Transcript of the diaries of Roy Clifford Mudiman, 1941-1945 - Part 1
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman. doc
Page 1
Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman
7-12-41 I am in the M.M.G. Plat. attached to of the 2/20th Btn. (originally) C.O. Major
Robertson is 2.I.C. Cpt. adjutent of the Btn. Major is C.O.: Cpt. Yates O.C. of the M.M.G. Plat.
With Richardson his 2.I.C.
We are at present at Meesing, living under canvas, with bugs & lice in abundance to keep us company. This area
had previously been occupied by an Indian Regt. Which accounts for the pests. All day we have been loading
Vickers bolts with 303 ammo., & preparing the guns for immediate action if the necessity arises. All the boys are of
course anxious that something does eventuate out of the rumours which are buzzing around camp. During the night
we took our Vickers posts along the Meesing River & beach, there are 16 guns in all. We stood too all night.
8-12-41 The long threatened invasion of Malaya by the Japanese forces has come about at last. They made their
landing at Cota Bahru, where they were piled almost 5ft. high, along the barb wire, by the terrific machine gun rifle
fire which was dealt out to them by the Indian troops who were defending that locality. The landing finally proved
successful for the Japs: Singapore was bombed without any opposition at all. The A.A. gunners were using half
charged shells for the defense of the island. The area of Mersing is being evacuated of its civil population of "bungs".
10-12-41 The Japanese have made more successful landings. We are still waiting impatiently for them to make
contact with us.
11-12-41 Destruction of Mersing & North Mersing fishing village by the Enginee Corps. The whole shopping
centre, built of brick & plaster, was blasted to atoms. There were quite a few nice homes along the beach that were
beautifully furnished, but they were also razed to the ground. All this was probably due to the fact that the fifth
columnists were painting large white arrows on the roof tops, directing enemy planes to vital spots in our defenses
& also firing the houses during the night. The whole civil population has now been evacuated to Batu Pahat & Kota
Tingii.
The Japs. have started to bomb our positions along the beach. There has only been 1 death & 2 or 3 men
were injured. There are three Stuka dive bombers, which are continuously harassing us from the air, strafing our
beach defenses after dropping their loads of 4 bombs apiece, after which they return to their bases to refill & back
they are again within 45 mins. Since the bombing started, the R.A.F. Listening Post, which is 20 yds. to our rear,
has dismantled its listening towers & trucked them away just a few hours before the station received a number of
direct hits, which literally left it in ruins. Luckily for us, they left the majority of their canteen supplies behind,
including cigarettes & tinned foods in galore into which we promptly dived, because we were unable to get our
rations, due to the bombers which made the roads taboo to all transport. For awhile, we were allowed to mount our
Vickers for A.A. defense & what fun we had, although we did not achieve our erstwhile ambitions of bringing
down an enemy plane.
10-1-42 The Japanese forces entered Kuala Lumpur.
14-1-42 The A.I.F. have at last made contact with the Japanese forces at Endau, north of Endau River. Contact
made by small recconnoissance party.
16-1-42 More Jap. Patrols sighted. The boys at Endau withdrew down (Mersing received her first bombing). Endua
River, the Japanese planes dive bombing & machine gunning the troops continuiously. Where are our planes? is the
burning question.
18-1-42 "A". Coy. of the 20th Btn. ambush 100 cyclists. The Japs. quickly dispersed into a field of Anti personel
mines but due to previous heavy rainfall the country had been flooded, & had therefore rendered the mines
practically useless. "A" Coy. Then withdrew across the Mersing River into our "Pucca" defense area. Our 18 & 25
pounders soon drove the Japs. back.
19-1-42 The Japs. made a bols attempt to cross the Mersing River, but they never had a ghost of a chance with
our two batteries, the 19th & the 20th of the 2*10th R.A.A. hurling shells into their midst, supported by our M.M.G &
also the rifle fire of "B" Coy. who were dug in on the river banks. The Japs were easily repulsed with great losses
& although they tried again several times during the next six days they were knocked back each time suffering
untold losses. During all this time we were still being harassed from the air by enemy bombers & not one of our
planes to intercept them. The planes were even coming down so low as to enable the pilot to fire his revolver & toss
grenades at us.
The Vickers were temporily disbanded & the men of the M.M.G plat. were welded together again and
our job is now to patrol Beechy Head & about 2 miles of the beach.
We were very excited today when a runner came from the O.P. with the news that a boat full of Japs.
were following the beach along & were coming in our direction, our sect. of 10 men under the command of
Stewart, donned equipment & climbed to the top of Beechy Head to investigate. When we arrived there the boat
was only 400 yds. distance. We were given the order to open fire, which was promptly carried out. We fired
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc
Page 2
app...imately 20 rounds each. A Bren Gun also opened fire. The crew of the boat were completely wiped out. We
then carried out a patrol along the beach and discovered where two men had recently landed, about ½ an hour
afterwards we heard an anti personel mine go off & we came to the conclusion that the two men had come ashore by
the boat we had shot up, & had wandered into our mine fields. After finishing this patrol we received orders to pack
our kit & prepare to withdraw to a position further south, as we are in danger of being cut off, because we are the
furthest troops north.
