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.

  • 20 Mar 1943, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Fri, 2013-03-01 00:05
    Book / Document: 
    R. E. Jones Wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 20 Mar 1943

    Damp & muggy.

    Walk with Steve pm.

    ((G.))

    repay Y10.

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  • 20 Mar 1943, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

    Submitted by brian edgar on Sun, 2013-12-29 22:09
    Book / Document: 
    Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 20 Mar 1943

    We were in trouble...for the ballet Esther. An enthusiastic audience packed the main hall of St Stephen's College on a Saturday evening. The music was excellent and the dancing, considering the circumstances, was first-rate. The ((Japanese)) authorities, however, were strongly critical of the costumes, which had been made from mosquito nets dipped in solutions of mercurochrome and gentian blue from the hospital dispensary. Perhaps our enthusiasm had taken us a little beyond the realm of prudence, but the show was a huge success.

    Source:

    Jean Gittins, Stanley: Behind Barbed Wire, 1982, 115

  • 20 Mar 1943, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2016-03-09 14:40
    Book / Document: 
    Eric MacNider's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 20 Mar 1943

    5 pkts. May Blossom $3.00

    Issue of 3 lbs. raw rice

    “Esther” ballet

    (5) ((or S?))

  • 20 Mar 1943, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

    Submitted by Alison Gerrard on Wed, 2018-11-14 21:43
    Book / Document: 
    Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 20 Mar 1943

    Rumour is still going round the camp relating to repatriation but most of it is just speculation and tripe. We haven't been informed of anything concrete, but it is quite definite that the latter is being discussed at home and Tokyo.We shall just have to wait and see what the outcome is.

    The weather has turned much warmer now and the mosquitoes are in their glory however I've been very fortunate in getting a loan of a mosquito net from George Harris (Police) and it is a life saver all right for the mosquitoes we have sing a loud chorus and we call them dive bombers. Flies are a horrible nuisance just now too and bite like the dickens. ((I see an internee George Harris who had been a lighthouse keeper, and another Joseph Harris in the Police, so I'm not sure which one George Gerrard is referring to.))

    There isn't a great deal of news to record this week and life with us goes on pretty much as usual with the chow of the poorest tho' they have increased our rice ration that ain't much use, only gives one a pot belly. My weight is not bad being in the region of 175lbs I don't wish to get any heavier than that. 

    D.B.B. and I were down at J.F's tonight for our usual coffee and crack. I'm glad to say that my throat is now better and not bothering me anymore.


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