Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1942 - Part 5

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

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 19H2 2 What a great gave pontson is. Have won enough for 20990 daily lately Boxing imation comp so Blee escaped after all Have had a stell & day with Japsara result meal sugas, ge& alis fas from sauth aforca 742 roud to a purthe grittingie the graafer Officers pay establish B7Lmt 60 fs sap Bos on banked by Japs 15 for Bigh pindh Baldace $15 OCTOBER, 1942 Holiday. Fut or a sports day with soccer matches and a game of taseball tran Jiss hirdday sigapeie for yast sorts egu possscould with pay aid a sigonat I have had for 2 months as a celetation om ni birday gift stacks & cnforts arrived milk, self, neal, agastes lime pice asoa, breakdpoed haved regitatles MCY Sne fit a me a party sistof out dnner saphised 3 then confirned 17. I prnished up as a godfather Boned no t comp. Won 3-2
ro ap until san will Jaf Slitz Ligh men caugh seeving from So9 Cusstae Eed bade in sold tguble for the camp nano sue wi therea we neve back to change tenon fee back spt provided sgea te by move completed andcrowd beaded down in Ed 730 bl: Bynnew 1426 and reggucd a Bn basis. Ho. 20coy A82.D. Ccayall 18Bo and D mosty unfit seee faid t alsow for more tokks retusning OCTOBER, 19472 moved from blg to old oBde plock daw spent whel sa conferences datt Bae B3 of Kafe Bx cond w Hag time to play a enicket match with offor &3 Ind Corps ofps was easiry meanwhile siow becoming more organised and settled. yener sorming ton offer wey on els adap sut with liges for supplies not Regrewkow & Bill metton so fam 144 where thy had a badtin watneet that all fit Cas myself and Bo staff to mere to Rivervally a cans Previsus occupant gone to Japan
ocroo 194 a day of preparation for the genewd movig sut slayed mied Bu Cricket wer 14580 pech Cake & John Cales bask in paid ivery axpressed saw most of the oldarowd move out te saseen dan to crearganise the ao ands on th cays all pill 7eros is gve been given a decen pt woitng the Bn listory so I will have lite spave time from now Had ma sraples oue for a yam Bad ap his By Ag about 20 survivon being encckes abset at Rass Tia area ocrocee 14 n with 2egs departure lave Lergie, Russ Robbie as rie & 2esy conds with Gilsen aand 10m Cay Lad very good at present due to an rom kopp d more maved t offes offr ness to main Blg. calis cemport and purchases from banten give us a fair standard wm son magarn over from oon Depot with a cauple of coobers. Have legd some amaging, rales If Java Sumall shumor smost of marning at Bde conference. Have faund a fellow ahess playes in cast sitson lake 18 Bo
or to Playd a seratch cricke mateh at a repet ma stales braught in waite we wil pand regedian save us a musice na deat asting 7 hote. A great As& Cancr at negak Mostle forfesseals with tn mengui semal imposeaher imor Wamed 7c his Java party maving in Japo appar to be moving all taops from the sslaids. Sind Sinata & Java. Have heard that calongal ip well stay on Island and all Bathst go north OCTOBER, 19HE 2 Grepaing Area to sas who will be Javanese who ao not have every clear Lanits we sad visited ta statles quet day, at neget next t active by 4 Cad Hammil & use Saustor leas a let t savy activites upto end of Stt Gerth sunk 3orrom Glayed 1 Bde snd cricket. Got thee all out fot 47 13 then rain wasted slit play curch service in i with so Polain H Ion pios crecel matchenct sewves formed still theae of the sexplayen left
OIOREAMMM n Cal Gullagn an to mersataght sold me a peosibility of us all leaving it weardver ac s0s Baitsgnd Baidet o wen guatlas party detailed to suggeor: souus oul ag mess lest so bayg goes aucong acquaintance Fell serribly can on more hauble Russ has repared with his ream to fou seg Swart Have keen wend that We are giting enat batch &f Dutth trosps ifrom Javarsinatios Adververy aee accoundatid a calling gea for the OCTOBER-NOUEMBER, 1944" 30 The Atot have arowed 350 mostly wlihe teuge a very wsidcrewd 3aut Corp wared to g narth o Dednescay sdays hai SA have made Forgy de sid de is having tt time of her life slinning the attw Heart frow Reg Alvak ty ae not be badly sroathe 240 Dte a coupte y beis ofics Coa Vic) on orr sone sealgoes English Playsdt 28 Bde arhch sen 1406-1 get a nicebay of wiekets oruns. pent mest &y day beading rocon Detttner and eigging i anouge geaking uterales.
