[Excerpts] ...

[...]

This morning at 3a.m. Coogee Ladow came for Dr Robinson, as Meta had started with her pains.

He, Robbie, put on his clothes leisurely, and when he got on the bakery, he saw Percy dashing up and could hear Meta shouting away, he hadn’t time to wash his hands, still less time to take her to hospital when the baby was born. The cotton snapped and there was no hot water to bath the baby.

Robbie then dashed off to the hospital, awoke Luiznow Smith who is the orderly, and got the night nurse to awaken Mrs Ball. The carrying chair was hurriedly brought to Percy’s, and the baby, unwashed was wrapped in a towel, and then in a blanket, and Meta carried her in her arms.

Coogee & Luiznow carried Meta & baby to hospital.

I believe the double bed of Meta’s was in a dreadful mess, but in the light of daytime, these seem inconsequential, the greatest thing being that Meta is all right and the baby a girl.

Probably will get more details today or tomorrow. Received Vera’s parcel, minus 2 small tins salmon & 1 tin jam.

[excerpt]

The coal shortage here is becoming acute.

About the middle of last month, we were allowed to take 1 bucket of coal per family. After about a fortnight, all the stock was gone and since then no new supplies have come in. So people have been scrounging the bakery stocks, and kitchen stocks, consequently these places now find themselves without coal & having to use wood.

Carol Corkey was put into hospital this morning with Scarlet Fever. Gay hasn’t been feeling well since yesterday, sore throat and fever, I hope she isn’t down with it. The Medical Authorities are trying very hard to locate it.

[excerpt]

Kojo says no more sugar nor jam. Not even for the Hospital, that we should be content to get as little sugar as the Japanese are getting. He doesn’t realise that we consider sugar one of the most important ingredients in the child’s diet.

However, che sara, che sara.

[excerpt]

It is today 11 months since we left you, the baby and our home. It has been a particularly trying day.

I had an extremely big wash with many interruptions.

Vicky Waters from Quarters came to make an inventory, then Mrs Cockburn came to cut Gay’s hair.

Girlie came and sat. She paid me $30.00 for a lb tin of Golden Lion Milk. Sid had to fetch the milk & eggs from the Hospital, a chore which I undertake to do myself. I finally finished by 12.

The day was bitter cold and my hands were numb. However the washing was dry by nightfall - the 1st time this winter.

[excerpt]

Yesterday I visited the hospital, saw Mrs Voyce, Sister Eustella & Daisy. I think they were quite pleased - so was I.

Father Rutherford is a semi invalid, the dirt & dust in his room made me want to tidy it up, but I think I would have offended him.
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/ChSancton/pages/p_Rutherford.htm

[excerpt]

Egger is in.

He has brought us the news that there will be no “comfort money” and that Joerg, who was arriving tomorrow will explain. We are unhappy, as our comfort money has certainly helped to make things easier for us. At the time of writing, we are paying $1 for an egg in the hospital and $0.9 for milk for the older children. So out of $700 comfort money we have to commence paying $103.50 to the hospital.

Things are going up.

Understand a lady received a pair of shoes from Tientsin at $I500 ? A ton of coal costing $900.

[excerpt]

Robbie awoke with streptoccal infection of the throat - and at 3.30 was taken to hospital. Dr Vio was ill too & sent a henchman for Robbie this a.m. it was amusing to hear that Robbie regretted he could not come personally as he was ill too.

Dr Corky came to see me, as I too was ill. Being laid low with a very violent headache. Sinus she thinks, ‘Tis possibly so.

Sid replaced Robbie at Sunday bridge four. Did 3 slams, and won $7- so he kept the reputation of the menage at the same level.

[excerpt]

We went on to No. 2 Dining Room, the bride & groom went the hospital to visit Elsie, and when they arrived at the Kitchen ludo beans were shied on them. After Clemmie & Bill had been “wished happiness”, E.J.Nathan made a speech and he mentioned that the knife with which the bride would cut the cake was an heirloom. That its painting of a wounded officer on a horse, tired out, arriving at the army headquarters in 1840 was the only British survivor of the 2nd Kabul War.

That man was Captain William Bryden after whom Bill was named, he was Bill’s mother’s uncle. It is a giant boy scout knife. Bill at the end of his reply continued with ... ”before I will permit my wife to cut the cake I must.” The bridegroom was the more prominent of the 2, like a King and his consort a few steps to the rear smiling graciously.

[excerpt]

Egger is in today.

