Diary relating to service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1944 - Part 10

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 / 13

DECEMBER 280S Wodnooday Had a long you to reway whs sapes to squast te now inside. Put in a decent set o backs for the Roat offs Patien messr Covnilitdt as eggs to Lexiteet, fothe nath Repesets $81S Tursday2 Sainly quick day. In aftecdor w to gave to hea sit nitded Excy Baid wahic is frost alssg and at night back again to Iwintelettes the simes paids Only being allowed two night a week means an ealy day Howeve it was a first clase farce as theraughly enjoyable. DECEMBER 280S Brog 5 Am eggo this moring the Ads have at last staild the Brit affesnt following ane leas for the Hopital. They ae starting a farm of 155 birds and tll is funcsions they must contribute 5029t the peaudie. Lavely full moon. Have bee siring ony e apte lights art. satundor am sure pess will appreciate t mool sitting business. Am browning off this life more every day. If it wasn't for see Fergie it would be much weroe Beata Rupert are gettng we down. They bath live for their food only and both get thei found of flesh a all casts at all times.
Derrmork vrs Sudday 5 Ralest in the fees line is the issue new o boraa pals stalks as gree regetables Had athus mastin, ac y the unit, a builder in fiwabe life, and nuting out peass io a sas I stend to build as som as preces are reasonalle enough to pemist it Preferatly on the hew lamberon neights at seweasble Monday Have had a heavy day taying to get to the bason of a mess that has belema involved. Had a very ligh opinion of the lad llut he Has been guilty of spending case intrusted to him by Bay Bake an op and laks leke being in a bad spot Beack out on nearly all night, - in results OECEMETN ND Poosday Have been laid up for a few days with one b my siciland ulcess that las baoken dowes managed to get an n B tablet afrom a every gaod friend and o have end pears of it going very rashy. Once they get a guip it is generlly good lige to be defected part Hednesdoy & The Caleman bothe grows worse ustead of bette Russ & I have been trying to brack down sewe of the tales he has told us and the furthe we go the worse the shory becomes. He appears to be in the vecinity of $100 behind his comonamenty
OELEMAEN M Trors Completed mc deal for the achs. Set 5789 made it up to $200 and gave it to kivingstone for a pxfor 5 ₤200 Cust. Tese deals are always a shot in the dark and I nust relyen his lonesty to cough up after the war. If he ascant I dait suppose I will be much werse of Am paying n off some of my bets in dollgrs. Bot Landly rushed the chance & getti his L35 paid of in dollar well the bets wee work the from and it is dnly case of sellig eggs through Pide at D2 G pop and I will wife it all off if we are tee for anth month or two DECEMBER 2603 Saturday 11 Recd two letters from Jeas. In one sle said she has saved 4200. Between us we will have a great little next egg. I will have in the vecinity of £2,000. Have great hopes of a trip to Eigland i a couple o years & as soon as th coutry is atas witl a atacnes lde gi tehaps &t Sunday 12 Gat Anthur Mantin to do me a plan for a let. climate house then spert today fulling it to pieces and trying iny and at acctitecture, I ode peans fail I go bac t rismore will mest centaily build.
DECEMBER MOS Monday 13 Got old Dobbin to look ove my plan and had it ten & peces bet to work and infraves it consideably have had a couple o7 lorg dincussions will same it the Fritist offis on ay posfectin tup- one sag- what about fmily increase it verwas complications? Will leave the finst ato geas a 11 Laph of food playing bet witt duess Down to one egg seardhig greane to apss drains for all the add bits we can get Treas still going up to dell. bocdats ware 1:30 yeaterty and 140 today agans tthat wer Os wee we came back fabe the hard are sew &28. DECEMBER 2803 Mesneedar 15 just get work ksh ferce Care dine hack lan tadsow. Bith mnedical paties who left charge sometime appe force and were given stray ls in Sharland moakly I toking after native impressed labouries without anegs o equipment of any sont young Etman cleas his aptultis SA Tharoday 10 Put in the marning with Koy marion in his mined Rut. Had a look a some of Murray Triffins work (W4) and renewed agrannshep with Capt Panridge ND. Gordons Geo Polam hs been mavee back to the unit and is living in the but with the beam
DECEMBER 2800 Aday 17 still laving a tough time with the duck food Have to save then half my breakfast and lunch daily. Had bysil wild down for mess Roy and Reg Dilkinson blewin takes and we rat up and magged bill all Lows. Lyne is a beske I would like to see somethig of ate te seew is over Satur 10 Thigs lock more formising fer Xmas Sch 6 grego. The Be is patting on a fairly goos meal and have invitede and the old cay conds ase an meal with then su invitation is to only be sat sas been extended to any opps in Charge. Occrmork Sunday 19 Spent mex 7th day with John Bruley wko is one d syaneys best architeds discussing somes. He result is that t is getting to wod on plans for a place should I renam in sydrey and not take one mif abroad. Bost well to £1630 without lad stell it wess gaves sande 2 In afternoon wan doed dour te fadag to walth the yoks give the 3/29 a betting at baskehball. Head full o bnse peans at fresnd and have been company pahes a let Sandlys idea is the stories that take a let of gettig used to
