Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1944 - Part 3

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.142
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

en Hednooday 24 Very litte dring. Went to a graet sew at Comf So. Van de Groot arranged it Change male doice Chai conducted by Flea Williams, masical Dircctor for malaga, bynet Witcherley at the pians and Gil mitetell veolirid made we feel hamble homesut playing "Cafsis Gavate Ch ch Mnd Shersage & food & fuce is becoming a real Koblem. e ave as no esues y aegetables for a week and only be sall issue of meakh Vistually leving & nices beans now. The chree paias are completet begong us and soon wches well be veyand one pockets. Played leas di won 81:20 FEBRUARY 20S Fiday 28 The sed auds, after laying tree eggs las given sep the glast so sation are worse tan over Lasks as tough one sunday curry liffer well have to be samboed for ach o supplies. Rumours are rife o socses & camports being th gade Sanra Heavy Onference as Dis Lone 159 comforts in Warias t is gaeds wouts aut at very leke to ma to each 7 men: 407 Oaffic, 23 meat 3343 park loaf, 5/43 butter, 3413 lam eggs, 63 Pare szchose 7sh & Balmon, 69 grape jam to sme 125 presment, 8 t celse, 43 augat 200 canel aigarshes 637 roaf, 84 sa powerer can opeet shugth 265- 36.43 ppts.
FEOROARV- NARCH 2OOS Ludog 219 Just finished Lavd Bertadenors Turning Biils in History & have started tants swinaistous hoa no anou: Wear all smaking camet as Clesteffieed ogardes thank t usa red erbes. Gol as each. Get a few oz or fooa tomorra Abl t bey a 2 1/2 lt dried fish for H61 Tashes like tell but it is all faod which is very scarce these days Afont the appearson at CSh Reg has gave over to leave with the Reggct on th men ave Had a few rainas with te 2 fect lake on the pattig grson, the garaes seem to be the greatedt worry alseasing them on a fair vasis MAACH 2003 Sulea 2 seme blobes are vey savage about the move. Cast Dillans house, that well seeane my He has offs who have seee maved teil heas since we casitulate and new they lave to take a sers in sosed buts all funiture beas must remain in the couses. Levy &Lury to Cay Leny lette the evs Heanesday 3 Had a good days bludge Played Frank Lawry Russian Banke mast of the moring and was £2:50 Have jast leass that youn Denighos has his 31s bertday & t9 this month a ten magarys I are trying to arrange a bit of a taty for him. He is dis out hospital any day nded
MARCH 2503 Maroday An intensive gardening seteme starts today Eveayone who is fit except cos cocks & essutial prsoue muss as at least One Law for day in the gardens. to doubt a gaod ided but wtally imfragiable while we are o ffrom ou sion areas shell reatig a few cento for Frank at Relosia Bark Bndoys Sper be morning typing seme more of the loy Listory Have been worred y a 130 fletegraffer fof agad campare sext week all wen to be well driosed saver, fit and losting rlay affy! Unfortuntely all at sea ae enproyed in camp anteest oait he paid for tohegraphing MARCH 2803 Sathsay6 Went to durch, which by the way is now retunvg dud very poonly attended then spent the morning at Cour sin with Col Jeaser & John Parry yarning our1Bae days Had a curry liffin for lenc and a en lasty evering meal wnel save y our congots. Having a ware of cocnat pinching with resultan heavy fines Sunday7 Parades our quota o about 65 for te comfultory concerandi for the prpagande flctes Tey were a sorry Coking siglt. all fit man were on anty and the lads did not make a very hafty locking graup. the paorly akinded serviees yesterday did nish make a very good sulge cive sur to the proteg after disgust.
