Issue 5 pkt. + 4 cigarettes Y3.51
B.O.
Pages tagged:
Overcast, cold.
Workshops.
Damp & drizzly pm.
Lorry with Canteen [gear?] 5.30pm.
2 Pkts cigs issued.
Very poor meals today.
Permanent Black-out ordered.
'Blessing of the Throats' today after Mass.
Japs are asking for information re safe deposit boxes in HK & Shanghai Bank.
Connie Van Der Lely ((Annie's elder sister)) and I went to play bridge and monopoly at the Bartons - George Davitt (Police) and Dick Cloake there too; nice, and lots to eat.
Rumour that motor torpedo boats are around.
Russians 50 miles from Berlin.
We're not getting back-rice after all.
Death of John Owen Hughes, a former unofficial member of the Legislative Council.
Sandbach / Wittenbach
B.O.
Death 109 - John Owen Hughes (74) Memorial masonic service held - S???????? ((Sandberg or Sandbach??)), Martin, Rose
Cold. NE wind and Raining.
Workshops.
Fry-pan for Mary.
Jap Garrisons off Sumatra & Java caught at sea? State of emergency in Town?
Average estimate re time to release, 3 months.
Touch of indigestion.
Wet and very cold.
Mr. John Owen-Hughes died last night.
Catholic Action meeting in afternoon.
My eyes bad. ((I sometimes got infected eyelashes, and had to have them pulled out.))
Had card from Evelyn Kemp, (school friend in UK) posted 2nd March 1944, saying:
'Glad to be writing you again after such a long wait. Will write again. Good luck and health to you all.'
Mr. Wells gave lecture on 'old Hong Kong' in evening.
Emergency ulcer operation on W.W.C. Shewan (Court, Kirk, Loan)
21 men appt'd to ration party (permanent) to go to town if necessary
Drizzly & miserable but brightened up pm.
Workshops.
All news excellent. Fighting in Berlin?
“Awa Maru” to leave Moji 17th inst. with RC supplies.
2 pork sausages from Steve.
Black-out cancelled.
Doreen shorthand.
We got eggs (40 Yen) and pork (500 Yen a pound) but we didn't buy that much!
((These extras were bought with the proceeds of sale of my watch.))
Very poor, ordinary meals - greens and peas, and cockles.
Worked in afternoon.
Crosses are now being dug out in various places about camp ((ie. to show our planes we are a camp)).
Newspaper says that a Jap. ship leaves Japan about 17th with parcels for us among others - frantic rumours re contents.
HK News - "Street fighting in Manila City"
Overcast, cold.
Workshops.
Manila entered 4th. Kobe bombed 4th. Russians 10 mls SE Stettin 4th.
A & B Groups Canteen.
2 boxes matches issued Y1-95 each.
Question now is, “What will arrive first”, food or release.
Lorry arrived empty.
Had egg in evening, fried a pancake.
Shorthand with Ivy Batley and Mrs. Goddard.
2 cards from Auntie Lil, one May 1944.
Very cold.
Azalea presents "Fountain of Youth" (also Classical Quintette & H. Talbot & E. McDermott)
Overcast, cold, 37’.
Workshops.
Mary gave me egg & pork.
Lorry with wood 3.30pm 5 & 6 pm.
According to Chinese paper cold spell general over the World, coldest for 20 yrs.
Yesterdays & todays papers kept at H.Qs.
Ate 2 eggs tonight.
Bishop Valtorta visited camp, blessed us in Prisoner Officers' Club.
H. Stainsfield died.
Death at the age of 70 of Chief Engineer Officer Harry Stainfield. He'd worked for the Merchant Navy on the SS Shun Chih.
Azalea presents "Fountain of Youth" (see 8th for details)
Death - Harry Stainfield (69)
p.m. Bishop Valtorta visited camp.