Our footwear was rapidly wearing out. Although we used wooden clogs
to move around in the camp, we needed something more substantial to go
on work parties. We devised a number of ways to repair the boots, but
no help was forthcoming from our captors, nor did they replace any boots
that wore out. Some old car tires found their way into camp, and these
provided excellent material to replace the soles. The problem was to find
a way to attach the rubber, and although I can't recall how this was done,
the precious boots, or at least, some of them, were nursed through many
trips to Kai Tak and, later, to other work sites.
to move around in the camp, we needed something more substantial to go
on work parties. We devised a number of ways to repair the boots, but
no help was forthcoming from our captors, nor did they replace any boots
that wore out. Some old car tires found their way into camp, and these
provided excellent material to replace the soles. The problem was to find
a way to attach the rubber, and although I can't recall how this was done,
the precious boots, or at least, some of them, were nursed through many
trips to Kai Tak and, later, to other work sites.
Diphtheria!!
In the early autumn of 1942 a diphtheria epidemic swept through the
camp. Diphtheria is defined in the New Oxford Dictionary as "an acute
febrile contagious disease marked by the formation of a false membrane,
esp. in the throat and caused by a bacterium which produces a toxin
causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system".The effects are
dramatic. If an anti-toxin is not administered in the early stages of the
disease, the throat will close, and the victim can be choked to death.
camp. Diphtheria is defined in the New Oxford Dictionary as "an acute
febrile contagious disease marked by the formation of a false membrane,
esp. in the throat and caused by a bacterium which produces a toxin
causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system".The effects are
dramatic. If an anti-toxin is not administered in the early stages of the
disease, the throat will close, and the victim can be choked to death.
The Jubilee Building, a large, multi-storied build on the western edge of
the camp, once used as an administration headquarters, was designated
the "Dip" hospital, and before long it was crowded with victims of the
disease.
the camp, once used as an administration headquarters, was designated
the "Dip" hospital, and before long it was crowded with victims of the
disease.
In due time, our captors relented and brought in the medicine that would
ultimately save the lives of those who would later come down with
diphtheria. I was one of those.
ultimately save the lives of those who would later come down with
diphtheria. I was one of those.
The Jubilee Building had once been a well-appointed office building, but
now, due to the ruthlessness of the invading forces, and probably due to
salvage activity on the part of the local Chinese population, the building
was stripped of all furniture and all other materials once used in the
administration of ShamShuiPo Barracks.
now, due to the ruthlessness of the invading forces, and probably due to
salvage activity on the part of the local Chinese population, the building
was stripped of all furniture and all other materials once used in the
administration of ShamShuiPo Barracks.
I shared a room with George Everett, a corporal in the Royal Rifles, and
Charlie Cardinal, a private in the Winnipeg Grenadiers.
Charlie Cardinal, a private in the Winnipeg Grenadiers.
Charlie had a banjo which I think he had made. At any rate, the body was
triangular-shaped, and was probably made out of scraps that he had
scrounged in the camp. He used to keep us amused by his singing and
strumming. His favourites were, "Mama don't allow no banjo playin' in
here and, "Mama don't want no rice, no peas, no coconut oil."
triangular-shaped, and was probably made out of scraps that he had
scrounged in the camp. He used to keep us amused by his singing and
strumming. His favourites were, "Mama don't allow no banjo playin' in
here and, "Mama don't want no rice, no peas, no coconut oil."
Charlie had a bad case of electric feet along with the discomfort of
Diphtheria. Poor chap, he used to sit all night long on the edge of his
mattress with his feet on the cold floor, rocking back and forth and
whimpering with pain.
Diphtheria. Poor chap, he used to sit all night long on the edge of his
mattress with his feet on the cold floor, rocking back and forth and
whimpering with pain.
George was a quiet man, calm and unexciteable. He was tough. Although
his feet were killing him, and I still have a mental picture of him walking
painfully on his heels, I never heard him complain.
his feet were killing him, and I still have a mental picture of him walking
painfully on his heels, I never heard him complain.
To me, George was a tower of strength. His positive attitude helped me to
endure my own afflictions and his courage inspired me to fight on. This
was another example of how leaning in each other was so important in
combating despair,and how comradeship sustained us in the darkest hours.
endure my own afflictions and his courage inspired me to fight on. This
was another example of how leaning in each other was so important in
combating despair,and how comradeship sustained us in the darkest hours.
Life Goes On
I was taken off the draft to Japan by the merest of chances. Who knows
how I would have fared working in the coal mines or on the dockyard.
As it was , life in ShamShuiPo was no picnic.
how I would have fared working in the coal mines or on the dockyard.
As it was , life in ShamShuiPo was no picnic.
From ShamShuiPo we walked to the work site each morning and back at
night. For weeks at a time we would not see the camp in daylight hours,
barely time to eat a bowl of rice and fall exhausted on our sleeping mats,
to be awakened sometimes in the middle of the night for a nose count.
Then up before dawn to trudge the long miles to the tunnels we dug, and
back again after work. And so the cycle continued.
night. For weeks at a time we would not see the camp in daylight hours,
barely time to eat a bowl of rice and fall exhausted on our sleeping mats,
to be awakened sometimes in the middle of the night for a nose count.
Then up before dawn to trudge the long miles to the tunnels we dug, and
back again after work. And so the cycle continued.