3-5-45

My dear:

A thing happened which I would have given my right hand to avoid. But here it is on Sunday night, after our 8s at Marie’s I told both Elsie & Marie that I would not be able to play on Thursday as I thought the Ideal Home Committee Meeting would be longer that ususal after a fortnight’s recess. Marie suggested playing on Wednesday to which we all agreed and left it to her to make arrangements with V. On Tuesday, at lunch, Marie popped in to say she couldn’t play on Wednesday - after a little discussion it was decided I should tell Elsie. I did, using Robbie’s statement of ‘why don’t you consult me’ as a proof(?) that he had arranged for the dinner party with Mrs Howell unbeknown to Marie. However on thinking things over I decided that Marie had once more accepted another date, cancelling her mahjongg date - lted it may be more entertaining etc….both etiquette demands it that first invitation should hold good, and told Marie during roll call that I wished to drop out of mahjongg altogether, as she showed evidence of not being interested in the games by the way she cancelled it whenever she received another invitation. Marie seemed to have understood the reason, and personally I feel she was quite relieved. However I did introduce this matter by the statement “I hope you won’t treat it as an unfriendly act” – I don’t think she has, although she stole the show by trotting up to Elsie soon after roll call by saying that she wished to drop out of the mahjongg as she had very little free time, and wished to devote her freee time to Russian with Mrs Ladow. Well it isn’t up to me to criticise and I don’t care to.

Went to the Homes Committee Meeting yesterday. Nothing transpired only that Mrs Paternoster is no longer pregnant.

Visited Clemmie & Bill, they’re both looking well and Mona is thriving. Bill is captivated by his little heiress.

Received from Neybrick, 1 cake, 1 pound dates, 1 half pound tea, 1 chinese macaroni, all wrapped with chinese toilet paper through Bill.

Steno Toscani gave me a present of Chiara’s delightful ‘special blend’ coffee. Bought 100 Chinese cigarettes for $37. Also ordered 6 lbs Tanghsi for $270 - Hope they’ll arrive soon.

The soap question is becoming most acute. I have about half a dozen cakes of toilet soap & 1 double bar Golden Sunlight left. We’1l have to wash without it, I guess.

Am reading Mrs Miniver. It is extremely interesting and am enjoying it very much, sort of outlook on life as I would have it given the same circumstances.

Love Ida

May 5, 1945 ...

5-5-45

My dear:

War in Europe is over. We heard the great news this am. The Japanese were supposed to have told the Committee of Nine last night - but that has been denied. Ballianez must have got the news from the Japanese papers.

We all awaited anxiously for the papers. Only Mussolini’s assassination was confirmed in that of the 1st. In the end apparently the Germans did offer to surrender unconditional1y to the Americans & British, as we cannot make a separate peace, Both Churchill & Truman refused to make a statement.

The Robinsons are celebrating with the Billinghurst - it seems fated that they come in on the first round to our exclusion. I suppose we have outlived our usefulness!

Haven’t been able to work up any enthusiasm - am heartsick in anxiety for the safety of my brothers & sister. Pray God they are safe. Miss V. Moore who was dying a couple of days ago seems to be recovering.

Our little eightsies last night with the Faulkners & Cullen was a success, evidenced by the non-stop chatter of the guests.

I am not feeling so well tonight my arm is aching dreadful1y from the overstrain of helping to mix 3 bins of 120 lb flour for Victory cakes tomorrow.

Goodnight. Love Ida.

May 9, 1945 ...

9-5-45

My dear:

Was greatly relieved to hear that my mother is doing quite well and seems to keep herself busy by working part time in Georgette’s shop. Received one parcel from David Two marvellous slabs of bacon & four packets soya beans, of the latter I gave two to Mrs Danielson, our neighbour. Have another parcel to come, should have had two, expect it will turn up. Heard one woman signed for a parcel seven weeks ago and only received it today.

On Saturday, 5th after that day of heavy heartedness, the bell in the Tower of No 23 was rung at about 11.10. The Japanese became panic stricken, so much as that King Kong, one police Captain, started sounding the siren. The rushing around was terrfic and finally at 1a.m., Maria Marsh knocked on the door and told us to be on the ball field for roll call at 1.10. It was a job to awaken & dress Peter, Christine too wouldn’t awaken. We laughed and joked, as we heard on the ballfield that someone had rung the bell in sheer jubilation. Many cracks were made at the expense of the newlyweds - who were married that p.m. Finally we returned home at 2.20. I was longing for a hot drink, but having only one flask and it being empty went to bed dry. The Russians were jubilant the first time in three years for the Easter bell to ring.

On Sunday, Russian Easter, Father Rutherford & the Toscains & presently the Robinsons came in for coffee. After tiffin we all had a much needed snooze, then had tea with Mrs Ore. After supper I went to pay the customary Easter call on the Mehailoffs, and at eight went to the Hennings. Heard that Aloysius Porter upstairs in 23, and Lucy Bent sleeping under the balcony saw 2 figures fleeting away after the bell was rung.

