Diary relating to service of Hector Alexander McIntyre - Part 2

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.162
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

We moved outs marched to the Goe Raplanders 1223 Barracksat Change which was a 13 memarch 00 and a biscuit& a hatcup of tea waiting for us Pooledt all on tuckers have been living on his - ND227 feavoured with stew, Jam Milk &Legreep. Henty of fatiques & 1working party for suigaporin the last month EReXSCA RICE 177 MEOT 1H EeUR 27/16 a teeale i Suere wy eat t Le t MX R EETINOL M Rse mear consists of tenaed put, Segitable, fish or anytinges that live One meat Ration was tlbs meat for 900 men on the 153 2 Church Brade in memory 32 of the fallen sexacky smrth sine Armistill 650 Bidge Wiring curselves in a Perincter hine amais hine Cencertina & then hine apran Brows altogether) Pitende aper arrest for telling Con, Sa like to meet him, in Aushalia, Eqt timber for Compa Ceskhouse 183 43 Nething happened about the Triae, on digging fatigue. Bed early Japtime 9.00m Malaytime 7.308m 1 his difference. They have our lockhouse nearly completed 19542 Digging Satigue from 1200 ars 1509hrs. Duty Cas Standly for singarne. Afternoon SMRRDRY off ason Regh Duty because of Diarhea kaid all day Eight Duty again today o have got a good 80247 book to rad. Issued 1aake of hero sap bery handy CIDAL Nfeb, DutyCoy, Mase Duyer came back 813:46 from singapore Working Harty, says they had Cowan a graud tme Brigade Cancert on tonight o think Iee go. Have pain in small of back, but 21.32 otherwise at Talking to a Knny he aft like a Klirenian, never there when the rowh saw URDAY planes today faps). The saying now is were there sa Co Roy 1020 boday He sens to be out of tgglades like everyone else Heard today the Indean Soldier plackd apainour K1R7 Hop mine i still intact 22:3 42 Church Tarade & then duty forres of day 54 week P. O.W Theyare making oversr coaphouses everywhen SUNNRY must be here for a lougsty Had a lask at our vegitable gardens & have started to sprow every where The are talking now of opening cantens. I wonder how laig weare here for Tet opduly today so s road Mouse Hevyer was tellingin the sap asked one of the lad by painting to Meat Espact if it was good for sores & the last answered yes forajoke, also noticed one of them puting Baida Blish to his mouth to fend out if it is any good for driting, but the lads stepped him Goingover to the Aas with the Bit Prscoe to see rot Roy Coadtonight 233 42aliques his marning filling in Rto. Educational Morvay schools starting today & men were given 14 deyp detention for refusing to works are on Bration perdays locked upena Cathroons Had a trak at a cricket match in the evening between CaDlays & resulting engwier for Mitey Dloy made 7c Clay &4 Somineys a ppear to be geting good lucker Rice Picnts, Bins, Pastiiset 245 42 Wety Coyforl Dlas & I have a digging 8ob In The evening I am going to a busines class see COEEDRY Gongo selling army tucker over the fince. Bully Beett ti Cigarittes sor0 white see lads have beensellarg Bullykey at Ds Cigarettess& a Kolinfair &4 Milk 13 Chuse 85 Camp ReSteel3 Have caught a few lads who got detersin& if the sey catches him he may get shat adressed chickens
42 for 3p by the Brouge faps are going to be stries 242 about Aussies leaving Perimeter, Eigare te WDDRY Coried I ssue & received 1sht agareths. Will give them away gradually 253 42 Water carrying fatigue in morning Still buying food out of area & dont seem apraid of being KEDEENN caught. Have got a cald sstarting of the seu No duty in evening so done washing Officers Mess had resiles for tea & one of A Cay took one & took it to Brigade Salmer was supposed to be in it. 26245 On check Parade Mosc Khaccy spake to the lay MnEA with regards to the resoliss the lates & said there was no salmors in them, just plain Rice cakes made out of hice Flour drying oct who at the 11 tins of salmon opened on the 25th Breakfast earlier as a parade for a fap General is on. The Brade finishat I have another toueh of Diarhea & expect to have the evening off Afterevery parade new the Colouel of the 34B receives a eo from his new ashe is very impopular. Esqr ox appear to be gettiug good tucker Pliny of Pastry we get spix of Groad a day. They gtt 3 articles Bread Bn Rice lake odd srch to then On account of receiving bad bags of rue our Bathr have to make do what they get after tonight neal Im still as hungry as even While in action rumours went around that Kingsford Smih training the Japenise, Pilsts in Japane Tanteying to buy some curry to make the meal tastier & only hope I can get some 32342 Company casking start today & CDcay have a rise grinder given them which will FRIDAL make tuigs much better in respect to making different sweet tiseuits Rumonis 27 gong about are pretty favourable that something favourable o gouig to Rapper on the at RIDAY Cone Br Harber Shap apewed today & Smgetting my hairclipped On Waes tare ruglatigue today Ok again from diart Phil Hall came back today having been in the hospital suice 11242 tree 25:3 i2 & leaks prety theron it a bullet went through the edge of hislung giving him slight Peamouta & their higot Disentry, Break fast was lousy & Idide have any rice as it wasn caoked properly so all I had was ssrall Oream tio full of saup stew) Dinner was boy Caakings the rice was very well cooked but notenough as on account of having to make up the lass in the bad bags of Rice. Phil Hall was telling me of his voyage to Respial The Ambulance had I Intian drivers & they could hear the sand hipin the side of the Ambusance from the shellbursts & all of a sudders they pulled the Ambulance with a gert & left the Ambulance the Patient to laas after thenselesd After being thereia t hour they managed to hait an ambulany driven by Australians who had a spare drivers took them t the Haspital Pound some Pepper todays when Iget civery will make things an a grad 8t Dives iontever on tonight so I cant miss it. May get a fair but of mea tomorrow as 220 lbs cave in & is supposed to last 4 days which means Meat or stew al day tomarrow & Rice Pen for the next sdays. More runoursabout Musso fleeing from Staly & also Gernany surcendering 283 43 Met Bith Aoc from the Rrovo Corps & SAWEURY he just told me Mora Toxe from the 10th A6H
22342 passed away yesterday from pissentice 2 She fac is now going to supply timber if we want to make beds. Still talking of sarting a canteen, but all they dowstalk Carting sail for even & tomonrow we start Baking. Gunfire this morning is very clear& close believe the natives are carrying then gear backs across the Causeway to Singapare oNAN) Rice light on forlunch & may be better fortea Trying to get curry tonigh my mate was chased by Indians on guard of the 115 Row Campssione Rici light or fortea & no bread Germanys Sunender supposed to be confirad. On an all nogh water last pushirg Party from Eemtill &m Lighting io supposed to be on the other side of the causeway (Iwonder), noticed a mob of 60 26 En Personal waiting for the Pooen surplus rations of hic that they couldn eat + we aren getting enough 22312 Lodays the day af interest as told by an Englishmen SUrEL who piched the day for the Surrender of Singapore He also said he wouldnt live to hear the news of d todays he dyed the other day Breakfast Blishea bices Melns wasony nice Batteris starting to beng on Batn Carades for each mext Lauch consisted of a Bunfrom our new over which was very ma a be russmien A fight started in the ground showing discontentment of the mess as we are still not getting enough feod Fines hed water Latigue at Lamy now have the day off Have to pount duty tonight Inlaying Prequet which means an early tea Sea Soup Rce &2 Slagacks which were nice & to makegt better I bought curry to act to the pepper. Thunder or Kellfin near lauseway Cereppal Parade finished & then a game of 500 & then to bed 30.31 Wity bay today so mustexpe duties so MONDLY hat for Breakfast. Woedscrounging fatique a the perimeter Lunetr Buir Currid SupRic Watched Cricket match between Pey Bir Prended in a win for son Coy Puty loy again tomovrow & so far have nodutus Tea Sweet Rice3 flagacksr a good cupostia Gos Som Coasir has Mataria shas gave to hospitel 313 42 200 out of the pleset are supposed to be going to Sugapo from H0laysHcay & C have to do duties, Sence Ficque WCD till 2Pm& Breakfast consisted of Rice & milk with hely of 3 Guavers Coverripe locaret made an enjoyable me Bought some cakes over fence & were very nice. Schoo has been cancelled on account of the working Krty going in a we are on reserve Started to raind & broke party off later on toots too away by two Sill gaing over the lop Were forfaod sicks sexbey dont seemt worry them Sicks are still guarding the Perioniter. The sap got 500 blunte from the SIEK Recmont to guard Pow Rrmter oather John Rumours around that Shailand had been retakien. We have been wvenning the wa since being D.OWS. Sea Riastence was very nice but not enough. 1/442 April Laols Day& The a notice on the board to catch anyone Norma Kennedys Birtdal AEONN & I havent forgotten it On Digying Latigue today but didn wart. Breakfast Mence c 1 Licelake Verynice but sho Ration Lunctr RiceWilk & Bior & still hungry Done nathingus evening only read about & had Parade Practice for the 906s fisit Dea RicerMier arety light on, supposed to mount duty but I think it is too wet mounted duties under the sandel & hevd of to be
