3-7-44

My dear:

Again much has happened:

1) a landing is supposed to have been made on the Frisian Islands and the Soviets to have taken Helsingfors.
2) on Thursday at 11a.m. Miles Halton came and told us that we had to move on the following day.

On Friday, 30th we started at 9a.m. as pre-arranged the Reserve Gang, consisting of Ron Chapman, 2 negros and 2 others, came to assist Dr Corkery’s quarters which we had to occupy was in an indescribable state of disorder, and due to this it took us longer to move in as so much cleaning & clearing had to be done. The Robbies are next door but one. The carpenters shop sent 2 men to put in shelves. We are comfortably ‘in’. The first time since our arrival here. The 1st room has our bed and the table off which we dine and 2 trunks forming corner window seats. I had sufficient curtains to give the room a ‘blue’ atmosphere, I have built a window box too, in which I have transplanted a petunia, nasturtium & pinks.

The green patch consists only of tomatoes, so I have been around begging for flowers. I think eventually it will look quite pretty.

The silk panties I made have been sold for $15 – Sid’s gold cuff links fetched $100 and his Cyma dress watch $200 - so at last we have been able to buy 5lbs of honey for $100. Have split all the stores outside ‘iron rations’. Makes it easier for us.

Gay on the 1st passed her ‘Health’ badge. She is now trying hard to get her Minstrel’s badge.

The children seem more tractable now that we are alone.

Many thanks for your letter of the 26th March - but you do not give news of yourself. More parcels have come in. I do hope its peanut butter. We are short of bread spread. The Turners, the Hennings & the Robbies came in Sunday. We had quite an enjoyable evening.

Much love Ida.

July 7, 1944 ...

7-7-44

My dear:

Prevalent rumour on 5-7-44 is that Germany is retiring voluntarily from Italy. That Americans have suffered set back in Cherbourg, Britons & Russians advancing rapidly. A Landing at Dieppe, & South Denmark.

Went to Homes’ Committee on Wednesday. Mrs Pryor told the meeting all about the V.A.D. work in the hospital. Most impressive the time which is put in. Mrs Pryor, Helen Warner, Margaret Bishop & (Zoya or Helen) ... Parry are the workers.

Voyce gave me portulaca and Mrs Henning 1 nasturtium, petunia - Mrs Jones, marigolds so on the whole I shall have quite a promising garden patch.

One guard is supposed to have said that if Japan cannot produce at least one third of Americans airplane production then she is lost ... she can’t so.

Last night a guard noticed Robbie’s fire, he lit a match, then later a spill to see what was being cooked. Robbie got up and explained that it was a salted tongue, came from Tongshan 4 months ago. This morning Sabanwal told Robbie that the Japs were very interested, & Whitting explained that a salted tongue could be kept for any length of time.

Jimmy Jamieson lent us $1500 to the tune of £2I – 0 - 0 which we are splitting with the Robbies. He has been decent - a bolt from the blue as a few months ago they weren’t on speaking terms. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

July 10, 1944 ...

10-7-44

My dear:

It has been incredibly hot and humid and breathless for the last 2 days. Although we have had quite enough excitement to equilibrate this intense heat. On the 8th morning, several bombers, flying high, invisibly, seemed to fly beyond Weihsien & back again in a few minutes. About 3 mins later a little J. plane came flying past. Needless to say, it is surmised that the bombers were United States planes. It was not until they had flown past that the camp air raid alert was sounded.

Then we had showers of rain throughout the day & night and air-raid alarms were sounded throughout these days.

The pickles I made were so successful that they were eaten in no time. I also pickled some of the peaches which we bought on Saturday. They are tasty too.

Hear that 15 Italians are coming tomorrow. Much speculation as to reason at such a late date.

Bought apricots today 5 lbs for $12- and half of which I have made jam, a quarter stewed, and a quarter to be eaten fresh. Used honey for sweetening.

Weihsien babies had a party at the Moongate Court today. Each one was given a cloth toy & a dedicatory poem. The prettiest baby was Paul de Jongh, then Carmen Jones - the others run quite close. Dr Corkey was given a handsome shower, each Weihsien baby which she delivered gave a tin of sorts.

The babies were:

Angela Cox --- George & Philo Cox
Denise Winslow --- Ghislaine declercq Winslow )
Diane Thomson --- mother from Mauritius father from Manhattan
Evelyn Voyce --- Alfred & Christine Voyce
Carmen Jones --- Meta & Percy Jones
Abe Mosesom (camp's 1st baby) --- Yiddish
Larry Levin --- Yiddish
Larry Hill --- Murray Hill Murray’s nephew
Paul de Jongh --- sixth de Jongh child
Edwina Ross --- Coralie & Arthur

Mary-Lou Pander --- Mrs.Pander (Belgian Bank) has just had her baby - girl weighing 8lbs.

