Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1944 - Part 4

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

Page 1 / 10

Aornm EN onday 5 again a change of flan. All thee alteahions mean a lo auccessin g corferences sow We get our to sonses as twe huts. He catch is that we have so seusing for one but tell intil they are slles aaws& reerested &r andt site. He 1sA are making on camad the man de Froodan 6 fare to the areme. Dent to Ax Concent that was considerably curtails as all 9 se2 area must oners the main io b 2000 hos ste restrections are becoming very ikssme. As andy ssaid it is gux as well te sew Gineral sas arreved in aur third yea ar ush in our piost DM DF Wednesday Evey fit man is now inquired fill our quota for the 3 Pouts Nave a neat rasued (atlat 2d be ray for your days in succession ho frest vegotables of any pork are on the acct new settng waninge again of berri- heril. Weet to Easter sexvice oud & a siews Clapt will lave to can dow away to k sew neve S Thureday 8 Had a very least to balk to young money Sox who has been steadily slifting lately on the score of sersoal Cleaulines & laggeess.I thiit be apprearated to you and will fall linsel together as a result. Take ave Divn0 who is now a light packed mass of Offssoks
APRIL 260S PrttogS Caste Sunday. Had a unit seard to piches cocoasuhss locate enearly 100 Apart from the grost muchan for the sitthers Regl s will sofit samewhat by the rorious fires that wal be imposed. 169 us are rusaig a peeting comfesition Qualifies to the fest eiglt on wald play Hod Banx Walks ave to by 22 ra lives qute Lave sat arew wer b 154ar rema pense past us cuting of the area we have just racated have of the hoases we have left are being occupied by th was of things. We also wose a autsharial pasion of ou gardens Kan a mack D04 that while inshansw has ban piety amusing APRIL 2603 Sanday 11 Hon bells a sate that while se were away 154 defaulters were sent to work in the gow garden and laas udert conal of aur neas who made thn wort like Htell Hauses sexeig dower fairly weet rauge ladty fit me nates trings diffecult Nawgas 4th seme finals of an patting tarmnest desite a lan cadicah Monday 12 Morrie Son beat mich have last night so I pay him in the fince for the glonisns faize $1.35 sufpering from a wave of guan psauce thiesng ot present. Wasing yperes laid Gat beate by Midrry in oun camphilu of 63 apt a decent gave ane the fist 18 heles
APRN 200S Tesday 13 the camp was uspectes tday by LeTanannSM, aux cant and atte ifeeting ous to souse couled tat we canad Law a o H0 dan of for men We only use one small ream to reat all aus 28 offer and yet we are aparantly suppased to eat out side witll be oM Disciplin is net Ealy to maintain at any time se seli wll w hand Wanorday 14 nahavery note worthy day Have all the symphones of the bug again and so was not very worripd absect the ration state wehed is gettng bloody agefeet Mendswe t Bdray walkers Louse for a cilp o sea a yars APRIL 2603 Thureday 15 Tet te bugagain 12i a forhigh feus a lonsy cols and a secent attack of the siots 154 called a conference of conds tday and hve insisted on all orders on ded rarade being given in Jasanese what a weird idea to imprave discpling for tow. geos musdered a duca Sor Eriday 10 Riceration dow to 934 day whoh will just about kex us upon our feet Average 26 be meal with the valance groind for flow for doovers 6ocanet finching costunes largely as a result of the show raton musthe stepped at all casts. He greeving nihs are au reserve ratiens Heres toping we beeg tee seon bee sealhs
