Unit diaries relating to service of Geoffrey W. Fennell - Wallet 2 - Part 5

On Monday May 3rd we started on Summer hours. This entailed getting up half

an hour earlier and Lights out at 9 instead of 8.30. The great advantage was 
that lunch was not such a scramble for the workers as they came in by 12 and

did not go out till 1.45 and it was possible to have quite a good nap after 

lunch.
Thanks to Lt Issi the old Concert Party came to life again, and by now performances

were given every other Sunday in the office, a curtain being made out of khaki

sheets and the lights were fixed up by "Nanny'' Goat. The members of the concert 

party have already been given, but in addition Capt Forbes, Lts Traherne and
Armstrong, achieved fame as presenters of original sketches and the first two
also appeared as "The Eastern Brothers" in a good topical song. Two songs of
Berry's will always be remembered, "Hijo Ari Maser means everything's OK", and
"Yaomais from Heaven" a la Bing Crosby, indicating the joy with which rain was
welcomed. Another was "We shall remember Formosa". Major Mackintosh produced
songs with choruses of which Allouetta and Old Macdougal had a Farm, became
established favourites.
According to the latest issue of papers, North Africa appeared to be ours, there
had been a revolt in Croatia, and a very satisfying list of German and Italian
cities, which had been heavily bombed, was also given and Essen was raided for
24 hours in succession. To supplement the news "Cyril" was produced. Cyril was
a glass tumbler who, when 3 people put their hands on it and concentrated, moved
round a couple of letters and the letters it touched were put down. Cyril gave
the date of leaving Taihoku as July 1943 to Karachi to India by means of a
Portuguese ship called the Santa Bianca! (None of this came true but it and
other prophecies gave us a lot of fun!) We noted from the Nippon Times that
Britain would be responsible for the Was in Europe and the Middle East including
Burma, while the USA looked after the remainder. This apparently was one result
of the Casablanca conference, and Roosevelt appeared to be all for attacking
Japan direct when the time came and not going from Island to Island in the South
Pacific. Let it be so!
On Sunday May 9th, the draw for the final allotment of goods from the Personal
parcels was made. They had been made up into mess parcels as nearly equal as
possible and were drawn for in order for further subdivision in the Messes, but
it was ensured that everyone would get something. A specimen draw for a Mess of
20 was 4 Apple Puddings, 2 Gallantines, 3 Spiced Rolls, 3 tins Biscuits, and Paste,
3 Tomatoes and Chocolate, 1 Jam and Tea, and 4 Margarines and Sugar. Though the
parcels were now finished we still had our bulk issues of Bully, Cocoa, Sugar
and Salt to draw on.
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On Saturday May 15th work ended early and the camp had a number of visitors, both
Officers and Warrant Officers. The Interpreter told us that they were from other
camps and that there was to be a meeting of all Camp Commanders at Headquarters
in Taihoku. We hoped that some good would come of it.
On Wednesday May 19th Major Wheeler was suddenly told to produce a party of 150
fit men at a quarter of an hour's notice. The only way he could do it was to go
through his register and tick off the men who had not had hospital treatment of
any kind, and the result was a mixed bag of all units. They were not necessarily
all fit as some had been treating themselves, but still it was all he could do
under the circumstances. There were no details as to where, when or for what they
would be required.
The latest rumour about this time was that the Nipponese had told the Germans that
they didn't think much to them! Judging from even the NipponTimes there appeared
to be grounds for this rumour even though the headlines trumpetted forth the
solidarity of the Axis. Still, we felt that the Nipponese realised they had backed
the wrong horse. However Air Raid practices continued to be frequent and appeared
to be controlled centrally from Taihoku. Headquarters and the sirens were heard
going in the town, and there was activity at the aerodrome.
The authorities suddenly began to take a great interest in Wills, and two officers
were told to go through al those which had been submitted, and also the written
statements of those who did not require any further action to be taken. These
were all checked, numbered and filed, and an opportunity was given for men t
make additional wills if required. This move apparently was to bring things into
line with the Geneva Convention of 1929 as regards POWs.
On Sunday May 17th we were weighed again, and thanks to the Red X the downward trend
was in some case only a matter of pounds instead of stones! Only the Cookhouse
staff put on weight, still as the Bible says "Muzzle not the ox which treadeth the
corn", and anyway the staff were most of them changed once a month.
On Thursday May 27th, there was an inspection by a Major General from Tokyo. He
saw squads out at work and apparently concerned himself mainly with Camp Administration.
On Saturday May 29th a representative of the International Red X arrived
in the afternoon and also looked at the work though from a distance. He was
however given an opportunity of meeting Col Jephson, Camp Priest RIASC, 2 Warrant
Officers and 2 gunners. The meeting was held in the Nipponese Officers Mess, and
tea and Philippine cigarettes of good quality were provided.
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He said that his name was Dr Paravicini and he was a Swiss and had been given
permission to talk to our representatives provided that everything said was
translated to the Commandant. He also said that the result of his inspection
would be cabled to our Government.
Col Jephson started by thanking him profusely for the Red Cross foods, which had

