Cassie DePeckel
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Chief nurse Laura Cobb shuffles along the grounds of Los Banos.
Her knees ache, but she's enjoying a rare afternoon off work.
By her side, holding her hand, walks her boyfriend in the camp, a 66-year-old New Zealand Navy captain named Hugh Williams.
Cobb knows that the other nurses gossip and giggle about her and Williams.
While Cobb doesn't exactly like the attention, she's willing to tolerate it.
It's a harmless distraction in a place where harmless distractions can be vital for morale.
And she's certainly not giving up Seen Williams.
It's August 1944, and Williams was recently transferred to Los Banos.
He's broad-shouldered and handsome, and she loves watching him play with the children here.
Williams pretends he was once a pirate on the high seas.
He always has the kids roaring with laughter.
It's a rare bright spot in Cobb's life.
Because frankly, times at Los Banos are getting harder.
Prisoners continue to arrive.
The camp population is around 2,000 now.
The nurses and Dr. Nance can barely keep up.
To make matters worse, a new commandant is taking over this week.
He's already sent word ahead that their rice and sweet potato rations will be cut by several hundred calories per day.
The very thought leaves Cobb fuming on her walk.
Who could be so cruel?