He is supposed to have brought sugar & rice for the Hospital which the Authorities have refused permission for their entry into the Camp. I hope E[gger]. has brought in more red x letters. I am longing to hear from my sister & family.

[excerpt]

George Wallis is in hospital with some low form of meningitis. He is not seriously ill, but has a permanent headache.

I bet Voyce $10 that Germany will be out of the war within 2 months. I somehow feel that I’m not going to lose.

[excerpt]

Today, as I was going to fetch Christine’s food from the hospital, met Sid and Christine, he whispered “Hummel and Tipton” gone.

I twigged immediately in a flash I remembered seeing them together with Father D[eJaegher]. the evening previous. And later they were together, moving about restlessly, around No I Kitchen. We expected some heavy retaliation on the part of the authorities, but apparently even the guards think it is a joke on their New Police Captain, who is a tough baby.

[excerpt]

All the bachelors & spinsters living in rooms above the hospital are to be moved to No23 where the Chefoo children are, and they will have to go there.

Iso says this is conformity with the commandant’s regulations wherein he stated that in the event of a person or persons whose identity is not established residing in certain blocks having communicated with Chinese, the entire residents of that alley will be removed!

Miss Monihan (Monaghan), Peter’s teacher had a Union Jack in her room, the Japanese made her take it down.

[excerpt] 15/06/’44

As a reprisal for the escape of Hummel who lived in the attic of the hospital, all the people who live above the hospital, that is, the 2 stories including the attic have to be moved today into building No. 23, which until the present was housing most of the Chefoo boys.

Unfortunately, it is a wet day and those who are assisting are having a damp time of it. It is a camp assignment and everyone not on duty this morning have to assist at the moving over.

Marie says that if everyone able-bodied, man woman or child went, they’d be overcrowded, so she isn’t assisting. I am not there because I) Christine, due to rain, has no school and has to be looked after.
II) my arm hurts badly.
III) I am, or should be on duty on veg otherwise.

Last night’s rumour was that Paris and Genoa had fallen.

Egger came in yesterday and has been able to make us understand that we are pouring troops into France & Italy.

[excerpt]

I bought a packet of Strawberry jello for $25 from Mrs Mosley. Am negotiating for egg powder. Bought a baby doll fully gowned for $40 for Christine. I think she’ll enjoy it if she doesn’t break it in no time. Have also asked Franky Pear to make a little doll’s pram for her. Hope it’l be ready on time.

Sid has boils in his ears. Suffering very much. Apparently in the hospital here in peaceful times most of the patients suffered from carbuncles due to some deficiency in the water.

[excerpt]

At the Homes Committee meeting on Wednesday, 13.9.’44, I was elected Vice Chairman to assist Mrs Hubbard, chairman. The new committee’s first problem was to cope with the Bickertons who are being discharged from hospital and over 80. Have arranged for Stocker to empty slops & sweep.

Mrs Shragges will keep motherly eye.

[excerpt]

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.
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/GregLeck/pages/Goyas/Goyas.html

[excerpt]

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 though I couldn’t bear another bit of pain.

[excerpt]

Whilst unpacking the medical supplies from the Red Cross, Dr Grice asked Itara if he could have some stout ropes. When told upon inquiry that they wanted for fuel in the hospital, Itara replied that it would be better if they kept as they would come in useful for packing up his belongings for Tientsin. Now that seemed particularly encouraging, but we now feel depressed, the severe cold after a prolonged winter of chores may have something to do with it.

[excerpt]

Meta Jones went into hospital owing to a miscarriage so I have volunteered to bath the baby and get her ready for the day, then in the evening get her ready for bed. ‘Tis quite simple. But it fills my day just that much more.

Heard that a Jap guard was found with his throat slit on Saturday morning. Much excitement.

All night King Kong and others running around shouting all night. Now they deny all rumours of such a story, but nevertheless De Zutter got up early on Saturday morning and saw the truck bringing in a coffin. Mrs de Zutter (they live in the flat above Ed Cooke’s) saw the truck bearing the coffin away by the usually closed gate.

So !! Now six police dogs are in too.

Another Allied plane flew over yesterday noon.

Hear guerillas assembling 30 miles from here, are they going to act simultaneously with an Allied landing at Tsingtao?

Heard Russians warned Germans that every city, man, woman and child will be destroyed henceforward until they capitulate.

[excerpt]

Meta returned home from the hospital this p.m. got Carmen ready for bed as I had done previously. Will have to probably go again tomorrow and the morning after, as she doesn’t seem to strong yet.

