2-12-44

My dear:

Our mail day has come and gone and not a single letter for me. Quite a lot of the rest of the camp have received numerous red x and ordinary home mail.

Yesterday was our first day for roll call in alleys - what a stroke of luck for us and big face for the Captain of Police - for having forseen the cold snap. There was a bitter wind and oh so cold. Couldn’t maintain any sort of warmth in the children's room, so kept door closed and tried to concentrate warmth in front room, but without much success. I wear Christine’s baby shawl over my head à la paysanne, it helps to keep me warm in Margaret Bishop’s semi season coat.

Bought coat at Elephant Bell this a.m. for $225 - only paid $100 - all 1 had. Bell was closed but seeing the circumstances, Mrs Marshall requested one of her aides to open the trunk and get me the coat It isn’t very thick but has an inter lining had with the leather waistcoat he will be warm enough.

For the last 2 nights the lights have been failing, the play ‘If I were you’ produced by Oswald Dallas was at last postponed to last night, but after the first act the lights failed once again so it was cancelled indefinitely. Tonight we were to help making shortbread, but the lights failed 3 times, so at 7.45 I returned home after making about 60 or so cakes. We will have to finish tomorrow. Am considered expert. Sims Lee died yesterday. There is a general feeling perhaps he wouldn’t have died were it not for the operation..Drs Grice & Vio operated & Robbie was the anaesthetist.

The papers say Strasbourg has been taken - probably further news will record tomorrow.

Love Ida.

December 7, 1944 ...

7-12-44

My dear:

Today, Thursday has been a day of much pleasure and unhappiness. At roll call this morning the air raid alert was sounded, Johnnny Milne saw the first American plane, a beautiful silvery, slim thing flying quite low. We saw the 2nd one at 8.30 and another sound 9.3O. We were thrilled and congratulated ourselves upon this start of a series of much hoped things. But this evening we were stunned to learn that Tongshan, C.K.C. and Linsi had been bombed. A Japanese told young Balliang. Of course there is much speculation, but my feelings & thoughts go to the homeless. If it has been difficult for Tientsinites to buy cool to date, it must be impossible now. Poor Mother. Wonder how she can be faring.

After 2 yeast -less days, yeast was received last night. We had our bread for the first time this noon. it wasn’t very good, but much appreciated.

Marie has now become a puzzle to me. Wanted to either call last night’s mahjongg off, or get someone to replace her I was quite unhappy at the thought that owing to some domestic occurence she should just without considering us, decide to drop out. No, I do feel hurt. However we had an enjoyable game, after all.but the hurt remains.

Spent all our money, paid balance of $125 for Peter’s coat, $250 for a flask. $200 to hospital for eggs. $75 for Tang Hsi. $500 to Warden. $I80 for sugar. $25 for Peanut oil lamp. Now in a financial pickle. Goyas owes me $20, Marie $25 (which she doesn’t seem to recall at all) But understand will be getting $300 for Peter’s boots, thank goodness.

Robbie disturbed because Donald H.Gill seems to have scented out that he has a still. Sid volunteered the possibility of the source, e.g. Cherry Billinghurst told Bunty Marshall and Bunty told Grace H.G. Robbie refuted this possibility.

We decided to make Thursday night a Robinson/Talbot ménage get together. After the initial Marie decides that she's going to do Russian with Irene Ladow ignoring the other arrangement. I shall not bring the matter up, it is quite evident that we no longer count. It’s a nasty feeling that of being discarded.

Went to Homes Committee Meeting yesterday. Surprised to hear Pryor received a parcel of clothing, including overcoat, and the arbitary manner the articles were disposed of considering badly in need of a coat and still needing, heavy underwear. Sid’s ‘rug’ coat is very handsome but it is a bum freezer.

Have been pretty bad tempered all week, it is pretty cold 15º' or 20 below 0, our rooms are definitely chilly, particularly when the wind blows from the North.. Am endeavouring the carpenters’ shop to repair door and windows chop-chop. but Collyer, the old so and so in his monotonously whining voice says that I’ll have to wait for a few days. Helpful cuss.

