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.

  • 25 Dec 1943, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

    Submitted by brian edgar on Sun, 2012-02-26 19:27
    Book / Document: 
    Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 25 Dec 1943

    Christmas 1943 was not so good {as 1942}. Residential Kowloon had just undergone its worst air raid of the war and planes were overhead nearly every day. Every other house in Tsimshatsui was housing a bomb that had failed to explode. The Gendarmerie reign of terror was touching the Christmas celebrating communities. Christmas at Stanley Goal was far worse than at the internment camps. There was little food and no medicinal alcohol. The news was much better. Nerves were very much on edge and the great majority had discovered that familiarity breeds contempt. The best way to express the latter feeling was by snubbing all invitations for Christmas Eve.

     

    Franklin Gimson disagrees: he feels that the day was spent in a religious rather than a festive spirit, though he admits the internees made the best of the rations provided. He claims that there was a general air of bonhomie noticeable among all.

     

    In any case, Stanley does its best to celebrate: 'a spice loaf was turned out  by the camp bakeries as a special treat' and the Japanese are asked for something extra and at the last minute donate a little margarine and some tins of beans.

    Sources:

    Wartime Christmases: China Mail, December 25, 1945, page 2

    Gimson: Diary, December 25, 1943 (Weston House).

    Loaf, Japanese: John Stericker, Captive Colony, 1945, Chapter X, page 7

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  • 25 Dec 1943, Harry Ching's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Sat, 2013-03-23 17:34
    Book / Document: 
    Harry Ching's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 25 Dec 1943

    Alert at noon, but nothing seen.

    Christmas Eve kids went to Smiths' for tea. Pastor Neilsen as Father Christmas.

    Muriel and two infant kids for tiffin, stayed for dinner with Ella. Sing song. Happy day.

  • 25 Dec 1943, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Fri, 2013-11-29 22:23
    Book / Document: 
    R. E. Jones Wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 25 Dec 1943

    Fine.

    Cleaned bathrm’s etc.

    Everyone full of seasonal greetings.

    Peanuts, soy bean biscuits am with Steve, An ample well cooked mid-day meal. Had some real coffee. Block cake somewhat soggy. Sid gave me 2 Pkts. cigs. Much individual cooking of all sorts of food, cakes etc. With Steve afternoon for pancakes, sandwiches & tea with milk & sugar in it. Had to ease top button by 5pm.

    Firewood arrived.

    With Steve pm.

    To bed with full tummy for once.

    (Swatow & Amoy captured, Naval battle off Formosa. Combined army ready to attack Canton?)

    Jap flag fell at Prison Gate at 3.30pm.

  • 25 Dec 1943, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2016-12-20 13:48
    Book / Document: 
    Eric MacNider's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Sat, 25 Dec 1943

    Brown

    Carol service (Rose)

    R.C. Nativity play


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