Amah came again and brought a few of my clothes crammed into a rattan Hong Kong basket. She had ruffled her hair to make herself look like a peasant instead of an amah who was helping the defeated British. Being New Year, we were not allowed out lest celebrations be made. Hill fires (charcoal) were wonderful over at Taimoshan ((across harbour beyond Kowloon)).
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January 1st to 9th inclusive, Namo Trip (Nam O = South Cove, at Dapeng Bay)
((In SHAMSHUIPO P.O.W. CAMP... ))
Very bright clear day. N.W. still blowing. Inspected camp and found it for the most part in filthy condition. Latrines terrible and drains blocked. 1st Mx easily the best.
Nips did not come today as they promised, to take the cases away, nor did they bring the equipment. They are full of empty promises but never intend to do anything.
A Happy New Year to you and I am sure it is going to be a happy year. Such news as we have been able to glean sounds almost too good to be true but we have had it confirmed and believe it. (all bunkum of course) We feel sure that our captivity won't last more than a few months and then the whole business will be cleared up and we can all be together again. Here's hoping anyway!
All my love always Billie
Phyllis Harrop reports:
New Year's Day – everything seems to be quiet. I have been out for breakfast and there are very few troops to be seen. All cars on the streets have been rounded up....
Bird's Eye View: the first week of the occupation
This is undoubtedly the most anxious New Year's day in Hong Kong's history. But those who are to become residents of Stanley Camp before the month is out might well feel that, bad as things are, they could have been a lot worse.
About 10 in the morning we got away for Sun Hui. At the top of the pass we were held up by the military and there seemed some doubt as to our guerrilla friends. Reaching Sun Hui things seemed still more mysterious as instead of staying in the village, we camped about a quarter of a mile out and from all appearances were settled there for the day.
Bitterly cold wind last night which kept on blowing bags away from windows. Slept very little owing to sore hips and cold wind. Rice for breakfast with a little cabbage and carrots at 10 am.
Saw General and asked him to lodge a vigorous protest about camp conditions.
Sergeant Britnell of the R.A.M.C. manages to get to Shaukiwan and bring two stranded British women to the Prince's Building, home to Franklin Gimson and other members of the former Government.
All radios confiscated by Japs. Perhaps news is so good for the Allies that they fear us being able to listen to it & doing something about it. Anyway, we are helpless without arms & there is no electric on anyway. So the radios are useless.
Slept better last night. Had some army biscuits and tea about 9. Breakfast of rice at 1000.
Saw Col Lamb about Jubilee Bldgs for Isolation Hosp; found the N.E. end flats unsuitable but the N.W. ones were good so decided on them. Found one bath that could be used as a water supply to flush the closets.
Interviewed another lot of Japs this a.m. but could get nothing out of them except the statement that one of their Drs had the matter in hand.
Phyllis Harrop, living with other Government officials in the Prince's Building, tries to go for a walk:
Radio confiscation not true. Gear being brought into gaol by some of the chaps & they are spoiling other people’s stuff in the process.
Pauline's birthday (she was Tony's fiance in Australia) so Tony & I celebrated by going to Prince's Cafe and having coffee and 3 hotcakes each - wonderful!
Queen's Road was made into a kind of market. Shops weren't open, but stalls lined the road and you could buy almost anything ((if you had money)).
Amah came twice, with most of our best clothes, and Olive's trousseau finery, which I took to her in Gloucester Hotel.
Cloudy morning, but fortunately not windy. A few more cases of dysentery admitted to hosp today. Camp sanitation far from satisfactory yet. Large number of Indians marched out of camp today being sent either to Gun Club Hill or Argyle St. Waited all afternoon for the promised medical supplies but they did not come. Cooked some of the rice left over from bkfst for lunch, quite a good meal. Discussed important affairs with Barrow who is of the same general opinion as I am but has different ideas of the best method of execution.
Due to our living conditions, it was not long before disease and sickness broke out. Dysentery spread rapidly through the camp. On the 4th January I contracted it and was sent to the makeshift hospital with a temperature of 104°. However, the Japanese, realising their own troops would suffer if they did not stop the epidemic, now ordered all serious cases to be taken to Bowen Road Hospital.
Today Hong Kong's 'European' civilians begin the journey that will lead to Stanley Camp.
The Japanese-run English language newspaper The Hong Kong News publishes a notice telling enemy civilians to assemble on the Murray Parade Ground tomorrow. Placards to this effect are also sent to the main residential areas and posted on the streets. But some people in outlying areas don't see the notice, while others choose to ignore it.
Notice orders all enemy civilians assemble ((at)) Murray Parade Ground to be interned, must make own arrangements for protecting homes and take only personal belongings.
What to do? No-one we can leave in charge of our home. Debate exhaustively, and read notice over and over. "Enemy subjects in this order include British, American, Dutch, Panamanian and other nationals whose countries are at war with Japan, exempting Chinese and Indian." Japs could not possibly intern all British subjects. We decide do nothing.
Manila gone? Went to DI [scrounged?arranged?] my gear again OK & retrieved my wedding suit.