Fall of Singapore - papers of Sergeant Jack Warren Corey part 2

Jan 19^th
Left Yong Peng for Coronation Park (Kluang) hence

to 24 mile post on North Road.  Quiet time here

Jan 23^rd
Shifted to 1½ mile post Kluang - J.B.Road.

Always shifting rearwards. Saw plenty of bombing

formations (not ours) from here. Situation worsening
fast.

Jan 28^th
Took W Shop Section across to Singapore Island

and made camp at 12 mile post on Choa Phu Kang Rd.

Mr Evans here as advance H.Qs. 

Jan 28^th to Feb 7^th
During this period we returned impressed
vehicles to V.R.P. and drew our own issue

Chevrolet's. As transport was plentifull steps 

were taken to form infantry platoons of 

surplus drivers and leave all transporting to

a few only necessary.

Feb 7^th Feb.

Things starting to move again. Part of Sub 1k under 

Lt. Stewart moved to 9 mile past Jerong Road 

to form No3 ASC. WS moved round evening of 

7^th followed later by most of section.

Feb 8^th Feb.

Shelled for 6 hrs. Many vehicles hit. OC' vehicle 

a write off. Driver fortunately left vehicle a few 

seconds before hit. First experience of being under

shell fire (not so good). Observation flanks 

unopposed from now on. Our Air Force was "out".

Air dromes untenable.

Feb 9^th Feb.

Late evening - general scarpe from position.

Roads crammed with traffic & wandering soldiers.

Fortunately roads not cut. I wonder even now 

if Jap purposely left undamaged roads to facilitate

his own movements. Bivouaced in park 

off Thapson Adam Road for night. (Lornie Rd)

Feb 10^th

Moved to Scotts Road. I now began to wonder just

what was to happen. Had visions of evacuation

any moment. Slept in this road overnight. Next 

morning had shower in remains of house opposite

track. May as well try & be normal. Traffic

going all directions.

Feb. 11^th

Shifted to Geyland Road. {Jalan Street 25} & 20.

Feb, 13^th

Shifted to Katong Park V.R.P.  Air Force men

packing goods & chattels for embarkation. Practically

left as walk out. Lucky blighters if they got safely 

to their destination. We took advantage of

the food they left.

Feb 14^th
Destroyed vehicles & moved to Pierce Rd. via

Tanglin barracks here to be drafted to infantry 

battalions in perimeter. At night moved

into position along Farrer Road only to move out

again within an hr or so to Btn. H.Qrs at the 

corner of Farrer & Holland Rds. Slept here remainder

of night.

Feb. 15^th Sunday

Moved into position as reserve company for "D" Company 

2/30 Btn. (early in morning) off Farrer Rd.

Capitulation after 1 day in lines.

MY back very bad at this stage. Injured it 

at C.C.K. road and moving about at night etc

over drains & creeks caused more trouble. In agony

all day.

Feb. 16^th

Moved to Tanglin Barracks handed in

rifles & ammunition etc. and prepared for

 

the unknown. Told we might be billeted here

for 10 days or until a suitable area found for housing

prisoners.

Tues. Feb. 17^th

1500hrs Marched out of Tanglin en route for Changi. 

Strange feeling marching through streets crowded 

with a silent people & Red dot flags and not the "Hullo Joes" of afar.

Very tired after 17 mile march. Arrived at Changi 

about 1 o clock the morning of 18th.

Feb 18^th

Selarang Barracks once the home of the Army 

and now the home of the prisoners (same army

on principle). Allotted buildings at this early 

hour but most slept on the ground too tired 

to worry about where & how.

Feb. 18^th to about 22nd March 10^th

Troops reviewed 3 times by Japanese.

Occupied 4 different houses during this 

period. Troops have job of erecting double

 

apron fence round AIF areas. Our diversions 

were coconut gathering parties, timber parties, salt

water & purchasing & ration parties.

Schools & lectures started. I learned elementary

book keeping (Lt Evans) and attended agricultural 

lectures mainly on mixed farming lines. All

occupied the mind.    (Reviews)

About the last week in March a party under Lt Potter went
into Singapore (strength about 50) on a road job.
About end of April 26 under Stann Milles also sent in on job.

 

May 12^th

Overseas party moved out 3000 strong.

Sub PK supplied approx 26 Lt Stewart on this party.

 

May 16^th

Moved to new Quarters in area.

 

Tuesday  May 25^th Monday

The remainder of sub PK (less unfits) about 80 

left Changi in a party of 300 for a 2 months 

job in Singapore. Transported to corner of
 

Serangan & McPherson Rds and established camp

in Evacuation huts. Not so good but when cleaned

up turned out quite ok. We are quite accustomed

to making home anywhere.

May 26^th

Japanese soon on job. About 250 of party taken 

to Fd Works at Bukitt Timah and set to work.

30 of us sent to wrecking park on Cho Chu Kang Rd.

here to carry & sort wrecked motor vehicle parts.

Sunday May 31^st

Finished this area and started new area alongside 

(Railway Bridge at Hume Works) on same (carry carry job)

Hard work this carrying engines & chassis etc.

First fortnight worked without day off. Everyone 

thoroughly sick of job & tired out.

Tuesday June 9^th

Day off & pay day. Rates PTES' 10^c, NCO' 15^c, Officer 25^c

Highly paid like hell but it enabled us 

to make a few purchases. 1 cent has a high