Wednesday, May 14, 2014

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

72 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

15 May 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 05:44 AM PST

Book / Document: 
Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
Date of events described: 
Fri, 1942-05-15

A fine and very warm day.

The Japanese place restrictions on those allowed to attend Russell Engdahl's funeral, but Gwen Dew, an old friend of his wife, and who had visited Engdahl many times in Shanghai, gets special permission to go.

There is a brief service in the cemetery that forms part of the Camp.

Several weeks later permission is given for a service with full Catholic rites, presided over by Bishop O'Gara.

 

There have been rumours in Stanley to the effect that the four escapers - Bidmead, Fay, Morrison and Randall - have been caught. Today these rumours are confirmed as the four are seen brought into Camp on a lorry {or a black prison van} on  their way to Stanley Prison. They are 'a mass of skin and bones' and also show the signs of a tough interrogation.

Sources:

Engdahl: Gwen Dew, Prisoner of The Japs, 1944, 142-143

Escapers: George Wright-Nooth, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, 1994, 113; Wenzell Brown, Hong Kong Aftermath, 1943, 236

15 May 1942, R. E. Jones Wartime diary

Posted: 23 Apr 2012 06:50 AM PDT

Book / Document: 
R. E. Jones Wartime diary
Date of events described: 
Fri, 1942-05-15

News still centres around the Jap Fleet's defeat & Churchill's comments & threats to Japan.

New Cookhouse very hot to work in & dirty too.

15 May 1942, Harry Ching's wartime diary

Posted: 13 Mar 2013 06:42 AM PDT

Book / Document: 
Harry Ching's wartime diary
Date of events described: 
Fri, 1942-05-15

((Following text not dated:))

Story of boy kidnapped from mother's side and head found in air raid shelter. Alleged cannibals blamed. Story of hawker selling excellent jook (('jook' is a Cantonese word for a rice-porridge, or congee)). Customers include police. He absent, they investigated, found him cooking human flesh.

Banks paid divvy. Only up to $500. I was paid with one $500 note. Tried to buy necessities and get change. Won't take big notes at all. Friend changes for me at $65 for $100. 

Price of soya beans down from $3 to $1.90. Now is time to stock up. Milk at 60 cents a bottle prohibitive. Soap $2 a bar. Earlier in month some fish cheap $1 per catty, but stingray. No fish in market lately, and we can't afford meat. Only rice and greens for supper.

Many people we know have left. Eddie Ho Tung going to Shanghai, also Jas Hall. Paper says walking parties for Shanghai still being formed. But on road everyone gets robbed or gypped. Must pay protection money. American internees are leaving on exchange. Some American Chinese also going. 

People cutting up furniture for firewood. A shop sold us 10 piculs for $1. Authorities trying to stop it. Gendarmes patrolling Central because looters still stripping empty houses of woodwork. Rumour possession of tree wood punishable. Much police shooting at night at tree cutters. Paper says plenty firewood. Official price one dollar for 12 catties which lasts a day and a half.

Beggars being arrested. Seems all badly dressed and bare-foot people rounded up for deportation. Many arrests in kai yim. Some taken allegedly for blood transfusion. Rumour 20,000 people wanted for blood transfusions. Chinese paper advises people not to go out for a few days because of arrests. Streets empty.

Whole blocks Wanchai houses being taken over. Residents suddenly ordered quit. Include Faure's family. 

To town to Eurasian Welfare Committee meeting. Greaves gave more details of Sykes set up. Began before rice ration bureau opened when he helped Chinese buy rice from authorities. After ration bureau opened the recipients continued to get help thus getting extra rice for which they paid 60 cents. 
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