70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

Finally the day came when our ship came in. Three times we were put off: first it was to be the 16th, then the 23rd and again we had to wait.

But here we are on the Asama Maru now, sailing for Saigon. What an experience to be taken from an internment camp onto a repatriation ship! Our big baggage went a day ahead ((on the 28th June)). It was examined in the dining room block by block. The inspection that everyone feared was not so bad at all, but they threatened such severe punishment that no one dared pull anything. Then all was loaded onto trucks and put into lighters to wait for further transportation.

Lorenz being sick with a bad ear, I was quite busy, but all went well. On the final day ((yesterday, the 29th June)), we were all up early for the last packing. The British cooked our breakfast for us at 9:30 am. At 3 pm the bugle called us to order and we Americans marched down Roosevelt Blvd. and out of Stanley Camp. The British waved good bye with sad hearts. Some dared walk along until the soldiers turned them back.

We were put into small ferries in alphabetical order. Then into a larger one farther out, finally again to be transferred to the big ship. What a hot day and how we did drip. At 6pm we reached our end and were handed our cabin tickets. Lorenz and Leonard in one cabin, the rest of us ((children Elaine 4 and Bobby a toddler)) in another.

We are in third class. There are 14 bunks in this room. One family with 4 girls, another mother with two children and Mrs. Knipp and daughter.

We have restrictions as to water:  only ½ hour in early morning and again ½ hour at suppertime. No bath tubs to be found. I have a kettle in which I save fresh water for Bobby’s wash bowl bath and then after his bath I wash our sunsuits.

Lorenz eats third class mess. Leonard and I in second and Elaine and Bob in first Class. What a business. We are always losing each other on this immense floating hotel.

Meals are grand and what a treat to have potatoes and egg, etc. Our first night on the ship was very hot but we did get some sleep. Many people go up on deck to sleep!

((Following text not dated:))

Luigi Souza says Portuguese getting monthly rations flour and sugar at 75 and 60 cents catty respectively. Bill Shea says flour ration is also for Eurasians. At civil affairs bureau told flour ration available, but given only to groups. To office to consult Greaves. Decided to try and organise group. Told Duggie Laing about flour but he afraid may mean no rice. Discussed further with Bill Shea and Greaves. Pat Brown and Jas Hall suggest already formed Eurasian Welfare Committee handle flour. Bill Shea and I don't agree fearing be involved in relief scheme without funds. I suggest to Greaves we form separate Eurasian mutual aid league and apply for flour at once leaving others to come in and possibly amalgamate with or terminate Welfare Committee. This agreed. Calling ourselves Mutual Aid Society. Committee Greaves, self, Hall, Brown, later Grace Ablong and Kitty Fox roped in.

Kowloonites angry we didn't proceed as original Welfare Committee. Dot Lo also peeved because we went ahead alone. Advised them make separate application. At later meeting Greaves says Kowloonites unsuccessful. He explains Fujita of foreign affairs bureau now in Kowloon and claims Hongkong breaking rules. Flour ration should have proportionate reduction rice ration. If so we don't want it. Much argument at meeting on responsibility regarding repudiation rice ration. Greaves said was told at bureau flour ration won't affect rice ration. Resolved try get flour for Kowloon. Meeting delayed owing Dot Lo not turning up. Was detained by gendarmes two hours for investigation of file he was carrying containing committee minutes. Our application eventually approved.