Today, we hear it was Bobby Grandon, or Oxford Grandon as he in nicknamed, confessed, after learning the nature of the punishment King Kong was meting out. Apparently Bobby, Ted McLaren, Al Voyce & King Kay were closed for 2 hours. King King told Grandon that the prank was worthy of a child of 15. But Grandon replied: I rang the bell because I was happy war was over in Europe, if you heard war was over in Japan, how would behave rationally like an adult, or irrationallyy like a child. King Kong agreed that it may be so. So Grandon has now to write a letter of apology to King Kong. I believe the latter got it in the week from the military at Weihsien – so this will ‘save his face’.

They still say that the Germans have ceased fire with the Allies and are still carrying on the Germans. Japanese are jubilant as they are hoping the Russians will come on their side! I don’t believe a word of it – what about the ‘No separate peace’ treaty? Understand Osaka is now a raging inferno & have asked for 1 day’s truce in which to clear up the debris – 2,000 planes bomb Japan continuously.

200 planes every hour.

The weather is still bloody. My headaches are dreadful.

Bought 6 portions tangshi at $50 per.

Received from K.M.A. pool. 2lbs ham, 3lbs honey, 41/2 lbs peanut butter, 3lbs Chinese quaker oats. – Very pleasant surprise.

Love Ida

May 11, 1945 ...

11-5-45

My dear:

Heard Wednesday that at last it has been decided that we should have comfort money e.g. $540 per head. The rate is scandalous, but I’d rather have it than not. Today I have had to put in a deposit of $600 for another 5lbs rice.

Alan Henning says that it may not amount to it, as the last order of 5 lbs came to $415 – But this leaves us with $100 flat – I am wondering what I can sell to bring in a little money with which to cover my egg deposit.

Dropped in on Elsie’s this morning and to my surprise saw Marie there – she had been up for ‘material’ assistance. The girl had not a scrap of pride left – I wish she weren’t like that - she used to be so sweet and spontaneously generous – now she has become unscrupulous – in fact her acknowledged motto is ‘the means justify the end’ – Pity.

Meta tells me that Preston has received a letter from you to the effect that Joan & Tuna have gone to Chungking! What an exciting place or dull place it must be now, everybody waiting for the end to come.

Am reading Edna Ferber’s autobiography, it is enlighteneing and am enjoying it. Heard today that the war ended on May 7th – the complete surrender. Wonder? How I pray to gad with all my might and main that Arthur & David & Bobby & their families and Ena are safe, safe. How I trust God hears my prayers.

The Japanese guards are dabbling in black marketing – and there must be rival factions as two had an argument which started at Kitchen no 1 and ended up in the guardhouse with the guards hitting each other with logs of wood. One fellow had quite a deep wound on the head. Yesterday morning after the first guard walked off to go on to the next block, the second fellow hesitated and eventually walked up to Dennis Carter telling him that the watch was too badly smashed!

God bless my dear, I hope you will be there to welcome us home.

Ida

12 Italian Ouijee board
2nd May End of war in Europe
4th June Russia declares war on Japan
4th August End of war in East
24th August Date of departure from Camp.

May 21, 1945 ...

21-5-45

My dear;

It occurs to me that we are taking the end of the European war too nonchalantly, but it reveals the state of our mental attitude resulting from this long incarceration and the lack of vitamins contained in green veg. & fruit. I have been feeling below par for sometime and my headaches intense, but last Wednesday consequent upon a very badly played bridge game on Tuesday night and the examination there of that I started taking special vitamin B tablets. My headaches have lessened in intensity and generally I think there is an improvement in my system as a whole. But today I am suffering from nausea & dyrrhoea due to a very excellent - too excellent supper at Marie’s. She celebrated her birthday yesterday, and gave us pork & beans, baked potatoes, tangshi & raisin tart and a birthday cake - it was too rich and I am suffering therefore.We gave Marie, a pair of panties which I made especially for the occasion, a packet of cigarettes and a hanger. Now I am making a tea cosy cover in blue angora woollen cloth for Elsie, her birthday is tomorrow.

The Japanese guards have been forbidden comunication with us - but trading is brisk. Understand eggs are obtainable from them for $10 per as against $I2 in the camp.

Due to our camp demanding same facilities for meat & veg, orders from our canteen as the Italians to theirs, the Italian Camp is no longer able to accept such orders. So, as usual our benighted, stupid people have killed the goose which laid golden eggs. Although there is another yarn too, that the weekly Italian turnover was $3,000 / $5,000 as soon as we were invited to avail ourselves of the use of that canteen it jumped to $30,000 –

Soon I’ll be speaking to you face to face. Let that day come soon.

Received parcel from the Walravens - most touching of all a gift of coffee from Yang the head clerk with whom I worked for many years.

