6 .1. 44

Weihsien

My dear Freda:

I went to the monthly meeting of the Homes committee of which I am a member, which was held at the home of a Mrs Joyesen, a Norwegian missionary whose husband was killed in West China by a J. bomb. There we got to talking and eventually came to you, and then the fact that your mother was a Miss Berylson, whose brother and family are in camp. Going home Mrs Henning and I passed through No.2 kitchen and bumped right into Mrs Berylson, I told her how I got to know that day that her husband was related to you, she didn’t show much interest, and advanced the information that her daughter Muriel had written this month to you and added that you were a bad correspondent, I did not contradict her as I could see she had a bee in her bonnet.

New Year’s Eve, I enjoyed myself. It will be remembered.

Eva invited us to her house Friday, but yesterday she came along to say that the party would be called off as she didn’t have eggs nor flour - today the canteen issued eggs - I felt at the time that she would wiggle out of this ‘do’. So I am not surprised.

There has been much commotion in the bakery, as without previous information Sid’s shift yesterday afternoon had to bake 150 big buns for the Garrison. The men were fed up as they felt that Oswald had been too casual about it. Most people were of the opinion that it was unnecesary, rather wrong, to bum suck them. However to save Oswald’s face the 150 buns were baked, then they decided that Sid should take the offering which he refused.

We have a small stove installed in our room, which is making life nice. I have felt quite comfortable all day despite the gale outside. On the 4th we had our first snow. It isn’t practical to have snow here as the people coming in just bring dirt and snow on their shoes to the utter mess of the rooms.

Peter apparently had had a fight with Johnny and he threatened to tell his daddy. Johnny did not take notice of this threat - Then Peter said that he would tell the guerrillas and they’d come and shoot him dead. Johnny still did not take notice. Finally then Peter informed him that he’d tell God.

Peter had a terrific fall on his nose, apart from taking much skin off his nose the bridge has swollen so that he looks a different person, and should be re-christened Isaac?

Mail day on Saturday and I hope to hear from you.

On Tuesday we receive our first letter from Diveit. He is a nice chap.

Love, Ida

January 8, 1944 ...

8 -1- 44

My dear Freda:

This is a very sad mail day for us: no mail from you nor anyone. I hope to receive a few back ones from you next week, I am sure it is the Authorities who are withholding them.

We have a stove installed in our room, and it is now quite pleasant. I am able to sit on the bed under the light, to mend or write. I feel sure I shall be somewhat a little more regular than I was towards the latter part of last year.

We have run completely out of tea, and it is unobtainable - except from a friend - we asked Elsie Henning and she very sweetly let us have some. She has been our angel of help on many an occasion.

The Italians say that their cruiser Eritrea which was in Singapore upon their cessation of war was taken over and officered by the Japanese. One fine morning it made off and reached Colombo. I wonder if it’s true.

They also say that Kogo has told them that they are here only temporarily, that they’re being moved off elsewhere. Hardly true I should say.

Peter’s face is a mess, he has a swollen half face, one swollen eye, broken skin on his nose. Poor lad. He made an awful fuss at Dr Prentice’s this morning, he’ll have to go again tomorrow.

Love, Ida

January 12, 1944 ...

12-1- 44

My dear Freda:

Yesterday Sid celebrated his birthday in good style. He had several slices of bacon for breakfast, we didn’t, but he was privileged.

I made a blanc mange pudding for tiffin, and for tea we did have a sumptuous spread, Marie had made an excellent birthday cake - icingless - and a red apple pie, Gay made some peanut cookies, and Wendy some excellent biscuits. Then we were busy as we had a dinner party, it being Bill Chilton’s birthday too - I made the tomato soup and for some reason it curdled, perhaps it was the Benyake beef or perhaps the onions which I put in. Marie prepared the pork and beans. As guests we had Elsie & Alan Henning, Clemmie & Bill. They came at 7.30. At 8.45 Sid acquired a bottle of Port (?) with which we had some curried tuna. Then tomato soup, pork & beans & corn beef, pineapple tart, birthday cake etc, with coffee - Bill & Clemmie left at 9.40 straight from the dinner table. Then we had snort-os. It was good and deliberate.

