Diary relating to service of Hector Alexander McIntyre - Part 10

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

Page 1 / 10

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26:10 48 3 fast five Dean Rotter but to wark in the Quarey a on Cenfect was (8 11 3Ops sous. Bn Curtee again thet Perlyan all here now hact furt kiee & pud Beant Houe at L. Tkefac Brll srsry asn free ar Sor Houe in lasparty tkee Cost say (a a sere tes &a Rd prase Cess benced on truigh every good Howard lusio sied at N03 of 6 B Bras hew Ransn Egan or Centrac Abith unchhe sher 9 n 13 6t hew tat Hos Ccantet a hane t ns Ll hue tghu Herce Hon at 4 oer as got a grod Reas Gea Kile fact Brthe foud ToreDaY Seeea Cst anethe x of Ma Gaban Atenke Eukemon Mg sfrowa toves many otgers Dt unthage then above hee Rie & ful hg affad tos 28 6 48 fat Lgo Be Watecok for the Celway Bridge & a hard day . 11 43 fast hie f tote f n te a fain steggd wat a o ter te fines ice lwe daou a . Acener on aayge baya Kin & k oupADd tensfusion to Doughes Ae Dillon aranneek wore finistes in a dayor b osmen march ventious a Dobn as he lasss his fey twasen thee os hmp H Wa tomsnow Late Goull 29.60 173 So Jest Riciefoud a Branking on Breat Bur o Suldyng aster 11 herhear t at carying tir an cam aly witon fairay beding to the Live pegets hi nfuse Beaon. A 2DDy oY timesti to a bepe gravade be a Ro pud fair day Knciking off6 sm Lea Linr Vgus Pity a eenkep Surparade Hayl as havei itianat tiv 1 11 F3 Efat. King been Water & our all maning going through yar bod sto the 3010 pses g l an F7 frty espected to mnt te sl fr h t Saeory Caviwarker for the evening Lunet Ri a spo Tamp Hen Rdiscarting oour neess Lea Kivs you lang the knve 60 akedy soreg a fewer in te enning 12 1 f Dpast LeBother Boares The banturs has been besken into 1 shebony 31. 10e3 On the failway again s metoo best to shrpt. ss went thrangh a ming He tels f t u sers, bn have te walls, A Fi Kit a tece printing material bu tlates gve t bair Luct ngs o Wale pories was t to der Leorhins beg hup aepertallty 1t 2. B0 Sa hees be Ores to lrg to b all maring furch hied bee tohe be Mpab Basys Ml tst SoDAY ytfrom the t 1/43 Bfet Liw & Bay Wates Haw leve & elxt at naming hhed H saming o go gi to e bie up p r dong. Ht feeling too well e How Dome 1511 41 Prast hi bu ales t your Rnoth have ngt sefet. he lighten to 3 fat BRl pti ango hi noin Tousty harter Lund ti ea sater Lught Eer weet he by [1eF S00y Irees ane sdays A punh his dee water. till have a five te hie by h 6 N a2 Hast Liea Ban Bat. Herr De bead give off te tedely aa f 8 1.& Sprt Gie Hotes. Hove againsdefice maning fuush Gustlns h roery huckew wale be hdhirn cane utss brte gds , areswill in te be t he overr agains as nothing e to so, hea t f D hus W 17. 4sd Hd Khie derlisd deont Lester maning hund her th u a notag t oall waing f he orE. Y Celin Carying Bags Le e he le ffeet bp Meey uu Mth Carrie ragh pr b lanes guer p f Ri & Justy Lirst parly man trought teen Doness of the Geres Canger or every goot H.N. 4 Star Kill H Bn Aderrer. Ser Kin you sid hi 5. 11 43 Dac. Ricio DerWater Dr Bauter o got my dlaad in the reorning furrer tine $2500 raving ta hi pellon Ra warse L Sabe Hallaning the ob Arrying ineth rt 14 Wore n to Wie for stt Bfe be er at the Kp t bat May [6. 11 f chnteles A the haad beclasting hl wuch time fnch hi opetsory s 59ADY ntroel theevening dea Kin & Green Deter & hav Bve t bkn faticam is great bele fi ha at b hg h 7 1 S esling abalet wore againfure he offetwate W baud bronge in bere Dh lind SD Hne Workearly I Kceelfur Seng have Doaver
2111 be t an ery hinds beee ts ale s in pte) s u wer t SDry ener beefex hr te h vey tt sat orory Lage Gn. On Digging ap e e & bg 22143 Sa Cken Oe Cessing Lh t Iblng mave det Baste & very tasty Rayin Bridge to pee in the Light oay on form. Ie in ero nov to bidinglxt an or a . B. hp pe r nopt tmoring as nse rough hi to Neck 50r1 Stlerlac t1 Wagon (Straditon only Wecory Gursi at tatens an lghin B 1 H Bogusteft at seri Sleale here good a peenly of t b l 13 hos out of uiti a ratian have not imposed Dep Woeeory inve slext aany enmoraing tep hice a 4 to p sa Vg for Janel Tea H.N. 43 OBad carrging to pax 40& Ledgeod pax Hews Moveon 18007 ResCubsegntie 23 a say vea foigten nory f are m 23.0. D onc Bo ls Nu Dles Berty Lun h f <a hitoppat tbad 0whilebut n pe tol e 2511:25 Loego. Blutee did at Bar Syvesery Crom CAfter Se Tush 36:11:4 Heday against te haue a with arequlaa. Aused Ve9 I Soue & tle bill, lese b oun Se heal wer at Gamp Buti at. 11. CM. Feon very poty bn 1 8 tister all day as usthiga meals her with 27:11:43 26. 2 43) Nationsare light or 6y Rac betenly giting Ms Bl A Lgar tet (BA Rane 50 Fish 172 Vay 87842 Gates all day craied plenty of Eggso Greens & Lasty Sseary arter 5H on Nale Carling to bosk tause + now have thes .N. Dd [hearlyor ivering 28 B.Hd Kaining all marning to farnwe 28:11:43 312. 43 expect Pay Aedon Barade durite of DB Perssnnele may have te Serory Sews buter Bc You day withour officers ht all maning 29.1s Eling Resfokels also will pe an wate Poweay earhing frind & sherey have been ly pasloe apary given by t ofps uph saus Cofter play lae a minat 7.1. 4l 30 143 awry men an t fot e pest Wereng Harariex for H pn bCt expected in wa F 143, Eloadus Canin from to 2any WcOEsM for Do bow Headar E 2 n Olawior died E1 s Stieegardening gawing Rt sweet tethee to th 350 Lassers. Tood Casconsieved in uality & now key are heating teat 213 43 191 for ast ont of fe r n with yeas se be tt Lagan TWEEDOY 3r1243 ae called tfor uga ey 5 to be pa l RGR aod pgula Walle tewt FLuce wall canden bu I have not neewed any ye arings adens of to Kave 13 s MaciaHitoes Avrine 1at Een Read Sursny st a garn my dayor I weat come in fsday mds tiit 8:12 43 prehorne very aghtion. Dille sare very clea in ataphel lat ffe teep Worsey 6. 12 A D fert he rt F ee l as At perday & By to eebl. Bydo sep haveno wne any yet ti Loore expet hgil be aytime as I sext at bleny inletion at ter Bday hanglght oa He Ctu 28 on $1.20 from our pay 1712.43 Ptas Ru Rex. Luii lil so ge fred rea siggin Cay sitenteing hal hight ba t 6 sd bey have been Pas by but lighter. A Amane Wai sut or news we haveto Nothing Hagpeing these says as everything ar nher de fi a sighlybern ca i Sunery vea Cobe makes tates 56seven tarty Augelad ng t yine at un tep Bi s I h ment wed hrk Hed Madkmarney t a Wish and ther pe
ip 7 E a4 aboing i as have started a Rrt garden. Have tho a4 AMalaria Leeten Sdays HHety Dr Kings Lamges abes PKLany giing bfor bt gm (DMM) At Fal her dave been my good, Sanally Lapp Dullo twen a Week tust despermen He to have a qu disupce today yse wt a atb gug hust 12.2 sd myd on all hee cto. bauld tgthes cnt siget bynes officer s acke Cian lyl for Lday Rast Prk 1 large Gisen Ln lt b tto Luver nginf p 150 ty 20 Hy 45 hese have ba Faye Ne rind a your ap G. Gulest in Can tay fow Brang Perary a pof in t out p to t 14:7:6 in r Esp ere in the comp hs bugs bad hee, Wa i pe therery akingat reen lave just sated giting a bcbate paus oro shed bebings Pey weledialy the peris. B S p as la sanly have of p A blange an on pe ty Erete rd ape Do. a 4 c bhs whih t hl 10 ht le wau o duppor p ave sebeing to pe 225a7 Earers erkyan food in very heave a 747 the pou Rla Rg to La Dmnarn Lday we ty hre fo 40 hteackron working in the pockan godening Cter Darly ss of cea so 25 H Sirday s went to chang a ts came wspe te, fer tery b t to fr be a 27:2:- ly hel tsty be lighti S fic os b may resume te siads flapr MAad e 3er a nder. Burn advtation burgevy Weighel myael Hwesnt 9o 19 the dp out anat Caan mney fr by dp Gilen Kevste ang Will 300 pet cugs Cicamb Chesec Cobbage HDr Keen Cany Asthing teyar caphing in to pay sevised y betoey gt is a rsue yey S heaet Tshe srp data ing ng t beds Eusay in came t Earf at liken now mned t hal maye insted n g e Hbyabens ( Ioepes) Ie ter 120 I wlll w lighes bud my bud si 1y H He pa pp Ha s idla Pe Payay as p sne in full ming. Have be giting for isi of treat N Chantay s hi hex F540 Dr 2x mane to hang ail Dll Dam a faibit of Coering Bsp a 1 ing Ber Hy he (307 Dosurite pounged Paysals of ta ll, In ratfail hw Malsbe f ar Past Ri Ee o hi at asthe letpon Al Densay stal a a aft 14of from t the os yar Ltee Iile cu g te uy aegive to inea tterday ought are wre at bor theseon Lace Swere Engs By Aetay entra Soveys wea 18 B h th n a Fors Casty be rough Casson Na Nail as Clang aase tatera oy Dgday toah bal tyity 31 5.4 lathing of Iuberc hay teppered Have beer on Nebuy for Maay B. png as for the Grrel who oneted the Loas o B e f t t for heala Mon P Paity tmsns beaheis S7 Letr land He Wax mostly Cmer peg Lanmll 1h papp Abtangin 8sore for to wiew manging p Ben die frent t S e p to Be oss Se S 1 3 8/5/30 Kation a nseslran a K2, Waterfattle to get it in, bay bay con 8 Dow -Coffee 1400 Sie or PPartys this week cats were gobingli & bver laugh 4. 6. 44 Sepsterday another do. H how Hd i. Raions have now gow ap to got oday wep to Sundry asorly Meat fuanes for tala Ha ben sevn ighee fo 1ox. May go antside the Eaal to live the he on O. ee beis on beadays I fast sper Bhap e 111 6 s sp sn tide- have been working g the Dome fa & days teal with the tn racr s Jrer B Vage 2 perss Cuerod prana Ser 18t de Pad r Finos crange in Brales Lseit bents Cations very charlly Li a Rea Cn Lations which sae beanyterty on drae a ghee sehe
