Transcript of the diaries of Roy Clifford Mudiman, 1941-1945 - Part 2

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 9

 

22-8-43 Cholera injection. Yesamay.

23-7-43 Cracking up rock with an 8lb. sledge hammer. To be used for ballasting the line.

24-7-43 Our proposed trip up North has been postponed. Thanks to Hatree: There has been 4 cases of Cholera

today.

27-7-43 Two English died today, one from Dysentry, the other from Cholera. I was working with the Tamils,

cracking rock.     

27-7-43 Leo Kane has passed away.

28-7-43 Lugging 100 lb. bags of rice to the station, a distance of approx. 3¹/₂ kilos. heavy work with 1 man to

each bag of 100 lbs. Several P.O.W.'s were killed at Mameen, when 7 English planes bombed the railway there &

strafed the camp nearby. About 25% of the men are bootless, for they are exceptionally hard to obtain. The men are

compelled to walk over sharp rocks while working, & it makes the job tortuous for them: The sick men we left

behind at Sth. Tonchan arrived here today. 120 in all. When we left Towso, there had been 48 graves in the

cemetery, there are now 245 graves, an increase of 197 deaths; Not so good Huh! The average death rate at Towso

is 6 per day.

29-7-43 Fettling again. The steam engine passed here for the first time today. While it was passing over Sth.

Tonchan Bridge, the bridge sagged in the middle so much that the engine could neither   move back of forward.

30-7-43 Walked 4 miles to work to widen a cutting. During lunch time we witnessed a head on collission

between a Motor Engine & a loaded runaway truck.

1-8-43 Cracking rock. 1 man was flogged & afterwards suspended from a tree, by his hands , which were tied

behind his back. He was left standing on tip toe in the manner for about an hour. Tiger came out & roared hell out

of the engineer afterwards & gave the whole party ¹/₂ day off. We moved into a newly erected atop building. We had

been getting sick mens' rations at this camp, therefore the rations were not the best. But we are now Paying 10c per 

day towards ammendities. With this money Newton is buying Guala, Oil & Towgai from the barges to put into the

kitchen.

2-8-43 We left Central Tonchan (100 men() & marched down to Tonchan Spring Camp, a walk of a few miles.

There is a spring running through the centre of the camp from which we draw all our water. We were much

'grieved' to learn that "Jack Oakie" & "Bamboo" had only just vacated this camp. Our K.O. experts.

5-8-43 We have been working on the bridges South of here. The work is very dangerous, because tools, spikes &

pieces of wood are dropping continually, sometimes 90 ft.

8-8-43 Tommy Warfield was fatally injured today, when a dead tree, falling on its own accord, crushed his head

against a rock. Having no Medical Officer at our camp, he was hurried back to Central Tonchan, where Doctor

Hinder is staying. 2 PM

9-8-43 Received the sad news that Tommy Warfield had died before recovering conciousness , at 2200 hrs.

yesterday. We were allowed to Knock off early so as to attend his funeral, "Tiger" in attendance.

11-8-43 The bridges are completed & we are now fettling the line again. As the men get sick here, they are being

sent straight back to Tonchan Central

The reations here, owing to the controversy between the Jap. Engineers & the Careen Guards, are a bit

light. The Jap. Engineers refuse to stop the ration trains here now, & we have to send a ration party into Central

Tonchan each day to collect them.

13-8-43 WE left the Spring camp today & marched aback to Central Tonchan.

14-8-43 We weighed anchor again & marched to the station, where we caught a train which took us back to Kenya

3. During the trip we say "Jack Oakie" a blow me down if the train didn't derail itself when it came abreast of him.

After 20 minutes struggle, we had it back on the rails again. After our arrival at Kenya 3, we were informed that

"Blackbeard" & his     had vacated, what a relief for us. The camp is almost deserted now, with the exception of

the usual "bung" equipment. Besides our 100, there are 2 Pommie Btns. L. & M. numbering about 200 in all. We 

left C. Tonchan at 9.30 A.M. & arrived at Kenya 3 at 3.00 P.M. I noticed that the line was underwater in a few

places. Lieut. Ramsbottom is in charge of us. Heard the heart rending news about Russell Pervus West, my old

staunch friend, had died of Berry Berry around the heart. He was camped about ³/₄ mile away from us.

16-8-43 Attended sick Parade with fever. TEMP. 104. Probably a dose of Dengue.

17-8-43 (C) TEMP. NORMAL.

18-8-43 (A) Had another attack of fever while at work TEMP. 105.5. I had over 2 ¹/₂ miles from work back

to camp & I must admit, I was very sick.

19-8-43 (C) Had day off. TEMP. 96

20-8-43 (A) Again I was sent to work & I had another feverish attack TEMP. 104.2 We had another Cholera

injection.

21-8-43 (A) Pushed off to work again. We are working on that long horseshoe shaped bridge. Had another

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 10

 

feverish attack & the Jap. told me to lay down. It took me over 2 hrs, walking & crawling to get back to camp with a

temp. of 105. Jock made the suggestion that I ought to go to work tomorrow. Huh! Says I.

