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Norman Cliff's collection - 2005

Weifang, June 13, 2005.

I went by bus to Weifang, and was met by Mr. Sui Shude, a government official who is in charge of the forthcoming celebrations. This relates to the former Weihsien internment camp's liberation by Americans in 1945. For this the government has set aside R12 m.

I had interviews all day, and was taken to the former camp, which was being renovated for the delegates who would be coming. The Eric Liddell moongate garden, built in 1990, has been broken up to make way for a larger garden. Gardeners were still working on the new one.

I was taken up to my single room on the top floor of the hospital building, which is being reconstructed for the reunion. The room was full of dust and broken bricks. In 1945 I had moved from this room to a bachelor dormitory in Block 23 when Eric Liddell died, and had taken his place in the corner of the room.

The planning committee want to involve, not only prisoners but all who had a part in the life of the camp. I was taken to meet Zhang Xihong, whose father and uncle were "cesspool coolies". These brave men came daily into the camp to remove the night soil and they also helped with the escape of two men from the camp.

... in September of the same year:

September, 2005 in England ---
Joyce Cliff, Nicky Pander and Norman Cliff --- a visit to London --

September, 2005 in England ---
Joyce Cliff, Norman Cliff and Leopold Pander --- a visit to London ---

September, 2005 in England ---
Joyce Cliff, Norman Cliff and Leopold Pander --- a visit to London ---

September, 2005 in England ---
Norman Cliff, September 12, 2005
--- a visit to London ---