Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1944 - Part 6

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

Camp Finance IUTEBO Thursday 24 150 food scale 3 shork of minemum requirements! 279 which is corrected by purcase of ail and beaus from Cm3 55 Way ORS. W0s 65 Tc0A5P43 To 25 paid by camp 40 to work(in lines) 13c Hosital offes cortribute 259 of pay Ea 20 All watcles registeredto cub theft & clottinng cars sept for ead individual. Very hard these days & be repairs up to the demaid. general discupsion in wate supply very eprrying repudent or surgapore supply shill is meat issue Food very fear - so a S. Camp Finance July 14. IUNE 403 Sode to Income opps pay 58,000 who pay 81,000 red 5,300 Canteen prfit 4000 £148,000 Eenditure Provision healt froas 38,000 weodlanas Hosf 5.000 2,000 offes pay Catter & 20 tto 235, 500 Sunday 21 63:000 Ty BOs. NCO non 40. 30,25 Ex duty 8/0som 3.500 clange sop patiento 1:003 503 assist iences $147:800 Offer Corituke $22,500 ORS $19.000 he above arraged with 159 appreval i most finas stent on food.
Lat who sharved his wife because H said he pad to exercise on an cupty JUNE 2603 stanac av Holay 2 corvey highty survivors arrived here. fl a convdy of seven ships, from sumaba. Iwe sink by ou subs. one ead died on arrival. 250 Pows lost at sea British, Dutch & aussies all of islone had been captined in gava. Busss I went to a Road shew in out area put in be the English. Ine song By the Last aEvey tileI pase wat I thik of you Tuesday 29 Pay day for lath offor y nearly all cash in large hates which has made our cast position almost impossible to eite pay I hav the candeors. Hauehad a good respoin from the waas to ao sumeting for hos Boyss. JUNE- IULY 2603 Wednesdey 30 a number of believess reay intnegued by a store yf an Anglo- Sullian who do had a chorascote w years. He is refucted to have said 3intho ago at a fublc lecture that he would be a Ne 2 1/2 years and said h would neave to the Gase. riched the move to the very day and a paid he weald walk on a face man on 8t ang this year Is willing to back this story in cast. dont like his clances very muc spect the nigh rewning roug afts 154 guaras getting taee if the lads oct i touble usual caaaant stealing
10EY 2803 For tido W0) Cullen, an augh I dian assish surgeon sells a remalable stony of horescafes at the ages &4s 30 he las two dtone that cousided exactly it He would be a Pew 22yos a be a faccons on 15 Feb 42 a) would move to a sasl afte 2yos said to fee exactey inight to the day smally free on lang sn How true I wordes Satulday 3 have starked taking a bit exercise again despite the lack of pleas. Perhaps it might be as well. Part & AD Sonces have reluvned to singalore and embarsed presumably for Japan Regchewton Dick Farkee are ls to be among those who have gooe. 1ULY 2808 Danday This place becones a mas house a blam of us were shoffed playing Arclos today by bel Dillon because it is boused sameone asked if we cauld please have a lisence to play Thess. Warning that we will comnence efect parades again tomerrew night 12 beg of mail. Only 22 ft A F and 2f sind Party- thei first Monday 5 All cock about not beng allowed to play Circlos and it is on again. A few sick from D Force brought out to sesital see of this embarkation at Saigon for Jatar atte fow days or a boat tiffed sut and Onaught heae by rail. The put on loate her
