Diary relating to the service of Major Charles Patrick Tracey, 1945 - Part 8

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
  • Prisoner of War Singapore
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.143
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 9

SEPTEMBER 2603 Thurda 16 Aret Cal Halnes from Att courd who told be I look like getting a jeb there for some time on nt alcords. went asisn to the several cuse for a swine. The mess is shill continuing and He boats shill being delayed want to be talkils quits a geas show Enday 17 Got out our first balth & hips as a work party (on barchster what a beautiful right. tet Jaw Munray, Pay Cops from Counenwealth Bank who les ven encourging news maj oc Callegan Stune from Mancuria and came iraund the smit. Went to te pichures SEPTEMBER 280S Satran 18 r anrgine idtificatin nd wee abl t fc out bot goods bas guaasr saught up with Toyana. Ee about hels wth ca saff and las a great time spent a lester s toyd to talk sine is selling he same silee ware on tisk take honeit ger. sat 10 sor Gratan saned up t arland te Joss & Man. Enbarkattern eve out for Fristoy aftr peray hang told toataw. Heas great plans for out home ooming Ceallatie Busbe di sent leters to jossly avey pae to to kaybae
SEPIEMRER 2OS Franday 20 A mad day trying to get back & clotting for te men stops wil b ig alwward very lite wette arcosed than they were as gaw. Lhe reception unt are the greated let 9 ands te world has eve ver gaters toget in on aph If they waes only leave us cauld he Feray 21 up at 0n0e and away by yr saie) Imaaker o laze day 1000 his accou net cranged boat as het as ell Haweay no one ary upach at conditions the seaw like leaven By night evoryen felly well atted vey wte clatty on boad SerrmeM Hedneeday 22 apart from auties spe a est of time onecoming change diffrculties and buying up tobacs cigatl. seig some good lectures o the entaid world ae oakes & boar as op ps aid I would say slighty mental. suying up a stock & tobacco a every cheaf cates. As o/s of trit of trees on boord I have command the aft half of saip. I was correspondent on bowd who are trying all day to primp me. We Eld a church porase today & teys aecorced it fo oroadcast to austalia. I was asked to say a few woras Has all the signe of a great Hop home
SPTEMORN M Friday 21 Anothe days steaming neane home. He seean dead calm and treep very cortent. They all seeep a dick, have very good weals and no duties. IHave issued a number t comports and lying all the tooasso I can get my Lands or wondering of Iewill see Jess by the 3 t what ealit wiell be Soturan 25 Sea shill very calm and the sea tul poking alog at 15 knots. Dnew a towel and paid y fyjamas from a very small disk out. a bealt fall meon that does nothing to curt my extreme nepatience to get home shill don't know by gess well be at Baishane a Sydney. SEPTEMBER 280S sunday 20 still a very calm trip sad a race meetinng ad we ybl assembled to offet and put up a reture to give Mrs Boyss a land Ralsed a peamise N £740 that ahould alviate the pasitik some what. Had a gain of fe ever of which selps but my very low finnices mony II Vary imevetpal Havg an couss sim bake on the boat disk Playes fhs and wa anathe B. Suoes have out out in the cankeens and now we have to nely on te ssive who aveay about 25 p day. Being issued with some clatking tohonas.
