Diary relating to service of Hector Alexander McIntyre - Part 12

59
JAPANESE RANKS

Brigadiers & higher travel in a Yellow Staffed
Car & their Rank is all Gold Brade & 1 Star for Brigadier
& Stars for Higher Ranks

ATTACHED WHITE REGIMENTS
22^nd MOUNTAIN HEAVY ARTILLERY 155^th FD REGIMENTS (OLD YORKSHIRE YEOMAN)
13788. 5^th FD REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY
AIR FORCE 12 BEAUFORT BUFFALOES 6 HURRICANES WITH GUNS
126 HURRICANES WITHOUT GUNS
58

1941-42 CAMPAIGN  

INDIAN REGIMENTS IN MALAYA
2/16^th 3/16^th PUNJABI -11^th INDIAN DIVISION 2/9^th JATS
2/5^th SIKHS - BASI PATAMI REGIMENT - DOUGRA REGIMENT
1^st - 2^nd - 9^th GURKHAS. - 19^th HYDERAHMBADS - BALUCKI
GOWALI. RIFLES

ENGLISH REGIMENTS IN MALAYA
GORDON HIGHLANDERS 2^nd BATTALION - LOYAL REGIMENT
ARGYLES & SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS - MANCHESTER REGIMENT.
EAST SURREY REGIMENT - LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.
5^th & 6^th NORFOLKS - 1^st CAMBRIDGESHIRE - SHERWOOD FORRESTERS
BEDFORDSHIRE & HARTFORDSHIRE REGIMENTS - 5^th & 6^th SUFFOLK5
ROYAL ARTILLERY - ROYAL ENGINEERS - GARRISON SIGNALLERS
ROYAL COMMAND SIGNALLERS - ROYAL ORDANANCE CORPS.
 

57
– AN IRISH COLLEEN –
I went to a Party consisting of four
And as it was private we soon shut the door
There was a young girl from England,
Another from Wales
And another who resided, Mid Scotlands fair dales
We sat down in friendship & each drank the wine
They spoke of their countries, I told them of mine
The Rose, leaf & Thistle in concord were seen
Said I, heres a toast to an Irish Colleen
Heres to old Ireland her sons & her daughters
Heres to the Emblem, The Shamrock I mean
May the sun ever shine, on the round towers of Ireland
That is a toast from an Irish Colleen.
The Welsh girl their gave us The Toast to the Leek
Said "I'll toast to my Emblem, Each hour of the Week"
And the Lassie from Scotland, with Pride in her eyes
Said "Heres to the Thistle, No Scotchman denies"
Then the English girl gave us A toast to the rose
And she said with our help she could thrash all her foes
So I said "I'll not willingly cause any pain
I'll ask you to join in my toast once again
I don't hold with traitors, no matter their cause
I only want freedom, & good honest laws
I'll admit as a flower, I'm fond of the Rose,
The finest of Flowers, in a garden that grows.
But 'tween love & respect, theres a vast gulf between
The Shamrock the flower, of this Irish Colleen.
56

A.I.F. CASUALITIES MALAYAN CAMPAIGN
 

55
– THE FALL OF SINGAPORE – 
1/ Ten thousand Australians were caught in a trap
When Singapore Island surrendered
For dear old Australia an awful mishap
Her coastline was scarcely defended
The thread of her power was in danger to snap,
For the willing support she had rendered,
There were men from the south & men from the North
And men from the great Western Plain.
In the Spirit of adventure they all had set forth
Some never to see home again
Mid jungle & Rubber & Mankinds great wrath
Brave sons of Australia were slain
2/ Men from Great Britian, they were also there,
From England & Scotland & Wales
Sons of India too they did their share
As they did in the days of Versailles,
Though for many a month they had time to ^(Prepare)
They had not a chance to prevail
They fought back from North through Jungle & rain
They had to retreat through Johore
There were lives to be lost & nothing to gain
When they got ready to hold Singapore
For days they scanned the skies for just one Hurricane
Just only one & no more
3/. Now just at this phrase things looked alright
The General said stick to it boys
If you can only hold out we may win this fight
There's plenty of food for us all
Though you all have to do five hours guard every night
Singapore Island won't fall
You'll have to dig trenches twenty feet deep
To get in when theres an air raid
We expect in a week to have rations of sleep
And you'll all get two dollars if your Paid
The Mosquito's & wet weather may make you
all xxxxxx weep
54 

A.I.F. CASUALITIES MALAYAN CAMPAIGN.

