1-11- 44

My dear:

Another All Saints day we never expected to spend here. However I think that there is very little danger of our spending a third here, the way things are progressing. Hear that Japan has been heavily bombed. In J papers it has been given out that 500 of their planes were lost in destroying 2000 U.S. That several of their vessels were lost too, including an aircraft carrier in the Philippines.

We got peanut oil today at $20 per portion, had to borrow $100 from Alan Henning. Owing to Pete Lawless’ culpability in telling people that the canteen were selling oil, to first comers, which was quite untrue. He was so anxious to be first after roll call that he dashed of before the roll call was over. Everyone living in Block 1 to 20 dashed after him. The Police seeing that people were leaving the parade ground, rang the all clear, But our sergeant Bu Shing De pushed people back, even slapped old Pete because he refused to budge - and we had a 2nd roll call.

I made Elsie’s biscuits for her after eleven as I was asked to help with the short bread in the afternoon. What a rush.

Love Ida.

November 2, 1944 ...

2-11-44

My dear:

We are starting the month on a Lucky plane. We have (Robinsons & ourselves) drawn a 6 to 71/2 cheese to the tune of $310.50 for which payment had to borrow money from General Affairs.

Our 2 parcels arrived quite safely, but unfortunately we were short of tea & 2 cakes of soap in the Heyman parcel.

Cheerioh, Ida.

November 10, 1944 ...

10-11-44

My dear:

First of all I must record my utter happiness in learning that you have not gone. Marie received a letter from Vera Dutoff last week giving her the names of Costain, Kelseys & Nan Binks as those having left for Yangchow.

We had a K.M.A. draw last Sunday for the various pool articles, we drew 3 portions of macaroni, one oats and 1 tin of tea. At first I was frightfully disappointed, but am pleased about the macaroni meals, as food is not plentiful and as a rule we stand up from our meals feeling hungry.

During this week pool parcels have come - peanut butter. What a blessing, as we have used up all our bread spread with the exception of 1 tin jam & 1 tin marmalade.

Bought 5lbs peanuts @ 14 - 5lbs apples at: $ I4- $ 14 for those 2 commodities. Things are becoming prohibitive. Cherry Billinghurst bought a small bar of soap for $ 80 - at the Elephant Bell. Things there too are attaining fantatstic prices.

Bought 1 lb of egg powder off an Italian for $ 150 - Feel that lean days will be coming and want to be prepared.

Its no longer pleasant going to showers. The baths are cold and the showers difficult to regulate either boiling hot or icy. It is customary to take our hot water in one’s bows and wash from there so instead of feeling warmer one’s temperature is definitely lower.

We drew a 7 7/I6 lbs cheese at the cost $310.50 sharing it with the Robbies. Had to borrow money from General Affairs to pay for it. It is delicious cheese and makes good fare. I am trying to look after it.

Staphillares (Staphylaris) came and built out stove on Tuesday, 7-XI-44. He made a quick job of it - at the cost of $100 - Mihailoff put 4 lacomalt & 4 golden syrup tins together for the necessary length to connect brick chimney to flue. He made the oven out of our kerosene tin.

Haven’t tried to bake anything in it yet.

No news all week. Feel at a loss.

Red X shoes arrived too - cheapest cost $570 rising to over $700 for the big ones, to be paid after, the war. We will order 5 pairs which we hope to receive.

Mrs Cole came to the door one morning, and announced that having heard I had lost my fur coat, would I like to borrow one of hers. I didn’t refuse, and the result is a nice finger tip length brown snappy coat.

Eva Faulkner, at bridge last night offered to give me 2 woollen nighties. She brought them tonight very handsome winceyette ones too. So I’ll make over Gay’s present flannelette ones to Peter and let her keep the pretties.

Am borrowing Carter’s cat tonight to see if it won’t help us rid ourselves of mice. We have a whole army of mice who just about drive us crazy every night. I hope it won’t awaken and frighten Christine.

Love Ida.

November 13, 1944 ...

13-11-44

My dear:

On Sunday yesterday, we drew our share in pool parcels 13 3/4 lbs peanut butter and one whole bar soap of 5 sections. Harry Faulkner told us that one section was being sold for $30 - in the Elephant Bell. We weren’t so much shocked at the price as the indecency of the person for trying to sell gifts.