Girlie came to visit me and is full of the trouble that quarters want her to move into a dormitory, Granny Turner move into Mrs Cameron’s room with her, Tom into Antils room, who have to be chucked out. Poor Antils the second time in 2 years, but each time after she has established a fine garden patch. They will be mad.

The papers came in and the news is good. The Russians have captured Minsk. But in reality they must be miles further ahead. What about us? We must be driving ahead too.

Love Ida.

July 12, 1944 ...

12-7-44

My dear:

More Italians & 3 Britishers came in this afternoon: Mrs Bryson being one of them. They brought in quite a lot of news:

Tsaipan Island is ours.
The fleet practically beaten.
Nagasaki bombed heavily
Russians 45 klmrs from East Prussia
Advancing well in Normandy & Americans receiving supplies direct from the States.
Tsingtao bombed.

We are extremely buoyed by the news. I may yet win my bet with Voyce that the Germans would be out by this month.

The extreme pessimists say December & optimists September. Roosevelt is supposed to have said on Saturday that the Japanese Navy has been beaten and that the war out East will be over in 2 months. Hurrah!

Bought a pair of shorts at Elephant Bell for $19 F.R.S. one knitted striped blue shirt for $9.00 F.R.S.

Today I weighed myself I am 104lb.

Mario Prodan, with a goatie beard, shouting hello, hello, hello, on top of the truck. Full of confidence of his welcome. Peter Lawless turned his back on him, & Carl Morton refused to shake his hand telling him so & then told him that time for him in here would do him good.

Cheerio, cheers, Ida.

July 16, 1944 ...

16 – 7 - 44

My dear:

So much in the news is now reaching us that we don’t can’t keep track – almost. We are, also, frightened, perhaps, that we won’t know for several days that the war has been won.

The heat last night was intense 98º in a little room. The day is again clouded over today, perhaps we may have a little beautiful rain. It is rumoured that:
A TN/TS train was stopped & 30 Js taken off and shot by the guerrillas. W.Peking has been bombed, so have Fengtai, Changsingtien.

Mrs Kendall says that:
100 aircraft carriers are in service near or round about J. That the war tactics of General Nemietz, absolutely unheard of US. do not attempt to take whole islands, thereby loosing much men & material. They simply ‘neutralise them’ that is one point is taken, and starve & bomb the rest of the island until the J.decide to surrender. Truk was taken in this manner. So was Tsaipan. Tsaipan will be the last island taken as they are now close enough to the J. mainland.

Nagasaki bombed flat. Kyoto bombed & Tokyo. Dewey says U.S. will not accept peace terms, will bomb J. to extinction or until every man, woman, or child realises that J. is beaten.

Campaign in Normandy is going marvellously. Cherbourg taken 10 days earlier than anticipated. Montgomery fought Rommel in Africa. So he lurid him to Caen where the Germans thought was to be the landing point. Walked into trap. It was Cherbourg.

Germany seeking peace with England & Russia through Spain. Churchill refused. Even in Chronicle of 3 weeks ago the Channel Roadstead lit like Bond Street by busy traffic.

Leghorn taken. Germans now taking licking in Italy.

Ronald Bridge had a nasty accident. Was watching ball, a player fell over him, he got up and ran homeward shrieking, fell down on way & probably bumped head as he is suffering from a cracked skull.

Gold Tooth last week went through the women’s ward at 1.30 am. Then the next night at 10.30, reported to Discipline on both occasions. Effectively stopped methinks as he no longer visits.

Love Ida.

July 18, 1944 ...

18-7-44

My dear:

What bad news! At 10 a.m. we heard Pres. Roosevelt had died!

Love Ida

July 21, 1944 ...

21-7-44

My dear:

We received a stamped receipt for the Japanese custody of our passports. Got peanut oil too, $4.50, a potion, a portion is less than a 1/2 lb I am sure.

Went to lotto. For Jack pot the 1st prize was $150, the 2nd $100 & third $50. Well worth winning. Clemmie shared $25 with 3, Elsie won $25.

Made honeyed biscuits. Marie made salt oat biscuits. Perhaps we have been extravagant. Kolnigsberg has fallen. Moji, Shimoneseki & Osaka heavily bombed.

