Painted initials for Rita. ((Who is Rita?))
Rations by lorry again.
Choir practice in Quarry 1PM.
Allowance arrived.
Dr Mrs Carnaval to town. Dr Talbot from gaol to Camp Hosp.
Good news re food in Teia-Maru.
Talk with Steve pm. E there too.
Posted card to Marj.
Read a couple of good books this month.
Issue of Y25.
Today I handed in to the C.S.O. another 75 word postcard to you. There is so little that one is allowed to say that you'll wonder at the dearth of news in it when you receive it. However the day will come and we all hope soon, when free communication can be made.
The news is really good and the Russians are advancing westwards rapidly. There is nothing of any import to record this week. Life just goes on as usual and always have plenty to do and I'm glad to say that I keep very fit and well. We received 25Yen today.
Choir practice in St Stephen’s 9.30-10.30.
Cleaned bathroom first.
Choir practice in I.Qs kitchen 6-7.30pm.
Talk with Steve after. E there too.
Wittenbach / Short
Dear Alice,
Have written you nearly every month. No word from you yet. Two years since last heard from you. Hope you and family well...Mavis's birthday yesterday. Poor child, second birthday in camp. No presents. Had small party of little things we could make in camp. Mavis is seven now and growing tall. Love to you all. We are keeping well and cheerful.
Your loving sister,
Source:
Allana Corbin, Prisoners of the East, 2002, 35
Birth of Margaret Ruth Wallace Cooke.
Niote: According to Barbara Anslow's diary, Margaret Cook (sic) was of South African parentage. The only Cooke I can find on the original internee list is C. J. Cooke, who was born in 1876. The final 'e' might be a mistake.
Margaret Ruth Cook born. (South African)
Doctors Gustav and Helen Canaval are transferred from Stanley to Rosary Hill Red Cross Home to look after the medical needs of those given refuge there.
It will not be a happy association, although Rudolf Zindel will acknowledge the essential medical and surgical work they carry out, the doctors will end up being re-interned in Ma Tau-wai and writing a post-war 'Report' damning Zindel's management of the Home.
Free issue of soap from Jap. authorities
Another month gone, thank God. Lately I have been pretty fully occupied and when evening has arrived I have not been able to summon up the necessary energy to write up my diary. My duties as Block Labour Officer kept me pretty busy, especially during the mornings. Afternoons and evenings – till the light goes – are generally spent in our garden or in rehearsing ‘Laburnum Grove’, J.B. Priestly’s play, which I am producing.
Dearest, I haven't written for 10 days or so but I've no news of any kind - the whole camp is rather depressed these days. Some more letters came in recently but none later than 31/1/43 which I received over a month ago. I've had nothing since - a whole month with no word. I keep more optimistic - I am sure the women will be away by the beginning of December and perhaps everybody by the end of January.
The war news is good and cheering. I am sure there is a lot we never hear at all.
Classical concert cancelled by Jap. Authorities
The idea of these new boilers is to have three cylinders, each holding 25 gallons (they are the hot water cylinders installed in all these flats, which we propose to dismantle) set in a row. The fire will burn under the first of the series (the one furthest from the flue) and the flue gases, after passing out of the first boiler, will first circulate round the second boiler, and then around the third boiler before finally entering the flue proper.