Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1943 - Part 10











DECEMBER 2603
Wednesday 1
Sorting the Singapore Bn out.
Had a large bell tent erected
in a grassy glade on the edge
of the camp. It is a regular
picnic spot away from the
rush and bussle. Have a good
team of lads with me and all
the offrs hand-picked. Afraid I
will lose Ben Barnett & Fred
Shape who have been asked for
to remain behind.
Thursday 2
Another batch in from Burma.
Lorrie Fox over to say "Hullo"
has Rupert Beitne with him.
Norm White off to hospital to
join Ray Baxter. Will try and
keep their places open until
the last lap. Grabbed Bill
McGiever & Pedro Livingstone to
take down with me. First
500moved out. ( Back from Bangkok.)
DECEMBER 2603
Friday 3
Had a hell of a day marching in
& out fit men in place of our
crocks. By lunch time had the
main batch completed. The British
coy worries me no longer they
have 220 fit on hand. Some
mail & offrs kit in. Did no good
with either though I have bummed
a new pair of boots out of Don
Dyer.
Saturday 4
Some gear still arriving slowly
from Bangpong. Fergie got his
trunk back intact so we have
a little tinned muckan on hand.
Celebrated wth a baked bean
omlete. The lads on swimming
parades to the river have been
able to get us some fresh fish
so while finance lasts we can
eat fairly well.
DECEMBER 2603
Sunday 5
Still living an idle life. Have
Donald Cathie over for chess in
the afternoons. Heard the party who
went off on 2nd are still at
BANGKOK waiting for the boat.
Rations are not so good at present
Have a great concert party now
that a piano is available We
have Padre Foster - Haigs accompanist
here and another celebrity with
H force.
Monday 6
Still sitting up waiting for
orders to move. H force has
built a deck tennis court on
our picnic spot as they are
sure to be moved out very
soon now. Have some lads heed
up for swimming parade and
so get a fairly constant supply
of fruit and fish. My trunk is
on the camp dump!
DECEMBER 2603
Tuesday 7
Immediately after check parade
Ferg & I pounced on the said
trunk and produced therefrom
$1200 much to my joy & relief
of mind. The trunk had not
been ratted to a great extent
so I am well stocked with
clothes again plus a good pair
of boots & shoes. How am I for
a xxxx prophet. H force start to
move in two days. All to be
clear in three days!
Wednesday 8
Sinking a well in the Bn
area and I spent about an hour
there without a hat. During
afternoon felt pretty bloody,
vomiting etc and despite
my ideas of a touch of
sunstroke the MD Mr Game
insists on putting me on
a course of malarial
treatment - Soon know
anyhow.
DECEMBER 2603
Thursday 9
Feeling about 50% so am
having a day on the spine
If the old head did not
ache it would not be too
bad having a loaf on our
picnic spot. Have a few
decent books to read now
that the trunk is here. One of
the Bn tea-chests arrived
today. Am sending it to Hospital.
Friday 10
Nothing very startling. Have
bought a stretcher pillow
and two sheets for $8 and then
sold my old sheet & one of
the new ones for $2 each.
Ferg & I played some Cirelos
with Cols Harris & Humphrey
(Comd H force) The malaria
made itself felt again.
DECEMBER 2603
Saturday 11
Forgot to note I got to 6-3 with
Col Harris who tells us he
has not lost a set on ship
during twenty trips Eng- S. Africa
return. We got a chicken last
night so Ferg John and I has fried
chicken and eggs for breakfast. What
a contrast to our diets a few
weeks back. The malaria is
not worrying me very much
though the quinine makes one as
deaf as a post.
Sunday 12
Spent all the afternoon
yarning to Mr Game on the
Indian problems. Had a
church service at night
that was attended almost
entirely by Offrs. Am afraid
that this experience has
not given the lads a
religious turn.
DECEMBER 2603
Monday 13
Start flasmaquin
Warned 650 to leave tomorrow.
Col Pond to command the
party. Consisted of my
Singapore party and [[?]]
up mostly with 2/29 Bn.
Invited to a spread at
Force [[Hill?]] to Col Harris'
50th birthday. Had a most
scrumptious feast.