OCTOBER, 19AL2 Col Gullagan au to measat aght sold me a persibility of us all leaving t weardver a sos Baitsand sa cet oon purthe part detaile to suggeose, sosus oul and aess lost so bayg goes aulong acquainta i fell secribly ean on more touble Russ has repated with his heand to jam sleg swart Have keen woud that We are giding anth batth & Dutth troops i from Jasarsinata Adververy bele accoundat a callig geal for the OCTOBER NOVEMBER, 1944" The Ketoh have assived 350 mostly whih tain a very naed crews san Cor wared to gnah ox dedrescay sdays hai Sa have made Fergy de suld de is havy t time of her life ranning the shew. Heart from Reg war t ae yet be badly o rrn an the 240 leter a caupte & beis &feas (0EA Vic Conoen Toue saligoes English Playsd 25 Bde opch wen 106-16 got a nicebay of wickets rouns pent mest & day beading dowon Deltor and aigging is enoue cashing uterales
NOVEMBER, 1942 Played Se cricke agaixlos mate wady sin with the lelf7 Bo Bapred th Aush sest wdes beepe gas lave orderd a beast out Have Lepes thy witreed it. Censerve at bos 3 and cop sut away saw my oer sas o scorunged some deend fimitior & heas from t seg occupied by n Code & sel hes me going thre awards of accorations fot swth actie all olease save wesod that I am down for anarc NOVEMBER, 19172 Bed Caces comforts fes about smiled bo rie au again Lottee wornced about t food situation tnet bol Deasi wt was and for a a sactie sone eas trugh the shaw &with K Ruabs Snon aniste Snday a mest impressive cerchsay on th As Teemetery solllwed by a clinc service alagge auded by Gio Plain snt spent the best past of the stay at th dental cente giving a felling and a reduetler
NOVEMBER, 194E 10 Liman 607 Oob NYNoR is a & pernaned andy off witht authh lasagant accent can lew an own in anyy company He and De trn Dix Fose Law into sause cussian banke tat of you can ovevenge 2 pasts& cas is a good thee pny of you have any time & pers Tmengen resust agreat Actun by thee Mavor o 18 Bn or gonghafficin dingafter He was with the Thevasive branch and talked for two Lews on warding ships beautiful warn, of reim dens and cabants Has lad many yeas of this life NOVEMBER, 194L sspent th afterncon watehing fiual o AD7 Crectt ae competition. I have been peaked with acg to rlay the Outch or Sunday afte a busy day went a a34 concert with John Calls. They was they put it eve is a creail to t cncer farty sisn afinal angae daw bace foou seam cncest party puto a seow for pact Smith benfit escatigt nent wicket sane o couse do o2 days beg after as y Leen at Boll on S1 Jshus he ecy soby sbe sant tat see ustal from sanp 4f
or r 1 Played th Java& graup cnicket lad an easy am (19 -7/7) Lt l Kapte to mess Heard fane tall b sefe escepe mone enisket against Duth (32. 7/2 Egs Truse Bouvaly 22 oner for lecture in the muar show te Jass have taken and the Cantee whit is a fave shaw all goods are surclased locally and we bhenes utpe i tHell to the Jass t result is that there is practically so sheel and treclovery high so ev Jop pay is neaty useless NOVEMBER, 194 ✓ to tor A lette faom Dussel All akg lanties are being sencentales at RValley & Plad with Boll pps & Rost yet 37 aens sed of 2 mor Java party &f 146 aussies suce shap pou syne up were mexped &t at Sinastra and tene te nwes Played a yankee seam basefull and beat ten at theis own gaine 16/6 Pessible the higgest nowd hie as had p wheorer Dent eves to ametery for fort penoal sed semaliful died Sunval was well asucledand a big sean asided
NOVEMBER, 1942 i M at B ay fe a teh o the day trying to get a few at for te has who have just arrived. Ite are gng a pe naw dead Tucke getting bad. Had a beaut feed o whitebait and plain wise. Contal & canten he lops not a good 20r jess. Now fave is this extact for Oabsolen by Heward Spoing suce Larnoy isin mefsous ut while thirmusdy resture decay ath greasly close it in, we caunal hear it Think we can make a leas out of hing easy don't you XMAS GIFTSI WHAT better gitt could you give the children ot Chrisones than secure provision for higher edue. Con, for 2 start in lite, or an estate. with a said cash rlue 21 their ami Through Ce AMP you c secure exch or all of chese. The anual depis e bencht great and certain, bocked by the Assets, ₤122000000, of the exestest mutua lite ote in the British Empire. Sead for Booker O301 LITE ASSURANCE a BUSINESS ASSE) and as FAMILY ASSET