E44D G.O Crvint to the 27th Brigade Murceay address by him. Congratulates the 3t Crgad on the fine show displayed & also the first Bugade togoinbaction Breakfast Rice sMich but Rice hav lime in its could not be eaters enjoyably & sence of mine away Lunchs: Rice (huned) Curried with vigitables school so missed out on salt Water Prty & just as well it rained all evening. Sea Rice & Milk with a Bsty Rice Cake Very nicesfilling enables us to milk our tea Kumsurs about which are supposed to be on the Syaror Tines that the faps have vacuated Javaa Sumatia on account of disease (Read 3442 Good Friday & a Hat Cross Cun Curried Lewex Stew & lice for Creatfast feeling prety full No Duties Lunch Curried dawRice & feel satisfied. Burial Party for Dr FRED GanONER a keiprcement A dumony Mortartook his Kuscap off & they tried to save his leg but had to take his leg off above the hnew sdays ago since then he get dissentry & passed away 9t0 last night Had the Gurial under best circumstances & at aron the body started to smell& we carried the body apped up in a ue Blanter on a stetcher absut 3 miles was very Leavy stlk of working barty for singapare for tomonon Iam supposed to go 442D 10.09m backed ready for a warking tarty SMREAY & had early Breakfast & were given a Buns to carry forranch with Meats Jam on them & then off for a smiles marchs to Cuclateema On the way out the first thing Instered on we tepent of a house was a fas Llage a ragi Flag Coevay Filled up forlunch & bought Cread Rolls 7s each Camser & same as the ous sicamp. Marching through the stree to we were lucky to buy more halls at 5ct each & also Biscuctiscakes & some bough sam at 50ch Arrived at distination at 6 D Gatgeas from dump& had tea which was lice sNtew lighs 54:42 Warking Parly on Had Breakfast& took Rice SUNBny with us to Cook on the feb 3000 on the sob altogether Luncts Rice & Stew & didnt stit work till after lunch. Building roads found tuch overurnes & managed to get a few tins of Bacon which went well with the kingstew Tea was Rive & Stew hads went on a sorounging partys found cases of tea tinned faod sstaed tens erroar Company area some found Army Biscuits & shared them amongs their Platoons 6 of 42 Out on Road Work agains hasstarted to rain but stopped before we left to go out to the sob arging FLDL to get extra rations but Idon't knowshow lucky we are going to be Warking to hour or so to haur off nolunch restate lunch in ta haur off leave camp 915amo get backs 6 am Have had fairly bad re lately s hope it improves Jap General inspected 115 at work & Lavstarted to saied the febas as every avaitable man out working in the evening Law snow Marshs & havent had a yares to him yet. 7443 Reveelle now at 730a Breakfast &onn & bought some Cread Kellso Bread Sticrsr WESOAL &aame back late for Broakfas The Brongs aretrying to sell Bread for 15 cts but the lado wontpay anymore than 1ch Every avaitatle man has to go on working Part lease& Orderly lan papen charge gave us air easy day & is keent learn English. Gct wet on the way home
22 Oasty cakes bought for Breanfad WED soup Unpalished Rice was filling Went outin hoad making & noticed A16 mer sicking up dumpers off the Raid also saw them waiting for the sap to triw his dumpis down o doet on its smake it sarted raining about am grained all evening & night oue lit a fire in The Hut done a bit of coaking & dried some dothes, Cut my finger on a hir. Only a scrath Diarhea again&on hight Duty Bread Sticks 2416 TMWESPRY Racon with sice& big sop for breakfast waant to bad Lunch hris Mills was light on Ao Tin Sunne get Slins of answerteued millegiven him she gave me one. Went out sorsunging found1 sen meat Egetable Stew Working partycame back saps threw dozens of Packet o fapbigaretter over the fence to the lads as they were knocking off work. Iea Creak Ricla scup. Doue bit of pying lice Cares. Gastrie trauble and tan 2 Wenton sick Repert have to report to Hespetd Opened the meats beg for Breakfast salw the CADAY milk Have t layor flra at Hespital & have to go ors a diet 3 ta cups of tea & 1 p cup of cacoa perday Have no mae pains & feet at some of the lads went back to Change Baltola a managed to get a makrees sc Kingswont be too ba 11442 Breakfast pceep ofta & saw the Mor am SoeDRY going to the Con Depst Played soo all morning & am lasking forward to a good lunch just heard another gaod Runiour from one of the Colonels Thasshould the fapauese have to clear out from the Island in a hurry the commanders of the Ad&, have to take 1/4 4½ charge & ster all leoting. Dinner conristed of Keceeew & wasnt bad bunotenout wen SAWAT Cnn down to the Goug Market supervised by the Japaies & had a losk at the foodstuff they were silling + the articles look very nice, Just made some Red Intraut of Powder Just hearda bet of Shillfine & sounded like naval Guns. Tea Rice rten sadded some cury which made it be bes The pp gave some of the lads a prettes rough spen triking them wet a Self Stick. The faps strung up a Brong for overchargeing for suckes. They have started to undercut & will get bread for nert to nothing soen. 12 4 Je Breanfast Laudge & Mck &verylighton 8vaDN Nischarged pom Con Depst to go back to anit & have 3days Light Duty Lunces Res & milk & was just filling. Am going on a food search Thisevening hape I get some The Japhascut our rations by only given us Rice & Leas nothing to go with it & a consisted of Ricea entie scup+ wasn so het Cigarete Issue consisted of Lendon Cigaretes per man. A beit of cooking in thutI didnt do any 1334295 men out of Not Groep bay to g6 work to day mayhave to go Meat Bresh MENDRY on yesterday evening& we may get son He. Stayedin lp2Eg Jahines have evening off mens pice for Lunees & Da meet Biscuin with Rice & dou for Tea 2000 Pomnan soldiers marched past to go to the Jeb Rot a glass in my watch today made out of Cillulaid Cacking again in the hst Explasions Towards Jhere Barbus 2
17443 paraded up before the Japanese. Heads for Sevelle now p howr carlie Brat & 12 being missing off the 11 m Pacad the night CSA fast consisted of RiceSoup Light Dut W of Tursday They told me that they wuld have to righatiues, noticed Japhuck get off with a cautiors. Had notia but Bun Carriers fully loaded moving made cp pore later on by having Basted towards singepore, Lunctr Ruer Bread with Mick & Marmite Anowraat Very tasty but could have 52 Briakfast Hicirbig sapr off t worts eater much more, Have the evening at the Quarry breaking Bocks with Sleage SPLRDRL off. Went ont scrounging but found nothing Hammers Poticed s Japanese Graces Sea: Rice stew a Pued Roce with writing a Box with the Off to working barty. Buakfast, Rile & stea Germans Qwastica onr the pant of the save bguis to build a Bigge acress the Cexes, funct Rice Milt & some Sultana Rseroes & have started to build Beat for which made thingstasty. Arrived hom for the Shrine fnc Rue & Melts with some late & the Canteers had no buad less sultanas tat a drounged knocked off as the Pomineys bought all of it They wort at 487 on way heme deue persunging will have their ow I canteen tomorrow E Maddison found a blw Penapple which have Sea Rice aSte with a meat Triter us a good tex of Pineapple & a sultana Hasty with very little teen it. Had a nice which was advery tasty. Camited as lunch Supper Potato Chips Toasted Buead with teme or haven't leede too good, Sourd a Milk & Marnite. Some man sweetcate ten China L toeat& off to be have been livingt him 2 Breakfast Rice New. O highs Duty today I have been washing Clothes. Lunchs? Rixi +194 42 Breakfast Rice a Ntew & Went abought Breadsion LHURERA The Canteen Duarry warss today crushing LUADAY & milk with Sulkinue made it an enjoyable stons with a hammer. Noticed Quarry meat. Went scrawt ging but found yethen Owner with the Swastica inpen of hisca Sea. Rice kew with a feat cale & bread driving the pp Heads about Didnt get out bough pticio the pap give a chinaman Spblice late as we had to wait for a a bettings then forture him with a Ragent Head to pass. Jap Havy in down in truct bleeding petty freely after a few hours Rice & Melk for Lunch but didnfeel let g0s At 11 Pr Jap wanted a muster like any. On carling Gravel to pb in parade & we all had to go on pavade & be evening retieed the ab ward wai counted by the ppanese. a repirator. Knocked off the pobsar 17442 on suard today & met snow Maish ting & have has a feed of buns & am in 33 geingon on aworking Party. Breakfast fortea. Sea Rice a shew. maxm Lies New Luuch Ricis Malk Then Bread for supper a with cakes was vry the haveto do of his quard, stew sey the 8dio Ligs
