10 Sep 1945, Barbara Anslow's diary
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After work, got air-line bus to Stanley. ((The air line bus was obviously a cut above the old Vulcan orange buses but can't recall anything more about it.))
Arrived in camp about 6.30pm, saw Clifton who was also visiting, he said Mum and Mabel had embarked about 3pm. No sign of E. of Australia, apparently anchored very far out - could only see corvettes and launches.
Margery Fortescue and Adrian are in 'our' room (Tim in town). (Picked up remainder of my camp possessions).
Had a lift back to town on a Volunteer lorry; was dumped at foot of Garden Road. ((I knew there was a film show at Queen's Theatre)) Left my luggage with a surprised sentry outside HK & S. Bank, rushed to theatre, saw 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' - (technicolour). Mr J.A. Bendall came part way back with me and collected my luggage from sentry.
Afterward, to Mrs. Budden's birthday party (French Mission) - Xmas pudding from tin, and tomato sandwiches... lovely.
((7 May 2018. Barbara asked her sister Mabel what she remembers of the journey from Stanley Camp to the Empress of Australia:))
She told me that the Stanley internees first had to board a small naval ship at the little Stanley jetty; she was barefoot and was finding it painful walking on to the small boat, so one of the sailors picked her up and carried her aboard!
This boat took the passengers round to HK harbour where the Empress of Australia was moored (midstream), and they all were decanted on the Empress, then sailed for UK.
I was surprised to hear this, as I had always imagined the internees boarded the E of A off Stanley. (At that time I was busy working at my typewriter in Central, they were so exciting and confusing days, it was hard to keep up with all the wonderful things that were happening!)
Mabel and husband returned to HK after repatriation, retiring to Australia eventually. Many years ago Mabel sent her account of leaving Stanley to an Australian magazine which printed it. Soon after it appeared, she had a phone call from the sailor who had carried her aboard the little ship, who had recognised that incident.
