1 Jul 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
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The police are disappointed. George Wright-Nooth records in his diary:
Tomorrow we move to our new billets...We are not however, going to the American quarters we were promised but are going instead to the Indian Quarters (Block 12) which are undoubtedly the most unhealthy quarters in the camp. This sudden change of plans is undoubtedly a double cross on someone's part and a nasty one at that.
Wright-Nooth believes that some of the Billetting Committee have intrigued to get their friends into the superior accommodation vacated by the Americans.
But any internee reading the Hong Kong Daily News was in for a surprise:
Stanley resembles more of a summer resort than an internment camp, with most of the male internees going about without coats, while the women are generally attired either in slacks or in beach costumes.
Staff Sergeant Sheridan has arrived safely at Kweiyang (see June 4). Today he makes a short escape statement announcing his intention to proceed to Chungking to establish his identity. He's told instead to proceed direct to Kunming.
Sources:
George Wright-Nooth, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, 1994, 100
The Japanese-sponsored Hong Kong News, cited in Geoffrey Emerson, Hong Kong Internment, 1973, 116
Sheridan escape statements, BAAG papers.
