70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

((The letter is dated Tuesday, October 18th, 1945, which is when the first part was written. The later part was written a few days later on the 23rd.))

HMCS Prince Rupert

My Dearest Hilda -- Well, I have been in this nice ship with a good lot of fellows as officers since pm 29th September - the same night I was taken ill. The kind surgeon Lt. Com. Jack Hackney immediately took me in hand - had a temperature of 105 - and next day I was moved from his cabin, which I was sharing, to the "Sick Bay" & spent 12 days there. Suffering, as his report says, (1) Acute Bronchitis, (2) Primary & typical pneumonia (3) nutrition edema.

On arrival at Pearl Harbour on Fri. 12th - he took me to the US Naval Hospital to have an x-ray taken of my lungs. The report seems OK. I have marvellous care and attention from Dr. H. thanks to him & my constitution made a remarkably quick recovery -- much sooner than he expected. Now I am quite fit again-- tho' I take it easy - and have had at least 2 to 2 1/2 hours 'lie off' on my bunk every pm after lunch.

On Sat. 13th he allowed me ashore for 2 hours, in am to go into Honolulu to do a little necessary shopping. We have had a fairly heavy swell all the way from Honolulu which makes us roll - this ship was always a roller in peace time. Quite a new ship, converted into a 5500 ton cruiser when war broke out. She did a lot of convoy work in Atlantic for some years.

We were to arrive in Vancouver on the am of the 21st -- but now have orders to go to the Naval base at Esquimalt on Vancouver Island, and are due there early on the 20th. I hope the Red X, and other officials, do not delay me unduly in a camp there.

There are about 60 men of other ranks on this ship to be dealt with & 6 officers to be forwarded to the United Kingdom via Halifax -- as well as Professor Digby & myself, who desire to spend some time in Canada. Since Pearl Harbour, we have also had 2 nice USA officers as passengers.

The various RedX people in Manila were most generous to us (at Pearl Harbour we were given more things by the Canadian Red X) in giving us US Army clothing, blanket, toilet gear, a warm pull-over together with a comfort bag containing lots of toilet requisites, writing paper etc. cigarettes and sweets. I am in consequence, well stocked with safety razors, toilet and washing soap, tooth brushes, tooth powders and creams & toilet powders etc.

I suppose Anne is still in West Vancouver, but not having heard from her since Feb. 1944, I sent my cable to Mr. Blackaller to be on the safe side. Previously had addressed 2 to Anne from Manila Camp. I am so very anxious for good news of Richard, and how he got through the terrific Burmah campaign etc. and wonder if June has been demobilised as a WRNS and what she is doing.

Tuesday 23rd October 1945.

I spent 1 1/2 hours last night, and over an hour in bed this am reading lots of letters written to Anne from England during the past 2 or 3 years. (& have still some more to read) getting up to date in some family news. I learnt all sorts of things therefrom -- ie June's appendix op. Marjorie Carter in England, dear Mr. L M Armstrong's death, (a great shock and loss to me) Joan in Trincomalee etc. etc. and that you were living at the Triangle, (from a plan that Joan sent me it is much more roomy than I had imagined, pictured it). Herbert's 2nd accident - your (gastric flu attack in Chester.)

It was grand to hear from Anne that Mark had obtained his FRCS (Edin). It should help him a lot in his career. Anne was disappointed that Mark does not appear to have sailed on the Queen Elizabeth -- she has had no English mail for some days -- trust she gets one soon.

It was a delightful surprise to see Anne standing on the wharf as the ship came along side at Esquimalt, on the morning of the 20th -- she was early on board to embrace me, - she is looking well - naturally a little matured. Very smart in grey suit, fur cap - silk stockings and new skin shoes & after a time in the wardroom, the Red X drove Anne, Prof. Digby and myself out to Colwood Golf Club House, now a RedX convalescent home. A most delightful place, lovely park, flowers and golf course. I would not have minded staying there for a few weeks (if Anne's home was not here) to recuperate.

After lunch there and a gift of some clothing (air force stuff -- nice cotton shirts, 2 ties, a pr of thinnish tweed trousers, 2 thick vests, 2 warm long underpants, a sort of jacket pullover) I was told I was free to go with Anne, whenever I wished. They posted a letter and sent a cable to you, free of charge, then Capt. Curry RCN called for us and my luggage & drove us to their charming home in the dockyard. He is younger than me - 56 - they treated me just like a long-lost brother and made us feel at home, from the moment I crossed their doorstep. Lovely garden and view there from, - sat out in the sun enjoying the view for an hour or so then into a scrumptious tea, and later a wonderfully cooked dinner, and I was sent to be early and they made me have breakfast in bed!!

At 10:30 we all left in their car - they went to check our luggage whilst I had talks with Mr. D. L. Newbigging and Mrs. Oliver, The Currys, Fred Toone and his wife & child ((DavidBellis: Newbigging was in Stanley Camp - were any of the others that he lists here?)) lunched with us at the Empress Hotel, then Anne and I caught the 1:30 ship to Vancouver, of which she has written to you. Quite a rough passage. Had tea at 4pm. Discovered a good barber on board and had my hair cut by him very well - I needed it ! We were 45 minutes late arriving at Vancouver and were met by Mr. Blackaller, (pouring with rain!) and drove to their home to find Patsy asleep in bed. Nice supper with them in their home.

Anne has kindly given me her bed, have lovely hot baths of an evening. She and I spent the whole of Monday in Vancouver, RedX called for us and took us into town where I visited immigration and RedX offices. Had Mrs. Cambridge to lunch with us, and spent 1 1/2 hours in Spencers' store, where, through the kindness of my friend Mr. Gale, I was given a Priority Card, entitling me to buy certain clothing etc, at reduced rates, (A great reduction in some cases) allowed to Repatriated personnel, etc. I was fitted for a dark blue suit, a pr of brown shoes, bought 3 shirts (only allowed 2 really) a felt hat, tweed cap etc. Next time I go I will get black or blue socks, warmer pyjamas and suitcase etc. I also bought a cheap diary, Liquid Petroleum, which Dr. Hackney said to use very sparingly, (and to take no other aspirants) and a supply of vitamin tablets.

I had got Can//221.50 equivalent of 50 pounds clothing allowance from RedX which I banked with Spencers, and opened a credit account with them. Will buy everything needed there. The RedX, have told me I can spend a month here and cross Canada and Atlantic when I like, a great boon. If I had gone with the 'gang' they would have paid my train & ship expenses, and the British Govt. would have later recovered it from me in England. Now I pay them myself over here--it comes to the same thing in the long run, and I can arrange it all right.

All sorts of forms had to be filled in & signed etc. Anne had to guarantee that I would not be a charge on the Canadian Govt.!! I will tell you about Anne's house, Patsy etc. in my next letter. I make myself as useful as possible about the house.

Everyone remarks what a wonderful recovery I have made already & how well I am looking - (which latter is a fact) I was granted cards for double rations on which to recuperate. Anne is waiting for us to go up to the village so I must close up. She has just received a letter from June written from Berkhamsted.

God Bless you dear, and keep you fit & well

Ever so much love from Hugh