Fall of Singapore - papers of Charles Laurie Price, part 3

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KRANJI.     31 JULY 44. 
caused a cessation of the job after some very hard work had been put into
it. All saluting and orders on the I.J.A.Check parade had to done in Nipponese
and the relevant words had to be learnt. On the 3rd. May I receive four letters
one each fro Mother and you acknowledging receipt of a letter card sent by me
last year and two others of full length. The first two ere only of 24 words.
May 25th. saw us in receipt of our movement orders to the new location. All
combatant troops and half the hospial to Changi Gaol,the remaining half of
the Hospital area to Karanji. I drew a marble in the latter "stakes". Had an
abscess on the jaw lanced and the legs began to become swell (Beri Beri)?
The move of the Hospital tothe gaol was postponed but it moved out to
Woodlands on Saturday the 27th. May after spending the previous three days
loading trucks with firewood which consisted of trunks and stumps and was very
heavy work, made worth while by extra rations and a swim. On my way to this
Camp had my first glimpse of Singapore since capitualtion, passing down Lavender
Street and through Newton Circus( saw Oldham Hall) and out along the Bukit Timah
Road the  to Woodlands. This camp is very near the causeway and was, before we
arrived and indian P.O.W. HospitalCamp.The next day (28th. May)? saw 1200 patients
and staff arive and we were hutted down in the rubber. The same day I received
8 letters from home (a big day) the latest being dated September 1943. The C.O.
of this combined English and Australian Hospital is Colonel Collins of the
B.G.H. and I went into the Orderly room of he Hospital Records side. Was
busy for twoweeks, but things settled down and became static and boring as we
were receiving neither admissions nor allowed discharges to Changi. This was
adjusted later and now we admit and discharge to Changi each Tuesday. We ,
therefore for several weeks had no contact with the lads at Selarang but heard
that they had been wired in the square(This proved incorrect). Weight then was
9 stone 1o pounds but in spite of the drop in weight and the prevalence of
S.T. Malaria liked the camp. We received 16 ounces of rice per day and tapioca
but nothing else and this diet has now become pretty "bloody". Two deaths
occurred in the first few days and up to now the eight weeks of our occupation
of this camp has seen 16 deaths. One of the greatest drawbacks to the site is
the dampness under the rubber (Whacko Rheumatism and *"Sciatica) Asthma and
Skin patients were not so well off in the dampness and my legs began to trouble
me. On the 13th. June an I.J.A.Ordersaw us all weighed and measured, and I was
9stone 9 1b and 5ft.11 in. Asked for another job and became night wardmaster
and aprt from two weeks when I took charge of the A.I.F.Officer Patients Ward
have continued with this job. Time marched very slowly and on the 24th.June
I was admitted to "Sick in Quarter" ward with osteoitis of the legs but was out
in a week and have not had any trouble with them since. On the 27th.June saw
six or seven hundred "horses" pass along the road being led ridden and driven
by Indians,Tamils,Chinese and Mlays. They were poor both in condition and looks
being with few exceptions less than 12 hands and appeared to have come off a
boat.Were they "reserveRations"? Our pay is now 9 dollars a month less mess fees
but with sugar 4 dollaressixty cents per 1b  ,tobacco 2 dollars 40 per oubce
and cigars 17 cents each it was not too much. Sugar by the way was the only
thing in the way of foodstuff we were able to purchase, although Black Market
occasionally came to light with something or other. One of our Staff Sergeants
became ill in a peculiar manner and several other senior N.C.Os went down with
Malaria,but staff was ample to cope with the work in the camp.On the 5th.July
was treated for otitis media of the right ear and nearly went beserk with the
pain of it in the first few days and even now it is not yet right and I am still
getting treatment, including Silver nitrate(Bluestone)? Continued to work as I 
found it impossible to sleep with the ache and felt better getting around. Don
Filgate passed away on the 7th. July and another 10 A.G.H. member "died in the
Service" We have now lost some twenty chaps from this Unit.

