Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1942 - Part 4

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
  • Prisoner of War
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.139
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

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KEY 1842 20 Anoth. taef t Langi &fomation back fror Simato By Braws sa natuer Poske dead be ead natficed, maaea akse agad H2 aw inaughty bey clear away soubt of te well make it fua Lad a great peast oy half too i Heally bad fawrs mon rient wrgte accused mepapolatis 11 from a snssell of Bondons Evide tale proves claim lases as teigy mst ineconned th creversion & th sairs Have arayesa sersuging tauch to Pewcess Actid bstake at Eash seopes y a refri lax shove Myno Have th Japs blesing to stage a concert and a boring tunsnert Have guitea few starters for bast evets S m Harted righ wast 3 eay by day 2 by night working und flood light Beysish it gesd lols calle & shorke hours. ate out t a nigh you with sharahi bad aid not see the astan masked leact is with othe tuck hebdy beal bud alf Lanescraft with fever caused a greasdial of mirth wadingersend canf in uss walkes great cool have a deces blest in lead & a stift tncl
AUCUST, 1OA+ turred on a 10r at night great Had toe ton his ag oour sot oue sow bon the canleer to provide 27 Bosles of Ligs Bll ssay day again as sake afew all thnos sllectg as havea coas avarged for Sniday Toye to gita ag Lnanagis mon Place alive with recses Talk by the cherise & great lving on 25 this mont Talk & all why parties goig tack to dange may be night to the sous ane all nearing complctin Iao have oders to move WO 1A Had a heaut cncent Invited both Pammne camps dsin who reted it a great success soyngt asane a comtined shew soing well with trucks. one to kingapone ore for wood. Ousen asked istate secutied by Japs s00d be Lonce geled g a couplet Arcs gusitsuisterday buisity ingaged fatl down a cond beside the heuse, chuch serice at reght tillwed by gane2 cents 10 fth wa Bening every neght row saught the hays a reead bas act 7 gauss from the Gordon foe fin asleas.
o Trep tor parapttes t toee mills short y BNT1A KECHIL. bluise gave i a couple o lend entra said 2 cat fet s00 Practically no ewilia activie sea storis 284a is occuate have had eaa with dinganever is few days so far and shell saw a senp y eve the n0 mack a nosen complant hot and cola sells, aches fon leadbe as a complete less of appetite eiing to snot have had t maeig ds to another senseprevioun -MoN occupied by soms as suet lasd saavel out the dik before we could shark cleaving up and BIeL-legadsude ll colours ite raide and all with healthy affitites Jobz 100 gallens & discptd tat Sdatidr cut haw we can sette down in mnex Hewe still got me too grogge to write seneibly ia Hadanelafse with this fine and lave oninathig upt
MCT N TM the 20th very lietle to eat and have lese well sae a shoein weight it i cn Have keen getting a bit of nrews that of Harce is qutte cleeiig. We are afantly dong well 20 monot in the solonons. Have word that all camps are being moved to the recinty of adain Paid and that those who cas fitem the go sastt charge Tettirg sembly depressed mils be feve Lang-suer Havig bad AUCIST ISHE wsfells of home sicksess whidh is a poor show for a camp cond awedgivg lit for a but yaction wommovengt 1o7 Canp area Tey 2o boash refig Late cold wate, aeptie Pysom and eleck shove 6:790 back to change Hill have t backwas of fever Boxing Busioat last night since conce by condered campe. some talk of 401 imoving Big move under way No7 camp gone and au show will soon be all in house. still freety staty from this fever
