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and on way met Inspector Fender who told me we had surrendered. Did not believe him and went to P.E. for confirmation. It is true!
That was apparently the reason for the armistice, so that the Gov. could go over to Kowloon. Everybody is stunned. We have been bolstered up with false reports about holding our own etc,. when it must have been obvious we were badly outnumbered.
It spite of reports of capitulation. we were heavily bombed two hours after surrender, and bombs fell in Garden Road and Kennedy Road. with several casualties. Everybody is very depressed and we are all wondering The Gov. has not what will happen next, and our fears are of the worst. <returned from Kowllon and had declared himself a prisoner.
The police have developed a very bolshy attitude and some have refused to lay down their arms. The same thing seems to have happened with the troops. It has been decided that liquor must be destroyed and over $50,000 worth has just been broken up in the store room on this floor. In view of past
Als: the Indian events and the knowledge we have, it must be done. police have gone against us and they will be just as bad as the Japs. if they are allowed to get drunk. Several of them are already drunk as are our own men. Vitness the object who came into our room a little while ago. What a Xmas Day. I don't think many of us will sleep tonight. Nobody seems to know what is happening and eve ything appears to have collapsed. there is a complete state of chaoa. Odd explosions have been heard all through the afternoon and evening. which sounds like guns. but it may be demolitions.
Everybody on this floor. including the Chungking outfit. the Min,of Information staff and residents have disappeared. There are now seven women only left.
The dining room w a. again restored to the 8th floor and at dinner time somebody began to play the piano. I have never felt anything like I went through in those moments. nor have I ever seen so many people openly show their feelings and weep. It was certainly not a day for rejoicing or music or songs. and I think we all felt the same way,
Decided as from tonight we want a man in our room. The Japs. are in the building and we are not safe alone. 306 and 307 have also decided to follow suit.
26th December, 1941.
We were advised at about 9.0 that enemy troops were inspecting the building. All moved into one room decided it would be better if we are
some soldiers all together. A party of about 30 japs. came into the room. some Gendarmes. They asked if there were any men and when told there were none. proceeded to search under the beds and in the cupboards. The only person who was questioned was Betty Kendall, but I am of the opinion that it was only due to the fact that she was Chinese amongst six English women. After about fifteen minutes they left and nothing further happened. The proceeded to search the whole building. a nd later we were given instructions not to leave the building. we were not alllowed on the streets, we could however. go through the a rcade into the H,K, Hotel. The police were also similarly instructed.
Later in the afternoon I took a chance and went out on to the street, by going through the araade and into the hotel. There were sentries posted at the corners of the streets but nobody attempted to interfere with me. and outside the hotel I met one of the police who decided to join me. We walked down as far as the Praya and back. Everything was deserted and desolate. Huge piles of litter and dirt were lying in the streets and they were filthy in appearance. It w as the first time I had been out into the street for ten days and after the dark and gloomy corridors of the Gloucester. I felt almost blinded, Chinese were standing about Rugens Bd in large numbers. but seemed afraid to walk about or approach
lower roads. Steel helmets. gas masks. arm bands badges and various marks of identification were lying all over the streets obviously disca: ded hurriedly when the ne s of capitulation was given out. I even saw Royal Scots caps lying in the gutter. Damaged cars were lying sprawled about the streets togethe with trucks. exactly where
and