34 Breakfast Rice eup ther the Canteers& bought some Prancet Doffec which R was tasty Working at the Quarry i didnt get back to weits till late as we had to wait for tucks hice ek went to get some Disapples but found all of them gree to went withou SeaKice & sand with a Meat Psty Notice ar A1 Chappon the as tiid up in pont of the Jat Head Quarkers. It is beleived that one of the paps went for him withowsare to be look the are off the fapstarted togo for the fap but stopped, Supper Bread Easted with Condused M.C & Manite Venyasty 21 7 Noticed 115 soblier sill ted up to the pasts has been there all night, Breatefast LOEEDAY Rin & soup. went to work on quarry job carried ma rocks. Luncs Kice & Miek. went out servinging finea pples from the back of the Duarry & now have a sore meh from eating thens Just got back at Sea (Astemnan) time & were knocked off for the rest of the evening&of the lads had to waits home about o man lay day today from the Jap Armes 10cts sirday & as I have been in the Rospital o only received 7octs while neast of them were paid S Japaner note. You cannot buyanything at the Canteers as everyone is ove there having judt been paid. have jusst repaired my boots with leather I sersunged with burnt slat Head nails which served the penpos. Sea. Rice + soup & no pastry. Bread poarted) with mich a Marnite for Supper. Also sasue of Bligare & 22442 Briakfort. Ricea Senp. Tried to buy briat Ker from the Canteen but could not bey any. Out to the quarry today & had a quiet day Luncht Kilee Weet Naines ir the evening & knacked off, 3 sem. Tried to bey hread a found nove had been in the Canbers all evening owing to the beltings the Brongs had received his have taken the bread to the BrnnngCantee Sea Ricea Stew with a toleats Vegetable fute which was very enjoyable. Supper consisted of Poasted Brlad Ehstaddira Went t pite 2442 Brakfast Ric Soup a off to the quarry again sser No Broad or Sale at the Cantier, A few of The Jap were Drunt on the feb + were ven amusing lunel Ke aet with Sulknas proved Tasty. Knmous again Termany surrendered fai stepped work a finished the pob at 5 PM. Bough Bues from Cairteen Es Peachs Tea Kill & stew with a Rice Paste whic wasvery tady Supper Bunsnhes with Kneapple. 24 442 Breakfast RiToup Bought 4 Buns other KRInY Duarry Work again. Bread hard to ben & the Bronghas but up the price of a 8 to loaf to 10cB. Luncts Rice Wilk with the last few sulanas & was very tasty same all evening &we were repairing te road for the trucrs. Home early again at 53dryfor once Tea lice & Hew a a Rice Cake. Venytastyy with 3 Bunrs & Roagle Sliced & now fer, ves Satisfied. No Bread our sall at the Canteers Kepar Tokeo has been bombs times. De have Elichie Light on the hort tonight
32di2 Angae Day Informed that spsing Pioneers Bodies were found busid by the Padie yesterday Scr lor Hen Rotte Wer Pe B.A Brece& were amongst the 9h looks as if they were disaimed & each of them were put upin a row & shat asthey all had a bullet wound through the head Work today was at Singapere for a fin of us & done very well Plled up in sown & was given pxt(0) Boong Cigarss1 Bexnatches by a Malay who made cesairs he let me know he wasn't a chinese. Working we were firtgu 1Pxt Pirates & 1pkt Plagligarites & then the same chinese gave us a parcel of f loaves Bread a Parcel of cut up Bread & Stens Sardines. Then they gave us a battle of loffee which was beautiful & then they gave me. a4 of Packet of Boongtotacio 2 pt papers (oong) Their the fap gave us pat of tea (not so hott. Break fast kisegsoup. Brear fast RiceMilk adding a few Peanuts with a few Sardines & the first Bread was filling. Sea Rice & pus & a meat Fter which was verynice. In the evening we went ogain to carry sand+ on the way was informed by a chinese that I Churchile sayp we will be out of Malaya by Gurre. Then we pulled up it sowrs + was given if leaves Bread + Iget Kain Melon emon from given me + we 4 had a very nice suack. One 25 of the lads were given sin of 2t DeKioke Cigarttes. Thei back to the Lob + were given a cuep of Coffee which was delicions + byfou leaving one of the lads were givens 1 pkt Girate ligaretes which he kept to Limsell? Their gopred of oar load & came back to another place & had a cake eachs a cupoploffee + thei was given i Cravent Eigare & I was Bargaining with a bhinese for a red Paw Law & in the end when I walked away another Chewese boug it I gave it away to one of the lads We didn't get aay although it was really ment for me. And ther lad get 1p0 Conglgantes a we didn suany. Raied inevening. 24 2 Briakfast Rice aseup wenout to the Many Near the Puingabis Camp & key s are geting very poor tuckis 60 Ruc pesday lunch icer Biek. Found terosae suns Sat which will make Kings tasty in future. News copis sut of Power Now & gn Koneye has now taken ove als an unsuccessful Invasios at Darwior by the Japanese. Termany Peace Terms. Britian has left everytng to Russia. Tea. Kicea Seup &1 Dasty 27 4 42 Breakfast Bice Tont. Went on again Do To the Quarry & some of the lads four of some dat which will go well for cook at night in the Huts. The lads have been susunging Electiie Light Bulb.
22563 2305 WECDD which will be handy, hunch with worked ticl sir the quarry & theitee all went aut to the olf Kinks to carry stoue but we only worked & hour & knocked off omy & had to waek home but luckily enough some of us jumped in a truck + saved walking 310 Pother went to the Hospital with king 13 Sea Rice soupe a Dritter fuid with scroung dat o issued with socks sake from KitBags. Japanese reported to have shat of Aushalians for straying from the Primeter faps have been carting Riceo dlour towards phere Bahi also haps moved up woth againtoday. The last few days the pt as been buisy moving all The Brokendown Tucks & Chicles from The pheets dumps maving their to the boats. Yesterday 2 Hospital ships brought wanded (at) to singapon Ken caytor bought hame a few Pineappees which werent to0 bad. dack of extia Ratians for Tupea Meat Bread & Vegetables & a ray on account of Prince Honoye's Birthslay /4/42 Bucakfast Kice a Saip: Wert outagain to the same Quarry a had aweasy day Luinchs Rice & wilk with Fineapple that I srounged Brought hame Arrenican newspapers so will know are about yankerLand knocked offearly Sea Rici &Soup a Fartwith Sugared Buttesin it making it very tastyy. The Pay Meney is over at the orderly Room & may get aid Tried some Briead & was Fasty Prince Ronoyes Biithday. Field 22440 WEDNESDM Bokery osgeingt operate so we may have bread for tea. Breakfast Rice- soup. Went + get meat issue. 5olbs Pork for 500 mest Dried coaping Leaars &turned sut not so bad, Lunels Licienfilts with Cocoannt & Boiled Pineapple in it was very tasty. Par daytoday for 10 days work & 1octse day. went out a bough sact also tin unknowss for soct + it tirned on to be Bussest which mad The evening rjeal Rice art scup &1our smare) our own beeking very tasty. The A..F. an giving a concert to night for the Japs from so o wa t ba Brakfast Ricisdaup o then of to the Quarry near the R.SHC. Bought Bunson Frese The road but they didnt last levg as they were very tasty gnehs Rices Milka wen seicunging for Peneapple st as a great fred of Lipe ones. Home early as worked it with the Pameney drives Pinenpales between D. Meay Barther sobet Lea Rice a Loup & a Rneapple Frity wrich was very tasty with ssmill la at Bread with Rincapple or sus it Also had for Sea, Irestr Piniasple Bread (5 42 Buaefast Ricislenp & off again to the Quarry. Wen- got another bag of Pucapple ERIDAL Lunch Rice & Milk a Kncapple Drave in the truck in the evening & came hons early. Grated a Pineapple for Pea should be niw. Kamaun to Teraan
1543 falling is still goingstrongie are only waiting for confirmanon son Isae Dnightt da Rice up& a bun diHe Cearth some grated Rueagble begaret issul also Seat Brear fast Rice & Stew Brishs Mearsd off to 25 The Duarry Liench Rise & Milk & Grated 32152 Peneapple Asapanew Tructs overturned in a creets a one Malais was pinued unders drowned Only S Malays on the bure Went got Kueapples for the cookhoute a brought home about 50. Got wet orI way howes Tea Rice & Stw & Bread from Hetakery Briakfast RiceSep Wenr to work at ap Dead Quarters. Hoeing rep Delbbists 25 Lunch Rice Mish & Eneapple. Got a hit with a Camboo 6ft & 14dan but fended it off with my ar mr. Peelling au grass on the Lawil Knocked off word 8:30m & has to wait till bens &then march home just in time fortea. Sea. Rice sauso & Breadkall from our Bakery, Not a success yet. Japs have taken over the Canteens are selling Bigger Breadfolls a to far a begge tarity of Loodstufps. 42 Breakfast rice & saup went to the Indian MONDAY Buary & done very lifle work Lunch Rice only Den Lewunging for Pincapales get a pu small oves also piced upa resperator & found t 30t i coins in the haversack Knocked off work early & went abought head have 35a t left. Tea Riccup & had some green pinca pple. 2000 mse Pows mardeed into our Adans Park nea. Englishmen & 2230 A16 suigade Knonsars are still going abou Germanys Apitulation? als sA tellingfaps to get out of Malay by the end of the month 5512 Breakfast Rice & Soup. Went out to The Indian Quarry agauns Lunels. Rice TUEEDRY Bailed Pineappletwarged knecked off work early a bought guead. Se a Rice a Lanba Bread Rale from 1 our Baxery The faps had as scotchmays ed aswithe tall day for knokig down a sap beleeve they wanted to hang him first & then shoot hims but the Jap Officer wouldn ccou thens. He has had no pates or dood all day & I think he is still tred up. The pass Ration has changed with Dresh Most everysdays No m fiek of Sugar, ss we will have to have Dry Ricefor Midday MJeal. 65 42 Breakfast Rice & Hew (aresta went out WFDAEEDNY t work at Beg Duarry condie prait Lunch Rice Praw) & had a piuca pple makingittay, wents omged Egeapples today. Home 6 ons a dea hi e a lice Cake with Pinapple in it. Ha be been enformedtat tomonow there is a heliday for all. Later informed that we are to work in the morning + have. The ever ing of S4B Breakfast Rice x soup. Out to the Road TAUREDNY fet for the change Carrying sand to make the road. On parade This morning informed that we have to wark in the morning + that every man is to get