ao pean an he int in g cailded very Gueekly A Tightes wit onte te elvestay sr Sorsr istrange a 2 th F t I ryy fr ly and ty i f I cane 1110 taty madge dada hange a peek ago to tam tolls Bay will be do o is Toot u b 100 h a ha filling Nforn Wasier Eeis charg ido Sot alaved e Jaia tea autor sece by he dt be trge Brpe he t th oar aon Severy nguintmndiabingon the some bport of s mar 2 2 2 t i t 0 ta 0 th he an han tay te hy t ta tt 9:24 a Bogetin Je 36 a e te erors I psa t ag twths have be ttion 16744 & hasprestnly is wale at all Holoa 4 The pts we have been on a TuwDay i we sart e s all bey oar es at thes Thag M Kalgan cugd. Am t y sple be my optenidie o a g i t te of a he seuls sau inmerges a mlays to he Gen wti tell tt t To whg o b1 t the ym tle a Ration 14 n mt 16 so did ba Easrst derr stas Cayth inteing Duth & 3 Aw in 45 20 1 ty eling ewheds usheand Of H LeJuly Renks Ex 11211 Pleumostey 4asmy bai engantt bater H6 31Lly Pinber t dat ene of to g anwao bot to blan teld that J am S 2 a Heladswer o f 1 2 hni 6 26 Rett 1 Asy t 1 like uth bedlio Ftnt in algsting 3e 19 O1 t etp pen in Seprin today of sixt the frucd offce, He 4 Shee lastle exuctes wt bos kookili Ftso 1 th teard the sextet the capityti hnry seuttdy an pid and mare Cark Ki eor Soch nnttent .4 Cen 2.8 ean Tuea we ug w ly g th 5 en to ed mns s wind Tins an Fanding by Iivet in pa tting bing go The RAPWI have the Amps now we are is finest it in a menths organal under our cuon csil an so till sin tamac Daymave piea at present ser an N40 girls 2) were in Canp his evening swent hrough to
cals for epsterday were light Bers your would not thing to alary est husse) E e 1a Kive and ant THE KIGHTH LAVISION The sixth are getting Battered The Severth are copping here The Nenth are on no pienic Theyre geting theirs at will while ir she distant fringle Many Thousand miles away The Righth are on a rest cure For all they do play Because we are no shiells Ne Bullet plying thick We have the name of Glanour Bays and by cripes it came to stick every time we take a sep The meat facls from our brows and if they only know it We have B.O & how. Peoughing through he fungly With mud up to eur daist when every step a monthful and what a B- Saste Lighting tobeas by the seare and Mesquit's bl the tow Ther no use denying it We're having lats of fin And if you dont believe it when s say its pretty hot Ile quote the sative custom To show you what is what Every man is buried with his overcoat as well Thats because hill need it In ease he goes to Hill So give the paps malaya It isn weith a sac you can be your botou Dollar They to be glad to give it back
The Eightly Suision- Asnlennes Although we need the Rubber and find a use for her If they keep us here much longer well gion brety awfully then so take us oo the Midda East where its cold at Night to we can joi the other Bays And help wir the Lights soef they grant this favour Adile smith can say The Eighth division, Ceamour Bays Are on a Holiday esk OHI FOREES N I recollect his going I liked him from the first His smile was everlasting Anquenchable was his thust I ventured once to ask him what made him take to Bogge He mumbled Oh forget it. I dring because I cheose It wasnt just anr answer He saw that I was hurt, and hastened to repair it with a foath hurt I didn't meany to rule you Then shack me by the Land A woman but soight it I said I understand I remember the accasion when going to a show. premised him a Gilfriend If hI should chease to go Toget it was his answer Hl strone his wratt to quill I want no truck with women They send men's sails to hell Then he shauted me a whisky He paid for twon or three and mumbled ot for get it When I said the next on me His hear was like old Charlas As beg & just as grand To many a needy caller He gave a helping hand Of Eastr hed always plenty And this the wise ones knew He seldsm got his loans back Good fellow seldon do
157 OHI EORSN I Cantinund) He fights like any trajan But in the Pub and night An Old man slogged & punched him and he refused to fight He said old men imtarry I ran a litle hot Farget it! Ot forget it Iearnt allgot But when our unit champion Hit little Bugler then He secked the Bragging Bully and put him on forten Hid sight for any weakeing and glory in it too when thanked he would lay Torget it, It what any naw would do He never tosped to being Was tough & played the game To save a mate from trouble Hed geadly take the blame When came teday for sailing, To foreign parts unknown We all had friends to cheer as But he was all alone until a grey naved lady Her motherly eyes alight said Son ill keys on praying For you each day a night With oh torget it mother Forthings will be Ox He stumbled up the gangway And so we sailed away soon the old Gatalian Was fighting in the line and we knew no finer sordier Thei this old Pat of mine 24 36 cntenuuly OH FOROR IA. and out between our trenches when we had mede a stand I learnt the way of Angacs and haw they tought for land Hiding in a shell sole And swallowing in mie Sirch sceaming whix bangs busting much crackling of gunfire Machine guns londly stutena and swept the shell have rim when someone dropped behind me I knew that it was him His cheery osice was saying Buck up this wars a con But Oh porget it cobber I will get you back sonretion, Despite that mad inferno He safely brought me through But not before the sippond Had badly plugged him too In chaked words I tanked him Though dying he was game He said Oh Gu forget it Yu would have done the same his iugged faw was geying I knew it was the end a beter man than I am Had died to save his friend And when he cames to furgment I know what he will say Dear God I am unfited To Tread the Heavenly way I have gave my way unheeding just lived a life of Sin But God the judge will answer Gorge it son came in uper
BLACK-TACKS Pry sick of the sight of the chunteel, I'm sick of the rhad building fot I'm sick of the old Japanese Army Aes our flaming mat I wish the war would soon finish so we could go back home Id never again leave Ausie niver no more would ream If wire up every morning at daybreat We warl very hard through the day Ten cents is all we get for our labour A very hard carnt pay Now The tapanese guards are on us To see that none of us stray But before he can blink his eyelids We have stolen down the village Day A few days after we came here We roamed to suigapore To do a bit of sersunging But was stapped by Major Scan new Blackfack he was srdered By the papanese they say Is stap the bays from going To suigapore each day But the Bays would not listen They laughed at Blackfack too Aud made it suen a Welter That the gaud soon fell through haw the bays happined to be intown when the fapanise rvest arrived they told the beys to stay in camp Where they would keep alive. to the game it came to a finish to mon sersiinging to be done And once again Black fack was happy. or him it wasn mee fue BLACR TACK- Cnd New to get away from the servinging Pee tell you the latest news They say that soon well be eating Ggod old prst meat stews io at seon as was is ove And the Chunkels thrown away We will say goodlye to surgapore and to Austalia sail away and when we gt setled in Austie and thers nothing more to tile Well farget all about our experience That we had after the Island fell 9d
AOAST- for a dainty cape of Scarlet With a cloth of matching grey A gente hand, a patient heart Makes light our weary way a breath of home amongst us Symbel of all thats dear Provides us with her presence Brings bughtness Health itheir so heres a teast to our darlings and may it all prove true That your days be pull of gladness Frest as a morning due May she never shed a tear, Mal she never hear a curse Will praise her to the World lads Our Austialian Army Nurk. -CHEERD Its a farewill to you fellows, And were sorry that its so Though we were all the best of Mtates Date said that you had to go Though weve spent long months together Through easy times & hard we'll meet perhaps some future time In Peters owiback yord So we to left our glasses to you and wish you all the bist And hope that in Australia There is plenty peace & rest And though were only prisoners wWe'le as our best to show That were worthy of your friendship so old ses ut cheens A COBBER— Theres a holiday in the Prison Camp Though all is quiet a still For yesterday a cobber left on his surdey over the Hile He hailed from good Ded Aussu where they asluiteer offhand Theyre mew not Feassu Theyle light for their glarious land I'm geting off the subject a cabbe passed away No nor hill see the Seuthern Crast Nor yet the light of day He pied up in this country where he had made his home first like a lot of Aussies when they bear to reamn He took ill up country But said it was not a cold a severe atack of fever made hen loct to haggard old and it was at Ruir Kalley Did he last take ill Relaph of funge feve The few & severe chill just before te left us He raised himself & sighed Cheer up dig it wont be lang dhen he carsed the Great Divide dur mates are not fogoten Memories will never fade our Cobbers in Malaya and the sacrifice they made witter in repesey of ray ar AusalianVC who passed away in River Valley Prison Camp May 7th 942