AUCUST 1OHY Bigmislins day bys seringn houses Saker sibt 50 dowes staegd now 642 w wen ane near getting a bit o news cately saas ad nth pachic Listy of Daws new Lime should be a wear relief &th picks 2 Dens is change saw bal Callaghas Plar being fshdtepfoa as accasin wawats. I will pebably get A Br. B9 thuks my rea for 550 has been charges tan nc and tut chances o gettigit an good agaed rnveries let your save moor To, n Dtered ensund caut bal oakses, mg Parry& bough sue for a visit offorts that all camps go vast cange Cmpchs from SApica the Had a day secying in singafore. Galas Getig seans cannor and an more dtates which are a stafle VTA jood po us nr af Search last night. Llost one we have had that a farce Lasking for the proceeds of sale of sholew fetal Fled fanay Adains ow more dougs. Japs say we have been punished fol six months now we are going to be a lst bede treaded officers to Beceive Poos mont aas pod olother
ocominr 1t trm General Land. ewe tanew rame Bo meshe wade and cout & Leaas show went of qk sidedly wi scit to charge reluved som sick but messed out on cmpands fon sa see I spake of a lot of teuble with Sap. re t dai sou mnecutios yesteday freattempted excap camed out by sikes ever the office taking a che 20000 teap concentated an sordon's benacks for repusal to our a didal. that they would make to ehort to escape ocrminra 14 omr sent truch to change fer Comports to hilk as all ps mae atreat guaro suoe shed dan t 401 canp To sungatir again purchasig son pill of prasp t eailors on leave Prepairy now recoras for Japs 50a Auet day churce service at night slave made te a rkenday paade. Had a gef ls 2cals Mr sn& chaugi hat the compots. 1st Jan 2 tho meal the seuprnia meatcated netamen A.C sweets charge eatin m inforved
SEPTEMBER, 194 Tousual canp rentine Inspectis conferences with Jass Pay records ste Dalk & discourning bonus we rewon Beace day Bonis cut out 50248 came to re to organise a gap Aust Baalball matth opening sting &11t to Dcoro watneo ceremong at shren tonena carp bourds to go be struet, inout Dactdl nemoral and place wreath Japo Laving own cermon for the strine. after snew aps puttig on wesing wilea have boring thranct SEPTEMBER, 19H✓ mtilig cermon went to fean, Soe TAMURA popssed the unverlig and 15 as nesecnegs placed wreath NY can aid nel with the tor b off7 a compred lean were taashed by the Japat vaseball 1t0 e paye & and wan o/4 Creel pacte tat all camp sined diclaatio wa by Volunbary Clurch service at nire Ceage Docai is a worldpae Lodepfeet sugafer again the place is tarning with Jass Sct Jess a compact I have wanted evee since we have bee hee al sakes, Rent sabin alle for mess
Or I wrom save been wand tot we are glu 150 mere wer pan o car w shood satentionfe theft of Bisulamp on split 3 beys gruped nsraten party in de aiwalhers move to old sove lines- oldsc to be cccfied by cay i M KAGEYANA t sew and wly called and tes me his palsey sighting pinissed foredat ef e living cocution nt camp sponk souing besiball feeth all itc I am being given a car sick for my own use new hat be beood asur 150 mere sust pasmal mess, SEPTEMBER, 1OH? to Holiday for all ranks Have started to erganise boring balbau crupit ps will anye te yot me to Augae Grewey d yeast also las three lovey cld yeers saw an last vasee pesition. lanispection sending & Laddard back to change- so good Church sexance aftemess engafir warwas i mn lgapore it is, but down on since but fas better satone with only 455 Caups or suck for neorng
SEPTEMBER, 19H2 what a day two las caught metng truchs sen to change one badly n accuglly may die Isubleou sent by u n gave sex a 27 wron tis miltng gacket &o Carge again with nonl sed senence He setlessown nightly to again 7 fortcon ave be given cait sruck and ambard Can go out without Jafanes guard af fee at be laas working Laid levelling st. 1AW0 taking me to augafer to get spot natural SEPTEMBER, 1947£ S Me Paid 1431s camp a reait. arranged a snight besing touman betweencamp 146E AMA ffered a tsphy cand Irf out to get Having a soe squasting fetcerathet. Biskex) singafire sut Getting in witl sterts fyld Have a wuch sreavyinelle & fa Curck Caras a night w hror practically all night tackig ptee borons ask Blee talke out gattensed excape