17. 2 .42  
TUESDAY  
(CONTINUED)
We moved out & marched to the Gordon Highlanders
Barracks at Changi which was a 15 mile march &  
found a biscuit & a hot cup of tea waiting for us.
18. 2. 42  
WEDNESDAY
Pooled all our tucker & have been living on Rice  
flavoured with Stew, Jam Milk & Syrup. Plenty
of fatigues & 1 working party for Singapore in 
the last month.
RATION SCALE    RICE 17oz       MEAT 1 4/5oz     FLOUR 2oz (16 Baker)

                              VEGETABLE NIL  SUGAR 9/10oz  SALT 1/5oz   TEA 1/5oz

                               MILK 1/2oz         FRYING OIL 1/5oz

TO
1 4/5 oz Meat consists of tinned fruit, Vegetable , fish or
anything in that line.
One meat Ration was 16 lbs meat for 900 men.
17. 3. 42  
TUESDAY
on the 15. 3. 42 Church Parade in memory 
of the fallen & exactly 1 month since Armistice
17. 3. 42 Wiring ourselves in a Perimeter
1 Line Apron 1 Line Concertina & then
1 Line Apron (3 rows altogether). Put unde.
open arrest for telling CpTN DWYER DYER, I'd like
to meet him in Australia. Got timber
for Company Cookhouse.
18. 3. 42  
WEDNESDAY.
Nothing happened about the Trial. On  
digging fatigue. Bed early Jap time 9.0 PM
Malay time 7.30PM 1½ hrs difference. They
have our Cookhouse nearly completed
19. 3. 42   
THURSDAY
Digging Fatigue from 1200 hrs - 1500hrs. Duty  
Coy. Standby for Singapore. Afternoon
off as on Light Duty because of Diarhea.
Rained all day.
20. 3. 42  
FRIDAY
Light Duty again today & have got a good  
book to read. Issued 1 Cake of Kero Soap Very handy
21. 3. 42  
SATURDAY
No job, Duty Coy. Mouse Dwyer came back  
from Singapore Working Party. Says they had
a grand time time. Brigade Concert on tonight & think
I'll go. Have pain in small of back but
 

 

