70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

But Mabel came, after all, about 4.30pm.

While I was working in the hosp. I heard from one of the nurses that a young girl had arrived to join her mother, with others from the Bowen Rd. Hosp., so careered up to the blocks.  Outside the Dutch Block a business-like person was directing unloading operations on the lorry - Mabel, wearing unfamiliar clothes: competent, capable, independent ((not like my little sister, 5 years younger than me))  She's fatter in the face, and brought messages ((including one for me from Arthur, written in January - this is what he says:

'My dear Barbara, Your very welcome notes eventually reached me – the first one when I was at Wanchai Gap and the second here, both of course brought by Sid.  I certainly was relieved to know that you were well and had not been put out too much, though of course I realise how you must feel about the home and losses involved.  Never mind, my dear, everything WILL be OK before long.  How about those bedsocks right now?  Brr,  When we first came back from the mainland, after that pitiful effort at holding the enemy, I tried to phone you from Taikoo, seven times in one day.  I had no luck; however, one female voice said you were in a tunnel – I didn't think for a moment she was sane, though I heard afterwards you were working under the ground.

The latest news I heard re the Stanley folk, was that they were being treated well, and had no cause to complain of treatment, and trust this correct. We have had many new arrivals from various hospitals nearby, and they were all under the impression that we were living in grand style out here (Shamshuipo Camp) and so on and so on.  How the .. do those yarns get around?

We get two issues of rice per day, the morning one without fail naked and ashamed – just plain rice.  The evening dish is sometimes accompanied by a cupful of vegetable water, sometimes a cupful of soya beans, and sometimes a cupful of stew, which tastes suspiciously of meat – though visible signs are definitely lacking.  However we've been told that the messing ? WILL improve and that we will probably get SOMETHING WITH BOTH ISSUES OF RICE.

Before we left Victoria Barracks we got a number of tinned goods, and some tea and sugar.  The tinned stuff has long since gone, tho I'm pleased to say the tea is still available.  Smokes of course are out of the question, unless one is lucky enough to get an occasional fag-end from these lucky people who get parcels sent in.  I wonder how long these will continue.  I really think the people outside will have a devil of a job to get food or money in the near future.

Well, enough of the moans.  Except for a continuous emptiness in all regions, I feel quite well and have been told that I look VERY WELL.  There are a few instruments here and a band of sorts functions occasionally. I take a turn in conducting and blowing a saxaphone.  A few weeks ago I woke at 4am and thought about a phrase 'How's your morale?' - and before daylight I had outlined a verse and chorus and a tune.  The thing is on paper, but I really don't think the time is ripe to put it before the troops.

I am lucky to have borrowed a Pitman's shorthand book and have started to scratch at angles and circles. I find it very fascinating, though the paper question is rather acute.

Sid doing well as a cropper of heads – pardon me, hairdresser. Topper looks well on rice diet, he even appears to be putting on weight. I hesitate to predict my weight after many more months over here.

No doubt you hear many rumours as to the rest of the war. I am keeping a Propaganda Book and so far it is full of contradictions.  I hope you are keeping very fit and managing to find enough to do, to make the days pass quickly by.  This cold weather is just too bracing for words.  I've been sleeping with as much clothing on as I can get on, but I rarely sleep for more than 4 hours at a stretch – it is just too, too cold.

Please give my very kindest wishes to your Mother and to Olive.  I trust it won't be long ere we all may meet once more. What a lot of yarns will be swopped across the room.  Keep cheery . Sid has just said 'I bet she doesn't get chips with her meals' – what a hard neck!  The favourite pastime here is making up menus for future reference. Hope you get this before Christmas.  My love to you, Arthur.'

There was no date on this letter, but it was obviously written months before I received it.)).