17 Apr 1943, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

Went to church at 4pm on Sunday. J.F. couldn't attend as he was on kitchen duty at his place. I had a great thrill when I received a letter but it was only from Willie Melrose from Australia, he is with the Australian Shipbuilding Board and getting on all right. He, Simpson, Higgs and Adams were the lucky ones being on leave during this affair.

However darling I'm still hoping that my 'real' letter will turn up soon and oh boy that will be great. But the real thrill will be when repatriation comes along and then ! George Rodger got a letter from his wife on Thursday and oh boy was he pleased, he had previously got one from his sister Jessie in Crieff.

It is said here and strongly vouched for that Grayburn and Streetfield of the Hong Kong & Singapore ((should be '& Shanghai')) Bank have been taken to the prison as prisoners for what reason of course we don't know. Many people who have seen him exercising in the prison swear that it is Grayburn all right. He of course has never been in the camp having been in the bank all the time, together with quite a number of bank lads.

Davie Bone gave his lecture on trial Trips and Data on Friday afternoon and it was most interesting. This afternoon I received a parcel from Ah Lin containing 1 bag (2lb) of sugar, 1 bag mixed cocoa, 1 piece of  bacon, 1 tin jam, 1 tin grapefruit, 1 tin mutton, 1 packet Sunlight soap, 1 tube toothpaste, and two small towels. We opened the grapefruit and had it dry with our boiled rice at supper tonight.

J.F. invited D.B.B. and I down to his place, we go at 6 o'clock and return to our room at 8 o'clock. John had a tin of instant Postain and it was jolly nice, we had two cups each also a biscuit and a bun. D.L.Newbigging joined us for a wee while. We discussed dockyard business and local rumours.

The latest rumour is that three ships are on the way here, one with food for us, we can do with a change or something to really supplement the meagre and far from satisfying rations we get. Fish, sweet potatoes, spring onions and spinach for two meals along with rice for 2,500 people don't make for much variety. However we keep cheery and hope for better days to come.