53
– THE FALL OF SINGAPORE – (CONTINUED
But stick to it & dont be afraid

We Australians said "Right we will give it a go"
But ten times a day the Planes of Tojo,
Converted the sky like a fass
The movement to trenches was a longway from Slow
4/ But strictly according to plan
Then when the fight started we did all we could.
To keep all the enemy at bay
For all our great effort we could do no good
He brought in an army a day
By some British Hitch we slipped in a ditch
And now there was devil to play
On night in the front I came off Patrol
To find my mates in a state
Singapore's Smashed & were all in a hole
The story was hard to relate.
5/ They damn well surrendered give up your rounds

And don't shoot any more said my mate
Next day our Rifles & Bayonets were dumped
But far from beaten we were
With the loss of our weapons our spirit all slumped
For the war to go on we'd prefer
From the fat to the fire it seemed that we'd jumped,
We were practically Prisoners of war
6/ In a day & a night we arrived in Changi
The water supply was a bit small
Our actions & movements was not Quite free
There wasn't much food for us all
It was exactly a nice place to be
As the had of captives might fall
7/ Now listen to me Brother Aussie
At home & take note of all that I say
If ever you get hold of a great urge to roam
Make up your mind you will stay
Lest you will end up like us & regret live to regret
The reason you joined & the day
(CONTINUED) →
52
THE SULTAN OF JOHORE 
1/ You promised us a medal
a shiny golden Thing
To hang upon our Bosoms
As in Anzac march we swing
2/ you made one sole condition
That if we were here six months more,
But believe me Sultan, by that time,
We've earned a damned sight more
3/ For we stagge^red through your Jungle
And we've wallowed in your mud
And your damn great big mosquitoes,
Have drank gallons of our blood
4/ For six months in this climate
Midst the rubber & the smell,
Would make one dream of longing
of a nice cool place change in Hell
5/ We wandered through your village
Midst the hustle, smell, & fuss,
But among your slinking maidens,
We found none worth a cuss
6/ No doubt you meant us kindly
And we thank you for the thought,
 But we'd have been more greatful,
If some Aussie beers, you'd bought
7/ So Sultan keep your medal
and in the years to come
Take one each time you think of us
And stick it in your — !
 

51 THE FALL OF SINGAPORE - CONTINUED
7/ If the day ever comes
when once more will be free
And we certainly hope that it does
For there's only one reason
We'll again wear khaki.
And that's to fight for our homes,
And we'll change the whole plans of the
Aussie Army
And Keep plenty of planes on our dromes
 A DREAM
1/ I dreamt the War was over
And I was back in town
But upon the spree we went
just strolling up & down
2/ When one Dig' Suggested
How about a dance
Everybody was for it
So we all jumped at the chance
3/ So into the Trocadero
We all went once again
And heard the lifting music
As played by Ade Larrene
4/ I chose myself a Partner
She was Petite & slim
As we strutted up the Ballroom
The lights were growing dim
5/ Then softly she whispered
Tell me all about it Jack
Of how you beat old Hitler
And drove the Nazi's back
6/ I blushed & stood their Tongue-tied
For awhile I nursed the beat
How I wished the dance would finish
So I could escape to the street
50  

