15 Jul 1945, Diary of George Gerrard in Stanley Internment Camp Hong Kong

There was a big Stemozzle on Monday 9th which incidentally was the anniversary of my first landing in Hong Kong 31 years ago. Edward Reed in our block was arrested by the guards over stealing sugar from the godowns where the Japs keep their stocks of rice etc. This sugar was being sold on the Black Market, I bought some myself (1/2lb) from Toder who was selling or acting as agent for T. Edwards who was ditto for Reed. Evidently the guards put the screw on Reed and he broke away and hid himself. At 8 o'clock the general alarm was sounded and we had to fall in for role call. We stood at attention then at ease, then heels were clicked because we stood at ease and so on, after an hour of this the whole place seemed to be swarming with Japs and Formosan guards it then appeared that Reed had given himself up and so we were dismissed but we all thought that we were going to be beaten up. Reed is now in hospital after having a very rough time.

Planes over on Thursday. Weather slightly better but the chow very poor.