1/6/45

My Dear:

On the 20th aniversary of my father’s day, yesterday, I got up early and went to Mass. Then spent the afternoon helping to get our exhibits ready for the exhibition. The Japanese authorities were given a special invitation to come to a preview, which, we thought in our opinion, would obviate any difficulties on the days. But we waited from 7p.m. to 7.45, when Mara came alone with apology for the non-appearance of the others, even refused the special tea, brewed for him as he had not had dinner! (Dr Gault received it from some Japanese and she thought it would be a courteous gesture, much against my wishes.)

I then dashed off to my dinner engagement with Toscanians.

She looks mighty suspiciously of being in that special condition - perhaps I am wrong. We ate so heartily that as soon as I returned I had to make bicarbonate. During the night we had a terrific thunderstorm with rain & hail.

Today, I am tired after 3 hrs duty at the exhibition. The Japanese have been in all day and seveal paintings have been condemned. We are to turn them in after the exhibition, so they say! Tovey’s model stove, brick, half size was the piece de resistance. I shall endeavour to sketch it in sections.

I forgot to mention that on the 30th May was the ‘At home’ day to the whole of camp from 3-5 in 20 homes, selected for their special features. Mrs Cotterell, newest bride, April vintage, has the most attractive of those seen, then Mrs Pykes then the Scamonis and last1y Nicolis, I traipsed up and down hundreds of step up storeys down storeys. Mrs Cotterel1 lives 69 steps above the second floor of the hospital. We visited three dormitories, one dormitory decided to have a narrow, central passage, and cubicled space behind beds, for private sitting out, washroom etc.

Another prefered to have a wide central passage with table & flowers in centre and no curtained off. Another has 2 cubicled washroom. They were most colourful with brightly coloured curtains despite the diversity of patterns the whole was colourfully pleasant.

Joyce Stranks who was de trop in a dormitory has, in the day time her two trunks suitably covered to act as seats, her mattress is raised on a couple of hinges straight up and gives appearance of a screen which is not unbecoming to the room.

Rumours today:

1) Singapore taken
2) half million killed in Osaka
3) Hong Kong surrounded
4) Landing at wenchow
5) Comfort parcels at Tsingtao

Also forgot to tell you about the visit to the Camp by High Chinese Official on Saturday 26th.

The retainers walked about and seemed unafraid to talk to us. I asked one whether there were any signs of our servants arriving at Weihsien.

He said newsd had been received that some were intending to come.

Americans in Shantung other side of the Yellow River.
Japan beaten.

Also understand “Awa” Mam not sunk but captured with complete proof of Japanese perfidy.

The Japanese anxious to know the history therefore have been throwing out feelers, such as one survivor etc.

Father R. recalls during early camp days Americans calling for one million volunteers to bomb Japan in retaliation for the American Armies tortured & put to death by Japanese, and resulted in more then the million called for.

Love Ida

June 4, 1945 ...

4/6/45

My dear:

There is much frustration in camp today as the rumour has been going strongly all day that the F.R.B. has tumbled. It was purported to the effect that the J. contractor came into the canteen and said that Weihsien merchants were not accepting the currency. It’s false I think, someone started it in order to get the rich people dump their F.R.D.on anything they can lay their hands on.

However it was the Italian canteen’s at home day to us. We were already 200 strong at the canteen by 1.45 by 2 p.m. we were told that ‘owing to unforseen circumstances the canteen was closed’. Luckily the Toscanis brought me 6 eggs. Received $400 - for a piece of cherry coloured organdy. Hope to buy georgette with that or something.

Lights out.

Love Ida.

June 8, 1945 ...

8-6-45

My dear:

For some time past I had come to the decision that Gay should be taught the facts of life. I feel her mind is ripe. So I called upon Dr Corkey to introduce these facts to her, in the way, which I thought was proper and sensible. She was delighted and asked Gay to visit her at the clinic after hours where she would have everything ready.

Gay returned from ‘the talk’ rather late just as the roll call bell was sounding. She gave a non-committal reply to my question ‘How did you enjoy the talk’, and dug her nose into the book she was reading.

In the evening I called on Dr Corkey and asked her impression of the talk Dr Corkey had been impressed by Gay’s straight and frank questions which could only come from an innocent mind. In fact she deemed it a privilege to have been able to talk to her.