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KARANJI.     31 July 44.
Saw a very good murder mystery play several nights ago "Balck Limelight". A
most popular song amongst the English troops is Nellie Dean" and evry night
one can hear it being"community sung" from some hut or other, it was also a
favourite of Mothers. We have now been three and a half years in Malaya and
of that time two and a half years have been spent as a P.O.W. during which
time we have lived on pap (soft food) and I am certainly looking forward to
the day when I can sink my teeth into something hard, even toast. I now have a
small vegetable garden coming good with Spinach,potatos and tomatoes noth
forgetting the chillie plants and the greens I trust will help me get rid of the
itchiness which I and everyone else is suffering with. This complaint is no
doubt a deficiency one.
Yours, 

P.O.W.HOSPITAL. KARANJI
3rd. SEPT. 44 

Dear Marion,
This is to be the shortest note so far written as it covers that
period between 3lst July 44 when I concluded my last effort and today, the
3rd.Sept.44 the fifth anniversary of the commencement of war. With four years
and three months service one can I suppose consider himself an old campaigner,
at any rate an old one so far as P.O.W. life is concerned: The nineteenth of
this month will see Judith turn 3 years of age and at one time I had hopes of
being home for the occasion but such is not to be. On the 1st. August received
4 letters ( 2 from Mother and 2 from you) Your two contained snaps of Judith
which I was overjoyed to get. They were taken at 20 months. These letters,by the
way arrived in a new type of envelope and were of 24 words only. Mother also
forwarded a snap of "Foster's" waggon which I think was taken at Earlwood
oval whilst the chap taken with Judith I could not place. Did one and half hour
work with a chunkel on the Area Gardn on the same day. My ear trouble had clear-
ed up at this stage but the itch mentioned in the previous letter became infecte
scabies and they were pretty bad in the camp. On the 4th.August ,for the first
time saw a halo (rainbow style) encircling the sun and it was a glorious sight.
Mail arrived on the 8th. Aug but I ha no luck but on the 9th. we sent our
fourth letter card home. The whole of this month I suffere with an attack of
"blues" but the start of the new month saw me recovered. Two more of the 10th.
A.G.H. passed away during August, Roberson and Jim Young both followed anUlcer
operation. Mid August brought about another 4 innoculations (2 for Thyphoid
and 2 dysentery). Thirty of the one hundred and three A.I.F.Staff here were
in hospital at one stage during this month. Pork according to the I.J.A. was
an enormous price in Singapore, $750 dollars for a small pig and a decent pork
chop 100 dollars. Rations were particularly bad,rice and tapioca only whilst
canteen prices were prohibited,towgay 5.80, peanuts $7. onions $7. tobacco
$2.30,cigars 18 cents. Trading was authorised between troops and the I.J.A.
which perhaps Ripley might use one day. A ir raids occurred twice within a
week or I should say air raid warnings,that was at the end of August.A.R.P
practice was on in earnest and so we entered the 6th. year of war ,as usual full
of hope for the future
Yours ever.

P.O.W.HOSPITAL.
WOODLANDS. KRANJI.
31 Nov 1944 

Dear Marion,
On the 19th. Sept.-Judith's birthday-received
two letters from you,both of 25 words. Had an abscess attend-
to on the 21st and as it was under the right axilla and
fixed up without anaesthetic it was not too pleasant, whilst
somewhere about the same time had a rigour,but luckily the
blood slide showed "no malaria". Food became pretty scarce,
our diet consisting of rice,grass and bananas,the skins of
which were used to make pastry. On the 26th. September 44
received seven letters-four from Mother and three from you. The
latest was dated the 2nd March 44 so the mail service had
improved s omewhat. With this batch came three snapshots of
Judith and was quite thrilled to get these. On the same day
took charge of three dysentery wards in lieu of Ted Jones who
went on"no duty" and later into hospital with bacillary dysen 
ery. Following Ted's' recovery took over two skin wards so
giving Harold Mercer (Les Mercer's cousin) a day off week off.
We in Woodlands were,by the way, camped 13½ miles from Singapore
or so said a mileage signpost which we could see on the Bukit
Timah Road over the top of the outer perimeter fence. Then had
a furhther crop of abscesses which responeded to treatment and
so avoided the "knife". Was placed on a course of ascorbic acid
tabs and as they were very scarce and there fore valuable was
rather lucky. My skin improved to some degree but still was not
the best. Had a week off duty then into the Convalescent medical
wards which were upsetting to say the least as there was
actually no sick cases in these wards and the wardmaster had
little to do and what I did was for, in many cases,for fitter men
than the orderlies or myself. This job lasted a week and Jack
O'Donnell came back in the job. Saw several stews made of dog
and as one would get skittled on the main road outside the camp
one of the lads would dash out and retrieve it and into the pot
it would go,as did all the cats that were here on our arrival
in this camp.Could not buy anything owing the exhorbitant cost
of foodstuffs and my pellagrous condition of the skin seem to
arrive at a standstill. So time still drag gloomily on it's
way, Colin's birthday came and went and so did mine. What
monotony,what wishful thinking,and what disapointment. Continued
to carry out duty as relieving wardmaster until the 27th.
October 44 Up to this date the A.I.F. section of this P.O.W.
Camp Hospital had suffered some 15 deaths whilst the British
exceeded this figure by one, that was in aperiod of 5 months.

