5-8-44

My dear

Rumours are again rife. Egger came in yesterday & brought the American Comfort parcels, red cross letters & other things. Marie received 3. In one her infirm brother with one wooden leg has been presented by his wife with twin daughters, which caused us much merriment.

A huge concentration of naval strength in the Mediterranean. Terrific hand to hand street fighting at Caen (?doubtful). All doing well on all fronts.

The Americans here expect repatriation next month. They are disappointed in their Comfort Parcels. More clothes than food & no candies.

Bought a packet of jello at the Elephant Bell for $16 as compared to $25 from Mrs Mosley. Sold packet of cream of wheat – cheap - for $60 could have had $80 - but Mrs McLaren wanted it.

Went to showers with towel round waist for modesty.

Finished “Imperial Palace” today, shone dark forgotten corners of memories of my youth somehow. Why I don’t know as no similarity in occurences.

No Davids parcels were delivered today. Don’t know the snag. If Italians seen talking to us 1st offence confiscation of allowance, 2nd tried by Chief of Police.

Blessings upon you. Ida.

August 7, 1944 ...

7/8/44

My dear:

It is Christine’s 2nd birthday tomorrow and we are all looking forward to it very much. We are awaiting with pleasure her reaction to a baby doll & pram. Pity I was unable to make a cushion for it. I will tho’.

We had a fine rain storm at 4 p.m. which brought the temperature down to 81º indoors. Verily the Chinese are correct in their calculation for tomorrow is their Autumn after an extremely hot summer.

This afternoon too Goyas was at first apprehended by the Js. During which time the Chief of Police & his No2 went through his belongings after clearing the dormitory out. Nothing was found. He had been given the tip at 10 a.m.

Then Marinellis was taken into custody. They confiscated U.S. $5.00 which was found on his person.

It is rumoured Turkey has declared war on Bulgaria. Bulgaria rather than fight has come over to the Allies side. Tremendous Allied victories in Normandy.

Red x shoes obtainable from Tsingtao for $500 - $600. At $16 being something like £40-0-0 which is ridiculous.

Gay was in a Promenade Concert featuring in English Country Dancing. She did it well but looked a mere shrimp beside Gillian Hall, Dicky Coppins, Margaret Moffat etc. Her partner was Louise de Jongh.

Egger when he came in brought in many crates. These were addressed to the rector of Weihsien. The B.A.T. at first thought it was theirs. The K.M.A. theirs. Then it was thought these were for the Fathers, but this did not seem possible as the quantity of the goods seemed too enormous for such a small body of men. We hope it’s ours!

Bought 12 eggs from Steno.

Cheers.Love Ida.

August 9, 1944 ...

9-8-44

My dear

Christine’s birthday passed off very well indeed. At first I was rather desolate as I was told by the kitchen storekeeper that the frigidaire wasn’t working. However I put in the 2 trays of jello - one of cherry and the other of strawberry. Then made the pudding with pudding powder, but because I used powdered milk, it didn’t set hard. However it was used as sauce for the jelly. The chocolate cake was gorgeous and the icing was successful.

I cleared the front room & put a board on the floor propped up by 1 layer of bricks. A clean sheet was spread over it, a bowl of yellow cosmos, and cut out newspapers for cushions we had 10 children: Mary Ann Taylorson, Kay Allen, Graham Milne, Astrid Danielson, Michael Jones the 2 Robinsons and our 3. Of parents Jean, Eleanor, Robbie, Marie, Mrs Danielson, Elsie, Mrs Jimmy and myself. Sid was baking so he popped in occasionally. Gay & Wendy looked after the children after tea under the trees. Eleanor was relieved to have Mary Ann, off her hands for a while.

Goyas yarn to the Chief of Police was quite dramatic. That as the others, were getting comfort money, and he wouldn’t be getting any, and being hard up for cash, in order to buy some honey etc. he gave into temptation and sold his watch. As for the 2 rings, and usually worn by him, but owing to pumping he had taken it off. The other was a keepsake from his wife. A 2nd operation for cancer of the breast etc. shed a couple of tears. Perhaps he will get away with it.