WM2 the latest s a is that all our windows faing the roas mdt be kept stut so that we cannot cosk sow on lariiy nihenes Disciline on 154 lines instiluted Orress a saade in teen 3o showt to offess guards on aspeach as men a grass in font y Louse. He monssors have brahen again Sunday 18 still langing noung keeping the bug company. Seng& I are Baacking and the duc sae night de degot make a really deces suffer for two Have the Be (posons) feat out signing new 15 pay steets. Hdoe great safes it wis mean an ingrease fias are up 31002 McGeever & I went to meeting change Cor Clut Admiral & Woman APRIL 2803 Wastewon Monar 19 There is a wave of lleeving on at yresent that is almost byad contid. Have instituted Ff lookig in a small room or ric + Wake) Despite warings cocanets in the area are stole neghhly & the latest is to teft six ducks (abent Hus wart Regr Ievent t Phonix theatre sace on t sest can goad News of 224t be regs of mail at t gave should feet from my sweetic will any luck. sill only 5070 with palaria tacks and a lusy cold samed that on Patusday 700 io must charge with an equal reabe from Kine ad Caup. cefit for fit to make more workes available for the srove
Sligh from a ladyA.C Auts tuogrally of a bad medonal APRIL 2503 Wednesday 21 spen the mosnig running roung getting swede Bupet of the sime Rd Larty- with success A at th 60 Dypss are very comostaale have put a blik on the snit to steartiess of tues hips treaken t duck us out y they have any fault to find with the building Thursday 2 po mixed to changes with 700 fit from Since Rld. He se last ugs only get 11 back so there will be and the daye in quarters I suppose In the meansing we have the belenee made up of RAF paas who are pdh a bad let stell lave the dregs of fire & a every heavy cold. APRIL 2003 Enday 23 Had a grod look round the housed insfected kitchins etc and had a yaon to Jack hibbge Nafky Karry whe were on a wvisit to Heffy missed out on evening church Had having onetts louay attack a tressr sight off this awpul merchan If the slow docant finise son will be she bore Veny sonl Baney Barray swetching a cached &5 auch fo my Inice fat 86:50 birds some of tese lads have ast all since of moral accency surely be realises that it ases not pay to exsct his co wit such a silly swindl or prhaps I am lasing my sense of liment.
APRIL 2803 Cla Our tisd Augae Day as PsOw 19u2 we taa pist atrurs Ada I 1903 started our lack tin Hailars 19244 sitting up in Range expectin offer to be meves to t Save sime od bamp have segregated the offest except for a few aamo Hes te show is run by N01:115 Cange bas blub at night for a lcture by a Ponny off the tone peaceof will I seve get mend? waring from 154te all clarge sine Rs 800 from Bamburie will be concentrated at the Gasl. Hosihal to remain tenponily limited to 1500 patent & shapp Tore are 1600 patients thre now: Gave built to accon 600 will save 5000 P Owr we muse mave leete from les to Loun to at 5000. One lorry APRIL 2603 Muelgay made availabl for the complete move or well be segrgated tough they must shill catiel the Gt parkies The difficulties are many and I am afaid the will siffe. Talk & one pitde to ead 5.000 hore mail in at Coferen a Houn We have put up our baages of rank once more. Went to little Keatre a see sustict Dann good show- must nate t wost of them wast had any at the Gaol Hedneeday to About 300 arowed from Cambris Bart Sabin pack with hom white harn is having a couple & says in hosptal. Robbiie Russ exfected down tomenad General orctin gaod after nearly fine months os the canbierie eggs. Bankok has bean wases ave by ou ai tece A soregae to Jaxars
APRIL 260S Thursday 29 Russell Roblin auely asswer with Graham Bauke & hos Dean. All veay fitg as fat as figs. The men are all in very gaos condition and seveal when I sever expected to e again are in seapect health lagely due to plenty yth Canleunie eggo. Gco Dalain to lespital will a hax altan malarea spent meat t day kedding in the sew crowd and young to Russill + coman we had a lit 4 catelingin to do after a treat yrearly nine monts. Sick Rnos & hoam over to Lear t a34 cencent onarest a only to finst it was reconded stuff + inch so gaod at that. sory to koap -nisited him in ghemor saw all th fare ts M 20 Saturday shanked the day off on an Of at Csup on tas & our bad lads who inaish a lifting cocoancps thy don't ou pent te remainder young t a lot of our lads, who have just arrived Ieok suss & hesm white to see suspect on English play 1007 also manager a pew roles putting Sunday2 20 more death recorved since my farty cane down. Now evts a let o laas who were given up are back as fat as figs in great leart Be aucks ale earnng thais board. Got four eggs. must send a couple aver to fery a George at respital