21. 3. 42  
SATURDAY  
(CONTINUED)
otherwise OK. Talking to a Pommy he says Aircraft
like a Policeman, never there when the row starts. Saw 
planes today (Japs). The saying now is "We're theirs". Saw
SGT. RAY. FORD today. He seems to be out of Razor Blades
like everyone else. Heard today the Indian Soldier
slashed open our Kit Bags. Hope mine is still intact.
22. 3. 42  
SUNDAY  
Church Parade & then duty for rest of day. 5th Week
P.O.W. They are making ovens & cookhouses everywhere
must be here for a long stay. Had a look at our
vegetable gardens & have started to sprout everywhere. They
are talking now of opening canteens. I wonder how long
we are here for. Got off duty today so just read, Mouse
Dwyer was telling us the Jap asked one of the lads by
pointing to Meat Extract if it was good for sores & the lad
answered "Yes" for a joke, also noticed one of them putting
O'Cedar Polish to his mouth to find out if it is any
good for drinking, but the lads stopped him.
Going over to the AASC with PTE BILL PASCOE to see Sgt
Ray FORD tonight.
23. 3. 42  
MONDAY.
Fatigues this morning filling in Pits. Educational 
schools starting today. 2 men were given 14 days
detention for refusing to work & are on ½ ration
per day & locked up in a bathroom. Had a
look at a cricket match in the evening between
C & D Coy & resulting in a win for Don Coy. D. Coy
made 77 & C Coy 44. Pommeys appear to be
getting good tucker Rice Biscuits, Buns, Pasties etc.
24. 3. 42  
TUESDAY
Duty Coy for C & D Coys & I have a digging job. In  
the evening I am going to a Business class. See
Boongs selling army tucker over the fence. Bully
Beef $1 tin Cigarettes 50 cts while our lads have
been selling Bully Beef at $3 Cigarettes $1 per pkt.
1 lb tin Jam $4 Milk $3 Cheese $3 Camp Pie & Stew $3.
Have caught a few lads who got detention & if the Jap
catches him he may get shot. 2 dressed chickens

 

24 3. 42  
TUESDAY  
(CONTINUED)
for $3 pr by the Boongs. Japs are going to be strict
about Aussies leaving perimeter. Cigarette 
Issue & received 1 pkt Cigarettes. Will give
them away gradually.
25. 3. 42  
WEDNESDAY
Water carrying fatigue in morning. Still buying  
food out of area & don't seem afraid of being
caught. Have got a cold & starting of the Flu. No
duty in evening so done washing. Officers Mess
had resoles for tea & one of A. Coy took one & took
it to Brigade. Salmon was supposed to be in it.
26. 3. 42  
THURSDAY 
On check Parade MAJOR. TRACEY spoke to the Coy 
with regards to the resoles or RIce Cakes & said there
was no salmon in them, just plain Rice Cakes
made out of Rice Flour & Frying Oil. Who ate
the 11 tins of salmon opened on the 25th.
Breakfast earlier as a parade for a Jap General is
on. The Parade finished at 12. N. I have another
touch of Diarhea & expect to have the evening off
After every parade now the Colonel of the 2/29 BN
receives a "Boo" from his men, as he is very
unpopular. 2/29th BN appear to be getting good
tucker. Plenty of Pastry. We get 1 piece of Bread
a day. They get 3 Articles Bread Bun &
Rice Cakes (Good Luck to them). On account of
receiving bad bags of rice our Battn have to
make do what they got & after tonights meal
I'm still as hungry as ever. While in action
rumours went around that Kingsford Smith
are is training the Japenese Pilots in Japan.
I am trying to buy some curry to make
the meal tastier & only hope I can get some
27 3. 42  
FRIDAY
Company cooking starts today & C & D coy  
have a rice grinder given them which will
make things much better in respect to
making different sweet biscuits. Rumours
 

 

27. 3. 42  
FRIDAY  
(CONTINUED)
going about are pretty favourable & appears that
something favourable is going to happen on the 29th  
BN Barber Shop opened today & I'm getting my
hair clipped. On Water-Carrying fatigue today
OK again from diarhea. Phil Hall came back
today having been in the hospital since 11.2.42
till 25.3.42 & looks pretty thin on it. A bullet
went through the edge of his lung giving him
slight Pneumonia & then he got Dissentry. Breakfast
was lousy & I didn't have any rice as it wasn't
cooked properly, so all I had was 1 small cream tin
full of Soup (Stew). Dinner was Coy Cooking &
the rice was very well cooked but not enough
as on account of having to make up the loss in
the bad bags of Rice. Phil Hall was telling
me of his voyage to hospital. The Ambulance had
2 Indian drivers & they could hear the sand hitting
the sides of the Ambulance from the shellbursts &
all of a sudden they pulled the Ambulance up
with a jerk & left the Ambulance & the Patients
to look after themselves. After being there a
½ hour they managed to hail an ambulance
driven by Australians who had a spare
driver & took them to the Hospital. Found
some Pepper today & when I get curry will
make things O.K. A good 8th Division Concert
on tonight so I cant miss it. May get a fair
bit of meat tomorrow as 280 lbs came in & is
supposed to last 4 days which means
Meat or Stew all day tomorrow & Rice Pln.
for the next 3 days. More rumours about
Musso fleeing from Italy & also Germany
surrendering.
28. 3. 42  
SATURDAY
Met BILL ELDER from the Provo. Corps. &  
he just told me MAJOR. JOSE from the 10th AGH. 

 

28 3 42  
SATURDAY  
(CONTINUED)
passed away yesterday from Dissentry
The Jap is now going to supply timber if  
we want to make beds. Still talking of
starting a canteen, but all they do is talk.
Carting soil for oven & tomorrow we
start Baking. Gunfire this morning is very
clear & close & beleive the Natives are carrying
their gear back across the Causeway to
Singapore (SYONAN). Rice light on for lunch
& may be better for tea, Trying to get curry
tonight my mate was chased by Indians
on guard of the AIF. P.OW. Camp (SIEKS). Rice
light on for tea & no bread. Germanys' Surrender
supposed to be confirmed. On an all night
water Cart pushing Party from 8 PM till 8 AM.
Fighting is supposed to be on the other side of
the Causeway (I wonder). Noticed a mob
of 60 - 2/26 BN Personal waiting for the 2/20 Bn
surplus Rations of Rice that they couldn't eat &
we arent getting enough.
29. 3. 42  
SUNDAY 
Today is the day of interest as told by an Englishman 
who picked the day for the Surrender of Singapore.
He also said he wouldn't live to hear the news of
today & he died the other day.  Breakfast. Polished
Rice & Milk & was very nice. Battn is starting to bung
on Battn Parades for each meal. Lunch consisted
of a Bun from our new oven which was very nice
also Rice & Milk. A fight started in the ground
showing discontentment of the mess as we are
still not getting enough food. Finished Water
Fatigue at 2 AM & now have the day off. Have to
mount duty tonight. Inlaying Picquet which
means an early tea. Tea Soup Rice & 2 Flapjacks
which were nice & to make it better I bought curry to add
to the pepper.  Thunder or Shellfire near Causeway. Ceremonial
Parade finished & then a game of 500 & then to bed.
 

 

30. 3. 42  
MONDAY 
Duty Coy today so must expect duties. Rice not so 
hot for Breakfast. Woodscrounging fatigue outside the
perimeter. Lunch Bun, Curried Soup & Rice. Watched
Cricket Match between D Coy & Bn HQ & ended in a win
for Don Coy. Duty Coy again tomorrow & so far have
no duties. Tea. Sweet Rice & 2 flapjacks & a good cup of tea.
SGT. TOM GOGGIN has Malaria & has gone to hospital.
31. 3. 42  
TUESDAY
200 out of the 2/26 Bn are supposed to be going to Singapore  
from HQ Coy & A Coy & C & D have to do duties. Fence Picquet
till 2 PM & Breakfast consisted of Rice & milk with help
of 3 Guavers & 1 overripe Coconut made an enjoyable meal
Bought some cakes over fence & were very nice. School
has been cancelled on account of the working Party
going in & we are on reserve. Started to rain
& broke party off & later on took 100 away by truck
Still going over the top Wire for food & Sieks sentry
dont seem to worry them. Sieks are still
guarding the Perimeter. The Jap got 500 Volunteer
from the SIEK REGIMENT to guard P.OW Perimeter
& other jobs. Rumours around that Thailand
had been retaken. We have been winning the war
since being P.O.W.'S. Tea Rice & Mince was very
nice but not enough.
1. 4. 42  
WEDNESDAY
April Fools Day & I see a notice on the board  
to catch anyone. Norma Kennedys' Birthday
& I haven't forgotten it. On Digging Fatigue
today but didn't work. Breakfast. Mince
& Rice & 1 Rice Cake. Very nice but short Ration
Lunch Rice & Milk & 1 Bun & still hungry
Done nothing in evening only read a book
& had Parade Practice for the G.O.C's Visit.
Tea Rice & Milk & pretty light on. Supposed
to mount duty but I think it is too
wet. Mounted duties under the Verandah
& then off to bed.