MARCH 2603 Mondays The sisve is off sace until 1st ac as a number of rus ladshave lices we have a cousse of din asais on wer ave wit fock Rake t have a leakataugardas Got a Great licture by bal on the 2yso between the two wass with fasticular refevence t our imprepardes political Dreig feliey Balan Joh a caning Tuesday After a quick day the leithday pasty to beraughan was hald myladon. Feng, Ron John & Trai Keith Wilson, Les Orchard, Sevay Parber present Beg Dawso casked a great feed nct a wothday cake ided with sone of my glucase lewdes, twenty are cdles & a by, Linisher off with some leal brewgnog MARCH 2603 Wecthesday 10 Yew ridgh o the morning playing Frark Russian bank Very leavy in the head Perhap the yous of ald fines affected me but I sat up tl 0235 his moting unable t sleep. Perkass a gead fall moon has some bearing on it. Shart sudng op &18 oto te acrodions loadd this end of the wedge like to 517 Thursdoy 11 Have an idea that the bug is catchng up with me again. Fell like passed deat with a ligh senperahure the conforts have out sut and hips lave not issued any grea regetables tewgay a Leants far your days. Shik we are in for a very leave time.
MARCH 2803 Bodoy 12 Blood slige negative. still think I have the vug. Peans managed to wwap our your drakes for aucks which sow gives a tohal of fouteen He One old blake as staated laying again. went apt Britisl Sn for mess with son cattie and played a caupe gaesg s ohe Saluday 13 Shill laid low. a leavy fiver though shill geting inegative sees. Tho Live colents as such with & cuyes unless one gets a ositive malarde stear staying in bed t russe a bely son head, Gat one morl egg today. MARCH 20OS Sunday 1o Htill laid up fretty sick Went ip to 429 sn Offes measat oight to sea bol sorie o hes fual palitical lecture. The suljis being wssk Very instruction taugh disguiding from a fes was feit by neew starks again in pour weeks an the sategual senies Monday 15 A 154 gloat fae once sadse for the successor to Lt. So anemura. Ifs seft in si on basnck square from 1030 los to 1430 no shade no lunch, Enstection laster 10 mens. Telf far too lousy to honate king with my presence.
MARCH 280S T 16 still feeling frety busy though shill staving regadie seides. Have a new admis young Leek 54t pay a levy by a97 for a tembone from amenchies (that incluse fines) then got a starke from sil moaning about mesace of fend atat th oo weuld be head responsible. They cango to te Hednesday 17 well & have refused point plank to make it gaod. bol Pond has take up the case & if the daik had dowe will force the issue Was to lave In the dale last night with Barry Basas an ecallislaw tough a bit morbed mnae these aremishances by we layings ducks have given it if erH N Farr 18 young Jack Wright who has ben a ficture & lealth and was working in the mess took sich last night with cerebal nataria and died tonight quite suddinly lefe amkes is also very sisk and is not expected live. This breaks te secord g0o deaths ance our return from Shouland ay 18 te cushs did and bitt were busied ths gternea I took te parace: sio Falam expinates. Had a good leen out despite being oty Be Bakes are thit ihen Ie sees tese lads in affard good leatt fasout so suddenly went ave for a you to sus slaffe at Eve dppdt of night
MARCH 2603 Datenay 20 shill only 507 with hs strange few and loan cold. Am thinking of re writing the bay to a Bn hishory. There are so oew left tat it wauld not pay its way to publish in its presen from. much talk of the 13 guards coming into the cam to live said to be taking over quasters from malaga band Sunday 21 Just as isuay as ever the boations as terribly pass cansisting of practically nothing butrese and beans Frestr are out and have not had any weat for rearly a week shony it is all going to ys passing through singapore. Weat to hear the Elee singers of a37 conced Teatre MARCH 2803 Morag 2 Anoth o our lads died was busied today. B.J. is making thing induely tough lately gettng every one efect recalenly. The 14 business las just died asve & new he calls for a creport on the las of a warrant to benvere vea dat was given m wite we left with & force the beasted thig was I ao ralue any Low suall weat fock waue d Mesday 23 Hax a most interestng talk last right by lag seo segaro o th Malay Regh as mualta He is malter bose and a saitish Egulas. spent the moring giving andine at a steak a the Sourtr apse se case was my aguide of her Beack day for murtan he vegetatles, & meat a beaus
