Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1943 - Part 6

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
  • Prisoner of War
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.140
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

WUTEM The is e unconserned at the mountng death rate and any lands are completely lied & would affect tat to Oais the leaal adm sas very little authority with the muc wpe demend contin te nex we am naise is about 350 clais and malarca is pett by leavy Logettng death from bee down to Ede Teals a day pactically slanrice bat will aot self my beng eye ary las o nste prads is bein creflectedin graving number of alcess and herer ben. Havig on fure eardias ee b deaths. He othe camps along te route seem to be ieakly in the same co action though Reg swats caup faes better JONEROS Dauraay 20 it the Gettig feo stay it seeting wit ar consent mg yhascone is puting at ouo ced resinere ad the decert e for i cbies I have been asped t take and Nescaut fom rever and an layie with the ls ofI cas tall ansswestan withm Sunday 2 and the funeral servie Planked te remains of 17 bonging sux tobal to absut 120 Asis are very at o that we more douth a he reads will be impassable and we will faw atervete srong last o supplies and a bit of successful wath bading
WUNE 2003 Monagy B It stears on the section road mansaied by the sthouty passable Gut Rorny is new ferrying sile from Busnre t an ought cam 5 miles hort se and susration pasties will colage t wair the cany ration back a yat racd hor started with a fee gbowlesa right Tuesday 20 Ratin parties becouing inereasngly difficult Io send all fit men sut to with the call to a ration paity Today 58 met 120ps were sext t siles ove puties reads and had to camy bact 65lt & a pact aaiesads aid a kit by betwen t00. 157220 it bogs Half goes to resuve again ang- sef irains IUNE. IULY 2603 Hearege N Talk 77 bec we come up of this caup that will susme agix a the graine as it will fur an an to the cmnering bisheing and undoubted favountion oy the 2t rately and tuking more and mare & future pcans. will geas polfe a trep awand fo in mends & will ets Maray i tthe eas year an and fut a substanial wasn nta sense. ceferably in lismore. would b able to rase up ncmey saneth of 51000 £400 for a cas ad a decen depased on a house hus lass what it will cash me to refit Colkafte has arived
IOIE tew think arElofed Lads ave ben sues any ad carpong theat or say ot papi wasine a besak it seh sanet <ffug and w atal tee 9 dist a are proauced Saturday 3 affe an affect to the m east night te fior sune but t hill way t aid oue a fresut al rations ta he a aytto steffed a on the wad lave bee onfires to the cats Ba raised about 1800 hos belry oe get as least oe meat 1ULY 2803 ap have a t mave 750 sick to a rospital camp that well be extablist about so Biles north o here where foed will be must betteswe hope) deang the wet months of ang & sift Have a sair chance of geis with the st 4 set 51 get some teatves for m eyar playeg up Monday 5 inditaken enterig up all medicol ecords in poy witk before the peselt thave evechater jrest leard tat one British cas and reven Capt have made a breat and noa ca tootalew walking oit on the tpo Hough be swened devery muc for ten
JulY 2803 Tuespay Have lear in the remade 7 gass cay be h tan confined to thei but is fix days without food frese dict da well be Lend pat to it & snsvive untes sy can got some dusig& night. His nowe to pusia has we yery worried the faod will be mie and I an wored shad my ge sotbing sussue are ao go but let I sweuld said with the men were Te last of food lere i largely due to se b state of the roads aet pasgiess vely worse. lately we have been on water shews with WUIIR a few bea tosday bed wh which I find very chad to get a ever when bsibvenely beng would day I have wost at least thee sfore an sll have t me worn mants before us left a hinl £120 ony la oy not 30 n before i left will have an agiry a t 15 day. Friday6 Erquiry still goes or Majs Hunt Cousters arders, He object apas to be t rake the cave k as blac as possible. I can't self thinking it is a case o me sps I had leed tat with t arrival & Cal Haffe that ting would be put o a moe equitable basis but this dees not seen to be the case.
SOIE Saurag All ts were d upt b a quarter wher back sinally toos second sred state is installed at ady sat g while a ad a cos Life. Tese this we will gget secal fods coched by the ital sete eras nateins were give at sargisat sex &rhus keep fit as I am us in cemes ande tis aragant I can dly draw the exesence that I am not & sifficeet imprtance to wands the consideration In faimers to my Br I must sisk galke displeasure and have the matte clarified at least &o the peace of nend of my own ofor TrYs Monday 12 Had my inherview with Colk whch prsved quite satisfacte and saptly paraded all y and shope stered tigs out quite well. Have just reaused lamme tine sefend making plans oof the funcere yess stays sat Rep foediers are very teleret I suspect, I shall hass all execiations in that regard. Tuesday 13 Have decided if we have enough case between us to very a Chas Sedom. bunt & buy a house through the Brut and Lang 4d a few clothes fo the balace abay for a decent my Irate my long servic whe leave Polafs fers will get aredicash or scatland