26-1-42 We marched to Beechelon where we picked up transport, which took us to Cota Tingii. We did not take
up any defensive position, as it was deemed unnecessary. We rested during the day.
28-1-42 Withdrew by transport to Jemaluang & took up a defensive position in an area which had already been
entrenched by the 19th Btn. The area is quite a large one & the 20th Btn has men spread eagled all over the
blooming place. We have already received the news of a large body of Japs., who were marching along the main
road in fours. Our artillery opened up on them reeking havoc upon them, causing a considerable no. of deaths. The
Japs. then dispersed and surrounded us on all sides. Our Mortars had the time of their lives. Quite a few of the Japs.
persisted in calling us some very nasty names. Pat Harkins, Don Grant, Crowther & myself were in a Vickers
pit marooned out on our lonesome & we would have been catsmeat by morning if some wise guy had not given us
orders to prepare to withdraw after night fall. We destroyed dozens of belts of ammo.,dismounted our Vickers &
packed it into a fifteen cwt truck. (Jemaluang had been evacuated on 23-12-41, it then met a similar fate of
Mersing, being razed to the ground.) We then marched a short distance, where we entrucked & were driven away,
under the very noses of the Japs. That withdrawal is recognised as a marvellous piece of work.
31-1-42 We arrived at Johore Bahru where we mounted our Vickers on a railway embankment, covering a long
straight stretch of rails. Our task was to act as rearguard to an Indian Regt. who were supposed to withdraw between
the hours of midnight &2 A.M.. As it was, they had not turn up by 4.30 A.M., so we retired across the causeway.
1-2-42 We were the last troops to cross the causeway. Engineers were in abbundance packing the causeway, for
blowing, after we had crossed, erecting tons of barb wire & getting road blocks ready to put in position. The
causeway was so crammed, that it reminded one of shopping centres during Xmas. Luckily for us, this happened to
be the first morning, since the blue started, that the Japanese bombers didn't fly over to bomb Singapore. We
eventually crossed the causeway without mishap & walked quite a few miles before the C.O. discovered the we had
taken the wrong route. Our Vickers team were finally attached to "C" Coy. from the "B" Coy. & finished up at
Aerodrome where we waited until nightfall before we mounted the Vickers on the waters edge. The causeway was
blown up on the Johore side about midday.
2-2-42 We had to dismount the Vickers. We left "C" Coy. & were attached to "D" Coy, who were in a defensive
position on the Crangee coast. At nightfall we mounted the gun behind the breakwater, Supporting Don Coy. I
received12 letters from home & I spent an enjoyable 2 hours reading them.
3-2-42 The 2'4 M.M.G. Batn. Took over from us in the Crangee area & we were once more attached to "C" Coy.
under the command of Snotty Gibbons (capt.) We took up our old position on the beach & dug 2 slit trenches.
4-2-42 We were again told to get moving by our Snotty friend Cpt. Gibbons. We were on our way back to "D"
Coy. again when we received the heart rending news that we had to report back to "C" Coy: Well by this time our
gun team is fed up over these stupid proceedings. We go back to "C" Coy, but Gibbons tells us to go back &
report to Btn., we do this & find out that the 18th are taking our Vickers & "would we report back to our individual
Coys". We find this order very pleasing to the ear lugs & it is promptly carried out. Pat Harkins, Don Grant & I
report back to cpt. Richardson, who is in charge of Don Coy, & he arranges for us to go back to our orriginal
plats. I go to the 18th plat., commanded by Lieut. Woods who allows me to return to my original sect. under Cpl Jim
Griffins (no, 8. sect.) During the ensuing 3 days, we went around, raiding the bungs hen coops, pig sties &
reaping in plenty of "muccan". Pigs, fowls & eggs we lived on but things like that couldn't possibly last. Jim put
me in command of 1 Night Patrol, while he took the other.
8-2-42 Huh! Huh!, all good things come to an end. The Japs have started pasting us with their mortars & are they
making a job of it, I'll say. Their mortar bombs& Shells are bursting all around, & it's not very nice to smell the
pugnent odour of high explosive. It's just as well we were issued with rubber to stuff in our ears otherwise one
would go completely dear. It seems as though our slit trenches have taken a blue fit, for they are continually
jumping up & down & the vibration is simply terrific.
The Japanese invasion of Singapore has started at last. Their Shells & Mortars are now going overhead. One can
hear the invasion barges coming across the Straits of Johore. Now the troops have landed & with fiendish screams
are rushing through our lines, hurling grenades everywhere, firing their machine guns into the pitch darkness as
they advance, firing tracer bullets, shooting rockets into the air & firing upon any moving shadow which may be
caught in the glow. They are now in amongst
us, we hear the plat. commander calling upon us to follow him, and this we do, but not without difficulty. All our
communications had been cut during the shelling & we are now falling back to try & get in touch with Battalion.
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman. doc
Page 3
We retire about 1 mile & take up a defensive position & rest while waiting for the next order: We have had no sleep
for 48 hours& with the strain of the shelling now over, the whole company relapses into a state of unconciousness.
We were awakened again some hours later by the plat. comm. who was surprised at finding us all asleep with the
enemy all around us.
9-2-42 We moved again at dawn toward Btn. Headquarters, very empty in the stomache, but we didn't go far
before we were fired upon by snipers. We were losing men left & right: some who were wounded in the legs & that
had to be left behind to what fate, one can only guess. Colonel Asheton, Major Cohen & Cpt. Lowe were killed
very early. We had many exciting adventures also, such as swimming creeks under machine gun fire, crossing paddy
fields under M.G. fire, running into numberless ambushcades & we were being sniped at the whole time. The secto
automatic weapons & rifles were all clogged up with mud & absolutely useless. I, myself had at least 4 different
rifles but the ammo. was practically useless, it having become wet. I could ramble on all day describing just that one
day of adventure but I had better cut it short. It was late in the afternoon when we finally managed to get clear & I
bumped into Bluey David & Bill Davidson who were on their into Singapore for a feed & a change of clothes &
they then were going back to base. I, thinking that base depot was in Singapore itself, trotted along with them. We
had our feed.
10-2-42 I went back to base (G.B.D.) by transport & their I equipped myself out with a good Rifle, ammo,100, &
3 grenades. There were a few snipers about, pelting a few slugs in G.B.D. & also an occasional mortar bomb would
land nearby. Well, to cut a long story short, I copped a slug through the left mit while scrambling across a fence. I
was taken to Alexandria Hospital, where they finally went to work on me at about 1700 hrs. I had my hand put in
plaster after which I enjoyed a peaceful sleep.
11-2-42 I enjoyed such a bonzer sleep last night, although the sausage sandwitch I had for breakfast didn't fill my
very empty stomache. The Japs. are dropping a considerable no. of bombs around the hospital area but they do no
more than shake the buildings. The Nurses here are wonderful in every way, & they are continually going around
among the wounded, cheering them up. They are always smiling, even when bombs are whistling over the building.
13-2-42 The nurses evacuated tonight by ambulance, over the roads that were receiving plenty of shells at the
time. Quite a few of the boys broke down when the nurses were leaving for they knew that the encouragement and
care which the nurses gave them would cease. It is very difficult to sleep during the night due to the consistent
bellow of nearby guns & also exploding shells.
14-2-42 I, amongst many others change wards, from the top to the bottom. Today, this area was the scene of
intense fighting. Indian troops had been in occupation of the forward position of this area. On their withdrawal they
entered the hospital area & placed a machine gun nest on the front steps. Other Indians entered the hospital, some
getting into bet, & others firing from the windows. The Jap. troops eventually entered the building, inspecting every
bed & ordering Patients who could walk, together with the orderlies, outside. The Japs. entered the operating
theatre, & all medical orderlies, patients & officers were bayoneted. One M.O. & one orderly survived. Meanwhile,
the patients & orderlies who were taken outside, were marched away to a nearby slit trench & bayoneted to death.
The number of patients killed in this manner is unknown, but between 30 & 40 orderlies were killed. This affair
occurred about 5 P.M.. Some little time later a Jap. officer came to the hospital, obviously he was incensed with
what had happened, for he executed several of his own men. Some Jap. officers also visited the patients & told them
not to worry, as they would be looked after. It was late next morning before any help arrived at the hospital where
most of the patients were practically helpless cases, & could do nothing to help themselves or anybody else. At
about 3 P.M. the same day, when the Japs. first entered the hospital, the retreating Indians laid down a terrific
Mortar barrage, scoring several direct hits on the hospital. The Japs. relieved the majority of the patients of their
valuables, such as wrist watches & cigarette cases. They also destroyed most of tinned foods by busting them with
bayonettes, only tasting the juice. Our ward seemed to be the best off, for the Japs only flogged the patients, & not
murdering them as they did in several of the other wards by stabbing them with their bayonettes. Oil wells nearby
are blazing fiercely.
15-2-42 Singapore capitulated. Silence at last brings us all relief. Things around the hospital have at last settled
down. The rations here are on the nose. For Breakfast we have 2 army biscuits & 1/2 pt. of tea: Lunch we have 1/6 pt
of stew or soup & ½ pt. of tea with 2 biscuits. For dinner we have 2 biscuits, a small piece of cheese large enough
to cover ½ a biscuit & ½ pt of tea. These meals were the same all the time I was at the hospital.
27-2-42 Transferred from Alexandria hospital to Changi, a walk of 15 miles. I met quite a few of my mates again.
We are living in a 3 story Building. It was a relief to get back into ½ pt. of stew 3 times a day, a pt. of strange brew
which they called tea, minus sugar & milk & sometimes 2 biscuits a day. After a few days the Japs. supplied us
rations, the bulk of which consisted of rice. From then on we had a pt. of rice each meal, maybe with some boiled
corn or a little tinned vegetable or some weeds, a pt. of tea & maybe a small burnt up rice cake. We always went to
bed hungry & with nothing to smoke, for we were only issued with 1 cigarette a day. The fit men are erecting a barb
wire fence surrounding the P.O.W. Barracks, digging latrines & Cholera trenches. They were also digging gardens
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc
Page 4
& bringing in Firewood. I did none of this because of my injured hand.