MARCH 2003 Heatreay 21 b been prices still continue sear Cigars that we bought at Charstmas for 40 areunse so lyga that was Is is now D4. Icheard today t te frice grice to civelions in sugafare is $19.50 pr rath (about 18/½ fer lb). Souit is fo chibter and year seon our Ifa pay will be of no use tous Tureday 26 shent most of the day consincing Tedro that wamage is a good shw previding he can get hmself a family up to the standard I mine o nshict am apsaid I have been doing an in due ament of shiting. Warning order that meve is on. To be complehed by 313 ist The butche & te execles MARCH 250S Frday 28 Another of ous lads died Tuned savice in afternoon. Then over to C Gp to have a lock at the rew accomodation, Had a few sales of fubing with g kake Had adman Cuslewts and allan Bush (10c amonced over to mess gaps are taking all herks in the sup which means makig accomodation to 600 40 Saturday n Down again with malaris jud as there is a get to an atranging accompsasion are the road. Have Fergie, Row kay all on the jsh while I sit up in shate and check what goes on. In a sew treatment of ligned quinie that is not so good for feavour
MARCH 2003 Sunday 28 Anoth day in hed sisgusted at Pa6 Buecking back Sandy Tewells affer sd f to shes i unit leaks benakably like spite to we for my refusar to take a 2/30 Bn had bey Bill aggett has taken up Gowells case but with o I suscess. woton 20 Corference reveals tahest Lay figures. captorabsve H50 Pnt N40 will receive $20, Ds to be leldfe week (His is cespet 134 rule that oas must cease to contribit to mens atin hospital) & Promised rates of pay for ORs L0.HD. Ladeson Ws &no 6e N.C.S. + 30 50 #25 e comvracing date nor Ensu Iemale ear 7 wheat Ive been reaped MARCH 2603 Fcatoy 20 as apposed to ban o 9p0 contributions ration movrses rice from 319 gus & 853 sear Yer naize 560 300 segitables malaria bug sill in residence. I loise about 10 As each attac ao by kmas siene be about sacey weight Wednesday 31 Great day yf activity monegt ans rew quarters. Have a nice till seam wa sargie Lonsg ais and liglt & a case beeeze most times the sense las an wdod showe and a pastal in he ea a actually flustes will water neas 7 yfos in tis lense renande in 301. (This is 150). Elenty wah s man conterences
APRIL 2603 Tursday Affeciating our new quarkers to he feet Conditions must reach very favourably on the meas mental auttock well sipt lawns after Railand squald an 154 staff s trogs have meved in are making thigs lun. All oter l we offor must in fuluse be in Gsaneae all notice boras in English must be removed! endoy a every assetting 154 movement order but. We are just about settled and new 2130 has to get out of a hause & MC. lose two sed knows where the innates will finish up. Camp has been warred that by the end 7 the month we will lase & houses to is which the 15t will go Rnd mess With Janas at 3/30 mess APRIL 2803 Satsday3 Col Gallighan has lan an nterview with the 13and there is a acg us only losing fau of the eight houses. NC, HAAITSSAare maung6 the con depst and it geest the lospital area afhes meas I had all offrs in fo a lecture on milihary law and wwell fellow it sait a neck Den. Sunday Anche great day of arranging & camle aranging We do lase a sigh heuses. We get te freend ats do which is ner doo sowe will be fretty well off Have a ric litte sive lawn whoe we are able to have some putting prackice. Bean have cut out so haw we get a very ladcom to replai then

