Diary relating to the service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1945 - Part 7

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
  • Prisoner of War
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.143
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

WOUSLMN Saturday Acd Serg is still the tabouses heve stems shill a minate what with a bet & dooverng for us thall times a day and casking up some and swell con on moring he is in a condtant latter sweat, Thank God le likes this muching woud Sa scone go hinlgry Sonay &11 Have creserved a few Lages from the every day elries as we have all been langing off to Lave something febly solid and Kussias Etfert flus an now resint slemes to have things, maving Very early this menning the AUCUST 20S Hony57 take was out and the lase played &lendialy Mey whe waired not too slow any aigns of elation an they played up. up to mid day to lay the hip save. gilie no indicatio Ite etan moinding a couple & macing gives on the gave tower. last night one the comissed succide ruesdor t Oe of the few signs is the almost total lagk of hp ais actively Gerg+ I are going though sur starse belongings to see haw litter we can walk su with if necessary I figure my hes srt fackets will cae needs pety well afterall the leas gear the less udgs.
ACOUST 2O3 Hednaeday I1 At last a man can write on entay without having to seof and consider what goes dow Tere has always the cance & pips, finding dcaries wee tey feet on earches and as any kind that we had any khowledge of the autude world has to be suppessed anyLow we lave Las sets walking continually and Mday 12 great is the py today Samn funry day. We are giving regular sessions and be loed hys have as yet said not a thing. As they shill hold the guns life gud goes or with every little sutward sign 9 Gubitatler Perhaps after 32 yrs We have leavnd to put on a pope face without any effert. AUOUST MDS Bry 13 I on - the off. All da we have been geting resets and I am sune that the only worry is how soon same faol ships are gain to be here. Oeterwise whn the Euferd signs on the astted line alsesnt create very much interest. Ferg made a beaut quick steward a sweet sage to follow. Saturday 14 hadurally can't get Jess the lome falks sut of my mind for a mineete and shill the big sews went come! At a pon the news started to itle out. an immediate bi concepon conversation could be heard all ever the comp, and we will be in malays a protemenes
The dirty wife with the AUOUST 2503 fift Sunday 15 our custl year in Malaya star tday. Earty Hs morning we leald the alow was all ove By nis day the story was round Ad sugggon ladis was broad casting that the hip here would fig to be last man and of cousse a los of the pesimists are sitting reind waiting to get this throats cut - the feals I Have fuet the Be flagtegetter again Manday 10 B phas the idea we are gon to be sere so weeks after Rausgets here and is lensily engaged working our concent ati flan and y csurse we foo Commanding Officers are flas aut on sallock that we all consider a bloody Howeve wash 9 time. time will tell, sunk full of dirk dishes AUOUST 20S Fuesaay 17 shill paticnly waiting for semething to happen. The local hip las as yet given no ndication tat the staw is fisted and of couose we call wke it up. The padion laig stocks &f Redxiratiens in Rugafore would be now welcome eve ow with as mucnatuatt sickies Hednesday 18 still waiting. Had a show on this morning. Ore o su places flea very high abe the naval Basi and was fired on by A1 00 it at a couple o bombs go natoes it very Lard to realise that to show is ovet Cenfevences & reputig are raising theis ugly heass yo I want to go home
