I had landed in Heaven again! There was chicken every day, as many candy
bars as you wanted, there was beer, there were cigarettes, there were
movies, there was music blaring from every lamp post in camp.
bars as you wanted, there was beer, there were cigarettes, there were
movies, there was music blaring from every lamp post in camp.
There were songs by a new singer, one that we had never heard of, by the
name of Frank Sinatra. The Andrews Sisters sang "Drinkin' rum and Coca
Cola", Bing Crosby sang, "The Atcheson, Topeka, and the Santa Fe", "Don't
fence me in", and the biggest tear-jerker of them all, "I'm dreaming of a White
Christmas". I cried with joy. When I think of that happy time, tears still come
to my eyes.
name of Frank Sinatra. The Andrews Sisters sang "Drinkin' rum and Coca
Cola", Bing Crosby sang, "The Atcheson, Topeka, and the Santa Fe", "Don't
fence me in", and the biggest tear-jerker of them all, "I'm dreaming of a White
Christmas". I cried with joy. When I think of that happy time, tears still come
to my eyes.
Our prison camp rags were exchanged for American Army clothes. We were
fitted out from head to foot with everything from a razor and toothbrush, to
shirts, sox, underwear, boots, hats, jackets, everything!
fitted out from head to foot with everything from a razor and toothbrush, to
shirts, sox, underwear, boots, hats, jackets, everything!
It was interesting to see the Japanese prisoners in the camp, loosly guarded,
and seeming quite content, working around the camp, dressed in American
Army fatigues with a big white spot on the back of the shirt and a big"P" on
one trouser leg and a big "W" on the other.
and seeming quite content, working around the camp, dressed in American
Army fatigues with a big white spot on the back of the shirt and a big"P" on
one trouser leg and a big "W" on the other.
I went into town once to see what I could see. The city was a wreck, like all
other war-torn cities in World War II. It was so unnerving to my sensitive
feelings that I was afraid, and I was glad to return to camp.
other war-torn cities in World War II. It was so unnerving to my sensitive
feelings that I was afraid, and I was glad to return to camp.
Onward!
Things were so good that I didn't want to leave Manila, but, after five days,
transportation was arranged for some of us on a huge American Troop
transport called the "Admiral Hugh Rodman".
transportation was arranged for some of us on a huge American Troop
transport called the "Admiral Hugh Rodman".
The food, as usual, was the best, and in copious quantities. At meal time we
lined up and received a tray of food, and stood at a long table to eat it.I have
no conception of the number of Americans and others returning home, but the
ship was crowded.
lined up and received a tray of food, and stood at a long table to eat it.I have
no conception of the number of Americans and others returning home, but the
ship was crowded.
In the sleeping quarters, bunks two feet wide were stacked five high. I
suffered from prickly heat, and got no relief until we got a little further north
and the temperature cooled down.
suffered from prickly heat, and got no relief until we got a little further north
and the temperature cooled down.
It's strange why some things linger in one's memory. I can still hear, coming
over the ship's loudspeaker. "The army garbage detail, report to the fantail!".
Something new to me. Ex-POWs were excused all fatigue duties!
over the ship's loudspeaker. "The army garbage detail, report to the fantail!".
Something new to me. Ex-POWs were excused all fatigue duties!
After twenty-three days at sea, we finally sailed
under the Golden Gate Bridge. Some American
fellows in our camp used to say, "Golden Gate in
'48". Thank Heaven it didn't take that long!
under the Golden Gate Bridge. Some American
fellows in our camp used to say, "Golden Gate in
'48". Thank Heaven it didn't take that long!
We were greeted on the dock by a group of ladies from some service
organization whose name I don't recall. They were most kind and
sympathetic, handing us apples, soft drinks, and words of appreciation.
organization whose name I don't recall. They were most kind and
sympathetic, handing us apples, soft drinks, and words of appreciation.
We saw nothing of San Francisco, because we were bundled immediately
onto a train and headed north to God'.s Country.
onto a train and headed north to God'.s Country.
We arrived in Seattle in daylight and immediately went aboard a ferry to
Victoria. At this point I'll have to tell another little story!
Victoria. At this point I'll have to tell another little story!
In the prison camp, Bryce Craig used to talk to me about his girlfriend , Irene,
and how he longed to see her again. As the ferry approached the dock in the
inner harbour at Victoria, a large group of people were lined up, watching us
come in.
and how he longed to see her again. As the ferry approached the dock in the
inner harbour at Victoria, a large group of people were lined up, watching us
come in.
Bryce and I were standing together, leaning over the rail. Suddenly Bryce
said,"There's Irene!" Sure enough Irene was there, in her CWAC uniform,
waving to us. Women in the army? Something new for us!
said,"There's Irene!" Sure enough Irene was there, in her CWAC uniform,
waving to us. Women in the army? Something new for us!
Aboard a bus, a group of ladies from some service organization gave us
apples and soft drinks. I looked at an apple that one of the girls handed me,
and suddenly I was overcome by a rush of emotion. Tears came to my eyes
and for the first time since leaving ShamShuiPo, it sank in that it was really
over!
apples and soft drinks. I looked at an apple that one of the girls handed me,
and suddenly I was overcome by a rush of emotion. Tears came to my eyes
and for the first time since leaving ShamShuiPo, it sank in that it was really
over!
Gordon Head Barracks
At Gordon Head we received the same deferential treatment that had been
accorded us wherever we stopped. Plenty to eat! By that time most of us had
put on a pound a day since liberation, so that on arriving in Canada there was
little physical evidence of our years of starvation.
accorded us wherever we stopped. Plenty to eat! By that time most of us had
put on a pound a day since liberation, so that on arriving in Canada there was
little physical evidence of our years of starvation.
We were fitted out with Canadian uniforms and given a medal bar with four
ribbons, the 1939-45 Star, the Pacific Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service
Medal, and the Victory Medal.However, no Defence of Britain Medal!
ribbons, the 1939-45 Star, the Pacific Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service
Medal, and the Victory Medal.However, no Defence of Britain Medal!