When is this internment going to end? I have another fit of depression when I wonder how I can stick it. I suppose it is largely a matter of food, for the news is excellent and there is no doubt that the war is moving towards the final stages. But I haven’t the energy to get the fun out of life! My legs feel so weak and flabby these days. However, the weather for the last month has been perfect and the garden is coming on well – one of our tomato plants has actually put forth some flowers! Even though it is, as yet, less than a foot high; perhaps I should nip them off; I must enquire.
Pages tagged:
Fine, dry.
Uneventful day. Wrote out parts for “Drink to me only with Thine eyes”.
With Steve pm. Home with E.
"Private lives" by Noel Coward (Pam Pritchard, Richard Mills, Hans Lourensz, Peter Mills, DG Jenner, At piano - Patty Mace, Reg. Jenner, P. - D. Gordon Jenner; Singer - Ken Mcleod)
((AJ Savitsky painted this portrait of Richard Mills in character:
Dry, fine, meatless day.
No paper.
Teia-Maru to be back here on 29th with food?
Daily average of cals & prots for the month 15-77 & 41-86.
With Steve pm.
Show at St Stephens “Private Lives”.
T. Donaldson died. He was an old Marine Engineer, who always talked about sailing a ship again.
Death of Thomas Donaldson, aged 72.
Rudolf Zindel makes his monthly visit to Stanley, interviewing 49 internees. In an optimistic (and ultimately pointless) move, Franklin Gimson has got permission to entrust the Red Cross with such personal documents as cannot be taken out of Hong Kong by those selected for repatriation.
"Private lives" by Noel Coward ((see 21st for details))
Death of Thomas Donaldson (72) Master Mariner
Showery, warm, cloudy.
Zindel arrived & among other things checked Canteen prices.
Cigs arrived at last, 25sen per pkt, 1½ d per cig.
Repair camp bed canvas for Steve. With Steve pm.
Chinese in town having their rice ration made up with beans due to lack of rice. Speaks well for the Co-prosperity Sphere.
Scott & Frazer executed & Waterton shot?
"Private lives" by Noel Coward ((see 21st for details))
Cloudy but dry & fresh wind.
Poor food.
Bulletin rather cloudy again, Teia-Maru not to call on her way to Japan, & the food is destined to Canadians only.
With Steve pm.
Another letter No27 of 13/12/42 arrived a few days ago - it's lovely to get them, old though they are. Frank looked in last night and said he had one from you too. I must go up this evening and see it. My Christmas present was blankets you tell me - I have saved our blankets - about the only thing I could save - because I was using them. You envy the Macleods being all together - you and I Darling could have gone through this together though I'd have hated seeing you hungry and emaciated - you would certainly got thin here!
Brown / Roser
Fine & dry.
No news. Just an empty useless day.
Lorry load of Chinese to gaol all knelt in bottom so that they were hidden from public gaze.
I went up and saw Lin and Frank yesterday and your letter. A part of it had been heavily blacked out. You wrote something about "being very worried last week" - then the rest is blacked out. No news yet - the No 2 in the F.A. Dept. is very ill so all progress is stopped until he gets better. We must just have patience. Cheerio Darling - hope on, hope ever. All my love. B.
Over in Sham Shui Po, the POWs are ready to enjoy the first night of the show "La Czigane":
Fine, dry, cloudy.
Ground rice for D.M. ((Who/what is D.M.?)) & made needles for Mary.
No news, just another empty day.
Steve to practice. Choir practice 5-6pm.
At Steves pm. E there. Syb called. ((Who is "Syb"? Possibly Sybil Swift / Leiper?))
C.S. emphasized need for Hatori to visit.