70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries
25 May 1942, Barbara Anslow's diary
Submitted by Barbara Anslow on Sat, 2012-02-04 11:51Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 25 May 1942Whit Monday. Finished writing 'School Magazine' poem. Mum now slouches about in the hospital ward. She has gone much thinner and has no tummy.
The $17.40 ((see previous diary entry)) is the balance of the $105 which wasn't spent on kitchen requirement. ((The earlier mentioned prospective gift of $75 each had it seems originally been $100 which was then reduced to $75 so that the communal kitchens could buy basics for all with $25 from every one.)).
Most of our family's money is going into town via Mrs G, she goes in for x-ray today but is inundated with orders like ours, and I'm a bit worried at the outcome. We're also trying to get a hot plate.
The hospital office smells of apricots - there are crates of dried fruit here for the 'Welfare' (a sort of camp charity for the most needy cases - don't know where the funds come from.) Somehow it is comforting to see the food, though healthy folk like me probably won't have any of it.
25 May 1942, R. E. Jones Wartime diary
Submitted by Admin on Mon, 2012-04-23 21:56Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 25 May 1942No news.
Received shorts, shirts, soap etc from Welfare Committee.
Sugar $2.50 per lb. Cigs much cheaper.
25 May 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
Submitted by brian edgar on Thu, 2012-11-22 21:39Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 25 May 1942A crowd gathers to see off Bishop Valtorta and Father Chaye (Belgian) who have got permission to leave camp.
Life Magazine publishes a letter by a 'reputable American businessman' who escaped from Kong Kong in mid-February and is indignant at accounts of the good treatment of Japanese diplomats in the USA. He describes conditions in the waterfront hotels at length, and also those at Stanley. He contrasts the fate of the American consular staff with that of their Japanese counterparts at the Homestead (Hotel):
(They were) herded into two small houses, without water, electricity or primitive comforts.
Sources:
Bishop: Maryknoll Diary, May 25
25 May 1942, Eric MacNider's wartime diary
Submitted by Admin on Fri, 2016-05-20 14:35Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Mon, 25 May 1942Canteen – cheese $6lb., sugar $1.30 ½ lb., tea (China $1.20 ½ lb, Ceylon $2.50 ½ lb.), 10 biscuits $1.
Drs. Canaval resigned from Clinic. New Baby Clinic under Mrs. Carruthers (former Matron of War Mem Nursing Home).
