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We first heard about repatriation on 24th May and here it is 27th June and we've heard no more - crowds of rumours all the time but nothing definite. At one time tomorrow was the sure date! But here we are no forwarder. It's terribly sticky weather and so we are all feeling rather "down" and tired. A.M.L. B.
The Kempeitai (Gendarmes) come to Stanley Camp. Their aim is to arrest two groups of people: firstly, those involved with a system of message exchange with uninterned British nationals in town and with Chinese agents of the resistance organisation, the British Army Aid Group, and secondly those operating forbidden radio sets in Stanley.
Everyone was so keen to get news and several internees had brought radios into the camp with them, secretly hiding them where they didn't think the Japanese would find them. But on the 10th July, 1942 (a date we can never forget), they pounced on the camp and several internees were taken away to where a huge grave had been dug. They had to kneel down, and were decapitated with a sword.
((Kathie wrote this account some fifty years after the events, and not surprisingly some of the dates and events have got merged together. The actual timeline was:
The fateful 28th has passed; no ship hove in sight and all the women and children are still here. So I smile complacently and say, “I thought so”. However, the next date for departure has already been fixed and the day named is Friday, 23rd July. Well, in that case Yvonne will just be able to celebrate my 31st birthday with me – something like the occasion, four years ago, when I spent my 27th birthday in Ceylon with Mother and Father and set sail the next day for HK.
Rained heavily 1AM.
Investigation of people arrested yesterday carried on. (Hall, Bradley, Anderson PWD, Scott, Reece & Whant). ((Probably F I Hall, F W Bradley, W R Scott, and S Rees, as all those men would be executed by the Japanese in October 1943. I only know of one "Whant" in camp, L R Whant. In the comments below, Brian notes 'Anderson' refers to William Anderson.))
Cheers I have had another letter No 20 of 25/10/42 - I have 4,5,6 and 8 and now 20! I had just sent off my p.c.
With the Camp still 'in turmoil' over the arrests two days before, George Wright-Nooth, Alec (or Alex) Summers and George Merriman are almost arrested.
Yesterday (Tuesday) evening I received your glorious and loving letter of 18th October 1942 so I think this one completes all the letters written by you in Glasgow during October '42 and for these dearest I can assure you I am very grateful. It is fine to know at the time of writing you were settling down in Glasgow and enjoying being there and keeping well and fit.
No parcels for internees at Stanley notified in HK News.
Life in the Italian Convent
A new month and no further on! We have had some trouble in camp - six men arrested by the Gendarmerie - D.O.K. what for - but I expect they'll have a rough time. It is horrid to think there must be some informer in Camp. No news. Good night L.O. B
More than 18 months of poor nutrition are taking their toll. One of the most alarming developments is the occurence of eye problems due to B vitamin defiency. The camp's doctors are trying to tackle the problem, and today Dr Kenneth Uttley writes in his diary:
((Following text not dated:))
Downstairs vacates. Formosan family move in. Banging at door one night.
I go in haste having forgotten U device for by-passing electric meter. Turned out downstairs wanted for ignoring black-out.
Met Rose Souza going to see bank people. All foreign bankers interning.
Race ponies slaughtered for food. Unfit for racing, also to economise. Each carcase fetches Y50 to Y100. About 500 lbs horse flesh. Now only about 60 ponies left.
14 Bank people arrived in camp