definitely saved our health and in some cases our lives. He replied that what we

had had was merely a fleabite, and there was more to come soon. He confirmed

that there were thousands of letters being sorted in Tokyo. Col Jephson asked

for more medical stores and Warm clothing as most of us only had our Drill. He

was also asked for some books to which he replied that he would pass this on to

Mr Erikson of the YMCA. He was told that the Nipponese food was not very varied

and lack of meat and fats had been the cause of much illness. as the rice and 

vegetables did not suit everybody. The Commandant then said that he would try

and issue more meat and bones. Unfortunately Major Wheeler had no opportunity of

telling him his difficulties. We should have liked to have told him our earlier

experiences but both our food and treatment had improved out of all knowledge in

the last couple of months, and we did feel that something was being done and

naturally we realised there was a War on, and meat and fats were difficult to obtain

in Taiwan for issue to us.

The Canteen was by now running fairly satisfactory, and smokes, tomato ketchup,

fish powder and bananas were obtainable each Sunday, together with toilet requisites

and stationary, but no soap. Dr Paravicini saw the canteen. The Interpreter told

us later on that he had lived for 17 years in Japan and had a Japanese wife.

For some time it had been felt that something should be done to help the sick

purchase goods from the Canteen as they received no pay when in hospital and when

not working. It was decided to form a Health Fund with a Committee to run it

consisting of Major Fennell, RSM Bishop, and Gunner Dare representing the Regiment, 

the remainder being R Signals with Staff Sgt Gandy RA Clerk 11 Div in additiion.

Every NCO and man was to contribute 1% of the pay he actually drew and the officers

would start by giving 25 sen each, and make up any further balance necessary. The

men's subscription usually worked out at 2 sen per month

Men were entitled to drawn on the Fund if their pay came to less than 1.50 per month.

Those with no money at all could start drawing at once but those with amounts less

than 1.50 had to use their own tickets first and the fund made them up to 1.50.

Purchases were as far as possible to be restricted to Notebooks, foodstuffs and

toilet requisites less "luxuries" like hair pomade! Men entitled to benefit had to

take their chances in Mess draws, when stocks were limited. The scheme worked very

well and did a lot of good. Incidentally all pay received was in the form of

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During this period, the number of baskets of vegetables had sometimes reached the

unknown high level of 14 and 15 a day, and some first class stews were the result.

"Doubting Thomases" put it down to the two inspections, but the optimists

certainly scored a point when on the Tuesday after the inspection no less than 17

rolled up including plenty of carrots - definitely a good thing!! There was also

plenty of spinach which turned up for dinner in a "Leggy bucket" with some

Pineneedle sauce to go with it.

"Bees" and hut lectures were still going strong and in the officers' hut Q Horner

arranged a series of weekly talks. We had "Tobacco" by Capt Moss R Signals, late

of Imperial Tobacco Coy, "Finland" by Capt Bristow, who went to the Russo-Finnish

War as a volunteer, "How to become a Parson" by Padre Pugh, "Burma" by Col Hennessey,

"Pigsticking in India" by Major Fennell, The Argentine by Capt Hogshawe, and others.

Tour making was also on the up-grade, and in case anyone wishes to take a walk or

car ride round England on his return here is a specimen and you can start wherever 

you feel inclined! Plymouth, Looe, Polperro, Falmouth, Penzance, Lands End,

St Ives, Launceston, Tavistock, Okehampton, Barnstaple, Bideford, Clovelly, Lynton,.

Minehead, Cheddar, Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Wye Valley, Shrewsbury, Llangollen,

Dolgelley, Snowdonia, Barmouth, Harlech, Portmadoc, Penmanmaur, Conway, Chester,

Carnforth, Kirby, Lonsdale, The Lakes, Carlisle, Roman Wall to Hexham, Newcastle,

Durham, Richmond, Wensleydale, Hawe, Bolton Abbey, Harrogate, Fountain Abbey,

Ripon, Thirsk, Sutton Bank, Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay, Scarborough, Pickering, York,

Wakefield, Sheffield, The Dukeries, Buxton, Matlock, Derby, Warwick, Kenilworth,

Oxford, Cambridge, Windsor, Hindhead, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Folkestone,

Kewesm Eastbourne, Brighton, Southampton, Cadnam Corner, New Forest, Lyndhurst,

Wimborne, Winchester, Dorchester, Honiton, Exeter, Moretonhampstead, and Plymouth.

Don't forget Blackpool on a Saturday in the Summer and receive an education in

crowds and varied entertainment!

Another source of amusement was to make a list of things that we had seen bamboos

used for, and no doubt there are many more! Fencing (and don't we know it!),

Roofs, window frames, Bungalow frames, knives, forks, spoons, ducks feeding trough,

nails, part of table shelves, salt cellars, sugar sifter, lagging for steam pipes,

marking stakes, broom handles, gate hinges, walking stick, frame of coolie heat,

clothes rail, pig stys, chicken and duck run and hen houses, handles for earth

stretcher baskets, revelling (?) or hut walls, latrine seats, scoops for chloride

of lime, wastepaper baskets, small earth baskets, fly swat handles, fans, food(!),

ash trays, imitation practice swords, tea cups, pipes, cigarette holder, oil

container, weeding tools, dead fly container, toothpick, yoke, brick hod,

Bookmarker, filament for electric light bulb, gutter pipes and tallies and

Mahjong sets! No doubt planes also contain bamboo but we had not had the chance

to find out. Still, not a bad list and will carry us into the month of June!

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On June 15th an event of some importance took place. There had been the usual

crop of rumours beforehand, some of which arose from hints dropped by the

Interpreter. When we came in from work, we were told there would be a farewell

parade for the Colonel Commandant, who was leaving. We fell in in

closed ranks in the main street and in due course he arrived, mounted the

rostrum and made a little speech. He said that it gave him great pleasure to

say that with a few exception we were diligent at the work and he was very

glad to see that the number of sick had gone down. He hoped that we should do

even better for the new Commandant. He then repeated twice that he hoped that

when peace came we should be restored in good health to our loved ones. He

finished up with the Japanese word of Farewell "Sayonara". He then saluted

the parade, walked round the Nipponese Guards and was seen off in his car by

Moonface and Groucher.

We viewed his departure with mixed feelings. At first he was written off as

being a living old martinet with no feelings at all, as the Camp Staff were

terrified of him, and his arrival always meant increased basket loads and a

general all round flap. As time went on we realised that his rockets were more

frequently to the Nipponese than to ourselves, and remembered that on the day

of our arrival he had moved heaven and earth to get the kit searching finished

before the rain came on, and also that he was instrumental in getting curry

powder. After about 3 months he had even been seen to smile when among the

Officers and BORs. One could not help respecting him as he was always

immaculately turned out and most particular in returning salutes, and had his

whole staff completely under his thumb. He was evidently being retired, and one

felt rather sorry for him.

There was a lot of discussion as to why he was leaving. We were told that his

successor was coming from Tokyo and wondered if it was part of a new policy

due to the appointment of Mr Shigamitsu as Foreign Minister. We were very

interested to see if (a) he could speak English (b) if he made any effort to

have an interview with Colonel Jephson to receive any suggestions we wished to

put forward. The old Commandant had made himself completely unapproachable,

which seemed a very queer thing according to our standards as regards treatment

of Prisoners of War. Col Jephson had worked very hard and had managed to pick

up some Japanese, in case an interview was ever granted, but no such chane ever

came. We hoped that there might be some reforms for our benefit, and it was a 

form of face saving appointing a new commandant to carry them out.

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"Smudger" builds a Wall

Reference has already been made to the wall at the end of the exercise ground,

which was always giving trouble. Actually it was no wall but had been

originally a large semi-circular crater which had been filled up with earth,

tree trunks, rubbish, branches, swill, in fact almost everything except dead

bodies and good rice! The front of it had been hurriedly revetted(?) with

sods as the job had had to be completed before the Colonel Commandant returned

from a week's absence. The results was that it had not settled down properly

and whever there was a heavy shower of rain, the ground subsided and the wall

and fence assumed a very drunken aspect!

It was decided to pull the whole thing down and do the job properly, and

Capt "Smudger" Smith, R Signas, who had shown considerable aptitude as a 

Foreman of the Works, was put in charge of the job. As this meant fetching a

lot of fresh earth and also cutting and carting hundreds of grass sods, a

complete squad of BORs under RSM Bishop was put under contract with the Shokos

for duration of the job. Capts Forbes and Francis and Lt Reeve worked on the

wall with Capts Smith and Gibbons and the remaining Shokos went off with shovels

to a virgin grass plot about 400 yards away and cut turfs which were carried

on stretcher baskets by the BORs.
Various turf cutting factories were opened up, and contracts were made with

carting agents to the extent of about 3 customers per "factory", and sentries

permitting quite a pleasant time was spent. The carriers had a pleasant chat

as they carried the loads, and on arrival at the "factory", passed the time of

day with the turf diggers, while they were being loaded up, though the diggers

took care that the turfs had to be cut after the arrival of the baskets and not

before so as to allow the carriers a rest! As a general rule the sentries

did not worry about this but occasionally an untrained one tried to "Speedo it

up."

It was thus possible for the turf cutters to carry on three disjoined conversations

at a time and discuss such varied subjects as Pigeon Racing, fish and

chips, and Greyhound Racing in the vernacular of the West Riding, Glasgow and

the Cockneys! For the benefit of those who don't know it, most of the Fish and

Chip shops in Glasgow are run by Italians! What a come down for a noble Industry,

but the Wops apparently do better than their Scotch competitors, and they provide

plush seats and mirrors and the discipline is less strict!! The weather kept

fine and the wall was well and truly built without undue incident.

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More Odds and Ends

Sunday 20th June saw the opening of the Volley Ball season. A combined tennis

and Volley Ball court had been marked out on the exercise ground and the Volley

Ball was the first to arrive. Moonface and Plug Ugly joined in, and the game

was played most Sundays, and now and then on Saturday afternoons. During the

evening there was a General Knowledge Bee between the RA and the Signals arranged

by Major Mackintosh. The Sections were Sport, Literature, Geography, Music and

Mathematical teasers. The following were included: What is the height of the South

Pole? Which rises furthest West -The Indus, Ganges or Brahmaputra? When and how

did Sir Sefton Branker die? On what 3 horses did Steve Donoghue win the Derby?

How can a bowler take the Hat-trick in three separate overs? If a goat is tied to

a post 4 yards from a hedge by a rope 13 feet long, how much hedge can it eat?

Can you recognise the following played on the Accordion and from what films?

Alice Blue Gown, Cheek to Cheek, etc. It was all good fun and the Gunners won by

53 - 46.

There was a persistent rumour started by the linnets that 150 men were being sent

away on June 26th, and although a lorry drove up on the 22nd and removed 10 sacks of 

coal, 12 of rice, 14 of barley, the rumour proved groundless as the 26th

passed without incident, except that the Interpreter told us that the old

Commandant was still waiting in Taihoku or a ship to take him to Japan, and, what

was more important, 2 x 7000 ton ships were being arranged for Nationals but would

not return with Red X stores for at least 3 months. The new Commandant was due

to arrive on the 15th of July. Mail was still being sorted in Tokio!

A Male Voice Choir was started to help with Church Services and also to give turns

at the Concerts. The only snag was that all rehearsals had to be held in the office

during the evenings with the result that when the numbers were eventually produced,

the audience were thoroughly familiar with the tunes, having followed them through

all the stages of rehearsal!

The new Commandant arrived on Thursday July 1st. We all came in early from work

and paraded again at 11. He proved to be a biggish man with 3 rows of medals and

a pleasant open sort of face. He spoke through the Interpreter but he evidently

knew English as he obviously was listening very carefully to what the translation

was. He said "I am Col Sato, Commanding Prisoners of War Camps Taiwan. I hope

you will continue to work well and that you will keep your health. Although there

is a new Commander, there will be no change in arrangements. That is all." In

other words, Solder on and hope for the best. He went round the barrack rooms

and cookhouse and asked the BORs a few questions and then left. The Interpreter

and Moonface both said he was OK so we hoped he would do somthing to prove it.

189

News and Knickers

The same day we got another issue of the Nippon Times, some 8 weeks old. The

chief items of interest were:

1. Tunis and Bizerta fell on May 9th.
2. Churchill and Roosevelt in Conference at Washington.
3. General Wilson had Conference in Cairo with Montgomery, Giraud, and Governors of Malta and Gib.
4. General Alexander appointed GOC in Europe.
5. Allies occupy Domika(?) next to Martinique.
6. Very little Russian news but May 1st a Holiday.
7. Alleged quarelling between us and Americans.
8. Trouble between Russians and Poles and Karaw?
9. Americans capture Atu Island in Aleutians.
10. Only 172 Air raid casualties in UK during April.
11. Laval shot at but not killed unfortunately!
12. 11 new Aircraft Carriers launched by USA and 30 promised by end of the year.
13. New American Battleship IOWA launched.
14. Supplies to China now being sent through Tibet and by 500 transport planes from India.
15. 6th German Army Corps wiped out at Stalingrad.

A pretty good budget in fact and it was a very pleasant job passing the news on round

the huts. It will be great fun at some future date to check up how true this news 

was!!

And now to finish this volume on a humorous note. We had asked for some underclothing

and we were now told that they had arrived in the Canteen. They had! But they were

found to be made of old flour sacks. They were issued free to the men but the 

officers paid 2 yen. Here is a specimen pair of scanties!

*On the front HOP YICK CO Flour Merchants,. Made in USA, Tacoma Grain Co Washington

USA.

On the back Right Leg - For Export grape brand with 10 red Chinese Characters

surrounding a vine leaf.

Across the seam, a picture of 3 bunches of green grapes with SAM WO HING & Co Ltd,

HONG KONG, and produce of Australia to finish up with!!

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1. Typohoon.
2. The Great Flood.
3. Snails.
4. More news from Nippon Times.
5. Party leaves for Kinkasiki.
6. Inspection by Quartermaster General.
7. Departure of 53 Officers to Shuakawa.
8. Shuakawa Camp, Yasmai Park.
9. Round Table Conference with Colonel Commandant, Col Suzuki.
10. Visit of Swiss and Swedish Representatives.

191

 

Typohoons

On Wednesday July 7th, a new officer turned up who appeared to be a successor to

Moonface who had been absent since the preceding Saturday. He had rather a pleasant,

intelligent face and spoke a little English so we hoped for the best. The

interpreter spoke guardedly about a move and increased accommodation and beds, but as

we had heard it all before we did not pay any attention.

The ground under sweet potatoes had been greatly increased, as on completion of

"Smudger's" Wall, a squad of BORs had dug up the low lying ground between No 2 and 3

Mess patches, and had made beds, and planted sweet potatoes. As a result of all

this, quite a lot of weeding was required. It was speedily found that weeding could be

done just as well sitting down as standing up, and although Plug and the sentries

disapproved on principle, they did not interfere much, provided that the weeding was

done and conversation was kept at a discreet pitch.

At half past ten the rain started good and hard as we came in. "Plug" looked at the

sky and said there was going to be a Typhoon. The Interpreter came round and said

that the Typhoon warning had gone, and was expected at midday, but although the sky 

was overcast nothing happened. In the afternoon another warning went and we all

came in early, and we were issued with wire to make the bamboo shutters secure.

During the night there was quite a gale and a lot of rain and part of the mud plaster

on some of the walls fell down, but we were not impressed. However, as these events

had coincided with the arrival of the new officer, he was nicknamed "Typhoon". The

holes in the huts were repaired with rice sacks and bamboo!

Moonface returned during the week, and the gale and showers of heavy rain rather

interfered with the work, but we just got out enough to prevent the rice being cut!

Believe it or not, on Friday night there were no less than 3 boilers of stew, cabbage,

bonjuls, bamboo shoots, pumpkin and carrots, and it was curried!

One subject of discussion was concerning what would happen when we were released.

It was generally thought that we should be collected at some central place, maybe

in Taiwan, the Philippines and divided into medical categories (1) Those with nothing

radically the matter with them who only require good food and rest to put them in 

good condition; (2) Those who require light medical attention in addition; (3) Those

who should go to Hospital and (3) was voted as likely to be the biggest. The groups

would then be split up and sent either to India or Australia or possibly America,

as we should be under the American sphere of influence. We most of us hoped our

answer would be India as all our goods and chattels were in Muttra. The 5th Field

Regiment would undoubtedly be reformed and possibly a cadre of officers and NCCs

might be sent to some Hill Station complete with all records available, to do it.

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