FEBRUARY 2603
T
Wednesday 24
Very little doing. Went to a great
show at Comp Bw. Van des
Groot arrange it. Changi
male voice choir conducted
by Glen Williams, Musical
Director for Malaya, Cyril
Witcherley at the piano and
Gil Mitchell, violinist. Made
me feel horribly homesick
playing [["Capris Gavohe?]] etc etc.
F
Thursday 25
Shortage of food & fuel is
becoming a real problem.
We have had no issues
of vegetables for a week
and only one small issue
of meat. Virtually living on
rice & beans now. The canteen
prices are completely beyond
us and soon smokes will
be beyond our pockets.
Played liar dice won $1.20.


FEBRUARY 2603
S
Friday 26
The old duck, after laying
three eggs, has given up the
ghost so rations are worse
than even. Looks as though
our Sunday curry tiffin will
have to be scrubbed for lack
of supplies. Rumours are rife
of 300 cases of comforts being
at the gaol. 
S
Saturday 27
Heavy conference at Div. Some USA
comforts in. Various tinned goods
work out at very little per man
To each 7 men:-4oz coffee, 12 oz meat
3 3/4 oz pork loaf, 3 3/4 oz butter, 3 1/2 oz
ham & eggs, 6 oz Pate, 4 oz chocolate
7 3/4 oz salmon, 6oz grape jam, 1 lb [[?]]
12 oz fres meat, 8 oz cheese, 4oz sugar
200 camel cigarettes, 6 oz soap, 8 oz
soup powder & 1 can opener. 
Strength 255. - 36.43 pkts.

 

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2603
M/T
Sunday 28/9
Just finished Lord Birkenhead's
"Turning Points in History" & have
started Frank Swinnertons "No arms
no armour". We are all smoking
Camel or Chesterfield cigaretts thanks
to USA Red Cross. Got 28 each. Get
a few ozs of food tomorrow. Able to
buy a 2 1/2 lb dried fish for $6!
Tastes like Hell but it is all food
which is very scarce these days. 
W
Monday 1
Spent the afternoon at C Gh.
Reg has gone over to liase
with Col Leggett on the moor
over. Had a few rounds
with he & Jack Lake on the 
putting green. The gardens
seem to be the greatest worry
alocating them on a fair
basis
MARCH 2603
T
Tuesday 2
Some blokes are very savage
about the move. Capt Dillon's
house, that will become my
HQ has offrs who have never
moved their beds since we
capitulated and now they have
to take a turn in horrid huts.
All furniture & beds must
remain in the houses. [[I eng
& I men of to (Stay Jeur)?]] better than
ever.
F
Wednesday 3
Had a good days bludge.
Played Frank Rowry Russian
Banker most of the morning
and won $2.50. Have just
heard that young Derrington has
his 21st birthday on the 9th this
month so Ron Magarry & I are
trying to arrange a bit of a
party for him. He is due out of
hospital any day now. 

 

MARCH 2603
S
Thursday 4
Our intensive gardening scheme
starts today. Everyone who is
fit except Cos, cooks & essential
personnel must do at least
one hour per day in the gardens.
No doubt a good idea but
wholly impracticable while we
are so far from our own areas.
Still [[pealing?]] a few cents from
Frank at Russian Bank.
S
Friday 5
Spent the morning typing
some more of the Coy history.
Have been warned of an I J A
photographic propaganda
campaign next week. All
men to be well-dressed
shaven, fit and looking very
happy! Unfortunately all
fit men are employed on
camp duties can't be
spared for photographing
MARCH 2603
M

Saturday 6
Went to church, which by the
way is now voluntary and very
poorly attended, then spendtthe
morning at camp Bin with Col
Feather & John Parry yarning
over 1 Bde days. Had a curry
tiffin for lunch and a very
tasty evening meal incl some of our
comforts. Having a wave of cocoanut
finishing with resultant heavy pines.
T

Sunday 7
Paraded our quota of about 60
for the compulsory concert [[and?]]
for the propaganda photos. They
were a sorry looking sight.
All fit men were on duty and
the lads did not make a very
happy looking group. The poorly
attended services yesterday did
not make a very good subject
either much to the photographers
disgust.

 

MARCH 2603
W
Monday 8
The move is off not until 1st
A/C as the number of our lads have
lice & we have a course of disinf
estation on. Went over with Jock
Rake to have a look at our gardens.
Got a great lecture by Col
D on the 20 yrs between the
two wars with particular reference
to our unpreparedness & political &
foreign policy. Baldwin got a
caning. 
W T
Tuesday 9
After a quiet day the birthday
party to Derrington was held in
my room. Feng, Ron, John & Frank
Keith Wilson, Les Orchard, Terry
Parkes present. Reg Dawson cooked
a great feed incl a birthday cake
iced with some of my glucose
powder, twenty-one candles &
a key. Finished off with some
local brew grog.
MARCH 2603
T
Wednesday 10

Spent most of the morning playing
Frank Russian bank. Very
heavy in the head. Perhaps the
yarns of old time effected me
but I sat up till 023s this
morning unable to sleep. Perhaps
a good full moon had some
bearing on it. Start sending 10pp
&18ORs to the aerodrome. Roads
like the thin end of the wedge. 
SAT
Thursday 11
Have an idea that the bug
is catching up with me
again. Felt like potted death
with a high temperature.
the comforts have cut out
and the ships have not
issued any green vegetables
towgay or peanuts for four
days. Think we are in for
a very lean time.