Dent giol who tought Sanny 1ULY 2803 Daid was a mateinil hespi Tueoday 6 Col Oakes making things saxd for me again Having leadd that I was aranging to do something for sts Bases be called a seeting 7 Bert eg, miet and exclused ne whan I firtested agaist the meetings beng called witout my knowledge I gst sicsed off must get plsitior claufied Hetnesday Col Legger taken up ano on my behalf and has put things to Rally in a rally sonsible light. I wish to sleaven ths stow wevld Lerry up & finish if Dily to let me sut 9 these six dodders fights went to a good Ait road show. Rang t brickwoks your belo me 10Y 2003 MMMrAorS bol oakes had the old Bey Comas together for a most in hapy conference. She has were tell se agains him on his bright Edeas and now he is going to have all ofpst o a furthe stow why he cant see that re is an unevanted entorder & dont endw Eday spent most of the day reading warringt waido which is a nice set of to the Autobusggely of a bad still play a set of two & archs to keep in a let o condition despite light rations. Military Band Concert in gave after dinner.
Havay Jessep £10 still frisonrs b o navelia Say 10 Two letters from Jess Seft 42 aug43 wa a flch & synne whid makes me fee sld laving an ingant grow &a give in my absune & lyed let y Arcos and 2/265f/r0 played a Britial Manegt cteas nights very hot Hard to seep Sunday 11 Funenal 7f Finlay 154 quarts instructed to pay compliman at grave Off at stant fout 154 red ans parcels reed by guards casaining: keu cloth, fenat 2 steeps writing paper, wall hais. anais & a yor go Every on very aftinestic lately Co Bark of adeleide, Bristan Goed StateM 0/30 to same Amp Brus Monday 12 Genning Gasse L10. Ceskil L5 Donald Dixs K15/0 The bugs continue to multiply aupike our best efforts to cusb this Ladoney. He auchs are going on strike and an down to one today Everybed are up to the same wichs. seach out fradin with Lara feares Fuegday 18 Got a letter from Jack Vonon wes says the lads at trange are not dougbadly Carteen prices are ever worse than here. Did a night anty at the Saol. Stuc a quist night and a recorded concend Sergs roblice bac on anty save them beath a job with the Gs. Gaol Decky Offt
ava sessiring Ar0 IULY 2603 temno Andthe case y madress deselped wa Terfao a decided to remove a 60us globe from ove light objected on grounds of it being fowat properby & it looked the a court Inquiry way as people lose te sense & poportion tex days & ash tihe biase Thureday 15 Got a note from Agh Games (caniers) who is with some o As D Tences from the harth. nohipied me of more se deaths & aame amutatin casesty that I aid not peviously kas 1 as not affeas able to ship tem away Erusimas 65 Bulder WULY 2603 Fra 10 Had a loot noud te lixes. Dismssed two cases 7 loding by reglest: that had been put up by canp police, Played some seck Tenvis with yeo Givynog & lestened to A11 military band after mess. lamed of a party of 200 to gat bue seen to work enturday 17 Thought I may get the sugafo party and did uch faricularly want the pe. Howeve En Dea is gaing with 200 pictestes Royals, breeking boint plast protection and the sil tanbs at Pasis Paryang mad be exfecting a visst sometime.
