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.

  • 28 Jan 1943, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2013-01-16 16:00
    Book / Document: 
    R. E. Jones Wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Thu, 28 Jan 1943

    News very good.

    1lb flour issued.

    ((G.))

    Learning to dance.

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  • Waichow Intelligence Summary #17, 28 Jan 1943

    Submitted by Admin on Thu, 2013-01-17 18:03
    Book / Document: 
    BAAG Reports and Weekly Intelligence Summaries
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Thu, 28 Jan 1943

    2. STANLEY INTERMENT CAMP:

    Hongkong News of 13 Jan. 43 reports mails from U.S.A. were delivered to internees.

    4. ESCAPE OF FREE BRITISH SUBJECT (THIRD NATIONAL - IRISH):

    G.S. KENNEDY-SKIPTON, a Hongkong Government Cadet, arrived in Waichow on 27 Jan.43. He was brought out alone by a Chinese friend after a visit to TAIPO with his wife and two children, when they called on the Misses DILLON and JENNINGS at the Taipo Orphanage. His route was East immediately after crossing the road bridge at TAIPO MARKET and over the hills to LAI CHI WO (Map Ref: 292812) whence he went by boat at 0300 hrs. on 25 Jan.43 to TAI MUI SHA (Map Ref: 335891) and thence via PINGSHAN to TAMSHUI and WAICHOW. He hopes his wife and two daughters, aged 12 and 10 respectively, will be brought out later by the same guide. A letter from this gentleman, telling of his activities, was sent to H.Q. Kweilin under covering note Ref: Memo No.7/43 dated 21.Jan.43.

    A verbal message from him for help to come out was received through one of his Chinese guides two weeks ago, but it was not thought fit to place our organisation at his disposal, and Captain Hooper merely quoted the first two lines of the "Old School Song" and said it was up to SKIPTON. It is assumed that this reference to his alma mater stirred his better instincts for he took the plunge almost immediately.

  • 27 Jan 1943, Additional notes

    Submitted by David on Wed, 2015-07-22 19:55
    Book / Document: 
    Additional notes
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Thu, 28 Jan 1943

    "The Jail Show" is put on at St Stephens. Mabel Redwood keeps a copy of the poster:

    The Jail Show poster

    The poster's text reads:

    The Jail Show
    Second Stretch

    Mustered and Misled
    by James Norman and Wallace Kinloch

    Thursday Jan 28th
    Friday Jan 29th
    Saturday Jan 30th

    St. Stephens Hall
    6pm sharp

    Mabel added a pencil note:

    Two shows put on in camp by internees. The Chinese man is supposed to be Clifton.

  • 28 Jan 1943, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Submitted by Admin on Wed, 2017-02-08 14:28
    Book / Document: 
    Eric MacNider's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Thu, 28 Jan 1943

    Rice ration reduced

    Hosp. in urgent need of a drug known as LEXTRON.

    Jail show (Second stretch).

  • 28 Jan 1943, W J Carrie's wartime diary

    Submitted by billagee on Tue, 2019-09-17 09:42
    Book / Document: 
    W J Carrie's wartime diary
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Thu, 28 Jan 1943

    It was our turn for the Canteen this morning so I have been busy buying sugar and peanuts etc.  This afternoon is free so I thought I'd write a little. There is a Concert on tonight and I have a ticket for tonight - we have all got different coloured  tickets and can then only go on the night that colour is drawn for.  I may go if I can get away early enough to get a seat - I couldn't stand all that time!

    What stories I'll have to tell you when I get back - I hope I get away soon - I'd like you to see me before I get fat again - I hope I never do but fear that will be impossible.  We have been teetotal of course for over a year now.  Tomorrow is exactly one year since we came here and Saturday the 30th is the anniversary of coming  to this room.  Fancy a whole year in this little cell!  But we have a lot to be thankful for - camp bed and a mattress sufficient blankets, 2 sheets 2 pillows and our old quilt. So I am always warm and comfortable at night.  My sheets and pillows are usually filthy - I have just had them washed so they are nice just now but they don't stay long clean and white and we haven't sufficient soap to wash them often. We must keep it for our clothes.  I'll be so glad to get back to a nice clean bed.  And of course I haven't had a bath for over a year - I mean a lie down bath. How I long for one! We wash Chinese fashion, standing up, with a cloth and then I pour the basin over myself!!  To wallow in a nice warm bath would be lovely.

    We are beginning to wonder if they will try and take us all to Formosa or Japan.  They have taken a lot of the troops away - I hope they leave us here          So Cheero again Darling. News is better than ever - Germany must crumple up soon.          A.I.A.W.   B.


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