 

2. 4 42  
THURSDAY.  
G.O.C's visit to the 27th Brigade & also an
address by him. Congratulated the 27th Brigade
on the fine show displayed & also the first Brigade
to go into action. Breakfast. Rice & Milk
but Rice had lime in it & could not be
eaten enjoyably & some of mine away
Lunch:- Rice (Limed) & Curried with vegetables.
School so missed out on Salt Water Party
& just as well it rained all evening. Tea
Rice & Milk with a Pastry Rice Cake. Very
nice & filling & enabled us to milk our tea.
Rumours about which are supposed to be
in the SYANON TIMES that the Japs have
vacuated Java & Sumatra on account
of disease (Lead)
3. 4. 42  
FRIDAY 
Good Friday & a Hot Cross Bun Curried 
Stew & Rice for Breakfast & feeling pretty full
No Duties. Lunch Curried Stew & Rice &
feel satisfied. Burial Party for PTE
FRED GRABNER a Reinforcement. A dummy
Mortar took his kneecap off & they tried to
save his leg but had to take his leg off above
the knee 3 days ago. Since then he got dissentry
& passed away 9.30 last night. Had the Burial
under best circumstances & at 2 30 pm the
body started to smell & we carried the body
(wrapped up in a xxxxxx Blanket) on a
stretcher about 3 miles & was very heavy. Talk
of working party for Singapore for tomorrow
& am supposed to go
4. 4 42   
SATURDAY
10.0.AM. Packed ready for a Working Party  
& had early Breakfast & were given 2 Buns
to carry for Lunch with Meat & Jam on them &
then off for a 20 miles march to Bucketiema.
On the way out the first thing I noticed on
 

 

4. 4. 42  
SATURDAY
(CONTINUED)
the front of a house was a Jap Flag & a Nazi Flag.  
Pulled up for lunch & bought Bread Rolls 7 CTS each
& same as the ones $1 in camp. Marching through
the streets we were lucky to buy more Rolls at 5cts
each & also Biscuits & Cakes & some bought Jam at
50 cts. Arrived at destination at 6 PM. Got gear
from dump & had tea which was Rice & Stew (Light)
5. 4. 42  
SUNDAY
Working Party on: Had Breakfast & took Rice  
with us to cook on the Job. 3000 on the Job altogether.
Lunch Rice & Stew & didn't start work till after
lunch. Building roads & found Truck overturned
& managed to get a few tins of Bacon which went
well with the Rice & stew. Tea was Rice & Stew. Lads
went on a scrounging party & found cases of tea &
tinned food & stored them in our Company area.
Some found Army Biscuits & shared them amongst
their Platoons.
6. 4 42  
MONDAY
Out on Road Work again & has started to rain  
but stopped before we left to go out to the job. Trying
to get extra rations but I don't know how lucky we
are going to be. Working ½ hour on & ½ hour off & 

no lunch rest.ate lunch in ½ hour off. Leave
camp 9.15 AM & get back 6. PM. Have had fairly
bad rice lately & hope it improves. Jap General
inspected A.I.F at work & has started to speed the
job up as every available man out working
in the evening. Saw Snow Marsh & haven't
had a yarn to him yet.
7. 4. 42  
TUESDAY.
Revielle now at 7.30AM  Breakfast 8.0AM. Went  
& bought some Bread Rolls & Bread Sticks x 2 cts each
& came back late for Breakfast. The Boongs
are trying to sell Bread for 15 cts but the lads
won't pay any more than 10 cts. Every available
man has to go on working Party Cooks & Orderly Room.
Jap in charge gave us an easy day & is keen to
learn English. Got wet on the way home. 

 

8. 4. 42  
WEDNESDAY
Tasty cakes bought for Breakfast with  
soup & Unpolished Rice was filling. Went out on
Road making & noticed AI.F men picking up
dumpers off the Road also saw them waiting
for the Jap to throw his dumper down & clout
on it & smoke it. Started raining about 2PM
& rained all evening & night & we lit a fire in
the Hut & done a bit of cooking & dried some
clothes. Cut my finger on a tin. Only a scratch
9. 4. 42  
THURSDAY
Diarrhea again & on Light Duty. Bread Sticks &  
Bacon with Rice & veg soup for breakfast. Wasnt too
bad. Lunch Rice & Milk was light on. PTE. JIM SHIVAS
got 8 tins of unsweetened milk given him & he gave
me one. Went out scrounging & found 1 Tin
Meat & Vegetable Stew. Working Party came back.
Japs threw dozens of Packets of Jap Cigarettes
over the fence to the lads as they were knocking
off work. Tea Crook Rice & soup. Done a
bit of frying Rice Cakes. Gastric trouble & not
too good.
10. 4. 42  
FRIDAY
Went on Sick Report & have to report to Hospital  
Opened the Meat & Veg for Breakfast & also the
milk. Have to lay on floor at Hospital & have
to go on a diet 3-½ Cups of tea & 1-½ Cup of
cocoa per day. Have no more pains & feel
OK. Some of the lads went back to Changi
25 al told & managed to get a mattress so
things won't be too bad
11. 4. 42  
SATURDAY
Breakfast  ½ cup of tea & saw the MO & am  
going to the Con Depot. Played 500 all
morning & am looking forward to a good lunch
just heard another good Rumour from one
of the Colonels. That should the Japanese
have to clear out from the Island in a hurry
the commanders of the AIF have to take
 

 

11. 4 42  
SATURDAY  
(CONTINUED)
charge & stop all looting. Dinner consisted of
Rice & Stew & wasn't bad but not enough. Went  
down to the Boong Market supervised by the Japanese
& had a look at the foodstuffs they were selling
& the articles look very nice. Just made some
Red Ink out of Powder. Just heard a bit of shellfire
& sounded like Naval Guns. Tea Rice & Stew
& added some curry which made it better.
The Japs gave some of the lads a pretty
rough spin hitting them with a Golf
Stick. The Japs strung up a Boong for
xxxx cha overchargeing for Tucker. They
have started to undercut & will get bread
for next to nothing soon.
12. 4. 42. 
SUNDAY.
Breakfast. Porridge & Milk & very light on.  
Discharged from Con Depot. to go back to
unit & have 3 days Light Duty. Lunch:- Rice
& milk & was just filling. Am going on a
food search this evening & hope I get some.
The Jap has cut our Rations by only giving
us Rice & Tea & nothing to go with it. Tea
consisted of Rice & Lentil Soup & wasn't
so hot. Cigarette Issue consisted of 7
London Cigarettes per man. A bit of
cooking in the hut I I didn't do any
13. 4 42.  
MONDAY.
95 Men out of No 4 Groop (D Coy) to go to work  
to day & may have to go. Meat (Fresh)
came in yesterday evening & we may get
some Stew. Stayed in Camp & dug
Latrines & have evening off. Milk &
Rice for Lunch & 2 Oat meal Biscuits.
with Rice & Soup for Tea. 2,000 Pommey
soldiers marched past to go to the Job. Put
a glass in my watch today made out
of Celluloid. Cooking again in the hut.
Explosions towards Johore Barhue.  E.R. MADDISONs. 22ND BIRTHDAY 

 

