Diary relating to service of Hector Alexander McIntyre - Part 10

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
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

[*26 15.14.12.17*]
6.10.43
WEDNESDAY 
B'fast B+ Rice & Bean Soup. On Slat Slit 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 Picks etc.
have gone from the dump which is a good sign of moving. Tea Rice & Yack Soup & 1 Doover
7.10.43
THURSDAY
B'fast. 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 Soup. 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
Home at 5.30 pm as the Nips are having a party tonight Tea Rice & Yack 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 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 Pascoe 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 (Tasty) Word came through that Eric Sutton died
at No 3. Tea Rice & Yack 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 & 1 Doover On Sick Parade [[B 2-day?]]

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

& Yack 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 (31 Kilo's) & 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 & Yack 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 concert on 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. ^& 1 sweet 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 etc. More expected 

in a 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 No food but were released in 24 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 & ywe are finished for dried Yacks. Tea Rice & Spud & Beans

Soup EXPEC 2 KOREANS Coreans 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 Slit Trenches

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

24.10.43
SUNDAY
B'fast. B+ Rice (Pln) Over camouflaging again 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 ^& Yack Soup & 1 Sweet Doover
Have to get Clothes boiled as part of treatment

 

26.10.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. ^Pot 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 ^& Bean & SB Sauce Soup  Col Dillon went to Bxx NICK to draw our
pay Tea Rice & Yack Soup. A Blood Transfusion to Doug Marsh
2/30 Bn as he looses 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
$1.45

B'fast. 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 Malaria 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 C1 & nothing to do all morning Lunch Rice &
Yack Broth. Carried 3 Bags Rice to Jap Ck 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 1 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 died 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

Col Dillon an^Nounced Work finishes in a day or So. 400 men march & entrain at

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

11.11.43

THURSDAY
B'fast. Rice & Bean Water & Doover On carrying Rice in camp a day work on
Lunch Rice & Spud Water. Got some 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 less 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 & Weed Tea Rice & Yack Bean Soup (Lousy

16.11.43

TUESDAY

B'fast. Rice & Bean Water & 1 Doover Meals have gone off. Mess 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 morning. Lunch Rice & Bean

& Yack Water. On Ration carrying 7 Bags Rice & 8 c/s 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 2/30 & other units. B'fast Rice Pln. Over at the Hospital boiling

clothes Lunch Rice Pln Ray Slater 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 Cleaning Lunch Rice & Fish Soup Slept all
evening Tea Rice & Fish Soup & Sweet Doover. Moving Hosp Patients
22.11.43
MONDAY
B'fast. Rice Pln Area Cleaning 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)
23.11.43

TUESDAY

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

issue. 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 hit me &

25.11.43

THURSDAY

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

Missed 1 Meal Meals good 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 thicker
Stews & better

29.11.43}

MONDAY}       

30.11.43}

TUESDAY}

1.12.43}         WEDNESDAY}  

2.12.43}        

THURSDAY}

Killing Pigs for Meals also nice Yack. On Water
carting from 5 - Miday

 

ER Maddison came in from No 3 Camp
In H. Force Snow Theodore Geo Tutton Dan O'Connor died          
3R 12.43}
FRIDAY}
TO
15.12.43
WEDNESDAY
 		 Name called out for Glass Rod & have to go with Sick to Singapore
Good Trip with regular meals. Had Wallet Stolen with $4 Malay &
10 Rupees 13.12.43 Malaria hit me Arrived at Sime Road &
rations are very light on. Billets are very clean in Attaphed Huts

16.12.43

THURSDAY

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

Expect Mail here any time as it is out at Changi

17.12.43

FRIDAY

B'fast. Rice Papp 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 Stack now may
go to Hospital Wrote another Lettercard

 

20.12.43
MONDAY
B'fast. Rice Papp (Sweetened) Cooked Greens up & were ok Lunch Rice

Soya Beans & 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 & ¾ or 1/8 pt Soup Veg for Lunch & Tea,

Red Cross Ship reported in 23rd is 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. 2/3rd oz 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 26 Bn Personnel & may have New

Years Day with our officers. Sewed all morning.

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

(Lt Col Oakes Capt Dwyer Capt Hannam Lt Sullivan Medcalfe Abel & Griffin) 2 Cups Coffee 1 Date 1 Ginger Cake & 1 Jelly Cake a nice show

with 48 men. Party of 200 moved to Singapore to do a private Job of a "Berstproff

Wall on Pasir Panjang. opening a new snack Bar The Flying Dutchman.

Mail arrived for H Force 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 [[Beans?]] otherwise Nothing

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

for B'fast out of Rice & Bran Flour & with Yeast should be No 1. Toyama

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

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

Working in Gardens 24/1/44 MT Malaria & off for 2 days. No rain for

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

Baking Bread at Cookhouse tasty. THE FLYING DUTCHMAN. (Coffee Stall) opened

for Officers Only. Pay due on 20/1/44 & have not received any yet. Kit

inspection at 11.30am today. Money light on & Ned Stackman & I owe $1.20

from our pay.