For presents Sid received a grey woolen beret from the Hennings, a pr of mittens from Christine (made by me) shaving brush from Peter & a pr of cotton gloves from Peter (Gay). The best birthday for years, I bet.

Caxap received and distributed. Mary came but left unsatisfied. Christine is now able to get on beds, chairs etc., quite often to keep her quiet I have to give her a piece of paper and pencil, which will keep her amused for quite some time. Today the children are uncomfortable from surfeit of rich food. Love, Ida.

January 13, 1944 ...

13 -1- 44

My dear Freda:

As Christine is now able to sit at a table and amuse herself with pencil & book, I feel that the time has come to offer a little of my time for community service. I intend going to our Dining Room 3 times a week, an hour at a time from 10 a.m. with Christine, to help in the preparation of vegetables, I am starting on Saturday.

Visited Ma Moffat today and she tells me that she understands that all trunks & boxes stored in Tongshan have been opened and firearms and cameras have been extracted thereupon. Apparently so the rumour goes no decision has been arrived at concerning their eventual deposition.

At last our Discipline Committee has been able to promulgate a very touching punitive measure on anyone behaving contrary to the Welfare of the Camp - you don’t work for the community, the community will not work for you which means no “Comfort Money” - which means no possibility of purchases legal or illegal.

No coal was issued today because for 2 reasons, purported to have been transmitted by the Japanese.to E.J.

1) that the coal shovellers were selecting lumps, instead of just shovelling whatever was uppermost.
2) these people went out of bounds to get to the coal yard.

I don't believe this, I feel that the Japanese feel that the weather is fine & warm. And therefore no need for a stove. It is warm. I have been out all day without my fur coat, just in my tweed jacket.

I hear too that our Comfort Money will be paid in full, instead of in 2 instalments. I predicted that when they first cut the payment. The children recommenced school as from yesterday. They have to go from 2.30 to 5.45 with a break of 1/2 hour for tea.

Went to see Anne this evening and we chatted about you. Am feeling anxious about you.

Hope you are bearing up well. Wished I were with you.
Bless you, Ida.

January 18, 1944 ...

18-1-44

My dear Freda:

I had a dreadful dream on the night of the 16th when I dreamt I was watching a parade of military prisoners of war entering this internment camp, saw Red Cooke on an armoured car, looking his natural self, then David on another. I was horrified when I awoke - I wonder if he is not killed. I pray not.

The weather is simply delightful. I am able to wander about without my top coat. The way you used to in Chinwangtoa. Do you remember how I used to admire you?

Went to my veg. on Saturday. Christine behaved herself quite well. Today too, she behaved creditably. The kindergarten is now held in the Kitchen No 1 and Christine became attracted to it when they began singing.

The rumour is going around persistently that Germany has given up the fight! I don’t believe for a moment that it is so - yet - but how much longer must we wait.

Daisy Wallis is behaving quite peculiarly - you know her way - pretends she doesn’t hear me. On Saturday I greeted her, but she did not have the politeness to reply. Today I did not take any notice of her.

Bought a Jar of P.U.M.C. cold cream for $15 - there was a large Woodbury Jarful for $25 - but Mrs Burge got that. She made a bee-line for it. There were about 20 people waiting for the door to open, and when it did there was a dead rush for it. We just automatically queue up.

I’ve had to say goodbye to my posh red flannel jumper. I am cutting it into a little mieng pao for Christine.

Yesterday morning I put Christine into her cot to get her out of the way as it was my day for “big wash”. Suddenly shed became very quiet. I didn’t worry nor did I look form the cause. But when I did eventually I was horrified, she had powder splodges on her face, she had a powder in her hand and a large quantity of powder spilt on her sheet. She had managed to reach my make up case which was sitting on the window sill, and extracted my “Capucine” powder box – She is a little monkey. She watches every move I make. When I am powdering my nose – she screams for hers to be similarly treated.