DOLY 2O Sanday 18 bank insfected by Gen SAiT0 and a lare bady Jafanese haval offor. Hhe sleet must be in Sen Sadett, George Lwynce fem Handaere Lave entered a crclos Tennament and have won an first two imatches, ore sas i exeras avoitable tese says Monday 18 am hading my guose of ost an the By noeand from 6 to ie scawly bee surely we as getting t back. Have selected Lawry Mekinstry, Bouke, moe, hoam whte, Decd a lish o D B with A Sirce warnd for Japan but shill in surgapsl. Think they may came sut WUIY 2603 Fray 20 Had a show dowy wit John Caleos Bill McGeever that as cleased thais a lst and put my mend at rest as far as they are concersed. Am suxeised at the aditude of mast of the offed who living aat seen He mew, duk that all ti resensibilities are at anad Hednesday 21 Benb stell. Lt TANANASH len for bel sewey excand siene Ro Caup and has purt him in cond here agening be salnes & B5 Leaks like Hell to pay as he is a gaod friend& the 15 and that just about sems him up.
10LY 2803 Tureday 22 Great comings& going all day, of the leads. Te bomb steel laaks like Laving aire results. The manis supposed to be a great friend of the rips. Cheak Carades cone back and segnegation of offes a cast. Ballson debate in the Cows not gave a lowlngsuccess adt tnge o supper Endoy 23 Went out the gardens 180 acres of new greend benng seud up Walked down to the beach ad gazed whishfully out to sea. all te houses lave been evacnated dai te and are now only shells. 8 party brought in a shinitin that praned illumnating mattesha? bol Laffe £15 End & havd 14 JULY 2603 Camuly 21 Te Singatore hasky of Dous were paaded an a toed that this destmation is sinatia andth party wared for singafore for PAD work The new lond bee newly is shering things up and making complite charges staff cond. Bossibly one off to each broup Sunday 25 Latest food issve is dried seaweed? Tastes like pated death and recins what bit of flavening we do get fo th etenal ris. The enew admen is making the whole show very unhaffy.
JUE 2803 Monday 20 Two leates &our Geass oe om all see 43 Li of my thall caas save eaed nome 1 yess doing at days works saving will be rellyg in rectes whon 3 get tast wade fote Supt England rent year phops Sin 2 Cclifse Lebl from May thap was quite reasouring. Have a feeling that D night be Lavinga Cristman dince as some seews was t believe that I have ever teadir anyoths life than this Tooublen be tines because d new saute round sasl t 32 Joh orM3 Hemenday 2 Col Legges relieved of H bend ma Ihisheve saking over Have been allowed one of only to remt Bn with Canach chadce between ta & puss though I dost see Lew I can duf serg after the way be stuck ie Lard wstile suss woit on to Buona Thareday 20 Serg it is for the 21/e gah organising a find to make up pay to 83 pe month for the lads in hesfital who only get &t yer day with eigans at 15. N0F Williaks 6o sepot attachen d suddenly today with som stomach complant.
Won 6 lts whistng from Mrich Rode slr 2803 o and as bet Aor 20 Poo ses Lerg has jux got word that han was mattied in Gune 1943 He hasty betch I ao wise she could see serg and realise the pl he has done aned here, so that ate caue make a fair comp arison with the lusta Sotarar 31 Having my first expentence of the local cange mouble. Shi feeling of fawate and sendes parts that wae walking very inugstabl Placed Russell a fe gaus & bank reters duck letting we ddwe badly Bs0 Handly 30/20 a just evember end an tover 2 Sua Rarely get sulve than two and same day nore at all, Rasions very foor. Some days Cty rice & codotg & Ghuda fist that nearly seens te gut. However Cakin forward to a big infrsuen Istel Isoa Hope Jeasr deesn it and Mondoy 2 se morning with RSM working out NCOs Senwrcke lest to have any sights in the event of all ofor being saten away. attended an iteriationl quiz at nigh England 39. Australia 36 Hellard 27 America 26 Thaly 24th standad very high

