Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1944 - Part 1

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
  • Prisoner of War
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.142
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

THE POCKET DIARY 182 2803 PR0346
Mettrs AMinNE Newbe AVOIRDUPOIS WEIOHT 1 One Onoce 10 Ovose Ponad 11 Povode Sto0e 8 Ston Aooneo 20 Om 1700 ownconn I TeAH 1113 00 18 TaBH -I RaH 111812 100 Keile -1 Pital 1313100 D Pittl S1 Rogad 5,308 118 100 COLDSMITHS WEIOHT -1 Mayan- O Orain 128 FaM IBongt- Se Orai 10 Me R Coogta 1 Katt TOAss Craine 11128 0 10 01 OPIUM WEIGHT 10 r00 1 Ho00 10 Ro0 10n 1 Tab 10 Obee solld or Cabte Measaro 1128 Cuble Lache- 1 Cable Foot 27 Coble Pect - 1 Cuble Fard A Lood of Roagh Timber E to Cabis Post 1 Lord of sgaared Timber E So Cubie Feot A Tos of Supping - to Coble Peot eniede A Fov of Oorter & 1 Cabio Mor ENEAE loae 51s Fe Pots or Peret Poter or erches Furlong 1 S Blong SUPEREIGIAL MEASURE 15 maar Tochor Squaro Poet FLSON EA J0ls Sqver Lards 1 Squar Poto 10 Ogver Pote 1Road Roods 1or 12500 squarr ro5 1 4er Capedy DRY MEASURE T Pan of Or Chupat san E 1 Pist or Hall Chrpat ePon ource or Copet 2 Piot & Onrto 1 Oattor or Overseg 26a110 1Pec 1 Buslo 1 Pect I Oane A Bord LIAUID MEASURE 1 Pan ac Gc Cbupat 20u 1 Pint or Roll Chopst 2P 8 Praw Ovart or Coupat 1 Caloo or Oastong & Oaco B Caloos 1 Hogsbed 2 Hogsbood & Pipe 1200
REESONNHMSERN Nane MA.T. C.R.TRAA Addrew PDW SAMF CAANC Telophons No. FRVE. NONE Motor No HA Bicycle NoNEVEANAP ANA Bant Paas Book No. WTSGTIAE Sio to BrrtigDorr, whes mee Dieo in Rato Oe MAITE Cire to Boot J H LEAN.66T sa Weight16 Dato Hoight12 Dare Ceries tal de oAAW7 o To For (PNTOM Train wmrown Service Jeaven 11 181 11102 33 October 11 Osenork 202 sin 102 11 23 FOW2 sene 33 1161 5412 pen Eovene Sunde
Seover ow r " s 13 CalenOnL NII sam 1 m Mecs 11 s10n o 3 TELEPHONE NUMBERS NAME Number Distribution of A1r Malaya 25Aug 13 Busna Shad Atore 14/5/42 2996 148 sered 8//52 Jasan 28/11/42 55 2218 Eailard D 14/0/3/43 Bornce 500 20/3/43 Iailand F24/43 3662 200 Japar 25/4/43 seailord 666 H E14/9/43 299 Japan 15/5/43 55 Irailard ved 25/6/43 24/8/43 Iailard (Generals party Japa Pat 16/8/42 140 siedeth siatihiti causes 146 famata Kit out 487 6stasing 183 beleter 5823 made 381 Overseas for Jav Dulif (Burna) cage 1806 aixiage 19355 Coamateo ruswands &02
MEMORANDA during te last week units have been reformed, natarial centre organised and kitchers fainly well established The standardI cooking in dange hs improved out g sign since our departure for the boath. sice is still the basie food but soya beaus have been inroduced and the Pow gardins now peauce a good suply of vegitables. ew yeaus boe had a wandermoung the hasses with Fergie, Dasrenarall the variety of food made sut of pactically nothing Malaria is catehing up with us now. Te Bn refoisued was 407 of which 200 have been admited to hosptel of 24 oes 11 are shill on ack & course the lospital is pashed seath deministng considerably Senvar 2 1944 Esay beliteating the new year with a dose of inalacia. Despite this araw back Larg & Smanage a coupte of ie yig bied we were able to pacure at great expense from bran swaddling dt the ban sepet Misy Jches the Bdie who have batt been aamitled to dexital Salurday2 ag nxforesous for breakfast. He tookdvery taaly aterdiadut Parade later: Am apaid that our if has killed what bit grely a loh of these lads may have had the Revere will give Beyo W Kinstry a gaine & two of Less
JANGART 200S S3 hoisls for the wicked Reprts on the duep have bee called for and so I have ad to settle dew to sone saied work despite the don 9 malaa wich heore dowe with fiver so I am tryag gut Kay Basker as and agf Played a bit Pleax die with the bays Mon John Caleg out 4f hospital Heng I tuk le is shill far from well. John Borset sues in masalg fo a yamn. sfeet the Apherneon plogging into te much talked & creport. still not feeling ouer brightCoe Ballagran over for a salk to Sa Conas. Bus fully sevegansed an 14t JANUARY 2603 tastors The repert completed at last Did to sint insfection and lad a quct morning. Afte lunch get Phil Baylly at my loes and had a filling aoe on the fangs. Lengs I went oner to be sepc to mess with Ron & max swaddling the fease Cols like a palace after weat we have been used it an gos blut has been esaslish Meneoday kaining sauidly all the morning so I had a rea as the acche ordered and aid a seady bil o reading and a gave resian Backee with Frack Lawry. Teng is the greatest steeper of all since sleft all aftern over just get up for Knex and then dy to fis back again. Col Legget down to some chess
JANUARr 2803 Tareday 1000 hs t deted Conterence at Bal to andeganasion untelma swapping John for pon magarry to give him a dic best at the con Depot Sack Gus getting some qunture & Casking gear bor acted van o Gaaet isho used entertain us when we were ave at Koha sugn Enors Put a blezzon the ofpsand have the place a sive of industry on the garden and sut trendes which has rpaet their ideas of bridge Got an ofer from was swadaling for a ddzen aucks so I am going to phan a foultry ren and hope for some fes eggs. a 3s bercent sic whieughon first class saron nn eaturdor Got the team on a bit of gardening until the rain stanted again and put us off Hada lig yous kon ever our war experinas managug to servinge sone bread foom the otte side servece at night taken by san Barat wto has replaced Goo Blam Alfthing than Provost joied us. Sunday 10 Got a bost issue for most of the laas who have pone at all. Ferg having fis sun of fae now Finishes lep with the Aunigh and At Phil Bayly ave andyer go at my loe naits. Reading the Geod Companions Played a bit I lias die after mess.
JANUARY 2603 Maday11 did a lieh in the garden as at 1100by leard boe Sillon on sorce six not lavn anythis Hard on grod authority Hat Hatfield Blee who aud from N4 lanp were caught Hatfield was beleaded being in civies caryng military information and Blle is in cutram Ra sase for 15yrs radday 12 arranged the purchase & a couple I laying dudtess a drake. In addition Ferg, I bought a young arake for consumption. Had it ncely cached and left on a flate evernight but it was consumed by a local cat much to our delight. Guest night. Two far from case woit good show JANUARY 2603 Wednesday 13 Had a very quiet day sucide to give the Beabbies a days Teatment which consest d subbing in by sil eselphar which aoes te clottes no gaod. Hay Barkes- I have saded sol a unet record from the date of capitulation ardacre aswe at nigot a gaind las due Thursday 14 Put in the morning with lfe learnout byping up te roll. Have a rice loose- leaf bender for the purpose. 1TA camp inspection + partial seasot dusing the acterison. We dont lald mud these days that weuld waras a seard apher having been done so often

