26 Jun 1944, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

Overcast & showery all day.

Ground rice & chopped wood.

Some canteen gear arrived but no veg for tomorrow, sprats only.

No paper today. Chinese paper arrived & is in the course of translation.

With Steve pm.

Air-raid warning 9pm, for practice it seems.

Rocket release gear captured at Cherbourg. It is suggested by Stockholm report that Japs must retire west if Saipan is captured as their position strategically would be untenable. If such is the case, and the Japs do retire west, clear of the Phillipines & Formosa as suggested, then we can look forward to early release.

Much talk & conjecture about what we will do when release does come, how we will appreciate the small things of life, hot water, soap, clean clothing, a good bed & privacy, things that used to seem of no account. We will look back on these days with mixed feelings, some good, some bad. Food, accommodation & medical treatment will be remembered as bad, & the general life, books, lectures, concerts, talks & companionship as good. Things generally could be much worse.

I look forward to the time when my forced separation from my wife & baby is at an end & my sense of appreciation of the amenities of life is in full swing. Plain & plenty, cleanliness & comfort will = Happiness.