Thursday June 24, 1943
June 24, 1943
Another day—’Tis said that the barracks will not have concrete floors as advertised, the kitchens will be adequate and possibly 600 invalids and old people
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.
Friday June 25, 1943
June 25, 1943
General Hamada made his official visit to the camp this afternoon. I wish he’d come early enough for camote beans and meat, which I think
Sunday June 27, 1943
June 27, 1943
That’s the date in 1941 when I became actively conscious of Manila and the Philippines. I went to Vesper service and heard Fonger deliver a
Monday June 28, 1943
June 28, 1943
..It rather amused me today when Kenny Edwards came to me and requested that I remove the name Margaret Nestle from the list of those
Wednesday June 30, 1943
June 30, 1943
Another week and the war will be 19 months duration. How can it be that as much as been taken out of our lives? We’ve
Monday, July 5, 1943
July 5, 1943
The glorious fourth is over and I’m suffering from a terrific hangover. Bill and I made honey yesterday and went to the hospital to have
Wednesday, July 7, 1943
July 7, 1943
I’m practically recovered from my gastronomic disturbance following the holiday debauch. I hope I can keep up to my present program Monitor, Safety and Order,
Thursday, July 8, 1943
July 8, 1943
Calhoun can’t get over Santo Tomás spending ₱475 for “pottie” washing equipment, does seem ridiculous when we can’t get lumber to patch hole in floor
Saturday, July 10, 1943
July 10, 1943
No paper today, some say it was held at the gate because of the news. One copy came in contained something about expected naval engagements
Monday, July 12, 1943
July 12, 1943
Two men, father and son were brought in today from Southern Luzon, they’ve apparently been out all this time. They look sort of bewildered.
Wednesday, July 14, 1943
July 14, 1943
I am having swell folding chair made, seat and back of rattan of course. In fact I think I’ll make it two if they’ll take
Thursday, July 15, 1943
July 15, 1943
Cal went to Manila today. Commandant offered information yesterday that new barracks would be turned over to us without electricity, running water and other than
Friday, July 16, 1943
July 16, 1943
The picture of our super executive chief of the const. dept. personally shoveling a hole in front of the Gym for the planting of a
Tuesday, July 20, 1943
July 20, 1943
…Nothing to report beyond the fact that Lt. Gen. Kuroda, High Commander [sic] of Philippines, visited the camp yesterday. I guess Calhoun had the whole
Friday, July 23, 1943
July 23, 1943
I didn’t get to bed early enough last night. Monitors meeting that indicated our peculiar position here and indicated that you probably will not be
Saturday, July 24, 1943
July 24, 1943
…The lumber raiders, headed by young Francisco, overdid it this morning and the Guard Captain announced today that if caught they would be dealt with
Monday, July 26, 1943
July 26, 1943
Cigarettes 35 cents per pack today. I’ll have to stop smoking again—With more success I hope. The grounds around the barracks are being cleared by
Wednesday, July 28, 1943
July 28, 1943
Things are moving faster, a petition’s been filed by our committee with the Commandant to be forwarded the General in Command. They were strong and
Friday, July 30, 1943
July 30, 1943
The barracks seem ready and the contractors men are conspicuous by their absence. The bus returned and two girls with it as secretaries—a silly idea
Saturday, July 31, 1943
July 31, 1943
The new barracks were inspected by the J.M. today—maybe we’ll know the verdict soon. The repatriation bug is in the air again. I hope we
Monday, August 2, 1943
August 2, 1943
Sunday is a lazy day and they turn the lights off before I have a chance to get under the net and write to you.
Tuesday, August 3, 1943
August 3, 1943
Darling, I’m afraid it will be a long time, several months at least, before I see you. I’ve been hoping that you’d come up soon
Friday, August 6, 1943
August 6, 1943
Wonder what you’re doing, whether you think of me once in a while. Another pair of those white socks would be very acceptable. Maybe I
Friday, August 13, 1943
August 13, 1943
Did I tell you that a deck of ordinary playing cards now sells for ₱17.5? The camp paid ₱12.00 for two tires and tubes for
Sunday, August 15, 1943
August 15, 1943
I wish they’d send some of you up here and have done with it. We could make the place OK for 200-300 more and I’d
Wednesday, August 18, 1943
August 18, 1943
The married men here are becoming restless and prepared a pretty hot protest on treatment since the beginning of the transfer, pointing out particularly that
Thursday, August 19, 1943
August 19, 1943
There was a lot of bell ringing from the chapel the other night and there has been a lot of scurrying around on the part
Sunday, August 22, 1943
August 22, 1943
There has been some excitement in and around the camp. Friday night just before Roll Call, Taylor and Overton advised me that there was a
Tuesday, August 23, 1943
August 23, 1943
Your package was most welcome and the santan jam was welcome as sugar… But no notes or anything and its tough when the British are
Sunday, August 29, 1943
August 29, 1943
Apparently the camp is opposed to the proposed restaurant. Calhoun received quite a jolt, he looked dazed and a little angry at the monitors meeting