6.10.43
WEDNESDAY 

B'fast B & Rice & Bean Soup. On xxx Lat Trench digging all morning Lunch Rice & Bean Soup
May have more digging this evening. A pommey was carried in being hit across the back of the
Neck with a stick by a Nip. More Nips moving up by Rail. Engineers shovels [[?]] etc.
have gone from the dump which is a good sign of leaving. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & Doover

7.10.43

THURSDAY

Bfast. B & Rice & Bean Soup. Out working on the Quarry & finished 5.45pm Lunch Rice

& Prawn Soup. Rumours say the work finishes Saturday. Pembo passed away today

Tea Rice & Veg & Yack Sou. feeling tired & to bed early

8.10.43

FRIDAY

B'fast B & Rice & Yack Soup. Out to Work in the Quarry Lunch Rice & Prawn & Bean Soup

Very stiff on it tonight- 40 Engineers went away

9.10.43 

SATURDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Yack Soup Working in Quarry today & had a good day & finished

early Lunch Rice & Prawn & Beans. Report came in that Toby Montiet &

Young [[Hickley?]] died at No 3 camp. Syd Fuller Snow Martin died at Burma

Tea Rice & Yack Soup.

10.10.43

SUNDAY

B'fast. Rice & Yack Broth Out to Work up in the Quarry again & finished

6.15. pm in Camp by Check Parade Lunch Rice & W'bait & Beans Have total

Credit of $2.00 & bought Oil & Cigars $1 Tea Rice & Yack Soup & a Prawn Doover

Fried Rice Doovers. Bill [[Paseu?]] passed away in Burma

11.10.43

MONDAY

Bfast  Rice & Yack Broth Out again in the Quarry & had a hard day

Lunch Rice & Prawn Soup (Nasty) Word came through that Ern Sutton died

at No 3. Tea Rice & Yak Soup & 5 New Spuds.

12.10.43

TUESDAY

B'fast Rice & Yack Soup Out to work in No1 Quarry & my Sciaticia gave

me trouble Lunch Rice & Prawn Soup. Finished 4 30 pm.

had a fair day Tea Rice Yack Soup &  Doover On Sick Parade [[today?]]

13.10.43

WEDNESDAY

B'fast. Rice & Yack Broth on Green Bamboo Party all day. Lunch Rice &

Yack Soup. Carting flooring to huts in the evening Tea Rice

& Yak Soup. Messed about a bit & Went on Sick Parade & got marked 'A'.

14.10.43

THURSDAY

B'fast Rice & Yack Broth Out to No 2 Quarry & had an average day

but finished 6 pm & got home 7 pm Lunch Rice & Bean Soup. Tea Rice &

Yack Soup & 1 Prawn Doover

15.10.43

FRIDAY

B'fas Rice & Yack Broth Out past No1 Camp ([[5 Kilos?]])& had a fair

morning Lunch Rice & Yack Soup Had a hard evening & finished

7.15 & got home 8.10 pm Tea Rice & Yack Soup. Bhongs dieing by the dozen daily

16.10.43

SATURDAY

B'fast. Rice & Yack Broth Out to No 2 Quarry & had a fair day

Lunch Rice & Yak Broth. Our Steam Train came through

today very steadily & I predict an early finish of Work Tea

Rice & Yack Broth & Sweet Doover.

17.10.43

SUNDAY

B'fast Out to work to No 1 Quarry & had an easy day although we

finished after 7 pm as the Nips would not take us to camp Lunch

Rice & W'bait & Prawn Soup (Lousy) Tea Rice & Yack Soup & a Prawn

Doover but I A convention tonight but I didn't go & went to bed The

Steam Train came through again

18.10.43

MONDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Yack Broth out to No 1 Quarry & loaded trucks all

day but had it easy. Lunch Rice & Prawn Soup Had a rest in

The Shade all evening between loadings. Offrs had a formal

Mess last night Roast Yack & Spuds (Wouldn't it) Tea Rice

& Bean & Spud Soup. To bed early tonight

19.10.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Yack Broth. Out working carring Rock up the Road

Lunch Rice & Prawn & W'Bait Soup Felt crook in evening & rested. Trouble between

[[Careens?]] & Nips (Eng) & came to a few Blows. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & recved a Doover Received 1 day cx.

20.10.43

WEDNESDAY

B'fast. B & Rice (pln) Home today on my spine. Lunch Rice & Prawn Soup. 5 Elephants

came in with Canteen Supplies Sugar Gula Oil Milk Tobacco Tea. More expected 

in  few days Tea Rice & Shrimp & W'bait Soup 3 days cx malaria. Bought Sugar 50 cts

21.10.43

THURSDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Bean Soup Home today. Some lads took Canteen Supplies to No 3 Camp

Lunch Rice & Spud & Bean Soup. Slept all evening. Building another Bridge

across the Creek Tea Rice & Spud & Bean Soup 2 lads caught at the QM STORE- got 2 days ab  food but were realeased in 21 hrs.

22.10.43

FRIDAY

Bfast. B & Rice & Bean Soup Another 8 Elephants came into the area with

Gula being the biggest Quantity Lunch Rice & Bean & Spud Soup Food is very light

on as far as Vegs & [[?]] & are finished for dried Yack. Tea Rice & Spud & Beans

Soup EXPEC 2 KASSANS Koreans went to S'pore today with regards to moves.