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PRO3336 

On the 26th. October had my first trip outside of the camp
perimeter wire when I went on a firewood party to Nee Soon.
called into the Indian P.O.W.Hospital, saw Sembuang Airfield and
passed through Mandai Village the scene of some of the bitterest
fighting of the campaign,at least the fiercest of the Island.
This trip was as good as a holiday althought the work was fairly
heavy. The next day was indisposed with what I thought was an
attack of "low grade" malaria,but which, on the following day
proved to be a further attack of osteitis in the left leg. Off duty
for a week,in bed in the quarters with a temperature exceeding 10
the 100 mark but felt more or less my usual self, which [[isxnx?]] was
not saying so much after two and three quarter years as a
prisoner. On my bithday heard of some further mail in at Changi,
but apart from this the day was just the same as all others.
Perhaps I felt somewhat older than 31 but then so does everyone
else I should imagine. Ron (Mac) Mackintosh was off sick for
10 days at this time w th a high fever and temperature, but
it was not malaria,perhaps a "tropical malaise" or as diagnosed
P.U.O. (Prrexia of unknown origin). Had a permanent "brown out'
and several air raid alarms during the latter part of the month,
without a climax.Read several more good books interspersed with
the usual lot of trash. One I remember was "Fame is the Spur"
by Howard Spring. Looked forward to a poor Xmas, yes, we were
resigned to having to spend yet another Xmas here,unfortunately
Often give thought to Coupland & Waddelll and ponder on what
a sane life that was compared to this wasted era. Had little
left in the way of clothes and gear,the shorts I possess would
have me arrested in "WOOP WOOP" but luckily the camp is for
MEN ONLY. On the 3rd.Nov.an inspection of the camp was made by
an I.J.A.Staff Officer. Newspaper was 30 and 35 cents a sheet(
used as cigarette paper) whilst leaves from the rubber trees also
had their use. The 5th. Nov.44 was our"big day"as the first air
raid took place. At 1015 hrs.some 30 to 50 bombers (four engine)
came over and from my dispersal area under the rubber had a grand-
stand view of the subsequent proceedings. We had been waiting some
2¾ years for some such event. No bombs wereseen or heard to fall
by us but we later heard that some were dropped in Keppal Harbour
To celebrate made a greens? stew for Mac and myself in the after-
noon. The 8th.brought another alert but no planes. Was still
doing duty as releiving wardmaster but with overmany staff I only
saw duty on two or three days a week the rest of my time being
mainly spent in my own garden. Armistice day arrive   on the 11th.
and so did our one thousandth day as P.O.W. with 47 days to Xmas.
Rice ration was reduced from 460 to 400 for staff and from 400 to
360 for patients and it was a particularly foul lot,full of dirt
grubs and maggots.Tobacco was 3 dollarswith pay$7 per month,and 
rations very light and poor.Saw a presentation of Noel Coward's 
"Private lives" and it was good.Rumours circulated concerning a

Red Cross ship and a move for the Hospital back to Changi Gaol 
Late Novemeber we had an Ir raid in the morning followed by a four 
hour alert on the same afternoon.  Received 8 letters on   he 29th.  
Nov. and two snaps.  Four of the letters were from you and four from  
Mother.  They were October and November 1943 and the snaps were taken  
on Judiths second birthday and when I received them the young lady  
was 3 years and two months of age.  o I conclude this note and will  
take you over my Xmas activities in the next letter.  Yours, Laurie 

On 3 Nov an inspection of the camp was made by an I.J.A. staff officer newspaper (cigarette paper) was then  
30 to 35 cents a sheet, whilst leaves from the rubber trees also had their use. The 5th. Nov. 44 was our  
"big day" as the first air raid took place. At 1015 am some 30 to 50 four engine bombers 
came over and from my dispersal area under the rubber had a grand-stand view we 
had been waiting for 2¾ years for some such signs that things [[ ? ]] on the  
outside world.  No bombs were seen or heard to fall [[  ]] one later heard that some 
were dropped in Keppal Harbour.  To celebrate made a greens stew for Mac & myself  
in the afternoon. The 8th. bought another "Ack" [[  ]] I 
Was still "relieving wardmaster" [[  ]]  Armistice 
Day arrived on the 11th. and so did our one thousandth day [[  ]] 
Xmas.  Rice ration was reduced from 460 to 400 grammes for staff and 360 for patients  
and a very dirty lot it was and additional men were put in the kitchens to 

Woodlands P.O.W.Hospital
KRANJI SINGAPORE.
1st. January 1945.