JULY 2003 Wednesday 14 Have established a Lappy tikle fov wad Rople cuss Beatabin ward Byct hos buhs I have had in Lardiliond of and a gest engcted 3day we aot a puxchase neene, Bnt suala t little tobaces &, Move mall pis Jass shiffs deanding on from Alspital to workd on the road a party of 14/s &30 las been su 7t recke io a peoable ten days semew has it tat they will be wed inloasig mortare A/A vicher and Ln00 sat have been brought up nive by bage; where it caplid with the ntarts 7 sja Interrational law ases nor aply - Mc Horiaso Sobfreter 1ULY 2803 Folday 16 Bob Dowells was moved in as Ard expert and is living with us which granss the atow. nowever aathe party has see peeke purshasng as we may got aoy nore sodo ado? Trcuble is we canet get anything substandial to build up th hase receisation which affer all smabes up aucon snst neal Satrday 12 as feel alnest wee we sased, see no esfect of eve deng on beks of sesuet of the bonty Lau sal Sous guiety of negreguce and must thake grod a cash ween the oponnity presents ilsett susped that seed wd or cask will be at Banking when we get t again.
1OEY 2603 Sunday 18 In the past you have spoker somewhat hoadfully of seneva Convertior and sit can. Tes ao not apply you are sur ow and in see power Jafanse sodie we rad day as sever night without steep and yf sick. Bow will as liken bedo if ser die to Subuda via Morasn Monday 19 He rains still coninue inabated and we sustapply lenough men to hap th road fe. all the yabsove finisted and daily nation pattees have hai meregus we have a one sepot samed and have aas t ratins increased for the we are new desas the sepital by about bnky & day keugh nams IULY 2803 Tueeday D he will neve be any a000 again intil the get really good sead & akentin she novenent & the worst cases same seems fo all sime malance i seayng savor new me great see half th force of enge a have conste relapses. Ann sufte is eng ecned on Wednesday 21 seems to we more activity with the Jass. Te Bunna begd maoe is declared or again though the number for this cany las been nducis fe 7501 500 a stock y hets have been accunalated at necke and we have been seed to aiscorsine all camp works of a ferment nature. work on the railway shated today again. & crachically the oity work done
WIM Thursday 22 o the live seaving in Hospital records eyce again in the Pife that us sove will came Have had we malay malaria asperts up for a an day with ap oy and sent out the n7 s. Treatment vanes ibes cases ray sheallgreay 2nsmere inceied to hened service when their masters have lost tt deminion for Zeus, of the far soin voice, takes away the half of a many virtue when the day of seaving comes upos kim Homea (Te odyssey) struck this gustation in word from beglard" by Lieut Sen Son Briges JUIY 2OOS a day of Daa Livily He Busma rospital more is on again oure Hend me up with bol Banco& have a wik at the alle Surthe oday 200 fit & 30040 13ss mave pou here 403 cant (Reg Swarts id Haffe going with the fortytratie meet ptt neare tild aa beig will take ty pan Latial in te sandd ar is that all the canp less Bevna bao faty well odoe p A36 rarce store s being ceave ot which alle sears out the story. He bidgeat 4o2 is inpessably to Hucks whch well furthe copliant te mave Siitise at 402 ar still bing new at a average ga f was while we are adw to an sccasional one.
Tommy Cotsane AA Cay died IMM Monday 20 The canary his whictled senpinicely today and it has chered of laas upi ly rooks we by begining of great wepe of this she on sals have avar aeved s bailway line in favout of a much ligates and less ad blck Jenory Gnox froving a great helf. Tuesday 21 Workng flat out on pay backs for farty moving tomorrow, will be a waay lovely soul when the Dend Hospital party gees Robbi Rur Tergee, occpt n ae all ing ae should not mnake anyfforendctes in the army Spricalila of I have see to bet much mysell JULY 2603 Wednesday 28 Busina farhy glass rootted an Bruce Hen back from Burnia. 300, cone patients moved fo foet is 203 camg accumpanied by Casaffl eusoa dosse goe n sand to good in the pingle and unseuched fa s wt He sop by lory will kill alt y ou wesh waas Ian sun Thyrsday 20 Have had a vaa day with this sysetery again Hader for a week and how going full blest any ordered on to the lide for a while Joying to calch up on teireconds of the lass who have me to no I an and will have all the kumna recods to write of before long will be well shraily aplet any t new
WLY 2803 Fay 30 Absutingday turried worg arrived for t advark Carky for Butna to move Bagge Aunt, Robbice & sad state mave with this arty as usual amangenets vailed Hy are held tey must match 14 pels carryng all gear encluding tet cookly gear shill rame every may about 10 los Saturday 31 all my toughs & cans centoe nould gest Lynne & I am sure liberty will not change my me I hop there is a vey happy life a pat of us. The autoing question is a house a the trep to England for six months, & bg co a a rght oneHaly reanly has it novor M Sunday1 First convoy for Burna went through fro necke stears from Slive Badre at to 3 Camp where conditions are fairly gaod ar are being paid and wore dreat hauos. soed is gead. Rocks new as through we will not all goup thee Bor Sabu wan Booth as previdng a bit 7 larming with clasiont guitar ronday2 srchore meoved on every ate with 30 4amoitl MGEnor bax 107 seet me were take from Cshtalswae mar on shocigwads caning sid cooting geas, and all fassr effects sary w no beeks this can is ay ray theougd greatment cany cotting geas and nefficey sove we him take from destitee and warl on bridge 0100 0500 following day

