Fathers of motherless children are being allowed to go ((i.e. to be repatriated)) – there are five such fathers and eleven children. This was made possible by an appeal made to the Japanese by one of the fathers (through Gimson) and was not suggested by the committee itself. Then there are one or two compassionate cases. Alison Black, for instance, who is 22 is being allowed to accompany her mother – we were very glad to hear of that.
Fine day. Cold.
Meatless day, no cigs either.
Chinese forces capture Nam Tau?
With Steve pm.
Harman died.
Dr. Sidney Gerald Kirkby-Gomes, aged 78, dies at the French Hospital in Causeway Bay.
He was a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, trained in Edinburgh.
Sources:
Greg Leck, Captives of Empire, 2006, 634
http://gwulo.com/node/8741 (work of Patricia Lim)
Jap M.O. ((medical officer?)) ????? ((word with red blot)) sick men for repatriation
Fine, cold.
Cigs 4 Pkts Y1.00.
Played softball pm. lost 30-20.
With Steve pm.
Men on Medical list of Repatriation inspected by Jap M.O.s
No news. Fed up with inactivity & waiting & half starvation.
OBJECTIVE: P-40 pilots fly a “diversionary alert” over Canton
TIME OVER TARGET: ~12:30 p.m.
AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Seven P-40s from the 74th Fighter Squadron (23rd Fighter Group)
AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Bell, Lt. Lundy, Lt. Meyer, Lt. Strantz, Bates, Lt. Gordon F. Bennett, La Touralle
ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None
RESULTS: None
JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: Two Japanese fighters are spotted, but they do not engage.
AIRCRAFT LOSSES: One P-40 is lost when Lt. Bennett develops engine trouble and bails out.
Fine, cold wind from N.
Ground rice for Eve.
Bathing is chilly business these days. Japs having difficulty supplying firewood.
Sha Tau Kok & Plover Bay in Chinese hands?
Choir practice 5-6pm. Dr. Talbot joined us.
With Steve pm.
Red Cross delegate Rudolf Zindel visits Stanley, spending all day in the camp and interviewing 59 internees. He notes the beneficial effects of the extra foods supplied by his office - these include soya beans, peanuts, bran and lard.
He reports a full discussion with Franklin Gimson on 'several current subjects concerning the internees'.
Source:
LAC, RG25 Volume 2929, Telegram from the International Committee of the Red Cross, received December 8, 1943
M. L. Bevan notes in his diary that banker R. A. Camidge is released from prison but his colleague William Cruickshank is arrested.
Note:
Although the transcriber was uncertain of the first name, it's clearly Camidge, and this entry helps to clarify the question of the dates of the arrests of the four bankers taken from the camp in 1943-1944. Camidge was to be rearrested. For an overview see:
"Belinda" by A.A. Milne (R. Hughes, Stutchbury, Nina Valentine, Norah Witchell, Jim Moodie, Maude Mather: p. Colledge).
Fine, cold.
Flashes over N.Ts 2-4am.
Repaired suit-case for Olive & bed for Dr. Hackett.
Saw Dr. Hargreaves re eyes.
Indians being withdrawn from posts in N.Ts?
With Steve at St. Steph’s kitchen, Carol Choir practice.
Many rumours re date of repatriation etc.
“Belinda” at St Steph’s. (("Belinda" was a play put on as entertainment - see comments below for details.))
"Belinda" by A.A. Milne ((for cast list see 25th))
Fine, cold.
Aerial activity increased somewhat today.
Zindel very pessimistic ie, no money, biscuits or beans & soya milk will cease in 2 weeks time.
Ground beans for Eve, mended shoes for Betty ((Is this the same person as "Betty G" mentioned on Aug 25th?)).
Choir practice 5.30 pm St. Steph’s kitchen, saw Steve after.
OBJECTIVE: Sea sweep over South China Sea
TIME OVER TARGET: Twelve noon
AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Two B-25s from the 11th Bomb Squadron (341st Medium Bomb Group)
AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW:
Roy Francis Denton (aka Wright-Brown) born. ((His mother Ivy (nee Thirlwell) had given birth the previous year in camp to Camille Tweed, who only survived for 2 months. There was an older sister Betty aged about 4 years.))
"Belinda" by A.A. Milne ((for cast list see 25th))
To Mrs. Ivy Denton, a son Roy Francis Wright-Brown (fr. Glen Smith, HKD ((sp? maybe "HKP")) ) ((The only male Smith with first initial G in John Black's list is G L Smith, Police.))
St. And. Ch. reunion party
No Date has yet been announced for the repatriation. The reaction of various people to the published list of probable repatriates was really quite remarkable. Of course it was easy enough for people like Y and me to read the list quite dispassionately; I, because I had never expected to go, and Y because she had not wanted to go by herself in any case.
