12 Dec 1941, Barbara Anslow's diary
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The rumour about Jordan ((Royal Scots Band Leader)) was confirmed today - he was shot by one of our own sentries - being deaf, he apparently didn't hear the challenge.
Mum got to Bowen Road to see Sid this morning, he is walking about now and hopes to be back with his unit within a few days.
Mabel has joined the VADs and sleeps below the military hospital in air raid shelter.
We have apparently abandoned Kowloon, and unless a miracle happens, are going to be shelled to bits.
There is talk that Chinese guerillas are coming up behind the Japs and are now at Taipo, but I'm afraid to believe anything so heartening. I can see absolutely no escape, but we didn't have to stay in Hong Kong, and at least this IS something and we are in the war with the folks at home.
ARP HQ moving to CSO Tunnel - I'm to go tomorrow at 7 am and live in Dina House, but if shelling starts I doubt if that will last for long.
Usual raids throughout the day. Peggy Wilson joining our office staff, also Bonnie Penney and Mrs Bird (known as 'Charles') ((both had just come from Kowloon when evacuated.))
((Because my next-day move to Dina House would leave Mum alone in the flat apart from the amahs, I asked her to consider staying at the Jockey Club hosp. in future, or going to a nearby billet with other ANS ladies: our men folk no longer called, most people were becoming marooned at their places of duty through uncertain transport. Mum insisted she felt quite safe with the amahs at night at present. That night Mum and I slept in our lounge, Mum on the settee, I in an armchair. The amah made us laugh because she insisted on putting a layer of cushions beside the settee 'in case Missie fall off.' ))