JULY, 1941 2

T 21 MONDAY Lt. Col Gallagan

taking over G.O.C.  A.I.F.

which is a dam good

move for wkg parties

My D.S.O. only temp suspend.

W 22 TUESDAY Went out of road

job which is coming on

nicely and rode home in

style with Capt ODA in 

a Jap Staff car

T 23 WEDNESDAY Invited to Jap

HQ for a throw of

Baseball with Okomoto

then given a listen to the

wireless. Missed the

news. Finished up with

a baby grand piano

for a tin of fish & a 

tin of milk. John Eales

& self dining with Col.

Bretherton Sunday night

JULY, 1941 2

F 24 THURSDAY Established a 

canteen with a chinese lad

in charge. Previously employed

at Fort Canning and can tell

some very interesting tales.

S 25 FRIDAY   Spent all the

morning signing for pay at

Regt HQ at Race-course

a quiet game of poker at

night.  Selling surplus rations

S 26 SATURDAY  Purchasing trip to 

Singapore. John and I invited to

NO 6 Camp Mess.  Col Bretherton

Malay Regt. Turned on a 

good meal and three half

bottles of Tiger Beer.

M  27 SUNDAY 

An Arty lad from No 5

returned my writing wallet

Jess gave me - Less all the

contents bar Lynnes photo

 

JULY, 1941 2

T  28  MONDAY  Another trip to

Changi. Information back

from Sumatra.  Roy Brows

safe. Matron Peske dead.

One lad, Hatfield, made a 

break for it so far so good.

W  29 TUESDAY  Our naughty boy

clean away. Doubt if he

will make it. Just had

a great feast of half bad

fish & totally bad prawns.

T  30 WEDNESDAY 

Lieut Livingstone accused

of misappropriating $10 from

Lieut Russell of Gordons.

Evidence taken proves

claim. Looks as though I

must recommend his

reversion to the ranks.

Have arranged a scrounging

truck to Princess Astrid

Estate at last. Hopes

of a refrig & Elect stove!

JULY-AUGUST, 1941 42

F 31 THURSDAY   Have the Japs

blessing to stage a concert

and a boxing tournament.

Have quite a few starters

for both events.

S 1 FRIDAY  Started night work.

3 Coys by day 2 by night.

Working under flood lights.

Boys vote it good.  Lots

cooler & shorter hours.

S 2 SATURDAY  Started out to see

night job with Okazaki

but did not see the distance

Smashed head-on with another

Jap truck. Nobody badly hurt.

M  3 SUNDAY  Alf Lamercroft with

fever. Caused a great deal of 

mirth walking around camp

in Russ Walkers great-coat.

Have a decent bump on head

& a stiff knee.

 

AUGUST, 1941 2

T  4  MONDAY  Turned on a

great party at night.

Had Col Bretherton & his

Adj. down. Got our chow

from the canteen to provide

27 Bottles of Tiger Beer!

W  5 TUESDAY 

Pay day again.  As

usual spent all the morn

collecting it.  Have a concert

arranged for Friday. Trying to

get a Boxing Team arranged.

T  6  WEDNESDAY

Place alive with

rumours. Talk by the

Chinese of great doings

on 25th this month. Talk

of all wkg parties going

back to Changi. May be

right too. The Jobs are

all nearing completion.

Japs have orders to move.

AUGUST, 1941 2

F  7  THURSDAY  Had a beaut

concert. Invited both Pommy

camps down who voted it

a great success. Trying to

arrange a combined show.

8 S FRIDAY  Doing well with

trucks. One to Singapore

one for wood. Queen Astrid

Estate occupied by Japs. Good

buy chance of elect gear.

9 S  SATURDAY

baught a couple of Circlos

quoits yesterday.  busily engaged

putting down a court beside

the house. Church service

at night followed by game of

10 M  SUNDAY poker. Won 8 cents!

Boxing every night now.

Baught the boys a second-hand

set of gloves from the Gordons

for five dollars.

 

AUGUST, 1941 2

11 T MONDAY  Trip for pineapples

to three miles short of PONTIAN

KECHIL.  Chinese gave us a couple

of hundred extra. Paid 2 cents for

800. Practically no civilian

activity. Heard stories of Japanese

W  12 TUESDAY occupation.