Olermerk ns Tesday 21 Now Bent& I have teen int the matteraties &f the pacple and te finae decisi is to furdase the eaid for eash and put aown £305 leavig a ser R1200 to be paid Eave to gear o scuse his feax leaves me a nea balance to inoesh as a set off Netrero 2 Yeass I will, have a great time flying new losking at blecks & laid in norile Wealities. Brindley as spaken sigly of some at a reasaable firee ove lasking the Spit on ludal harbous that samsvery al radive DECEMBER 2803 Fray A facty 7300, 100 Baillsh Dutchs Aussices to go to be in the new year. One ingget command and doe Otter op to east 100. I have draw te amsan ticket and am going to seed deg swart iin. The lads ale seay bae and I am geting stheams ut to my rean with request to mcluse Enay 21 Refress sations to the 3a fer a Coliday sailed and mest y the work parties must go out tomerraw tg rawser has done a great jas in the kitcher inde the circumstances. In fact the 246 has get a name for Reit pespection feed Have bee very agreeasly seprins at the rands of laas we have been up to see mne tonight
Drcemork sonret lt Fund has done the comp well The offer at is having a good seen and an mesasbles for evening meal. BI did an inglection of the lines and was very imfressed at the show put on by the suit bitthe. Gave a sew Eggs as twas cado teak& cas do sdo cigars Most 7th offa auched in bath in shil lives SD suffering a mild rang- over tough it was not from grog. Think it largely due to a great deal of sucking. Hed an extitition by Gut Rawlins (32nd coops was artist)in our rson. Have arranged with him to have a fowait done. Will make a gaod change sawine Occemark i Monday 21 It is remaskable how one can slif after the years Dow Had to take Bext Paby to task today on his mettos g easig which was getting rath envisy to say the least of cousse he was very refect but agreed that it was for the best to be toea. yrs show in the Gravt Lunk t Snails & food scarc eggs down to two & thoee he day Filld Yfs to the Gase is rearing its ugly head again seems certain we mabe in the rew yea. Tw death eve knas One lad fell aut if a frce & backe his back andthe cut his throat.
OFCKMBER NDS Meteday 2 Recording runours to test them 3500 geing hart on work parhies Red Cross ship already in has ben. All camps to be reduced to 4000 All Hmonies go to Kualo Lumpees sutch t citte malacca & H Sey Ass stay sex unde bat Dillon WAAAByAsy to tabe oves Lere all offes to Jshore Bahon again PuBst be repatriated Tunday 20 The besody fasts of mos are taking the repat seniously and are ine gading all the very sick and P.Bs Meedlessly Naising false eges could easily as th jai a day if the occasion called for it. Farlaps I staued not have been so severe on njoe - save pust get andthe doae of the bug Lea 1030 DECEMBER 2803 Friday 31 Reclined on back all day with few Dined with bal steath & bynil wild down in 2 lives spen a meat interesting nigs yamng. Some at lighs out to swamp sime bliled sags and coedanet with serg, Rup & Bent ao celebrations or neise of any sand. tberny Brandy 23 mason jar. Small dark red ripe chenies. to seeded and the seeds bruised & bagged 12 whole add I bittle brady seal and leave 3matts Sencatchallums madras burry Pawaes
Buy Books tene WNRESSES Regidence Residence Name How like an Angel A Ghacdenell The Rights of Singaloce napoleon & his persals Macdonell roland Bradael a visit t America Day of the Saumpet Dev. Van Coon lives Devid to re gong Cineoce Hothe India Katterne t ays Slight from a laay macdomoll Andony lyveau Jonathan Casle Aulgg gota Eemes Salerie comfort yates trench Tiraborall Enssght Landom Narvest James Hilton Lambs weal M Puchamn pl & marquanc The white clifps t Alice over Miller Rat Alc and pulp of roasted slood, sweat Dears Sinator Cuchill apples a little sugar spice The time is now Pierse van Paassen 2 eggs beato up in the grean Exit laughing Iroin, S bobb and a dagh of whishy Deotiam Frick Marca Remarque Sand Paeks Pukibric Linstate last man round the World dal esese Steplen Longstreet 112 ts Loney, 1 st wake (boiling beaal without a bas Blaker 112 pts whakey 3e9g yocks Wagg Liegay S. S England Hly bigland A GwDon bettee, seae keep month temeny Loed the dea for suchan Rordor masters AGmacdingell
c aco RECEIVEO Tebrecs Hospital 500 (M Geever) 24 Cales) Genaal Atlare tagany me amenities sack stiff Kange Nox June seaving sea 12074 mt 403 Lakes Lamous ptn bee vichers gu densed ave a mason gas 43 full o measur anied piies sane omoull serve as aw 25 mason jas daied apariots better cheap brandy 3o tho Litle bath trenge mustin the bletting paps shaid Doths Pessible expendeture CASH ACCOUNT AEOEINED OITE bi blettig undans 150 o on home the C cas whe avallable caual sunhue abg Mereless Assallie blatting Insidnta Rause dagiscenties £52 ad Incane y repase credit in pay teck 1065 Defened ry 360 Allot Bank Balance Hday las assurance ssperage carges 220 1645 Bosibl Balance £833
MEMORANDA