MAt 20S Honlay Particulars of organsalie ouct Essq 300 with beysy 590. I cannad one bast boy 52100 me each with on 9p 1w01 oR Will have a for selecting 6 opps out f ay avoilably 38 us 2 lekes for geas dated Tet Mar 19431 still well and I have little warry on theis behalf tank 3od Russ&I. assteatre toesday sarting to collect all woks of salvage for the coming mave to the Saob. couarcle pats ae beng fulled up and luts fulled down andre- erected Lighty Failers for day we dong tps nip premised pave tomies so for we have die AAY 2003 Heaneoday5 Anoth letter from Jeos though this ae is dated Josh 13:-17 mo the old stell it is great to get a lede no make low oll it is Canbunce pacty got the Red baass paral & te same tase as us so I have had a banet cigacte and a coupl of daid Louses - seels like eas Day. sine d asivig at the saal. Murddayo Rressr & spent a lot 7 the day playing desspa want of sonething better. Bott desided we are goin to build of a Gonellabal Cant visulise enlat ogations are going to be after this show Taises & buildin naterial and cass my chief concevn
MAY 2803 Enday Donaa Dys Sully called in from a Gaal Sarde Riryad gave us all the lalest afeph there Hey have the tale that bee oaties has made a seed in which he shalld be is t and the 720se again mest dayand see if thee is any Suuth in the sal Devid at Eae thnk an Dep to hea Porhers osistra Sacurday 8 Had a very lazy day with Russ. We has a great feed baked duck and foot loas asooirs ave to Russ Reg boor parcel Robli, dwede& super back in the fold soune Hen over for mess. Leeling blue after last nights musie unde a full moon. daw ses loves then mor 2o03 Sunday I The first 000 ad I have inevedt be Pail while iny sime old offes have returned to the uirch ho We have the lambusie fasty back to us and have a firte unnccessary change ynou be hause & a lutt to andths Dscon again with malaria Brull Het to going to fix a month & two on alabo for we attended the start & Col Dubsis lechures Mondoy 10 The ite-House mave is on full blast but I am apair I am pch feeling every incerested on such episodes bee oakes paid ne a visit He is sor taking one the Unit at te expected & Baggott Is ais Force gave a most interestong talk &s his bonbog explacts ooe Busine Fchina
X May AA 2603 Mo oe o his sales r the eyp afenstes and the eads indicate porg tewaras & any raid wp shill with te bug. Have an offes auch filguet &c to shep the letter aiggers again to more confinasre our mave to be Gaol Howan has the bloody six to maik wor Tfs t the mess will have Heens rest Hednecday 12 Oles organiaati fualised Babee, Russell, Bar sabe sons boakee will live with me and lock afterthe Bn aid the rest well be graved unde May Wryse weho is not a bad hamles sed blake invihed dowe to Barry Walker Cuss for some music by Gil Mitedell band MAY 2003 Thuroday 13 Not ao lively today and rested the fevey a bit. In appeanede had a bit paking with wick mesre Tkuss. Have jus Leard a remen of By bags & mail being at the 1541 beryevers thouse, reading Without my ploak; by Lake I saen saily to Ch sarled the say well ohe such cakes itself auning the night and the next sheppof laying she aead bloke has a beast by egg in him Had a great Sinal mass Dinnes Conce Loulty oreaih to the cooks Calslegget happe present. After mess sill mitchells band gave us two 40 of spenaed musie