Dear Marion,
As promised in my last letter I am now writing a
short note covering my doings during December, the Xmas "Holiday
s and the week intervening between Xmas and the New Year.
Cat and Dog stews were a popular dish during December but
although I daresay my hunger was as great as any, these
delicacies were not for me,in any case seeing them prepared
was quite enough. Since arriving in May and up to December 1st
1944 there had been 18 A.I.F.Deaths. I went out of camp for the
second time when I accompanied a "Palm Frond", trailer some
7 miles to a spot on the Straits opposite the Johore Civil
Hospital. These fronds by the way were used to make brooms,
brushes etc..Scored 3 coconuts and some Bamboo shoots and a
cake was made with one of the nuts with the aid of some rice
flour and a little sugar, the other two were used in a curry
which I made with a little curry that Mac and Myself were able
to buy at 65 cents per ounce. The Bamboo shoots also went into
the curry. Whilst out on this trip we found that whitebait Was
14 dollars per Kati(2I/3  21.1/3 ounces) two weeks later it had
risen in price to 16 dollars,whilst Palm Oil was 160 dollars
for a four gallon tin. Sago flour $4 a kati. On the 5th. Dec.
I had a further attack of periostitis (on the previous occasion
I descibed it as osteitis incorrectly). The 6th. Decmber brought
about I.J.A.Air ang Gas ex rcises which we in this camp partic-
ipated in. An episode of some 30 stolen chunkels(Hoes) from the
area garden looked like bringing some repercussions on the tr
troops but fortunately did not eventuate. These tools were work
worth 50 to 80 dollars"outside". Further decreases in rations
but my own garden stood me in good stead,with the fast
approaching Xmas promising to be a very poor one in the food
line.Salt was a rare commodity and was worth,if one could get
onto any,25 to 35 cents an ounce. The 8th Dec 1944 brought the
third anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities in this part
of the world but to us was just another day. Five hundred letter
arrived in the camp on the llth.Dec ex Changi Gaol but I had no
luck. Another I.J.A.weight and height return compiled on the 12
Dec. when my weight remained the same as on the previous occas¬
ion,namely 9 stone 4 lbs. Was ordered on to rice polishings by
Captain Conlon and a spoonful of palm oil daily fora slight  
attack of pellagra. Made a few curries for Mac and yours truly,  
tended my garden and relieve various wardmasters to quietly  
pass the time away.  The 12th brought another Reconnaiscence  
pane over, very high and hardly visible.  More mail out on the  
21st. Dec. but once again no luck. 3 letters (2 from Mother & 1 from you) all dated April 44.  I had received up to this date. 

54 letters in all from home which was not too bad although the
24 words allowed was a bit grim. Had sent 4 letter cards home.
Received a Xmas card from Bert Fleming and the 10th. A.G.H.boys
at the Changi Gaol and sent one back.Clthes were by this in a
particularly bad state of repair, cotton not being available to
repair them and my, blanket was unsevrviceable, so hope that we
will not be shifted to a colder climate.A year since I heard of
Stan's death at Kamburai in Thailand and nearly 3 years since
Merv. passed away. Read something from Goethe which was very
appropiate to the present era, "What is the good of all that starry
firmament and the revolving planets,of all Craetion's labour and
travail up to now, if it is not to enable a man to live in freedom,
in happiness and in activity". Xmas Day came and went and in spite
of extra rations, an issue of 2 ounces of tobacco which was extreme-
ly poor and 6 cigars was just another day in this dreary existence.
We were allowed no time in which to get over Xmas Day as on Boxing
Day a hundred of us were called out to construct a parade ground
in the I.J.A.Camp whicj called for the levelling of the ground, the
building of a clay and grass bund and the erection of a 50 ft.
flagpole which we cut down in the scrub between Mandai and
Nee Soon. This tree when felled was 60 odd feet and as straight
as could be. We continued with the job until New Year's Eve
when we were to have a day off and recommence on the 2nd.
January 1945. Got quite a colour up working in the sun for the
week and enjoye the change from ward work. unfortunately my
own garden suffered in the meantime for thewant of attention
particularly in respect of water as it proved a dry week.
Rations following on Xmas Day proved if anything poorer than
previously and I lost a little more weight and was then as
light as any Corinthian rider and could certainly take a mount
in the highweight at Randwick. Do not thimk I have ever been
as pleased to see a New Year's Eve over than this one as it
was a most depressing and dreary one with the light's out
extended until 1 A.M. So passed another year with great
hopes and expectations for the new one.
Yours ever,