A DREAM (Cont)
7/ For though I had been a digger
The deal I wa got was raw
For they sent me to Malaya
Where I because a "Prisoner of War"
8/ I served with a crack Battalian
Knee deep in Mud & Gore
We fought the Japs from Genias
Right down to Singapore
9/ But the Air Force deserted
We never saw a plane
Although we were promised support
Time & Time again
10/ So we formed a line at Tanglin
With their Bombers overhead
They bombed & shelled the City
Till the streets were filled with dead
11/ Though the Japs had us outnumbered
We were called on to give in
Unarmed civilians slaughtered
To go on was "Bloody" Sin
12/ So how could I break it gently,
Would she understand
That I had been a POW
I'd done nothing grand
13/ When the Bugle Sounded
I awoke from my Dream
But my thoughts were still awhirling
Around the same old theme
14/ When this War is over
And we return some day
How will we be treated
We prisoners of Malay
15/ So do not judge us harshly
We did our best, who could do more
I know that we surrendered
Each of us is sore
16/ So here we are at Changi
And its not so very nice
For all that we exist on
Is. P.OW. Rice 

49
– NOT MAD JUST TROPICAL –
1/ This war may last for years & years
And in this land of sweat & tears
We are going Tropical,
The men are chasing Phantom Dogs
And making them jump imaginary logs.
We go to bed with wobby gogs
'Cause we are going tropical
2/ A mess parade is gathered
Where a burst of cheering fills the air
I asked a sargeant standing there,
(Who hadn't gone quite tropical)
What great event had come to pass
He said that some poor silly ass
Had dropped a china plate or glass
And broken pieces strewed the grass
They cheered poor goats. They're Tropical
3/ The officers may have their fill
of nectar from the whisky still
The Sargeants booze enough to kill
A man that may be tropical.
Not so the poor old rank & file
They dread our morals to defile
Lest grog our scattered with beguile
And this does drive us Tropical
4/ Today our Military brains
Say this is orders "Dig no drains,
Forthwith like hell it rains & rains
In sheets of downpour Tropical
The camp a padi field became
Within, wh without the same
The floods in rushing torrents came
I'll tell you what we have to blame
The Place is B—, Tropical
CONTINUED OVER →
48 

AFTER IT'S OVER
1/ When all this strife is over
We will sail across the foam,
To return once more to our loved ones,
In the land we call our home
2/ Our return will be a welcome one
And we'll ^all forget the past
As we greet our Wives & Mothers
And know we're home at last.
3/ And what about the Kiddies
Now let me tell you lad
You'll heave a sigh, as you hear the cry
"Hey Hullo" theres Dad
4/ Then once again when settled down
To a happy normal life
Will be looking for excuses
To put over on the wife
5/ For just around the corner
where congugates the mob
You'll see me drinking liquor
With Harold Don & Bob
6/ But getting down to cases
I won't part at any Price
From the Wife if she don't feed me
On Rice & then more rice 

47 
NOT MAD JUST TROPICAL (CONTINUED)
5/ Its Queen Street and its Anzacs Day
In 1945 we'll say
Malayan Anzacs lead the way
Through decorations tropical
Says Tiny Tim, hoisted on a chair
Mom who's the bloke who pull his hair
And grabs nothing but the air
Hush son thats Dad not mad but Tropical
MOTHER
1/ I can picture you dear Mother
As you're standing at the gate
Hoping for some news of me
Before it is too late
2/ I can see your pet Canary
Swinging in the cage
The Tabby cat you love so well
He is getting thin with Age
3/ I can see your hea hair of Silver
Your kind old Motherly face
The Cedar & the Peppercorn tree
Growing all around the Place
4/ Hark! here comes the Postman
Will he go right past
But no, he has some news for you
You see, A letter at last
5/ I can see you, as you open it
and scan it eagerly
You hope & Pray as you read it,
For your boy to come back safely,
6/ Yes I'll be back Mother Dear,
When this Battle is finally O'er
At Present I am safe & sound
In Changi, A Prisoner of War

46
RICE
1/ Surely this is Heaven
The thought flashed through his head
As down upon the wharf he jumped
Whilst to his whif wife he said
At last we are together
And never shall you need
But hurry up my love one
I'm dying for a feed
2/ So off they set together
A loving man & wife
Welded to each other
To lead a blistful life
Then in the santuary of their home
He waited for a meal
Dreaming of a most luscious meal
Of Steak & Lamb & veal
3/ He mused its awful waiting
But his pet she sure could bake
And wasn't this cruel world
A Place to give & take
At last she flitted in the room
And coo-ed of something nice
You will guess my hero
Its a Plate of steaming rice
4/ They took away her body
They placed him in a cell
They convicted him of Murder
Condemned his soul to Hell
So heed you thoughtless women
Or Pay the awful Price
For serving up a Changi Man
A bowl of steaming rice