JUNE 2603

Thursday 24     

The Jap is quite unconcerned
at the mounting death-rate
and our hands are completely
tied. It would appear that Col
BANNO the local adm. has very
little authority with the engineers
who demand workmen. The most
we can raise is about 350
daily and malaria is getting
very heavy. Now  getting death
from the cerebral form

Friday 25

Down to two meals a day
practically plain rice that
will not help my bung eye
any. Lack of vitamen foods
is being reflected in a

growing number of ulcers and
berri-berri. Having our first

cardiac berri-b deaths. The
other camps along the route
seem to be mostly in the
same condition though Reg
Swartz's camp fares better.
 JUNE 2603

Saturday 26
Getting fed up a bit The 
show is seething with discontent.
2/30 under Maj
Johnstone is putting it over our
crowd reserving all the
decent jobs for his own bunch    
I have been asked to take
over No 3 Camp from Swartz
and am toying with the idea
if I can take Russ & Robbie
with me.

Sunday 27
Another funeral service.
Planted the remains of 17
bringing our total to about
120. Rumours are very strong
that we move South as
the roads will be impassable
and we will face starvation
through lack of supplies. Did
a bit of successful watch
trading.

 

JUNE 2603
Monday 28
It appears that the section of
road maintained by this
camp is the only passable
bit. Lorry is now ferrying
rice from Burma to an
English camp 5 miles North of
here and our ration parties
will continue to walk there &
carry rations back. A yak
racket has started with a few
being bowled over at night.

Tuesday 29
Ration parties becoming
increasingly difficult. Japs
send all fit men out to work
then call for a ration party.
Today 50 incl 12 Offrs were
sent 6 kilos over putrid roads
and had to carry back 65 lbs
in a pack, 2 haversacks and a
kit bag between two. 15 x 220

lb bags. Half goes to reserve
against Aug - Sep rains.
 JUNE - JULY 2603
Wednesday 30
Talk of Col Kappe coming
up to this camp. That will
suit me down to the ground
as it will put an end to
the continual bickering and
undoubted favouritism of the
30th. Lately am thinking more
and more of future plans.
Will Jess prefer a trip
aboard for six months or

will we defer it for some

Thursday 1
years and buy another car
and put a substantial

wack into a house -

preferably in Lismore.

Should be able to rake up

something in the vicinity

of £1000. £400 for a car and

a decent deposit on a house

plus less what it will

cost me to refit.

Col Kappe has arrived

 

JULY 2603

Friday 2

New Stink developed. Lads

have been killing an odd yak

outside camp and bringing in

the meat for sale. Someone

took a pick that was on

loan to the camp and has

not returned same. The Japs

had all Offrs out during the

night and have promised all

sorts of dire penalties unless

said pick & the man responsible

are produced.

Saturday 3

After an appeal to the men 

last night the pick turned

up but the Jap still want

the man handed over. At

present all rations have been

stopped and all but the men

on the road have been

confined to the huts. Ban

raised about 1800 hrs. Everyone

got at least one meal

JULY 2603

Sunday 4

Japs have agreed to move

750 sick to a hospital

camp that will be establish

about 80 kilos north of here

where food will be much

better (we hope) during the

wet months of Aug & Sept.