14. 4. 42  
TUESDAY
Reveille now ½ hour earlier 7.15 AM & Breakfast  
consisted of Rice & Soup. Light Duty
& have to dig Latrines. Noticed Jap trucks
& Bren Carriers fully loaded moving
towards Singapore. Lunch Rice &
Arrowroot.  Very tasty but could have
eaten much more. Have the evening
off. Went out scrounging but found nothing
Tea - Rice & Stew & Baked Roll.
15. 4. 42  
WEDNESDAY
Off to Working Party.Breakfast.  Rice & Stew  
Have begun to build a Bridge across the
Reservoir & have started to build Platform
for the Shrine. Lunch  Rice & Milk with some
sultanas that were scrounged. Knocked off
work at 4. PM & on way home done scrounging
E.R. Maddison found a tin Pineapple which gave
us a good tea of Pineapple & a sultana Pasty
which was ve very tasty. Vomited at lunch
time & haven't been too good. Found a
tin China Tea
16 4 42  
THURSDAY
Breakfast  Rice & Stew. On Light Duty today  
& have been washing Clothes. Lunch:- Rice
& milk with Sultanas made it an enjoyable
meal. Went scrounging but found nothing
Tea. Rice & Stew with a flat cake. & bread I
bought. Noticed the Jap give a chinaman
a belting & then torture him with a Bayonet
bleeding pretty freely & after a few hours
let go. At 11. PM Jap wanted a Muster
parade & we all had to go on parade & be
counted by the Japanese.
17. 4. 42  
FRIDAY
On Guard to day & met Snow Marsh  
going out on a working Party. Breakfast
Rice & Stew. Lunch Rice & Milk & Then
have to do 4 hrs guard. Saw 5 of the 8 Div Sigs
 

 

17. 4. 42  
FRIDAY  
(CONTINUED)
paraded up before the Japanese. Heads for
being missing off the 11.PM Parade the night  
of Thursday 16/4/42. They told me that they would
get off with a caution. Had no Tea but
made up for it later on by having Toasted
Bread with Milk & Marmite.
18. 4. 42.  
SATURDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Veg. Soup & off to work  
at the Quarry breaking Rocks with Sledge
Hammer. Noticed 5 Japanese Graves
with writing & a
Diagram - see original document
Box with the
German Swastica on the front of the
boxes. Lunch  Rice & Milk & Some Sultanas
which made things tasty. Arrived home
late & the Canteen had no bread left
as the Pommeys bought all of it. They
will have their own canteen tomorrow
Tea  Rice & Stew with a meat Fritter
with very little rice MEAT, in it. Had a nice
Supper  Potato Chips  Toasted Bread with
Milk & Marmite. Some more sweet cake
to eat & off to bed. Have been living too high
19. 4. 42  
SUNDAY
Breakfast  Rice & Stew & went & bought Bread from  
the Canteen. Quarry Work today crushing
Stones with a hammer. noticed Quarry
Owner with the Swastica in front of his car
driving the Jap Heads about. Didn't get out
to Job till late as we had to wait for a
Head to pass. Jap Navy in Town in trucks.
Rice & Milk for Lunch but didn't feel
like any. On carting Gravel to Job in
evening & noticed the Jap Guard wearing
a respirator. Knocked off the Job early
& have had a feed of buns & am waiting
for Tea. Tea  Rice & Stew.  Baked Toasted more
Bread for Supper & with Cakes was very NICE  

 

20. 4. 42  
MONDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup & then went to the  
Canteen & bought some Peanut Toffee which
was tasty. Working at the Quarry & didn't
get back to work till late as we had to wait
for trucks Lunch Rice & Milk. Went to
get some pineapples but found all of
them green so went without. Tea Rice
& Soup with a Meat Pasty. Notice an
A.I.F Chap from the Base tied up in
front of the Jap Head Quarters. It is
beleived that one of the Japs went for him
with an axe so he took the axe off the
Jap & started to go for the Jap but was
stopped. Supper Bread toasted with
Condensed Milk & Marmite Very tasty.
21. 4. 42  
TUESDAY.
Noticed A.IF Soldier still tied up to the  
post & has been there all night. Breakfast
Rice & Soup. Went to work on quarry job &
carried more rocks. Lunch  Rice & Milk.
Went out scrounging Pineapples from the
back of the Quarry & now have a sore
Mouth from eating them. Just got back
at Tea (Afternoon) time & were knocked
off for the rest of the evening. 2 of the lads
had to walk home about 5 miles. Pay
day today from the Jap Army 10 cts
per day & as I have been in the hospital
& only received 70 cts while most of them
were paid $1 Japanese note. You cannot
buy anything at the Canteen as everyone
is over there having just been paid.
Have just repaired my boots with leather
I scrounged with burnt Flat Head Nails
which served the purpose. Tea, Rice &
Soup & no pastry. Bread (Toasted) with milk
& Marmite for Supper. Also Issue of 9½ Cigarettes
 

 

2.2. 4. 42  
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast:-  Rice & Soup. Tried to buy bread  
from the Canteen but could not buy
any. Out to the quarry to-day & had
a quiet day  Lunch :- Rice & Milk. Rained
in the evening & knocked off 2.30 PM. Tried
to buy bread & found none had been
in the Canteen all evening owing to
the beltings the Boongs had received they
have taken the bread to the Pommy Canteen
Tea. Rice & Stew with a Meat & Vegetable fritter
which was very enjoyable. Supper consisted
of Toasted Bread & Milk. ER. Maddison Went to Hospital
23. 4. 42  
THURSDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup & off to the quarry again  
No Bread on Sale at the Canteen. A few of
the Japs were Drunk on the Job & were
very amusing. Lunch. Rice & Milk
with Sultanas proved Tasty. Rumour
again, Germany surrendered Rain
stopped work & finished the Job at 5. PM.
Bought Buns from Canteen @ 5 cts each
Tea  Rice & Stew with a Rice Pasty which
was very tasty. Supper:- Buns & Milk with
Pineapple.
24. 4. 42.  
FRIDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup. Bought 4 Buns 5 cts ea  
Quarry Work again. Bread hard to buy
& the Boong has put up the price of a 8 cts
loaf to 10 cts. Lunch Rice & Milk with the
last few Sultanas & was very tasty. Rained
all evening & we were repairing the
road for the trucks. Home early again
at 5.30 PM & dry for once. Tea Rice &
Stew & a Rice Cake. Very tasty with 3
Buns & Pineapple Sliced & now feel very
satisfied. No Bread on sale at the
Canteen. Report Tokio has been bombed
3 Times. We have Electric Light on the hut
tonight 

 

25. 4. 42  
SATURDAY
Anzac Day Informed that the 9 Missing  
Pioneers Bodies were found & buried by
the Padre yesterday SGT. PAT NEAL. PTE ALF WEST
PTE BILL BAKER. were amongst the 9 & looks
as if they were dis-armed & each of them
were put up in a row & shot as they all
had a bullet wound through the head
Work today was at Singapore for a
few of us & done very well. Pulled up
in town & was given 1 pkt (10) Boong
Cigars & 1 Box Matches by a Malay who
made certain he let me know he wasn't
a chinese. Working we were first given
1 pkt Pirates & 1 pkt Flag Cigarettes & then
the same chinese gave us a parcel of
7 loaves Bread & 1 Parcel of cut up
Bread & 2 tins Sardines. Then they
gave us a bottle of Coffee which
was beautiful & then they gave me
a 4 oz Packet of Boong tobacco & 2 pkt
papers (Boong) Then the Jap gave us
1 pot of tea (not so hot). Breakfast
Rice & Soup. Breakfast Rice & Milk
adding a few Peanuts with a few
Sardines & the fresh Bread was
filling. Tea Rice & Soup & a
Meat Fritter which was very nice.
In the evening we went again
to carry Sand & on the way was
informed by a chinese that
Churchill says we will be out of
Malaya by June. Then we
pulled up in town & was given 4
loaves Bread & I got 1 Tin Melon
& Lemon Jam given me & we
 

 