23-8-43 (C) Yesamay day for me. T. Normal.

24-8-43 (C) Another feverish attack. My temperature is 105 again.

25-8-43 (C) I have tossed the M.O. again.

26-8-43 (C) We left Kenya 3. & marched a few miles south to a "bung" encampment called Tampee. M. & L.,

Btns. accompanied us, we pitched our tents in an exceedingly small area, with hardly enough room to turn. There's

a spring running through the centre of our camp. The rations were nothing to skite about, but we have had worse.

27-8-43 (C) 14 sick men from "U" Btn; including myself, Left Tampee & marched about 2 miles downhill to the

river, where, after waiting a few hours, boarded a barge which took us to Central Tonchan, where I met some of the

old mates.

29-8-43 (C) I am still on "no duties". I was surprised to see a crocodile swimming in the river today. It has been

seen several times before by others.

30-8-43 (B2) Peeling vegetables.

31-8-42 I started work again, feeling much better for my rest: Fettling.

4-9-43 Being unable to continue work after lunch, due to another feverish attack, I was sent back to camp.

6-9-43 (C) I had another Feverish attack at lunch time. TEMP. 104.8. I had 4 aspirins & am taking 9 quineen each

Day.

7-9-43 (C) TEMP. 102.2 & 103

9-9-43 (C) Still on No Duties. Temp NORM. Dave Shoemaker of 20^th, died a Towso 2 days ago of Black Water

Fever.

14-9-43 (B2) LIght Duties. Vegetable peeling.

15-9-43 (A) Fettling the line again

18-9-43 (A) "U" Btn. are moving 39 kilos north to a camp called Rin Tin. The advance party moved out today by

barge. Received the news from Towso that 3 Australians have had their legs amputated due to scratched that turned

into tropical ulcers.

23-9-43 Fell out on Jap. working parade for the first time during the last week, but we were dismissed. 12 men

returned from up North today, the majority had broken & fractured limbs: They were in the party that moved to

Rin Tin & were injured when the train ran off the rails.

26-9-43 I am now working in the cookhouse under Mick & Sapper.

3-10-43 Today is the second time I have seen an Englishman floating downstream. Men are being continually

sent down from Rin Tin, men from here are replacing them. Sent Card Home.

10-10-43 The remainder of "U" Btn left Central Tonchan bound for Rin Tin except for a few sick which left for

Towso. We left at 1.45 P.M. & arrived at Kinsyok at 11 P.M. where we spent the remainder of the night. The men

here are working nightshift, uploading rails & sleepers from the barges.

11-10-43 Left Kinsyok at 8.30A.M. by barge & reached Rin Tin at 1 P.M. We saw crocodiles & monkeys

envoyage. On arrival we pitched a tent.

12-10-43 We are now working on a bridge which sank over 3 ft when a steam engine passed over it. Major Coff's

party, belonging to "Don" force has had 42 deaths out of 100 men. 50 men are unable to work & the remaining 8

men are unable to earn enough money to buy medical gear with. Five men came down from North today reporting

the death of 21 Australians due to English planes dropping a bomb in a cutting in which they were working15 miles

from the border. We were amazed when the Nips. knocked us off work to enable us to listen to a brass band which

was travelling north to play at the opening of the line.

18-10-43 Heard of the death of Mick Warren due to Spinal Malaria & Ted Brennan of Aneamic Dysentry who had

received his course of needles. A course of needles cost us $100. An aspirin cost $1.00 each. There are 4 dead bungs

lying in the river thickets just up river. Head of the death of MANY men of "F" Force under the command of C.

Cappy, due to falling off and being pushed off a bridge north of hear.

20-10 Innoculated for Cholera. We are now putting in a siding which leads to to quarry. Another man at

Towso had his leg amputated due to a tropical ulcer. An ulcer will grow from the size of a sixpence to the length of 

ones leg within 14 days.

28-10 Black Plague inoculation. Completed siding & am now cutting firewood & widening the embankments

& a spot of ballasting, YESEMAY, We now have to drill in the Jap. fashion.

30-10 I makes a man disgusted to see some of these Pommies getting around filthy. One Btn. of Pommies

were kept in camp today until they cleansed themselves. All men on sick parade must now have their hair all cut off.

I have been going to work barefooted for over a month now. There are many men who possess only a G. string these

days. Saw a chum going to work in the nude today.

5-11-43 Saw a tiger's spore today, which was easy 5" in diameter. At different times, Panthers, Honey Bears,

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 11

 

Baboons, Monkeys, Elephants, Pythons & Crocodiles are seen around here. We are now allowed to have a concert 

each Monday. We are at present, billeted under torn tents which are bozazer when it rains. Cold nights are now

approaching. The days are still hot though. Bugs, bamboo lice, mosquitos, sandflies & ticks are in abundance.

10-11 The work in this sector is now completed as far as we are concerned & we are now resting awaiting to

be sent back to Central Tonchan.

11-11 A soccer match was played today, between the officers & Nips. All Btns had their selected teams

playing. "U" Btn, 3rd place. Swimming Races were won by "U" Btn, also the fishing competition. We were stunned

with surprise when we heard that these sports were to start today.

