13 Feb 1943, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

We are still getting on all right and are thankful that the weather has greatly improved. We all have been suffering another of the irritations such a having blackouts at dusk and lights out at 10pm. The Japs are of course jittery and scared not so much for us as for themselves, however we trust that they'll get it in the neck one of these days.

We have had no cigarettes this week and even the parcel I got yesterday from Dr Goh had had a tin of tobacco removed. This parcel from Dr and Mrs K.A. Goh 2 Tik Kwai Terrace, Tai Heng Hill, Causeway Bay contained 2 tins of pineapple, 1 tin beans, 1 tin shelled peanuts, 1 piece soap, 1 pair stockings, 4 small packets of tea, 1 toothbrush, 1 toothpaste, 1 face towel, 1 pair of underpants. This is again a very nice gesture and much appreciated. J.F. got a similar parcel.

D.B.B. and I were again down at J. F's last night, had a coffee and one of Johns own baking scones and a talk on generalities and he gave us a packet of cigarettes on coming away which were very welcome.

The committee of these blocks 8 and 9 have ended our term of office and on Wednesday next week there is to be a new election. I am standing again and we'll see later what the result will be.

The news which gradually finds its way into the camp besides that which appears in the Hong Kong rag is on the up and up and is very heartening and it would not surprise us greatly to hear of the collapse of Germany in the near future and then Mr Nippo can look out for a nasty shock.

I'm glad to say that my throat is now almost better and practically back to normal again.

Fish seems to be the only available meat just now and with handling the fish I've received some nasty sores and jags which have turned septic, one has to handle them with great care otherwise in our condition sores turn septic very easily if we could get gloves it would be easy.

I went to church last Sunday but had to come out early to go to the distribution of rations.

The latest hot news is that Mrs Polson is being married on Monday first 15th by Rev. A.P.Rose in the office of the British Command Council. The Banns are to be called on Sunday. The groom is called Bowers, a sergeant in the Police and R.C. She and this man have been walking out a lot evidently they also did that pre-war. Well well John Polson has now been dead for over 13 months and tho' the marriage is not surprising we thought they'd wait till we were all freed and have it outside. However love will have it's own way.