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 May 1942, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Mon, 2012-04-23 21:53
    Book / Document: 
    R. E. Jones Wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Wed, 20 May 1942

    Feet much improved.

    5oz flour issued.

    Rained.

    Germans retiring on Russian front & their rear threatened in Kercharee(?). Sabotage in enemy occupied countries in Europe & Germany itself.

    Results of Coral Sea battle still confused. 33, 67, 100, + 29 are the numbers of units lost by the Japs that have been given to us since the battle began.

    • Log in or register to post comments

  • 20 May 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

    Submitted by brian edgar on Tue, 2012-06-05 15:06
    Book / Document: 
    Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Wed, 20 May 1942

    Mrs. Davies (Block 3, Room 14) writes to her brother-in-law, the Rev Jock Davies, in New Zealand:

    Internment Camp, Stanley, Hong Kong, May 20th 1942.

    Dear Jock,

    You will be wondering what has happened to us during the six months we have been interned on Kowloon and here. At first I was very unwell, but have improved in health after recovering from that malignant malaria. It was found that the common form persisted, quinine now keeps that in check.
    Time passes quickly: washing, mending, making garments from odds and ends, reading. Many old friends are here. Frances, Alistair, Jack, very good to me. Exceptionally cool season. Food sufficient for my appetite. Occasional parcel from kind Hong Kong friends welcome treat.
    Haven't heard of Dad since February. Had been taken home after short internment Shameen. Was well, busy. May have been sent Shanghai. Probably still Canton, with Red Cross people.Cheung-Chau trees gone, home uninhabitable. Wish we could hear from you and Pamela; both are in our thoughts daily.
    Cheerio! Keep smiling, pray on. Greet relatives and friends. Best love.

    (Mrs. H. ) M. T. Davies

     

     

     

     

    The International Welfare Association/Committee hands out khaki shirts, handkerchiefs,  tennis shoes, soap, porcelain cups and toilet paper 'in very limited quantities'.

     

     

    Father Allie, of the Maryknoll Order, suddenly gets permission to go to the French Hospital (St. Paul's) for X-Ray treatment.

     

    Sources:

     

    Letter: http://www.cnac.org/emilscott/davies01.htm

    Comments and a very clear scan of the original can be seen at this site.

     

     

    Welfare, Allie: Maryknoll Diary, May 20 

  • 20 May 1942, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Fri, 2016-05-20 14:33
    Book / Document: 
    Eric MacNider's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Wed, 20 May 1942

    Lunch. 1 tin of pork & beans (1lb.) for 6; 1 tin lobster (7 oz) for 3. 

    Cheese canteen. 

    Nutrition supply children 3-5.


Subscribe: If you'd like to receive future pages by email, just enter your email address below and click the 'subscribe' button:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Subscribe to 70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries