Fall of Singapore - papers of Charles Laurie Price, notebook part 2

REPORT ON CONDITIONS OF PsOW IN THAILAND   27 
                        MAY TO DECEMBER 1943 
(Ed. all in capital letters) 

THE FOLLOWING REPORT WAS FURNISHED TO THE IJA ON A REQUEST
BY THE IJA MILITARY POLICE FOR A FRANK STATEMENT OF THE
CONDITIONS OF PsOW IN THAILAND TOGETHER WITH SUGGESTIONS
FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.

FACTS 1. EARLY IN APRIL ORDERS WERE ISSUED TO PREPARE 7000
PsOW FOR A MOVE BY TRAIN.
2. THE REASON GIVEN WAS THAT THE FOOD SITUATION IN SINGAPORE
WAS DIFFICULT AND WOULD BE FAR BETTER IN THE NEW PLACE.
3. THE PARTY WAS NOT A WORKING PARTY
4. AS THERE WAS NOT 7000 FIT PsOW AT CHANGI, 30% OF
THE PARTY WERE TO BE UNFIT MEN, THAT WAS UNFIT TO WORK OR
MARCH.
5. THE UNFIT PERSONNEL WOULD RECOVER MORE QUICKLY
WITH GOOD FOOD AND IN A PLEASANT HILLY CAMP WITH GOOD FACILITIES
FOR RECREATION.
6. THERE WOULD BE NO MARCHING, EXCEPTING FOR SHORT
DISTANCES FROM THE TRAIN TO NEARBY CAMPS AND TRANSPORT WOULD
BE PROVIDED FOR THE UNFIT AND ALL BAGGAGE.
7. BATALLION BAND WAS TO ACCOMPANY THE PARTY.
8. ALL TOOLS & COOKING GEAR AND ENGINE FOR LIGHTING
WERE TO BE TAKEN.
9. GRAMOPHONES, BLANKETS, CLOTHING & MOSQUITO NETS WERE
TO BE ISSUED AT NEW CAMPS.
10. CANTEEN SERVICES WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT EACH CAMP
AFTER THREE WEEKS. CANTEEN SUPPLIES COVERING THE FIRST
THREE WEEKS WAS TO BE PURCHASED WITH PsOW MONEY PRIOR
TO LEAVING SINGAPORE.
11. THE DRAFT WOULD INCLUDE A MEDICAL PARTY OF
ABOUT 350 PERSONNEL WITH EQUIPMENT FOR A CENTRAL HOSPITAL
TO ACCOMODATE 400 PATIENTS AND SUPPLIES FOR 3 MONTHS.
ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION 1. AS EACH TRAINLOAD OF 600
ARRIVED AT BANPONG THEY WERE INFORMED TO THEIR ASTONISHMENT
THAT A MARCH COVERING SEVERAL DAYS WAS TO BE
CARRIED OUT BY ALL MEN, INCLUDING THE 30% UNFIT. ALL KIT
THAT OFFICERS & MEN COULD NOT CARRY WAS TO BE DUMPED
AT BANPONG (THIS AMOUNTED TO THE EQUIVALENT OF 15 TRUCKLOADS
(RAIL) OF STORES & BAGGAGE.
2. THE MARCH, IN FACT, WAS ONE OF
300 KM IN 15 STAGES & LASTED FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS. MARCHING
AT NIGHT ALONG A ROUGH JUNGLE TRACK (EXCEPT FOR FIRST 2 STAGES

AND AS ALL TORCHES HAD BEEN TAKEN FROM PsOW DURING THE
SEARCH AT BANPONG, THE KEEPING TOGETHER OF THE PARTY AT 28
NIGHTS WAS EITHER MOST DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE.
3. AFTER THE FIRST STAGE THE UNFIT PERSONNEL BECAME
INCREASINGLY ILL AND WERE A HEAVY HANDICAP TO THE OTHER MEN, WHO
WERE AT FIRST FAIRLY FIT BUT RAPIDLY THEMSELVES BECAME ILL &
EXHAUSTED AS THEY HAD TO HELP AND EVEN CARRY THE INCREASING NUMBER
OF MEN WHO WERE UNABLE TO WALK UNAIDED
4. CONDITIIONS AT THE STAGING CAMPS WERE AS FOLLOWS'-
(a) AT NO TIME WAS OVERHEAD COVERING PROVIDED, EXCEPT FOR A FEW
TENTS (FOR 100) MEN AT ONE CAMP. THE WEATHER WAS VARIABLE
AND THE RAINY SEASON STARTED WHILST THE MARCH WAS IN PROGRESS.
(b) FOOD SUPPLIES WERE GENERALLY VERY POOR AND IN MANY CAMPS
CONSISTED OF RICE ONLY.
(c) WATER WAS SHORT AT MANY CAMPS AND AT KAMBURY DRINKING
WATER HAD TO BE BRUGHT BY THE PsOW FROM A PRIVATELY OWNED
WELL. COL. HARRIS PROTESTED TO NO AVAIL.
(d) NO SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS EXISTED FOR RETAINING SICK AT
THESE CAMPS & MEN WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY UNFIT TO MARCH (OWING
TO DISEASE & WEAKNESS WERE BEATEN & DRIVEN FROM CAMP TO CAMP
OFFICERS, INCLUDING MOs WHO BEGGED FOR SICK PERSONNEL TO BE
LEFT BEHIND WERE THEMSELVES BEATEN AT MANY CAMPS.
(e) THE MEN MARCHED ALL NIGHT (AS A RULE FROM 7AM TO 7 PM)
THEY HAD TO PERFORM CAMP DUTIES, GET THEIR MEALS & WASH DURING
THE DAY AND SO HAD VERY LITTLE REST
5. SUCH MEDICAL STORES AS HAD HASTILY BEEN SELECTED AT
BANPONG & CARRIED BY HAND WITH THE MARCHING PARTIES WERE
RAPIDLY EXHAUSTED & THE MARCH CONTINUES WITHOUT MEDICAL SUPPLIES
 WHATSOEVER. DYSENTERY & DIARROHEA BROKE OUT IN ALL PARTIES
& EXHAUSTION WAS GENERAL. ULCERATED FEET OCCURRED IN LARGE
NUMBERS DUE TO SICK MEN WITH BLISTERED FEET BEEING FORCED
TO MARCH DAY AFTER DAY.
6. AT CONCOITA THE PARTIES QUARTERED IN THE SAME
CAMP AS THAI LABOUR CORP WHO WERE SUFFERING WITH CHOLERA.
THE INFECTION WAS PICKED UP BY EACH OF THE 13 PARTIES OF 
MARCHING PRISONERS.
7. ON MAY 15TH, CHOLERA BROKE OUT AT SHINO NIKI. COL
HARRIS (COMMANDER OF PsOW) IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE FACT TO
COL BANNO (IJA COMMANDER) AND REQUESTED THAT MOVEMENT
CEASE UNTIL THE OUTBREAK WAS UNDER CONTROL AND THAT
CONCOITA CAMP SHOULD AT ALL COSTS NOT BE USED FOR FURTHER
PARTIES. UNFORTUNATELY COL BANNO WAS UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH
THE REQUESTS AND AS A RESULT, CHOLERA SPREAD INTO ALL 29
FIVE CAMPS THEN OCCUPIED BY THE FORCE
8. ONLY A SMALL QUANTITY OF MEDICAL STORES AT BANPONG 
WAS BROUGHT UP LATER BY LORRY (OVER 75% OF THESE STORES WERE
STILL AT BANPONG WHEN THE FORCE RETURNED TO KAMBURI IN DECEMBER)
9.  THE IJA AT THIS TIME WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE OR PRODUCE
ANY MEDICAL SUPPLIES WHATSOEVER, EXCEPT CHOLERA VACCINE &
QUININE (THESE TWO ITEMS WERE ALWAYS SUPPLIED AS REQUIRED)
COL BANNO GAVE THE MOs 6 TINS MILK FROM HIS OWN KIT FOR THE 
VERY SICK.
10. BY THE END OF MAY ABOUT 5000 MEN HAD BEEN
DISTRIBUTED TO THE VARIOUS CAMPS. THE CAMPS CONSISTED OF HUTS
WITHOUT A TOP ROOFING IN SPITE OF THE RAINY SEASON BEING
IN FULL SWING AND RAIN FELL HEAVILY EVERY DAY & NIGHT. THOSE
CAMPS WERE NOT FULLY ROOFED FOR SOME WEEKS, CONSEQUENTLY DEATHS
FROM PNEUMONIA WERE NUMBEROUS.
11. IN SPITE OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS, THE GENERAL STATE OF
EXHAUSTION OF THE MEN, THE PRESENCE OF CHOLERA IN ALL CAMPS &
PRACTICALLY UNIVERSAL MALARIA, DIARROHEA, DYSENTERY & SHORTAGE
OF FOOD & MEDICAL SUPPLIES, THE MEN WERE PUT TO WORK BY THE 
ENGINEERS AT ONCE.
12. MAXIMUM NUMBER FOR WORK HAD TO BE SUPPLIED EACH
DAY. THIS LEFT INSUFFICIENT MEN FOR SANITATION
& NURSING DUTIES WITHIN THE CAMPS. IN SOME CAMPS RED
CROSS PERSONNEL WERE COMPELLED TO WORK ON THE ROAD BUT
ON REPRESENTATION BEING MADE TO COL BANNO, QUICKLY CEASED
13. IN SEVERAL CAMPS, SCARCITY OT TOOLS MADE IMPROVEMENTS
TO SANITATION DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE. THE TOOLS BROUGHT BY PsOW
FROM SINGAPORE & LEFT WITH HEAVY BAGGAGE BANPONG NEVER
CAME UP TO THESE CAMPS.
14. IT WAS CLEAR THAT IF THE ENGINEERS CONTINUED TO TAKE
ALL FIT MEN & CONVALESCENTS TO WORK EVERY DAY THERE WOULD SOON
BE NOT MEN FIT TO WORK AT ALL. IN FACT THE ENGINEERS WERE
RAPIDLY DESTROYING THEIR ONLY AVAILABLE SOURCE OF LABOUR. THIS
WAS EXPLAINE TO THEM AND ALSO TO IJA HQ BUT THE SAME
SYSTEM CONTINUED. THE TASK IN FRONT OF THE ENGINEERS & THE
NEED FOR SPEED WERE FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY US, BUT THE
DESTRUCTION OF THE ONLY AVAILABLE SOURCE OF LABOUR WAS JUST
AS BAD FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW AS FROM OURS. BY THE END
OF JUNE ONLY ABOUT 700 OF THE 5000 MEN NORTH OF NIKI
WERE AT WORK DAILY AND OF THESE AT LEAST HALF WERE UNFIT
& USELESS FOR HEAVY WORK. OF THE REMAINDER, EXCEPT FOR
RED CROSS PERSONNEL & A SMALL NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE
STAFF, ALL MEN WERE LYING ILL IN THE CAMP HOSPITALS.
15. BY THIS TIME THE ROAD FROM THE SOUTH WAS
IMPOSSIBLE & TO THE NORTH WAS DIFFICULT & THE SCALE
 

                                                                                                                 30 
OF RATIONS FELL BELOW THAT NECESSARY TO SICK MEN.
HOSPITAL PATIENTS RECEIVED 250-300 GRMS OF RICE & A SMALL
QUANTITY OF BEANS. THE IDEA APPEARED TO BE THAT SHORT RATIONS
PLUS NO PAY WOULD DRIVE MEN OUT OF HOSPITAL. HOWEVER AS THE
MEN WERE GENUINELY ILL & DYING IN LARGE NUMBER, THE NUMBER
OF PATIENTS CONTINUED TO INCREASE.
16. AS THE HEALTH OF THE MEN GREW WORSE, THE DEMANDS
OF THE ENGINEERS WERE MORE & MORE DIFFICULT TO MEET & THEIR
TREATMENT OF THE WEAK MEN AT WORK MORE & MORE BRUTAL.
IT WAS NOTICEABLE THAT WHERE THAI OR BURMESE LABOUR, 2 OR
THREE TIME THE NUMBER OF OUR MEN WERE USED. IT BECAME
INCREASINGLY COMMON FOR OUR MEN TO BE LITERALLY DRIVEN
WITH WIRE WHIPS & BAMBOO STICKS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE DAY'S
WORK. HITTING WITH THE FIST & KICKING ALSO OCCURED FREQUENTLY.
IT WAS EMPHASISED THAT THE BEATING UP WAS NOT FOR DISCIPLINARY
PURPOSES BUT AN EFFORT TO DRIVE UNFIT MET TO EFFORTS BEYOND
THEIR STRENGTH. 
17. THE HOURS OF WORK WERE EXCRSSIVE. 14 HOURS A DAY
WAS THE USUAL ROUTINE AND WEN ON FOR MONTHS WITHOUT A 
DAY OFF. MANY MEN NEVER SAW THEIR CAMP BY DAYLIGHT FOR
WEEKS ON END AND NEVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WASH THEIR
CLOTHES NOR THEMSELVES.
18. IN SOME CAMPS WHERE THE NUMBER OF FIT MEN FELL
BELOW THE ENGINEERS DEMANDS, PRISONERS WERE FORCED OUT OF
HOSPITAL BY THEM TO WORK. EXCEPT IN ISOLATED INSTANCES
OFFICERS WERE NOT MADE TO WORK OUTSIDE CAMPS BUT THE THREAT
OF THEM BEING TURNED OUT ON THE ROAD WAS USSED TO GET UNFIT
MEN OUT OF CAMP HOSPITALS.
19. AT SONKRAI, WHERE CONDITIIONS WERE PROBABLY WORSE
THAN ANYWHERE ELSE LT ABE (ENGINEER OFFICER) CAME INTO THE 
OFFICERS QUARTERS & ASKED TO SEE 6 OFFICERS WHO WERE MOST  
SERIOUSLY ILL (3 SUBSEQUENTLY DIED) AND SAID "UNLESS MORE MEN
ARE PRODUCED FOR WORK TOMORROW I WILL SEND MY SOLDIERS TO
TAKE THESE OFFICERS OUT TO WORK". OF THE 1600 MEN WHO
ORIGINALLY WENT TO SONKRAI CAMP IN MAY, 1200 WERE DECEASED
& 200 WERE HOSPITAL PATIENTS IN DECEMBER. JUNE. LT
WAKABAYASHI (MALAYAN POW ADMINITRATION) ARRIVED AT 
SONKRAI CAMP AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST & CONDITIONS
GRADUALLY IMPROVED FROM THEN ON.
20. BY JULY MORE THAN HALF THE FORCE WERE WITHOUT
BOOTS AND THIS CAUSED A LARGE NUMBER OF POISENED FEET
& THE CONTINUAL WORKING IN WET CAUSED "TRENCH FEET"
BLANKETS WERE NOT ISSUED AS PROMISED AT CHANGI & CLOTHING ISSUES
WERE NEGLIGIBLE. MEDICAL STORES WERE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE
BANANA LEAVES WERE USED FOR THE DRESSING OF HUNDREDS
OF TROPICAL ULCERS WHILST BANDAGES WRE MADE FROM
THE SLEEVES & LEGS CUT FROM MENS SHIRTS & TROUSERS. MANY,
WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNNECESSARY AMPUTATIONS HAD TO BE
PERFORMED AND A LARGE NUMBR OF THESE CASES DIED.
21. BY THE END OF JUNE, THE ROAD TO BANPONG WAS STILL
UNSERVICEABLE BUT ALTHOUGH THE RIVER WAS OPEN TO TRAFFIC & WAS
IN USE BY THE IJA & THEIR STOREKEEPERS, OUR MEDICAL & OTHER STORES
AT BANPONG WERE STILL NOT BROUGHT UP. THIS WAS IN SPITE OF OUR
REPEATED REQUESTS.
22. DURING THIS PERIOD THAT MEN SOMETIMES ALONE AND SOMETIMES
IN NUMBERS DISAPPEARED INTO THE JUNGLE. MANY PROBABLY
THROUGH DESPAIR, TOOK THIS WAY OF ESCAPING DISEASE & ILL TREATMENT
ONE PARTY IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO ESCAPE SO AS TO LET THE INTERNATIONAL
RED CROSS & THE WORLD KNOW OF THE STATE OF AFFAIRS MET WITH THE
INEVITABLE FAILURE. OF THE OFFICERS WHO COMPRISED THE PARTY
FIVE PERISHED FROM PRIVATION IN THE JUNGLE & THE REMAINING 4
WERE RECAPTURED.
23. A HOSPITAL WAS ESTABLISHED IN BURMA IN AUGUST &
ABOUT 2000 MEN WERE SENT THERE BUT OWING MAINLY TO THE
DEFICIENCY IN RATIONS, 800 DIED. NEVER THE LESS THE HOSPITAL
SERVED A GOOD PURPOSE AS THERE WAS NO REGULAR ENGINEERING
WORK AND MANY MEN GOT REASONABLY WELL SLOWLY
24. FROM AUGUST ONWARDS THINGS IMPROVED AT SONKRAI,
BUT NOT AT KAMI SONKRAI WHERE 8 PATIENTS WERE DYING EACH DAY.
26. THE MOVE BACK TO KAMURI TOOK PLACE IN NOVEMBER
BUT THE MEN WERE IN SUCH POOR CONDITION (THE WORST BEING LEFT
IN BURMA HOSPITAL) THAT 46 DIED ON THE TRAIN JOURNEY AND IN
KAMBURI ITSELF 186 DIED IN THE FIRST 3 WEEKS IN SPITE OF THE
BETTER CONDITIONS.
27. OF THE 7000 PsOW WHO LEFT CHANGI IN APRIL 43, IN DEC 43
ABOUT 3000 ARE DEAD, 3000 MORE ARE HOSPITAL PATIENTS OR CONVALESCENTS
SUGGESTIONS  1. WE ASKTHAT WE SHOULD BE TREATED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LETTER & SPIRIT OF THE GENEVA & CONVENTIONS,
PARTICULARLY THOSE OF 1906, 1907 BOTH OF WHICH WERE RATIFIED BY
BRITAIN & JAPAN. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE UNCONDITIONAL
SURRENDER OF SINGAPORE PLACES THE PRISONERS FROM THAT ISLAND
OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF THE HAQUE CONVENTIONS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY
NOT SO. HOW THEN CAN THE NATURE OF SINGAPORE'S SURRENDER
(WHICH WAS CORRECTLY MADE AT THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF GEN
YAMASHITA "IN ORDER TO AVOID FURTHER USELESS LOSS OF LIFE
ON BOTH SIDES & ESPECIALLY THE LIVES OF CIVILIANS IN THE CITY")

PUT THE GARRISON OF SINGAPORE OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF THE
CONVENTION.
DETAILED SUGGESTIONS: CONSEQUENT OF THE PRECEDING
GENERAL ONE
1. DOCTORS & RED CROSS PERSONNEL ARE NOT PsOW
& SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS PRISONERS (GEN CONV 1907 ARTICLE 8)
2. PsOW SHOULD BE HUMANELY TREATED (ANNEX TO HAGUE CONV 
1907 ART4)
3. WORK SHOULD NO BE EXCESSIVE (ANNEX TO HAGUE
CONV 1907 ART 6)
4. PsOW SHOULD BE TREATED AS REGARDS RATIONS, QUARTERS
& CLOTHING ON THE SAME FOOTING AS THE TROOPS OF THE COUNTRY
WHICH CAPTURES THEM (ANNEX TO HAGUE CONV 1907, ART 7)
_____________________________________________
NOTE 1 ALL THE ABOVE ARTICLES WERE BROKEN IN THAILAND.
2. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO FIX A SCALE OF RATIONS. THE ESSENTIAL
IS THAT THE RATIONS SHOULD REACH THE PsOW. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE 
M. PS UNDERTAKE THE DUTY OF SEEING THAT THE SCALE OF ISSUE ALLOWED
DOES IN FACT REACH THE PsOW.
3. AS REGARDS QUARTERS IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT
OFFICER PsOW PAY FOR THEIR QUARTERS
______________________________________________
5. "OFFICERS MUS BE EMPLOYED FOR LABOR" (THIS EQUALLY 
APPLIES TO BEING THREATENED WITH LABOUR) (ANNEX TO HAGUE CONV
ART 6)
THERE WERE NOT MANY BREACHES OF ABOVE IN THIS FORCE ("F"
 FORCE) BUT MANY HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS IN OTHER PARTIES WERE
FORCED TO WORK AS LABOURERS ON THE ROAD & RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION
IN ORGANISED GANGS.
6.  RED CROSS REPESENTATIVES SHOULD BE ALLOWEN TO VISIT
POW CAMPS (NO REPRESENTATIVES WERE ALLOWED TO VISIT US IN THAILAND
(HAGUE CONV 1907 ART 15) 
7. PROPER ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO COLLECT
DECEASED PERSONNEL'S EFFECTS (ANNEX TO HAGUE CONV 1907 ART 14)
8. SOLDIERS SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND TAKEN CARE OF 
WHEN SICK (GEN CONV 1906 ART 1)
9. GAMES, ENTERTAINMENTS, READING, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES &
LECTURES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP UP MORALE
10. ARRANGEMENTS FOR LETTERS TO & FROM HOME SHOULD BE 
IMPROVED. LETTERS ARRIVING ARE A YEAR OLD AND WE HAVE NOT 
BEEN ALLOWED TO WRITE A SINGLE LETTER HOME BUT ONLY A FEW
LINES ON A POSTCARD TWICE IN TWO YEARS. PsOW IN ALL
BELLIGERENT COUNTRIES IN EUROPE ARE ALLOWED TO WRITE AS 
FOLLOWS - OFFICERS - 2 LETTERS & 2 POSTCARDS EACH MONTH
O/Rs - 1 LETTER & 1 POSTCARD EACH MONTH.

(MAJ. WYLDE. INTERPERATOR - F FORCE)
 

SELARANG SPECIAL ORDER
No 3
4th SEPTEMBER 1942
1/ On the 30th August 1942, I together with my area 
commanders was summoned to the Conference House, 
Changi Gaol where I was informed by the representative 
of Major General Fukuye, G O C Prisoner of War 
Camps, Malaya, that all prisoners of war in 
Changi were to be given forms of promise not to 
escape and that all were to be given an 
opportunity to sign this form.
2/ By the "Laws and Usages of War" a prisoner 
cannot be required by the Power holding him to 
give his parole and in our army, those who 
have become Prisoners of War are not permitted 
to give their parole. I pointed this out to the 
Japanese Authorities.
3/ I informed the representative of Major General 
Shimpie Fukuye that I was not prepared to sign 
the form.  In accordance with the orders of the 
Japanese Authorities all Prisoners of War were 
given an opportunity to sign.  The result of that 
opportunity is well known.
4/ On the 31st August 1942 I was informed by 
the Japanese Authorities that those personnel 
who refused to sign the certificate would be 
subjected to "measures of severity" and that a 
refusal to sign would be regarded as a 
direct refusal to obey a regulation which the 
Imperial Japanese Army considered necessary 
to enforce.
5/ Later, on the night of 31st Aug/1 Sept 1942 I 
was informed that on 1st September all 
Prisoners of War persisting in refusal to sign 
were to move by 1800 hrs to Selarang Barrack  
Square.  I confirmed, both on my own behalf  
and in the name of the Prisoners of War, our  
refusal to sign
6/ The move to Selarang Barrack Square was 
successfully accomplished on the same 
afternoon
7/ I and the Area Commanders have been in 
constant conference with the Imperial Japanese 
Army and have endeavoured by negotiation to 
have the form either abolished or at least 
modified.  All that I have been able to 
obtain is that which was originally a 
demand accompanied by threats of "measures 
of severity" has now been issued as an 
"official order of the Imperial Japanese Army."
8/ During the period of the occupation of the 
Selarang Barrack Square the conditions under 
which we have been placed has been under 
my constant consideration.  These may be 
briefly described as such, that existence 
therein will result in a very few days in 
the outbreak of epidemic  and that with most 
serious consequences to those under my 
command and the inevitable death to many 
Taking into account the low state of health 
in which many of us now are and the 
need to preserve our force intact as long as 
possible and with the full conviction
 that my action under the circumstances 
in which we are now living would meet 
with the full approval of His Majesty's 
Government.  I have felt it my duty to order 
all personnel to sign the certificate under 

the duress imposed by the Japanese powers.  
9/ I am fully convinced that His Majesty’s 
Government only expect prisoners of war not to 
give their parole, when such parole is to be 
given voluntarily. This factor can in no 
circumstances be regarded as applicable to 
our present condition. The responsibility for 
this decision rests with me and me alone 
and I fully accept it on ordering you to sign 
10/ I wish to record in this order my deep 
appreciation of the excellent spirit and good 
discipline which all ranks have shown 
during this trying period. I look to all 
ranks to continue in good heart, discipline 
and morale 
Thank you for your loyalty & cooperation 
(Signed) E.B. Holmes Col. 
Commander British & Aust Forces 
Changi Singapore 

 _________________________//_____________________ 

SELERANG SPECIAL ORDER N^o.2 (EXER???) 
BY 
COLONEL E.B. Holmes MC 
1/ The requirement by the Imperial Japanese Army would 
under their order No 17 dated 31st August 1942 that 
all ranks of the Prisoner of War Camp, Changi, should 
be given the opportunity to sign a certificate of promise 
not to escape has now been ammended in a  
revised Imperial Japanese Army order No 17 dated 
2nd September 1942, to a definite order that all  
officers, NCOS and men of the Prisoner of War  
Camp shall sign this undertaking 
2/ I therefore now order that these certificates  
will be signed by all ranks, and handed by  
Area Commanders to Command Headquarters by  
1100 hrs on 5th September 1942 
3/ The circumstances in which I have been  
compelled to issue this order will be made the  
subject of Selarang Special Order No 3 which will  
be issued later. 
4.9.42  
(Sgd) E.B. Holmes, Col 
Commanding British Australian Troops 
_________________________//_____________________ 
SELARANG SPECIAL ORDER NO 1. 
BY 
Colonel E.B. Holmes MC 
The Commander of the British and Australian Troops, Changi  
Prisoner of War Camp, congratulates all officers, NCOs  
and men of the Force now here on the splendid manner  
in which yesterday's difficult movement was carried  
out and the cheerfulness and good discipline  
being shown by all ranks in our present  
difficult circumstances. 
The Commander, Changi, wishes everyone to realise  
that he is making continuous efforts to obtain an  
honourable settlement with the Japanese by which the  
present conditions may be brought to an end. Meanwhile  
he knows that he can rely on all ranks to continue  
to display the fine example shown yesterday

   
SELARANG 
HQ Malaya Command 
3rd September 1942 
 _________________________//_____________________ 

Folders As Under - Covers To be headed

1. MALAYAN CAMPAIGN                    
2. MALAYAN CAMPAIGN SIDESHOWS
3. DEFENCE OF SINGAPORE 
4. MISCELLANEOUS ORDERS INSTRUCTIONS ETC 

45. CAPITULATION 

56. P.O.W ORDERS INSTRUCTIONS ETC 

67. SELARANG INCIDENT & EVENTS LEADING UP TO 
CONCENTRATION OF TROOPS WITH SNAPSHOTS 
(SNAPS PASTED ON SHEET OF PAPER) 
8 BANPONG - Ye. Railway

SADDLE HORSE SCORE CARD
LIPPINCOTT'S FARM MANUALS - "PRODUCTIVE HORSE 
HUSBANDRY" BY CARL W. GAY B.S.A (U.S.A RED CROSS) 
GENERAL APPEARANCE (TOTAL PTS=12)
1. Height   2. Weight   
3. Form (Close but not full made, deep but
not broad, symmetrical.                                                      [*4*]
4. Quality (Bone clean, dense, fine yet indicating
substance, tendons & joints sharply defined
hide & hair fine, general refinement, finish                      [*4*]
5. Temperament (Active, disposition good, intelligent [*4*]
________________//_____________________
HEAD & NECK (8)
6 Head (Size & dimensions in proportion, clearcut features
straight face line, wide angle in lower jaw)                    [*1*]
7  Muzzle (Fine, nostrils large, lips thin trim even.        [*1*]
8  Eyes (Prominent orbit, large, full, bright, clear, lid  
thin, even curvature                                                               [*1*]
9  Forehead (Broad, full)  [*1*] 
10 Ears (Medium size, pointed, set close, carried alert  [*1*]
11 Neck (Long, supple, well crested, not carried too high  
throttle well cut out, head well set on)                               [*3*] 
________________//____________________ 
FOREHAND (22) 
12 Shoulders (very long, sloping yet muscular)                [*3*] 
13 Arms (short, muscular, carried well forward)                [*1*] 
14 Forearm (long, broad, muscular)                                      [*1*] 
15 Knees (Straight, wide, deep, strongly supported)         [*2*] 
16 Canons (Short, broad, flat, tendons sharply defined,  
set well back)                                                                                 [*2*] 
17 Fetlocks (wide, tendons well back, straight, well  
supported)                                                                                      [*2*] 
18 Pasterns (Long, oblique (45 degrees) smooth, strong)  [*2*] 
NOTES ON VOCABULARY 
19 Feet (Large, round, uniform, straight, slope of wall  
parallel to slope of pastern, sole concave  
bars strong, frog large, elastic, heels wide,    
full, one third height of toe, horn dense,  
smooth, dark colour)                                                                      [*4*] 
20 Legs (A perpendicular line from point of shoulder  
should divide leg & foot into two lateral   
halves, when viewed from in front. When  
 viewed from side a perpendicular line 
from tuberosity of scapula should pass through  
centre of elbow joint & meet ground at centre of  
foot)                                                                                                     [*4*] 
_______________________ // _____________________ 
BODY (12) 
21 Withers (High, muscular, well finished at top  
extending well into back)                                                              [*3*] 
22 Chest (medium, wide, deep)                                                   [*2*] 
23 Ribs (well sprung, long, close)                                                 [*2*] 
24 Back (Short, straight, strong, broad)                                     [*2*] 
25 Loin (short, broad, muscular, strongly coupled)                 [*2*] 
26 Flank (deep, full, long, low under line)                                  [*1*] 
________________________//_____________________ 
HINDQUARTERS (31) 
27 Hips (broad, round, smooth)                                                [*2*] 
28 Croup (long, level, round, smooth)                                     [*2*] 
29 Tail (set high, well carried)                                                     [*2*] 
30 Thighs (full, muscular)                                                             [*2*] 
31 Stifles (broad, full, muscular)                                                  [*2*] 
32 Gaskins (broad, muscular)                                                       [*2*] 
33 Hocks (straight, wide, point prominent, deep,  
clean cut, smooth, well supported)                                              [*5*]

34. Canons (short, broad, flat, tendons sharply  
defined, set well back)                                                                    [*2*] 
35. Fetlocks (wide, tendons well back, straight,  
well supported)                                                                                  [*2*] 
36 Pasterns (long, oblique (50 degrees) smooth, strong)       [*2*] 
37. Feet (Large, round (slightly less than in front)  
uniform, straight, slope of wall parallel  
to slope of pastern, sole concave, bars  
strong, frog large elastic, heels wide, full  
1/3 height of toe, horn dense, smooth, dark  
colour)                                                                                                     [*4*] 
38 Legs (viewed from rear - perpendicular line  
dropped from point of buttock should  
divide the leg & foot into lateral halves.  
Viewed from side - the same line should  
touch point of hock & meet ground some  
little distance from heel. A perpendicular  
line dropped from hip joint should meet  
ground near centre of foot)                                                              [*4*] 
________________//___________________ 
WAY OF GOING (15) 
39 Walk (rapid, flat footed, in line)                                                  [*5*] 
40 Trot (full straight, smooth, springy, going well  
off hocks, not extreme knee folds)                                                  [*5*] 
41 Canter (slow, collected, either lead, no cross  
canter)                                                                                                     [*5*] 
                                                                                                                   ____ 
                                                                                                                 [*100*] 
                                                                                                                   ______        

  
FOOD FANCIES with Menus 
COMPILED DURING MY HUNGRIER MOMENTS AS A P.O.W. 
BREAKFAST :- 
PORK SAUSAGES (WELL DONE) TOAST &  
TOMATO SAUCE 
- 
ASPARAGUS ON TOAST 
- 
BAKED BEANS (TINNED) ON TOAST, TOMATO SAUCE 
- 
TOAST WITH HONEY, MARMALADE, JAM 
- 
EGGS, FRIED SCRAMBLED OMMELETTE, TOAST 
- 
EGGS FRIED, BACON, FRIED VEGES & GREENS 
& TOAST 
- 
CHEESE STRAWS ON TOAST 
- 
CHEESE, TOMATO ON TOAST 
- 
FRIED STEAK, FRIED VEGES & GREENS, TOAST  
& FRIED ONIONS & TOMATOS 
- 
CEREALS: 
  
WHEAT BIX, MILK OR CREAM WITH SUGAR &  
GOLDEN SYRUP OR HONEY 
- 
STEAMED RICE, CRUSHED PEANUTS, BANANA  
CREAM, SUGAR, SCRAMBLED EGG 
- 
ROLLED OATS, MILK OR CREAM SUGAR, GOLDEN SYRUP 
- 
SWEET COFFEE 
- 
FRANKFURTS WITH TOAST & "ROZELLA" TOMATO SAUCE 
- 
  
NOTE 
FRIED VEGES & GREENS KNOWN AS "BUBBLE & SQUEAK" 
"ROZELLA" TOMATO SAUCE 
GRAPE FIG & STRAWBERRY JAMS 
NICE, WHEATMEAL BISCUITS (ARNOTTS)

LUNCH :-  
CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP, SIPPETS 
- 
PEA SOUP WITH SIPPITS 
- 
HAM, TOMATO, LETTUCE, FRESH BREAD & 
"ROZELLA" TOMATO SAUCE 
- 
SARGENT'S MEAT PIES & SAUSAGE ROLLS 
WITH "ROZELLA" TOMATO SAUCE 
- 
CURRIED SAUSAGES, ON TOAST, FRIED VEGS 
- 
FRIED SCHNAPPER, JEW FISH, FLOUNDER 
- 
TOMATO, CHEESE, LETTUCE EGG POTATO  
(WITH FRESH BREAD) SALAD 
OR 
BREADROLL 
-

PR03336