15 August 1945

The sirens started before we left Roll Call last night. We saw about 24 searchlights pick up and hold a plane and saw the bursts of a few ack ack shells, it was quite fascinating.

Back on the Farm again today.

Great news, or shall we say colossal rumours -
firstly, the Emperor gave a talk to the people at 12 o/c today and, secondly, a small boy on the Farm told one of the Officers that the war was finished.

The Officer would not believe it as we have heard the same thing so often even although the Boy was obviously serious. Later the Officer went to the Office for a light, and the boy, a girl and a man were there. He asked the girl if the war was finished and the question seemed to take her all unawares and stutteringly replied that it was not and looked very hard at the boy.

Later the Officer again saw the boy and asked him again if the war was finished and the boy in a scared voice said it was not.

Thirdly , the Sergeant in charge of the cookhouse was asked by one of the Office Staff if he would give his son a job on his farm when he got back to Java. Sgt Penn asked, "why is the war over" and the reply was - scotchie scotchie, meaning just a very little.

Fourthly, another Officer was told by a guard that Japan had handed in a White Paper for signature and fifthly, that one of the Farm Officials got out of a car and shook hands with one of the fellows and told him he would be going home very shortly.

Lastly the Officers have been told that there is a holiday for them tomorrow.

Another Officer who acts as an Interpreter when out on the farm and is always talking with the Japanese guards has stated that in his opinion it is quite possible the Officers will not be working any more.

The Camp is full of the news and everybody feels that there is at least 90% of truth in the rumour.

There have been no alarms during the afternoon so I guess the next day or two will show how matters stand.