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER, 19412
T
29 MONDAY What a great
game pontoon is. Have
won enough for 2 eggs
daily lately. Boxing
elimination for inter camp
W
30 TUESDAY Blee escaped comp after
all. Have had a Hell of a
day with Japs as a result.
Meal Sugar, gee & split peas
in from South Africa.
T
1 WEDNESDAY TAZUMI round
for a further grilling re

the escapee.
Officers pay established

$172 per month

Less 60 for keep

82 banked by Japs

15 for Regt fund

Balance $15

OCTOBER, 19412
F

2 THURSDAY Holiday. Put on
a sports day with soccer
matches and a game of
baseball
S

3 FRIDAY Jess' birthday.

Singapore for yeast & sports equip

no 3 & 5 camps with pay.

Opened a tin of crab I have had

for 2 months as a celebration.

4 S SATRUDAY Nice birthday gift.

Stacks of comforts arrived.

Milk, beef, meal, cigarettes, lime

juice cocoa, breakfast food. Tinned

vegetables M & V. Tinned fruit

Lads gave me a party.

M 5 SUNDAY Bishop out to

dinner. Baptised 3 then

confirmed 17. I finished up

as a godfather! Boxed no

5 camp. Won 3 - 2 . 

 

OCTOBER 19412
T

6 MONDAY Up until 5 am

with Jap Blitz. Eight men 

caught thieving from Fog

Brisbane R/d. Made untold

trouble for the camp
W

7 TUESDAY MANDI over with

the news we move back

to Changi tomorrow per

book. Tpt provided

for sick & gear.
T

8 WEDNESDAY The big move

completed and crowd

bedded down in the 

old 2/30 blg. Bn now 18/26

and reoganised on a 

Bn basis. HQ. HO Coy

A B C D.  C  coy all 18 Bn

and D mostly unfit

scheme fluid to allow

for more toops returning

OCTOBER. 19412
F

9 THURSDAY Moved from blg

15 old 27 Bde block. Have

spent whole day in

conferences both Bde & Bn

Col Kaffe Bde comd.
S

10 FRIDAY Had time to play a

cricket match with Bde Offrs

v 3 Ind Corps. Offrs. Won easily.

meanwhile show becoming more

organised and settled.
S

11 SATURDAY Forming an offrs

mess in an old adap hut

with light food supplies. Met

Reg Newhouse & Bill Melton down

from KL where they had a bad time
M

12 MONDAY Warned that all fit

less myself and Bn staff to

move to River valley Rd camp.

Previous occupants gone to

Japan. 

 

OCTOBER, 19412
T

13 MONDAY A day of preparation

for the gcrowd moving out.

Played mixed Bn cricket Won

145 - 80. Jock Lake v John Eales

back in fold.
W

14 TUESDAY Very depressed saw

most of the old crowd move

out. then settled down to

reorganise the show. Bn HO

and three coys all full of crocks
T

15 WEDNESDAY Have been given

a decent job writing the

Bn history so I will have

little spare time from now

on. Had Maj Staples over

for a yarn. (3 Ind Corps) his

Bn had about 30 survivors

being knocked about at

Bukit Timah area.

0CT0BER 19412
F

16 THURSDAY With Reg's departure

have Fergie, Russ & Robbie as 

2 i/c & 2 Coy Comds with Gibson

comd 18 Bn Coy. Food very good

at present due to QM Norm Lofts
S

17 FRIDAY Moved the Offrs

& Offrs Mess to main Blg.