Received Chinese cookies, rice, flour, oats, 2soap, 2 cigs & 1 pk tea.

Love Ida.

May 25, 1945 ...

25-5-45

My dear:

Today’s crop of rumours are as follows:-

1) Atlantic fleets of Britain & American are coming out.
2) All ship building has stopped, no more standard ship required. 50% wartime production turned over to peacetime.
3) San Francisco has ended successfully but Polish question is deferred to a special committee for settlement.
4) Strained relations between Russia & Japan.
5) Burma finished. Chinese troops marching in Indo China, Honan & Manchuria.
6) Tsinanfu in Japanese consulate in Russian ports, and will not deliver until Awa Maru settled. America says if parcels not delivered the Russians will deal with the situation.
8) King Kong called meeting of guards informed them no leave of absence & no transfer for future for the duration of war.
9) Task Force off Shantung (Guaranteed truce by Vichy)
10) Australian letter received today carrying the report people freed from Manila in September & now in Australia.

Once again hope is running high in our hearts that we’ll be out soon now. Many people have Red Cross letters but not us - whatever is wrong with my family.

Love Ida

May 27, 1945 ...

27-v-45

My dear:

For the last two days the Japanese have been supplying flour to the bakery from their own stores. The flour is pure white and we have had grand bread, particularly today when 22 bags white and only 2 brown were used. Sid’s bread was magnificent and the date loaf he made promises also to be super. The children love the Jangshi biscuits I made. I made over 40 yesterday which were completely eaten by this a.m. So have had to make more this p.m. hope these will last. Hilda Travers Smith came to ask my help for kitchen cake mixture I only stayed awhile as Father Rutherford usually comes on Sunday morning after High Mass. I help do the almonds, and then deputised Gay, as I knew she would be keen.

I questioned Father R. about the likely places to stay at in the States which would give me atmosphere of the different backgrounds. He suggested: Travel in United States.

San Francisco. The people are proud of their Spanish ancestry and Mission Days, so organise fiestas on St.Francis Day etc. the folks dress up as catalleros and follow the trail to the fiesta gatherings of days of old.

Santa Barbara.
New Orleans. Its French ancestry.
Chicago. particularly Lake Shore Drive and the skyline,
Father Rutherford’s sisters Washington D.C. peculiar road layout engineered by a French mind roads radiating from islands, on which a gun could be mounted to hold a mob in check.
Salt Lake City:Visit to Mormon Temple invaluable.
Wisconsin Ill.

For help and advice appeal to Chamber of Commerce in various cities.
Possible to board with private family.

Received 4 cakes of soap from Pool and 2 parcels of Chinese oats/persimmons from David. We are hoarding the grain & cereals as we fear an acute shortage of food shortly.

Ten members of Camp, went over Heads Committee to the J.Commandant to ask for more food. As expected he promised to look into the matter. Faced with flour shortage, for 2 days the Js. drew flour from their own supplies.

Are expecting 6 cartloads today, have seen no signs so far.

Barton was reported by Isidore Haas for pinching Hospital Coal. He was furious as he says it seems silly to be caught taking so little when he used to take buckets load previously. However he decided to avenge himself, he and a couple of witnesses sat near the hospital coal dump for the whole day the following day and caught:

P.H. Colt, Mrs Hughes, A. Moyler. Mrs T.A.S. Cameron and 2 others. Barton was summoned to court, as he failed to appear he was given 4 weeks deprivation of privileges and 2 extra weeks for contempt of court. We are awaiting with interest the result of the trial of the six others.

One cannot state by the Committees have not always discriminated, and not allowed discrimination to colour their attitude and ultimately their verdict. Donald Hope Gill was convicted by P.H. Colt about helping himself to No 2 Kitchen coal balls. So it remains to be seen.

Love Ida.

P.S. All children in Upper School received 2 writing books each and in Lower School three. There would have cost the parents $250 - Heard that a garden broom - will cost $600 - and a coolie hat $250 - Bought 6 yards French Lingerie Ribbon, pink, $10 per yard. I couldn’t resist.. Two weeks ago I bought a ‘Horner’ mouth organ for $200 for Gay’s birthday - I wonder whether she’ll be pleased with.

Learnt today at Cherry Billingham’s is only 32. I should have given her more not from her looks but the experience she is supposed to have had, e.g. manageress of a big chain of hotels.

Love Ida

May 29, 1945 ...

29-v-45

My dear:

It’s almost lights out but I’ll have to set down the new rumours.

1) Hongkong surrounded.
2) Heavy fighting Singapore.
3) Okinawa finished.
4) Comfort Parcels Tsingtao.
5) Task force off. King Kong supposed to have called on a home yesterday and amongst other things said “we know we have lost the war but we’ll have to carry on performing our duty”. Now that we are winning I am sorry for them because of the things they have to face.

Love Ida.