21 Jan 1943, John Charter's wartime journal

It is exactly one year today (52 weeks and one day) since we arrived in this internment camp! Almost to the minute, 3.30; and on just such a clear and sunny day. What pandemonium and chaos! But more of that presently.

We had been allowed to send a card each and a parcel to the prisoners of war camps in Argyle St and Sham Shui Po. The cards (besides the address) could contain 10 words which had to be printed in block letters, and the message could contain a Christmas greeting and refer to the sender’s state of health - nothing else. We sent our two cards to Capt. Minn and Bunny Browne (my best man). I had made another ash tray, out of a piece of shell case, for Capt. Minn and had cut around the edge “25-12-1942. FBM ARGYLE STREET CAMP”.  It was a circular ashtray with a lip around the edge. Later I made the other one of the pair which we gave to Maudie for a Xmas present. On hers I inscribed 25-12-1942 MAM STANLEY CAMP”.  They may be interesting souveneirs later (if they are not too hidious to use in a civilised room).  At first we thought Bunny was in the regular camp at Sham Shui Po and we had decided to part with our remaining half of a bath towel and a cake of soap.