70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries
3 Jan 1942: RE Jones Diary
Submitted by Admin on Sat, 2011-12-24 13:47Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 3 Jan 1942Radio confiscation not true. Gear being brought into gaol by some of the chaps & they are spoiling other people’s stuff in the process.
3rd & 4th Jan 1942. Barbara Anslow's diary
Submitted by Admin on Mon, 2011-12-26 22:47Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 3 Jan 1942 to Sun, 4 Jan 1942Pauline's birthday (she was Tony's fiance in Australia) so Tony & I celebrated by going to Prince's Cafe and having coffee and 3 hotcakes each - wonderful!
Queen's Road was made into a kind of market. Shops weren't open, but stalls lined the road and you could buy almost anything ((if you had money)).
Amah came twice, with most of our best clothes, and Olive's trousseau finery, which I took to her in Gloucester Hotel.
Tommy Maycock and Mr Himsworth took clothes to Mum at Queen Mary Hospital.
3 Jan 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
Submitted by brian edgar on Sat, 2013-11-30 17:48Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 3 Jan 1942Phyllis Harrop, living with other Government officials in the Prince's Building, tries to go for a walk:
It is almost impossible to walk along Queen's Road, due to the crowds of Chinese and the hawker stalls. The people are wandering about, some aimlessly, others with a look of astonishment on their faces at this whole ghastly mess, which is worse than tragedy. Words cannot express the feeling that what has been accomplished in a hundred years (this year was our centenary) has completely crumbled in a few days, almost one might say within twenty-four hours. A well-ordered city reduced to a state of lawlessness.
Harrop notes that there are 'marked signs of anti-British feeling amongst the Chinese people'. And the British, it seems, are all wondering when and where they will be interned.
Source:
Phyllis Harrop, Hong Kong Incident, 1943, 100-101
3 Jan 1942, Roland H J Brooks' War Diary - Stanley Internment Camp WWII
Submitted by Admin on Tue, 2014-07-01 20:12Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 3 Jan 1942Today put out of CFS ((Central Fire Station)).
Given filthy room in Gloucester Bldg.
03 Jan 1942, P. O. W. and ESCAPE DIARY.
Submitted by emride on Mon, 2018-01-22 14:11Book / Document:Date(s) of events described:Sat, 3 Jan 1942Slept better last night. Had some army biscuits and tea about 9. Breakfast of rice at 1000.
Saw Col Lamb about Jubilee Bldgs for Isolation Hosp; found the N.E. end flats unsuitable but the N.W. ones were good so decided on them. Found one bath that could be used as a water supply to flush the closets.
Interviewed another lot of Japs this a.m. but could get nothing out of them except the statement that one of their Drs had the matter in hand.
Had a talk with Lee about possible routes. Considered boat to west of Macao but owing to the unknown nature of area and probability of occupation in force of that area decided against it. Still think the Weichow route the best taking off from end of pier, changing into Ch clothes, landing this side of Lai Chi Kok and getting up onto row of hills above the catchment on the north side where there is more cover, and eventually making for Nan Chu.
In afternoon inspected the camp. Not good enough yet. Unit cmdrs meeting at 1700. No Jap promises had materialised today. Hardly enough food left in camp for one day. No med supplies yet. Rice for evening meal.
Moon up at 1935. Sentry at shipping corner and none all the way along broken fence. Should be able to get out there by belly crawling unless there are Wong Ching Wei men in sheds outside in the cabbage patches. Had long talk today to Coombes and Crawford and doubt whether either of them think it wise to have a shot at getting out. Also spoke to Barrow; his idea is to go by water all the way. Must look for a third to come with us.
Great trade going on at the fence; buns 3 for $1, buckets $5 each, jam $3 a tin etc.
Had a visit at 2115 when we were all in bed from Lt Sawamoto who is very friendly; he said he had no beds or blankets. But some bags and medicines for us and would bring them at between 1400 and 1500 hrs tomorrow if we would have a fatigue party at the gates ready. He said all their hospitals were very full but would not tell us how many and where they came from. They are using CMH [?QMH] Kowloon Hosp and Cent Brit Sch. He said Mjrs name was Joh and the Mjr General from Canton and that he was on a tour of inspection.
Not so cold or windy tonight but mosquitoes rather troublesome. Nice sunset over peak tonight. How often have I seen it from there with the children!