23.10.43

SATURDAY

B'fast. B & Rice (Prawn) Have been marked "C" & may get a job today around

the Camp. The lads have taken more Canteen supplies up to No 3- I sent a note up

to Ernie Maddison. Lunch Rice & Spud & Bean Soup. Camouflaging Sent Trenches

all day. (Easy) Tea Rice & Spuds & Bean Soup

24.10.43

SUNDAY

B'fast. B & Rice (Pln) Over camouflaging again I classified 'A' & will be at

work tomorrow. Lunch Rice & Spud & Bean Soup. A Canteen party came down from

 No 3 & Ern Maddison sent me a note & I replied to it. Tea Rice & Spud & Bean Soup. Killed

2 Yacks 1 for us about 150 lbs.

25.10.43

MONDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Bean Water. Fell out for work & so far no work or may be the

finishings here. Home all day. Lunch. Rice & Bean Soup. Started scabies treatment

by a lotion painted on the parts Tea Rice & Bean & Yak Soup & 1 Sweet Doover

Have to get clothes boiled as part of treatment

 

26.10.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Bean Broth Out to work in the Quarry & on Contract work again

Lunch Rice & Spud & Bean Soup Home at 4 pm. Tea Rice & Yack Broth.

& a Meat Doover (Lousy). A concert on tonight & very good

27.10.43

WEDNESDAY

B'fast Rice & Bean Soup & 1 Bread Bun Again on Contract Work Lunch Rice & Bean Soup

Home at 4 pm as got a good Blast. Tea Rice & Yack Broth & Spuds &

a prawn Doover

28.10.43

THURSDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water Out on the Railway Bridge & a hard day

Lunch Rice & Spud Soup & Bean & SB Sauce Cec Dillon went to Bxx NICK to draw our

pay Tea Rice & Yack Soup. A Blood Transfusion to Doug Marsh

8/30 Bn as he losses his foot tomorrow

29.10.43

FRIDAY

B'fast Rice & Spud & Bean Soup & a Bread Bun On building a New

Railway Siding to the River Lunch Rice & Spud & Bean Soup A

fair day knocking off 6 pm Tea Rice & Veg Soup (Tasty) on

Sick parade 1 day "C" as I have a continual fever.

30.10.43

SATURDAY

5 [[?]]

B'fas. B & Rice & Bean Water Saw the M.O & got marked "A" again Called out

to work & worked for the evening Lunch Rice & Spud Soup. Home

6.30 Tea Rice & Veg Soup a fever in the evening again

31.10.43

SUNDAY

On the Railway again 2 metres per man to shift. Japs went through

kits & took printing material but later gave it back Lunch Rice

& Bean Water finished work 6 30 pm Tea Rice & Veg Soup & sweet doover a fever all day

On Sick parade 2 days cx & 10 days Marlaria treatment

1.11.43

MONDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water Have fever & slept all morning Lunch Rice & Spud

Soup. Not feeling too well Tea Rice & Veg Soup & 1 prawn Doover

2.11.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Spud Soup. Reclassification for everyone this morning &

I received another 2 days cx Lunch. Rice & Bean Water. Still have a fever Tea Rice & Veg Soup

3.11.43

WEDNESDAY

B'fast. B & Rice & Spud Water. Home again & slept all morning Lunch Rice & Veg Soup. Slept

again as nothing else to do. Tea Rice & Yack Broth & 1 Sweet Doover

4.11.43

THURSDAY

B'fast B & Rice & Bean Water Have been marked cx & nothing to do  all morning Lunch Rice &

Yack Broth. Carried 3 Bags Rice to Jap GK house & given a few Boiled Spuds Tea Rice & Yack Soup

1 Prawn Doover & 4 New Spuds. A concert on & Very good

5.11.43

FRIDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water. & 1 Doover On Bamboo & got my 2 loads in the morning Lunch Rice &

Bean Water. Slept all evening & then on Water Carrying Tea Rice & Yack Broth & New Spuds

6.11.43

SATURDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water On the Road Ballasting till lunch time Lunch Rice & Spud Soup

On contract in the evening Tea Rice & Green Water & prawn Doover

7.11.43

SUNDAY

B'fast. Rice & Spud Soup & 1 Doover. On Contract Work again Lunch Rice & Spud Water

Finished Work early Tea Rice & Yack Soup & 1 Prawn Doover

2.

8.11.43

MONDAY

B'fast. Rice & Spud Soup. On Contract again [[Nicki?]] Party are all here now Lunch

Rice & Yack Soup Home in last party Tea Rice & Pork Soup (Weak) & a Sweet Doover

Howard Hudson dies at No 3.

9.11.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. Rice & Spud Water & a Doover. On contract & home 6 pm Lunch Rice & Veg Soup

Burma lost another 25 of 2/26 Bn. Syd Currie, Alf Rowntree Les Pearman M Wright &

many others. Bob Gunthorpe skin & bone Tea Rice & Spud Soup & a Spud Doover

10.11.43

WEDNESDAY

B'fast. Rice & Spud Water & Doover On Contract & rain stopped work at 4.30 pm Lunch

Rice & Veg Soup. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & Sweet Doover. A concert on & Very good

Cec Dillon announced Work finishes in a day or So. 400 men march & entrain at

Nicki(200 fit & 200 seem fit) No Work tomorrow. Late Reveille

11.11.43

THURSDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water & Doover On carrying Rice in camp a days work on

Lunch Rice & Spud Water. [[Got?]] down Coffee grains & made a brew. Tea Rice & Spud

& bean Soup

12.11.43

FRIDAY

B'fast. Rice & bean Water & 1 Doover All morning going through Gear Rcd etc & the

first party is expected to move on the 16th 2/30 Bn & Odds & sods. Lunch Rice & Spud Water.

Rations carting of our mess. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & 1 meat Doover

13.11.43

SATURDAY

B'fast. Rice & Broth & 1 Doover.  The canteen has been broken into & 1 c/s strawberry Jam

stolen & after searching the Huts found them in 2 tins. Lunch Rice & Spud Water. On

Bamboo carting for stretcher making. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & a Meat Doover.

14.11.43

SUNDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water. Nothing to do all morning. Lunch Rice & Bean Water Had to

carry nets from the Hospital to a truck. Tea Rice & Bean Water (Rotten) Went on Water

carrying & got given to Neil Stackman & myself 4 lbs Yack which we Grilled & boiled up for B'fast

15.11.43

MONDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water & 1 Doover & Yack Broth. Have no job sofar. Rice light on for

breakfast. Lunch Rice & Bean Water. Bought Gula & [[W?]] Tea Rice & Yak & Bean Soup (Lousy

16.11.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water & 1 Doover Meals have gone off. [[?]] orderly all day Lunch

Rice & Bean Water. Ern Maddison came up for

Canteen goods & looks well on Tea Rice & Bean soup & 1 Doover

17.11.43

WEDNESDAY

B'fast. Pln Rice & Ned & I used  Sugar on it. Slept all evening. Lunch Rice & Bean

& Yack Water. On Ration carrying 7 Bags Rice & 8 [[?]] Prawns Tea Rice & Yack Soup & 1 Prawn Doover 

First party move tonight.

18.11.43

THURSDAY

B'fast. Rice Pln Perim. Area cleaner. Lunch Rice & Yack Broth. Slept

all evening. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & Prawn Doover.

19.11.43

FRIDAY

Move on to Nicki for [[2/24?]] & other units. B'fast Rice Pln. Over at the Hospital boiling

clothes Lunch Rice Pln Ray Slator died last Night Tea Rice & Yack Soup.

20.11.43

SATURDAY

 B'fast. Rice Pln Spuds came in 21.11.43 & a real Racket. Lunch Rice & Fish Soup Burma Train

passed through. Tea Rice & Fish Soup 

 

(2)

21.11.43

SUNDAY

B'fast Rice Pln Area Clearing Lunch Rice & Fish Soup Slept all

evening Tea Rice & Fish Soup & Sweet Doover. Mainly Hosp Duties

22.11.43

MONDAY

B'fast. Rice Pln Area Clearing Lunch Rice & Fish Soup Move

on for us. Tea Rice & Yack Soup. Moved to Siding & left 8 pm on a

rough trip to Nicki. 50+1 Stretcher Case to 1 Wagon (Standing Room only)

23.11.45

TUESDAY

124 of us left at Nicki. Meals here good & plenty of Soup but light Rice

[[?]] Slept all day

24.11.43

WEDNESDAY

On water carrying to Jap HQ & had good Jap Stews. Move on

for Some & we are them. Moved to Station to move away at 7 AM

30 to wagon wasn't too bad & had a good trip. Malaria left me &

25.11.43

THURSDAY

Work about the camp & did a bit of fishing  No lunch.