TO
6.2.44

SUNDAY

Meals have been Tasty but light on. A Permanent Black Out on now & we have to

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

& for tea 5/2/44 Rice Veg Soup (Thick) Gravy Sauce 1 Meat Turnover 1 Salt & Pepper Risole & a

Rock Cake & 1 pce 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 in & very

tasty 3 ozs per man. Have to have our gear disinfected today. 13/2/44 which

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

is there anything we want. Getting Soft Hearted. Meals light on. No mail yet for me.

George Miles killed 2 years ago today 14/2/44. Eye Specialists 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 Neutral
Port but it is Bunkum I think Started our Garden & have planted
500 Spud Cuttings. Pay expected early this period. Riot in S'pore as Changi
cannot buy Rice which was $8.1. Kati Milk $12. 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 & Grass) Daily issues of meat 3 - 4½ oz

& 17 oz Veg. Meals Tasty, but light on. Private fires stopped but may resume tomorrow

(Rumour, Civilian administration taking over) Weighed myself Hat & Shorts. 9st. 3½lb

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

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

To

5.3.44

SUNDAY

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

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

1 Orange Flavour 1 Tin Salmon & Dried fish. (11 lbs altogether). we got 1 Parcel to 6½ men. Yanks. 1 Parcel Each ^pay $4/40

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

(1 Small Fried/Dried fish) & Tea Tea 1pt Nazi Gorring 1 Jam Slice 1 Biscuit 1 [[Pasty?]] Risole 1 Rawfish Risole ^ & 2 Biscuits & Tea

12.3.44

SUNDAY

Malaria 7/3/44 Scrounged Vermecilli & made good meals for us. Put in good ovens

& started Baking again yesterday Meals light on but scrounged Fish (Remains 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 (scrounged) Lunch ¾ Rice ½ Beans ½ Soup ^& [[Thru & 1 Sc?]] 1 Pln Biscuit Tea

1pt Nazi Goring & 5 Risoles etc including 1 Banana Cake Very tasty

19.3.44

SUNDAY 

Cleaning up for the General who inspected the Troops on 17/3/44 & noticed Lads with No Boots

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

Biscuit Slice & Coffee Lunch ½ pt Rice ¼ Soup ¼ Beans & 1 Risole & Tea. Tea 1 pt Nazi

& 5 Doovers & Coffee

26.3.44

SUNDAY

Today we shift to (HUT 124) & on cement floor. Meals have been poor

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

the Green House & OK. Special Meals on Sundays B'fast 2 Risoles 1 Damper 1 Biscuit

& 1 Banana & Coffee Lunch ½ pt Nazi ½ pt Beans 2 Risoles & 6 Bananas. Tea 1pt Nazi

2 Risoles 2 Biscuits & 2 Tarts.

 

2.4.44

SUNDAY

On Malaria Treatment. 28/3/44 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 [[Re?]] & 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 Nazi 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 131 B'fast Bread & Jam Lunch 1pt Rice & Beans

Tea Rice & Soup & 1 Tart. Expect more in the camp. Lice & Bugs bad here, Wacko. 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. Expected to remain a few

days from 16/4/44 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 Boyle went

out. Lads from Changi in poor condition. Rations light out there. 20/4/44 Malaria BT & Pretty bad got one

off the draft. Yank out at Changi betting any money free by 1/7/44. Hope he is right. Meals from

Dutch Kitchen lousy 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 Kitchen & now received Boiled Whole Maize instead

of Soya Beans. (Real [[Force?]] feed) Tobacco Now $1.20 & will rise higher. Camp very Quiet since

Payday Poker Banker & Dice are 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 of to a Cuc. In real Jail Now Meals here

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

To

14 5/44

SUNDAY

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

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

Food Tasty but enough to exist on. More mail in Changi. Have Malaria 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 Recd Letters

to

28/5/44

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

Station & now have a ½ Gln Water Bottle to get it in. Pay Day Today

to

4.6.44

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

& Yesterday another 20. Its 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 unit

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. Shifts on the drome 2pm till 8pm & 9 till 5pm & 8 till

2pm

 

18.6.44

SUNDAY

Drome Work on morning & day shift & 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 Nazi Tea 1 PF Rice 1 pt Soup & 5 Doovers

25.6.44

SUNDAY

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

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

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

10.ct NO. Meals here have been filling. Detailing MPs for Camp Work.? Bill

Veritz detailed

to

2.7.44

SUNDAY

Inspection of camp by the 2 i/c Jap Army in Pacific & the day before 26/6/44 an Indian shor himself

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

like going tomorrow. The Indian died. Working on the drome Reports of 50,000 more

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

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

Issue is regular. 1 day ^sheet per week. Lads came in from a ship sunk off Pt Swetman from 

Java. 5 ships (1 corvet 1 cruiser & 3 cargo) only 1 cargo Vessel came through. The

lads suffered from shock & are ok now. Meals here Rice Oil Tapioca Root & Green

& very few of each B'fast 1¼ pt Papp Lunch 1pt (loose) Hash Tea 1 Pt Rice (L) ¾ Soup & 5 small doovers.

