8-12- 43

My dear Freda:

Today is the 2nd anniversary of the Great East Asian War, but there are no signs of their jubilation. On Saturday I was very thrilled to receive your p.c., Vera Dutoff, David Heyman, Madame Ducurous & Vera's letter of November. So sorry that your laddie in giving so much trouble, and I can quite sympathise.

Vera's parcels to Marie & me arrived - I had a portion of the lid and Marie had some portion of the box that's all. We were frightfully disappointed. We were looking forward to the bacon.

This morning we went to 6.45 Mass, and when we came back the fire was practically out, it wouldn't respond to Sid's artificial draughting. Robbie had tried to improve on the original built by Calvert, and yesterday he had intended to change the iron tile (hot plate) & firehole, and in anticipation had knocked the top clay off, leaving air holes everywhere. So this morning after having breakfasted on tinned tongue & tea, I decided to have a go, so Sid borrowed Simmonds trowel & pail and an hour or so managed to make an impression, the fire has been going quite well.

Mr Joey is here and has called for us. I wrote to mother in November that if she envisaged financial difficulties to let me know through Mr Joey. Hence.

We suggested the name of Costain, as he had promised when we were leaving to do he could for us if we should call upon him.

Cheerioh, Ida

My dear Freda:

Another unlucky parcel day for the menage. Marie's 2 parcels from Lowensen’s were listed on the broken list, but it was worse than that, one was practically empty and the other with more than half missing. Al1 the Xmas gifts were lost Marie was extremely distressed, shedded tears, but Robbie a trump and cheered us up considerably. But I got 2 red cross letter, from Ena dated 26/8/4 3 and 1from Arthur's dated 27/7/43, Elsie came along, and gave us a piece of bacon We’re too sad for words.

Cheerioh Ida

December 18, 1943 ...

18-12-43

My dear Freda:

At last I've finished all my Xmas gifts. I worked till late last night. Today we went to the tombola & drew

Christine , Glycerin & chocolate
Ida, Lacrimilk
Peter, Glycerin & chocolate
Marie, Macaroni
Gay, Lacovomalt
Wendy, Golden Lion Milk
Sid, Viesin flavouring
Johnny, My Mother Milk
Robbie, Cornflour

Then yesterday, Mr C.C. sum, Henry Yuan & C.C. Wong sent all K.M.A. kids Golden Syrup to bigger children, Maple Syrup to middling & Glycerin to babies. So we have a handsome array of tins already.

Cheerioh Ida

December 22, 1943 ...

22.12.43

My dear Freda:

Our mail day was disappointing. I was hoping to hear from you, Divert and Mother. Instead p.c.s or Xmas cards from Sister Agnes Loyola, Father Legrand,Vera D., & the Walravens. However this disappointment was counterbalanced by the news that we have 4 parcels to come & so have the Robinsons. 2 from Suzanne Simon, 1 from Walravens & 1 from Ducuion. I do hope they’ll be okay. The biggest list of parcels ever 340, but the General Affairs Dept. are not so happy as they are apprehensive of broken, pilfered or lost parcels.

Peter’s birthday, 20th Dec. was quite successful. I gave him orange scarf & bonnet, Johnny a sword, Wendy a bunch of sweets, Mrs Henning a ball & a large Star chocolate, Terence Thomas 2 bars of chocolate, George Dregges, marbles & pa.cket chewing gum, Bill Chilton $5.00 bill. Then gatecrashers Stan Avery & Cherry Billinghurst had tea. Marie made a fine spread.

I am alone now, it is 8 p.m. Sid is sti11 baking bread, the Robinsons have gone off to play bridge, Gay is acting as an angel at the Nativity play, Wendy & Peter have gone to watch it, & Johnny is at a Cub do - & Christine’s is asleep.

Egger Sugstrom are in, and apparently the is in for the repatriation, among them will be Wallingtons, Peking Black's, Clusterboys, Tipton, Lamberts (but I believe Gracie doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t want to leave Desmond McPhersons. 116 all told. They are supposed to be away before the New Year. The Panders are surprised not to be on the list.

These 2 nights there has been no light, it only comes on at about I/4 to 10. What joke is this efficiency if theirs.

At last we have been able to get some Zahar. Hilda brought $150. expensive but what will you. Heard too that our orders for Xmas toys have been cancelled as no stocks available. What a disappointment, as there is no time to make anything. Have made at little red cap. Anyone nearing breaking point wears it, as a danger signal to all possible provocation. I wore it this morning. I love the children and miss them, but they are the limit.

Merry Xmas, my dear, Ida

January 1, 1944 ...

1-1-44

My dear Freda:

Once again I have defaulted to even keep up a weekly annotation. The Taylorsons were awaited for 3 days just as anxiously by us as with the authorities. The trains were assiduously met by always returned without the passengers until Boxing Day. As you will have known, 1st of all the train on which they were to have travelled to Tientsin was over late, so they returned to Kerchoffs where they spent the night. When they finally got to Tientsin, they couldn’t get the luggage off, so Eleanor refused to be parted from her luggage as it contained the baby food, they paced the station platform for 4hrs, until their guards agreed to their communicating with the J. consul. Presumably after due percussion they were taken to the K.M.A. Rest House. It had no heating system at all so they slept fully clothed and entrained the following day. Mary Ann is the image of Frankie.

Xmas Eve, as I was going to confession after eleven, the Hennings arrived with their lovely parcel. I returned home, kept Elsie company whilst Alan and the rest went to Midnight Mass. During which I wrapped the parcels and hung up the net stockings. When the folks came, I went to the 2nd Mass where Marie was waiting. The Midnight Mass was splendid, Paudu sang the Minuit Chretien, Slide, Mrs Rembrecht etc. sang the Mass. It was most impressive, about 200 went to Holy Communion that Mass is still a topic of conversation today.

Peter came home before Mass was over as he was just dying of curiosity. Elsie & Alan were thrilled at the opening of the parcels. On Xmas Day we had a grand lunch, roast pork, potatoes, apple sauce & plum pudding. We had the one made by Marie for which I made the hard sauce .That night we had a little party. The Hennings & Bill. We had cocktails and a snorter after the dinner. Marie made some meat pies, I made the egg, onion with mayonnaise, gooey tarts, buns asparagus. It was some party. It broke up 10.30.