 

MARCH 2603
S
Friday 12
Blood slide negative. Still
think I have the bug. Pedro
managed to swap our four
drakes for ducks which
now gives a total of fourteen.
The one old bloke has
started laying again. Went
up to British Bn for mess
with Don Cathie and played a
couple of games of chess afterwards
M
Saturday 13
Still laid low. A heavy
fever though still getting
negative slides. No fewer
counts as such with the
M/Os unless one gets a
positive malaria slide.
Staying in bed to nurse
a very sore head. Got one
more egg today.
MARCH 2603

T

Sunday 14

Still laid up pretty sick.
Went up to 2/29 Bn Offrs
mess at night to hear Col
Dorsie on his final
political lecture. The subject
being USSR. Very instructive
though disquieting from a
post-war point of view. 
Starts again in four weeks
on the strategical series. 
W
Monday 15
A IJA [[glvt pde?]] once cadre
for the successor to Lt. Gen
Arimura. Its kept in sun
on barrack square from
1030 hrs to 1430 - no shade
no lunch. Inspection lasted
10 mins! Felt far too lousy
to honour him with my 
presence.

 

MARCH 2603
T
Tuesday 16
Still feeling pretty lousy
though still showing negative
slides. Have a new admin
worry. Took $4 to pay a levy
by a I7 for a trombone from
amenities (that included fines)
& then got a stinker from HQ
moaning about misuse of funds
& that the C/O would be held
responsible. - They can go to Hell.
F
Wednesday 17
Well I have refused point-
blank to make it good. Col
Pond has taken up the case &
if they don't back down will
force the issue. {Went?} to "Love
on the [[hole?]]" last night with
Barry Barratt. An excellent show
though a bit morbid under
these circumstances. My two
layings ducks have given it up!
MARCH 2603
SAT
Thursday 18
Young Jack Wright who has
been a picture of health and
was working in the mess took
sick last night with cerebral
malaria and died tonight quite
suddenly. Cpl Curtis is also
very sick and is not expected
to live. This break the
record of no deaths since out
return from [[Thailand?]]
S
Friday 19

Cpl Curtis died and both
were buried this afternoon.
I took the parade & Geo
[[Tolain?]] officiated. Had a 
good turn out despite being
duty B[[?]]. Makes one think when
one sees these lads in apparent
good health pass out so suddenly.
went over for a yarn to Gus
[[Kaffe?]] at the depth of night.

 

MARCH 2603
M
Saturday 20
Still only 50% with this strange
fever and lousy cold. Am
thinking of re-uniting the Coy
to a Bn [[?]]. There are so
few left that it would not
pay its way to publish in its
present form. Much talk of the 
IJA guards coming into the camp
to live. Said to be taking over
quarters from Malayan [bound?].
T
Sunday 21
Just as lousy as ever. The
rations are terribly poor
consisting of practically nothing
but rice and beans. Fresh veg
are out and have not had any
meat for nearly a week. [[Shony]] is
it is all going to the passing
through Singapore. Went to hear the 
Glee Singers at a I7 concert
theatre.
MARCH 2603

W

Monday 22
Another of our lads died & was
buried today. B.J. s making things
unduely tough lately, getting every-
one [[ufact]] needlessly. The $4
business has just died down &
now he calls for a report on the
loss of a warrant to convene DCMs
that was given me when we left
with F Force. The blasted thing was
of no value any how. Small meat
& pork issue today. 
Thurs
Tuesday 23
Had a most interesting talk
last night by Maj Geo Denaro
of the Malay Regt on Malha.
He is Malhese born and
a British [[Regular?]]. Spent the
morning giving evidence at a
[[?]] on the Bourke 2/20 Bn
who was my [[?]] up north.
Black day for [[?]]. No
vegetables, or meat & beans!