crrrmun n Mt Some clothing releeved. Ove bnse shert part of slacks and 39.05 sta rebber dedy 3 yos sacceas service of six shants i an apeation gone aeso one bade a beer & 70 agontes. Hear we hit Davlon tonener. Had a gaie of pahs soon 19 just sduing the from being bicke neamey& spent to day doing a spot & sewing and sinteaking In te bod deck. First signt Dann Aushatia about wid day and sailed wt Danins at 2000 hos mail cane on wserd but here from Jess. very wereed now for feas I miss p not bel son cormack. sip taking on wates stores. SEPTEMRER-OCTORER 260S Tateday 30 Don came sut and took me actiore with Ben Batnott and died state. Hag a run wind Davm, lunch at A mess and saw mest of the establish ment. not a bit inpressed. son a call through to the andrews but they were ont Rang Hurstwell poli and get a message delivered Erday off again with our maje worty of clothing fries at the last eap te teek a 20 tono of leavy uniforms. running into a bit of a sea which has fut a few on thei bac. Have been issued wit nitters for 39.45 sta & Pacific Stat
OCTORER 2803 Catn2 spen most of day on alothee issues which are & 9000 quality but not much quarlsity number of the seoses ssick whioh ases not self, sait and a sta with all but the C gun. Had a sect wit the Avlingron A1A gun Delt petly good to heal the panilial sand again. Sunto3 Sanchsdy let the cat out of the bag about the 3rd wth celebation and the sishess came to light with a bodle of gi & Eol Pasie will one t whskos so gess was not fagades nght we wasl somte the bape you and a and vay dow hill OCTOBER 2603 Mottay Still flat out a mecords and isues. Have Laraly had time to have a lock at the b0oktown coast line. The ship is steaming in close to land to give the bey a grod look My treent is suelnow and I have to star on a bit bag. Allan Bush turns out to gaod compaco travellg Passed Townsville abot midday sailing close to laid islands and in many places the coast is quite pearly seen de feature is the said that is as white as sean. Tined to asnine at Broshae at 1fur Sunday
OCTOBER 28DS Herr still finishing of issues for suisbon desembarees Had shopes of ofps and Agho taken on boat deck Comforts esaues teed up canninally. Hnd a fige seas farty that thosed a great adecess- every hady pretty fall. Heard a chple of very complin by spieches Mursday A tuaulious selcose at this stindreds of cass tured on for all te has who were enbraines royally has met by Fraw Law and app going out with ruist anrelatives nt to te bas and sayes some dranget ux. 6ol Hixcae gave a faral party of some loh Loue capt Reg Wemalich OCTORER 2503 Aa Place call pon gess what a thoill. Wen bt to masuk saw be last of the laas biga lex 9 stepping at the Offer step Ceseed in thon with Ge Dlai & thiss. all coulan turned ant again a teck al t seathern lass asae for day only a mesed boat sailed at 1800 afss a great send of fom aa Saturers
Orermark M Monday 18 Tuesday 14 Orcemork M Wednesday 15 Esq Sam ChenstaHauchs caltncego 1 grate 1 arake bast Harly 2 hens-1 anck may Hacey Iarakes duch drake Sea Suik Baudlig lanch bel Crooks- sducklings 3 drakes 2 drakes purchased Atalle Lien1ah t hip - 10 drakes, 6 Lens, 1 e0ch Thursday 16 aue. 8aucks I drate purchased 2 auchs-auch Balarce & Land bauchs henKafte
lept Red DECEMBER 280S Friday 17 Jer for Bye Gibron He Kebber 2 Watah Lia Dantes The Caay Et Powell OemM Sunday 18 hor 52 45 473 46 34 372 23 118 422 78 0X 350 Monday 20
Orermarn nr Tuesday 21 400 Daniel Nohelt Mm Adclaise & Geo Ss Brishane Wedresay 22 Lors Tobed 92 102 DECEMRER 260S Mondey 2 422 It 99 hee Frlday 24 how 94 10m 93 500