Rations, comforts and

purchases from Canteen

give us a fair standard.
S

18 SATURDAY Ron Magarry

over from Con Depot with

a couple of cobbers. Have

heard some amazing tales

of Java, Sumatra & Timor.
M

19 SUNDAY Most of morning

at Bde conference. Have

found a fellow chess

player in Capt Gibson

late 18 Bn.

 

OCTOBER 19412
T

20 MONDAY Played a scratch

cricket match at Con Depot.

Maj Staples brought Mr

Waite over with piano - 

accordian. Gave us a musical

treat.
W

21 TUESDAY 

Nothing of note. A great

AIF Concert at night. Mostly

professionals with an intriguing

female impersonator.
T

22 WEDNESDAY 

Warned of a big Java party

moving in. Japs after

to be moving all troops

from the islands. Timor

Sumatra & Java. Have heard

that Colonial tps will

stay on Island and all

British go North.

OCTOBER, 19412
F

23 THURSDAY Preparing area

for 200 who will be

Javanese who do not have

very clean habits we

heard. Visited Maj Staples

24 S FRIDAY Quiet day. At

night went to lecture by Lt

Comd Hammil of U.S.S. "Eauston"

Learnt a lot of navy activities

up to end of Feb. "Perth" sunk"

25 S SATURDAY Played 8 Bde (Ind)

cricket. Got them all out for 47!

(6-13) then rain washed out

play. Church service in

gym with Geo Polain
M

26 SUNDAY 
Lost our first cricket

match since the Bn was 

formed. Still there are few

of the old players left.

 

OCTOBER, 19412
T

27 MONDAY Col Gallaghan over

for mess at night. Told me

a possibility of us all

leaving the island very soon

8000 British gone to Bangkok
W

28 TUESDAY Further party detailed

for Singapore. Tossed out and

Russ lost so bang goes

our long acquaintanceship

Feel terribly low
T

29 WEDNESDAY More trouble.

Russ has departed with his

team to Join Reg Swartz.

Have been warned that

we are getting another

batch of Dutch troops

in from Java & Sumatra.

Have very little accomodation

or cooking gear for them 

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 19412
F

30 THURSDAY The Dutch have

arrived 350 mostly white

though a very mixed crowd.

3 Ind Corps warned to go north

on Wednesday. 5 days train.
S

31 FRIDAY 

Have made Fergie dc

Dutch. He is having the

time of his life running

the show. Heard from Reg Swartz

they are not too badly off
S

1 SATURDAY Another 240 Dutch.

A couple of their Officers (DER VIC)

(DR. DER JONG) speak good English.

Played 28 Bde cricket won 106 - 28

got a nice bag of wickets & runs
M

2 SUNDAY 

Spent most of day bedding

down Dutchmen and

digging up enough

cooking utensils.

 

OCTOBER, 19412
T
27 MONDAY Col Gallaghan over

for mess at night. Told me

a possibility of us all

leaving the island very soon

8000 British gone to Bankok
W

28 TUESDAY Further party detailed
for Singapore. Tossed out and

Russ lost so bang goes

our long acquaintanceship

Feel terribly low
T

29 WEDNESDAY More trouble.

Russ has departed with his 

team to join Reg Swartz.

Have been warned that

we are getting another

batch of Dutch troops

in from Java & Sumatra.

Have very little accommodation

or cooking gear for them

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER, 19412
F

30 THURSDAY The Dutch have

arrived 350 mostly white

though a very mixed crowd.

3 Ind Corps warned to go north

on Wednesday. 5 days train.
S

31 FRIDAY 

Have made Fergie dc

Dutch. He is having the

time of his life running

the show. Heard from Reg Swartz

they are not too badly off
S

1 SATURDAY Another 240 Dutch.

A couple of their officers (DER VIC)

(DR. DER JONG) speak good English

Played 28 Bde cricket won 106 - 28

got a nice bag of wickets & runs.
M

2 SUNDAY 
Spent most of day bedding

down Dutchmen and

digging up enough

cooking utensils.

