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 Aug 1942, Barbara Anslow's diary

    Book / Document: 
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Fri, 28 Aug 1942

    This evening Mr Fred Kelly (Police) visited us, also Father Moore, an American Maryknoll Mission priest, very young and sincere.  ((He was one of 8 newly-ordained RC priests who had flown into Hong Kong just before the Jap. attack for transfer to Missions in China.  They joined enthusiastically in camp sports, but much of their time was taken up in language lessons (Chinese) given by an older priest, Father Bernard Meyer.)) Fr Moore said he's having the best time here he's had since he was a kid, he gave us lovely new soft-back prayer books, and promises to lend us books from the American library.

    ((Americans had managed to bring their very good Club library into camp, but was made available only to the Americans.  The much-prized  books were housed in a small secured lobby in the Prisoner Officers' Club hall.  After the Americans were repatriated, friends of the Americans (and friends of friends) acquired tickets, as did we Redwoods from Fr Moore.
    There was also a very small makeshift library for us in an ex-boiler room in the Married Quarters, its contents just a few books handed in by internees after an appeal, so very little selection but better than nothing!))

    News reports that Hitler has been 'missing' for the last 6 weeks, and attributes it to supposition that he  is away planning a new front.

    Mabel and Nan slept on the roof last night. I'm going to try it tonight.

  • 28 Aug 1942, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

    Book / Document: 
    Date(s) of events described: 
    Fri, 28 Aug 1942

    Swim P.M.

    Chinese advancing through Wai-Chow. Germans unable to advance against Russians. 2nd Solomon Battle much in our favour.

    Repatriation routine progressing?

  • 28 Aug 1942, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

    Date(s) of events described: 
    Fri, 28 Aug 1942

    Welfare enquiry among internees

    Killed snake on main road

    Lists circulated by Block Reps. for mil, naval & professional qualifications required by C.S.O.

    Petition to eject Mrs. Greenwood from kitchen. ((There were two Mrs Greenwoods in camp, Maggie and Bessie. I'm not sure which one is mentioned here.))

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