1 Jul 1943, Harry Ching's wartime diary

((Following text not dated:))

Downstairs vacates. Formosan family move in. Banging at door one night.

I go in haste having forgotten U device for by-passing electric meter. Turned out downstairs wanted for ignoring black-out.

Met Rose Souza going to see bank people. All foreign bankers interning.

Race ponies slaughtered for food. Unfit for racing, also to economise. Each carcase fetches Y50 to Y100. About 500 lbs horse flesh. Now only about 60 ponies left.

Pasco out, allegedly spent 12 days solitary. Deodorant reappears, still hand kissing. Sudden chit from Tubby ((Tubby Arculli)). In again.

Omar skinny and health bad. Forbidden the office and watchman told not admit him. Was in again, sent Stanley ((David Bellis: he would have been sent to Stanley Prison, not the Civilian Internment Camp at Stanley)). Scamp there looking bad. Grayburn and Streatfield bearing up. Grayburn sent regards. Routine up at 7 a.m. and wash. Sit with arms and legs folded and not move. Breakfast at 9. Six ounces rice and sung. Squat until 11 when one hour exercise and can speak to each other. Then squat until 3 p.m. More exercise. Squat. Supper. Bed 9 p.m. Questioned all over same ground. Beaten four times, plus four at Calvaire making eight in all. Saw Faure, admires him for plenty tough. Beaten four times, fined and then be interned.