APRIL 2603
F W
Monday 5
Again a change of plan.  All
these alterations mean a long
succession of conferences.  Now
we get our two houses and
two huts.  The catch is that
we have no housing for one
hut-full until they are
pulled down & re erected on
another site.  The IJA are making
our Camp Rd the main thoroughfare
S T
Tuesday 6
to the drome.  Went to
AIF Concert that was
considerably curtailed as
all of No 2 area must cross
the Main Rd by 20 00 hrs.
The restrictions are
becoming very irksome.  As
Andy said it is just as
well the new General has
arrived in our third year and
not in our first.
APRIL 2603
S F
Wednesday 7
Every fit man is now required
to fill our quota for the G L
Party.  Have a meat issued
(about 2 oz per man) for four
days in succession.  No fresh
vegetables of any sort are on
the diet now.  Getting warnings,
again of berri-berri.  Went to
the Easter Service.  Our St Andrews
Chapel will have to come down
owing to the new move.
M S
Thursday 8
Had a very heart-to-talk to
young Morry Fox who has
been steadily slipping lately
on the score of personal
cleanliness & lazziness.  I think
he appreciated the yarn and
will pull himself together as
a result.  Taken over Div HQ
which is now a tight-packed
mass of Offrs & ORs

 

APRIL 2603
S
Friday 9
Easter Sunday.  Had a unit search
for pinched cocoanuts & located
nearly 100.  Apart from the good
muckan for the kitchens Regt
Funds will profit somewhat by
the various fines that will be
imposed.  16 of us are running a
putting competition.  Qualified for
the first eight on match play.  Had
Barry Walker over to Mess.  He now
lives quite handy.
M
Saturday 10
The IJA are running a new wire
fence past us cutting off the
area we have just vacated.
None of the houses we have left
are being occupied by the look
of things.  We also loose a
substantial portion of our
gardens.  Ran a mock DCM
that, while instructive, has
been pretty amusing.
APRIL 2603
T
Sunday 11
Ron tells a tale that while we
were away IJA defaulters were
sent to work in the POW gardens
and placed under the control
of our NCOs who made them
work like Hell.  Houses
settling down fairly well
though lack of fit men makes
things difficult.  Have got to the
semi-finals of our putting
tournament despite a low
handicap.
W
Monday 12
Morrie Fox beat Mick Moore
last night so I play him in the
final for the glorious prize of
$1.30.  Suffering from a wave
of garden produce thieving at
present.  Wacking offenders hard.
Got beaten by Morry in
our competition 4 & 3 after
a decent game over the first
18 holes.

 

APRIL 2603
T
Tuesday 13
The Camp was inspected today by
Lt TAKAHASHI, Camp Comd, and
after inspecting our HQ house
ruled that we cannot have a
Bn HQ or an Offrs Mess.  We only
use one small room to seat
all our 28 Offrs and yet we are
apparently supposed to eat outside
with the ORs.  Discipline is
not easy to maintain at any time
& the new rulings will make it harder.
F
Wednesday 14
Not a very note-worthy
day.  Have all the symptoms

of the bug again, and so
was not very worried
about the ration state
which is getting bloody
awful.  Went down to
Barry Walker's house for
a cup of tea & a yarn.
APRIL 2603
S
Thursday 15
Got the bug again. (2 in a fortnight)
plus a lousy cold and a
decent attack of the trots.
IJA called a conference of
Comds today and have
insisted on all orders on check
parade being given in
Japanese.  What a weird idea
to improve discipline for PsOW.
Murdered a duck in a good 
cause.
SUN
Friday 16
Rice ration down to 9 oz per day
which will just about keep us
upon our feet.  Average 2½ oz
per meal with the balance
ground for flour for doovers.
Cocoanut pinching continues
largely as a result of the short
rations & must be stopped at all
costs.  The growing nuts are our
reserve rations.  Heres hoping we
need them soon.  Col Heath's
talk of AIF Theatre

 

APRIL 2603
M
Saturday 17
The latest IJA Order is that all
our windows facing the road
must be kept shut so that
we cannot look over on
passing Nipponese.  Discipline
on IJA lines instituted.  Orders
on parade in Nippon - Go - Shout
to Offrs & guards on approach -
No men on grass in front of
house.  The monsoons have
broken again.
T
Sunday 18
Still hanging round keeping
the bug company.  Ferg & I
are knocking another duck
over tonight. One doesn't make
a really decent supper for two.
Have the Bn (Offrs & ORs) flat
out signing new IJA pay
sheets.  Have great hopes it will
mean an increase. prices are up
3-400%.  McGeever & I went to
meeting "Changi Car Club"
[*"Admiral & Woman"*]
APRIL 2603  [*(Washerwoman.)*]
W
Monday 19
There is a wave of thieving on
at present that is almost beyond
control.  Have instituted, FP
(Looking in a small room on
rice & water).  Despite warnings
cocoanuts in the area are stolen
nightly & the latest is the theft
of six ducks (about $40 worth)
Reg & I went to Phonix theatre
to see "On the Spot" - Damn good.
T
Tuesday 20
News of 22 bags of mail at
the goal - Should hear from
my Sweetie with any luck.
Still only 50% with Malaria,
trots and a lousy cold.
Warned that on Saturday 700
tps must change with an equal
number from Sime Rd Camp.
Unfit for fit to make more
workers available for the drome

