23 Aug 1944, Eric MacNider's wartime diary

On reading this diary entry "Bow head when see sentries", it brought to mind an anecdote related to me by Olga Robinson and/or Harry Blake, both internees of Stanley at the time.

Apparently, on this date or before, a senior Japanese Officer had come into camp, and had called together as many internees as were available to attend a lecture. The theme of the lecture was politeness, based on Japanese Bushido Code of Conduct. When the lecture was over, all the adults just ignored the purpose of the lecture, but an enterprising teenager thought up a scheme.

One morning he had gathered up a group of children, and instructed them to follow him to the sentry post at the main entrance to camp, and do whatever he does (talk of the Pied Piper). The leader of this group then politely approached the sentry, and courteously bowing greeted the sentry by saying "good morning Mr. Japanese". The sentry was very pleased at this greeting, and returned the bow to the teenager, which he was obliged to do under the Bushido Code. When the next child stepped up and repeated the same greeting, once again the sentry was delighted, and returned the bow. It wasn't long afterwards when the sentry noted the long line still to come, that he decided to turn his back and refused to acknowledge any more polite greetings.

Ever since then there were no more lectures on politeness.

I wonder if any of your readers can elaborate or verify this incident.