It is now a bout 80º since the 7th it has rained and what a difference it has made to the temperature. A blessed relief to be able to sleep so well.

Marie got a clout on the ear from one of the guards when she and others dashed towards the ballfield to spectate their manoeuvres. They were sounding the sirens and lighting flares. The matter was reported to Discipline, and they in turn complained to the Police Chief, to which he stated:
I) that internees should know by now to keep clear of the guards when they are manoeuvring.
II) 2) that Japanese do not differentiate between man & woman.
III) 3) that it was after ‘lights out’ and no one had any right to be out.
IV) 4) that he had a good mind to call the complainant & witnesses up to punish them,

Love Ida.

August 18, 1944 ...

18-8-44

My dear:

I see that it is over a week now since my last entry, and quite varied occurences have taken place.

10 of the old guards have been replaced by new ones. The little fellow who had been so helpful when we first came by getting us fruit and dong odd shopping for us. He too was the victim of the Chinese hand grenade outrage. The chappy who accompanied Robbie to Peking is gone too. Last night the last bulletin was the alleged speech of General Nimetz in the Japanese Papers that “Japan was now surrounded and she would be bombed into submission.”

Started my Russian lessons again this week I now find it a millstone round my neck. With Autumn coming I seem to find less time to devote to it and besides my brain is tired and I can’t remember.

The Chinese coolies are digging a well outside Elsie’s. Brigadier Stranks of the Salvation Army wheeled a barrow up to a Chinese & asked him if the sand were good for ‘coal balls’.The Chinese merely retorted ‘Pu shing, pu shing’. A Japanese suddenly popped up from nowhere bawled at Stranks & the Chinese. Then hauled the Chinese to the guardroom. About half an hour later, the Chinese returned with lobe of his ear bleeding and rubbing his thigh!

We had a dreadful tragedy too. Bryan Thomson & others were standing around under a bare high tension wire. One chap said the current was on, Bryan wouldn’t believe it so he raised his arm to feel it. Unfortunately it was on and his fingers caught. He was dead within three minutes. It was dreadful for his mother who was witness to it. The people had great difficulty in getting the lad off, with chairs, cushions, etc. Eventually they got him off. The doctors worked on him from 7 to I0. The funeral was yesterday. Apparently the husband is head of a C.I.M. in Chungking. A daughter died in another concentration camp. So if and when - its three years since the father left - that his family will have been reduced by 2 members.

Love Ida

August 23, 1944 ...

23-8-44

My dear:

Yesterday I went to a Protestant Orthodox Memorial service for Penny Paradisses. Rev. Howard Smith made a very excellent discourse on her. He said that we are not required to pray or mourn for her, she is above prayer but assembled together to pray God to look after the husband and child she left behind. It was very sad.

Yesterday too the American red x parcels were distributed. One parcel consists of 4 separate units. All Americans & their children get whole parcels, wives and/or dependents get one unit. They are stupendous. The Americans have been handing cigarettes around. Father Rutherford gave Robbie & Sid 4 packets each. Thomson, to whom we lent a camp bed, bought, oh surprise of surprises, a tin of coffee. Sid exchanged 2 lbs peanut butter for 1 bar chocolate with Milton Saltzer. One of the American Church janitors gave Gay half tablet – ‘nuff said.

Tomorrow, the red x clothes will be handed out.

Forgot to mention that on Saturday 19th when we opened the hamper, found that the rain has saturated throughout everything. My leopard (for which I had planned so much), Gay’s black lambskin, Christine’s white lamb and bag and Peter’s catskin were in such a bad condition that they had to be buried immediately. I almost shed a tear when I said good bye to my leopard.

Father Dallaire came on Thursday and started on our brick stove in the kids room. It is a work of art, and extremely efficient. We had already found it useful during the several wet and cold days which followed. When even our roll call was an ‘alley to alley’ one.

The morning glory creepers are simply beautiful. I have got them trained very nicely. Christine is speaking quite freely. She is such a strong-minded child no one can take advantage of her. She even threatened “to sock Johnny”.