Woodlands Camp Hospital,
KRANJI SINGApore
28th.-FEBRUARY 45

Dearest,
Year 1945 is here with us in this P.0.W. Camp, a fresh year with fresh hopes
and I daresay disappointments in the future. My last letter concluded on New
Years Eve 1944 and on the 1st January 1945, Colonels Osborne (originally of 
10 A.G.H. and later 13th. A.G.H) Harvey (10 A.G.H. and Webster the C.O. (Con  
Depot)entertained the Sergeants of the Australian Staff here to a convivial 
 afternoon when we partook of sweet coffee made of ground soya beans and rice 
 flour biscuits scoffed under the rubber trees in front of the officers huts.
Although the afternoon tea left much to be desired as you can gather the chat
of old times which followed was most enjoyable. I was called on to make the
speech of thanks at the conclusion of what was perhaps a little thing but a
pleasant diversion from the monotony of the usual day of a P.O.W. The I.J.A.
parade ground job which I was employed on prior to the New Year continued
until the 7th. January. My own garden plot had suffered somewhat from want of
attention, particularly as we had experienced a dry spell, therefore "lagi" stew
was off the menu for sometime. My health continued to remain good, New Year's
day was one of compulsory showers each and everyone in the camp including
Colonel Collins Camp C.O. and Col. Webster the A.I.F. section C.O. being
attacked by a mob carried to the showers, well sanded and held under a full blast
stream of water. The unpopular ones had the additional treatment of diesel
oil prior to the sand being splathered on. Mac and I received a New Year's
card from Capt, Puflett which Mac retained as a souvenir as I already had one
from Bert Fleming at Changi Gaol. The outside work gave me a good suntan which
I soon lost as I took over an A.I.F. Medical Ward (Hut 19) on the 7th.Jan, and
could not get any sunbaking, My A.I.F. service now amounts to four and a half
years, and Judith was at that stage three and half years of age. The Job in
Ward 19 terminated on the 6th. February when I went to ward 20 another medical
ward where I only put in three days before becoming attached to the M.Ps.in the
camp. We were told that each month 6 men of the 1600 here would be allowed to s¬
send a 25 word cable home and at that rate it would take some 28 years before
the last man had his turn. I had not had any luck in the draw from the hat up
to the end of February, The New Year ushered in regular reconnaiscance planes
interspersed with the real things one of the latter on the 11th January was
a taste of what was to come, 50 odd supers (as far as we could tell and count)
coming over. One of then copped it and burst into flame and of the 5 we saw
bail out one had his chute catch alight on the way down. Saw a fighter bite 
the dust. My weight was then 9 stone 6 lbs, on the 26th. Jan, a Jap fighter
disintegrated in mid air, whilst climbing to intercept one of our recce planes.
On the same day our Red Cross Identification cards were returned to us. They
had been taken from us way back in Roberts Barracks Days I think in March 1942.
Bibles were supplying the bulk of cigarette paper at this period any other
paper being unprocurable, The local theatretical company produced the third
Noel Coward show "Design for a Living" towards the close of January, and the 31st
brought along your birthday, We had a very heavy raid on the 2nd. February when
some 100 odd Supers came across and this camp received its share of Ack Ack
shrapnel and unexploded ack Ack Ack Shells. Shrap came through the Atap roofs of the
wards and quarters like a sieve but fortunatley no casualties were suffered.
There was just a continual whistle of the iron as it flew about. Large fires
were left burning in the direction of the "xxxxxxx "Straits" Deaths were still
occurring in the camp from deficiency one of our mental patients dying of
pellagra on 3rd.Feb. The total number of mental patients by the way was 22 in
this P.O.W.Hospital. One of them escaped on Feb.8th to be picked up four days
later by an I.J.A Search patrol, From the 12th Feb, rations for the whole
Island were cut in half and we suffered along with the rest. Rice was then
400 grammes whilst greens and vegetables were at a premium. This day I received
a twenty five word cable from you. although not dated it appeared from the context that it had been sent in early  Sept as Judith was looking forward to her 3rd birthday. I was allowed to send a cable is reply which left here on 15th Feb. A further hundred odd "Supers" over on 24th February. At this stage, J.J.Porter, band leader and several others were using rat traps to add to their rations. This concludes the current letter so am signing off. 
Laurie