She first showed her illustraions of the female anatomy, the ovaries where the seed was retained. The first natural question was ‘how was the seed fertilised? So the next step was the male anatomy. Then the sexual act likened to puting the finger into a glove - the diseases syphyllis & gonorhoea, immorality, prostitution etc..they covered a huge range. Dr Corky says that the questions put by Gay were typified in the “Parent & child” magazine.

But she crossed the Rubican, and the sweet child said to me later “Mummy, I feel as though I have left something behind.” What a sad, sad thought.

We received 3lbs persimmons and a quarter of a ham from the K.M.A. post.

Our parcel from Obermesser was badly damaged and received only: 1 pkt rice, 1 pkt flour and a pinch of tea, having lost 3 prs socks, 2 chemises, sugar, tea, macaroni, soap. But much to our surprise the Chiltons received them from Garay’s a parcel in which we were included: 3 pks haricots, & 5 hard waffles and 1 bottle milk.

At the Italian canteen I bought 2 lbs millet, 1 lb soda & 1 pkt matches ($13.50) Prices are really shocking, I say shocking because our comfort money is not in line with the cost of food. The papers are in but no news –

Dennis Carter is doing big business. I asked him if he had an American cigarettes, he replied, ‘I don’t do a 5 & 10 cents business, I deal in thousands.’ Goyas is using Louis Ladow’s place as a clearing house, and is now compelled to use Denny to dispose of articles who sells them to the Japanese.

Bought one bar Sunlight soap for $35O - from an Italian. Eggs are down to $11 @

Loving Ida

June 16, 1945 ...

16-6-45

My dear:

My energies are flagging I’m afraid. Had a blood count and the result is anaemia. It was awful you know that awful dizzy feeling, my conscience revolted at my laziness but it wasn’t strong enough to over ride.

Yesterday had been my worst day - slept practically all day without eating till bedtime. When I was asked my initials at the hospital I couln’t even recall that.

With the warm weather Paula and I have decided to have only one french and one russian conversation lesson per week.

Gay started her weekend camping yesterday all the lads of Peter’s age, including Peter took her things for her - the string of carriers reminded me of a safari. She is sharing a tent with Patty Evenden & Nina Fosley. I think she is having a whale of a time.

I started baking for her parties today. Have already used about 141/2 cups flour, having made her birthday cake (chocolate) 70 pinwheels 50 tangshi cookies.

A propos of the latter, I was passing by the canteen to see if we were drawing our tangshi today, spied Freddie Marsh and asked him to ascertain. I must have sounded anxious as he asked me whether I was in urgent need. I said ‘yes’ - as I was intending to make tangshi cookies, and would now have to resort to some otherSoon I returned home, Freddie knocked at the door and came in with a milk tin full of tangshi saying that Marie wanted me to use it and that I could replace it when I received my issue! Such kindness.

Have just packed out presents for Gay - a Hohner harmonica, new lacy blue woollen sleeveless cardigan
1 shaving set
1 silk cord twist belt.

I am very pleased with the result, as I am sure she will appreciate all these.

Received loan the equivalent of £1.2.4. totalling FHH $I000 from Robbie.

Love Ida

June 21, 1945 ...

21-6-45

My dear:

Another birthday of Gay’s had passed, this time the best of the three, as I put in practically all I had.

We had a tea fight on Sunday, I7th at which there were the Robinsons in full force, Jamiesons & Mr & Mrs Henning.

We had a huge chocolate birthday cake, a dish of pinwheels a dish of tangshi flapjacks, 2 dishes of salmon sandwhiches, 2 dishes of strawberry sandwich cake sqaures.

We had borrowed the singing cake dish to the tune of “happy birthday”. It was enchanting. We had had some excitement during the early hours. Gay was accompanied back at 2.30 a.m. by McLaren, Voyce & a Jap. The excuse being manoeuvres. Fancy expecting us to swallow that. Heard subsequently that all the Japanese women & children were brought to the Administration Building for safety from 2 to 4 a.m. They did the same the following night.

Yesterday, 20th saw a lone American plane fly over. Again last night we were warned by wardens that there should be any disturbance during the night, we were to keep indoors.