9.7.44

SUNDAY

Working on the Drome. 

Mail came in 50,000 letters & I had 3 (old mail) Result

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

time with rounds. Had Rifle loaded

& discharged. Talk 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 1¼ pt Papp Lunch Soup & Hash Tea [[Risole P?]] & 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 Rcd $6.70 was more than I expected 2 German Subs in port & the Germans

30.7.44

SUNDAY

Interned so the rumour goes. A Malayan Vol offr went to S'pore to see his

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

6.8.44

SUNDAY

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

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

13.8.44

SUNDAY

Expect another attack of Malaria. Had Sandboots repaired. Blood slide Taken &

proved to be BT+ went to hospital for 7 days taking liquid Quinine a Captn picked up by a

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

to penang & then to here. Whisky $5 Syonto Times says Pallambang Bombed.

to

20.8.44

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

Air raid siren went & nips were 20 yds 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 Wild $1.90 1 oz & now we

have been paid back no Java in the Canteen. Have been sleeping out on the forms on

account of the Bugs inside. Getting on to Moonlight we may get & few Air Raids

to

24.9.44

During the Past 3 wks nothing startling has happened. The Nips killed Dog & got the

29th Bn Cookhouse to cook it for them (Food over) Have had malaria again & have

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

home out of this Batch. Geeting a Tobacco Issue xxxx every Week Not Bad

17.10.44

Went to hospital 297/9/44 to 28/9/44 Malaria again BT & in for Bdays also Broncitis. Meals here

light but not bad. Air Raid Practice today & yesterday. Lt Takahachi said on the Road Job yesterday.

Our Release would come by Xmas & when asked 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 Outram Jail & passed away here.

7.11.44

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 much

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

The past 3 weeks we have seen occasional B29 & believe me the lads were in great fettle
over it. The last Raid we had on 27.11.44 lasted 2½ hours here & we saw no planes but

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

O'Room & Harry Biggs has taken over. Have been over the drome the last week

or so & 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 1/5 Issue & oil 1/5 Issue & Sugar 1 day per week. More mail in

& we are waiting for the other English bags to be sorted first before the new 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 town.

Meals here have been very good. More than we can eat

9.1.45

Tuesday

Tomorrow we move to Singapore & holiday today. Meals

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

2 months & was getting [[out?]] the more. Making good

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

We may move to Johore

 

10.1.45

Wednesday

Moved to our new camp in Johore. On the way over an Air Raid

sounded & held us up for an hour. Rations here 21 oz Rice & Good amount

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

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

one of our Bombers was brought down and a 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 as it came to ground. The

Rations which provide 1¼ pts Papp 1 pt Rice & 1 pt Rice for Tea & 1 pt soup 

(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. Cigars 40 cts Garlic $1 per Oz

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

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

Have had Raids & the last 93 planes in formations of 4 5 6 10 11.12.17 19

2.2.45

FRIDAY

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

Fair bit of Rain Prices in Johore Tobacco (Pera) $2.25 per oz Garlic $1 per oz

Bananas 30 cts Sugar Cane $1 pr 3 ft. Cigars 40 cts pineapples 70 cts

Chillies 80 cts per oz. Learning Malay at the camp & about 40 of us are learning

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 1¼ pt papp B'fast Lunch 1pt Hash

Tea 1 or 1¼ Rice 1-1¼ Soup (Greens Tapioca) & on Wednesday & Sundays 1 doover

fried very nice. Have a cold for a few days. Have tried roasted Rubbe

Nuts & are not bad for flavouring & some have poisoned themselves with

eating too many

9/67/45

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 were pretty good 500 gms Rice

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

working carrying Sulpur, Tin Lead, bicycle equipment &

War equipment into these sheds built under the level of the ground
Rations went off & up till Aug 19 when we moved back
to Changi Gaol. We were on tunnelling for past 3 months doing

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

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

Heard of capitulation of Japan about 156th

so didn't do too 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 Cumisky DJ 2/26 28 July Beri Beri & skin [[sweated?]]

Qx16607 "  Carter JG 2/26 31 July Beri Beri

Arriving back to Changi we were told that Japs

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

later had planes over dropping supplies & came from

Cocus Islands. 99 & 356 Squadrons.RAF & RCAF. 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 (whitebait & Blachang) Meals Tasty

3 Sept 1 AM QX1922 Pte Brown WJ 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 Indian Division landed & saw them

passing the Camp Then a truck of Nips passed & the lads Hoora'd

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

Townsville (ex [[Misneera?]] 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 ¾ pt Watery Papp Lunch ½ pt Rice (Pln) & ¾ pt of

Tomato & Mellon Soup. Tea ¾ pt Hash (with a little Bacon in) ¾ pt 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 4 oz - 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

And 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 that 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.

 

82
= BLACK JACK = Cont 
[*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 the 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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