AUSTRALIAN NEWS CABLE TO THE A.I.F. au No 21.

[[Netherlands Indies?]] 
[[a number of famous oarsmen?]] 

Export of Australian cheese should
increase, but there is a slump in the 
wine trade, as very little is now
exported. There is a surplus of
three million gallons, which would
normally be sent abroad,and must be
marketed locally.

BLITZ IN CRETE
It is admitted that the bombardment 
by the German Air Force in
Crete was much more severe than at
Dunkirk,and far more savage.

DOCTORS IN A.I.F
Western Australia has a serious
shortage of Doctors,owing to 63
out of a total of 353, having enlisted
in the A.I.F.

RAAF DENTAL UNIT
Mr McEwen,minister for Air, stated
that the first mobile dental unit
for outlying RAAF establishments
had been equipped and was ready for
use.

GOLD STILL AT GULGONG .
Five school children found twenty
four sovereigns and five half
sovereigns, which are at present
worth, £64/18/0, in a paddock at
Gulgong. If the money is unclaimed
the children will be allowed to
retain the coins.

WAR SAVINGS GROUPS
Victorians are keen contributors
to the War Savings Group. Every
fifth member is enrolled and in
some organisations each member has
taken up some certificates.
  
BUILDING LIMITATIONS
Owing to the money required for
war purposes, a limit of £1,000 is
likely to be placed on all build-
ing operations in the near future.
  
NEW PRESIDENT
Dr. Ramsay Mailer may succeed the
late Sir Edward Mitchell as
President of the Melbourne Cricket
Club.
  
SEND IN YOUR IDEAS 
Constructive criticism of  
this Cable Service to the AIDF is  
welcomed from all ranks. 
Suggestions will be carefully  
considered and passed on to the  
Department of Information, who  
supply the cables. 
The Service is designed as a  
personal contact with the Home- 
land. Does it do this? What  
do you want to hear about from  
Home? Of what coming events you  
know of do you wish to hear the  
result? For example, are Austr-  
alian sporting events of any real  
interest to us over here? Some  
of them? Which? 
Do the men of your Unit read  
the local newspapers much? Among  
those who don't, do many read this  
cable service? If the local pap-  
ers had more Australian news, would  
the men buy them? 
Do you think this Cable Service  
helps to maintain our links with  
Home? Would you like to see it  
extended in any way? 
Write and tell the Editor, News  
Cables, c/o HQ AIF Malaya. 
  
FROM THE A.B.C. WEEKLY:- 
Sixty German airmen went to  
Heaven after being shot down in a  
raid on London. St Peter opened  
the Golden Gate and said, "I'm sorry  
but I can let only three of you in."  
But why?" they replied, "are we  
not all brave Germans?"  
"Yes" replied Peter, "But here is  
the Berlin Times, and the latest  
German communique states that only  
three airmen were lost." 
  
(Distributed by HQ AIF Malaya) 
  
PRO3336 
  
TO:
MRS. Marion PRICE (WIFE)
79 MACAULEY ROAD,
STANMORE NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTR LIA
FROM: - S/SGT. Laurie PRICE. 10 A.G.H.A.IF. (AUSTRALIAN)
DEAREST, RECEIVED CABLE FEBRUARY. DELIGHTED HEAR FROM YOU. AM FIT WELL.
FIFTY FOUR LETTERS RECEIVED DESPATCHED FOUR LETTERCARDS. LOVE REGARDS ALL.