 

[*"Flight from a lady"      } A.G
Autobiography of a Cad} McDonald.
APRIL 2603
F
Wednesday 21
Spent the morning running
round getting Swede & Rupert
off the Sime Rd party - with
success.  The HQ at the Con
Depot are very comfortable.
Have put a blitz on the Unit
for cleanliness of lines.  Nips
threaten to chuck us out if
they have any fault to find
with the buildings.
S
Thursday 22
700 mixed tps changed with 700
fit from Sime Rd. The Bn
lost 49 & only get 11 back
so there will be another change
in quarters I suppose.  In the
meantime we have the balance
made up of RAF lads who
are not a bad lot.  Still
have the dregs of fever & a
very heavy cold.
APRIL 2603
S
Friday 23
Had a good look round the
houses, inspected kitchens etc
and had a yarn to Jack
Nibby & Happy Harry who were
on a visit to Happy.  Missed 
out on evening church Parade
having another lousy attack at
Mess.  Right off this awful
muckan. If the show doesn't
finish soon will be skin & 
bone.
M
Saturday 24
Very sore at Barney Barratt
switching a cooked $5 duck
for my nice fat $6.50 birds.
Some of these lads have lost
all sense of moral decency.
Surely he realises that it
does not pay to upset his
CO with such a silly swindle.
Or perhaps I am losing my
sense of humour!

 

APRIL 2603
T
Sunday 25
Our third Anzac Day as PsOW.
1942 we had just arrived Adam 9k
1943 Started our trek thru Thailand
1944 Sitting up in Changi expecting
Offrs to be moved to the Gaol.
Sime Rd Camp have segregated
the Offrs & except for a few admn
Offrs the show is run by WO 1 & 11S.
Changi Car Club at night for
a lecture by a Pommy Offr.
W
Monday 26
Will I never get some peace of
mind?  Warning from IJA that
all Changi - Sime Rd & 800 from
Camburic will be concentrated
at the Gaol.  Hospital to remain
temporily limited to 1500 patients
& Staff.  There are 1600 patients
there now. - Gaol built to accom
600 will have 5,000 PsOW & we
must move huts from here to
house the other 5,000.  One lorry
APRIL 2603
T
Tuesday 27
made available for the complete move.
Offrs will be segregated though they
must still control the GL parties.
The difficulties are many and
I am afraid the men will suffer.
Talk of one kitchen to each 5,000!
More mail in at Conference House.
We have put up our badges of rank
once more.  Went to Little Theatre
to see "Suspect".  Damn good
show. - Must make the most of
them.  Wont have any at the Gaol.
F
Wednesday 28
About 300 arrived from Camburic.
Bert Sabin back with Norm
White.  Norm is having a couple
of days in hospital.  Robbie
& Russ expected down tomorrao
General condition good after
nearly five months on the
Camburic eggs.  Bankok has
been worked over by our Air
Force. A Force gone to Japan.

 

APRIL 2603
S
Thursday 29
Russell & Robbie duely arrived
with Graham Bourke & Norm
Dean.  All very fit & as fat as
pigs.  The men are all in very
good condition and several
whom I never expected to see
again are in perfect health
largely due to plenty of the
Camburic eggs.  Geo Gulain to
hospital with a bad attack of
Malaria.
S
Friday 30
Spent most of the day bedding
in the new crowd and
yarning to Russell.  Of course
we had a lot of catching-up
to do after a break of nearly
nine months.  Took Russ
& Norm over to hear the AIF
concert orchestra only to find
it was recorded stuff &
not so good at that.
Ferg to hosp - visited him in
afternoon & saw all the F force Offrs
MAY 2603
M
Saturday 1
Started the day off on an O/R
at Group on two of our bad
lads who insist on lifting
cocoanuts they don't own.
Spent the remainder yarning
to a lot our lads who
have just arrived.  Took Russ
& Norm white to see "Suspect"
an English play.  100%.  Also
Managed a few holes of putting.
T
Sunday 2
20 more deaths recorded since
my party came down.  However
a lot of lads who were
given up are back as fat
as pigs in great heart.
The ducks are earning their
board.  Got four eggs.  Must
send a couple over to Ferg
& George at hospital.