Met Mrs T.A.S.Cameron’s huffling along the road, cold and unhappy, no stove in their room, apparently Girlie has altered the geographv of the room and left no space for the stove. “How could I have born such a cruel child” said Mrs Cameron

This is pretty miserable.

Happy you love me. Ida

December 10, 1944 ...

10-12-44

My dear:

Have heard the fearsome news via Japanese to Balliangz, that C.K.C. has been bombed, so have TW and LS. How dreadful! What a calamity in this cold too. People reckoned that it may possibly have occurred on Ste Barbe’s Day. Pryor did not think yesterday, that there was any truth in the report as the LS Power Station had been hit. Today E.J. seems to think that C.K.C. must have got it, all right.

Heard too, the allies 50 miles in Germany beyond Rhine at Belfort Gap, and 30 miles inland over Rhine in Centeral.

Sugar abounding in Camp sold from between $220 to $I55.Coming in on coal carts destined for hospital, which have to pass Guinga Antill’s house. He being the king importer.

Chronicles only up to and including December 2nd in. Puzzled why none of later date. Have reason to believe Mines near here bombed too, Japanese authorities v. anxious to bring in all coal bought for camp, otherwise it will be pinched - at cost of camp parcels not coming in. Give Marie yesterday about 5lbs flour.

Today Billinghurst bought 2 bottles of Trevost Marshall’s to distlll. So it confirms our suspicions that it was through B.S. that Hope Gill got to know about.Robbie’s still.

Love Ida

December 17, 1944 ...

17-l2-44

My dear:

On the 11th Peter’s front lower tooth started moving he was frightfully excited and was keen that I should pull it out. Told him to see it drop out of its own accord. It did, he came for tea minus tooth. He is pleased with himself.

Many rumours about, since Eggston has been although I do not think he has been responsible.
1) Russians & Allies within 2 or 3 days of meeting in Vienna.
2) Formosa occupied by Americans.
3) 600 planes bomb Manila daily?
4) Tientsin Melchers hit - not the Mines.
5) 4 landings in South China.

Temperature these last 3 or 4 days been 10 below. Dreadfully cold. Impossible to keep home comfortably warm. Better today.

Hear many K.M.A. Pool Hams, bacon & tea. Expecting share out the next few days.

No money left, hear Canteen has oil, dates, persimmons etc. What will we buy with? Just started making plans for Xmastide.

Children have official camp partiec Want to get to Midnight Mass. Have Xmas dutch treat party, Hennings, Chiltons, Robbies & ourselves. Boxing Day, Fathers Rutherford & Sneider. Xmas morning have at home. New Year’s Eve freelance, to dance, to gad about.New Year’s Night Robinson & Talbot menage party. All this will entail much work, but it will be worth it. Also Pantomine.

Must realise some dough. Will take razor blades & cake of Soir de Paris soap to be sold at Elephant bell.

Swapped 2 pairs cotton stockings for 90 cigarettes. Last year paid $2.60 per pair. Cigarettes are now $7.00 for 20.

Paid $150 for 5 lbs rice from the Canteen. It has left us quite broke. Fortunately the kitchen has received enough millet & Kaoling for 2 months, we will be able to save our cereals. Received I/21b sugar from kitchen as our weekly share.

Love Ida

December 21, 1944 ...

21-12-44

My dear:

At last Peter’s birthday is over - well and happily passed. Baked his birthday cake on Monday night, did it all myself too, and had several types of cookies as well as an apricot and date pie. He had 5 pals in to tea, David Corkey, Georgy Dreggs, Terence Thomas, Johnny Robinson,from whom he received a fine collection of gifts. A tin of American butter from Corkey, soap & tooth brush from Johnny & Wendy, etc. We gave him a pair of stilts (made by Brigadier Strands Salvation Army) and a carpenter’s tool carrier. (Frank Turner) in which I had put a pair of scissors, sheets of coloured paper, note book, pencil, rubber, pencil sharpener, paste. He was thrilled to bits. Christine from early in the morning kept repeating ‘happy birthday, Pete ’ I had a terrific day, elevenses at my home with Eileen Calvert, Bridie McPherson, Vi Jenks, Clemmie, Jean McConnell, Ethel Blake & Norah Harris didn’t turn up for various reasons. Then had to do sandwiches etc.dress the kids,bathing them first,then after roll call in trooped the guest. Had a few adults too. Elsie Henning, Marie & Robbie, and Mary J. Then mahjongg at night, 7.30 to be exact, at Vi’s with Elsie, Marie, Vi & self. Rolled coloured paper around six match sticks for candles ... most effective.