Diary 1944

 
 

WEIGHTS & MEASURES (refer to origina document)

 

 

PRO3469

THE

POCKET

DIARY

FOR

2603

 

Name MAJ C.P. TRACEY
Address POW CAMP CHANGI.
Telephone No. HAVE NONE
Motor No. SOLD IT
Bicycle No. NEVER HAD ONE
Bank Pass Book No. FORGOTTEN
Size of Stockings DON'T WEAR THEM
Size in Hats DOESN'T MATTER
Size in Boots 9 IF I CAN GET SOME

Height 6 ft 3 ins

Date 1.1.44
Insurance falls due on ALWAYS DUE
Train Service To Town WHAT TOWN?

 

CALENDAR 2602 (refer to original document)

 

CALENDAR 2604 (refer to original document)

 

TELEPHONE NUMBERS

 

NAME                                Numbers

 

Distribution of AIF Malaya 25Aug 43.


A Force 14/5/42   2996        Burma & Thai
B "            8/7/42   1487        Borneo
C "          28/11/42     551        Japan
D "      4/18 /3/43    2218       Thailand
E "          28/3/43      500       Borneo
F "      18-21/4/43     3662      Thailand
G "          25/4/43       200      Japan
H         8-14/5/43       666      Thailand
J              15/5/43        299      Japan
K            25/6/43           55,   Thailand}
L            24/8/43           72    Thailand} med.
Japan Party 16/8/42 140 (Generals party)


Distribution                                               Died other
Sumatra                       74                          Causes.        146
Outram                         10                           K in A          487
Seletas                            6                           Missing     1837
Overseas from Java 582                          B. Madi         381
Tulip (Burma)              47                          Changi       1806
Discharge                      13                                              19355.
Evacuated                 1017
Died of wounds         102

 

MEMORANDA

During the last week unit have
been reformed, malarial centre
organised and kitchens fairly
well establish. The standard of
cooking in Changi has improved
out of sight since out departure
for the north. Rice is still the
basic food but soya beans have
been introduced and the POW
gardens now produce a good
supply of vegetables. On new years


Eve had a wander round the
messes with Fergie, was remarkable,
the variety of food made out of
practically nothing. Malaria is
catching up with us now. The Bn
reformed was 407 of which 200
have been admitted to hospital. Of
24 offrs 11 are still on deck & of
course the hospital is packed. Deaths
diminishing considerably.