Meals good march 1 meal Bob Gunthorpe died at Burma

26.11.43

FRIDAY

All day again in the train & with irregular meals. Arrived

at Camp Buti at 11. PM

27.11.43

SATURDAY

Rested all day as nothing on. Meals here with

plenty of Eggs & Greens & tasty

28.11.43

SUNDAY

Started 5 AM on Water Carting to Cook house & now have thick

Stew & better

29.11.43}

MONDAY}

Killing Pigs for Meals also nice Yack. On Water

carting from 5-Miday

30.11.43}

TUESDAY}

1.12.43}

WEDNESDAY}

[[Eh?] ]maddison came in from No 3 Camp

[[Gen H Forbes Snow Theodar Geo Tutton Dan O'Connor died

2.12.43}

THURSDAY}

3.12.43}

FRIDAY}

to}

15.12.43}

WEDNESDAY}

Same called out for [[??]] Rod & have to go with Sick to Singapore

Good Trip with regular meals. Had Wallet Stolen with $4 [[?]]

to [[Ruaus?]] 13.12.43 Malaria hit me Arrived at Sine Road &

rations are very light on. Billets are very clean in a Haphed Huts

16.12.43

THURSDAY

B'fast. Rice Sweetened. Food here light on 11o Rice per day & 12 oz Veg

Expect Mail here any time as it is out at Changi

17.12.43

FRIDAY

B'fast. Rice [[?]] Lunch Rice Soup Veg & Fried Beans. Digging

pit in the evening. Meals Light but tasty.

18.12.43

SATURDAY

Nothing Happening these days as everything Quiet

19.12.43

SUNDAY

Canteen makes Cakes 5 & 6 cts each & very tasty Ginger Cakes

are not like Mum used to make. Ned Mack[[?]]

go to Hospital Wrote another lettercard

20.12.43

MONDAY

B'fast. Rice Papp (Sweetened) Cooked Greens up & were ok Lunch Rice

Soya Bean & Green Soup. On Digging a pit Tea Rice & Veg Soup

& Fish paste & very tasty. Playing Bridge to fill in the Night

21.12.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. Rice Papp (pln) On no Job this morning & Cooked more

Greens up as Rations are light on

22.12.43

TO

24.12.43

FRIDAY

Moved out of Quarantine & rations have not improved 1 pt Papp

in morning ½ pt Rice & ¼ or 1/8 pt Soup Veg for Lunch or Tea,

Red Cross Ship reported in 23rd 10 a day Never forgotten

25.12.43

SATURDAY

Lunch ½ pt Sweet Papp & [[Mince?]] Balls (Tasty) Lunch ½ pt Rice 1 spoon Spud

1 Whitebait Doover & a Jam Tart so light that I cooked Rice & Beans

11. AM Cocoanut Cake & Tea Afternoon Tea Biscuit & Tea Tea Fried Rice &

Veg Fish Doover & Mince Ball. Supper Cake cocoanut & Tea. Meals were

very tasty but light on.

26.12.43]

SUNDAY}

27.12.43}

28.12.43}

TUESDAY}

to

7.1.44

FRIDAY

Rations are light on 10½ oz Rice but only getting 9 ozs. Sugar Salt

& Pepper 5 oz Fish 17 oz Veg. 27.12.43 Gardens all day & rained

heavily in evening. 28.12.43 Raining all morning so far & we

expect Pay. Asked on parade Number of 26Bn Personnel & may have New

Years Day with our officers. Sewed all morning.

Meals have been light on. New Years Eve a party given by 2/26Bn officers.

(Lt Col Danes Capt Dwyer Capt [[A?]] Lt Sullivan Ned Caffe Abel Guffin) 2 Cups Coffee 1 Date 1 Ginger Cake & 1 Jelly Cake a [[?]] show

with 48 men. Party & 1200 moved to Singapore to do a private Job of a 'Berstproff

Wall on Pans Panyang. opening a new [[?]] The Flying Dutchman.

Mail arrived for H Forde personnel & Red Cross Comforts expected in 14 days.

8.1.44

SATURDAY

to

19.1.44

WEDNESDAY

TO

30.1.44

SUNDAY

Still gardening growing Peanuts & Sweet B[[?]] otherwise Nothing

happens. Food has improved in Quantity & now they are making Bread

for B'fast out of Rice & Bran Flour & with Yeast should be No1. Toyama

is in this camp on guard no pay yet only 65cts. hope to be paid before 28th

F Force mail came in but have not received any yet.

Working in Gardens 21/1/44 MF Malaria & off for 2 days. No rain for

week & gardens very dry on it. Meat came in for 2 days & made meals tasty

Baking Bread at Cookhouse tasty. THE FLYING DUTCHMAN. [[Coffee Stale Japan?]] &

for [[H?]] Only. Pay due on 20/1/44 & have not received any yet. Kit

inspection at 11.30am today. [[?]] light on & Ned Hackman & I owe $1.20

from our pay.

6.2.44

SUNDAY

Meals have been Tasty but light on. A Permanent Black Out on now & we cannot

dig Slit Trenches. Made Rice Cake & slightly burned it. xx Fish & meat came in

& for tea 5/1/44 Rice Veg Soup (Thick) Gravy Sauce 1 Meat Turnover 1 Salt & Pepper [[Rusk?]] & a

Rock Cake & 1 pre Fried Fish (Trevalli)

 

7.2.44

MONDAY

to

13.2.44

SUNDAY

Working in Gardens & have started a Private garden Have Worms

& are getting treated for them. Meat Rations have been coming over & very

tasty 3 oz per man. Have to had all gear disinfected today. 12/2/44 which

may clean out all Lice etc. Called together last Night by our officers & asked

is there anything we want. [[Gathering S? Wanted?]]. Meals light on. No mail yet for me.

George [[Miles?]] killed 2 years ago today 14/2/44. Eye Specialist in Camp today from Changi.

14.2.44

MONDAY

to

20.2.44

SUNDAY

Plenty of Rumours in Camp about ships to take us to a New[[?]]

Port but it is Bunkum I think Started our Garden & have plan to do

500 Spud Cuttings. Pay expected early this period. Rest in S'pore as Changi

cannot buy Rice which was $8 [[?]] Milk $10. Have to live on our own

Gardens shortly as food is very Scarce. 19/2/44 Malaria. 18/2/44 Letter from Alice Aug 42

to

27.2.44

SUNDAY

Working in the Jap House. gardening/cutting Hedges & [[?]] Daily[[serves?]] of meat [[?]]

[[?]] & Veg. Meals Tasty but light on. Private fires stopped but may resume tomorrow

(Rumour, [[?]]administration taking over) Weighed myself Hat & Shorts. 9st. 3½

Garden (Private) doing Well. 500 Spud cuttings Cucumber & Chives & Cabbage

no pay received yet but may get it in a couple of Days. Sent Trench Finished

To

5.3.44

SUNDAY

Working Cleaning up the Area for the visit of the Jap General. American Ration parcels came

in 200 Camel Cigs 1 Tin Milk ¼lb Sugar(Plain) 1 Tin [[Bully Beef?]] 1 Tin Ham & Eggs 1 Tin Butter 1 tin Block Cheese

1 Orange Flavor 1 Tin Salmon & [[?]]fish. (11 [[?]] together). we got 1 Parcel to 6½ men. Yanks. 1 Parcel Each $4/40 Pay

Cutting [[?]] today. Meals good. Todays menu. 1pt Papp 1 Bread Roll & Butter & Coffee Lunch ½pt Rice ¾pt Soup ¼pt Beans

(Mack Fried Dried fish) & Tea Tea 1pt Veg [[?]] 1 Jam Sweet Biscuit 1 Castings Risole 1 [[?]] Risole & 2 Biscuits & Tea

12.3.44

SUNDAY

Malaria 9/3/44 Scrounged Vermicilli & made good meals for us. Put in good ovens

& started Baking again yesterday Meals light on but scrounged Fish ([[?]] after

Fillets cut off) & made Soup No1 Made Sauce Tamerin Ginger Chilly & Garlic & turned

out ok. Todays meal Bfast 1pt Papp & 2 Biscuits + [[1 serve soup 1 serving?]] Lunch ¾ Rice ½ Beans ½ Soup & [[??]] 1 Pln Biscuit Tea

1pt Nazi Goring & 5 R[[?]] including 1 Banana Cake Very tasty

19.3.44

SUNDAY 

Cleaning up for the General who inspected the Troops on 12/2/44 & noticed looked with No [[?]]