Understand 35,000 guerillas are about a mile away from here. King Kong has already gone, but Yoshida (No 2) & Bu Shingde are still here. Bushingde is supposed to have said that “he was fed up with this place, as the Italians were giving him much trouble, besides this war will be over soon and he hoped to go to South America as a Consular Police Office.

Some hope! Love Ida

Received parcel from Batailles - rice, cornflour, 1 pkt cigarettes, some cakes. It was welcome ...

June 22, 1945 ...

22-6-45

My dear:

Louis Ladow came along, visibly excited, as a result of the visit of a guard who popped his head in, saying “Ladow-san, Ladow-san the war is almost over”.- “Nonsense, what are you telling me?” –“No, it’s true”- So once our hopes are running high.

I felt rather a pig yesterday to Marie, she asked me if I would swop some vanilla for some sugar, after some slight digression on my part, I suggested that she should negotiate directly with Mrs Ballianez, who has a good to stock. This sort of reaction on Marie’s part makes it extremely hard to bring home to her any adverse criticism or advice. Mrs Ore doesn’t understand why, as a good friend of hers, do not tell her of anything in the nature of prickly public opinion, - I could at the risk loosing our already worn friendship. I am afraid this place has not helped to strengthen it, and I do not take the blame. I am afraid Marie has developed to their fullest extent the two most common traits of our camp, utter greed and selfishness.

It is being said in camp that the Japanese guards have told to make for the nearest military depot on the cessation of hostilities.

However in the Paper of the 12th from the War Ministry’s report we deduce the Japanese are marking time for the cessation of hostilities but of course I do not know what is causing the end to come so slowly.

Wrote Red X letter to Uncle Percy and Ena. Had to withdraw three other letters which I shall send in due course.

Bought at the Elephant Bell, a cotton frock, a white silk frock, a sunsuit and a shorts cum top outfit for $550 - I think it was a very handsome bargain. I also managed to sell my lime green gloves for $200, which was good too. No sign of our comfort money being increased.

The sewing room is making 2 dresses for Christine & four pair pants for Peter.

Expect to hear more news today.

Love Ida

Rice is now $200 per lb. Apricots $55.

June 29, 1945 ...

29-6-45

My dear:

Today is St Peter & St Paul - and I have forgotten to fulfill my promise to Peter that on this day I would give him a party - preferably a picnic.

Egger, Engstrom have been in - but no news.

Joerg is expected tomorrow and we were hopeful of hearing something. Engstrom took a walk to come, his train having been bombed, and machine gun bullets penetrated his coupe breaking his honey pot etc. He had to take refuge in a ditch for over an hour.

He told the Belgians that this would be his last trip as the American planes were too active.

The local dramatics excelled themselves in topical paraphrasing this weekend.

Fortunately for me the Elephant Bell sold my apricot coloured silk voile dress for $200 - and buttons to the tune of $70 – which enabled me to buy 4 cakes of soap at $60 -

Then we had a windfall; 10 cakes from David and 14 from ‘ pool’. We haven’t had so much soap since our arrival here when we came with 40 cakes soap.

Today only 40 kgs of meat were received by our kitchen and for supper we had a cucumber & 1 potato each together with salad dressing.

Naturally this meant that we had to supplement it - as a matter of fact, daily I cook a small saucepanful of either the Chinese Quaker oats or rice/millet and we dig into it for our lunch & supper. I have taken to beating 2 eggs together well and adding the rice/millet or corn (cooked) mixing them well and making a sort of omelette - in this way we save 2 eggs - as we only use 3 for us five. Eggs are $16 @. A $100 goes nowhere. Have made arrangements to borrow some money against post war sterling payment.

A tin of golden Lion now fetches $900 - so does a tin of jam. Prices are fantastic. Hear that the April brides, Mrs Ruth Buddy Price and Mrs Nelma Bear Davis are expectant mothers. Phyllis Watson too.

Bobby Pryor came the other day and brought me the dress length for Gay, but I figured that Phyllis was more in need of a new garment than Gay so I gave it to her.

The last few days the weather has been imitating the Scottish weather - quite pleasant after those hot days.

Rumours are abundant but utterly unreliable.

The Commandant suddenly left yesterday morning. We don’t know what it may mean.

Love Ida.