6 - 1 - 45

My dear:

Despondency and depression are de rigueur. During the past year too many pleasant rumours buoyed us up and the drop to grim realities was a little too hard to bear.

The rumours on Thursday & Friday were:
1) Churchill in his speech said that the end of the war was already in sight
2) Street fighting in Manila.
3) Russian taken Nuremberg
4) Bombing or taking Munich.
5) The Germans in the Belgian offensive completely annihilated.
6) Hankow bombed.
7) British ships seen off Hong Kong.

On Thursday I had the heartrending job of washing without soap. The results seemed hardly worth the effort. Yesterday I bought 2 cakes ‘Fair’ soap Mrs Cline for $40 each and 1 cake canteen soap from an Italian for $10

Tonight I have just purchased 2 cakes from West for $45 each and 1lb sugar at $180.

On Saturday we received out weekly 61/2oz sugar from the Kitchen, but it didn’t go far after I made a cake and some cookies.

Went to Clemmies after roll call to discuss menu for Sid’s & Bill’s birthday. Finally decided on, cheese straws & sardines sandwiches, spaghetti, meat & cheese rice mold & pineapple. I think it will be a very pleasant change.

Baked a cake and some oat biscuits. Am becoming quite deft, and very happy that I am able to do this. Certainly never expected to.

Love Ida.

January 7, 1945 ...

7-1-45

My dear;

Was surprised to learn that Tsingtao has been successfully bombed. Kogo, who, in prewar days went to school with young Balliang, and when they first came to camp told the Balliany that the past was a closed book, personally paid a call on the Balliany yesterday. They got out of him that Tsingtao was unrecognisable - the damage being done by 5 planes: Balliang’s old and new properties are quite intact. We are wondering what this volte face means.

The Russians are celebrating Christmas tonight. But funnily Paula Dreggs was not included. Apparently Anna Burge & Mrs Lane were the prime movers. Lights will be on till 10.30 and party will be permitted to go on till 11.30.

Love Ida

January 12, 1945 ...

12-1-45

My dear:

Our only Xmas gift from folks away in the Mines came in form of belgian cookies from Mme Bataille via Bobby Pryor. There is a notice up from General Affairs to the effect that the Postmaster at Weihsien says there are no parcels outstanding at Weihsien Post Office and that both Egger & Joey had been notified. What is wrong?

Heard for fact that Tientsin was bombed. Paula Dreggs gave me the names of the 3 Russians who were killed in the Melchers Building. Perhaps Head office of the Posts has been bombed too?

Dear me, what a sad prospect. Having been absolutely relying on our Tongshan Parcels. Haven’t received December’s nor January’s. Sid and Bill had joint birthday party last night at our home, Elsie & Alan, Eileen & Stan Avery, Marie & Robbie, the Chiltons and ourselves. We had a hilarious evening. Drank the result of about 30 beer bottles of dates distilled into 2 bottles. What a difference it made. Had shiao ches: tuna in soy, cheese fingers & fried peanuts. Then had spaghetti and pineapple cum rice tarts. We had a grand time. Never mentioned camp difficulties once.

Had my first lesson with Mrs Ore today. Will get on better I am sure than I did with Mihailof. Understood everything she said, but frequently had to guess at meaning of her words. Most promising.

Relined fire bowl today and dimished its size. Feel very uncertain about more coal coming into camp. Even so far unreliable rumour to effect that in camp there is only one week’s supply flour.

Bought half pound Niltoh tea from West for $180 - and today drew 4.91/21b cheese, sharing it with Robinsons, our share being $260 - Borrowed $I60 from Sandy. Peanut oil too was issued today, $26 per portion, the portion being half of that issued last month. Hear ordinary shower clogs $30 - There is yarn spread by McPherson that a guard went into bakery this a.m. and told them that he went into Weihsien City yesterday to bring soap. The merchant would only barter it for tobacco. Probably we’ll be seeing you soon.

Love Ida.

January 13, 1945 ...

13-1- 45

My dear:

Hopes are running high again 0nly 21 papers have reached camp, and until today I hear that the latest date is January 1st and the earliest December 21st. Elsie tells us that Hungary has been liquidated. Expect whole of Burma to be in our hands shortly. Churchill says in his speech that we will now have to envisage peace time production instead of war time, but the Pacific affairs will have to be settled first.

