19 Jun 1942, Barbara Anslow's diary

Farewell dance for the Americans; we waited outside hall, too crowded to stay inside.

Mabel missing the companionship of the girls at the hospital, she was having the time of her life there, where she was the youngest. ((Mabel was also missing her bed at the hospital: the only bed we had for her was made by piling one suitcase on top of another.)) There was always the chance to hear from Sid (long since discharged from the Military Hospital, now in Shamshuipo Camp, but lorries from there sometimes brought sick soldiers.) I have been hearing about soldier Bickley who was so brave though blinded, and how she wept buckets when she fed him; how she was always breaking thermometers.

Volunteers are being asked for Military Hospital, how Mabel's face lit up when I told her about it.  She said, 'Let's you and I go there.'  I would love to but the name Redwood would hardly get pass HQ after the fuss we had to get her here.  I hope Nan and the other VADs will come here soon.

Selwyn-Clarke came in to office today and gave me, Olive and Dorothy some lovely milk chocolate.

We had a feast tonight – bully beef.