure who that is?)) & ring. M to see Gimson in consequence.
Walk with Steve pm.
((G.))
Notice re refusal of Jap Fin. Min. refusing to release our allowance.
Blackout cancelled.
Got ahead on Chinese & some German this month.
Last Saturday evening we were suddenly told that there would be a blackout and we had to make the best arrangement we could which is difficult in hot weather, but even before 10 o'clock the guards came round and made us put out our lights altogether. Then the authorities got nasty with the poor results of the blackout during the next two days until we finally had to put out the lights at sunset, which made conditions rather miserable. However they finally withdrew the ban on Friday and so we are back to normal conditions again.
Rice reduced to 8.1oz per day. Flour increse to 4.22 oz. per day
5 pkts May Blossom
Issue of 2lbs. sugar
Classical concert ((see 30 April for details))
200-word letters allowed.
((The original text isn't dated, but suggests the event described happened over an extended period.))
But I must not conclude without mentioning the service done to the community by a retired sea-captain.
Brown / Spence "Platonic friendship - Am I my brother's keeper"
bathing beach opened at 2pm
Another month - I've had 15 months of it now in this tiny room. Luckily we are still just 2 of us - I'd hate it if a new third man was put in but I couldn't complain.
Food has improved - our flour ration has been put up to 4.22oz per day so we'll get decent bread again.
Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke, who has remained uninterned to carry on his work as Medical Officer, is arrested early in the morning by the Kempeitai, who believe he is the head of British espionage in Hong Kong.
The arrest is the beginning of a long ordeal for Dr. Selwyn-Clarke, who, despite prolonged torture, refuses to incriminate himself or name a single one of the many associates in his real work, which is not spying but organising 'illegal' relief for the camps and the dependants of Volunteers left without any means of support in occupied Hong Kong.
Sensation. Arthur Woo ((well-known and respected doctor)) and Scamp taken. George She also, and many others. Seems like clean-up of population associating with foreigners.
There are more arrests in the wake of yesterday's taking of Selwyn-Clarke. Many of Selwyn-Clarke's Chinese and Eurasian associates are arrested around this time, but in most cases the exact details are not known.
The British citizens living at the French Hospital and not under arrest are summoned to the Foreign Affairs Department and told they are to enter Stanley on May 6. (They end up going on May 7.)
Sources:
Arrests: Ride Papers, NA, NA/343/1/72, sheet 4.
"4 original prisoners in gaol in good health & spirits"
St George's Day concert (sang "God save the King")
Prof. W G Sewell - "Chengtu"
12 ((Unclear, maybe "121")) Chinese brought in gaol
There's a St George's Day concert and God Save the King is played publicly for the first time in Stanley. The audience stands.
This is presumably with Japanese permission, as there are officials present.
Presentation of S.J.A.A. certifs. (Gimson)
Boxing contest