Pow Camp Hospital 
Karanji 
Singapore  
  
Dear Marion 
My last letter concluded with the end of February and this 
will be my last note to you written as a P.O.W. It will be written in 
diary form and I am afraid roughly as it is being done whilst on a bed 
on the 11th September '45 and I must rely mainly on my Malayan 
memory for the information.  
2. Mar 45 
50 "Supers" over the Island 
3. Mar 45 
Dispatched our fifth letter card home (to Mother) in February 
had sent you a cable in reply to one received from you 
which was written in September 1944 
was knocked down twice during the night by a Korean 
Guard whilst on duty as "MP" "off duty" for a few days 
4 Mar 
Beri Beri in legs and treated with rice polishings 
10 Mar 
Drastic cut in rations (rice issue now 250 grammes or a  
shade less than 9 oz) with the potato leaves also out.  
weight 8 stone 13 lbs. My own garden plot doing a good job 
30 Mar 
Camp "wired" off into two sections. A working party of 700 
personnel moving in  Lost my garden. We were not allowed 
talk, signal or have any communication with the men in No 2 
area. 900  patients discharged to Changi. Three medical 
parties (3 no's & 20 O/rs) moved out to other camps. Was 
originally on No 1 Party but replaced at last moment by S/sgt 
Harold Mercer.  Signed out second 'non' scope declaration 
on 14 Mar snails, cats, dogs and rats being eaten in camp. 
also nuts from rubber trees. Recommended working on an 
underground rice store on 21st March Small air raids on 
nights of 28th & 29th March Tobacco stalk at 15 cents oz only 
smoking material available. Had a pipe made. 
17 April 
Admitted to Dysentery ward with Bacillary Dysentery. Had In-B 
treatment and discharged two weeks later. 
19 April 
Small quantity of Red Cross foodstuff arrived 
25 April 
2 ounces milk 4 cubes chocolate, 2 ozs marmalade jam, canned.
from Red Cross supplies which arrived on 19 April we had
similar minute issues on 6 or 7 subsequent days. Food very
old and in bad condition. After saving all letters from
home was compelled to commence using them as cigarette paper
12 May 
Two weeks course of vitamin tablets for Beri Beri. Sugar $1
an ounce 'black market' Dried fish $32 a lb in canteen
(my pay $7.50 a month) weight 8 stone 7lbs. Cramps 
prevalent in camp due to lack of salt 
26 May 
Rice Store job completed. Cigar ash for toothpaste 
27 May 
Drew toothbrush in a draw for limited number of toilet
articles. Brush from American Red Cross 
2 June 
Admitted to Surgical Ward with diphtheric ulcer on right leg
6 June 
More chloroform and ulcer excised by Col Taylor (Surgeon to 
King) 
12 June 
Placed on "S1" list with Toxemia. Had 6 letters from home on 5th
June (3 each) 
29 June 
Treated for ascarias

2 
ht 7 stone 12 lbs 
d supply palm oil in Canteen $3.70 lb. Weight 7 stone 6 lbs 
ce in canteen $10 ounce or 'black market' $12 
oved from 'S1' list 
twenty four word letter cards from home 
Out of bed for first time since 2nd June. No salt issued to camp. 
Bucket party to backwaters of Straits for salt water. Rice and 
greens boiled in this water. 
Discharged from isolation ward (1 month's "No duty") Believe I was  
pretty near thing at one stage when temperature was 106 following  
operation 
Aug 
Informed that Kranji Hospital would move to Changi Gaol within 10 
days. Beri Beri bad following illness. 
Aug 
Volunteered to be one of 40 o/rs to remain at Kranji which was to be  
officers camp. 
11 Aug 
News from our "Canary" pretty good & we are cheered up considerably.  
Overhaul by Major Furner Tacky Cardia trouble 
15 Aug 
3½ years a P.O.W. End of road in sight. Patience our greatest need 
16 Aug 
Officially informed of the conclusion of war information concerning  
atomic bomb. Cigars (black market) 100 for $120. No tobacco in 
camp
18 Aug 
Plane over but to our utter ill content "Ack Ack" opened up  
we were astounded. Rations bad. 300 patients from working  
parties arrived. 
19 Aug 
Rice to 800 grammes but 400 only issued owing to danger of   
Beri Beri. Brown out light shades removed. All non  
essential work cancelled. Fox hole digging etc finished.  
120 more patients arrived. 
20 Aug 
370 fit working party personnel into camp. Area very crowded. 
21 Aug 
Japanese clothing & boots issued 
22 Aug 
Canadian Red Cross parcel arrived (1 parcel to 2 men) Volunteered 
to go back on duty as wardmaster weight 8 stone 6 lbs 
23 Aug 
Daily issue of Jap cigarettes commenced ('Kava' & 'Simangati') 20 a 
day. 
25 Aug 
Relieved of duty owing to General weakness. Not so good 
28 Aug 
Plane over few hundred feet up, got good reception from us   
Dropped leaflets in Chinese 
30 Aug 
Tin Australian craft cheese between 2 men, tin pineapple for 4,  
and 14 cigarettes issued 
31 Aug 
Sent 5 word cable to you (health reasonable, prepare fatted 
calf) Parachute officer in camp. Dropped at Changi with a 
few Nos 
1 Sept 
Hopes now slight of being home for Judith's fourth birthday   
British Red Cross parcel between 2 men & 1lb NZ Anchor 
butter 