Rations Light during the Week Mostly Bananas for Veg Todays menu B'fast Papp &

[[?]] Sliced & Coffee Lunch ½ pt Rice ¼ Soup ¼Beans & 1 Risole & Tea. Tea 1 pt Nazi

& 5 Doovers & Coffee

26.3.44

SUNDAY

Today we shift to (HUT 12H) & on cement floor. Meals have been poor

as only Meat & Bananas for Ration. Have been scrounging Meat from

the [[Green?]] Store & OK. Special Meals on Sundays B'fast 2 Risoles 1 Damper 1 Biscuit

& 1 Banana & Coffee Lunch ½pt Nazi ½pt Beans 2 Risoles & 1 Banana. Tea 1pt Nazi

2 Risoles 2 Biscuits & 2 Tarts.

2.4.44

SUNDAY

On Malaria Treatment. 25/3/44 2 days No Duty BT Rings x. Scrounged a bed &

OK. Meals here have been very good. Generally Papp. Once or Twice a Week

otherwise [[?]] & Risoles for lunch. Pay is going to increase. Scrounged 1 pr Sandboots

Rations light for today. B'fast 1pt Papp & 1 large Biscuit. Lunch 3 Risoles & 1 Biscuit Tea 1pt [[?]] 5 Doovers

to

9.4.44

SUNDAY

New Rates of pay from 1.4.44 Light Duty 25 cts Heavy Duty 45 cts. Meals have been average

& today we eat from 4A & live in Hut B1 B'fast Bread & Jam Lunch 1pt Rice & Beans

Tea Rice & Soup & 1 Tart. Expect more in the camp. Lice & Bugs bad here, Wack. 1 more scratching

to

16.4.44

SUNDAY

Working at Green House & have just started getting a bit of extra rice proves

Handy. Move of 1,000 to Changi. & our own party. Expect to receive a few

days from 10/4/44 Have been buying Palm Oil to stop my Rash & has improved it

Had 2 mandarins today & were tasty. Meals from 4B Cookhouse poorer.

to

23.4.44

SUNDAY

Yesterday 22/4/44 700 went to changi 700 came in from there. Len Fray Ted Stackman & Jack Boyd went

out. Lads from Changi in poor condition. Rations light out there. 22/4/44 Malaria BT & Pretty bad got one

off the draft. Yank out at Changi betting any money few by 1/7/44. [[?]] is light. Meals from

Dutch Kitchen Convoy as I think they are catching us.

To

30.4.44

SUNDAY

Built a Barrier fence around the camp dividing Internees from P.O.W's expect Internees

in camp 1/5/44. Eating from 4A Kichens & now received Boiled whole maize instead

of Soya Beans. (Real [[?]] I draw Now $1.20 & will rise higher. Camp very Quiet since

Payday Poker Banker & Dice in full swing. Have been getting fair issue of Meat.

To

7.5.44

SUNDAY

On 5/5/44 moved to Changi Jail Block D3 Cell 25. Done a fair bit of Cooking

Doovers etc & scrounged Paypahs 4 to a Cuc. In real Jail Now Meals here

are Papp Rice & Greens & Rice & Meat Soup. (Tasty) Rcd letter from Alice

To

14 5/44

SUNDAY

Rcd letter from Mum 10/5/44. Have been working in the Wood Yard. Internees

have gone to Sumi Road. Mothers Day. thoughts are more at Home than ever.

Food Tasty but enough to exist on. More mail in Changi from Australia 11/5/44 BT & 9 days. No Duty

to

21.5.44

SUNDAY

Nothing of Interest has happened. Have been on No Duty for 9 days

for Malaria & Go on P. Party tomorrow [[?]] to us

to

28/5/44

Working in S'pore for the Week scrounging Copra & Palm oil from the

Station & now have a ½ Good Water Bottle to get it in. Pay Due Today

to

4.6.44

Still on P Party & this week lads were getting Oil & 6 were caught

& yesterday another 20. So now "Had it". Rations have now gone up to

17 ozs. May go outside the Gaol to live

11.6.44

SUNDAY

Moved outside- have been working on the Drome for 4 days Meals with the rest

B'fast Papp. Lunch Hash. Tea Rice Soup & 3 doovers. Rumours change in

Rations very shortly. Rice & Red Cross Rations which should 

be very tasty. Shift on the drome 2pm till 8pm & 9 till 5pm & 8 till

2pm

 

18.6.44

SUNDAY

Drome Work on mornings & day shift on today got Malaria. Nearly a crash

the other day. When a plane cut out in the air & landed very Quickly. A Fighter with

4 in it. They towed it away. Rumour has it pay ceases on the 20th. Red Cross Rations

have not been seen yet. Meals here B'fast 1pt Papp Lunch 1pt Veg 2 ea 1pr Rice 1 pt Soup & 5 Doovers

25.6.44

SUNDAY

moved to another hut & hope it is the last move. Every night I play Hansi House & am not

very lucky. Jim Daly died up country & am endeavouring to find out what from

Matey Madge died at Kiangi a Week ago so I am told. Pay will be 25 cts

10.ctNO. Meals here have been filling. Detailing MPs for Camp Work? Bill

Veritz retained

to

2.7.44

SUNDAY

Inspection of camp by the 2 i/c Jap Army in Pacific & the day before 26/6/44 on [[???]]

while on sentry duty & may be saved by opperation. 27/6/44 have been [[?ed]] fit for drome Work & looks

like going tomorrow. The Indian died. Working on the drome Reports of 50 [[?]] more

mail in the Camp. Blacks Mathi party have arrived back into the Jail & all

other [[?]] come back. Pay $7.35 & will have to cut out smoking as I can't afford it. Paper

[[?]] is regular. 1 day [[?]] week. Lads came in from a ship sunk off Pt S[[?]] 

Java. 5 ships (1 [[c?]] 1 cruiser & 3 cargo) only 1 cargo [[?]] came through. The

lads suffering from shock & all ok now. Meals here Rice Oil Tapioca Red & Green

& very few of each B'fast 1¼pt Papp Lunch 1pt (Corn) Hash Tea [[?]]Rice (L) H Soup & 5 small doovers.

9.7.44

SUNDAY

Working on the Drome. 

Mail came in 50,000 letters & I had 3 (old mail)[[R?]]

of the [[?]] dying. Had been on Todi & the first

[[?]] with rounds. Had Rifle loaded

& discharged. Jack of Cutting out all day parties on the drome. contacted Malaria

again 10.7.44 & will be on another 7 days No Duty. Knocked off smoking again

16.7.44

SUNDAY

Nothing to do but read & sleep & give a hand with the mess. Talk of another 200

going into singapore to work. Not too sure if the party will leave here daily or if it will

stay in Town. Meals here fair. B'fast 1½ pt Papp Lunch Soup & Hash Tea [[?]] & Rice ¾ Soup

& 5 Doovers. Received more mail. opened a new garden & more men working 85-

97 go daily to work on Drome & Gardens & from the Jail 40 out of 160 may go.

23.7.44

SUNDAY

On P. Party to Singapore & had a spell from Drome Works. Rations fair.

people here very optimistic with the war ending.

Pay [[Rise $6.90?]] was more than I expected 2 German Subs in port & the Germans

30.7.44

SUNDAY

[[intense?]] so the rumour goes. a malayan Vac offr went to S'pre to see his

wife & now we have to have nightly Check Parades. Tobacco Presents ½oz per Worker

6.8.44

SUNDAY

Working on the drome & nothing happening. Mail came in & I received none.

but get information from other [[?]]. Meals light

13.8.44

SUNDAY

Expect another attack of Malaria. Had Sandboots repaired. Blood [[?]] Taken &

proved to be NOT. & into hospital for 7 days taking liquid Quinine & Captn [[?]] imply a

suit off a Oil Tanker. The G. the rest of the Crew. Aust & American Tinned foods on board. Went

to [[?]] & these to have. [[???]] Bombed.

to

20.8.44

Vegetables have been light on with regards to Tapioca- all men are now getting is greens

Air raid siren went & ships were [[?]] apart all along the fence. Water has been short

on occasions. Paid 5 cts per day while in Hosp with Malaria

to

28.8.44

More Mail is supposed to be in the camp 27 Bags. Java Wired $1.90 1oz & now more

have been back as Java in the Canteens Have been starting giving the forms on

account of the Bugs inside. Getting on to M[[?]] we may get & few Air Raid

to

24.9.44

During the Past was nothing startling has happened. The Nips killed Dog & got the

29th then Cookhouse to cook it for them (Good oven) Have had malaria again & have

not been feeling the best. A very Quiet B'day. 2 letters from Enid & 1 from

home out of this Batch. Geeting a Tobacco I saw xxxx every Work Not same

17.10.44

Went to hospital 29/9/44 Malaria again Br & in for 14 days also Broncitis. Meals here

light but not bad. Air Raid Practice today & yesterday. A [[?]] said on the Road Job yesterday.