AOOUST MNS Tuledar 19 Great doings. All parties ane coming back. Russell already amoed. Kengansing on in Nor areaon trel bay Basis. It hip have sent cut all the pistees from Mr Ara. Red & o welling in 10 fa17,000 farcels a mild with stads & clathing medical sheres all these have been seld while her starned died for wan t dougs Adoy 20 Fergs I fulled out to N3 Arex with Rakliie, Russ, Mann, Bet, wiske and were jaived by Reg Geo Polain who netterned today by night we were all bedded doid and had 300 aad y o lads togeth. The spicits are up in the ay and10 am reding then with a slack rain AUGUST 2603 Saturday 21 Ts shill coming bad sooe new is 423. Mank Lowy has been revetee to no7 ald I am afraid I cannot do an have for hin until we get out. A freat sight on betteen snt Comas & Medical Despite stacks &rece we are all limited to 315 gas which is leas then the work fates have been gettigin te Sunday 22 by 0100 this morning we las accourdated 736 i a space f so but practically all the singapore partier are back Have nearly ever his in the Avt refresated Medical aps classifying all people by try hae. (dosp ship, Ira ambulance spt of Garspert Ferg Russ Robbic I by SAT
she wonen having a baly in 4000 thai sa Seth Menday 28 17A fleading the cam with clothing Brots son towes singless shirks in lage number. Sley are abviousy anxious to have te fore looting respectable before ou feofle get Lere. Have bee give two weriless sets so know we can bring our oid trusties and a smake Tuesday 21 as one stage all flags were ravedto be hades owe to the hips. I took a rist and unpicteed the Ie flag and stowed away the piiles Ay it was f together and now flys sue Brs AA Lighting colstructions lifted and enteranments ind way sanel 7 whisey outride He put Wator mrsanle Blackawt Mo ETern Foaresday 25 waitng anxiously to see our flans in to dry with nyes and medieal stoes nothing reppened. at night be cancelt on very shoet shahice fet on on e and shaw for the laas wlien was fist class. Jass shill pansing in clattilg to make their have good - Ttey are still 3Byrs too late Tursday 20 Sande restrections lefting and seven paades starte of this afternoon. A great pity that cand is still welking the lads round the camp as haid as the 154 used. howeve rtion are far better than anyding we Ihave had for a long time wat be happy till I get off nice
East weight July 20- 1154 lb AUGUST 203 Folday 27 Were fead arriving last night had a small bead rell with tured butte & Ceese sased like Heaver can see maye ma t we will aeciat oweling food in the nea future every as very umpatient haw We have were thak we will pobably be flowr t Lawnsvell Sabracy 28 He offer hes situated a long way from the dadnes is nealy a ersaining. It has the pick of the cnct opes with Pebl Heday sno Ges Polain as padre. The din at times is awful an I am the senior off responsible for discplae want to see gessu alleed peare low abe camp to s ien NOUSTM a cue rotetd Sunday a cruple & ses brews seps through the camp and they wer obviously shecked at the living conditions - we think we are on closes compared wit a cauplef months ago musis going all aue the coup at hight robbis Russ- I wan yor a walk and called in or the good shass Radis says to expect umedical supplis drofped ton erra Montay 30 Ione to theis word - a libeaton ove at fist light and eleven chutes seen to doep on drome, 2a2 staff offa wed Orderlies now lave just sa news of our evacuation Dais. For te first time am able to realise tat I will seen be lave with my darlings.
AUGUST-SEPTEMRER 2603 Faveday 31 mmore doeppings 46 cyledes7 seeds daugs, 2920 witha Mansmitting wireless sets a naiquite landed at the Ciel air Gat& the two filds came nto caup and stayed the night. (RNzAF) Ay excelly shewbat Corsaunt Inave with Hbbier Russell, receiving lond exake breadcass throughout to Camp Wedneeday1 Aust conforts issued in very small quantities 6u for 390) The wzairna gave a farwvell show our the camp. at night absut a dozen pdratisess came in by cal. They have been on the tannland some up to o with at heaving some first and necs & aushalia SEPTEMBER 280S Feday stanted off the day laving a listen in to the Slyo Ladis & surredee he sa sae Eiberators dng supplies ave the drine. Tus Mesquites thy tired on a stow aede listering to regulas tud steake bhoaacasts and getting very in gatient as the relief gets closes and a trip sar a distinct itossibitity Fridgy3 Laid up with a very nasty blister on the ball of my faad sid Bill Browe died today much to the susprise of us till. His morning witiessed an impressive celemony when the union Jack, stars sthipes & sulch fag craised on the Gave tower. Don Cathie ever last night