Daisy again has caused a rumpus. The house she now occupies was Mrs Danielson’s who had a lean-to built between her house and the wall 8' away. It was understood at the time of moving that this was hers and that in due course she’d remove it away when she could muster the help. Yesterday she went along with Marcia Ditmassen (Ditmansen). Daisy refused to allow her to. Saying that it was Mrs D. and that Mr Halton told her it was to remain. Called her names that she had heard she was a horrid person, and now she could see the name was justified. However Mrs D jumped on a stool and proceeded to loosen the boards when Daisy pushed her off. So Discipline was called & Lawless told her to do nothing about it that night but to send in a written complaint. No news yet.

Heard Miss Esmond & Earl West married several days ago. She is supposed to be 3 months preggy. Mother against marriage. Unwilling to have a dark gent for son-in-law.

Gay passed her Minstrel’s Badge, on the 15th. Mrs Glede (Gleed) & Mrs Bazire. The former helped her practice & the latter passed the test.

It is still beastly hot. The nights are breathlessly close. Up to 98º at 1.30 a.m. We are all worn to a frazzle. Just sit & perspire. Christine & Peter have 3 baths a day out in the garden.

Had tomatoes from Canteen day before yesterday for 1st time they tasted like nectar.

Elsie was awakened by 2 guards speaking outside her room. As it was extremely loud she went out & shushed them. Then fun began. They at first were indignant then threw bricks on her roof & in general went in gentle persecution. Even continued it the following night.

Love Ida

July 23, 1944 ...

23-7-44

My dear:

10 p.m. Have had just a too hectic rumour for words that the Germans have laid down their arms on all fronts .We have also just heard a dispatch rider come in on a motor bicycle. What has he brought. It is 106º today, out of doors and over 100º indoors. The heat is murderous. Christine, Peter, Gay & Sid are sleeping out tonight.

But I have an uncontrollable urge to sew so instead of resting like most folks do, I am making panties etc.

Claira Abbiss married on Saturday

July 26, 1944 ...

26-7-44

My dear:

Still no news from you. Understand that over 1500 letters are awaiting censorship. The Italians do not have to wait anything as long as we. One hour is sufficient for their commandant to censor theirs.

Gold Tooth says U.S. is now too strong & war will be over in 2 months,

The change in the Jap cabinet is naturally the result of much speculation. Feel that people want a cessation of this bombing. Tojo who is responsible for war resigns and a military set is now in.

Hear, from reliable source? that Cracow is taken.

No 2 Kitchen had a conflagration. Apparently all day pies had been baked, and the ovens v. hot. When day’s work over the wet kindling was put in to dry. That’s what caught alight.

Love Ida.

July29, 1944 ...

29-7-44

My dear:

Still no mail from you, hope all’s well and you are enjoying a pleasantish summer. It has been ghastly here. Blazing damp heat, in the day & hot furnace heat, windless at night: the kids are simply covered in prickly heat, and the older people are overcome with the heat.

The papers came in late today. People are sitting around waiting for the Chinese postman till about teatime. Usually he comes in at 2. Claire received.46 home letters. Lucky girl.

See from the papers that Guam has been gained the attempt on Hitler’s life has failed. It is rumoured that the Russians are 170 miles from Berlin.

I am starting on stocking wear for the kids. If we’re here this Winter. Please God, no! We will all be in a bad state of lack of stocking wear.

Sid bought a pair of nice, good condition nutria coloured suede oxfords from the Elephant Bell for $46. Later he discovered that they were Alan Henning’s.

I bought a packet of Strawberry jello for $25 from Mrs Mosley. Am negotiating for egg powder. Bought a baby doll fully gowned for $40 for Christine. I think she’ll enjoy it if she doesn’t break it in no time. Have also asked Franky Pear to make a little doll’s pram for her. Hope it’l be ready on time.

Sid has boils in his ears. Suffering very much. Apparently in the hospital here in peaceful times most of the patients suffered from carbuncles due to some deficiency in the water.

Love Ida

July 31, 1944 ...

31-7-44

My dear

Seem to have nothing but rumours about was on the mind. Today in the sewing room it is rumoured that the Germans asked for an Armistice on the 29th inst. Wish it were possibly true. We are resigned to the face of course that we won’t leave this camp immediately war is over.

On Sunday night at the Hennings’ at home, Robbie predicted that the Germans would be out of the was by the 21st August & Japan out of the war fortnight before or after that date.

Today is Kathleen Carter’s birthday she is 20.

Today too I bought a pound of egg powder at $30 - and shared it with Marie.

The temperature is still very high. The kids are sleeping out in the hopes of attenuating their prickly heat.

Have had ground kaoliang porridge over a fortnight - it is sweetened & amazingly good. Even for cakes.

Love Ida.