45
– MISTAKES BRITIAN HAS MADE –
1/ Perhaps we might be biassed.
Perhaps our thoughts are rot.
Just forgive us if we're bitter
We were all put on the spot.
2/ We cannot help beleiving
That the Joking High Command
Was disgusting with its record,
It was nothing really grand
3/ When they looked back off the story
Of what the Empire had done,
And considered its fiasco
Looked them over, one by one
4/ There was always something missing,
Not one was really great
Each one was glamourised by its story,
So they wiped them off the slate
5/ They looked at Balaclava
The set up was complete
But some lived to tell the tale
so it was wiped toot suite
6/ They tried again at Anzac
And they thought they would take the prize
With a perfect Bloody hiding
Of just the proper size
7/ But the Digger spirit beat 'em
And spoiled their little game
The shimossle wasn't perfect
Because it won us fame
8/ Then when this war became afoot,
At last they had a show
To confound the world for once and all
Just how, they did not know
9/ But they did their best at Dunkirk
They nearly lost the lot,
The Huns had planes & Guns & Tanks
And made it pretty hot.
(CONTINUED) → 

44 

43
– MISTAKES BRITIAN HAS MADE – (CONTINUED)
10/ The thing looked good to High Command
The perfect rout was staged,
Our men were doomed, not one could live
No matter how they raged
11/ But dogged Perseverence
Made a mess of this fine scheme
The Navy helped, & fishing boats,
In never ending stream
12/ Saved thousands of defeated souls
And took them safely through
Dunkirk became a nations Boast
And not a bungled blue
13/ They tried again at Narvick,
This time they must succeed
so far from home, no chance this time
To help them in their need
14/ But once again, the fleet was there
Another scheme fell flat,
The lot came home as heroes
So that they saw was that.
15/ We must, they said go far a field,
To have a chance at all
Let's lick the Hun on foreign soil,
We'll first try something small
16/ And if it works we'll try again,
One more important • • • • • .......
Where there'd be no chance of rescue
And then we cannot fail
17/ So they sent men out to Egypt,
To bait Adolf & Muss.
They were beaten from the outset,
They simply missed the bus
18/ It looked the perfect hiding,
But once again they flopped,
The Diggers liked the look of Tobruck
And there they simply stopped
(CONTINUED) 

42 

41
– MISTAKES BRITIAN HAS MADE –(CONTINUED)
19/ Instead of a Bloody hiding
It became a famous stand,
The Aussies' spirit triumphed
and annoyed the High Command
20/ Which looked around for other spots,
To stage its biggest Blue
They thought of Greece, considered it,
And decided it would do
21/ This time they'd lose the lot they said,
This time we would do the trick,
But fishing boats turned trumps again
And took them off damn quick
22/ The High Command was thunderstruck,
As this plan went astray,
They cursed the fated & rotten luck,
But ventured one more try
23/ Crete looked simply perfect,
And gave them further hope
But some got out from even there,
But still they didn't mope
24/ We'll try again, We must succeed,
Or old England's name is done
unless we stage a perfect rout
Before this war is won
25/ The Frenchmen with their famous line
Designed by Maginot,
Have the best rout to their credit,
It was lost without a blow.
26/ Still further east we'll have to go.
To give our plans a try,
And if we ^miss this time my boys,
We'll know the reason why,
27/ We simply have to tell the world,
Of some defended spot,
Forget to fortify the place
Send men & lose the lot
CONTINUED →
 40

– MISTAKES BRITIAN HAS MADE – (CONTINUED)
28/ Then Englands name will surely rise
The best fiasco yet.
And as the planned, so did it happen,
At last the stage was set,
29/ Our men were soon defeated,
There were neither bombs & Planes,
They howled for reinforcements,
But got something for their pains
30/ Yes, the High Command succeeded
It would want for nothing more,
Than this Fiasco of Fiasco's
That was staged at Singapore.