There are persistent rumours that Manila has been liquidated. That the landing in Formosa was made from Australia protected British Navy.

Received reply from David & a Xmas card from Father Scanlon.

The Wests baby born on I0-1- 45. Image of Pa. Good. Intend naming her Ferne Deidre -too-too peculiar.

Marie gave me a gram of saccharine today. I was truly grateful. Good standby.

Heard too that Bill Chilton paid U.S. $3.50 for 2 cakes of soap. This soap question is becoming more & more acute as the new day dawns.

Fortunately for us, Sid got his bakery ration for $2.50 today,

Love Ida

January 22, 1945 ...

22-1-45

My dear:

What a week this has been. No soap is the state of things. Over 8 weeks since we had our last issue and hear that Goyas is paying £1-0-0 for 3 cakes of Fan soap. Now the Italians are no longer accepting pounds they only want gold dollars! Hope they get their dues one day.

Paula told me on Saturday, that she dreamt that she was to die a year hence. I did not have the courage to warn her about the old saying, ‘Friday night dream on Saturday told is bound to come true no matter how old!’ We’ll see.

Egger has come in today. We are getting our comfort money tomorrow. The soap is in.

And the American Comfort parcels are at Weihsien. So there is a silver lining. I’ll have a tremendous wash when I start. A task too big for me to face.

Love Ida.

January 23, 1945 ...

23-1-45

My dear:

At the time of writing cart loads and cartloads of American Comfort Parcels have come in.

The children are frightfully excited - We understand this lot is a larger quantity than the last -how happy & thrilled the Americans look - the upper dogs now. I am wondering how they will share these out. Perhaps from complete units to all Americans, and perhaps balance to rest of camp - that would be lucky for us. Should like children to get some butter and chocolate.

However am afraid that would be anticipating too much in the light of past experience.

Soap came in. We actually got 10 cakes laundry and 10 cakes to let. Are rich again. Our comfort money totaled $2400.

Love Ida.

January 25, 1945 ...

25-1-45

My dear:

We have had a lot of fun at the American have fought and argued over their Comfort Parcels which they have had been sent here for their benefit. The greed and selfishness which have to come to the top of the folks have been an eye opener. As Marie said to someone if this is the generosity of the Great American Public, well she’d rather be a Dutchman.

We have had snow since Tuesday, 23rd, the landscape is delightful. Hoping that this heavy fall will have killed all ’flu germs.

There was a gathering of the Scottish clans for Burn’s night. Robbie had to play in a quartet, and Tom Black made an address. Will hear result of ‘do’ tomorrow expect.

Received New Year Greetings from Divert. Were very pleased, also from Sister Agatha. Christine has had a touch of ‘flu these few days, and a damned pest she has been too.

Saw a pretty green woolen frock at Elephant Bell -costs at $200 - hope to be able to acquire it for Gay. To offset cost will sell some of Gay’s old things.

Are fed up with this hard & monotonous life would like to go back home.

January 27, 1945 ...

27-I-45

My dear:

Heard last night that Manila had falls over three weeks ago, but it is amazing how little reaction was felt hearing the news. I am sure if the war were to have been over, only a little interest would have been shown, as the most important thing in Camp today is the American Comfort Parcels. People thought Tsuhiyama had returned last evening but as no signs of the return have been manifested, we must take it that he is spending the weekend there.

Father Rutheford came in last night very concerned about camp gossip with reference to his visits to Mrs Grant. I, in reply to his request, stated that knowing him, I knew it was quite pure, but nevertheless thought it indiscreet of him to go up there so often particularly knowing the reputation the woman had. He assured me that he was never alone with her; Mrs Jowett, or MacMillan or Billy Grandon, or her son & his girl were always present. He forgot too that we have all been in here too long, and we have all forgotten such things as a long view.

Bought a dress for Gay from the Elephant Bell for $200 - it looks like an English dress and it belonged to Joyce Stranks. In order to offset the expenditure I took in her brown suit and a check dress. If sold ought to bring me $350.