Eric Liddell’s funeral today. Gay assisted with service. How sad, how sad! So young, when there are so many helpless old ‘uns left. Old Mrs Lavers, who lives in the Old Ladies Home, under the care of 2 stalwart females, is over 92 and completely living in the past, how unfair that Liddell in the prime of his youth with so much to live is dead I don’t believe he has even seen his youngest child born since his wife was evacuated.

Understand from paper of the 11th Feb that at the Moscow meeting of Stalin, Churchill & Roosevelt, Stalin stated that he would wipe Berlin off the map.

[excerpt]

Clemmie has been in the hospital with small pains. Created a scene when someone wouldn’t stay with her all night.

Had hysterics this morning, and has been weeping since. Believe has gone into the theatre now 8 p.m. Hope it will be a girl.

We’re in a jam, except the Americans who have received money, peanut oil but we haven’t been to buy any, no spondulux. It now costs $100 - a portion. Our soap was $8 – a portion – cost us $40 – another $20 for 2 hanks sewing cotton. Sid has been able to occasionally bring home a spot of oil that that which he would have put into a date loaf, in this way I have been able to build up a reserve – (...)

[excerpt]

Nelma Shanks’ wedding was very pretty.

She dressed at the hospital and walked there in procession to the Assembly Hall. As the procession got settled down to being in step, the Father saw Robbie, who halted to allow the procession to pass, greeted him with “How are you, Doctor”, thereby throwing the whole procession out of step and once again had to halt and start marching in step, ‘ left, right, left, right’.

Made a brick stove for Mrs Davidson today. It works alright. I was rather apprehensive at first.

Egger brought in the Red Cross shoes – and the Talbots received five pairs, being gifts from the Red cross. I understand many people are extremely peeved.

He brought in no news – and here we are with our tongues hanging out for news.

Also built myself a stove of 21/2 roof tiles three bricks 7 four fire bars. It works like magic.

[excerpt]

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. [Japs] 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.

[excerpt]

I forgot to mention that on the 30th of 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 preferred 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.

[excerpt]

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.

[excerpt]

Joerg did not arrive on the day anticipated, but the following day. He brought gifts for his friends included in parcels marked for the hospital.

[excerpt]

The weather is still HOT-92º indoors. I am in a sweat all day. Its terrific.

Christine makes a terrific wet patch on her bed, but due to good hospital anti-heat-spots she has very little.

Astrid Danielson has had her adenoids taken out. They were done yesterday and returned today. I believe in ordinary life adenoids are taken out during clinic.

A Jap. guard came to warn Argee Ladow at 4.30 a.m. to put away all empty bottles as McGilchrist & Wilkie were caught drunk. However they were only retained in the guardhouse for a minute during which time they distributed cigarettes all round. What a difference with the old days.

[excerpt]

Received handsome parcel from the Walravens. Even cocoa & glycerine. They’re bully.

Egger’s runner in but so far no repercussions. I am feeling sleepy, my sleeping draught working. Just remember tell you about ice water & ice cream racket in hospital.

[excerpt] 16/08/’45 (one day before liberation)

It is rumoured:
I) Davies occupied by Canadians
2 Weihaiwei occupied by British
3) Chefoo occupied by British
4) Tsingtao occupied by Yankees

I have had a bad attack of quizzles perhaps due to hangover, but more possibly due to weakness of stomach after exciting news. Dr Corkey tells me she has many such patients.

Forgot to mention Mrs J. Pamilis the day before yesterday gave birth to a son, John Frederick. Meta Jones is improving. Dr Gault will be out of hospital by end of week. The schools have been given a holiday.

[excerpt] 16/08/’45 (one day before liberation)

Father Wenders started the ball rolling on the 15th morning at 11 am.by dashing to the hospital and telling Jaten the war is over.

[excerpt] (after liberation)

The most amazing sight and without its parallel in history, I guarantee, is the sight of Japanese Guards, fully armed on trucks bringing in supplies from the airfield. F....ly the Japanese being here to protect us.

Of course the Japanese, in my opinion, have lost the War in a manner totally differently from the Germans. China did not beat him, nor did Dutch East Indies, India Malaya. Perhaps that is why they treat their defeat differently.

Told Margot Bishop at the shower that Jack ..still fly over to fetch him or to visit her. Since the ... & Peking Concentration Camp have been freed. Robbie is furious that in the world news Weihsien is stated as being slightly under weight & only 10% hospitalisation.

My sleeping draught is working.

[further reading]
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/ChSancton/diary/p_excerpts.htm

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