Cheers, my dear – Ida

18-1-44

Mr Evans died today at 11a.m. Had had a post mortem. And found that the marrow of his spine had been encroached upon.

January 22, 1944 ...

January 24, 1944 ...

24-1-43

My dear Freda:

Today hopefully we have despatched our letters which are written on very important looking paper for which we had to pay 25 c. Gay sent hers to Jacqueline, I to you and Sid to mother. Our last week’s incoming mail hasn’t been distributed yet, 600 of them which Kogo intends to censer. What a task! We hear too that last month’s letters haven’t been dispatched!

The remedy would be for the whole camp to refuse to mail letters at all, and after one month without mail being received outside, the Authorities would sit up & take notice.

Last night the Hennings brought cheese, real butter, 2 tins pineapple & morton’s custard for their Sunday night supper. It was a feast. We played Vingt-et-un, and at about 9, I started cooking the cheese for the cheese toast, then the feast started. The kids had pineapple & custard, so did we, after the cheese toast.

Father Rutherford came to tea. He was much depressed. Dr Vio came for coffee at elevenses, Stan gate-crashed & so did Elsie. Today my big wash is still hanging outside as it’s been raining all day. Hope it’s safe. The Elephant Bell brought me $50 -$30 for cod liver oil & $20 for soap powder. I hope to buy a clock from the Italians with it, as our prize clock has been damaged by Christine. The children are still below par.

During the week the Authorities nabbed Father Palmers for switching on the lights in the mornings. They even so far tortured him, by putting chopsticks between his fingers and trying to break them. Then when the Police Chief came, he was given a long lecture and sentenced to be jailed for one day, without food nor water.

Our Discipline Head, Ted MacLaren, has taken the matter up and in his letter to the Commandant, copy of which was sent to the Swiss Red Cross, he stated that in these days to apply feudalistic torture was wrong, and that if they treated us in such a manner we were ready to retaliate.

Cheerioh. Ida

January 29, 1944 ...

My dear Freda:

29-1-44

This day is incredibly balmy & delightful. Our door is wide open and the sun is pouring its wealth in – all’s right in the world - perhaps. It is mail day today, but we no longer look forward to Saturdays, as Kojo has taken to censuring mail and he releases dribblets of mail daily. The postman is kept busy.

At Veg. this morning Mrs Gerber was running Kojo down for all she was worth - to cover her traces so to speak as he is one man the Gerbers are suppose to exchange cordialities.

A man was supposed to have been seen taken away by the Japanese into the out – of – bounds. MacLaren, our Discipline Head, hasn’t been able to locate anyone who has been missing. The father of the girl-eye witness insists it’s true, but until the identity can be established nought can be done.

Louis Ladow who was caught stealing coal at 3.30 on Wednesday morning, by the fat sergeant (a frequent caller of his) has been sentenced to a week’s deprivation of coal and one month’s suspension of canteen privileges. It’s too bad that action should be taken upon a report of the Japanese. Trial by jury and the reporter should be present to make his complaints.

Hear there is much snow in Tientsin. The Belgians received clothing & shoes from Engstrom. He is acknowledged to be dumb, but is certainly more helpful than our Mr Joey, who does things only for his friends The Robinsons went to tea with the Vios yesterday. The Italians receive no comfort money naturally, and pending their bank accounts being transfered are wanting to exchange goods. Flour being most needed. They certainly have the neck to expect us to help them to this extent. We were classified as being in our element, but they were bankers & merchant. This is not personal, just vulgar generalisation. Mrs Young was buried the day before yesterday after an illness of only a few days. Her grave, when they were about to put her in, was discovered to be too close to the wall and the Authorities wanted another to be dug. They got the raspberry I think.

Received a p.c. from David Heyman telling us he was sending us 2 pots of Rillettes. Good chap.

Kojo says no more sugar, nor jam. Not even for the Hospital, that we should be content to get as little sugar as the Japanese are getting. He doesn’t realise that we consider sugar one of the most important ingredients in the child’s diet. However, che sara, che sara.

Cheerioh, pet. Hope you’re all right. Ida.