DECEMBER 2603
F
Wednesday 1
Had a long yarn to Newey
who hopes to squash the move
inside. Put in a decent set
of books for the Hosp Offrs
Patients mess. Contributed 41
eggs to hospital for the month.
Represents $81! xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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xxxxx
S

Thursday  2
Fairly quick day. In afternoon
went to gaol to hear Gil Mitchells
Gipsy Band which is first class
and at night back again to
"Twinkletoes" the Xmas panto.
Only being allowed two nights
a week means an early start.
However it was a first-class
farce and thoroughly
enjoyable.
DECEMBER 2603
S
Friday  3
Six eggs this morning. The AIF
have at last shamed the Brit
Offrs into following our lead
for the hospital. They are
starting a farm of 150 birds
and till it functions they
must contribute 50% of their
total production. Lovely
full moon. Have been sitting
out on my own after lights out.
M
Saturday  4
Am sure Jess will appreciate
the moon-sitting business.
Am browning off this life more
every day. If it wasn't for old
Fergie it would be much
worse. Bert & Rupert are getting
me down. They both live
for their food only and both
get their pound of flesh at all
costs at all times.

 

DECEMBER 2603
T
Sunday 5
Latest in the food line is the
issue now of banana palm
stalks as green vegetables!
Had Arthur Martin, one of
the unit, a builder in private
life, over nutting out plans
for a house I intend to build
as soon as prices are reasonable
enough to permit it. Preferably
on the new Lambeton Heights at
Newcastle.
W
Monday  6
Have had a heavy day trying
to get to the bottom of a
mess that has Coleman
involved. Had a very high
opinion of the lad but he
has been guilty of spending
cash entrusted to him by
Ray Baker (an O/R) and looks
like being in a bad spot
Black out on nearly all
nights - no results.
DECEMBER 2603
T
Tuesday  7
Have been laid up for a
few days with one of my
Thailand ulcers that has
broken down. Managed
to get an M & B tablet from
a very good friend and so
have no fears of it going
very nasty. Once they get
a grip it is generally goodbye
to the infected part.
F
Wednesday 8
The Coleman bother grows
worse instead of better.
Russ & I have been
trying to track down
some of the tales he has
told us and the further
we go the worse the story
becomes. He appears to be
in the vicinity of $100
behind  his commitments.

 

DECEMBER 2603
S
Thursday 9
Completed my deal for the
notes. Got $189. Made it
up to $200 and gave it
to Livingstone for a P/N for
$£200 (Aust). These deals
are always a shot in the
dark and I must rely on
his honesty to cough up
after the war. If he doesn't
I don't suppose I will be
much worse off.
M S
Friday 10
Am paying off some of my
bets in dollars. Bob Handly
rushed the chance of getting
his £30 paid off in dollars.
Well the bets were worth
the fun and it is only a
case of selling eggs through
Pede at $2 per pop and I
will wipe it all off if we
are here for another month
or two.
DECEMBER 2603
M
Saturday  11
Recd two letters from Jess.
In one she said she has
saved £200. Between us we
will have a great little nest
egg. I will have in the
vicinity of £2,000. Have great
hopes of a trip to England
in a couple of years or as
soon as the country is settled
(with an attachment to London Office
perhaps)
W T
Sunday 12
Got Arthur Martin to do
me a plan for a hot-
climate house then spent
today pulling it to
pieces and trying my
hand at architecture. If
other plans fail & I go back
to Lismore will most 
certainly build.

