a a TN Dp Sn jm See Be LZ ne am PE selves playing host to both the Russian and German governments. Nationals of both countries are well established in Shanghai. Thus the Japanese newspaper carried both German and Russian news reports and by this means we were able to follow the battles in North Africa until the conclusion of the campaign. Suddenly, when the Japs discov- ered how much news we were getting, the papers ceased coming in. Now with Shanghai’s summer heat we found it terribly hard to eat. We were hungry, but we couldn’t stomach the food that was issued. A good deal of it was thrown away with every meal, and inroads were made on the few tins of food that had been brought in. When we came to eat our canned food we had another disagreeable surprise, for we couldn't retain it. We came to the grim realization that our stom- achs were in such condition that we couldn't eat decent food. We also began to realize that we were slipping fast. Rumours floated round the camp from time to time regarding repatriation but this seemed a dim and distant promise. There was mild speculation as to who would be lucky if an exchange ever did occur. Then came September 17th, 1943—for many a promise of new life, for others the unpredictable future, weary months of life in a Jap controlled internment camp. One hundred and fifty of us were told ALADDIN CAFE Murray and Miller, Proprietors Where Good Food Is Unexcelled Home Cooking and Home-Made Pies Our Specialty SIDNEY British Columbia Subscribe to THE SHOULDER STRAP. P. W. CASE General Merchant a SOOKE, B.C. CLIFF’S HOT DOG STAND HOT DOGS, SANDWICHES, SOFT DRINKS, TOBACCOS and CIGARETTES * SOOKE, B.C. ———— THE POLLYANNA STORE E. Brownsey, Proprietor ICE CREAM and CONFECTIONERY POST OFFICE Phone 6-Q Sooke, B. C. Page Twelve that we were being repatriated on the Teia Maru scheduled to leave Shanghai in two days’ time. On September the 19th, we were put on board the Japanese ship that was to carry us to freedom. Originally the French motorship Aramis, “borrowed” by the Japanese, the Teia Maru was built to carry 375 passengers. Fifteen hundred of us were put aboard her! But we didn’t care, we were going home. We made stops at Hong Kong, the Philippines, Saigon and Singapore to pick up the balance of the re- patriates. We only stopped to refuel at Singapore, no one was repatriated from there. From Singapore we were taken to Mor- mugao in Portuguese India where the ex- change took place. At Mormugao we trans- ferred to the Swedish liner Gripsholm which carried us to New York via South Africa and South America. After an ocean voyage of 73 days we docked at New York. I gained 35 pounds on the trip. Canada looks pretty good to the return- ing Canadian, and nowadays when I see the word “freedom” on war-time posters it takes on anew meaning. After ten months in a Japanese internment camp you get a clear-cut understanding of the word “freedom.” Editor's Note: For obvious reasons Constable Medley has omitted the names of persons interned with him. Fraser Trophy Changes Hands IN A BREATH-TAKING rapid fire finish, Constable Walter G. Bailey of Alexis Creek (°C Division) took top place in this years Fraser Trophy match shot on June 28th at the Royal Oak range near Victoria. Lined up for the event were Sergt. J. A. Young, holder of the trophy — since 1939; Corpl. Jack Henry of Dun- can, Chief Radio Operator W. F. Conlan of Head- quarters, Const. W. G. Bailey of Alexis Creek and Const. H. J. Pars- ley of Duncan. Fred Denyer of the New Westmin- ster Motor Licence office acted as re- Const. Walter G. Bailey feree and Inspector Clark of Head- quarters handled the scoring. In the slow fire stage, Sergt. Young dropped a point with a 99, and Bailey dropped four with a 96. Parsley followed with a 92 and Henry and Conlan had to content themselves with 89 each. In the timed fire stanza Young dropped three for 97, and Bailey dropped seven with a 93. So far the genial sergeant from the Crim- inal Investigation Branch was closely fol- lowing the pattern of previous years, having only dropped four points in 200, and Bailey, the runner up, down 11. The rest of the firing line was now in the eighty’s and the competition resolved itself into a strictly two-man affair. The upset came in the rapid fire stage when the man from the Chilcotin held them in for a 93, and Jake Young’s pattern added up to 85. This gave Walter Bailey 282 and the contest by a point. Shot over the Camp Perry course with service weapons, the Fraser Match is the final test of individual markmanship among members of a force noted for a high stan-, dard of prowess with the pistol. We join in congratulating the winner. MOUAT BROS. LIMITED * Dry Goods, Groceries, Flour and Feed General Merchandise Gas and Oil * GANGES, B. C. A. BITTANCOURT SHELL SERVICE STATION Dealer in ALL SHELL PRODUCTS Tobacco and Confectionery Ganges Harbour, B. C. SALT SPRING LANDS, Ltd. Real Estate, Financial and Insurance Agents * GANGES, B. C. Salt Spring Island Trading Co. Ltd. Dealers in i GROCERIES, MEATS AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE Ganges, British Columbia Sasol: J. CHANTELU, Proprietor WOOD DEALERS And General Hauling Phone 10-Q Ganges, B.C. THE SHOULDER STRAP