Indoors 1 - 5p.m. Visit of Jap official to Stanley.
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The internees insist on a separate election for chairman and vice-chairman of the British Communal Council, and this takes place today. L. R. Nielsen, a New Zealand businessman with American interests, is elected chairman.
Eventually a deal is reached by which Franklin Gimson, still not in Stanley, will become a partner of the chairman.
Source:
G. B. Endacott and Alan Birch, Hong Kong Eclipse, 1978, 208.
Quiet day. No rumours.
Jap admiral came out to the Prison. No-one allowed to see.
L.R.Nielson elected Chairman; B. Wylie Vice-Chairman
Poor meals.
Cold and blustery.
Porridge lovely.
The second meeting of the British Communal Council is held at the Prison Warders' Club.
Dr. Annie Sydenham is appointed to a Watch Committee, which is set up to protect women and girls from sex crimes. She is never called out on an emergency at any time during internment.
Poor rations. No nice rumours or news.
Death of S.I. J.J.Walsh (43) H.K.P.
Meat and bread pudding.
Mrs Hawkett agitating to come back in room. ((Mrs Connie Hawkett was an ANS colleague of Mum's who had originally occupied the room with us, but soon after she found a better billet.))
Cookers gave out, therefore no porridge... great loss.
John (Jack) Walsh of the Hongkong Police died aged 43.
At a meeting of the British Communal Council a Recreation and Entertainment Committee is formed. This will plan and co-ordinate the various entertainment programs for the rest of internment.
Source:
Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 271; 206
Ran out of tobacco & cigs.
Workers' rations ceased. (i.e. extra rice plus 1/2 slice bread).
Tonight we cooked porridge on chatty in room - not bad. ((Chatty a makeshift affair in the empty fireplace in our room.))
Got 60 cigs today, original price 48cts, now $10.
Blumenthal had box of cigs brought by Jap officer. He, Whitley & Woodward working on cars in Prison for Japs. ((Probably G Whitley, a policeman, though there was also a Norman Whitley in camp. Similarly, G Woodward was another policeman, though there was also a W Woodward in camp.))
Fine day. Poor rations. Blum. & MacCutch went to town with Japs & brought back some purchases.
(180) internees (men) to move from Prep.School.
Managed to make porridge in evening on chatty ((with more of the doll's house as fuel.)) Lovely meat pie for tiffin - with real pastry.
Fine day. Did washing & had cold bath. OK too.
(180) internees moved.
Excellent concert at S.S. Hall. Mundy, Nobbins, Ms. Binks, Rennie, Morrison ((sp?)), Pilkington, "Mysto", Quartette, Ms. Bicheno, Woods, Ms. Millicent Woods (Keene, R Butler)
Very busy in office with Census.
Missionaries Alice Lan and Betty Hu send a message into Stanley.
A woman comes to their Bethel Mission on a visit. She tells them she'd been used by the British as a warden to take care of 'Japanese prisoners of war' - perhaps supervising Japanese and other Axis civilians who were interned in Stanley Prison on the outbreak of hostilities. Now she is again a warden 'but taking care of the British prisoners in the same camp'.