WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 114, 115 and 116.

Will Lynch pays his Masonic dues (I never knew he was a Mason).  Talks to Consulate General Lockhart and Consul Stanton about taking care of the office property.


March 31, 1942.  Tuesday.  114th Day.

Robert Dollar Building  in old
Shanghai, China in 1920's
Notice "Rick shaw"
mode of transportation.
Click on picture to enlarge

   Nice weather.  No good news.
     Got a pass and went down town.  Saw tailor about repairs and 2 pairs Khaki pants.  All to be finished by Thursday, April 2nd.
     Paid Masonic dues, Chinese $35.00, to Mr. Phil Giovannini, Secretary, and I am to get receipt early next week.
     Looked in and kidded gang at American Association Relief, 7th floor of Dollar Building.  (This building, built in 1923, was the first home of Chinese Radio in all of China.  It was connected to American Radio, and quickly became very popular with the Chinese people).     
     Rummy score was 1-1 vs. JBS.


April 1, 1942.  Wednesday.   115th Day.
     Nice weather.  No particular items to note.
     Saw, for 3rd time, "100 men and a Girl" with Deanna Durbin.  Still good, especially the music.
     Beat JBS 1-0 at Rummy, taking the "super series".


April 2, 1942.  Thursday.  116th Day.
     Fine weather.  Beat Brookhart 4-0 at rummy.
     At dinner (supper), took up with Consulate General Lockhart and Consul Stanton, matter of wrapping moth balls in office rugs, putting property cards in safe, wrapping up house furniture.
     

WR Lynch WW II Diary Days 117, 118, and 119.

Will Lynch celebrated Easter by attending two church services--Catholic and Russian Orthodox, even though he was Methodist.  Roselyn


April 3, 1942.  Friday (Good Friday).  117th Day.
     Fine Easter weather.
     Good news.  Rumor--fairly authentic--hath it we embark April 25th.  Let's hope.
     Had a pass today but did nothing in particular.  Beat JBS badly at checkers.


April 4, 1942.  Saturday  118th Day.
     Warm, but turned chilly and rainy.
     Saw "Wild Geese Calling" at Cathay.  Fair.
     Lost rummy 2-0 to JBS.  He was quite pleased.
     Wrote several business letters re change of address and payments.

Old St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox
Church in Shanghai.
Click on picture to enlarge

April 5, 1942.  Sunday  (Easter).  119th Day.
     Cold, quite.  Used heavy winter overcoat, but sunny.
     Saw good show at Grande--Bing Crosby in "Birth of the Blues".  Good fun.
     Got a pretty good leather suitcase, used, for Ch. $80.00 (about US$4.00) on Rue Bourgeat.  New, similar, are priced at 250/350.
     A.M. and I had a snack at New Winter Garden.  We had gone to Catholic Church for 11:00 a.m. Mass.  Good music.  Packed Church.  We stood up.  Then looked in on Russian Orthodox Catholic Church.  Quite different, but both have an ornate ritual.

WR Lynch WW II Diary Day 113.

Will Lynch goes out quite a bit, considering he is a "captive" of the Japanese.  He also keeps up with his investments in stocks in America, tells of companies taken over by the Japanese.


March 30, 1942.  Monday.  113th Day.
     Sunny and cool.
     At 14:45 a.m., met F.L.  We went to Canidrome and watched practice dog races.  Good fun.  Then to a small Chinese restaurant.  Thence to 2:30 p.m. show at Cathay.  "Hold That Ghost".  Had 2 "comps".  Back in Cathay Mansions by 4:15 p.m.
     No good new yet.  Today's papers show firms taken by Japanese as 16 American and 21 British.  I think that is incomplete.
     Tonight's paper carried item regarding Chinese Reserve Bank notes vs. Fapi (old legal Chinese notes).  Seems to be some snags.  A few days ago rate was CRB $100 vs Fapi 130.00. But it looks as if a change has been made.  It remains to be seen.
     ASPRO--one type of aspirin.  Comes from Australia.  Local agents, one Dodwells (Mr. Nielsen).  All local supplies were confiscated by the Japanese.  None available in local druggists.  One store offered to sell at Chinese $0.40 per pill.  My last purchase was a package of 27 for Chinese $5.00.
     Got letter, in duplicate, from C.D. Culbertson re 200 Techinicolor and 100 Corn Products.

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 110, 111, and 112

Will Lynch comments that he has to pay for his room and board, even though he is being held by Japanese as diplomatic prisoner.  Roselyn


March 27, 1942.  Friday.  110th Day.
     Cooler.  Apparently repatriation to begin next month---unless.
     I am thinking of selling my radio for $ ??
     Beat J.B.S. 2-0 at rummy.
     Am tired of seeing most of the gang.
     Prices increased my dinky room 903 and board is Chinese $1,450.00 about US $80.00!