Heard too on Thursday at Harry’s where we were playing bridge that Teddy Nathan is inclined to be a bit highhanded with pool gifts. The last occasion when we finally received 7lbs each, he apparently thought it too much and for his committee, Bill Chilton, Harry Faulkner & Wilfred Pryor talked him out of it but when he heard that one kerosene tin was left, he asked for it and distributed to Billinghursts, MacLarens etc. Heard subsequently that Cherry B sold some of hers.

The last week or fortnight we have been short of bread spread and the kids have frequently gone to bed with only plain spread, and were frightfully disappointed when we didn’t even win a lb of peanut butter.

The canteen has received powdered milk Golden Unicorn and cheeses - so far we have not been lucky. The Camp Authorities have agreed to allow us to purchase Griffen & Wilde produce. I am putting our name down for six tons of jam only at $50 per.

Took Sid’s brown smoking jacket to sewing room to be used as lining interlining for his rickshaw rug coat which has been cut by Sligh and will probably be made by Mrs Jamieson.

It is rumoured that Grice is very anxious because the Authorities have decided to cut cow’s milk on December 15th -.I can hardly believe it.

Elsie came this morning with a canister of baking powder – I gave her the canteen price of $5 - tells me that Miss Bailey matron of the Old Ladies’ home is washing her sheets for her – Mrs Johanson her neighbour, will wash bits & piece if Elsie will knit Miss Bailey a bonnet as a fair & just remuneration.

The biggest bomb exploded in camp is Miss Brane’s conversion to Catholicism Mr Bruce apparently behaved like a gentleman, but asked her to speak to a Mrs Brady, who apparently was a non Catholic, became a Catholic & then saw the ‘light’ and joined the C.I.M., Miss Brane apparently told him that as she was of the firm conviction that as she was doing right it wasn’t necessary for her to see her. He then spoke about the six month’s notice regarding resignation. She said she’d hand in her resignation then and there. It was her conscience which was guiding her. Today they’ve had a mass prayer meeting to exhort God to save Miss Brane from the clutches of Rome. Father Rutherford assures me that the Catholics have not tried to convert her, she wanted to on her own account. It began when Miss Bono & she shared the same dormitory and Miss Brane warned her not to discuss religion. Miss Bono retorted that she wasn’t prepared to anyway. By & by Miss Brane began asking questions but Miss Bono refused to satisfy and merely refered her to her original request. Miss Brane withdrew it and eventually was referred to Father de Jaegger. She may be baptised any day now, as she is quite ready.

Love Ida

November 14, 1944 ...

14-11-44

My dear:

Heard today that Wang Ching Wei is dead. But unable to ascertain cause of his death. Understood too that on 8-11- 44 Roosevelt, re-elected by 39,000,000 votes, winning his vote by 18,000,000.

Deposited $200 with Canteen for purchase of 4 tins Grefen Wilde jam. Wish we had more money, but we now only have $300 which is hardly sufficient to see us from one pay day to another.

Understand from Powell that an increase in comfort money is being discussed, rumours that Grice very anxious because authorities intend cutting of milk supply by the 15th of December.

Bobbie Bridges and Eric Hoyte apparently discovered in a comprising position in No 2 Kitchen. the result being Eric is no longer allowed to see nor talk to Bobbie. I haven’t heard how Mrs Bridges is reacting.

Feeling depressed & headachy tonight.

So adios Ida

November 23, 1944 ...

23rd-XI-44

My dear:

The papers came in yesterday but so far no other mail has materialised.

So far only 2 items of interest in the Chronicle,
1) that Italian had been quoted as having said that Japan must be given the same treatment as other aggressor nations and
2) that the Japanese Consuls got together in Shai to discuss measures in the event of a Japanese evacuation from China.

Sold Gay’s fur lined air raid boots at the Elephant Bell on Saturday for $700 cash - Puts us in funds again for some time to come. Have ordered sugar & vodka. Apart from the fur coat which am buying off Bridie MacPherson for Christine.

Some time ago Cherry Billinghurst told me that she had had to pay $80 for a block of yellow ‘pool’ soap. Marie when I told her was shocked she thought that the person (presumably Jean Milne) should have given her surplus soap to friends. On Friday Robbie tells me that they have sold their portion for $120 – So the maxim would appear to be not to condemn too harshly without ascertaining at first the reason for an action.

