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Of the MY100 that we managed to get changed, we asked that MY30 should be kept in town and that lard, milk powder and rolled oats should be bought with the money. The other MY70 came in (minus 5% commission to the chap that brought it in – whoever he was). After a week or two had passed, and no parcel made its appearance, we heaved a sigh and resigned ourselves to our fate, believing that the money had somehow gone into the wrong pocket.

Swim am with Bonnie.

((G))

Y and I between us make a 12 oz tin (335 grams – 6 meals) of corned beef or mutton last for 3 days, a 15 oz tin of fish lasts for 4 days. With this arrangement our tinned food will last until the end of July – by which time, surely something else will have turned up. At the moment we have about Y2.40 left!

Fine.

Swim. pm.

Very quiet day.

Walk with Steve pm.

Hosp visit hours now 2.30 to 4pm

I have not discussed the scheme to any extent with Prof.

Fine, cloudy, hot.

To beach am with B & E. ((Probably Bonnie & Eve - not sure who Eve was))

((G))

Softball with Steve pm. Coffee.

Black-out cancelled.

The International Red Cross Delegate in Hong Kong visited Stanley Camp on 13 May 1943. He reports the opening of the bathing beach with large attendances. He further reports that the composition of rations has recently improved. The authorities are giving sympathetic consideration to this problem and there is, therefore, no immediate cause for anxiety.

Source:

The Prisoner of War, July 1943

"HK Hotel" concert (Large, MacN, Drown, Heath, Azalea Reynolds, Witham, ?????? ((something like Gillies)), Martin, ?????? ((something like Hewitt)), Bidwell, etc.)

I was told the other was Streatfield, number 2 of the HK Bank, but I do not know him. That evening there was a great deal of discussion about the identity of these two and speculation as to the cause of their presence there. A day or two later we could see these two Europeans being paraded up and down at the side of the second or third prison block; they were in the company of some thirty Chinese prisoners and were guarded by Indian guards.

Fine, cloudy.

Cookhouse.

Mutton.

((G))

Walk with Steve pm til 8pm.

"HK Hotel" concert ((see 13th for details))

Now we hear that Dr Selwyne-Clarke has also been arrested. I don’t know if he has had any connection with this money business.

To beach with Bonnie am.

((G))

Softball with Steve pm.

Hot & humid.

After several more days of blackouts they have again been called off for which we are thankful, it would appear that Canton has been bombed two nights in succession and so the Japs are jittery.

"HK Hotel" concert ((see 13th for details))

5 pkts. May Blossom, 75 sen

((Following text not dated:))

Later Preston Wong in, and K.C.Yeo. ((ie They were taken in for questioning by the Japanese.))

The ‘HK News’ the other day complained that the British Government had declared the HK dollar valueless. This was instanced as another way in which Britain abandoned to their fate it’s former allies and subjects. Actually, I wonder why the British Government took so long to call in the HK Dollar and declare it valueless. I believe it had a wide circulation throughout the East and perhaps its early recall would have upset credit in other British centres.

Fine, hot.

Took Bonnie to beach am.

((G))

To concert with Steve pm.

I missed last Sunday - we had a P.S.A. meeting in the afternoon and then a sudden renewal of the blackout so I slipped up.  I've no news however.  I had a frightful fit of the blues for two days but I'm getting over it.  But what can one do? - poor chow and no money to supplement  it with.  I've borrowed HK$100 from Fisher - a HK$100 note he had.  He's not prepared to cash it when you only get 25 Yen for it.  I had another one last year in June - I've given him my cheque for £12.10/- for the two.

Rose / Alton