SEPTEMEER 2809 tie Boosill Bill brawn be ege in farade sels in dage ice 1942 Turned out ee and unform without sands as I was said up I wat yt him tale & sow it away In a flop at night with some lhds going through t were and getting native greg that will wock the silly kct capt leek peratreg) at aD SpndayS set off with s cos for a visit thy truet) 9 Dow comps on th Ioland saw the flee steam in Visited Saryging Tagas, Krangi, Adam Park, Sim Rd. Civiliars at Sune Bd taking it will cheened to the ech all thronge singafore. Had a talk to some Gunjah offes. opened up GP.D and went up on raof for his age niew of the fleet that has all anchorld by 1700 ho Pets camp at 1830 hro. Drremer m nondayo Indian ths passed te Gase to occupy this area this morning. Tress reps ne wanen xound camp have not seen thwemen want to see pasy yune Issued with one letter (aid mail for australia Lust batch of yanks left by ais. Flew evss the cmp t say Doad Ae stores coming in by the tanch load should get good food soon. Stiekybett parties are now organised to hve a look nound charge. Nave been too busy as for to go out Have two lads missing. George say Bents self did a mid negth frowe to Ampiis R
SEPTEMEER 2803 Demesday Geo Polai Ben I went into be to sqare und apo then avo dock aw suser on to Gaeaweod Acted RAors(40) met incres cnforte commo, took him to Latongard net eler White cane some to sind bee nd in a stew Trestered to rack me an al sort of things. ow coeant take sues soon ou i aan will have us all mad Mirsday I Have not bee sached after all 150 australians off by aid tomorrow. sed sill manison taking out a letter for Jess. Save a batch of the unit offes a mention. Lavyons becoming nery inpatient at the ternileld mudale that is going a with the incoming administation. SEPTEMBER 2603 A 10 shill aad people aswng Crnie Duncan (lak in By arawed by Catalm and argfed in to a yarr. Hear for the fill time of kett He arsas death sco Polaus went to town and returred with an invilation to lunc with the Bishep of singapore. Very few ea going an n Saturtay 11 spent a lot of time with Crue Suncan yarning of Lismor. Food is impoving and the comforts ae nolingin. Let wast of the opps a to town. My had a gaod day on board the manunda with the sisters. and ven t aligtes interedy iin wemen. Lvny has got his pips back
SEPTEMBER 280S Sunday 12 Hovement starting Seast on sisk meved oft by air the onganisation sexpersitle for the mave is topiless and we are shill aving our nomenal nalls etc. Neat over t coramnt trave and saw my first tallen for ave from years came back to reasall have stiffed from tomorrow Monday 13 All nevement subject to the geatest much if whe acm. Te eperts on hee are weefel. Do still as responsible for our sue rolls which are in grod ade The carys i due to leave taa lead very aisquisting tales of te paties we left up har. It appears they have suffered peety Leavy camalttes this lart 2ito, Serrmer m Taoaday 14 hon to suigapore with Juinng brose Had lunch with ha wel in real dinese style. Loh back in time for can inspection by Lord louis! He inspected the Bn atex. I was inaduce and had a fe words with him and quite a long uan with Lady m after the inspective he made a tamn fine speach and impressed a treny Heanesday 15 Very quiet day waking so innt reckss. went aswe to a swom with knoor kobbie. Sot a suwert lede from min, still have not heard from me.