P.S. Rumours today are:
1) Paris surrounded
2) De Gaullists surging up the Rhone
3) German High Command tells men in France not to expect reinforcements & fight to last man(?)
4) New-type bomber, already bombing of Japan commenced.
5) Crossed Seine & places east of Paris.
6) Russians marching rapidly onward to Germany.

Love Ida

August 25, 1944 ...

Friday, 25th

My dear:

Since yesterday have felt something must be in the air. Understand Js very peeved at our bombing of their country. But today, it is said Paris has fallen and Soissons captured. What jubilation in Paris. The end must surely be nigh.

Ch.Peacock as storekeeper, & there is a cubby hole from which issued are made. He had a notice posted above his window ‘God bless America. Thank you’ I understand it was not understood, so nothing came forward.

Today the American males received a whole outfit from shoes to overcoat. Understand 60 overcoats left over. Marie gave me a tin of butter 7 pork paste.

Father Rutherford popped in and gave us a tin of butter & coffee. But Kathleen Waldman, nor Miss Moore, did not had nor show any appreciation of the Cameron society, Not even a tin of cigarettes was presented. Unexpected people have been marvellous, and expected people have been mean. Funny. Gracie Hope Gill who received 31/3 portions have not even handed a slab of choc nor butter to any one.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Love Ida.

August 29, 1944 ...

29 – 8 – 44

My dear:

Over the weekend -Joerg & Egger were in. At first the NINE COMMITTEES, wanted to meet J. on block, but the Authorities would not give permission as a result of which, he saw them one at a time which naturally detracted much efficiency. He is supposed to have raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard about the apportionment of the American Red X Comfort parcels, and turning to the commandant he suggested that perhaps he would bear in mind the fact, when such opportunity as might arise that the rest of the Camp had been left out by this rather one sided deal.

The Americans are rather peeved at what they call the Britsh attitude, this attitude which seemed to imply that the British had wanted to dictate the policy with which the comforts should be dealt out. So as a result it will be ‘seen’ that nothing will be ‘left over’ which was to have been handed over to the Women’s Auxilliary Group for proper distribution. Helen Ladow for instance, couldn’t get a size of shoe to fit, but nevertheless took a pair as she thought it would be swappable, for tinned goods! The mentality! (She & her husband, Louis, received 1 and 1/3 units)

Yesterday a guard told Aloysius Porter, that he had heard over the radio the arrival of Tipton & Hummel in Chunking. The guards are certainly more communicative nowadays.

It is rumoured that Rumanians sued for peace. King Michael having split with Antoescu has fled to Moscow. That street fighting in Paris in progress.

We have bought grapes from the Canteen, 1st time this year. No prices yet, so expect the cost to be fabulous.

Rice at the Canteen is $47 per lb. Leo T. Thomas refused to take up his order. But this alone I think shows us how things are outside!

Bought dried mushrooms yesterday, at $I0 per lb. I soaked a few all day and fried onions & mushrooms for supper-they are quite nice.

Signed for another parcel from David. The People in TN. have been bricks, I don’t know what we would have done.

Parkin died this afternoon from heart failure, leaving behind a widow & 3 children. Poor wife. Poor Rosanne who was most attached to her father.

Love Ida

(in 1946, Mrs Parkin on her way to India from Kunming met a Canadian Colonel, a widower with 1 son. They fell in love. He returned to Canada first and then she followed. They are married. Added by Ida Talbot)

August 31, 1944 ...

31-8-44

My dear:

I hope that on September the anniversary of Germany’s aggression will sound aggression will sound their toscin too. Rumoured that Japan has sent put peace feelers through Spain, based on her retaining Manchuria & Korea.

Rumoured & substantiated in J paper today of an allied landing at Ostend. Looks as though Germany wants allies on German territory before Soviets. A couple of days ago Stalin declared his army would be in Berlin within 10 days.

Gay had a slight accident to her foot yesterday. Xrayed today & fortunately no bones damaged.

Love Ida