Camp Finance.
JUNE 2603

S
Thursday 24
I J A  food scale .3 short of
minimum requirements.
.27 of which is corrected by
purchase of oil and beans.
from C M F.                           .55  .45
Pay ORS. WOS. .65 NCOs  .45 Pte 35

paid by camp:  40     "         30  "     25

no work (in lines). 10c

Hospital                 . 5c.

offrs contribute 45% of pay.

S

Friday 25

All watches registered to

curb theft & clothing cards

kept for each individual.

Very hard these days to keep

repairs up to the demand

General disruption in water

supply very worrying.

Dependent on Singapore supply.

Still no meat issue. Food

very poor - so am I.

Camp Finance July 44.

JUNE 2603

M

Saturday  26

Income

Offrs pay                                                                            58,000

wkg pay                                                                             81,000

Red X  "                                                                                 5,000

Canteen profit                                                                   4,000

                                                                                       ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

                                                                                       $ 148,000

Expenditure

Provision health foods                                                   38,000

" Woodlands Hosp                                                            5,000

             "                "                                                               2,000

offrs pay. Capts. up 30. Lts 24.                                      35,500

T 

Sunday 27  

Pay wos. N.COs. men 40, 30, 25                                   62,000

   "    EX-duty.  P/Us FULL. HOSP.5 OTHERS. 10           3,800

   "    Changi Hosp patients                                              1,000

         Assist internees                                                            500

                                                                                           ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

                                                                                        $ 147.800

Offrs contribute   $22,500

ORs                          $19,000

The above arranged with IJA

approval. ie most funds

spent on food.

 

[*Scot who starved his wife because

Dr said he had to exercise on an empty

stomach.*]

JUNE 2603

W

Monday 28  (700 POW in convoy)

Eighty survivors arrived here.

from a convoy of seven ships

from Sumatra. Five sunk by

our subs. One lad died on

arrival, 250 POWS lost at sea.

British, Dutch & Aussies all of

whom had been captured

in Java. Russ & I went to a

Road Show in our area. put on

by the English. One song "By the [[Lake?]]

or" Every time I pass water I think of 

you.

T

Tuesday 29

Pay day for both offrs & ORs

nearly all cash in large

notes which has made

our cash position almost

impossible to either pay

or run the canteens.

Have had a good response

from the lads to do

something for Mrs Boyes.

JUNE - JULY 2603

F

Wednesday 30

A number of believers

very intrigued by a story

by an Anglo-Indian who

has had a horoscope for

years. He is reputed as have

said 12 mths ago at a public

lecture that he would be

a POW 2½ years and said he

would move to the Gaol.

Picked the move to the very

S   I.

Thursday 1

day and also said he

would walk out a free

man on 8th Aug this year'.

Is willing to back his

story in cash. Don't like

his chances very much.

Spent the night, running

round after I J A guards

getting three of the lads

out of trouble. Usual

cocoanut stealing.

 

JULY 2603

Sun

Friday 2

WOI Cullen, an Anglo- Indian 

assist. surgeon tells a remarkable

story of horoscopes at the ages

of 4 & 30 he had two done that

considered exactly.

(1) He would be a POW 2½ years.

(2) be a prisoner on 15 Feb 42.

(3) Would move to a Gaol after

2 yrs 3 mths. So far exactly

right to the day. Finally free

on 8 Aug 44. How true I wonder?

M

Saturday 3

Have started taking a bit of

exercise again despite the lack

of flesh. Perhaps it might be

as well. Part of A & D Forces

have returned to Singapore

and embarked presumably

for Japan. Reg Newton & Dick

Parker are known to be

among those who have gone.

JULY 2603

T

Sunday 4

This place becomes a mad-house.

A team of us were stopped

playing circlos today by Col

Dillon because "it is banned"

Someone asked if we could

please have a licence to

play chess. Warning that we

will commence check parades

again tomorrow night. 82 bags

of mail. Only 22 for AIF and

2 for Timor Party - their first.

W

Monday 5

All cock about not being

allowed to play Circlos and

it is on again. A few

sick from D Force brought

out to hospital. Told of their

embarkation at Saigon for

Japan & after four days on a boat

tipped out and brought here by

rail. Then put on boats here!

 

[*Dumb girl who thought Fanny*]
JULY 2603
[*Ward was a maternity hospital.*]
T
Tuesday 6

Col Oakes making things hard

for me again. Having heard

that I was arranging to

do something for Mrs Boyes

he called a meeting of Bert,

Reg, Mick and excluded me.

When I protested against these

meetings being called without

my knowledge I got ticked off.

Must get position clarified.

F

Wednesday 7

Col Leggett taken up arms

on my behalf and has put

things to Rolly in a really

sensible light. I wish to

Heaven this show would

hurry up & finish if only

to let me out of these old

dodder's fights. Went to a

good AIF road show.