29-2-42 The plaster on my left hand was taken off, the old stitches removed, The finger is hanging by two narrow
strips of skin, why they don't cut it off I don't know. They put on a fresh plaster, going half way up my arm. Up to
date I have been sleeping on the cold concrete, because all I posess is 1 shirt, 1 pair of shorts & a pair of boots.
Many others are in the same boat.
25-3-42 Plaster changed again. N.D. I visited Russell West today, & I must say he is doing it tough, having been
wounded 5 times. There's one bullet still in his chest because the Doctors cannot get an X Ray of his body.
1-5-42 I contacted acute dyorhea. Passing blood & slime. I was admitted into the Dysentry ward where I was fed
on Salts & fluids the next few days. When I eventually regained my appetite I was put on the full diet list, which
consisted mostly of plain rice twice a day & stew & rice for the 3rd meal. I must admit it was a very painful
experience & I do not want to contact dyorhea again.
13-5-42 I left hospital, having recovered from the squits, & returned to Changi P.O.W. camp to discover that
most of my mates had gone to Singapore on a working party. during the next week 3,000 men were mustered &
sent overseas, to where I couldn't say. The camp is very quite now & gets on one's nerves. I now have a blanket,
also a charpore to sleep on.
19-5-42 Today I had my plaster removed. My finger has healed, but it has gone stiff on me, It's also bent &
twisted up & makes it awkward for me to use my hand. I am now working in the vegetable gardens. Quite a few Kit-Bags
have been brought to Changi from Singapore, where they had been stored when the fighting started. They
have all been ripped open & ransacked, but by good fortune I managed to recover my wallet which contained a few
snaps of my mother & family. The rest of my stuff, I never saw. I finally managed to get rigged out with clothing &
toilet gear, enough to suffice my needs during the next few months.
31-5-42 I was drafted into a party that went to Blakang Mati Island. Oh boy! our first meal was a pork stew, & a
good one at that, with as much rice as you wanted. It was paradise after being in the Changi rations. We are sleeping
in the Vol. Barracks which has the sewerage laid on. There are also showers & washing basins. After a few months
we had the electric lights fixed up. The work here is very hard at times, loading & unloading bombs, 40 & 60 gals.
drums of oil & petrol. We also use the pick & shovel at times or maybe spend a day on erecting a garage. All good
things come to an end though, & ours ended when the Repatriation Ship ( Tatuta Maria) arrived at Singapore with
the Red Cross supplies. I think the P.O.W. received the majority of the supplies which consisted of Corn Beef, M. &
V., Sugar, Jam, Margarine, clothing etc. We lived like Lords during the following month but after that like Paupers,
because the Japs had cut our rations down to almost nothing when we received the Red Cross goods, & when the
R.C. Supplies finally gave out they would not give us any extra rations. The places on Singapore where we did most
of our work were Bukit Timah, Pasah Panjang, Cooanut Grove & also along the Harbour. We also did a bit on
Bulim Bukim Island, where they have much petrol & oil stored away. Pay at first 10c, then we received an
additional 5c after a while.
7-2-43 Left Blakang Mati in a draft moving back to Changi. Please to see some of my mates again but was sorry
to hear that Jim Griffen, Johny Miller & Don See had been sent to Japan with most of my other cobbers. We
received a pleasant surprise when we saw how the rations had improved during our 7 months absence. They were
better than the meals we had been working hard for during our latter days on Blakang Mati. For awhile I was sent
out on wood trailer parties, boring holes for latrines & was receiving $1.00 every 10 days, out of which we paid 20c
to ammendities. My Coy. then copped a permanent job in the Japanese gardens, which surround our camp. Our
wages were then raised to 15c per day with extra rations.
21-2-43 I sent another Post Card home to Mum. I had sent the other 2 Post Cards from Blakang Mati. The Canteen
we have here now is very handy, although the prices are very high. Doug Meek & I often boil up a few spuds &
have a feed, we also fry Ekan Belas.
-3-43 Received 2 innoculations, 1 for Dysentry, the other for Typhoid. We also received the Dung Puncker.
14-3-43 I have been allotted to a draft ("D" Force) & expect to move to Bankok or thereabouts on the 18th of this
month. The draft consists of 2,500 A.I.F troops & the same number of Englishmen. The vanguard moved today.
15-3-43 I had two more innoculations 1 for Tetinus the other for Black Plague. We also had another Dung
Puncker.
16-3-43 Had a Cholera innoculation. Today we received a bundle of censored letters from Changi Prison, where
they had been held up for months. I waited with bated breath, waiting to hear my name called out. What a relief it
was to find that I had 4 letters, From Mum, Dot, Bon & Win. DATED 26.4.42.
17-3-43 Another Party from "D" force left Changi. Harry Toomey has managed to transfer from the 19th Batn. into
the 20th Btn. & will now be North with Bill Thompson & I.
18-3-43 We were transported into Singapore Station from Changi. The Draft is 600 men strong with Cpt. Reg
Newton in Charge. Other officers are M.O. Capt. Hinder, Leiut. Sanderson, Leiut. Ramsbottom, Cpt. Gaden &
Leiut. Westbrooke. We arrived at the station at 10.30 A.M. & at 3.50 P.M. were packed into steel trucks, 25 men
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc
Page 5
including all their gear in each truck. After the train had started on it's journey, we discovered that our truck not
only had square wheels but was capable of giving out unearthly squeaks & thuds. We Travelled the rest of the day
in the stifling heat. As we passed over the causeway, we noticed where it had been blown by the Engineer Corps.