Today, Egger came in. We are being paid tomorrow, thank goodness. But received persimmons today on credit at $10 - per potion - ½ cake of toilet soap each and utility paper.
Received $220 from Elephant Bell, $150 for perfume & $70 for soap (soir de Paris) - useless & too extravagant for family. Also received 1/2 lb tea Nitioh & 3 tins marmalade from K.M.A. pool. Made mince meat from persimmons, apricots & dates, watered by a little home made date hooch. Tomorrow apples are on sale $I7 – per - lb- things are costing fabulous sums, eg $7.70 for an egg - good or bad, our comfort money will certainly not last, till next pay day.
Sent red cross enquiries. Some Tokyo big wigs came last week and amongst other things asked if we had movies and mail from home. Sent to Ena, Keith and Arthur.
Hear manv parcels in but no parcel received.
Big rumour today that Germany has capitulated. How true it is, we haven’t the foggiest. Suppose to have come from Balliang who does obtain genuine news from Japanese pals.
Weather better, trust it will keep up. Have been so far wearing wooden sandals and Margaret’s light coat. Wouldn’t have believed it possible. Gay’s wearing my tweed jacket quite cosily. She has grown.

Sid scalded his arm rather badly, and is suffering from slight shock. Poor lad is definitely under the weather, but with so many chores today, fetching water emptying jerries etc - he can’t be so with any comfort.

Heard the alert go this a.m, after brekker, then saw a plane flying high, supposed to be American. Wonder? We have been so frequently buoyed and disappointed that we now take everything with a skeptical mind.

It’s after ten, lights out soon.

Love Ida

P.S. Joerg has sent his usual contribution of Xmas gifts which Egger has brought in. I am so glad. As have not made anything for the children. Principle involved. I am afraid. Feel not the correct thing to do.

love Ida.

December 22, 1944 ...

22 - XII - 44

My dear:

The news, straight from the horse’s mouth is: hundreds of planes overflown Germany dropping millions of pamphlets exorting populace to end War, otherwise they will be given the works.

Hungary cleared of Germans. Budapest taken, Germans retreated to Austrian border. Germans escaped encerclement at Saar and making for Holland. Sea battles raging in the area between Philipines & Formosa. Old Balliang told us that Formosa was taken on November 29th.

Received pay today $1100; but have had to pay out much. Honey $45 per lb, peanuts $17 per lb. Malt sweets,$11 per portion. Swapped 8oz alcohol with Goyas for 13 ounces sugar. Received from kitchen 15oz sugar, 2 ½ lb flour & 5 eggs.

Toys have come in canteen, thank goodness.

Love Merry Xmas. Ida

December 26, 1944 ...

26 - XII - 44

My dear:

It is Boxing Night, Sid has had to start at seven this p.m. in the Bakery to make scones, as no yeast has as yet arrived. Our guests, Fathers Rutherford and Schneider have just left. Robinsons and ourselves were joint hosts.

I had made soya beans, pork and beans and although I may sound like boasting it was pretty good. We had some hooch first with salmon canapes.

Father Rutherford took his neat. Sid came in for dinner and dashed.

Xmas Day started with the eve of course.

Jimmy Jamieson came with their gifts for the children, a darkie doll for Christine, pair of reversible mitts for Peter and a silk scarf for Gay. I went along to Jimmy’s later to watch Mary make scones, she decided to go to Midnight Mass. When I returned home I heard Willy Howell was moribund and Robbie was with him. Elsie came with her gifts and Allen stayed behind to mind Xtine.

The Mass was beautiful, enhanced by the brilliant and flickering candlelight. Lights were out. But the sermon was too long and also found that they were crowding far too many hymns. Mina sang beautifully but his pronunciation was foul, he killed Minuit Chretiens. The greatest joy I experienced was seeing Buddy Grant go up to receive Communion.