[*Rang the brickworks "your kiln me"

JULY 2603

S

Thursday 8

Col Oakes had the old Coy

Comds together for a most

unhappy conference. The

lads were all up against

him on his bright ideas

and now he is going to

have all offrs to a further

show. Why he can't see

that he is an unwanted

outsider I don't know.

SUN

Friday 9

Spent most of the day

reading "Warring to Wantons"

which is a nice set-off

to the Autobiography of a

Cad. Still play a set

or two of Circlos to keep

in a bit of condition

despite light rations.

Military Band Concert in

gaol after dinner.

 

[*Harvy Jessup £10 still*]
JULY 2603
[*prisoners by end of November. 44*]

M

Saturday 10

Two letters from Jess. Sept

42nd Aug 43 with a photo

of Lynne which makes

me feel old having an

infant grow to a girl in 

my absense. Played a

bit of Circlos and then

2/26 offrs played a British

A/A Regt chess. Nights

very hot. Hard to sleep.

T

Sunday 11

Funeral of Finlay. I J A guards

instructed to pay compliments

at grave. Offr at start

point. IJA red cross parcels

recd by guards containing : -

Loin cloth, 1 pencil 2 sheets

writing paper, small bow.

& arrows & a yo -yo! EveryOne 
very optimistic lately.

[*c/o Bank of Adelaide, Brisbane.*]
JULY 2603  

[*Fred State £10 20/30 same.*]
W
[*amt. Bris.*]  Monday 12

Jimmy Grose £.10 Cookie £.5 10

Donald Dyes £ 15/10

The bugs continue to multiply

despite our best efforts to

curb this tendancy. The ducks

are going on strike and am

down to one today. Every body's

are up to the same tricks.

Black-out practice with para-flares.

T

Tuesday 13

Got a letter from Jack Vernon

who says the lads at

Kranji are not doing badly.

Canteen prices are even worse

than here. Did a nights

duty at the Gaol. Struck a

quiet night and a recorded

concert. Ferg & Robbie back

on duty. Gave them both a 

job with the tps.

[*Gaol Duty Offr.*]

 

[[?]] Kettelring RIO.
JULY 2603
F

Wednesday 14

Another case of madness

developed. Maj Thompson (Q)

decided to remove a 60 W

globe from our light. I

objected on grounds of it

being private property &

it looked like court of

Inquiry. Why do people.

lose their sense of proportion

these days & act like kids.

S 

Thursday 15

Got a note from Sgt

Garner (Carniero) who is

with some of A & D Forces

from the North. Notified

me of more Bn deaths &

some amputation cases (7)

that I did not previously

know of. The IJA do not

appear able to ship them away.

[*&Christmas .to 65 Guilders*]

JULY 2603

S 

Friday 16

Had a look around the

lines. Dismissed two cases

of "Loosing by neglect" that

had been put up by

Camp Police, Played some

Deck Tennis with Geo

Gwynne & listened to AIF

Military band after mess.

Warned of a party of 200 to

go to town soon - to work.

M

Saturday 17

Thought I may get the

Singapore party and did

not particularly want the

job. However Geo Denaro

is going with 200 in w'chesters

& Royals Erecting bomb -

blast protection round

the oil tanks at Pasir

Panyang! Must be expecting

a visit sometime.

 

JULY 2603

T
Sunday 18

Camp inspected by Gen

SAITO and a large body

of Japanese naval Offrs.

The fleet must be in.

Ben Barnett, George Gwynne

Jim Hardacre have entered

a Circlos Tournament and

have won our first two

matches. Only spot of exercise

available these days.

W

Monday 19

Am having my quota of

offrs to run the Bn increased 

from 6 to 14. Slowly but

surely we are getting them

back. Have selected Lowry

McKinstry, Bourke, Unoc,

& Norm White. Recd a 

list of 7/26 Bn with A Force

warned for Japan but still

in Singapore. Think they may

come out.