Our positions in the truck soon became cramped, as you may well realize & I was unable to sleep. We passed
through Johore Bakru, Kulai, Sedanak, Layang Layang, Rengam, Kluang, Palok, Bekok, Labis, Genuang, Segamat,
Batu Anam & finally halted at Gemas 131 miles from Singapore at 2.50 A.M. 19.3.43. We had Muccan.
19-3-43 We left Gamas at 4.30 A.M. after having rice. We then passed through Tampin & Rembau & arrived at
Seremban at 8.30 A.M.. On through Bangi, Kuala Lumpur @ 11.45 A.M. & stopped for Muccan. Left 1.15 P.M. &
arrived at Ipok at 9.30 P.M. & had Muccan. We left 10.30 P.M.
20-3-42 (SATURDAY) Arrived at Prai at 6.30 A.M. 485 miles from Singapore, & after having Muccan left at
8.10 A.M. Arrived at Aloe Star at 12.10 P.M. Had Muccan and continued on our way at 1.30 P.M. We finally
reached the Thailand border @ 4.10 P.M. & crossed over at 6.30 P.M.
21-3-43 Travelling all day & night. We do not know where we are now because we are unable to read the Thai
writing. Two men went through.
22-2-43 We arrived at Non Product where we had a dozen bananas chucked at us for two meals. We boarded an
entirely different lot of trucks this time, the trucks were flat, had no sides of roofs to them. We are told that we are
about 50 miles from Bankok. We then started to travel over the new line which the P.O.Ws were building, I must
say that it has something on the Big Dipper at Luna Park, with its dips & turns. Anyway, we eventually reached our
new camp after walking about 1 ½ miles from Eurie Station & erected the tents, with which we were issued on our
arrival. The camp is very dry & dusty & the heat terrific. We were all very thirsty on our arrival, but we soon
quenched our thirsts with coffee, which we bought off the Thais.. We made a little money by selling the odds &
ends we did not need, such as shirts $3, singlets 50c, overcoats $15 etc. Eggs were cheap @ 5c each & we ate many.
The food rations are extraordinary good, having 3 stews per day with plenty of rice. We seem able to roam about as
we please, buying from the Thais as we like. One does not stand much of a chance of going through, for there is a
price on our heads if we try to escape, & these Thais would kill their parents for a dollar. Water here is very scarce
& what water is procurable has to be boiled before it is drinkable. 30 cases of Dysentry.
24-3-43 Our camp was condemned by the Jap. M.O.. We shifted, lock, stock & barrel to a camp site about 2
miles away, where we cleared away the undergrowth & dossed down for the night.
25-3-43 I spent a hard day, working on the Railway, using pick & shovel, also carrying sleepers & rails & laying
them. Camp Site Changed.
27-3-43 We are laying a branch line to the river gravel beds. No. 1 train party moved out today to a camp up
North. We shifted our tents into their area. Each night after work, we go to the river to bathe, it is a walk of
approximately 1 ½ miles. Snakes & Scorpians & every other known wog are in this blooming area in abundance.
Dysentry cases have rise to 48. There are a few thousand Pommies here also. No. 1 party to Kenya Camp.
30-3-43 Doing a little excavating today. No.2 train left here for north.
31-3-43 No. 3 train party were transported to Towso.
1-4-43 Prepared to move to KINSYOK but it was cancelled due to rain. Where there was 6" of dust before, there
is now 12" of mud. I have never seen so much mud in all my blooming life.
2-4-43 Clearing away some scrub. Killed 6 snakes while doing so.
3-4-43 Preparing to move again, but only 7 trucks, loaded with 19th moved away.
4-4-43 Awoke during the night to find myself nursing an 18" snake, I soon knocked it away, believe you me. We
left camp Eurie today, & were transported over many miles of beautifully rutted road to Towso. We had 20 men to
each 15 cwt. Truck. Left Eurie at 8.30 P.M. & arrived at Towso at 3 A.M. We were supposed to have moved on to
Kinsyok, but on account of the rain we were to late, so the Japs sent No. 3 party on to Kinsyok. When we arrived
at Towso we filled in the vacancy left by No. 3 party.
5-4-43 Working on the railway using picks, shovels & stretchers. We work in parties of 4 men (1 picker, 1
shoveller, & 2 stretcher men for carrying away the dirt. the taks is building an embankment. We started work at
0845 hrs & finished at 2200 hrs. after 12 1/2 solid hours in the boiling heat. We are only 300 yds. from the river.
6-4-43 Working 11 hrs. Samr work.
7-4-43 Working 11 hrs. same as yester.
8-4-43 Discovered 2 scorpions in my hat, measuring some 3 ½" in length, after having worn it for over 1 hr.
Some sick Dutchmen, who arrived here from Rin Tin, (some 50 miles north.) Looked worse that skeletons. They
say that they have only been getting rice.
11-4-43 We worked until 2020 hrs. yesterday, but since we were unable to accomplish the task, we had to work 1/2
a day today which otherwise would have been a holiday.