Our Release would come by Xmas & [[?]]did he think the Yanks would release

us he said. Certainly not. The British as they are in the Indian Ocean now. A RAE sapper

Davis was brought in from Outrain Jail & passed away here.

9.11.44

Preparing for Xmas & we are going to put in $1 each & save Sugar Soya Beans

Sugar & Oil. Our first sight of our aircraft on Sunday & a very pleasant

feeling seeing the a/c a/c firing up at it doing no good at all. Have

had another dose of Malaria 28/10/44 Nothing happening in the Camp tonight.

An a/c a/c shell went unexploded through the Dysentery Ward & did no damage only

going through a tin Box & 12 ft in the ground

30.11.44

THURSDAY

This past 3 weeks we have seen decreasing [[1329?]] & believe that the lads were not great

[[?]]

over it. The last Raid we had on 27.11.44 lasted 2½ hours here & we saw no planes land

rumour has it that Ipah was heavily bombed. Lloyd Roberts resigned from the

O'Connor & Harry Biggs has taken over. Have been over the drome the last [[?]]

[[?]] & so far no Malaria. No mail received lately. Have all put in $1 for

the Xmas fund which should make things very nice. Have been

saving Soya Beans [[75 ??]] & oil $5 [[issue?]] & Sugar [[??]] Work. More mail in

& we are waiting for the other English bags to be sorted first before the [[?]] ones are

sorted.

23.12.44

24.12.44

SUNDAY

Have had a break from Malaria 23rd remaining in my mind a memory as

does the 3rd Dec & 4th. A Plane crashed on the Drome the other day.

Another party to S'pore 300 & I am Reserve. Xmas tomorrow

& have an all day party on the Drome Meals should be good.

No Mail dated this year yet. Henry Knight on Party for [[?]]

Meals here have been very good. More than we ever [[?]]

9.1.45

Tuedsday

Tomorrow we move to Singapore & holiday today. Meals

here have been very good. Working on the drome the last

2 months & was getting on the nose. Making good

progress on the drome & will finish it in 2 months.

We may move to Jahore

10.1.45

Wednesday

Moved to our new camp in Jahore and the way over an Air Raid

sounded & held us up for an hour. Rations here 21 oz Rice & [[?]]

Vegs. Our Job is building a Bridge Wall about 3 mile long in front of

of our camp. We have had 4 Air Raids in 7 days & one of these Raids

over us. [[?]] Bourke [[?]] brought down tonight Nip Fighter charged

right into it. it Blew up. 6  Parachutes came down from the plane &

to

17.1.45

The fighter could be seen turning over & over [[?]] came to ground. The

Rations which provide 1¼ Papp 1 pt Rice & 1 pt Rice for Tea & 1 pt [[?]]

(very Tasty) Have started digging a garden for ourselves (Pte)

of the 100 who supposed to be doing our Job we have not seen them yet.

Tobacco $2-to $2.25 per ounce. Sugar 40 cts Garlic $1 per [[?]]

& Tobacco is cheaper than it was in Changi. Mjr Taylor (SVR.) is 2 i/c &

doing a good job. From the Raid I believe we lost 2 to 30 odd.

Have had Raids & the last 9 planes in formation 1 of 4 5 6 10 11.12.17 19

12.2.45

FRIDAY

etc. Have to work till 8 pm 2 nights per Week Mondays & Thursday

Fair bit of Rain Prices in Jahore Tobacco (Pera) $2.25 per oz [[?]]

Bananas 30cts Sugar Cane $1 pr 3 [[?]]. Cigars [[?]] pineapples 70cts

Chillies 80cts for 1oz. Learning Malay at the camp & about 400 persons leaving

Major Taylor i/c went to Kranji & was not allowed in the Camp as we are in

a different unit now from Kranji

20.2.45

Still on the same Job & meals very average 1[[?]]pt papp B'fast Lunch 1pt Hash

Tea 1[[?]] Rice 1-1½ Soup & Greens Tapioca & no Wednesday & Sundays 1 doover

fried very nice. Have a cold for a few days. Have tried [[?]] Rubber

[[?]] & not bad for flavouring & some have poisoned themselves with

eating too many

9/7/45

In the last 5 months have been on several jobs

about the Area & Rations here have been good

& money has practically no value at all Coconuts

$8. The jobs we have been on are. We started first of

all building a Wall around a area of godowns & electric fences

Rations at that stage are pretty good 500 gms Rice

& a fair amount of Veg. 1 Greens & Tapioca. From there we started

working carrying Sulpun, Tin Lead, bicycle equipment &

War equipment into these sheds built under the [[?]] of the [[?]]

to Changi Gaol. We were on tunnelling for past 3 months doing

1 metre to 1-20 xx & 2 mts per day & found this task very heavy

on the Ratings. Had 2 Bouts Malaria in the 7 mths.

Heard of capitulation of Japan about 16th

so didn't xxx do so bad

Had a Wireless in camp for the

last 5 or 6 days. Had 5 deaths in the Camp 1 British & 1

Dutch & 2 Aust. 2 of which were 2/26 Bn

Qx11211 Pte Emmersly PJ 2/26 28 July Beri Beri & [[skin??]]

Qx16607 "  Carter JG 2/26 31 July Beri Beri

arriving back to Changi we were told that Japan

had finished & the lads were in high Spirits. A Week

later had plane over dropping supplies & came from

Cocu's Islands. 77 & 356 Squadrons! RAF & RCHF. Have

been listening to a wireless from about 28 Aug. Planes have

been coming over regular with supplies. Have had a

little Red Cross Ration with our Rice but still getting

Dutch Red Cross f whitebait & Bld [[?]]) Meals Tasty

3 Sept 1 AM QX1922 Pte [[Bainlop?]] passed away &

today 4 sept the funeral is taking place. He is from Townsville

Have been getting issued with Xxxxx KOOA & Cigs &

Three Castle cigarettes (Bhong)

Expect 1000 Aust. Paratroopers land today.?

Heard the Signing of the capitulation from Wireless & xxx 3rd

We unfurled The Flags on top of the Gaol Dutch (left) UNION JACK

(Centre) & USA flag (Right)! 6th our first Air Mail Card home.

6 Sept. The 5th Sudean Division landed & saw them

passing the Camp Then a truck of Nips passed & the lads [[?]]

them. They were not very Happy on it. Capt Jim Stewart from

Townsville (ex [[Mis?]] was in the Camp & also press Photographers

taking snaps. Propaganda it looks like. They have cut our

Rice down & gave us meat instead 3oz so we are gradually getting

on our food again. 40 Yanks left by a Douglas & the rest

expected to move tomorrow. Also 150 Poms are Standing by

7/ The RAPWI have taken over the Camp & now we are

under our own Aussie Organisation again. Meals are very light

on at present but will be so till our stomachs can take the harder food

7 VAD girls (2) were in Camp this evening & went through Some Huts

 

8 Sept. 2 of our Coy went through last night & you cannot blame

them as meals for yesterday were light & Poor & you would not think we

were free again. Breakfast ¾pt Watery Papp Lunch ½pt Rice (Pln) & ¾pt of

Tomato & Mellon Soup. Tea ¾pt Hash (with a little Bacon in) ¾pt Vegemite Water) &

1 small Biscuit with Salmon on & a sweet cup. They have allowed the lads in Camp

a certain freedom perimeter outside the Camp. Our Issue today

1 Tin Biscuits to 10 men 1 Tin Bully-8 men 1 Tin Hg-8 men & some more

Aust RX Parcels arrived at the Q store making about 1 to about 7 men

per coy.