Have been laid up

with dengue fever

for few days so far

and still have

T  13 WEDNESDAY a temp

of over the 100 mark

A rotten complaint hot

and cold spells, aches

from head to toe and a 

complete loss of appetite.

During this period have

had to move my HQ

to another house previously
AUGUST, 1941 2

F  14 THURSDAY occupied by Poms.

As usual had to

shovel out the dirt before

we could start cleaning up.

and BUGS - large and small

S  15 FRIDAY  all colours of the

rainbow and all with

healthy appetites.

Took 100 gallons of

disinfectant to get the

S  16  SATURDAY  foundation dirt

out. Now we can settle

down in ernest.

Fever still got me too groggy

to write sensibly.

M  17  SUNDAY

Had a relapse with

this fever and have

done nothing up to

 

AUGUST, 1941 2

T  18  MONDAY

the 20th. Very little to

eat and have lost well

over a stone in weight.

W  19  TUESDAY

Have been getting a bit

of news that, if true

is quite cheering.  We are

apparently doing well

T  20 WEDNESDAY

in the Solomons.  Have

word that all camps

are being moved to the

vicinity of Adam Park

and that those who can't

fit in there go back to

Changi. Feeling terribly

depressed. Must be fever

hang-over. Having bad

AUGUST, 1941 2

21 F   THURSDAY  Spells of home -

Sickness which is a poor

show for a Camp Comd.

Would give a lot for a

bit of action.

22 S FRIDAY  Moving to No 7 Camp

area. Their HQ boasts refrig,

Hot & Cold water, septic system

and elect. stove. 6 & 7 go back

to Changi. Still have the

23 S SATURDAY backwash of fever.

Boxing tournament last night.

Final concert by combined

camps. Some talk of No 1

moving.

24 M  SUNDAY Big move under way

No 7 Camp gone and our show

will soon be all in houses.

Still pretty shaky from this

fever

 

AUGUST, 1941 2

T  25 MONDAY Big Moving

day. Boys settling in

houses. Taken over 50 

drivers. Strength now

640.

W  26 TUESDAY

Have been getting a bit

of news lately, sounds good

in the Pacific. Lists of POWS

now home. Should be a

great relief to the folks.

T  27  WEDNESDAY 

Went to Changi saw Col

Gallaghan. Plans being

formed to reform force

as occasion warrants.

I will probably get

a Bn. B.J. thinks my

rece for DSO has been

changed to an MC and that

chances of getting it are good

a good souvenier for opening Dave.

AUGUST, 1941 2
F  28  THURSDAY  Pottered around camp.

Col Oakes, Maj. Patny & Gough

over for a visit. Reports

that all camps go back to

Changi. Comforts from S Africa?

29 S FRIDAY Had a day buying

in Singapore. Goods getting

scarce. Cannot buy any

more dates which are

a staple VITA food for us

30  S SATURDAY Jap search last

night. First one we have had.

What a farce. Looking for the

proceeds of sale of stolen

petrol. Found Fanny Adams.

31  M  SUNDAY  More doings. Japs

say we have been punished

for six months now we are

going to be a lot better

treated. Officers to Receive

$100 for month less food & clothing.

 

SEPTEMBER, 1941 2

1  T  MONDAY  General hand

over to new admin. Bn

muster parade and count

of heads. Show went off

quite smoothly.

W  2  TUESDAY   Trip to Changi

Delivered some sick but

missed out on compounds

from S.A. Col G. spoke of

a lot of trouble with Japs.

T  3  WEDNESDAY   Pardre to Changi.

Four executions yesterday

for attempted escape. Carried

out by Sihks, even the

officer taking a shot.

20,000 troop concentrated

 in Gordons barracks for

refusal to sign a declar.

that they would make

no effort to escape.

SEPTEMBER, 1941 2

F  4  THURSDAY   Sent truck to

Changi for Comforts. No

luck as all tps under

strict guard in square.

Ducked down to No 1 Camp

S  5  FRIDAY  To Singapore again.

purchasing. Town full

of troops & sailors on

leave. Preparing new

records for Japs.

S  6  SATURDAY 

Quiet day. Church service

at night. Have made them

a voluntary parade. Had a

game of pontoon lost 21 cents!

