16 Nov 1943, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

Tonight I received your loving and glorious letter of 6th December 1942 and it is grand and fine to know that you were keeping cheery and well. It was very pleasing and cheerful to me to know that Phil Hermon had written you about me and the others. Your letter was so newsy and for it I thank you. I wish we were able to write as much as you are allowed to. We haven't been able to write you since 30/9/43 but when the next repatriates go, we are hopeful of being allowed to write again.

Last night Monday we had our first night air raid and oh boy it was great to see in the moonlight our lads doing their stuff and sailing over Hong Kong with complete nonchalance and disregard for ack ack. Then today they came over again and showed the nips a thing or two, but again there was no opposition to them and this rather belittles their tales of how they chase our chaps out of the sky. Our lads dropped heavy calibre bombs and were off quite quickly. The help to the Chinese morale must be wonderful.

Because of this we are now having blackouts from 6.30pm on Monday 22nd November.

Tonight I received your letter of 13th September 1942 written in Montreal and post marked Sydney, Nova Scotia which was when you were on your way home. It was most interesting dearest to hear your news. Thanks for all your love and thoughts.

700 repatriates are expected to leave sometime next month, war widows, women with children, men with children, old people over 70 and the very sick. Well I can't be included in any of these categories.