[*88*]

=THE EIGHTH DIVISION=

1/ The Sixth are getting Battered

    The Seventh are copping Hell

    The Ninth are on no picnic

    They're getting theirs at well

2/ While in the distant Jungle

     Many thousand miles away

     The Eighth are on a rest cure

     For all they do is play

3/  Because there are no shells

      No Bullets flying thick

      We have the name of "Glamour Boys

      And by cripes its come to Stick

4/  Every time we take a Step

      The sweat falls from our brows

       And if they only know it

       We have B.O. & how.

5/ Ploughing through the Jungle

     With mud up to our waists  

     When every step a mouthful

      nd what a B----- Taste

6/ Fighting Cobras by the Score

     And Mosquito's by the ton

      Theres' no use denying it

      We're having lots of fun

7/ And if you dont believe it

     When I say its pretty hot

     I'll quote the Native custom

     To Show you what is what

8/  Every man is buried

      With his overcoat as well

      Thats' because he'll need it

        In case he goes to Hell

9/  So give the Japs Malaya

      It isnt Worth a zac

      You can bet your bottom Dollar

       They'll be glad to give it back

 

[*87*]

=The Eighth Division- (Continued)

10/    Although we need the Rubber

         And find a use for tin

         If they keep us here much longer

         We'll grow pretty awfully thin

11/     So take us to the Middle East.

         Where its' cold at Night

          So we can join the other Boys'

          And help win the fight

12/     So if they grant this favour

          Adele Smith can't say

          The Eighth Division Glamour Boys

           Are on a Holiday.

[*86*]

=OH! FORGET IT=

1/  I recollect his going

     I liked him from the first

     His smile was everlasting

     Unquenchable was his thirst

2/  I ventured once to ask him

     What made him take to Booze

     He mumbled Oh! forget it.

     I drink because I choose

3/  It wasnt just an answer

     He saw that I was hurt,

     And hastened to repair it

     With a forgetful hurt

4/  I didn't mean to rule you

      Then shook me by the hand

      A Woman but forget it

      I said I understand

5/   I remember the occasion

      When going to a show.

      I promised him a Girlfriend

      If he should choose to go

6/   Forget it was his answer

       He strove his wrath to quell

       I want no truck with women

       They send men's souls to hell

7/    Then he shouted me a whisky

        He paid for two or three

        And mumbled Oh! forget it

       When I said the next on me

8/   His heart was like old Pharlap

       As big & just as grand

       To many a needy caller

       He gave a helping hand

9/     Of Cash he'd always plenty

        And this the wise one's knew

        He seldom got his loans back

        Good fellows seldom do

 

[*85*]

=OH! FORGET IT= (continued)

10/  He fights like any trojan

       But in the Pub one night

       An old man slogged & punched him

       And he refused to fight

11/  He said old man I'm Sorry

       I ran a little hot

      Forget it! Oh! forget it

       I earnt all I got

12/  But when our unit champion

       Hit little Bugler then

       He socked the Bragging Bully

       And put him out for ten

13/  He'd fight for any weakling

       And glory in it too

       When thanked he would Say

       Forget it, Its what any man would do

14/  He never stooped to lieing

        Was tough & played the game

        To save a mate from trouble

         He'd gladly take the blame

15/   When came the day for Sailing,

        To foreign parts unknown

         We all had friends to cheer us

         But he was all alone

16/    Until a grey haired lady

         Her motherly eyes alight

         Said Son I'll keep on praying

         For you each day & night

17/    With Oh! forget it mother

         For things will be OK

          He stumbled up the gangway

          And so we sailed away

18/    Soon the Old Battalian

         Was fighting in the line

          And we knew no finer soldier

          Than this old Pal of Mine

[*84*]

=OH FORGET IT= (continued)

19/    And out between our trenches

        When we had made a stand

        I learnt the way of Anzacs

        And how they fought for land

20/  Hiding in a Shell Hole

        And swallowing in mire

       Such screaming whizz bangs bursting

       Much crackling of gunfire

21/  Machine guns loudly stuttered

       And swept the shell hole rim

       When someone dropped behind me

        I knew that it was him

22/  His cheery voice was saying

        Buck up this war's a cow

        But Oh! forget it cobber

        I will get you back somehow

23/  Despite the mad inferno

        He safely brought me through

        But not before the Nippons

        Had badly plugged him too

24/  In choked words I thanked him

        Though dying he was game

        He said Oh Gee forget it

        You would have done the Same

25/  His rugged face was greying

        I knew it was the end

        A better man than I am

        Had died to save his friend

26/  And when he comes to Judgment

        I know what he will Say

        Dear God I am unfitted

        To Tread the Heavenly way

27/  I have gone my way unheeding

        Just lived a life of sin

        But God the Judge will Answer

        Forget it son Come in

 

 [*83*]

=BLACK JACK=

1/  I'm sick of the sight of the chunkel

    I'm sick of the road building Job

    I'm sick of the old Japanese Army

     Also our flaming mob

2/  I wish the war would soon finish

     So we could go back home

     I'd never again leave Aussie

     Never no more would I roam

3/  We're up every morning at daybreak

      We work very hard through the day

      Ten cents is all we get for our labour

      A very hard earnt pay

4/  Now the Japanese guards are on us

      To see that none of us stray

      But before he can blink his eyelids

      We have stolen down the village way

5/   A few days after we came here

      We roamed to Singapore

       To do a bit of scrounging

       But was stopped by Major Hoare

6/   Now Black Jack he was ordered

       By the Japanese they say

       To stop the boys from going

       To Singapore each day

7/    But the Boys would not listen

       They laughed at "Black Jack" too

       And made it such a Welter

       That the game soon fell through

8/   Now the boys happened to be in town

       When the Japanese Provost arrived

       They told the boys to stay in camp

       Where they would keep alive.

9/   So the game it came to a finish

      No more scrounging to be done

      And once again "Black Jack" was happy

      For him it wasn't much fun.

10/  Now to get away from the scrounging

       I'll tell you the latest news

       They say that soon we'll be eating

       Good old fresh meat Stews

11/   So as soon as war is over

       And he Chunkels thrown away

       We will say goodbye to Singapore

       And to Australia sail away

12/  And when we get settled in Aussie  

       And theres nothing more to tell

      We'll forget all about our experience

      That we had after the Island fell

 

[*81*]

=A TOAST=

1/  In a dainty cape of Scarlet

     With a cloth of matching grey

     A gentle hand, a patient heart

     Makes light our weary way

2/  A breath of home amongst us

     Symbol of all thats dear

     Provides us with her presence

     Brings brightness Health & Cheer

3/  So here's a toast to our darlings

     And may it all prove true

     That your days be full of gladness

     Fresh as a morning dew

4/  May she never shed a tear,

     May she never hear a curse

     We'll praise her to the World lads

     "Our Australian Army Nurse."

="CHEERIO"=

1/  It's a farewell to you fellows,

     And we're sorry that its so

     Though we were all the best of Mates

     Fate said that you had to go

2/  Though we've spent long months together

     Through easy times & hard

     We'll meet perhaps some future time

      In Peters own back yard

3/  So We'll lift our glasses to you

     And wish you all the best

     And hope that in Australia

     There is plenty peace & rest

4/  And though we're only prisoners

     We'll do our best to show

     That we're worthy of your friendship

     So Old Pals just Cheerio.

[*80*]

=A COBBER=

1/  There's a holiday in the Prison Camp

     Though all is quiet & still

     For, yesterday a cobber left

     On his journey over the Hill

2/  He hailed from good Old "Aussie"

     Where they volunteer offhand

     They're men Not Flossies

      They'll fight for their glorious land

3/  I'm getting off the subject

     A cobber passed away

     No more he'll see the Southern Cross

     Nor yet the light of day

4/  He joined up in this country

      Where he had made his home

      Just like a lot of Aussies

      When they begin to roam

5/  He took ill up country

     But said it was just a cold

     A severe attack of fever

     Made him look so haggard & old

6/  And it was at River Valley

     Did he last take ill

     Relapse of Jungle fever

     The flu & severe chill

7/  Just before he left us

     He raised himself & sighed

     "Cheer up dig it wont be long"

     Then he crossed the Great Divide

8/  Our mates are not forgotten

     Memories will never fade

     Our Cobbers in Malaya

     And the sacrifice they made

Written in Memory of Cpl Kay an Australian (SVC)

who passed away in River Valley Prison Camp May 7th 1942  

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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