The Tomato Garden

Heroes Remember

The Tomato Garden

Transcript

It wasn't too bad for the first few months. We would have meat at least once or twice a week as I remember. Well once a week anyway, of course the main thing was rice. Interviewer: Were there any means available to supplement the diet? Yes, we had a camp garden and as I remember now Lieutenant Mayes of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, I think he was in charge of it and they grew tomatoes, I think that was the product mostly was tomatoes and, of course the soil was practically sand and gravel but we used the human fertilizer, you know, the Chinese called it night soil.

Description

Dr. Cunningham discusses the prison camp diet in general, and then describes the prisoners' tomato garden.

Dr. Winston Ross Cunningham

Dr. Winston Cunningham was born in Elgin, Manitoba on January 4, 1911. He was the third of five children. His father was a storekeeper and moved the family to a permanent home in Souris, Manitoba. Mr. Cunningham decided to pursue a career in dentistry, studying in Toronto. After graduating in 1934, he returned to his home in Souris to take over a vacant dental practice. In 1939, he volunteered for military service, assuming the rank of Captain. Doctor Cunningham was sent to the Hong Kong garrison, which quickly fell to the Japanese. He spent almost four years in Sham Shui Po POW camp, where he provided dental care to the internees. After the war, Doctor Cunningham remained in the military, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1963.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Recorded:: July 16, 1998
Duration:: 1:37
Person Interviewed:: Dr. Winston Ross Cunningham
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: Hong Kong
Battle/Campaign:: Hong Kong
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: Royal Rifles of Canada
Rank:: Captain
Occupation:: Doctor

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Dr. Cunningham describes the steady advance of the Japanese which eventually resulted in his field hospital retreating to Bowen Road Hospital.

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Dr. Cunningham describes using a hidden radio and smuggled Chinese newspapers to keep informed about the war's progress.

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Dr. Cunningham discusses hearing that the war had ended as a result of the H-bombings in Japan, and describes his elation at the time.

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Dr. Cunningham acknowledges that as an officer he had a much easier time in captivity than did the combat soldiers.

Date modified:: 2019-06-20