Our 23rd Anniversary and I fell very confident that this will be the last one that will be separated. At any rate we live in great hope as the news at the moment is said to be great.
I am writing my 25 word postcard for you today. I look forward with great keenness and longingly to our happy day of reunion which of course can't come too soon for us. I hope you keep well.
Uninterned French escaper Raoul de Sercey will give a long interview to the British Army Aid Group in the spring of 1944. The BAAG summary of his account of Stanley includes the following:
Parcels
Fine, & little warmer.
German lesson pm.
Air raid N.Ts 6pm?
With Steve pm.
Black-out.
Mrs Grace Rose Smith (75) died. She was blind.
Mabel and I were digging a garden on our tiny allotment on the ex-football ground, when Mabel fell over the edge, 16 feet on to the concrete slope leading to the hospital. She arrived at the feet of Dr. Hackett, and Nursing Sisters Mrs. M. J. Staple and Miss I. Warbrick ((who were blood sisters)).
Death from cancer of Grace Rose Smith, aged 75. Mrs. Smith, who was blind, had a daughter and grandson in camp.
Source:
Philip Cracknell at http://battleforhongkong.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/stanley-military-cemete…
Fine, moderate.
Appointment made with Dr. Hargreaves.
Choir practice 5.30pm.
With Steve after.
War news good for us.
Black-out orders more strictly enforced.
Wrote music am.
OBJECTIVE: Fly reconnaissance mission over Hong Kong
RESULTS: Reconnaissance photographs are taken that show a 325-foot ship sinking in the channel where B-24s laid mines in Victoria Harbor on January 11.
TIME OVER TARGET: Unknown, but during daylight
AMERICAN UNITS AND AIRCRAFT: Unknown, but likely a single F-4 or F-5 from the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
AMERICAN PILOTS AND AIRCREW: Unknown
ORDNANCE EXPENDED: None
JAPANESE UNITS, AIRCRAFT, AND PILOTS: Unknown
AIRCRAFT LOSSES: None
Went to hosp. early - Mabel in cock-eyed bed with wooden poles across the top, and her left leg extended and held taut with a dangling flat-iron. That day Dr Myasaka visited the hospital, but though requests were made, nothing was done about x-ray then. ((Her spine was broken but we didn't know it then.)) She had fractured heel, rib probably cracked, and fractured left wrist.
I started to learn German from Mr R. Lederhofer.
Fine, mild.
Cleaned rm, bthrm & kitchen.
4Pkts Cigs.
Jap Dr. around the Camp.
With Steve pm.
Black-out.
(5 more Es ex. in town. Gingles, Chester-Woods, Pascoe, Da Silva & Soares?)
((I guess he's noting a rumour that a further five people had been executed. Who is he referring to?
James O'Toole in Shamsuipo gets a postcard:
PC from Alan ((Barwell)), he's quite well but thinner.
Source:
Diary of Staff-Sergeant James O'Toole: http://www.far-eastern-heroes.org.uk/James_OToole/html/dairy_1944.htm
Myhill / Ream
Jenner / Pearson
B.O.
Fine.
Poor rations.
Saw “bricks”. ((What was that?))
Walk with Steve pm.
Black-out.
Fine, warm.
Saw Dr. Hargreaves re eyes.
Rec. letter (Aug 1942) & snap (Rae 1 Yr.old).
Choir practice 6.15pm. With Steve after.
Black-out cancelled.