 

NOVEMBER, 19412
T
3 MONDAY Played Sigs cricket

a good close match won by

Sigs with the help of Ben

Barrett the Aust Test

Wicket keeper.
W

4 TUESDAY Japs have ordered 

a black - out. Have hopes

they will need it.

Conference at bde. 3 Ind

Corps sent away. saw Maj

Staples off.
T

5 WEDNESDAY 

Scrounged some decent

furniture & beds from

the Blg occupied by

111 Corps. the GOC  has

me going thru awards

of decorations for further

action after release Have

confirmed that I am

down for an M.C .

NOVEMBER, 19412
F

6 THURSDAY Red Cross comforts

just about finished on a 

rice diet again. Getting

worried about the food

situation
S

7 FRIDAY Met Col Deakin

who was in Aust for

some time as a [[?]]

expert. Through this show

 with 1st Punjabs.
S

8 SATURDAY  

Armistace. Sunday. A

most impressive ceremony

at the A I F cemetery followed

by a church service at night

conducted by Geo  Polain.
M

9 SUNDAY 

Spent the best part of the 

day at the dental centre

getting a filling and a

"scale & clean".

 

NOVEMBER, 19412
T

10 MONDAY 

LIEUT. BOB NYHOFF is a

permanent Arty Offr with the

Dutch has a yank accent &

can hold his own in

any company. He and Dr
W

11 TUESDAY

DER JONG have introduced

Russian banker that if you

can scrounge 2 packs of cards

is a good time passer - if you

have any time to pass.
T

12 WEDNESDAY 

Listened to a great lecture

by Mike Mavor of 18 Bn on

Drug traffic in Singapore.

He was with the Preventive

branch and talked for two

hours on boarding ships,

beautiful women, opium

dens and cabarets. Has had

many years of this life.

NOVEMBER, 19412
F

13 THURSDAY Spent the afternoon

watching final of AIF Cricket

match competition. I have been

picked with AIF to play the Dutch

on Sunday.
S

14 FRIDAY After a busy day

went to AIF Concert with

John Eales. They way they put

it over is a credit to the concert

party. This one special Anzac show.
SUN

15 SATURDAY Cricket win for our

team. Concert party put on

a show for Jack Smiths benefit

escorting him to & from the

wicket. Brought the house down
M

16 SUNDAY A days loaf after an

[[Of Roon?]] at Bde on Sgt Johnston

& Cpl Rockett of 30 Bn over the

stunt that sent us back 

from camp 4.

 

NOVEMBER, 19412
T
17 MONDAY Played the Java F

group cricket had an

easy win (19 & 7/7) Lt-Col

Kaffe to mess. Heard true

tale of GOC 's escape.
W

18 TUESDAY More cricket

against Dutch (32 . 7/27)

Capt Bruce Bowring 2/29

over for lecture on the

Muar show

T 19 WEDNESDAY  The Japs have

taken over the canteen which

is a poor show. All goods

are purchased locally and

the Chinese put the prices

up to Hell to the Japs the

result is that there is

practically no stock and

prices very high so our Jap

pay is nearly useless.

NOVEMER, 19412
F

20  THURSDAY A letter from Russel

All wkg parties are being

concentrated at R Valley Rd.

Played with Bde offrs & Rest

S got 37 runs (opened up)

21 FRIDAY A Java party of

146 Aussies Incl chaps from

Syria who were dropped

off at Sumatra and there

taken prisoners.
S

22 SATURDAY Played a Yankee

team baseball and beat

them at their own game 16/6

Possibly the biggest crowd

this camp has had.
M

23 SUNDAY 

Went over to cemetery for first

funeral. Ted Sommerfield

died. Funeral was well

attended and a big team

attended.

 

NOVEMBER, 19412
T

24 MONDAY At Bde for a lot

of the day trying to get a

few hats for the lads who

have just arrived. They are

getting W a pretty raw deal

25 TUESDAY

Tucker getting bad. Had a

beaut feed of whitebait

and plain rice. Control of

canteen by Japs not as good
T

26 WEDNESDAY Jess - How true

is this extract from "O Absolem"

by Howard Spring.

"Such harmony is in immortal Souls

But while this muddy vesture of 
decay

Doth grossly close it in, we

cannot hear it"

Think we can make a liar

out of him easy dont you

 



 

 



 

 
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