20-4-43 Feeling very sick today. We finished at 1700 hrs. which is very surprising.
21-4-43 I was admitted into the hospital with Malaria. TEMP. 103
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc
Page 6
22-4-43 I feel much better today. 5 deaths since I've been here. A party consisting if the 20th went to Nth. Towso.
23-4-43 I am taking 9 quineen pills each day besides a dose of cough mixture. The Blood slide I had taken, shows
Malaria (B.T.) I was discharged from hospital to be admitted into the convalescent hut. It sure looks like a picture, a
low sprawling, tumbled down, lice infested atop shed.
28-4-43 The 20th party from North Towso returned today.
30-4-43 Discharged from convalescence but am still taking quineen. A Technician party from Changi passed
through. They have marched with all their gear from Bangkong a distance of some 80 miles.
1-5-43 (C) The rails have reached Towso. The 29th Btn. passed through here under the Com. Of Colonel Cappy &
Pond. They have marched also.
2-5-43 (C) Another party from Changi passed through. A few 20th were amongst them. I saw Nesbitt & he told me
a few tales. During their march from Bangkong they were closely followed by a body of Thais. who would rob any
stragglers they caught. Finally they hired ox carts to carry their kit bags & had to place a guard of 20 men on each
cart, because the Thai drivers were tossing the bags into the brush for their mates to collect. At one stage of the
journey, the Japs. lay in wait for the Thais, when the Thais came abreast, the Japs. rushed out of the brush
shrieking, 1 Thai was lucky enough to be bayonetted in the rear. At night they would tie their bags around them, but
even so, the Thais still managed to thieve a few while they slept. The majority of Thais carry Parangs. When the
party left here, they were carrying 13 men on stretchers, half of the party are lame.
3-5-43 A I went to work today for 2 ½ hrs. The Nips declared it yesamay. On all of our holidays we have to put in
2 ½ hrs. work in the mornings. The Japanese General has taken up residence here. The new time Roster is now
Reveille at 6.30 P.M. Break, 6.45 P.M. Work 7.30. It is still dark when we fall in for work.
4-5-43 We are now working in teams of 6 men. The task is 8 cubic metres. The 30th Btn. passed through today. I
saw Ray Woods amongst them.
5-5-43 100 men, including myself, shifted to another camp, ½ mile away. We are working in the Jap. ration
store. Another party from Changi passed through today. I saw Bluey Mott.
6-5-43 The few 20th BTN. men who were in that party of 100 were kicked out & replaced by 19th BTN. It WAS a
good job. We, quite naturally, continue working on the railway. Another mixed party of the "walking sick" from
Changi passed through today.
7-5-43 We were given Printed cards today. All we had to do was address them & cross out the printed sentences
which we did not want. Jibbed at 1 metre & got away with it. A mixed Party from Changi passed through. A Draft
of P.O.W's from Java came in today. Mixed. Yanks. Aussies. Pommies. R.A.F & R.A.A.F.
8-5-43 Japs. raised our task again today. 9 cubic metres to each party of 6. Our party Jibbed once more & got
away with 7 1/2 m. completed. Another Changi party of mixed Btns. passed through.
9-5-43 Swinging the jolly old axe today.
10-5-43 I tried a piece of grilled snake today & it tasted O.K., but like fish it is very bony.
12-5-43 Allan Love stood to attention for 16 hrs. outside the Jap. guard house. I noticed a Jap. eating parts of a
snakes guts, raw.
19-5-43 Attended the funeral of Paddy Darley who may have lived if our doctores had the right equipment.
Hospital facilities are very bad, & we are unable to purchase the articles with the hospital needs very badly.
20-5-43 Another Australian died of Dysentry.
21-5-43 An Australian from the 2/3 M.T. died of dysentry. Total of deaths is now 5.
23-5-43 We completed our section of the line, which was about 3 miles long.
24-5-43 100 men, under the command of Cpt. Gaden left Towso.
* The rations at Towso made a great decline, compared with the rations we got at Camp Eurie. We were getting 20
lb of meat per day for 500 men, the vegetables very light. However the cookhouse managed to give us two watery
stews per day & rice porridge with guala for Breakfast. *
We marched through the mud & slush for 5 kilos to a jungle camp by the name of South Tonchan. Our journey
took 2 1/2 hrs. After lunch we hacked away enough jungle & cleared an area large enough for the erection of 6 tents.
By nightfall, the weather downcast, & since the tents had not yet arrived, we decided to doss under a few tents that
had been pitched for some "bungs", who were suppose to arrive tonight. Wel, we had our bunks all nicely laid out,
& who should spot us but the blooming "Tiger" (Jap. Com.) He tears into our encampment, roaring & ranting,
lines us all up & threatens to kill us if we disobey his orders again. Anyway, we eventually got his permission to
sleep their for the night. There is a running spring, through the centre of our camp, its contents are like ice. We do
manage to bathe in it though.
25-5-43 90 men marched back to Towso so as to carry tents & kitchen gear back to our new camp, because the
single wheel base trucks could not make the grade. 18 men were crammed into each tent when they were finally
erected. This camp is situated high up in the hills. The atmosphere is exceedingly cool at night; mostly rains during
the day. Blasting is going on continueously in the surrounding hills.