Have a fair chance of going

with the staff & hope to

get some treatment for my

eyes that are playing up

Monday 5

Undertaken entering up

all medical records in

paybooks before the possible

move eventuates.

Just heard that one British

Col and seven Capts

have made a break

from No 2 camp. Poor show

walking out on the tps though

they have not done very

much for them.

 

JULY 2603
Tuesday 6
Have heard that the remainder
of the Offrs at no 2 Camp have

been confined to their hut

for five days without food.

On present diet that will

be hard put to it to

survive unless they can

get some in during the

night. This move to

Burma has me very

worried. Thes food will

Wednesday 7

be much better and I

am worried about my eyes

Robbie & Russell are down

to go but I feel I should

stick with the men here.

The lack of food here is

largely due to the bad

state of the roads that

get progressively worse. -

Lately we have been

on water stews with

JULY 2603

Thursday 8

a few beans and bad

fish which I find very

hard to get down even

when extremely hungry.

Would say I have lost

at least three stone and

still have the two worst

months before us. Left

$1200 in my trunk at

Ban Pong having no opportunity

to obtain it before we left

will have an enquiry on
it today.

Friday 9

Enquiry still goes on. Maj's Hunt,

Johnstone & Anderson. The object

appears to be to make the case

look as black as possible. I

can't help thinking it is a case 

of 2/26 & 2/30. I had hoped that

with the arrival of Col Kappe

that things would be put on

a more equitable basis but

this does not seem to be

the case.

 

JULY 2603
Saturday 10

All Offrs were called up to

the Bn quarters where Col K

formally took over comd.

Fred Stahl is installed as

Staff Offr while Johnno & Andy

act as Bn CO & 2 I/C. These

Offrs plus MOs will go on to

special foods cooked by the

Hospital kitchen. The reason is

that instructions were given

at Changi that Sen Offrs must

keep fit. As I am not
Sunday 11

concerned in this arrangement

I can only draw the inference

that I am not of sufficient

importance to warrant this

consideration. In fairness

to my Bn I must risk

Col K's  displeasure and

have the matter clarified

at least for the peace of

mind of my own Offrs.

JULY 2603

Monday 12

Had my interview with Col K

which proved quite satisfactory

and promptly paraded all Offrs

and I hope Ironed things out

quite well. Have just

realised how much time

I spend making plans for the

future. Jess says that Retd

Soldiers are very tolerant -

I suspect I shall pass all

expectations in that regard.

Tuesday 13

Have decided if we have

enough cash between us

to buy a Chev Sedan. build

or buy a house through

the Bank and having got

a few clothes put the balance

away for a decent trip

when I take my long-service

leave. Perhaps Jess will get

another look at Scotland.

 

JULY 2603
Wednesday 14
Have established a happy
little home in ward 2.
Robbie, Russ, Bert Sabin
Ward Booth Norm Couch and I
Have had it partitioned

off and a net erected

Today we got a purchase

from Neeki. 1/3 pt Guala

a little tobacco & two very

small tins of fish.

Thursday 15

Japs stiffening and demanding

men from hospital to work

on the road. A party of 1 offr

& 30 has been sent of to Neeki

for a probable ten days.

Rumour has it that they will

be used unloading mortars

A/A. vickers and LMCs that

have been brought up river 

by barge: Where it conflicts

with the interests of IJA.

International law does not

[*apply " - Mr Koriaso - Interpreter.*]

JULY 2603

Friday 16

Bob Howells has moved in as

A & D expert and is living with

us which cramps the show.

However another party has been 

to Neeki purchasing so we

may get some more odds &

ends. Trouble is we cannot

get anything substantial to build

up the light rice ration which

after all makes up our only

bulk. Finish each meal and

feel almost as hungry as

Saturday 17

when we started. See no 

prospect of ever being any

better off.

Result of the Court of Inquiry

out. Found guilty of negligence

and must make good the

cash when the opportunity

presents itself. Suspect

that neither trunk or cash

will be at Ban Pong when

we get there again.

 

JULY 2603
Sunday 18
"In the past you have spoken
somewhat boastfully of the
Geneva Convention and Int.
Law. These do not apply. You
are our PsOW and in our 
power. Japanese Soldiers will

work on the road day and

night without sleep and if

sick. PsOW will  do likewise

even if some die in the doing"

Lt Fukuda via Koriasu.