AUGUST  2603
T
Saturday  7
Old Ferg is still the labourer.
Never seems still a minute
what with a bit of doovering
for us three times a day
and cooking up some
duck swill in the mornings
he is in a constant lather
of sweat. Thank God he
likes this mucking round.
I'd sooner go hungry.
W
Sunday 8  11.
Have reserved a few
pages from the every-day
entries as we have all
been hanging off to hear
something pretty solid
and Russia's effort plus
our new bomb seems to
have things moving.
Very early this morning the
AUGUST  2603
T
Monday 9  11.
tale was out and the lads
played splendidly. They
were warned not too show
any signs of elation and
they played up. Up to midday
today the Nips have
given no indication other
than mounting a couple
of machine-guns on the
gaol tower. Last night one
nip committed suicide.
F
Tuesday 10 11.
One of the few signs is the almost
total lack of nip air activity.
Ferg & I are going through our
sparse belongings to see how
little we can walk out with
if necessary & I figure my two
shirt pockets will cover my
needs pretty well. After all the
less gear the less bugs.

 

AUGUST 2603
S

Wednesday 11

At last a man can write an

entry without having to stop

and consider what goes down.

There has always the chance

of nips finding diaries when

they put on searches and so

any hint that we had any

knowledge of the outside

world had to be suppressed.

Anyhow we have had sets

working continuously and
S

Thursday 12

great is the joy today

Damn funny day. We are

getting regular sessions and the

local Nips have as yet said

not a thing. As they still hold

the guns life just goes on

with very little outward signs

of jubilation. Perhaps after 3½ yrs

we have learnt to put on a

poker-face without any effort.
AUGUST 2603
M

Friday 13

It's on - It's off - All day

we have been getting reports

and I am sure that the

only worry is how soon

some food ships are going

to be here. Otherwise when

the Emperor signs on the

dotted line doesn't create

very much interest. Ferg

made a beaut duck stew and

a sweet sago to follow.
T

Saturday 14

Naturally can't get Jess &

the home folks out of my

mind for a minute and

still the big news wont

come!

At 4 pm the news started to

trickle out. An immediate buzz

of  corrospon conversation could be

heard all over the camp. And we

will be in Malaya 4 yrs tomorrow

 

[*The dirty wife with the sink full of dirty dishes.*]

AUGUST 2603
W

Sunday 15

Our fourth fifth year in Malaya starts

today. Early this morning we

heard the show was all over.

By mid-day the story was round

that Singapore Radio was broadcasting 
that the Nips here would

fight to the last man and of course

a lot of the pesimists are sitting

round waiting to get their throats

cut - The fools.  Have put the

Bn flag together again.
T

Monday 16

B J has the idea we are going

to be here for weeks after

Louis gets here and is

busily engaged working

out concentration plans

and of course we poor

Commanding Officers are

flat out on rolls etc that

we all consider a bloody

waste of time. However

time will tell.

AUGUST 2603
F

Tuesday 17

Still patiently waiting for 

something to happen. The local

Nip has as yet given no

indication that the show

is finished and of course we

can't wake it up. The known

large stocks of Red X rations

in Singapore would be most

welcome even now with so

much malnutrition & sickness.
S

Wednesday 18

Still waiting. Had a show on

this morning. One of our planes flew

very high over the naval Base and

was fired on by A/A so it let a 

couple of bombs go. Makes it

very hard to realise that the show

is over. Conferences & [[repurms?]]

are raising their ugly heads again.

I want to go home!

 

AUGUST 2603
S

Thursday 19

Great doings. All parties are

coming back. Russell already

arrived.  Reorganising Bn in No 2

Area on three Coy Basis. The

Nips have sent out all the

prisoners from No 2 Area.  Red X

rations rolling in. So far 17,000

parcels arrived with stacks of

clothing & medical stores. All

these have been held while men

starved & died for want of drugs
M

Friday 20

Ferg & I pulled out to No 2 Area

with, Robbie, Russ, Morrie, Bert,

Mickie and were joined by Reg

& Geo Polain who returned 

today. By night we were all

bedded down and had 300

odd of our lads together. The

spirits are up in the air and I

am riding them with a slack

rein.

AUGUST 2603
T

Saturday 21

Tps still coming back score

now is 423. Frank Lowry has

been reverted to Wo 11 and I

am afraid I cannot do any

more for him until we get

out. A Great fight on between

unit Comds & Medical. Despite

stacks of rice we are all limited

to 315 gms which is less than the

work parties have been getting in

town.
W

Sunday 22

By 0100 this morning we had

accomodated 736 in a space

for 520 but practically all

the Singapore parties are

back. Have nearly every Unit

in the AIF represented. Medical

Offrs classifying all people for

the trip home. (Hosp ship, Sea

Ambulance Tpt or Transport)

Ferg, Russ, Robbie and I by S.A.T.