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc
Page 7
26-5-43 Our job was to clear the jungle away sufficiently to billet 500 men, who will be arriving here soon.
27-5-43 Mitchell had his arm amputated at the elbow; at Towso: I am , Clearing timber.
28-5-43 Another party of the 20th arrived here today to work. We were clearing timber again. The 2 Nips
"Bamboo" & "Goggles" were bashing the men all day. Sgt. French received a devilish beating for insisting on a
smoko. He was belted & kicked in the privates until he collapsed, they then laid the boot in, jumping on him every
now & then.
29-5-43 I met up with a few of the F.M.S.V.'s with whom I worked at Blakang Mait.
30-5-43 Building an embankment. Reveilled 7.0.
31-5-43 150 Officers, who are camped nearby, were sent to work this morning. It is raining as usual; my clothes
have not been dry for the last 5 days. Food on beak.
2-6-43 Cpt. Newton arrived here today with the rest of our party, with the exception of the sick, who were left at
Towso. Pt. Burrows of the 19th died today of anemic dysentry & perforated bladder. Age 19 years. Death Total now
6.
4-6-43 Informed that the adjoining camp have had 14 Cholera deaths. We reeived a Cholera injection.
6-6-43 Punching holes in solid rock with the aid of an 8lb. hammer & gadge.
7-6-43 Working with "Jack Oakie" He finished up bashing 8 blokes out of a party of 25. "Mack" MvAdam, my
mate, was sent back to Towso today with Malaria: I reported to K.A.P. with TEMP. 101 & was marked "C".. I
believe it to be a relapse of Malaria.
8-6-43 (C) I am taking 8 quineen tablets each day TEMP. 102
9-6-43 (C) Still feeling sick TEMP. 100
10-6-43 We are not allowed to bathe in the spring now, it being Cholera infested. We are compelled to boil our
water now, even to wash in. 2 men who were brought in today died of Cholera. TEMP 100.6.
11-6-43 (C) No work parade today because we are all being quarantined for Cholera. A number of Pommies who
were digging graves today were unable to keep up with the number of Tamils dying, so the TAMILS were just
tossed into a large Bonfire to be cremated. At the end of the day there were over 100 TAMILS dead, 8 Englishmen
& 1 Jap. TEMP. 100.4
12-6-43 (C) I have also contacted Dyarhea now, 18 "motions" today & I must admit that I don't feel the best.
Throughout the day my temp. was fairly high. B. 101.6, L. 100.2, D. 100.6. I have eaten no rice for 5 days.
13-6-43 (C) Cholera death toll has now risen to 300 TAMILS - 28 ENGLISH - The Tamils are going through in
all directions. Those who have already contacted Cholera, stagger off into the jungle to die. It is not a nice death for
you to vomit & purge.
14-6-43 (C) Jack Manser has recovered from Cholera, but is not yet out of danger. He is now in convalescence:
TEMP. little above norm.
15-6-43 (B) Temperature normal. Feel much better. Started to eat a little rice.
16-6-43 (A) Received news from Towso of the death of Ralph Poole & Darky Stockwell of the 20th BTN: Maxie
Lawrence died of Cholera he is also of the 20th. Today I started night work on the compressor. there is 9 men to
shift: 4 shifts to each day. Left camp at 2400 hrs & by 0800 hrs we had drilled 82 holes into solid rock. We plugged
& set off 110 charges. We worked by the light of carbine lamps. The sandflies were terrific. Camp at 9 P.M.
17-6-43 Jack McNamara has contacted Cholera, (20th) Night Shift 1 P.M. to 8 P.M.
18-6-43 McNamara of the 19th died of Cholera. Our rations have improved a lot lately, due to a ration train that
comes as far as Towso now.
19-6-43 Whilst blasting, we blew the top off a fairly large cavern which runs underneath the line.
20-6-43 Eddie Davis of our tent was placed in the Cholera Suspect Tent. There are 53 men over there now.
22-6-43 Jack Bevon died of Cholera
23-6-43 Ken Sharp died of Cholera. We have changed shifts. We are now working 0800 hrs to 1300 hrs.
26-6-43 Cholera Death Casualties are now. Tamils 300 - English 57 - Australians 7 - Nips 1 - Dutch nil. Total
365.
27-6-43 Finished the cutting. Brought all compressor gear back to camp. Our rations were not the best & had
suffered a small decline, compared with Towso. Out of our ammendities we bought guala malaaca from the barges,
this we had each morning on our rice porridge, for lunch we had 2 0r 3 ozs. of bony, sun dried, stinking fish. For
dinner we had stew & 1 douver.
29-6-43 20 men, including myself, left South Tonchan @ 0700 hrs to drive 5 head of cattle Kenya 3, a distance of
25 kilos. We stopped at Central Tonchan to pick up another 10 yak, bringing the total to 15 beasts. The Sgt. In
charge got trampled on & was sent back to Tonchan. Road very muddy & I can't see how trucks could travel over
them. We strapped our bags on the yaks backs. The rest of "U" BTN.
followed on by barge. We finally arrived at Kenya 3 at 2.30 P.M.. The others did not arrive. We spent the night
guarding the cattle.
Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc
Page 8
30-6-43 "U" Btn. arrived here today.
1-7-43 We were given the day off so as we would be able to make bamboo beds for ourselves. At 2000 hrs. were
fell out for night work. We were working on a shelf, tossing rock, which had been blasted shortly before, over the
edge. We worked like madmen, heaving rock over the side, levering the cracked rocks up & using the pick. The
railway line is following these mountains along, & at this point it is well up on the mountain side. We stopped work
at 1200 hrs to have a plain rice meal (½ hr.) We finished work at 0400 hrs:
2-7-43 We slept all day & was on parade again at 2000 hrs. Worked the same as last night, we knocked off at
0200 hrs.
3-7-43 We slaved in Hell Fire Pass tonight, a cutting which is 120 ft. deep. To complete the cutting, a piece of
solid rock about 5 yds. thick has to be blasted from the centre. There is a party working from each end of the cutting.
We loaded rick into two skiffs, which were then pushed out of the cutting, & the rock tipped over into a gulley, to
help form an embankment. We had no smoko's & we were not allowed to straighten our backs, which made the
work almost unbearable. A man's hands get very sore lifting sharp rock, using crowbar, pick & shovel.
4-7-43 Working on a bridge which is intended to be 120 metres long. Some of the uprights have been placed
into position, along the top of these is a five bamboo wide platform along which we were hauling logs. If the rope
happened to break, the 100 of us would have hurtled off the platform to almost certain death, 50 to 60 ft below.
Colonel Oakes, who is in charge of the Next camp has Cholera in his camp. During the first week of the
outbreak 76 of his men died, since then 5 more have died:::: Major Snyder of Kenya 2, also has Cholera in his camp.
7-7-43 Working from 2000 hrs to 0600 h. The hardest work I have ever done, lifting huge rocks & shovelling
slag. I was bashed about the head & shoulders with a 2" thick bamboo, hit on the head with a rock for straightening
my back. I had terrible pains in my stomache tonight, possibly a strain. There were 30 of us there, when there should
have been 62 & the Jap. Engineer bashed almost every manjack of us, using the first thing that came to his hands.
Maybe a crowbar, pick or shovel. The men on the skips had to run, & when the skips came off the lines, which was
frequent, the team pushing, would be flogged with a 6 ft. bamboo until they placed the skip back on the lines. The
treatment here is very harsh, being punished for no real reason at all. We finally arrived back at camp after 12 solid
hours of work, no smoko's. We did have 40 minutes for supper at 12 M.
8-7-43 Working solid from 2000 hrs to 0600 hrs. (10 hrs.) The Japs. are treating us worse than blooming cattle.
Newton, who went to Towso yesterday, brought back the following news: That Cholera had broken out in the
dysentry ward, killing the majority of the patients including my school friend, Harry Toomey of Windsor. I was
much grieved to hear the news: Another 39 English have died at Sth. Tonchan. No Aussies.
9-7-43 After another 12 hour shift, we just managed to stagger back to our beds, completely exhausted.
The rations we received were about the best we ever had since the Blue. They were giving plenty of meat & dried
radish. Rice abundant.
10-7-43 We left Keny 3, to our great delight to go to Entock, a river camp 4 miles North. 9 men & myself drove 5
yak to Entock, while the remainder went by barge. We left at 0900 hrs & arrived about 1230 hrs. The barges arrived
at the same time. The camp is situated along the high river banks & is very close to where the Japs are blasting, for
rocks 2 lbs, in weight are hurtling amongst our tents each time they fire. We are getting 10 cents per day danger
money.
11-7-43 It is a very steep climb to the shelf, which they are making by blasting the side of the mountain away. We
toiled for 13 hrs, heaving loose rock down the mountainside. The guards are like angels compared with the Kenya
lot.
12-7-43 We worked hard today swinging an eight lb. hammer. Our task was to bore holes until we had 2 metres to
credit. We were working for 12 hours.
13-7-43 Our task was raised to 2 ½ metres today. Another 12 hour job.
15-7-43 I was working on one of the longest bridges along this line today. It is a queer looking contraption, &
puts one in mind of a huge scaffolding, with its tall , thin, bent timber. Its height ranges from 30 to 60 ft. I saw
about 10 "bungs" straightening it up, by pulling on a rope, attached to the top of the bridge. Elephants are hauling
the logs. One section of bridge has already fallen. The food here wasn't to bad. Rice Porridge for breakfast – Sun
Cured fish for lunches & Stew for Dinner Rice, sufficient.
16-7-43 Part of "U" Btn. left Entock, & Travelled by barge to Central Tonchan, a camp on the river, a few miles
north of Tonchan Sth. The camp is situated on the high river banks, about 300 yrs. from the river. there is Cholera
in the camp & an Englishman dies almost every day. Still under canvas.
17-7-43 The remainder of "U" Btn. arrived today from Entock. doing odd camp jobs.
19-7-43 During the last week the river has risen 25 ft. I helped to remove the Japs. kitchen, which was partially
under water, to another site higher up the bank.
20-7-43 Yesamay day as on the 18th.
21-7-43 Fettling the Railway line.
D CoatesThis transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.