Monday 19

The rains still continue

unabated and we just supply

enough men to keep the road

open. All the yaks are finished

and daily ration parties have

been increased. We have a

Conv Depot formed and have

had the rations increased for

them. We are now decreasing

the hospital by about twenty

per day though many

JULY 2603

Tuesday 20

men will never be any good

again until they get really

good food & attention. The

movement of the worst cases

to Burma seems to be

off for all time. Malaria

is playing havoc now we

treat over half the force at

once and have constant

relapses. Quinine supply is

enough for treatment only.

Wednesday 21

Seems to be more activity

with the Japs. The Burma hospital

move is declared on again

though the number for this camp

has been reduced from 750 to

500. A stock of tents have been

accumulated at Neeki and we

have been told to discontinue

all camp works of a permanent

nature. Work on the railway

started today again. G

Practically the only work done

 

JULY 2603
Thursday 22
on the line.
Slaving on Hospital records
once again in the hope that
this move will come off.
Have had two Malayan
malaria experts up for a
few days with a nurse to

try and sort out the MTs

from BTs. Treatment varies

in both cases.

Friday 23

"Nay thralls are no more

inclined to honest service when

their masters have lost the

dominion, for Zeus, in the far-born

voice, takes away the

half of a man's virtue, when

the day of slavery comes upon

him" HOMER ( The Odyssey)

Struck this quotation in

"Word from England" by Lieut -

Gen Tom Bridges.

JULY 2603

Saturday 24

A day 0f great activity. The

Burma hospital move is on

again & Bruce Hunt has

gone up with Col Banno to

have a look at the site.

Further today 200 fit & 300 LDS

& 13 Offrs move from here to

NO 3. camp (Reg Swartzs) Col

Kappe going with the  party (rations

much better there) & we are told

that boongs will take their place.

Sunday 25

Latest information is that all

this camp less Burma hospital

party will move to No 3 Camp.

Ration store is being cleaned

out which rather bears out the

story. The bridge at No 2 is

unpassable to trucks which

will further complicate the move.

British at No 2 are still losing

men at an average of 28 per week

while we are down to an

occasional one.

 

[*Tommy Cochrane HQ Coy died*]

JULY 2603
Monday 26
The canary his whistled

very nicely today and
it has cheered the lads
up immensely. Looks like
the beginning of great

things West of this show.

Japs have abandoned the

Railway line in favour of

a much lighter and less

direct track.

Jimmy Grose proving a great

help. Tuesday 27

Working flat out on paybooks

for party moving

tomorrow. Will be a very

lonely soul when the Burma
Hospital party goes Robbie,

Russ, Fergie Rupert Bierne 

are all going. One should

not make any friendships

in the army. Fortunately as

c/o I have had to keep much

to myself.

JULY 2603

Wednesday 28

Burma party glass-rodded

and Bruce Hunt back from

Burma. 300 conv patients

moved per foot to No 3 Camp

accompanied by Col Kappe.

Burma Hospital does not

sound too good. In the jungle

and untouched for 18 mths.

The trip by lorry will kill

a lot of our weak lads I am

sure.

Thursday 29

Have had a bad day with

this dysentery again. Off and on for

a week and now going full blast.

Am ordered on to the back for a

while. Trying to catch up on

the records of the lads who have

gone to No 3 camp and will

have all the Burma records to

write off before long. The Bn will

be well & truely split anytime

now.

 

JULY 2603
Friday 30

About mid-day hurried

word arrived for the advance

party for Burma to move.

Bruce Hunt, Robbie & Fred

Stahl move with this

party. As usual arrangements

varied. They are told they

must march 14 kilos.

carrying all gear including

their cooking gear. Still 

rains every day about 10 hrs.

Saturday 31

All my thoughts & plans

centre round Jess & Lynne

& I am sure liberty will

not change my mind. I hope

there is a very happy life in

front of us. The burning

question is a house or the 

trip to England for six

months, a big car or a light

one? (Italy nearly had it?)

AUGUST 2603

Sunday 1

First convoy for Burma

went through from Neeki.

Heard from Clive Moore at

No. 3 Camp where conditions

are fairly good. Men are

being paid and work decent

hours. Food is good. Looks

now as though we will not

all go up there. Bert Sabin & Ward

Booth are providing a bit of

harmony with clarionet & guitar.

Monday 2

On very short notice moved

with 300 AIF (mostly 2/26 Bn) to No 2

Camp. 167 sick men were taken

from hospital & made march

on shocking roads, carring sick,

cooking gear and all personal effects.

Some with no boots. This camp is

losing 6 per day through ill-treatment,

lack of cooking gear

and inefficiency. Some men being

taken from hospital and work

on bridge 0800 - 0300 following day.

 

 

 




 




  

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