JANUARY 26034 1944
SAT

Friday 1

Celebrating the new year with 
a dose of malaria. Despite
this drawback Ferg & I managed
a couple of nice young birds
we were able to procure at
great expense from Max
Swaddling at the Gen Depot.
Miss John & the Padre who have
both been admitted to hospital.


SUN

Saturday 2
Had MK Jones over for
breakfast. He took a very
badly attended church Parade
later. Am afraid that our
trip has killed what bit
of religion a lot of these
lads may have had in
them. However will give Boyd
McKinstry a game or two of
chess. 

 

JANUARY 2603
M

Sunday 3
No rest for the wicked. Reports
On the trip have been
called for and so I have
had to settle down to some
solid work despite the dose
of malaria. Mick Moore
down with fever so I am
trying out Ray Baxter as
my third adj. Played a bit
of liar dice with the boys.


T
Monday 4
John Eales out of hospital
though I think he is still
far from well. John Barret
over in morning for a
yarn. Spent the afternoon
slogging into the much-
talked of report. Still not
feeling over bright. Col
Gallaghar over for a talk to
Bn Comds. BNs fully reorganised
on 14th


JANUARY 2603
W

Tuesday 5
The report completed at last
Did a unit inspection and
had a quiet morning. After
lunch got Phil Bayley at my

toes and had a filling done
on the fangs. Feng & I went
over to Gen Depot to mess with
Ron & Max Swaddling. The
place looks like a palace after
what we have been used to. 
Aus offrs club has been established. 


T

Wednesday 6
Raining solidly all the morning
so I had a rest as the doctor
ordered and did a steady
bit of reading and a game of
Russian Banker with Frank
Lowry. Ferg is the greatest
sleeper of all time. Slept all
afternoon just got up for
mess and then on to his
back again. Col Leggett
down for some chess.

 

JANUARY 2603

F

Thursday 7
1000 time to dentist
Conference at Bae. No
amalgamation until 1 Mar.
Swapping John for Ron
Magarry to give him a
decent rest at the Gen
Depot. Talk Of us getting
some furniture & cooking
gear. Contacted Van Der Groot
who used entertain us when we
were over at Koha Tinggi


S

Friday 8
Put a blitz on the offrs and
have the place a hive of
industry on the garden and
slit trenches which has upset
their ideas of bridge. Got an
offer from Max Swaddling for
a dozen ducks so I am going
to start a poultry run and
hope for some fresh eggs.
AIF Concert "Dick Whittington"
first class. 

 

JANUARY 2603
SUN

Saturday 9
Got the team on a bit of
gardening until the rain
started again and put us
off. Had a long yarn to
Don over our war experiences
managing to scrounge some
bread from the other side.
Service at night taken by 
Padre Barratt who has
replaced Geo Polain Alf Minz
from Provost joined us.


MON
Sunday 10
Got a boot issue for most
of the lads who have none
at all. Ferg having his
turn of fever now. Finished
up with the Dentist and
let Phil Bayley have
another go at my toe nails. 
Reading the "Good Companions"
Played a bit of "liar dice"
after mess.

 

 JANUARY 2603
T

Monday 11
Did a bit in the garden and
at 1100 hrs heard Col Dillon
on F Force. Did not learn
anything. Heard on good authority
that Hatfield & Blec who ducked
from No4 Camp were caught.
Hatfield was beheaded being
in civies carrying military
information and Blec is in 
Outram Rd Gaol for 15 yrs.


W
Tuesday 12
Arranged the purchase of a couple
of laying ducks & a drake. In
addition Ferg & I bought a young
drake for consumption. Had it
nicely cooked and left on a
plate overnight but it was
consumed by a local cat much
to our delight. Guest night. Two
offers from each unit. good show. 


JANUARY 2603
T
Wednesday 13
Had a very quiet day. Decided
to give the scabbies a days
treatment which consists of 
rubbing in fig oil & sulphur
which does the clothes no
good. Ray Baxter & I have 
started on a unit record
from the date of capitulation.
Jim Hardacre down at night
for a game of liar-dice.


F

Thursday 14
Put in the morning with
Cpl Learmonth typing up
the roll. Have a nice
loose-leaf binder for the 
purpose. IJA camp
inspection & partial search
during the afternoon. We
don't hold much these days
that would warrant a search
after having been done so
often.

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