70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

8.00am. The little boys behaved very well and are thrilled with everything. ((Although they had been put in separate beds next to each other, in morning they were found to be together in one bed.))

Again unwanted congee is collected for the sampan people, who are apparently crowding on the Indian Quarters' beach edge, and swapping fish and bananas for clothes.

Late last night, news of another pamphlet which had been dropped, addressed to Allied p.o.ws and civilian internees, saying that the end is near, telling us to stay put and be cautious till surrender of Japan - if we'd had that last week we'd have been thrilled: it was a sort of general pamphlet advising us what to do if the Jap[s did/did not surrender.

2pm. Half an hour ago, some 'close relatives' arrived in camp from Shamshuipo Camp.

Mrs. N. Hale's husband has arrived (at hospital), he's having tea with her on verandah now.

I witnessed the reunion between the Hamiltons - just as in films, he with his cap in one hand which was round her waist.

(Among the patients in our ward was 'Tommy' - Mrs. B. Tomalin whose husband was in Shamshuipo Camp. Tommy's friend Mrs. Simon-White came into the ward and said 'He's just coming!' We all understood this to mean that Tommy's husband was on his way up the stairs.
'Don't get too excited,' she told Tommy, who wanted to get out of bed at once, but we all insisted she stay put until he arrived. Well, 'he' arrived - but it wasn't Tommy's husband, it was Mrs Simon-White's (also from Shamshuipo.)

After the Simon Whites had left, a disappointed Tommy expostulated indignantly 'Why should she think I would be excited about seeing HIM!'

5pm. Rosaleen's husband came (Capt. Millar, Royal Scots); Bob Cherry, Henry Eardley.

Mabel had letter from Lane of the RS Band, who is the only band member left in camp; some died, some away (Japan) He says Sid (Hale) and Arthur (Alsey) in Shanghai. ((They had been in Shanghai for a time after being shipwrecked on the 'Lisbon Maru' but ended up in Japan.))

I had a letter from Jimmy James, he'd opened my letter to Harry Chalcraft (R.A.) and said Harry went to Japan in 1943, also Topper (Olive's fiance Sam Brown). Jimmy's letter gives vivid picture of how things are at Shamshuipo, they are all longing for a ship.

Tales that our camp isn't nearly so bad as those in Burma and Manila.

We hospital patients had an opportunity to go on lorry tonight to concert at St Stephens, but I decided not to.  Dick came to see me this afternoon.

The little boys are settling down very well in the ward.

6pm. From people (Chinese or non-British) who visited from town, terrible
tales of hardship and starvation; also

• that 3 of our own p.o.ws have been arrested for fifth column work;
• that 3 Taikoo men who died wighed 50 lbs. And under.
• that 2 Americans who are now loose in town were caught by Japs on a nearby island where they've been studying tides and weather and radioing results back in readiness for Allied attack on 21st August with 2,000 planes.

Bishop Valtorta (RC) came, told us he had to sell Cathedral bell to get money to feed the poor.

Some one is supposed to have heard the King broadcasting and saying he hoped to have all his people back in the motherland soon - SO DO WE!

There's talk of a food ship having left Manila last night ((presumably for us)).

Apparently the Peace isn't yet signed, which is why the British and Americans can't occupy Hong Kong yet.

(Still in hospital) Felt very good all day; had corned beef.

Doris Scourse (nurse) and Willy Watson are being married in the hospital office tonight.

Clifford Crofton has come back in camp (technician who married T. Jex the day the technicians left)

There is a Protestant Service here (in hospital) this a.m. Rev. Cyril Brown took it.

Kowloon is noisy with crackers, the visitors said the Chinese are waiting with open arms for the British.

We are told to hang on to old tins, utensils. etc. as there's nothing like that in town.

Shamshuipo Camp are in disgrace because they threw the Jap guards out of the camp.

7pm. Just heard a bulletin dated yesterday which says Jap envoys are now in Manila, having the peace terms conveyed to them; that on 2 occasions US planes flying over Tokyo area since surrender have been fired on; also in Saigon.

That Hong Kong will be taken by the ((?Chinese)) army in Canton area. That all pows and civilian internees will be evacuated in hospital ships available, regardless of flag. That Manila is preparing to receive 150,000 ((?)) persons; that sick and aged will have preference.

No news of pows in Japan as to whether or not they have left yet: there are 112,000 British.

Clement Atlee is Prime Minister.

Siam has un-declared its independence.

Felt very good all day.  We had corned beef, and I am having Santonin tonight.  Congee still being collected to give to the sampan people and the poor.  The kids all got 2 packets of sweets.