March 28, 1942.  Saturday .  111th Day.
     Cool--cloudy.  
     Saw "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck of "Grapes of Wrath" fame, at Uptown Theater.  "Lousy", I thought.
     President Quezon of Philippine Islands was reported as assassinated recently.
     Evening Post tonight states Quezon is with General MacArthur in Australia, which is true.  Otherwise, tra la tra la.


March 29, 1942.  Sunday.  112th Day.
     Cool and sunny.
     Got a pass and visited Radio Corporation of Asia.  Was offered Chinese $500.00 for my radio, if and when I desire to sell.  Which is ok, as it is an old model and I have had 19 months' use.
     Thence to Y.M.C.A.  Went to Ballet Russe at 2:15 p.m. at Lyceum for Chinese $3.30, about US $0.18 for ballet Copellia by Delibes.  Fine music, excellent dancing and beautiful costumes.  Have seen it before and hope to again.
     War news continues "blue".

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 107, 108, and 109

Will Lynch hears that they are to leave on a Japanese ship the end of April.  He doubts it will be on a Japanese ship.   Roselyn


March 24, 1942.  Tuesday  107th Day.
     Sunny and warm--too hot.
     Got a pass.  Retrieved a shoe that was being stretched at Hollywood Shoe Shop, Palace Hotel, Room 109.  
     Called on Captain Tornroth of Sea Captain's Shop.  He has given back most of his shop to owners, Ezras.  Someone is putting in a club.  Captain has two small rooms.  Got phone number 76470 of F Liu. 
     J.B.S says we are to leave on a Japanese ship the end of April for East Africa.  I doubt it will be via a Japanese ship.
     Lost rummy plenty today.  Brookhart 2-1.  J.B.S. 1-0.  Beat J.B.S. plenty at checkers.    
     
March 25, 1942.  Wednesday. 108th Day.
     Warm.   Nothing to report.


March 26, 1942.  Thursday.  109th Day.
     Cooler--sunny--nice.
     Got a pass, but as D.C.B. failed to take matter up with the Japanese, the key to room 406 was not brought over, I could not get in.  Some smart Japanese got fresh over matter of again entering the Consulate.  Matter is in abeyance until Tuesday, March 31st.
     Repatriation seems approaching, to leave about end of April---maybe. Here's hoping.
     Took 2 blue coats and one pair trousers to Wm. Yu for repairs.  Am getting 2 pairs khaki trousers for 2 x 50--Chinese $50,00 from Wm Yu.

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 104, 105 and 106.

Will Lynch gets passes to shop and eat out.  He continues to play various games to fight the boredom.  And, of course, likes to win.  Roselyn


March 21, 1942.  Saturday.  104th Day
     Sunny and nice.  Got a pass and took shoe to be stretched, got hair cut (Chinese $1.60 plus 40 cent tip--about US 12 cents.) 
     Good chow, a la Chinese, at Mrs. James.  Lena Ritter and Alice Murphy were there.
     No good news yet.   
     Wm. Yu will make me khaki trousers for Chinese $50.00--about US $2.75.


March 22, 1942.  Sunday.  105th Day.
     Quite warm.
     Got a pass.  Had lunch with Mr. and Mrs. James at Jimmy's Kitchen.  Roast goose, gravy, sweet spuds (potatoes) and bread with sweet potato flour.  Good.                 
     Walked down and back--about 3 miles or more.  Weighed 201 pounds.  Back by 3:30--tired.
     Returned to cribbage game.  Capt. West and Myself won 2-1 from Mr. McLorn and Miss Lambley.
     War news continues lousy.


March 23, 1942.  Monday.  106th Day.
     Rainy--dreary.  Stayed in all day.
     No outstanding news.  Radio and papers, as per usual, still claim Allies losing.  Who knows?
     Beat J.B.S. at checkers and rummy.

WR Lynch WW II Diary re Japanese Take-Over in Shanghai China. Days 101, 102 and 103

Life goes on during Will Lynch's captivity by the Japanese with boredom and wondering when repatriation will come.  Roselyn


March 18, 1942.  Wednesday  101st Day.

Cathay Mansions, French Concession,  in Shanghai,
where Will Lynch and others were held
as diplomatic prisoners in 1942.  It was the first
high rise apartment building in Shanghai,
built in 1928.  Click on picture to enlarge.

   Sunny and warmer.  
     Lost cards to Mr. Groves---cribbage 4-0 and rummy  1-0.  Am at a nadir on cards.
     Repatriation.  Looks like might be.  About May or June on some Swedish ship, the SS Drottingholm  (11055 tons) via Portuguese East Africa.


March 19, 1942.  Thursday.  102nd Day.
     Nice sunny weather.
     Beat Brookhart 4-0 at rummy and lost 2-0 to J.B.S.
     Capt. West, Mr. Mclorn, and Miss Lambley played cribbage.  Miss L. and Mr. Mclorn won 2-1.
     War news continues "lousy".  Paper and radio shows Japanese are plenty exuberant re what they propose to do.


March 20, 1942.  Friday.  103rd Day.
     Nice weather.
     No good news.
     Lost 2-0 and won 2-0 in rummy with Brookhart and J.B.S.