JULY 2603

T

Tuesday 20

Had a show-down with

John Bales & Bill McGeever

that has cleared the air a

lot and put my mind

at rest as far as they are

concerned. Am surprised at

the attitude of most of the

Offrs who, living apart from

the men, think that all their

responsibilities are at an end.

F 

Wednesday  21

Bomb-shell. Lt TAKAHASHI

sent for Col Newey, ex-comd

Sime Rd Camp and has

put him in comd here,

displacing Col Holmes & B J.

Looks like Hell to pay as

he is a good friend of the

IJA - and that just about

sums him up.

 

JULY 2803

S

Thursday 22
Great comings & going all
day, of the heads. The bomb -
shell looks like having
dire results. The man is
supposed to be a great
friend of the nips. Check
parades come back and
segregation of offrs a cost.
Balloon debate in the Cocoanut
grove a howling success.

Had a binge for supper.

S
Friday 23

Went out the gardens. 180

acres of new ground being

opened up. Walked down

to the beach and gazed

whistfully out to sea. All

the houses have been

evacuated down there and

are now only shells. P party

brought in a Shimilum that

proved illuminating.  Matsnoka?

[*Col Kaffe £.15. End of Nov. 44.*]

JULY 2603

M

Saturday 24

The Singapore party of Poms

were paraded and told that

their destination is Sumatra!

Another party warned for

Singapore for PAD work.

The new Comd. Col Newey

is stiring things up and

making complete changes

of staff & Comd. Possibly one Offr

only to each Group!

T
Sunday 25

Latest food issued is

dried sea-weed? Tastes

like potted death and

ruins what bit of

flavouring we do get

for the eternal rice. The

new admin is making

the whole show very

unhappy.

 

 JULY 2603

W
Monday 26

Two letters from Jess &

One from Mum all Dec

43. Two of my three

cards have reached

home ! Jess doing a ½

days work & saving.

Will be rolling in

riches when I get back.

Wacko for the trip to

England next year perhaps.

T

Tuesday 27   [*Sun Eclipse*]
Letter from Marj that was

quite reassuring. Have

a feeling that I might

be having a Christmas

dinner at home. Seems

hard to believe that I

have ever known any other

life than this. Trouble in

the times because of new

route round Goal to

G L Joh.

JULY 2603 

F

Wednesday 28

Col Leggett relieved of Gp Comd

Maj Johnstone taking over.

Have been allowed one offr

Only to run the Bn with &

Cannot choose between Ferg

& Russ though I don't see

how I can dump Ferg after

the way he stuck up north

while Russ went on to 

Burma.

S

Thursday 29

Ferg it is for the 2 I/C job.

Organising a fund  to

make up pay to $3 per

month for the lads in

hospital who only get

c5 per day with cigars

at 15. WOI Williams! (Con

Depot attached) died

suddenly today with some

stomach complaint.

 

 [*Won 6 bts whiskey from
Mick Moore*]  JULY 2603  [*on end of

war bet.*]

S
Friday 30

Poor old Ferg has just

got word that Margaret

was married in June

1943! The nasty bitch.

I do wish she could

see Ferg and realise

the job he has done

over here so that she

could make a fair comparison 

with her husband.

M

Saturday 31

Having my first

experience of the local

Changi trouble. Skin

pealing off private and

tender parts that make

walking very uncomfortable

Played Russell a few

games of banker & chess.

Ducks letting me down

badly.

[*Bob Handly 30/20 on

end of august November*]

AUGUST 2603

T
Sunday 1

Rarely get more than

two and some days

none at all. Rations

very poor. Some days

Only rice & roots & stinking

fish that nearly turns the

gut. However looking

forward to a big improvement

too. Hope Jess can still

churn it out.

W

Monday 2

Spent morning with RSM

working our NCOs Seniority

list to save any fights

in the event of all Offrs

being taken away. Attended

an international quiz at night.

England 39. Australia 36.

Holland 27. America 26

Italy 24. Standard very

high.

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