 

MARCH 2603

F

Wednesday 24
Canteen prices still continue
to soar. Cigars that we
bought at Christmas for ₡4
are now ₡10. Sugar that was
₡85 is now $4. I heard today
that the price of rice to civilians
in Singapore is $19.50 for [[?]]
(about 18/6 for lb). Fruit is
prohibited and very soon our
IJa pay will be of no use to us
S
Thursday 25
Spent most of the day convincing
Pedro that marriage is a good
show providing he can get
himself a family up to the
standard of mine of which I
am afraid I have been
doing an undue amount of
[[abiting?]]. Warning order that 
move is on. To be completed
by 31st [[?]].
The butcher & the [[icecles?]]
MARCH 2603
S
Friday 26
Another of our lads died. Funeral
service in afternoon. Then
over to C [[G?]] to have a look
at the new accomodation. Had
a few holes of [[puckling]] with J[[?]]
Lake. Had Adrian Curlewis
and Allan Bush (ABC announcer)
over to mess. Caps are taking all
[[?]] in the camp which means
making accomodation for 600 lfs!
M
Saturday 27
Down again with malaria
just as there is a job to do
arranging accomodation over
the road. Have Fergie, Ron 
& Ray all on the job while I
sit up in shade and check
what goes on. In a new
 treatment of liquid quinine
that is not so good for
flavour

 

MARCH 2603
T
Sunday 28
Another day in bed. Disgusted
at G.O.C knocking back Sandy
[[Powell's?]] offer for [[?]] to this
unit. Looks remarkably like
spite to me for my refusal
to take on 2/30 Bn had [[key?]].
Bill Beggett has taken up
Powells case but with No
success. 
W
Monday 29
Conference reveals latest pay
figures.
Capts & above $50. Leuits $40.
will receive $20, $5 to be held for
1 week. (This is [[?]] IJA rule
that offrs must cease to contribute
to mens rations & hospital)
Provised rates of pay for ORs.
            LD.   HD.   Tradesmen
WO.    ₡40  60     80
N.C.O. ₡30   50    70
Pte      ₡25   45     65
commencing date NOT known
Female ear of wheat - I've been reaped
MARCH 2603

T
Tuesday 30
As apposed to ban on offrs
contributions ration increases:
Rice from 319 grams to 353
Beans

&/OR maize} 130   ''    ''   169
Vegetables    300  ''   ''   560
Malaria bug still in
residence. I loose about 10
lbs each attack so by X-mas should
be about jockey weight.
F
Wednesday 31
Great day of activity moving to
out new quarters. Have a nice
little room with Fergie. Tons of
air and light & a cool breeze
most times. The house has an
indoor shower and a [[fedratae?]]
in the [[low?]] that actually flushes
with water! Mess [[?]] 7 offrs in
this house remainder in 208.
(This is 158). Plenty work & many
conferences. 

 

APRIL 2603
S
Thursday 1
Appreciating our new quarters to
the full. Conditions must read
very favourably on the mens
mental outlook. Well-kept lawns
after Thailand squalor. An IJA
staff & troops have moved in &
are making things [[Rum]]. All orders
by [[we?]] offrs must in future be in
Japanese. All notice boards in
English must be removed!
S
Friday 2
A very upsetting IJA movement
order out. We are just about
settled and now 2/30 has to get
out of a house & M.C. lose two.
God knows where the inmates
will finish up. Camp has been
warned that by the end of the
month we will lose 8 houses to
which the IJA will go. Stad mess
with Jonas at 2/30 mess.
APRIL 2603
M
Saturday 3
Col Gallaghan has had an
interview with the IJA and
there is a chance of us only
losing four of the eight houses. 
MC, HQ AIF & SA are moving to
the Con [[Lapor?]] and it goes to
the hospital areas. After mess
I had all offrs in for a lecture
on Military Law and will
follow it with a mock DCM.
T

Sunday 4
Another great day of arranging
& counter-arranging. We do lose
all eight houses. We get the
present AI7 HQ which is next
door so we will be pretty well
off. Have a nice little side
lawn where we are able to
have some putting practice. Beans
have cut out so now we get a 
very hard corn to replace them. 

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