 

DECEMBER 2603
T W
Monday 13
Got old Dobbie to look over my
plan and had it torn to pieces.
Got to work and improved it
considerably. Have had a couple
of long discussions with some of
the British Offrs on any prospective
trip - One snag - What about
a family increase & its various
complications? Will leave the final
decision to Jess.
F
Tuesday  14
Lack of food playing hell with the
ducks. Down to one egg. Searching
grease traps & drains for all
the odd bits we can get.
Prices still going up to Hell.
Cocoanuts were 1.30 yesterday
and 1.40 today. Cigars that were
₡3 when we came back from
the north are now ₡28.

DECEMBER 2603
S F
Wednesday 15
Just got work K & L force
are due back here tomorrow.
Both medical parties who
left Changi sometime after
F force and were given stray
jobs in Thailand - mostly
looking after native impressed
labourers - without drugs or
equipment of any sort. Young
Coleman clear of his difficulties
SAT.
Thursday 16
Put in the morning with
Roy Manion in his mixed
hut. Had a look at some of
Murray Griffin's work (W.A)
and renewed aquain-ship with
Capt Partridge, M.O. Gordons.
Geo Polain has been moved
back to the unit and is living
in the hut with the team.

 

DECEMBER 2603
S
Friday 17
Still having a tough time
with the duck food. Have to
save them half my breakfast
and lunch daily. Had Cyril
Wild down for mess. Roy
and Reg Wilkinson blew in
later and we sat up and
magged till all hours. Cyril
is a bloke I would like to see
something of after the show is over.
M
Saturday 18
Things look more promising
for Xmas. Got 6 googs. The
Bn is putting on a fairly good
meal and have invited me
and the old Coy Comds down
for one meal with them.
Our invitation is the Only One
that has been extended to
any Offrs in Changi.
DECEMBER 2603
T
Sunday 19
Spent most of the day with
John Brindley who is one
of Sydneys best architects
discussing homes. The result
is that he is getting to work
on plans for a place should
I remain in Sydney and
not take our trip abroad.
Cost will be £1500 without land.
Still it looks the goods.
W
Monday 20
In afternoon wandered down
the padang to watch the Yanks
give the 2/29 a belting at
basketball. Head full of
house plans at present and
have been comparing notes a
lot. Brindleys idea is two
stories that take a lot of getting
used to.

 

 DECEMBER 2603
T
Tuesday 21
Now Bert & I have been into
the mathematics of the problem
and the final decision is
to purchase the land for
cash and put down £300
leaving a mere £1200 to be
paid off over 25 years. Of
course this plan leaves me a
nice balance to invest as
a set-off.
F
Wednesday 22
Jess & I will have a great
time flying round looking
at blocks of land in various
localities. Brindley has
spoken highly of some at
a reasonable price overlooking
the Spit on [[Middle?]]
Harbour that sounds very
attractive.
DECEMBER 2603
S
Thursday 23
A party of 300, 100 British,
Dutch & Aussies to go to town
in the new year. One major to
command and one other Off
to each 100. I have drawn
the Aussie ticket and am
going to send Reg Swartz
in. The lads are very keen
and I am getting streams
up to my room with requests
for inclusion.
S
Friday 24
Representations to the IJA for a
holiday failed and most of the
work parties must go out
tomorrow. Reg Dawson has done
a great job in the kitchen under
the circumstances. In fact the 2/26
has got a name for their prospective
feed. Have been very agreeably
surprised at the number of lads who
have been up to see me tonight.

 

DECEMBER 2603
M
Saturday 25
CM Fund has done the camp well.
The Offrs gp is having a good
show and our mess assembles
for evening meal. BJ did an
inspection of the lines and was
very impressed at the show put
on by the Unit kitchen. Gave a
few eggs as Xmas cards & took the
cooks down 3 doz cigars. Most of the

Offrs ducked in bath in unit lines.
T
Sunday 26
Suffering a mild hang-over
thought it was not from grog.
I think it largely due to a great
deal of smoking. Had an exhibition
by Gnr Rawlins (3 Ind Corps
War Artist) in our room. Have
arranged with him to have
a portrait done. Will make a
good Changi souvinier.
DECEMBER 2603
W
Monday 27
It is remarkable how one
can slip after three years
POW. Had to take Bert Sabin
to task today On his method
of eating which was getting
rather noisy to say the
least. Of course he was
very upset but agreed that
it was for the best to be told.
O/Rs show in the Grove.- Punk.
T
Tuesday 28
Snails & food scarce eggs
down to two or three per day.
Field Offrs to the Gaol is
rearing its ugly head again
Seems certain we move
in the new year. Two deaths
over Xmas. One lad fell out of
a tree and broke his back.
Another cut his throat.