The Mihailoffs came in for evening tea last night. She did not have much to say, as a matter of fact Mihailoff held the floor. I enjoyed listening to what he had to say. He seems to want to work in the K.M.A. I advised him to get taken on at home - knowing how poorly the Russians in the K.M.A. are treated.

Soon your Christopher will be two. Time does fly, it’s a pity we are spending such a huge slice of my late youth here where so much fun could have been had elsewhere, but on the other ‘tis fortunate that slice is fleeing rapidly, otherwise this Camp’s residents would all have been fit for the lunatic asylum.

Paula Dreggs seems to think that I am speaking Russian more easily, I do not notice it however.

We are again hopeful that the gates may be flung wide open by Xmas.

Love Ida

Tea cup fortune teller

November 22, 1944 ...

22nd Nov.

My dear:

Went to an ‘old time’ elevenses this morning at Eileen Calverts -Vi Jenkinson, Norah.... , Ethel Blake, Bridie MacPherson, Jean McConnell & Clemmie. Chatted & scandalised, I’m afraid Joerg has been here and visited the camp site, went to the kitchens & schools- ‘ tis a pity its such a beautiful, still day. Should think around 70' in the sun at least – I’ve had to take my short sleeved cardigan off.

Rumoured
I) that Von Tipitz was sunk off Norway.
2) big offensive started.

Trudie Joerg in her letter to Elsie Henning says that she has their room ready but her heart weeps for Elsie as she & Alan will have to spend another Winter in Weihsien.

Had my tea cup read by Bridie who says that: Having many letters, pleasant surprises including 2 unexpected parcels. Hear from India, from a short stocky dark fellow(?)

No money, but a very pleasant happy cup. A little unpleasantness to cross but will overcome it successfully.

Many friends.
Buddy Price brought a container set at the cost $350. All set now but for a room. Our section set cost $12 last October.

Bought a pound of sugar from Goyas the day before yesterday paying $180. What a price. Last year this time I could have had 15lbs of sugar at this price.

Cigarettes not arrived yet, although we have already paid for 2 lots in advance. Price has gone up 60% - Expect F.R.B. tumbling. Hear too coal is $3200 in Tientsin. Poor Mother she must be having a hard time of it.

Love Ida.

November 29, 1944 ...

29-11-44

My dear:

I had such an exciting birthday, as the kids had insisted I should not let the day go unnoticed, so decided to have evening tea, with birthday cake etc., Marie made a chocolate oil cake, which Mrs Chadwich iced with t’anz hsi. The cake when iced had to be kept in the kitchen frigidaire, but unfortunately for the cake, there was no current so the icing did not remain stationary. I had an accident with the cake too, we baked it in our Chingwantao wash bowl, but being impatient for it to be taken out, I did not wait till it had cooled off, so it broke into several pieces. However it tasted grand. The Hennings and the entire Robinson family came. Christine even sat up. I received a pound tin lard from Elsie, a pair of stockings from Marie, 6 pegs from Peter, a towelling coal glove from Girlie.

From Sunday it started raining and here we are it still is and from Saturday until tonight there was no electric light.It was dreadful trying to cope with bathing the children, have & clear up supper in semi obscurity. On my birthday there was no light, used 3 peanut oil lights to light the room.

As the Captain of Balliany shift was called away to an office job, No2 Labour Sid has had to leave Dr Hocks shift, as much as he hated to, to Captain Balliancy’s shift. Father Schneider is the new recruit to Hock’s shift and Tommy Thompson to Sid’s shift.

It is strongly rumoured around camp that:
1) Corrigeida has been retaken.
2) A large Japanese convoy with reinforcements intercepted by U.S.Navy and sunk.
3) The Free French broken through Metz to Mulhausen. The whole of France in hysterical jubilation over re-birth of France.
4) Allied Commandos sent their congratulations to the Free French.
5) Nazi party in Germany in complete control.

Have tried to get Chinese workmen to bring in matches, but received no co-operation so far.

As from December 1st roll call in houses.

Temperatures much too low for people to stand around as requested by Japanese as at present.

Afraid my Russian will suffer, for 2 months now, been having conversational lessons every evening roll call.

Was I surprised & pleased to receive letter from Ziggy giving news of yourself & Diveit. Will reply next month.

Was shocked to find Peter unable to wear his ‘air-raid’ fur lined boots. Will have to sell them I suppose. But poor lad, he will be cold. Good night,

love Ida.

Robbie again down with jaundice