SEPTEMBER 2603
Thursday S 16 
Met Col Holmes from Nthn
Comd who told he I look like
getting a job there for some
time on Unit records.
Went down to the General house
for a swim. The mess is
still continuing and the
boats still being delayed.
Went to the talkies quite a
good show.
Friday M 17
Got out our first batch of nips
as a work party (on boreholes)
what a beautiful sight. Met
Ian Murray, Pay Corps from
Commonwealth Bank who had
very encouraging news.  Maj-Gen
Calligan - returned from
Manchuria and came round
the unit. Went to the pictures.
SEPTEMBER 2603
Saturday T 18
IJA war criminal identifications
parade. Were able to pick out both
good & bad guards, caught up with
Toyama. Went aboard "Nelson"
with Col Kaffe and had a great
time.  spent a hectic hour trying
to talk [[Sena?]] into selling me
some silverware on tick to
take home to Jess.
Sunday  W  19
Bob Graham turned up from
Thailand. Letters from Jess
& Marj. Embarkation order
out for Friday after previously
being told tomorrow. Hear
great plans for our home
coming.
Destination Brisbane. Have
sent letters to Jess by sea plane
to come to Brisbane
 

 

SEPTEMBER 2603
Monday  T  20
A mad day trying to get boots
& clothing for the men who will
be going aboard very little
better dressed than they were
as PsOW. The reception unit
are the greatest lot of duds
the world has ever seen
gathered together in one spot
If they would only leave us
alone we could get the job done.
Tuesday  F  21
Up at 0400 and away by
M/T (Indian) Embarked on
Larges Bay 1000hrs. Accom
very cramped & boat as hot
as Hell. However no one
very upset at conditions
that seem like heaven. By
night everyone pretty well
settled. Very little clothing on
board.
SEPTEMBER 2603
Wednesday  S  22
Apart from duties spent a 
lot of time overcoming change
difficulties and buying up
tobacco & cigarettes. Getting
some good lectures on the
outside world. Col Oakes on
board as O/C Tho. and I 
would say slightly mental.
Buying up a stock of tobacco
at really cheap rates.
Thursday  S  23
As C/o of the majority of troops
on board I have command of
the aft half of ship. 3 war
correspondents on board who are
trying all day to pump me. We
had a church parade today &
they recorded it for
broadcast to Australia. I was
asked to say a few words. Has
all the signs of a great trip home. 

 

SEPTEMBER 2603
Friday M 24
Another days steaming nearer
home. The ocean dead calm
and troops very content. They
all sleep on deck, have very
good meals and no duties.
Have issued a number of
comforts and buying all the
tobacco I can get my hands on
Wondering if I will see Jess
by the 3 Oct. What a day it
will be!
Saturday T 25
Sea still very calm and
the old tub poking along
at 15 knots. Drew a towel
and part of pyjamas from
a very small dish out.
A beaut full moon that
does nothing to curb my
extreme impatience to get
home. Still don't know if
Jess will be at Brisbane
or Sydney.
SEPTEMBER 2603
Sunday W 26
Still a very calm trip.
Had a race meeting and won
4/6! Assembled the offrs and
put up a scheme to give Mrs
Boyes a hand. Raised a 
promise of £740 that should
aleviate the position somewhat.
Had a game of pontoon
won 10/- which helps out my
very low finances.
Monday T 27
Very uneventful. Having an
hours sun bake on the
boat deck. Played poker and
won another 10/-. Smokes
have cut out in the canteen
and now we have to rely
on the issue which averages
about 25 per day. Being issued
with some clothing tomorrow.

 

SEPTEMBER 2603
Tuesday F 28
Some clothing released. One
best shirt, pair of slacks
and 39-45 Star ribbon (denoting)
3 yrs overseas service or six
months in an operational zone.
Also one bottle of beer and
75 cigarettes. Hear we hit
Darwin tomorrow. Had a game
of poker won 10/- just saving
me from being broke.
Wednesday S 29
Spent the day doing a spot 
of sewing and sunbaking

on the boat deck. First sight
of Darwin Australia about
mid-day and sailed into
Darwin at 2130 hrs. Mail came

on board but none from Jess.
Very worried now for fear
I miss her. Met Col Don
Cormack. Ship taking on water
& stores.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2603
Thursday S 30
Don came out and took me
ashore with Ben Barnett and
Fred Stahl. Had a run round
Darwin, lunch at "A" mess
and saw most of the establishment.
Not a bit impressed!
Got a call through to the
Andrews but they were out.
Rang Hurstvill police and
got a message delivered.
Friday M 1
Off again with our major
worry of clothing fixed. At
the last lap we took on 20
tons of heavy uniforms.
Running into a bit of a sea
which has put a few on their
backs.
Have been issued with ribbons
for 39-45 Star & Pacific Star.

