70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

What a day - didn't even get time to write about it (it's 30th now).

A fighter zoomed over us very low several times - frightened me.

Men arrived from Shamshuipo about 11 am, Messrs Kirman, Gill and Jenkins - all Naval Dockyard  friends of Mum and Dad.  Heard that Topper nearly died in Shamshuipo but recovered and was very fit when sent to Japan; he received Olive's cards in Shamshuipo. ((But he died in Japan))

Also came my Army friends Pat Twitchett, Busty Harris, and Hugill. Rain began to pour down soon after they arrived. ((Pat had been my first boyfriend)). He's 31 now; said that at one time in camp they all had to shave their heads and remain thus.
 
About 1.30pm a big plane came over very low, and started dropping parcels by parachute! The best sight in our lives. The plane flew very slowly and carefully above the Americn Block and the Indian Quarters. The parcels were pushed out - 13 or 14 in all, we were so excited we lost count; mostly 2 at a time, sometimes 3.  The parachutes were enormous, and billowed and swayed gracefully - several white ones, two shades of green, and one scarlet one.

One landed on American Block roof, one in front of the Mosque, and one on Block 13 roof, and several on the white cross on the Indian Quarters green.

One parachute didn't open, its parcel hit the Dutch Block corner (the de Vleeschouwers' room) and most of its contents were smashed.. a yard one way and it would have fallen on the roof where crowds of people were gathered.

The parcels were big tin canisters, greenish like steel cabinets; mostly contained medical supplies, but also cigarettes, sweets and chocolate.  When all parcels were dropped, the plane came back again 3 times, flying even lower than before, almost hedge-hopping over the Indian Quarters, and hardly any higher than we were ((on Married Q plateau)).  The side door was open and a fellow standing up there looking as if he might fall out any minute. It was so rainy and dull that we were surprised the plane came.

Later, we were issued with 'fandushis' (for underpants), matches & cigarettes, and toilet paper.

I had to rush off at 2 o'clock to work at CSO (in Block 2 of Married Q.), so nice to use a decent typewriter again ((the ones in the hospital office were ancient and keys inclined to stick.))

The parachutes were brought in - glorious-looking things.

The boys in the office said they heard Mr Gimson's broadcast Home very plainly, and that he represented the situation here well, saying we want some sort of reassurance from the Allies. We certainly got it today.  Had tea with the boys in office - they provided the cake.

In afternoon, the Fleet came into sight – some of it anyway.  I couldn't see anything but specks against the hills.  

Later, Peggy (Barton) and I helped Audrey (Barton, 19) and Irene Drewery (12) take cooked rice to the Carmelite Convent (a little way beyond camp gate).  It was in a container on a make-do two-wheeled cart, we had to bend down to push it along.   (Father Hessler and other men brought the heavier loads of food). It was quite a long way.

The Convent was lovely - red, waxy-looking tiles, sweet Sisters in black and brown; 14 or 15 little Chinese girl orphans playing around.  Chapel peaceful, the orphans went in and said their night prayers (in Chinese), then to the little room where they eat, sleep and play; it had French windows opening on to a small garden; there was little furniture - 2 large cupboards, a few shelves. All the little pairs of shoes lined one shelf; all the little tin plates on top of one of the cupboards.  The only light was a small blackout bulb.  They sat and slept on wooden boards on trestles, no pillows.  There was a Shanghai tub in another room.  

Most of the children were very thin; 2 had their hair shaved off, the youngest were 5 or 6 years old.   One very sickly little soul called Rosa was almost transparently thin, she wouldn't smile at us. They all - except Rosa - were sucking meat bones with great relish.

We were marooned there for some time because rain coming down in torrents. Came home about 8pm, Father Hessler looking like a typical American lad, in ordinary clothes, his long-trouser-legs rolled up, and a sack over his head.

Back home, Mr. Kelly there with food he'd brought from town - real bread, cake, jam, sweets.. arrangements had been made to have a birthday party for Mabel on 30th.

Dick Cloake called, Olive and I and Elliott Purves went with him to Dick's billet (for a little party). Dick gave me a little taste of some rather nice wine.  

Can't find Third National pass. Sad. My bosom friend many months and wanted it for souvenir.

To town alone. Met Franklin at Pasco's. Thanked me for Christmas Eve phone. Neighbours told him when he returned wounded. With him to inspect office. Japs there very subdued.