23 Dec 1941, Barbara Anslow's diary

Sid phoned me at Dina House, now on first floor of Hong Kong Hotel (now a convalescent hospital); he had lost the tips of two fingers on left hand.  I already knew that, as had had a note from Mabel telling me.  I careered down to hotel and found Sid lying on a 'biscuit' on the floor ((with dozens of others)).  He looked a bit wild and woolly. He had seen Mabel that morning at the Military Hospital where he had been first taken.  They had become engaged!    Sid talked of marriage too, but I didn't seriously think anything could be done then.  Over the past few months they had paid off some $50 at Windsor's Jewellers for an engagement ring. His finger stumps were paining him alot, he lost them at Wanchai Gap; he saw Arthur before sent to hospital the second time.

I put my name down to help at hotel hospital after 3pm each day but the sister in charge said they had enough help so far. I felt superfluous at Sid's side, knowing he wanted Mabel all the time.