70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

Things go on very much the same as usual the only thing that keeps us bright is the news leaking into the camp and it is very good indeed and is often confirmed in the daily Hong Kong rag so that the rumours are not all 'bull'. The Russians are doing very well and pushing ahead the work in Africa is nearly cleaned up which is first rate. It would appear that the Home Front has to be cleared and finished before the real thing commences against the Japs. We can take it and don't mind waiting a bit longer. But my dear I would love to hear from you and know how were keeping.

However I live in hope that a letter will arrive one of these days. Louis DeRowe had one from his wife in Victoria and W.L. Newligging had one also, these being the only two letters from Canada that have arrived in the camp. I don't remember if I said that J.F. had one from his brother at home and all were well.

My voice is very slow in picking up but I've got a new gargle from Dr. Pringle which is doing my throat good. J.F, C.C.R. and I went to the Gaol Birds Show (Second Stretch) on Thursday night and it was very good, slapstick comedy with a very provocative finale composed of songs given by police representing Australia, South Africa, Canada, Russia, Army, Air Force and Navy. However the Japs in charge here thought that the authorities in town might get a wind of it and so they cancelled the show for the next two nights. They are very touchy little blighters.

D.B.B. and I were invited to J.F's for coffee last night (Friday) and had a discussion on the dockyard and the progress of the war.

I received a parcel from the Mei Lee Ironworks (Ching Chai Sze) last night (Friday) containing 2 toothbrushes, 2 cakes Palmolive Soap, 2 towels, 1 tin corned mutton and 1 tin Golden Oregon cigarettes. This is really a splendid sign and show that the Chinese are getting bolder and showing where their sympathies lie. I wish I was back at my desk again for there is a lot of useful work for us yet to do.

The weather is very cold and raw but I'm pleased to say that I keep and feel very fit. My weight is now about 175lbs (12 1/2 stone). Meat is getting very scarce in town and we are living mostly on fish, beef or pork is only received once or twice at most per week. One gets rather fed up with fish stew (ugh) if served up too often but like everything else in our present circumstances we have too be thankful we are able to get food and as long as the flour lasts out and get bread daily we mustn’t grumble too much.