 

[*The women having a baby in

the air-raid shelter.*]

AUGUST 2603
T

Monday 23

IJA flooding the camp with

clothing. Boots, sox, towels

singlets shirts in large

numbers. They are obviously

anxious to have the force

looking respectable before

our people get here. Have been

given two wireless sets so

now we can bring our old

trusties out of smoke.
F

Tuesday 24

At one stage all flags were

ordered to be handed over to

the nips. I took a risk and

unpicked the Bn flag and

stowed away the pieces. Today

it was put together and now

flys over Bn HQ. Lighting

restrictions lifted and

entertainments under way.

[*Barrel of whisky outside

the pub sampled

Black & white?  No F Terrier*]
S

Wednesday  25

Waiting Anxiously to see our

planes in today with M/Os

and medical stores. Nothing

happened. At night the concert

on very short notice put on

an open-air show for the lads

which was first class. Japs

still pouring in clothing to

make their name good - They

are still 3½ years too late.
S

Thursday  26

Further restrictions lifting

and swim parades started

this afternoon. A great

pity that Comd is still

working the lads round

the camp as hard as the 1JA

used. However rations are

far better than anything we

have had for a long time. Won't

be happy till I get off rice.

 

[*Last weight July 20 - 11st.4 lbs - Weighed today 12 st 3.(10lbs improvement
in a couple of
weeks.)*]

AUGUST 2603
M

Friday  27

More food arriving. Last

night had a small bread

roll with tinned butter &

cheese - Tasted like Heaven.

Can see more & more how

we will appreciate civilised

food in the near future.

Everyone very impatient 

now we have word that we

will probably be flown 

to Townsville.
T

Saturday  28

The Offrs hut situated a long

way from the drones is

really entertaining. It has

the pick of the Unit Offrs

with Pete Hendry, SMO &

Geo Polain as padre. The

din at times is awful and

I am the senior Offr responsible 

for discipline!

Want to see Jessie!  Allied

plane low over camp.
AUGUST 2603
W

Sunday 29

A couple of Red Cross reps

though the camp and they

were obviously shocked at

the living conditions. - We

think we are on clover

compared with a couple of

months ago. Music going

all over the camp at night.

Robbie, Russ & I went for a

walk and called in on three

good shows. Radio says to expect

medical supplies dropped tomorrow.
T

Monday 30

True to their word - a Liberator

over at first light and eleven

chutes seen to drop on drome.

2 M/OS, 2 Staff Offrs & 2 Med Orderlies

now have first - hand

news of our evacuation

plans. For the first time I

am able to realise that

I will soon be home with

my darlings.

 

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2603
F

Tuesday  31

More droppings. 46 cylinders of

food & drugs, 2 O/Rs with a 

transmitting wireless sets.

A "mosquito" landed at the

Civil Air Port & the two pilots

came into camp and stayed

the night. (RNZAF) An excellent

show at Cocoanut Grove with

Robbie & Russell. Receiving loud-speaker
broadcasts throughout the 

Camp.
S

Wednesday 1

Aust comforts issued in very

small quantities (14 for 390).

The NZ airman gave a farewell

show over the camp. At night

about a dozen paratroops came

in by car. They have been on 

the Mainland, some up to

4 mths. Great hearing some first

hand news of Australia.

SEPTEMBER 2603
S

Thursday  2

Started off the day having a

listen in to the Tokyo radio

of the Surrender. Then saw some

Liberators drop supplies over

the drome. Two Mosquitos

then turned on a show overhead.

Listening to regular loud-speaker 
broadcasts and

getting very impatient as

the relief gets closer and

a trip home a distinct

possibility
M

Friday 3

Laid up with a very nasty

blister on the ball of my foot.

Old Bill Brown died today

much to the surprise of us all.

This morning witnessed an

impressive ceremony when the

Union Jack, Stars & Stripes & Dutch

flag raised on the Gaol tower.

Don Cathie over last night.