Tuesday 14
Paraded at 1000 hrs and
searched. After an early meal
marched to Camburis and
entrained at 34 per truck plus
baggage & guards. Left at
1600 hrs and changed trains
outside Bampong breaking
down to 29 per truck. Doc Cathie
John. Fergie & I rode with
6 guards.
DECEMBER 2603
Wednesday 15
After spreading medical
parcels, trunks etc over
our half of the truck we
travelled in comparative
comfort. YAMARA in charge
and treated us very well
allowed to buy all the way
down. Changed most of
our Thai money at 1.50
Malay thanks to our guards.
Had a glimpse of the sea.
Thursday 16
Finally changed all funds
at far. Were able to buy
fruit, biscuits etc. The
meals in general were
a big improvement on the
trip up. All rice and stew
of course. Crossed the
border during the night.
Country appeared very dead.
DECEMBER 2603
Friday 17
Had a mid-day halt
at PRAI. Drew a meal &
of course the train reversed.
Rained all day and
had evening meal at
TAIPING at 2200 hrs. Getting
a very bumpy ride though
fortunate in having a
wooden carriage
Saturday 18
Arrived K.L. for breakfast
at 0800 hrs. SEREMBAN
at 1130 hrs. Tamil women
plagued the train begging
food. Lunched at GEMAS
1500 hrs and had a good
wash in a stream by
the rly line.
DECEMBER 2603
Sunday 19
Arrived SINGAPORE 0040 hrs
and taken in convoy to
the Old Gv W area at Changi.
Put into new huts with
floors and electric light.
A reception party making
things very easy, Cooked
a meal for us, arranged
quarters etc. The men are
very happy with their destination
Monday 20
Beseiged by visitors all
of whom were shocked
at the stories of up country.
Col Gallaghan over, saw
Jack Rake & Doug Turnbull both
very fit. Our carriage
four occupy the same room.
Church services & a musical
treat at night. Rations
here very light. Note from
Col Bretherton.
DECEMBER 2603
Tuesday 21
Invited last night over to AIF
Concert & later went round to
see the Offrs Club where we met
a lot of the lads & had a cup of
tea with imitation bread & butter
Spent the day with John getting
all sorts of returns away.
The comparative comfort became
almost overpowering. Rain has
stopped & men have washing out
everywhere.
Wednesday 22
DECEMBER 2603
Thursday 23
Friday 24
McGLYNN WA. 2/19 8 June
BROWLIE AJC. 2/29 "
DECEMBER 2603
WHITFORD H 2/29 9 "
Saturday 25
SULLIVAN R.O.C "
FLANAGAN SW. 2/26 10 "
BOYD J HQ 11 June
TURNER HW. 2/26 "
SARGINSON F 2/30 "
SMITH JG 2/20 14 "
Record discontinued in favour of
Regt Log book.
Sunday26
QX 15667 WINKEL RAOC 1 Jun
DECEMBER 2603
QX 10686 BLACKHOW W 2/26 2 Jun
Monday 27
QX 16062 BENNETT AE 2/26 "
NX 58187 BARNES V 2/30 "
QX 17489 McLEOD JD 2/26 "
QX 17041 ADAMS EV Sgt 2/10F.Regt 3 Jun
WX 10957 QUILTER GT 2/4 RM/T "
VX 62654 TWYFORD G 2/26. "
QX 18804 KEEN C 10 AGH "
NX 59485 BAYLISS WC L/CPL 2/30 "