25. 4. 42  
SATURDAY  
(CONTINUED)
had a very nice snack. One
of the lads were given 1 Tin of 20  
DeRioke Cigarettes. Then back
to the Job & were given a cup of Coffee
which was delicious & before leaving
one of the lads were given 1 pkt
Pirate Cigarettes which he kept to
himself. Then got rid of our load
& came back to another place &
had a cake each & a cup of Coffee
& then I was given 2 Craven A Cigarettes.
I was Bargaining with a Chinese
for a Red Paw Paw & in the end when
I walked away another Chinese bought
it & gave it away to one of the lads
We didn't get any although it was
really meant for me. Another lad
got 1 pkt (20) Boong Cigarettes & we didn't
see any. Rained in evening.
26. 4 42  
SUNDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup Went out to the  
Quarry Near the Punjabi's Camp & they
are getting very poor tucker 6 oz Rice per day.
Lunch Rice & Milk. Found 2 Kerosene
Tins Fat which will make things tasty
in future. News Tojo is out of Power
Now & Hayan Prince Konoye has now taken
over. Also an unsuccessful Invasion
at Darwin by the Japanese. Germanys
Peace Terms. Britain has left everything
to Russia. Tea: Rice & Soup & 1 Pasty
27. 4 42  
MONDAY.
Breakfast. Rice & Soup. Went out again  
to the Quarry & some of the lads found
some Fat which will go well for cooking
at night in the Huts. The lads have
been scrounging Electric Light Bulbs

 

27. 4. 42  
MONDAY  
(CONTINUED)
which will be handy. Lunch. Rice & Milk
Worked till 4 PM in the quarry & then we all  
went out to the Golf Links to carry stone but
we only worked [[x/4?]] hour & knocked off 5PM
& had to walk home but luckily enough
some of us jumped in a truck & saved
walking. SYD FULLER went to the Hospital with
temp 103° . Tea. Rice & Soup & a Fritter fried
with scrounged Fat. Got issued with 1 Pr
socks taken from Kit Bags. Japanese
reported to have shot 4 Australians for
straying from the Perimeter. Japs have
been carting Rice & Flour towards Johore
Bamhxx  Bahru also troops moved up North
again today. The last few days the
Jap has been buisy moving all
the Broken down trucks & Vehicles from
the streets & dumps moving them to
the boats. Yesterday 2 Hospital ships
brought Wounded (Jap) to Singapore.
Ken Taylor brought home a few
Pineapples which weren't too bad.
28. 4. 42  
TUESDAY
Talk of extra Rations for 29/4/42  Meat  
Bread & Vegetables & a Pay on account of
Prince Konoye's Birthday 29/4/42. Breakfast
Rice & Soup. Went out again to the same
Quarry & had an easy day. Lunch. Rice
& Milk with Pineapple that I scrounged
Brought home American Newspapers
so will know all about YankeeLand
Knocked off early. Tea Rice & Soup &
a Tart with Sugared Butter in it making
it very tasty. The Pay Money is over
at the orderly Room & may get Paid.
Fried some Bread & was tasty
 

 

29. 4. 42  
WEDNESDAY
Prince Konoyes Birthday. Field 
Bakery is going to operate so we may
have bread for tea. Breakfast Rice &
Soup. Went & got meat issue. 55 lbs
Pork for 500 meals Tried cooking Leaves
& turned out not so bad. Lunch
Rice & Milk with Cocoanut & Boiled
Pineapple in it & was very tasty. Pay
day today $1 for 10 days work @ 10 cts per
day. Went out & bought salt &
also 1 tin unknown for 20 cts & it
turned out to be Beetroot which made
the evening meal Rice & Pork Soup
& 1 bun (Small) our own cooking
very tasty. The A.I.F. are giving a
concert tonight for the Japs from
7. PM to 9.0 PM. which wasn't bad
30. 4 42  
THURSDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup & then off to the  
Quarry near the RAAF. Bought Buns on
the road but they didnt last long as
they were very tasty. Lunch. Rice &
Milk & went scrounging for Pineapples
& had a great feed of Ripe ones, Home
early as worked it with the Pommey driver.
21 Pineapples between 2. HARRY COUGHLAN & MYSELF
Tea Rice & Soup & a Pineapple Fritter which
was very tasty with 1 small loaf Bread
with Pineapple Jam in it. Also had for
tea Fresh Pineapple & Bread.
1. 5. 42  
FRIDAY
Breakfast Rice & Soup & off again to the  
Quarry. Went & got another bag of Pineapple
Lunch,  Rice & Milk & Pineapple. Drove
in the truck in the evening & came home
early. Grated a Pineapple for Tea &
should be nice. Rumour to Germany

 

1.5. 42  
FRIDAY  
(CONTINUED)
falling is still going strong & we are
only waiting for confirmation. Soap  
Issue tonight Tea Rice & Soup & a Bun
& Fritter with some grated Pineapple
Cigarette issue also Soap.
2 5. 42  
SATURDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Stew (Fresh Meat) & off to  
the Quarry. Lunch Rice & Milk & Grated
Pineapple. A Japanese Truck overturned
in a creek & one Malay was pinned
under & drowned. Only 3 Malays on the
truck. Went & got Pineapples for the
cookhouse & brought home about 50.
Got wet on way home. Tea Rice & Stew
& Bread from the bakery.
3. 5. 42  
SUNDAY.
Breakfast. Rice & Soup Went to work at  
Jap Head Quarters. Hoeing up Rubbish
Lunch Rice & Milk & Pineapple. Got a hit
with a Bamboo 6 ft & 1¼ diamt but fended
it off with my arm. Pulling out grass
on the Lawn. Knocked off work 5.30 PM
& had to wait till 6 PM & then march
home just in time for tea. Tea Rice &
Soup & 1 Bread Roll from our Bakery. Not
a success yet. Japs have taken over the
Canteen & are selling Bigger Bread Rolls.
& so far a bigger variety of Foodstuffs.
4. 5. 42  
MONDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup Went to the Indian  
Quarry & done very little work Lunch
Rice only. Went Scrounging for Pineapples
& got a few small ones. Also picked
up a respirator & found $1 & 3 cts in
coins in the haversack. Knocked
off work early & went & bought bread.
& have 35 cents left. Tea Rice & Soup
& had some green pineapple.
 

 

2000 More P.OW's marched into our Adam
Park Area. Englishmen & 22ND. AIF. Brigade.
4. 5. 42  
MONDAY
(CONTINUED)
Rumours are still going about 
Jap Germanys' Capitulation & also
USA telling Japs to get out of Malaya
by the end of the month
5. 5. 42  
TUESDAY
Breakfast. Rice & Soup. Went out to  
the Indian Quarry again Lunch. Rice
& Boiled Pineapple (Scrounged)  Knocked off
work early & bought Bread.  Tea -
Rice & Soup & 1 Bread Roll from / our
Bakery.  The Japs had a Scotchman
tied up in the Sun all day for knocking
down a Jap. I beleive they wanted to hang
him first & then shoot him but the Jap
Officer wouldn't allow them. He has
had no water or Food all day &
I think he is still tied up. The food
Ration has changed with Fresh
Meat every 5 days No Milk or Sugar
so we will have to have Dry Rice for
Midday Meal.
6. 5. 42  
WEDNESDAY.
Breakfast:- Rice & Stew (Fresh Meat) Went out  
to work at Big Quarry & on Fine Gravel.
Lunch Rice (Plain) & had a pineapple
making it tasty. Went & scrounged
Pineapples today. Home 6 PM & Tea
Rice & Stew & a Rice Cake with Pineapple
in it. Have been informed that
tomorrow there is a holiday for all.
Later informed that we are to work
in the morning & have the evening off
7. 5. 42  
THURSDAY.
Breakfast. Rice & Soup. Out to the Road  
Job for the change. Carrying sand to
make the road. On parade this morning
& informed that we have to work in
the morning & that every man is to get

 
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Deb ParkinsonDeb Parkinson
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