Drs. Canaval resigned as Block doctors
Whitfields came into Camp ((Who were the Whitfields?))
Death of Mr. F. R. Engdahl (34)
Pages tagged:
More rain.
No fresh news worthy of note.
Evening walk.
16oz flour per head issued. New Cookhouse opened.
A fine and very warm day.
The Japanese place restrictions on those allowed to attend Russell Engdahl's funeral, but Gwen Dew, an old friend of his wife, and who had visited Engdahl many times in Shanghai, gets special permission to go.
There is a brief service in the camp cemetery.
Several weeks later permission is given for a service with full Catholic rites, presided over by Bishop O'Gara.
((Following text not dated:))
Story of boy kidnapped from mother's side and head found in air raid shelter. Alleged cannibals blamed. Story of hawker selling excellent jook (('jook' is a Cantonese word for a rice-porridge, or congee)). Customers include police. He absent, they investigated, found him cooking human flesh.
Banks paid divvy. Only up to $500. I was paid with one $500 note. Tried to buy necessities and get change. Won't take big notes at all. Friend changes for me at $65 for $100.
News still centres around the Jap Fleet’s defeat & Churchill’s comments & threats to Japan.
New Cookhouse very hot to work in & dirty too.
Death of Ethel Green Mitchell.
She left a son, daughter-in-law and two children in camp.
Source:
Philip Cracknell at http://battleforhongkong.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/stanley-military-cemete…
Death of Mrs. Ethel Green Mitchell (60) widow of late Capt.R.F. Mitchell
Cheese canteen $3 1/2 lb. gruyere
Warm & dry.
My soup commended today.
Very hot & sticky in the new kitchen.
1 slice of sour bread issued & sugar.
I must try and write a little now and then. I got weighed again yesterday 139 lbs - it's not too bad.
Rest of our goods arrived - lovely: cocoa, vitacup, muscatels, prunes, treacle, jam, and cream of wheat. Bill was in Yen - 25. We won't have to give up working at hosp. when Mum comes home after all, beause now we only work half-days instead of full days. 18th May Mum got up for the first time, very shaky on her legs. On the second day of her op, Olive and I thought she wouldn't get over it. I've felt much better since being back at work in the hospital. Olive is getting fat, but she isn't well – bad cold, throat etc.
(Rose) / J.Bechtel
(See Page 20)
Yes, the hot weather has come and both today and yesterday the temperature must have reached the eighties. Fortunately there were quite a few electric refrigerators in these flats and with their help it is possible to keep the meat overnight and prevent it from going bad. I believe some of these ‘fridges have been distributed to other blocks in the camp.
No new reliable news.
Fine hot day.
Both feet swollen.
More sour bread.
Flies & mosquitoes on the increase.
A British Communal Council meeting notes that Dr Selwyn-Clarke is making arrangements for the care of the (largely Chinese) dependants of the Prisoners of War and the internees.
Still no news.
Chinese & Indian Police to be dis-armed?
Rained, cooler.
Poor food. 11oz Flour & 3oz sour bread issued.
An internee doctor examines Bidmead, Fay, Morrison and Randall, the four unsuccessful escapers, and finds signs of undernourishment and dirty conditions but not of violence.
Source:
Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 237
Note:
Those who saw them on their way to Stanley Prison and at their release believed they showed marks of torture or beating. But my own guess is that the doctor was right.
Workers medically examined by Tomlinson.
Sudden drop in temperature.
Permission granted to write one letter each to Europe, Africa, America, Australasia, India, etc., via Lorenço Marques. (See page 31). (Rec’d reply on 8.4.44 from Given ((sp unclear))).
Saw Dr. re feet. Bed & Vit. B1.
75% Jap force in Coral Sea affair lost.
Italy in trouble with herself Rex v Fascists.
Rained all day
Wrote short note to Marj & it will go with the repatriated people next month.