Peter was and restless, but it was better this way, as I hate the idea of scurrying in the semi obscurity looking for his clothes.

Xmas morning we had bacon and eggs, butter (David Corkery’s present to Peter) and marmalade. ‘Twas good.

Love Ida

We had the Faulkners, George Simmons, Margaret Bishop, Jo Kimball, the Gerry Thomases, Fathers Rutherford, Schneider Longmow Smith and Averys in for during the morning!

At lunch we had delightful roast pork, gravy, mashed potatoes, cabbage, carrots, applesauce, Xmas pudding, custard sauce and tea. Tea we could hardly eat the walnut cake I had baked.

Supper had dutch treat with Hennings, Robinsons, Chiltons and ourselves. Had hooch cum water or pineapple juice, it was good. Wrote to you, David and Mother today.

Love Ida

December 29, 1944 ...

29 – XII – 44

My dear:

Once again another year is coming to a close! Another year out of my life which can never be made up. On Boxing Night, Sid was baking scones all night so was barely present at our supper to honour Fathers Rutherford and Schneider, when they left and everything settled for the night, I just couldn’t settle down to sleep I felt something in the ether, I tried every way possible so eventually light 2 oil lamps and tried to doze, but I continually awoke, was glad when Sid returned.

On Wednesday night I had a nasty dream that I had been away and just returned to the Mines Milieu, the main object in my mind was to play mahjongg with Yvonne Brabant, but seeing Madame Walravens sitting in a chair with a tall person standing beside her, I made a slight bow and asked Madame W. the honour of her joining my game. She had half a front tooth missing. It was a strange sight. The other lady was included in the game. Remember telling Sid that I was involved in a game without Yvonne and now would have to arrange a second table to get her in and proceeded to do so.

On Wednesday went to Jean McConnell’s at home, at which Bridey McPherson read me my fortune that
1) lover’s knot for me
2) hear of an engagement which will give me some pleasure
3) a letter which is coming will have been all the way round the world
4) wealth
5) whatever I touch turns to success.

Since Xmas Eve we have had no lights. The Power Station is finding it hard to substitute worn out parts.

Went to a bridge drive in Thursday Night. The game was quite enjoyable, but would have been much so if we had not had several times ‘lights out.’ Eventually instead of finishing the whole thing we ended after 5 rounds.

We are going to repair our stove today, all the lime and ash 1ayer on top of the stove has....

Ida

December 31, 1944 ...

31- XII - 44
8.10 pm

My dear:

I am all alone in our front room sitting by the brick stove. Ironical1y the Authorities promised lights till 2 a.m. but so far been sitting & working by peanut oil lamp.

Looking down the vista of the weeks of 1944, I recall those waves of the wonderful sensation of being about free. How often did we hear news and hope and speculation ran high. Never in my remotest despondency did I feel that Xmas would have been spent here. And now perhaps Easter too and even Christine’s birthday (Aug 8) may still be celebrated here. God have mercy on us, I don’t know what we’ll use for clothes – perhaps cut up all my evening dresses and turn them into playsuits.

Tonight we have used up our last cake of toilet soap. Have still 1/2 bar sunlight and half cake of laundry soap in use.

Are going to Bill & Clemmie’s to see New Year in together. My contribution to bean feast will be corn beef sandwiches. Are not anticipating hilarious time.

Sid is setting yeast. I was in bakery doing shortbread from 3 - 6. All the time I could afford to give up. As it was, when I returned at 6 found pandemonium. Christine crying because she had just awakened from snooze. Peter away. Gay placed food on the table which was becoming cold. Sid furious. He feels I ought not to volunteer for kitchen extras when he is on duty. Quite understand etc...but unfortunately the two seem always to coincide. I am the short bread expert you see.

My middle finger which was injured by being caught in the door several weeks ago, is definitely not improving, as a matter of fact Robbie wants me to go to the hospital with him in the morning to get it lanced. Confess I am frightened feel as thought I couldn’t bear another bit of pain.

Cheerioh, my dear, must start getting dressed. My love & heartfelt desire that we meet again this year. Ida..