 

DECEMBER 2603
F
Wednesday 29
Recording rumours to test them.
3500 going north on work parties
Red Cross ship already in harbour.
All camps to be reduced to 4000
All Pommies go to Kuala Lumpur
  "  Dutch to either Malacca or K Tingi
  "   AIF stay here under Col Dillon
WAKA BYASHI to take over here.
All Offrs to Johore Bahru again.
PUB's to be repatriated!
S
Thursday 30
The bloody fools of M/Os are taking
the repat. seriously and are regrading
all the very sick and
P.U.B.s needlessly raising false
hopes. Could easily do the job in
a day if the occasion called for
it. Perhaps I should not have
been so severe on M/Os - have
just got another dose of the bug
Temp 103o.
DECEMBER 2603
SUN
Friday 31
Reclined on back all day with
fever. Dined with Col Heath
& Cyril Wild down in I lines.
Spent a most interesting night
yarning. Home at lights-out
to swamp some boiled sago
and cocoanut with Ferg, Rup
& Bert. No celebrations or
noise of any sort.
Cherry Brandy.
2/3 mason jar. Small dark red
ripe cherries.
½ seeded and the seeds bruised
& bagged. ½ whole.
Add 1 bottle brandy.
Seal and leave 3 months.
Vencatchellum's Madras
Curry Powder

 

Books to Buy.
The Lights of Singapore.
Roland Braddell.
Day of the Trumpet
David C De Jong (HARPER)
Flight from a lady             } Macdonnell
Autobiography of a Cad. } AG McDonald. 
This above all   Eric Knight
Random Harvest  √  James Hilton
H.M. Pulham      John P Marquand
The White Cliffs √  Alice Duer Miller
Blood, sweat & Tears - Winston Churchill
The time is now - Pierre Van Paassen.
Exit Laughing - Irvin. S. Cobb
Flotsam - Erich Maria Remarque
Last Man round the World -
Stephen Longstreet.
Medal without a bar    Blaker.
[[Wagghiegay?]]     C. Stowe
England their England    A G McDonald  McDonnell
Memory hold the door    John Buchan
Lords & Masters     AG. Macdonnell
How like an Angel               A G Macdonell
Napoleon & his Marshals     "   Macdonell
A Visit to America                  "           "
Lives    Hen. Van Loon
Mother India    Katherine Mayo
Anthony Lyveden  { (Jonathan Cape.)
&                                 {
Valerie                       {
French.                      {  Dornford Yates
Lambs Wool.
Hot Ale, add pulp of roasted
apples a little sugar & spice.
2 eggs beaten up in thin cream
and a dash of whisky.
From "Poets Pub." Eric Linklater
Athol Brose - old scotch
1½ lbs honey, 1 pt water (boiling)
1½ pts whiskey; 3 egg yolks.
bottle, seal & keep 1 month.

 

CASH ACCOUNT

1943

DATE

   RECIEVED PAID
Dec 25 Tobacco Hospital     50 00

1944 

Jan 18

 " (McGeever)     50  
Feb " (Eales)     50  
" General Welfare (Magaray)     50  
Mar Amenities     47  
" Cook staff     23  
June Kranji Hosp     100  
  Shaving Gear  (Taylor)                  28  
       "            "        (Martin)        5    
        403  

600

   90

510

Lakes Famous Prunes.
1 bottle Vickers gin poured
over a "Mason" jar 2/3 full
of medium dried prunes.
Leave 3 months. Serve as savouries.
2/3 Mason jar dried apricots
1 bottle cheap brandy. 3 mths.
Filter both through muslin & then

blotting paper. - stand 3 mths.
Possible expenditure.
CASH ACCOUNT

DATE   RECEIVED PAID
  Civ Clothing     70
  Uniforms.     27
  Dep on home thru CB.     150
  Car when available     350
  Replacement furniture xxxx     50
  Refrig     60
  Wireless less allee     25
  Clothing (Jess)     40
  Incidental house      
  charges & extras     50   
        £822

Income if released Dec 44.
Credit in pay book     1065
Deferred Pay                 360
 Allot             } Bank Balance

4/2 per day } Less Assurance
& storage charges.        220

                                          1645
Possible Balance       £ 823

 

 
 
 






 

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