M  7  SUNDAY To Changi. Got the

comforts. 1 lb Jam 2 lbs meal

¼ Soupmix & medicated

vitamin A & C sweets. Changi

position much improved.

 

SEPTEMBER,  1941 2

T  8  MONDAY   Usual camp

routines - Inspections

conferences with Japs

Pay records etc. Talk of

discontinuing bonus

W  9  TUESDAY  -Black day-

Bonus cut out. SUZAWA

came to HQ to organise

a Jap-Aust Baseball

match.  Opening shrine on 11th

T 10   WEDNESDAY  Warned of 

ceremony at shrine tomorrow.

Camp Comds to go by

truck, unveil British

memorial and place

wreath. Japs having own

ceremony for their shrine.

After show Japs putting on 

wrestling while AIF

have boxing tournament 
SEPTEMBER,  1941 2

11 F THURSDAY  Unveiling ceremony

went to plan. Col TAMURA

performed the unveiling and

Lt. Col McKECKRAN placed wreath.

No 4 Camp did well with the

boxing

12 S FRIDAY  No 3  camp, refusing our 

offer of a combined team were

thrashed by the Japs at

baseball 11-0. We played No 3

and won 8/4. Cricket practice 
later.

13 S SATURDAY   All Camp signed

the declaration forms by order.

Voluntary Church Service

at night. George Polain is a 

wonderful Padre - perfect.

14 M  SUNDAY  Singapore again - the

place is teeming with Japs. Got

Jess a compact I have wanted

ever since we have been here.

Col Oakes, Bert Sapin & Olley

over for Mess.

 

SEPTEMBER,  1941 2

15 T MONDAY  Have been

warned that we are getting

150 more men from No 3 Camp

100 men stood to attention for

theft of Blow-lamp!

16  W TUESDAY  Split 3 Coy &

grouped M/T & ration party

under Russ Walker & moved

to old AAOC lines - old 3 Coy

to be occupied by new Coy.

17  T   WEDNESDAY KAGEYAMA

the new Comd No 2 Coy called

and told me his policy.

Fighting finished - friendship.

No trouble from POWS. -

better living conditions inter-camp 
sport.  Boxing, baseball

football etc. I am being

given a camp truck for

my own use. Now No 6 Coy

bedded down, 150 more!

[*First formal Mess.*]
SEPTEMBER,  1941 2

18  F  THURSDAY   Holiday for

all ranks. Have started

to organise boxing,

baseball & cricket. Japs

will assist the effort.

19 S FRIDAY   Trip to Singapore

Brewery for yeast. Also

had three lovely cold

beers. Saw our last

battle position.

20  S  SATURDAY  Camp inspection.

Sending Lt Goddard back to

Changi - no good. Church

Service after Mess.

Singapore tomorrow

21 M SUNDAY  Singapore it is, but

down on time but far better

so home with only 4 & 5 Camps

on truck for morning.

 

SEPTEMBER, 1941 2

22  T  MONDAY  What a day. two

lads caught milking trucks.

Sent to Changi, one badly

hurt accidentally may die.

Trouble over tents on my return

Bn pde. Have settled

W 23 TUESDAY  this milking racket

To Changi again with

normal sick personnel

HQ settles down nightly

to a game of pontoon.

24 T  WEDNESDAY  Have been

given camp truck and

armband. Can go out

with our Japanese guard.

A sports field allotted

the lads working hard

levelling it. MANDI

taking me to Singapore

to get sports material

SEPTEMBER, 1941 2
25  F   THURSDAY   Paid Nos 3 & 5

Camp a visit. Arranged

a 3 - night boxing tournament 

between camps KAGEAMA

offered a trophy. (Coy Comd)

26  S FRIDAY  Trip out to job,

Having a job squashing

petrol racket.

Bishop of Singapore out

27 S  SATURDAY  Getting on with

sports field. Have a

truck & heavy roller on

job. Church Parade

at night.

28 M SUNDAY  Practically all

night tracking petrol

barons.  CSM Blee talked

out of attempted escape

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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