(Sunday) To Mass at St. Joseph's, then bought a dress-length ((enough material to make a dress)), then went to work.
Was released about 3pm but couldn't get out (of Supreme Court) because the road between Queen's Pier and Government House lined with sailors and soldiers because it was Signing of Surrender ceremony. Went up on verandahs and watched it all from there with Mr. Castilho, the clerk.
T. J. J. Fenwick (see September 9) reports to Morse on the situation of the HKSBC:
1st meal in new mess.
Sweat rash getting bothersome.
Wish this was last Sunday.
People for Aust. registered their names.
Rec. R.C. towel, toothbrush & paste & pr. shoes.
Arranged job with Woods the Baggage Master.
Rained.
Taking in Galley cash.[?]
Couldn't eat much (not feeling well).
F. Gimson, B. Bickford, Mrs. Hardie, Mr. & Mrs R. Minnitt, Max Bickerton & others left by plane for UK. Tony Cole and Jim Johnson sailed on 'Vindex' to Australia. Hope it's our turn next.
Went to Bank to draw $200 - so glad it was there (and had been all during internment).
Sixty two former internees are transferred to HMS VIndex ready to set sail for Australia. Originally 150 were expected to go, but a last minute change of plans left 90 disappointed and the rest frustrated by further changes, lack of information and communication problems. Among the relatively lucky ones on board is Leon Blumenthal.
Source:
China Mail, September 18, 1945, 4
Passed lousy night. Gwen ever with me.
People for S.A. registered.
Took in f.w.
1Pkt.Camel issued
Cooler on upper deck, overcast.
Posted A/m to Marj.
Yarn with J. Howell, discover where G lives in Southampton. ((Possibly Mr J S Howell))
NCOs from Camp onshore embarked.
M.O. inspection. Unfit due to b-b. [beri-beri?]
Ate a little, I am in the middle of worm treatment – castor oil last night, and Santonin this evening.
Still working at Supreme Court.
Bought hair curlers.
Dorothy Kennard etc. left for UK today.
A plane came down and lost mail from Australia.
H.M.S. Glengyle sails with 600 British internees. The Llanstephan Castle takes 800 Indian fomer POWs to Madras.
One of them is Vice-Chancellor Duncan Sloss, who, leaving Lindsay Ride in charge, is going to London for crucial talks about the future of Hong Kong University. In a farewell message he says:
Rained nearly all day.
Went alongside No.7 Wharf & embarked about 1,000 troops ex PoWs from Formosa.
Mail closed 4pm.
Feeling miserable, general neuralgia through a cold; unhungry. No worms.
There are ships leaving this weekend probably. Dying to go.
A new clerk – Lee Wing Kit – appeared in the office, he is a steno, and Miss Grace Ezra is coming in from Stanley and doesn't want to leave HK till Spring, so that simplifies my departure.
The South China Morning Post is not impressed by some aspects of the new regime:
The seeming neglect of the Chinese population for the first fortnight of our freedom revived some dying bitterness, and the queer contradictions and changes in the evacuation system for Stanley internees has added to it.
From No.7 to anchorage 8am.
Overcast.
Dreamt of G last night.
Embarked oil & water.
Sat on B dk. for an hour 7-8pm with my thoughts of G.
All available space on Prom Dk & Rooms occupied, crowded out with people. It is impossible to be alone anywhere.
This morning before going to S. Court, I went to see Dick Maynard to make sure he had us down for as early as possible departure, then to work.
A report in the China Mail claims that 'Stanley feels hurt': half of the 400 women found that there weren't enough pullovers, coats and sandals in a package form the Australian Red Cross. The report makes it clear that neither the Red Cross nor the Camp Authorities are to blame.
The paper also reports the birth of a son to former internees Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thomas on board the H.M.S. Oxfordshire.
Source:
China Mail, September 20, 1945, pages 3 and 4
Underway for “The next Port of Call” 7.20am. US M/swpr. ahead.
Overcast, slight sea, cooler.
Several malaria cases to Hosp. today.
Clock back 1hr. midn’t.
REPATRIATION NOTICE NO. 1
Embarkation for United Kingdom, Ceylon and India
1. Will the following persons please assemble at Stanley at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 2nd September, 1945:—
SIX P.O.W.s DIED ON VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA
Grim Evidence of Jap Brutality
SYDNEY, Thursday,
Royal Navy hospital ship, Oxfordshire, brought to Australia the first, grim evidence of Jap brutality when it berthed at Brisbane to-day.
Fine all day, slight swell. SW wind, nil sighted.
M/s still ahead. She turned back at 9.00pm.
REPATRIATION NOTICE NO. 2
EMBARKATION FOR UNITED KINGDOM, CEYLON and INDIA
The persons in this List are additional to those in List No. 1.
The following person should assemble at STANLEY at 10 a.m. on SATURDAY 22nd September, 1945:—
The following persons should assemble at QUEENS PIER at 10 a.m. on SATURDAY 22nd September, 1945, or, in the case of Kowloon residents, board H.M.S. “SMITER” at Kowloon Wharves:—
REPATRIATION DAY.
(Diary was packed last night (21st) so couldn't write anything then. Went shopping.)
Had a cable from Aunt Lily, she had received ours, thank God she is still alive.
Assembled at Queen's Pier at 9.30am, launch to 'Smiter' which is out in mid-stream. Assembled on hangar deck.