01 Jan 1944, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

The start of another year and still here, but we are more hopeful of release than we have ever been. We are moving rapidly on all fronts and this we gather from the meagre news that is in the daily rag and reading between the lines sort of thing. At any rate we feel more confident that our day of freedom is not so far distant now.

The chow put on by the kitchen was quite good considering the small and poor rations we get, however to supplement we made another pie of corn mutton and vegetables and has helped to fill the empty places.

I received three small parcels from Lo Fung I, Lam Chang Wei and Mei Lee Ironworks and these were very acceptable and helped to replenish our impoverished stocks. There is still no further news of repatriation, but continue to hope.