Friday, May 14, 1943
May 14, 1943
Last night was the final at Santo Tomás –Both [Charmian and I] quite upset… It has been very pleasant with Charmian for all these months…
Charles Mock
(1908 – 1964) an American originally imprisoned together with other Allied civilians in the University of Santo Tomas, kept a journal of his time in the prisoner of war camp in Los Baños, Laguna.
Tuesday, May 18, 1943
May 18, 1943
About 2 PM, I’m sitting in front of cottage No. 2. M. Naismith just passed on his way to the Administration Office. I asked him
Wednesday, May 19, 1943
May 19, 1943
…Not much exciting, rain late this afternoon –the mornings early have been beautiful. I weighed 71 kg. today so that’s almost a 9 lbs. gain
Thursday, May 20, 1943
May 20, 1943
…Calhoun spoke over loudspeaker tonight, said news from Manila exceptionally good, etc. The news brought into Santo Tomás by some 70 reinternees is good, if
Friday, May 21, 1943
May 21, 1943
One week today and we’re all quite comfortable. The early morning was beautiful again and later the cloud banks over the top of Makiling –Washed
Saturday, May 22, 1943
May 22, 1943
…Rain last night, more washing today, held the surveyor’s tape, conferred with Pinkerton on supplies, etc. Read Liberty Mutual Manual with Dan this P.M. Lee
Monday, May 24, 1943
May 24, 1943
Barracks nearing completion across the creek—no one has seen them yet! Well-driving machinery to be here this week from Manila. I know the postholes were
Tuesday, May 25, 1943
May 25, 1943
Rain all morning and no sun in the afternoon—chow was good though and we cut a pineapple that was the sweetest I’ve ever tasted, we
Wednesday, May 26, 1943
May 26, 1943
Dearest Charmian… It will probably be some time before you and the rest of Santo Tomas get here, there’s still a lot of building to
Thursday, May 27, 1943
May 27, 1943
Well, the notes we sent Monday came back undelivered and we gather that things have been other than quiet at Santo Tomas. I received ₱90
Friday, May 28, 1943*
May 29, 1943
Porky continues to be troublesome, wouldn’t (let) the camp vegetable buyer go out even on commandant’s pass. Wouldn’t let the pineapples in or the canteen.
Saturday, May 29, 1943
May 29, 1943
Porky allowed George to go shopping with the bus today wouldn’t (let) Dayton go out however. Reason: Dayton is a member of this camp, George
Sunday, May 30, 1943
May 30, 1943
Memorial Day—Ever since I can remember, this has been a memorable holiday, the kind that children remember because of their impressions. Strangely enough it has
Tuesday, June 1, 1943
June 1, 1943
…Dreston was robbed last night, he sleeps under cottage 3 and his bed is apart from the others. Someone, probably a Filipino, removed a “tampepe”
Wednesday, June 2, 1943
June 2, 1943
This morning Porky wanted us (Americans) to build breastworks at the gates. Committee protested, so they had to use Filipinos. Built works of wood and
Thursday, June 3, 1943
June 3, 1943
₱50 came thru North today—I’ll try to stock up on a few articles and spend as little as possible. A couple of Filipinos were tied
Friday, June 4, 1943
June 4, 1943
The Filipinos are allegedly evacuating the Y tomorrow and we take possession Sunday—I wonder? Calhoun spoke to the crowd tonight. Said you were very crowded
Saturday, June 5, 1943
June 5, 1943
Another warning from the Commander that the camp is liable to be attacked by guerrillas. The info was passed on at a monitor’s meeting and
Sunday, June 6, 1943
June 6, 1943
The Y was opened today and the carpenters, plumbers and electricians moved in. They’ll continue tomorrow and then we clean. I guess we’ll work on
Monday, June 7, 1943
June 7, 1943
Thorough grounds cleaning at the Y, in spite of rain all afternoon. It’s a mess and will take some days to prepare for habitation. Several
Tuesday, June 8, 1943
June 8, 1943
There was a rainstorm with some wind about 4 AM today and as we went across the field for mush we saw that the first
Wednesday June 9, 1943
June 9, 1943
Three more of the barracks blew over today, couldn’t see them from here, but it is said 1 in this area and 2 in the
Thursday June 10, 1943
June 10, 1943
Messrs. Gimmel, Kodaki and Kuroda came up from Manila today and are staying to look things over for a few days. Worked in the Y
Friday June 11, 1943
June 11, 1943
For about the 20th successive lunch, excepting last Sunday, we had beans, black brown or mongo, for lunch. They just put in a spoonful of
Sunday June 13, 1943
June 13, 1943
Tomorrow we move to the Y, a month ago we were supposed to be in within a few days. It will be quite comfortable, but
Tuesday June 15, 1943
June 15, 1943
…Yesterday we moved into the Y. Not much confusion and the only lapses involved work in the form of bed frames that were lying out
Wednesday June 16, 1943
June 16, 1943
Those new socks [probably knitted from string.]—wonderful! You are a darling! I’ve been hoarding sugar but I guess we’ll use some on the mush for
Saturday June 19, 1943
June 19, 1943
I’ve worn the socks, couldn’t resist, they are perfect for size and feel wonderful. Darling, I hope you and your father can come up together
Monday June 21, 1943
June 21, 1943
One of the odd facts about the camp is that no one has the correct time. An ancient alarm clock in the Gym is set
Wednesday June 23, 1943
June 23, 1943
Things moving along as usual, some general is due to inspect the camp today, 16 planes went south this morning and the paper has an