(This is an example of a situation report from Jack to my father - with the original spelling! Source: Australian War Museum, their ref: AWM 2/3/6-10).
Reference Norman/1
San Fou 24th October, 1943.
To: Col. L.T. Ride, O.B.E.,
Commanding Officer, B.A.A.G., H.Q.,
Kweilin.
From: Captain G.D. Jack. B.A.A.G.
Sir,
Franklin Gimson writes in his diary that Hong Kong fell so quickly because people weren't committed to the 'ideas or principles on which this war is being waged'. He thinks they 'fought in a half-hearted manner' and he also notes the pre-war hope that Hong Kong would be made an open city - and thus not defended at all.
Source:
Franklin Gimson, Internment in Hong-Kong March 1942- August 1945, 32b (Rhodes House Library, Oxford)
J. Copland, a little Scotsman, died today.
Death of James Copland, aged 45. Before the war he'd been a marine engineer with Jardine and Matheson. He'd been held at the Tai Koon Hotel before being sent to Stanley.
Source:
http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/searchgarrison/nonuniformedcivilians.html#_Toc43367493
Ben came across with 23.50. ((Who is Ben?))
An absolute negative day, no energy for anything.
Russian news good.
With Steve pm.
Food & eating dominate thought these days.
Today I received two parcels from town, one from Lo Fung I and his son Young Lo containing 4lb sweet potatoes, some dried onions and a small packet of curry powder and one from the Mie Lee Ironworks containing 1 tin corned mutton, 2 tins yellow beans and 1 tin T.S.R. treacle, all of which is jolly welcome to our mess. We intend having a stew tomorrow with the mutton, potatoes and onions and curry.
((torn paper))
Concert
News of various kinds has come into camp lately. The Russians seem to be doing stupendous things on the Eastern Front – almost back to Kiev and the Pripet Marshes in the other sector and it looks as though they will have the Germans out of the Crimea before long; though no doubt German resistance in the South will be very determined, for if the Russians or British and Americans get into the Balkans the fighting will certainly be on Germany’s back door step.
The London Daily Express returns to its slogan 'Remember Hong Kong' for an article on page 13 that, citing a New York report of two days ago, gives a brief account of the experiences during the hostilities of Bishop Cuthbert O'Gara.
Sandbach / Martin
Fine, cool, dry.
Good news re Russians in paper also of retirement of Jap troops in Solomons.
Repatriation stronger.
Bowl of fish head congy [sic] with Steve.
Home with Eve.
No celebration for Double 10th in town.
Absolutely no news and rather fed up - no money either. I spent 2 hours tonight grinding 1 lb of peanuts into butter - you roast them and salt them and then put them through a very fine mincer. I have got a rare lot of butter now - it is very tasty and full of vitamins and protein which we lack. Goodnight Darling. I think of you all the time B.
Fine, cooler, dry.
Choir practice 5-6pm.
With Steve pm.
Meijima tells us that list of names selected for repatriation will be available shortly but that it is different to what was first contemplated. Much speculation in consequence.
A British Community Council notice dated this day begins:
The supply of rice polishings used in the manufacture of biscuits (supplementary rations) is exhausted. In its place will be substituted peanut butter. To furnish this and to provide for requirements of defective vision cases...65 lbs. peanut butter per week is required....
To grind the peanuts into butter two parties of three men will be required on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week. The schedule below gives times and allocation of this duty....
