70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries
15 Oct 1945, Barbara Anslow's diary
Submitted by Barbara Anslow on Mon, 2012-06-11 15:39Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 15 Oct 1945Breakfast 6.30am, went ashore 7.00am. We were driven in buses past docks and cranes decorated with little flags - everything was done to try and put a welcome into the arid desert scene.
There was quite a wide strip of barren-ness before the mountains which were dark, sandy-coloured, bleak, bare and ridged - as if they'd been chiselled and you could see the marks. We saw camels.
10 minutes' journey to the Clothing Centre at Adibaya. This was Kentville Camp. German pows, wearing grey with a dark diamond patch on back of shorts and trousers, were working within camp on roads.
We were disembarked into a Rest Room - a converted hangar, with carpeted floor, tables with flag-tableclothes; shell cases with roses, and lovely cushioned chairs; and a nursery place for kids, sort of fenced off with artificial green ferns - chute, rocking horses, seesaw, swing etc.
We could buy cosmetics, and have free lovely cakes, sandwiches and drinks.
Then to another hangar where we waited in lovely chairs, and were taken in groups of twenty ((to get our clothes)). Each given a sheet of items, which were ticked thereon as we received them.A.T.S girls and others were in attendance at each counter. Got large grip, small blue Red Cross bag with lovely odds and ends inside; dressing-gown, nightie, green coat, brown skirt and jumper, grey gloves and scarf, corsets ((!!)), stockings, 2 sets underwear, and lovely shoes. ((All these items were new, whereas what we'd received in Colombo were secondhand.))
I have bad styes.
Laval executed.
15 Oct 1945, R. E. Jones Wartime diary
Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2015-10-21 14:41Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 15 Oct 1945Fine, dry.
Passengers finished clothing routine by 6pm. We are now ready to proceed.
REPATRIATION NOTICE NO. 19
Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2022-04-19 10:45Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 15 Oct 1945REPATRIATION NOTICE NO. 19.
S/S EMPIRE LAGAN
The undermentioned persons are requested to stand by in readiness to sail by the s/s "Empire Lagan” which will be leaving for the United Kingdom on Friday (19 th) or Saturday (20th) inst.:-—
Maher, S. A., Spr.
Morrison, R., Cpl.
McMaster, W. D., Pte.
Voronoff, P., Mrs.
Langston, A. G., Pte.
Johnson, G. E. L., Sgt.
Johnson, M., Mrs.
Lee, J., Mr.
Komorsky, Z., Mrs.
Houston, W., Cpl.
Humphrey, S. E. M., Mrs.
Humphrey, E. G. K., Sgt.
Paterson, D. M., Mrs.
Hunt, H. J., Mrs.
Hunt, A. M., Miss
Anstey, E. C. K., Miss
Archangelsky, O., Miss
Atkins, E. S., Miss
Bateman M. O., Mrs,
Baxter, M. N., Miss
Berzin, A., Miss
Blake, M. V. Mrs.
Braga, L. W., Mrs.
Braga, J. P. Miss
Braga, R. M., Miss
Gilbert, R., Mrs.
Gilbert, G., Miss
Rickett, A., Mrs.
Watson, M. S., Miss
Tyrrell, M. M., Miss
White, M., Mrs.
White, M., Miss
White, D. B., Master
Messrs. Anderson, J. W.
Messrs. Bateman, R. W.
Messrs. Braga, J. V.
Dr. Canaval, G. C.
Messrs. Crookdrake, G.
Messrs. Croucher, N. V. A.
Messrs. Dawson, D. L.
Messrs. Esdakoff, P. B.
Messrs. Gilbert, P.
Messrs. Gillies, W.
Messrs. Guerci, G.
Messrs. Kempton, J.
Messrs. Kimatrai, J.
Messrs. Hailgreen, H.
Messrs. Lay, A. C. H.
Messrs. Lay, A. T.
Messrs. McClatchie, J. D.
Messrs. McLeod, W.
Messrs. Plumb, B.
Messrs. Streatfield, E. P.
Messrs. White, F. A.
Messrs. Michie, J.
Messrs. Kothari, N. A.
Mne. Franklin, J. PO/xl05057
L/Cpl. Drinkwater, R. 14502460.
Fus. Simmons, V. 7022725
Pte. Kelly, M. P. 14993036
Mne. Mumford, J. R. POX102007
It is always desirable for repatriates to take a small folding stool, and a pillow. Plenty of old shorts and khaki shirts, are desirable as washing facilities are generally small.
REPATRIATION OFFICER
15th October, 1945.