We are receiving two buckets of coal today. It was 8' below and pretty cold. We have the stove in our front room lit, but it hardy warms the room, and we seem to be strong and healthy, healthier perhaps – I strip to the skin twice a day and once in the morning to get dressed, spartan, what!

Love Ida.

January 28, 1945 ...

28 - 1 - 45

My dear:

Hear today that - Hongkong has fallen- although this story was brought to me by Louis Ladow, notorious for his ability to invent yarns, It is not impossible seeing that 1st week’s papers it was stated that 300 seaborne planes bombed Hongkong. Understand too that British troops occupy the Philippines. That the Russians have taken Cracow and are 200 miles from Berlin, when will the Germans give up? Probably the parties are now killing each other - and leaderless.

The Americans were very happy to read in the papers the item regarding American Red Cross parcels for American Prisoners of war & Internees. I am not at all convinced that the Governments have not gotten together allocating amongst themselves the various areas where each would care for allied prisoners of war and internees. But the French papers mention the comfort parcels as being International Red Cross.’Twill only be after the war when we will get the correct facts of the case.

Love Ida.

January 29, 1945 ...

29 - 1- 45

My dear Freda:

Wrote to you, David Heyman & Mother. My letters were pessimistic this morning, but people were imbued with optimism tonight. Tsuhujama has returned with the news that the Red Cross parcels are for everyone. A jolt for those Americans who conceived in the light of their greed that their Government could behave so strangely, we are thrilled by the thought of receiving the parcels and also that the U.S. Gov and Britain remember us jointly.

Hongkong has fallen so Eleanor Taylorson tells me. What will we hear next? Perhaps the end. Please God may it be soon.

Our Kitchen voted for a new manager as Charlie Park has resigned. General Camp elections take place tomorrow too. I voted for Dudley Jones - I am afraid Mrs Ore influenced me.

Robbie paid $65 for a packet of American cigarettes yesterday. He said he couldn’t offer one to Sid because they were too expensive. People are behaving incredibly, I’m afraid.

Bill Chilton, Sid, Robbie & Uncle Tom Cobbley had been playing bridge for quite awhile, when suddenly Robbie dropped it. Yesterday Bill asked Sid why the game was suddenly dropped. Sid not wanting to give Robbie’s disgracious actions away, he said he’d ask. So last night at our home, he asked Robbie, oh said he, he found it difficult coping with ten, the 2 kids and the 2 fires(?) Marie chipped in by saying that he had to do the running around every week. Sid merely said,’He didn’t have to, he could have asked me’. I am afraid Robbie has shown himself in poor colours here, I am disappointed, I thought that he at least could have been relied upon to act as the little gentleman. But no, his social polish is also a thin veneer, but of course we love him, but not in the same way, there is always the feeling of distrust if he has to be put out.

I am a prig to critisize so, but I feel priggish. Have had no electric light and have done things by oil light, which is not conducive to good and charitable frame of mind.

Love Ida.

January 31, 1945 ...

31st 1 45

My dear:

It has been a glorious day, the sun shining bright and the distribution of Red Cross Parcels took place. Hundreds of people whose names began with A to L were waiting at the top of their allies or nearer to dash to the Assembly Hall grounds at the sounding of the end of Roll Call.

Dennis Carter was first, the Coles, Ladows, were not dashing, they looked upon the mad rush with supercilious eyes. Gay went in to wait in the afternoon distribution for M to Z at 12.30. However eventually Sid crashed the queue and with Robinson to help (ostensibly) he got vouchers for nine, four for the Robbies and five for us. My what a treasure house our room looked. Can you imagine I8 tins of everything, and 4 times that of butter. I say 18 as I am hoping to keep one complete unit for you and one complete unit for Mother.

Elsie Henning came in on us whilst we were unpacking the piles of pound tins of powdered milk must have made her a little envious. I am sorry that there should have been a witness, it made me feel a little indecent, as though caught with my pants down so to speak. Excuse vulgarity, but in the life we lead here its just part of the daily routine, I don’t know exactly in what form indecency would consist of here. Eggs have gone up to $139 each. Love Ida