 


Saturday T 2
Spent most of day on clothing
issues which are of good
quality but not much
quantity. Number of the
blokes sick which does
not help. Ship did a shoot
with all but the 6" gun.
Had a shot with the
Arlington A/A gun. Felt
pretty good to hear the familiar
sound again.
Sunday  W 3
Somebody let the cat out
of the bag about the 3rd - 
4th celebration and the
sisters came to light with
a bottle of gin and Col Pascoe
with one of whiskey. So
Jess was not forgotten. Pay
night we were rounding
the Cape York and down hill.
OCTOBER 2603
Monday T 4
Still flat out on records
and issues. Have hardly
had time to have a look
at the Cooktown coastline.
The ship is steaming in
close to land to give the boys
a good look. My trunk
is full now and I have to
start on a kit-bag. Allan
Bush turns out a good
travelling companion.
Tuesday F 5
Passed Townsville about
mid-day. Sailing close to 
land & islands and in
many places the coast is
quite plainly seen. The
feature is the sand that
is as white as snow,
Timed to arrive at Brisbane
at 1pm Sunday.

 


OCTOBER 2603
Wednesday  S 6
Still finishing up issues
for Brisbane disembarkees.
Had photos of Offrs and
Sgts taken on boat deck.
Comforts issues being
teed up continually. Had
a final mess party that
proved a great success - 
everybody pretty full. - Heard
a couple of very complimentary
speeches.
Thursday S 7
A tremendous welcome at
Bris. Hundreds of cars turned
on for all the lads who were
entertained royally. Was met
by Grant Law and after going
out with Russ to see relatives
went to the Grand and sampled
some draugth 4x. Col Pascoe
gave a final party at some
late hour.
Capt Reg Wimdrlich.
OCTOBER 2603
Friday M 8
Phone call from Jess what
a thrill. Went out to Maruka
saw the last of the lads. Did a
bit of shopping at the Offrs
shop. Lunched in town with
Geo Polain & Russ. All Brisbane
turned out again and took all
the Southern lads ashore for
day. Only one missed boat.
Sailed at 1800 after a great
send-off from the wharf.

 


DECEMBER 2603
Monday 13
Tuesday 14
[[*17*]]
DECEMBER 2063
Wednesday 15
Eng Faton             6 hens for 4 ducks
Capt McGregor    1 drake  " 1 drake
Capt Harvey         2 hens   " 1 duck
Maj Tracey             3 drakes, 1 duck
Joe                            1 drake
Cpt Buik                 3 ducklings l duck
Col Brooks     -       3 ducklings - 3 drakes
Lt     (2G)         -       2 drakes purchased
Lt Mallor         -       2 hens - 1 hen 1 cock
[[?]]                   -      10 drakes, 6 hens, 1 cock
Thursday 16
Owen               -      8 ducks 1 drake
purchased              2 ducks - 1 drake
Balance on hand  6 ducks
                                   1 hen (Kaffe)

 

DECEMBER
Friday 17
Capt Feyon
Fose                      2
Dyer                      3
Gibson                  1
Liut McKibbin     1
Simmons             3 - Marshall
Douglas. -
[[Hel?]]                 2 Sgt Powell
Saturday 18
DECEMBER 2603
Sunday 19
Loss           T
45     52     473
46     34     372
73    118     422
78
350                82 81
Monday 20 

 

DECEMBER 2603 
[*T
422*]
Tuesday 21
Daniel Hotel
Cnr Adelaide & Geo Sts
Brisbane.
Wednesday 22
Loss

102       Total 92
DECEMBER 2603 
Thursday 23
T
422 Cpl
99 Lee
Friday 24
Loss
94   Total 93
500

 

 

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Diane WareDiane Ware
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