 

MAY 2603
W
Monday 3
Particulars of organisation
out.  Gps of 2100 with Coys of
500.  I command one.  Each
Coy 5 x 100 men each with
one Offr 1 WO 1 OR.  Will have
a job selecting 6 Offrs out
of my available 38.  Just read
2 letters from Jess dated Feb
& Mar 1943!  Still well and
I have little worry on their
behalf, thank God.  Russ & I to
AIF Theatre.
T
Tuesday 4
Starting to collect all
sorts of salvage for the
coming move to the Gaol.
Concrete paths are being
pulled up and huts
pulled down and re-erected.
Eighty trailers per
day are doing trips.  Nips
promised four lorries so far
we have one!
MAY 2603
F
Wednesday 5
Another letter from Jess though this
one is dated Jan 43. - 17 Months
old.  Still it is great to get a
letter no matter how old it is.
Camburic party got their Red
Cross parcel on the same basis
as us so I have had a Camel
cigarette and a couple of dried
prunes - Feels like Xmas Day.
Sime Rd arriving at the Gaol.
S
Thursday S 6
Russ & I spent a lot of the
day playing chess for want of
something better.  Both decided
we are going to build up on
Goonellabah.  Can't visulise
what conditions are going
to be after this show.  Prices
of building material and
cars my chief concern.

 

MAY 2603
S
Friday 7
Donald Dyer & Sully called in
from a Gaol Garden Party and
gave us all the latest dope from
there.  They have the tale that
Col Oakes has made a speech
in which he stated he is to
Comd the 2/26 Bn again.  Must
try and see if there is any
truth in the tale.  Dined at Bde
then to Con Depot to hear Porters
Orchestra.
M
Saturday 8
Had a very lazy day with
Russ.  We had a great feed of
baked duck and "pork loaf"
doovers due to Russ' Red Cross
parcel.  Robbie, Swede & Rupert
back in the fold.  Bruce Hunt
over for Mess.  Feeling blue
after last nights music
under a full moon.  How Jess
loves then!
MAY 2603
T
Sunday 9
The first 1000 AIF have moved to the
Gaol while my Sime Rd Offrs
have returned to the Unit.  Now
we have the Camburic party
back to us and have a further
unnecessary change from one
house & a hut to another.  Down
again with Malaria.  Bruce Hunt
is going to fix a month or two
on Ahabrin for me.  Attended the
start of Col Dubois' lectures.
W
Monday 10
The inter-house move is on
full blast but I am afraid
I am not feeling very
interested in such episodes.
Col Oakes paid me a visit
He is NOT taking over the Unit
as he expected.  Dr Baggott of
US Air Force gave a most
interesting talk on his bombing
exploits over Burma & I-China

 

[*※Story*]
MAY 2603
T
Tuesday  1
One of his tales re the eye-specialist
and the lads indicator pointing
towards the Army.  Laid up
still with the bug: Have
an Offrs. duck picquet on to
stop the little diggers.  Again
to more conferences re our
move to the Gaol. Hannan had
the bloody hide to invite Wop
Offrs to the Mess.  Will have
Huns next. 
F
Wednesday 12
Offrs organisation finalised
Robbie, Russell, Bert Sabin
Fox & Cookie will live
with me and look after the
Bn and the rest will  be
grouped under Maj Wright
who is not a bad, harmless
old bloke.  Invited down
to Barry Walkers house for
some music by Gil Mitchell's 
band.
MAY 2603
S
Thursday 13
Not so lively today and
rested the fever a bit
In afternoon had a bit
of putting with Mick Moore
& Russ.  Have just heard
a rumour of 27 bags of
mail being at the IJA
Conference house.  Reading
"Without My Cloak" by Kate
O'Brien.  Early to bed.
SUN
Friday 14
Started the day well.  One duck
choked itself during the night
and the rest stopped laying.  The
dead bloke had a beaut big
egg in him.  Had a great Final
Mess Dinner (incl poultry) a
credit to the cooks. Cols Leggett
& Kappe' present.  After Mess Gill
Mitchell's band gave us two hrs
of splendid music.

 



 

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