NX 67195 MACHIN RH 2/29 "
VX 61250 McFADYEN JA 2/26. 4 Jun
HALBERT F 2/4/N,G "
TYSON JS 2/30 "
Tuesday 28
COOTE GB 2/30 "
QX20320 RICKARDS JM 2/26 5 "
BATES HJ HQ AIF "
QX19996 MCDOWELL WA 2/26 "
SELLICK M 2/20 6 "
QX13934 IRWIN RJ 2/26 "
COX AR 2/30 7 "
MULLER RF 2/12 F.Coy "
GIBBARDS TF 2/26 "
WILSON HN 2/26 8 "
DECEMBER 2603
Wednesday 29
VX59511 ROTHERHAM JE 2/29 30 May
QX11506 BENHAM EJ 2/26 30 May
NX47760 MARSH SS 2/30 "
QX8449 SANDS C 2/26 "
NX27784 THEW WA CPL 2/15 F.R. "
NX30117 FISHBURN W A.P.C. 31 "
QX15279 HANSON WD 2/26 "
NX 5HH66 STONE JE 2/30 "
TX5609 COHEN RJ 2/10 F.Coy "
QX16517 GIBBS FO. S/Sgt 2/26 "
NX45539 SUPPLE VT 2/10 F.A.M.B "
QX14688 GRANT ER 2/26 "
Thursday 30
SX2319 OWEN RG AMN S_PK 1 JUN
QX21351 OSTROFSKI DE 2/26 "
VX33184 DEVESON 2/10 F.Coy"
TX3429 GREGORY EJ 2/4MG "
QX15108 KEELING JW 2/26 "
VX61544 BIGNELL AG 2/29 "
NX58941 TOMAS SW 10 AGH "
TX4343 MARTIN JW 2/29 "
QX16248 MALLORY WT 2/26 "
NX60583 NOAKES EF 2/30 "
WX6286 RYAN HW 2/6 FD PK "
DECEMBER 2603 RAE
Friday 31
NX 54466 STONE AE 2/30 27 MAY
VX55835 BALDWIN WR 2/20 27 "
T279054 TUNSTALL RASC 28 "
NX54838 JARRETT GH Cpl 2/29 28 "
VX37297 SMITH. E.C Cpl 2/29 28 "
NX65917 TYSON EDWARDS SC HQ AIF 28 "
QX12288 FITZPATRICK R 2/26 28 "
QX44900 CAMERON A 2/29 28 "
NX25931 GORE T 2/18 28 "
QX10239 MULVENA WH Sgt 2/26 28 "
QX12331 HOLLYMAN WA 2/26 29 "
QX17338 YOUNG AC 2/26 29 "
VX63651 UNDERWOOD CW 2/26 29 "
CHANDLER AJ 4 M/T 29 "
VX45714 MARTIN E 2/29 29 "
PHILPS 2/30 29 "
NX52471 BORLASE A.W. CPL A.P.C. 30 "
QX21709 CRANE AW 2/10 F.Reg. 30 "
NX54736 LUMBY R 2/30 30 "
NX53747 SHAW MD 2/30 30 "
SX8053 SAWYERS S. A.MN. S. PK 30 "
DEATHS
Cholera ADDRESSES
Name Residence
NX4392 BATEMAN SH 2/19 18 May
QX19172 BAZZO I.V. 2/26 21 "
QX13652 McCREARY AV 2/10 F. Regt 21 "
QX13653 LAWSON N CPL 2/26 21 "
QX11012 WHILE HE 2/26 23 "
NX31563 MOSELEY HJ 2/30 25 "
VX59785 NASH TH 2/30 25 "
QX17117 COMERFORD JM Cpl 2/26 25 "
VX45847 EVERINGHAM AC Sgt 2/30 26 "
QX10619 PEDELTY JW Cpl 2/26 26 "
NK32226 DONNELLY R HQ AIF 27 "
QX12341 O'CONNOR RW 2/26 27 "
QX14776 FLYNN CF 2/26 27 "
QX14746 LONG GJ 2/26 27 "
QX16939 CAHILL EJ 2/26 27 "
QX14865 BOON JC 2/26 27 "
QX16396 BIDSTRUP NM 2/26 27 "
QX17207 PORTER ES Bdt 2/10 27 "
NX56747 HIGGINS T.H 2/30 27 "
NX37603 KEIGHLEY W 2/30 27 "
NX69022 SEIDEL CF 2/30 27 "
nil 2/26 BW.
CASH ACCOUNT
RECEIVED PAID
Maj C H D Wild
Westminster Bank
Oxford
Toki (WO) entraining at
kurai
Ishimoto in cook house
no 2 camp hashing.
Hirimoto - Bukit Timah
Sgt Okasaki of Tamura
Buti_______
Cpl Sano- Adam Park.
Lft Cpl Bukit Timah.
See McGaret
Sgt MATZVINOTO
Capt DHB Dyer's sweetie
MEMORANDA
In event of death will with her.
Miss Margaret Woods
Grosvenor Rd
Indooroopilly. Bris.
Toowong 176

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