70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

Shows diary entries from seventy-one years ago, using today's date in Hong Kong as the starting point. To see pages from earlier dates (they go back to 1 Dec 1941), choose the date below and click the 'Apply' button.

  • 2 Apr 1945, Barbara Anslow's diary

    Submitted by Barbara Anslow on Thu, 2012-05-10 09:54
    Book / Document: 
    Barbara Anslow's diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Mon, 2 Apr 1945

    Eileen came in early and did my hair for me.  Rather severe but very neat.  Then she went over to Annie's with me and helped me dress and made me up.  ((Annie Van Der Lely lived in Dutch Block)).  Miss Hill's shoes ((lent to me)) high-heeled and tight, but looked all right.

    Annie was very calm and unexpectedly unexcited.  Livvy ((Olivia Ogley, born in camp)) walked in front.  ((The wedding took place in the Prisoner Officers' Club adjacent to the Duch Block)). Crowds of people.

    I have terrible styes.  I had to sign the Marriage Register as a witness, so did Angie ((Angie was Annie's younger sister, also a bridesmaid.))  Mr. W. H. Weare (Police) was Best Man.  Then we had Mass, and Miss B. Bicheno played Wedding March.  Children showered confetti as we entered the Dutch Block, and from the landings as we went upstairs ((to the Van Der Lely family's room))    A little band played as we entered.

    Father Hessler made a short speech, so did Mr. Weare.  Heaps of people came in to reception.  The cake was lovely and sweet, they gave me a piece to take home to the family as well.  Danced with Jimmy Bendall, Jumbo (Annie's brother), Rennie, Mr Weare, and Ed. Reed.  ((The Dutch community had come into camp after the British so had been able to prepare better for internment.))

    Teresa Cullen caught the bride's bouquet.  Enjoyed a talk with clever (dancer) June Winkelman about her studies.

    1.20pm  - air raid on now, and about 40 minutes a few sticks of heavy bombs were dropped.

    Air raid alarm lasted till about 3.30pm but only two noisy periods.

    Concert had to be postponed.

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  • 02 Apr 1945, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Fri, 2015-04-03 11:22
    Book / Document: 
    R. E. Jones Wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Mon, 2 Apr 1945

    Clear & warm. NE wind.

    Drain plunger.

    Letter Nov. ’43 from Marj.

    3 heavy raids between 12.30 & 3.30 pm on dockyard area it seemed. 4 engined bombers 2 Jap planes downed.

    Lorry with oil 6pm.

    No papers arrived.

    Y2 each.

  • 02 Apr 1945, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2016-03-30 18:01
    Book / Document: 
    Eric MacNider's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Mon, 2 Apr 1945

    Wedding  - Ronald Rennie, HKP & Annie Van der Lely

    12.15 pm carpet bombing of HK.

    1.30 pm. again


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