 

SEPTEMBER 2603
T

Saturday 4

Bill Brown's funeral.  Possibly

the largest Bn parade held in

Changi since 1942. Turned out

well and uniform without

shirts. As I was laid up I went

up to Main Gate & saw it away.

In a flap at night with

some lads going through the wire

and getting native grog that will

knock them silly. Met Capt Leek (

paratroop) at AIF HQ.
W

Sunday 5

Set off with other COs for a visit (by

truck) of POW camps on the Island.

Saw the fleet steam in. Visited

Tanjong Pagar, Kranji, Adam Park,

Sime Rd. Civilians at Sime Rd

taking it well. Cheered to the echo

all through Singapore. Had a talk

to some Punjab Offrs. Opened up

G.P.O. and went up on roof for

birds-eye view of the fleet that

was all anchored by 1700 hrs.

Retd camp at 1830 hrs.

SEPTEMBER 2603
T

Monday 6

Indian tps passed the

Gaol to occupy this area

this morning. Press reps

incl women round camp

have not seen the women

want to see Jess & Lynne.

Issued with one letter (Air

Mail) for Australia. First

batch of Yanks left by air.

Flew over the camp to say "Good

bye"
F

Tuesday 7

Stores coming in by the truck-load.  
Should get good food

soon. "Sticky-beak" parties

are now organised to have

a look round Changi. Have 

been too busy so far to go out.

Have two lads missing. George

Ray, Bert & self did a mid-night 
prowl to Tampins Rd

 

SEPTEMBER 2603
S

Wednesday  8

Geo Polain, Bert & I went in to Town

to square unit ops then down docks

saw "Sussex". On the Goodwood

Hotel RAPWI (HQ) met Mr Cross

Comforts commr, took him to

Katong and met Glen White.

Came home to find Col Pond

in a stew. Threatened to sack

me and all sorts of things.  If

RAPWI doesn't take over soon our

own adm will have us all mad.
S

Thursday 9

Have not been sacked after all.

150 Australians Off by air

tomorrow. Old Bill Morrison

taking out a letter for Jess. Gave

a batch of the unit Offrs a 

mention. Every one becoming

very impatient at the terrible

muddle that is going on with

the incoming administration.

SEPTEMBER 2603
M

Friday 10

Still odd people arriving. Ernie

Duncan (late 41 Bn) arrived

by Catalina and dropped

in for a yarn. Heard for the

first time of Keith Henderson's

death. Geo Polain went to 

town and returned with an

invitation to lunch with the

Bishop of Singapore. Very few

lads going AWL now.
T

Saturday 11

spent a lot of time with Ernie

Duncan yarning of Lismore.

Food is improving and the

comforts are rolling in. Let

most of the Offrs go to town. They

had a good day on board

the Manunda with the sisters.

Am not the slightest interested

in women. Lowry has got

his pips back.

 

SEPTEMBER 2603
W

Sunday 12

Movement starting. First

ten sick moved Off by air.

The organisation responsible 

for our move is hopeless

and we are still doing our

nominal rolls etc. Went over

to Cocoanut Grove and saw

my first talkie for over four

years. Came back to hear all

leave stopped from tomorrow.
T

Monday 13

All movement subject to the 

greatest muck-up ever seen.  The

experts sent here are woeful.  We

still are responsible for our own

rolls which are in good order.

The Oranje is due to leave today.

Heard very disquieting tales of the

parties we left up North. It

appears they have suffered pretty

heavy casualties this last 12 mths.

SEPTEMBER 2603
F

Tuesday 14

Went to Singapore with Jimmy Grose.

Had lunch with Hun Wah in real

Chinese style. Got back in time for

Camp inspection by Lord Louis. He

inspected the Bn area. I was introduced

and had a few words with him and

quite a long yarn with Lady M.

After the inspection he made a

damn fine speech and impressed

every one tremendously.
S

Wednesday 15

Very quiet day working

on unit records. Went

down for a swim with 

Russ & Robbie. Got a 24 word

letter from mum. Still

have not heard from me.

 

 

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