-3- 
2 Sept 
1lb 'allowrie' butter 4 every man, 7 figs 
four that arrived on previous day 
3 Sept 
2 ounces pork  Union Jack hoisted in camp 
between 2. Open air concert. Radio into camp 
4 Sept 
Quiet day  Rations back to old form and not much diff 
to the last 3½ years effort 
5 Sept 
Jap troops to Johore all night. Breakfast ¾ pint rice pap and a  
plain rice flour biscuit. 
6 Sept 
Gurkhas arrived. Got good hand & took up guard duties.  
Nurse from Hospital Ship in camp. Down to go home per Hospital  
Ship. Sent 'Standard' cable to Mother ("Am safe & in British 
hands. home shortly") 
7 Sept 
Wrote 2 Air mail letters home very disjointed efforts. Clocks 
back 90 minutes midnight 6/7 Sept 
8 Sept 
To surgical ward as bed patient. Leg not healed 
10 Sept 
Kerosene tin of parachute food to each 8 men Our days  
rations. Originally packed to drop on front line troops and very  
nice even though in tins. Best evening meal since becoming  
P.O.W.  Sent air mail letter (the second) to your. Issued  
with first British cigarettes (20 wings) On 12 multivite  
tablets a day 
11 Sept 
Rumours of us going aboard the Oranje tomorrow 
and at 11 o'clock in the evening, a number of us were 
ordered to stand by for embarkation on the "Manunda" 
on the 12th 
12 Sept 
A busy day.  Left camp per ambulance for [[?]] after midday 
only to be told that our movement was postponed until 
the morning of the 13th. Issued with 78 cigarettes.  
Wrote my second air mail letter to Mother. Sent one to 
Colin yesterday & have sent three to Marion 
13 Sept 
Third air letter to Mother  Said farewell to Kranji at 8 [[per?]] 
192 from that camp boarding the Manunda in Keppil Harbour. 
Bedded down in clean sheets pillows no bugs and our first 
taste of civilisation. Had good nights sleep 
14 Sept 
Sailed from Singapore 10 am on Manunda. First 
stop Darwin wrote you and mother letters today.  
15 Sept 
(Saturday) we are to take stores aboard at Darwin & on to 
Sydney 
16 Sept 
Our third day afloat and are settling down  
17 Sept 
Another alteration in destination bound for Labuan 

Printed in England. JULY 1940. (5.000 pads.)               5/-168 
  
The first line of this Telegram contains the following 
particulars in the order named :     
Prefix Letter and Number of Message, Office of Origin, number of  
Words, Date, Time handed in and Official instructions    if any. 
  
CABLE AND WIRELESS LIMITED 
20 Sep 1945 
Circuit. Col 
Clerk's Name. B2 
Time Received. 0330 
  
COVUZ1296  WESTGATENSW  27/26 18 
  
DLT NX55503 L/SGT PRICE C L 10TH A G H LIBERATED 
AUST PW CARE 2 AUST PW RECPTN GRP SINGAPORE =  
  
BOTH WELL LONGING YOUR RETURN = 
MARION PRICE 
  
MARK YOU REPLY "Via Imperial" 
  
NO ENQUIRY RESPECTION THIS TELEGRAM CAN BE ATTENDED TO WITHOUT PRODUCTION OF THIS COPY.

A cordial invitation is extended to the Family 
to be present at a  
Welcome Home and Presentation  
to 
Staff Sgt. L. Price, Ex P.O.W., Malaya 
in the 
Progress Hall, Undercliffe 
on  
Thursday, November 8th, 1945 
8 till 12 p.m. 
  
A Donation towards the Presentation  
would be appreciated 
R.S.V.P. 
J.V. Barrow