37. ((His 37th Birthday – from later info)).
Lousy day up to 8PM. Blackout ordered during afternoon but lights dimmed out at 6.43 PM.
Tiffin at Steve’s.
((G.))
Lights on again at 9.30PM.
Shoes [?] & cigs from Steve & bookmark from G.
Pages tagged:
More comfort parcels distributed.
Gaol, then no gaol.
No B.O.
Lights out 11p.m.
Remainder of (Red Cross) parcels given today = 3 between 4 persons - just right for us. Our meat tins were mainly curry. Nestles milk is wonderful again; one marmalade pudding and two apple puds. Glorious meat galantine, and choc.
Dorothy Holloway away from work, she said I could have her rations, that meant a nice big piece of roast meat for Mum, and a double dose of gravy and sweet potato for me.
Mr Kelly (Fred) gave Mabel a tin of biscuits.
Played bridge.
Remainder of parcels issued 3 between 4.
((G.))
2 more khaki sleeveless garments each issued.
Slept in with Mum last night because my bed (camp) bed gave way when Tony sat on it.
Vandeleur Grayburn head of the HKSBC, receives a notice from the Japanese Liquidator with today's date:
I have to advise you sincerely that all Foreign Officer (sic) of the Bank at present working under the liquidation and their families should refrain from moving about freely on Saturday afternoons, Sundays or any other holidays, especially during the evenings and nights.
Should there be any necessity to go out, permission must first be obtained from the Liquidators.
((G.))
Colder.
I.R.C. clothing served out.
Sore place under nose, eyes and forehead aching. More Government money pending, on strength of which we had eggs and bacon tonight. ((Bacon from Red Cross tin I think – bacon was occasionally available on black market but far too dear for us to buy)
Nice day but cold.
Jap fighters over Kai Tak area gyrations of which were mistaken for dogfight.
Steve & cake fight.
((G.))
New moon. I wonder if my wish will come true this time.
Ol and I each received $15 from Govt. source, thank goodness.
Feeling better though sore under nose increased.
Mum came down to office and used sewing machine there, working on our khaki things. On way home she fell and made a mess of her leg, so to Outpatients - she had anti-tetanus, and thiamine injections; she must have more thiamine because she had a floppy foot ((which caused the fall)).
Received 2 vests each and a pair of long socks from Red Cross.
Classical concert.
Fine & a little warmer.
((G.))
Mary ill, sore throat. ((Probably Mary Stevens))
Cig issue cut.
$15 per man issued
Jist had fried galantine and tomato bread.
Mrs Drown says it is going to be official that we can write cards to Shamshuipo men for Christmas and send a parcel. She washed her pears in soapy water!
Mabel made sweet little slippers for Patricia Braude whose birthday is tomorrow.
Rumour that we have lost a new aircraft carrier in the Med.
Bridge.
(Sandbach)/Martin.
Fine.
New routine, cookhouse all day.
Many rumours re Italy about the Camp.
((G.))
We can send small parcels to Shamshuipo for Christmas, and a ten word greeting.
I weigh 128 lbs ((rice fat)).
Trouble over money – Mum has applied for some, so has Mabel, but Mabel put that she wanted hers for shoes ((not food as expected)).
Death of Anthony Clarke aged 12 days.
James O' Toole in Shamshuipo sends Christmas cards to Alan Barwell, Joan Whitely and Peggy Harrison.
Sources:
Death: Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 271
and
http://www.hongkongwardiary.com/searchgarrison/nonuniformedcivilians.html#_ftnref10
Death of Anthony Clark. (buried in I.R.C. parcel box).