12-11 Contacted Fever again Temp. 104.2

13-11 Temp. high all day. 104.4 104.4 & 104 I vomited at each attempt to eat. Brit Quen ? During my stay in

this camp I was satisfied with the food.

16-11 We packed up & left Rin Tin at 1 P.M. by a train 23 carriages long & two steam engines. It was a good

trip to say the least. Wonderful mountain views around Kenya & Entock. En Route we saw 13 trucks off the line,

some smashed to smithereens. We passed over more than 30 bridges, including the horse shoe. We eventually

arrived at Central Tonchan around 1800 hrs. to find the camp overgrown with weeds, but the atop buildings were

still intact. We are feeding on jungle stews until our rations arrive.

17-11 Cleaning away the undergrowth. Rations arrived this afternoon. Counted the graves in the cemetery &

they totalled 108 graves. Once more they have Cholera in Towso Hospital. News of 3 more deaths & 27 other cases

have reached here. There has been a tiger hanging around our cow yard

21-11 The remainder of "U" Btn. arrived here today from Rin Tin & also a few English Btns. "F" Force passed

through here today, believed to be heading back to Changi. "F" Force originally had 7,000 men. 2,500 are now

dead & 700 of the remainder will be admitted to hospital & there will be over 1,000 amputations on the arrival at

Changi.

26-11 Sufficient tools have not yet arrived here for the whole camp. "Tiger", is therefore allowing ¹/₂ the men to

have 1/2 a day yesamay, while the other half works on the road. M & U Btns. went to work today. A few of the boys

saw a tiger cross the road today.

27-11 We had ¹/₂ a day's rest after bringing in some firewood. There must be something happening at present,

because Tiger is allowing us to build a boxing Ring & Concert Stage, he is also building a soccer ground. The

weather here has been considerably cold during the last week....A Pommy spirit says it will all be over by next

March.

28-11 We cleared the road as far as Sth. Tonchan today, 6 Kilos is the distance. Camps Total, 713 men

6-12 The road is now through to Tampee - about 9 Kilos.

8-12 9 Coy, (50 men) marched to Tamp with full packs so as to prepare the camp for the rest of "U" Btn.

9-12 The advance party from Carun Crai arrived here this morning. They are mostly Dutchmen with a few

English, also the 40^th Btn. of Tasmania who were captured in Java. After spending only 30 off hours in this camp,

we again packed up & travelled back to Central Tonchan by train.

10-12 Bill, Tiny, Gabby, Shorty & I were driven down to Towso by truck. We are to drive cattle back to

Central Tonchan in the morning. I was pleased to see many of my mates again.

11-12 At 0930 hrs we started off with 25 head of yaks, but the yaks bolted & lost theirselves in the mulga. It 

took us all day to recover them so we will spend another night here. There are over 5000 men here now, most of

whom are sick.

12-12 With the aid of 5 Englishmen who came down last night we managed to drive 25 head of yaks to Central

Tonchan before lunch. A distance of some 12 kilos. Left 1030 hours. Tiger who only changed over with Taniea 2

days ago has returned once more to be our camp Commandant.

13-12 Once more we packed up & marched to Tampee, this time and advance guard of 200 men. We found the

camp dreadfully filthy, due to the Dutch occupants.

18012 We worked our way past K.3 camp & were surprized at the number of graves in the graveyard. There are

217 graves there 109 Australians, 108 English. There are as many as 18 men in 1 grave. Col. Oakes was in Charge

of that party.

19-12 Found skull on roadside.

23-12 We did ¹/₂ days work & were told that the 24^th & 25^th would also be yesamay days.

25-12 Spent an enjoyable Xmas under the circumstances. There were 9 flights of planes go over on the 23rd,

believed to be ours. A few more letters dated 18 months back were given out.

27-12 Two huge apes or gorillas were seen today on the nearby cliffs. They were about 8 ft. in height. They

disappeared when the Nip guard fired upon them.

31-12 I was surprised when I say Clarry Doyle & Jack Stewart today of "A" Force. They were the first forse to

leave Changi about the 15-5-42. They said that our bombers did not miss much. They have just come down from

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 12

 

Burma by train.

1-1-44 I saw Cid Williams today, on his way down South, from Burma. The whole of "A" force orriginally

consisted of 5,000 men, 1,920 of them had their limbs amputated due to ulcers.

2-1-44 Today "Tiger", our camp commandant gave prizes to the winner of the sports held today. "U" Btn, once

more proved victorious. The work is now apparently finished. We now have P.T. each morning. T.A.B. Innoc.

8-1-44 We now have another contract, 40 to 50 days to clear 8 kilos of Jungle. The Nips are attempting to put

through a loop line from Towso to Kinsyok by following the river.

9-1 Filled in another lettercard.

17-1-44 Another T.A.B. Innoculation.

21-1-44 Received letters from Mum & Win, dated 22-11-42 & 22-9-42.

22-1-44 I have at last been issued with a pair of 2^nd hand sandboots.

* 25-1-44 The dung puncher was once more inserted.

30-1-44 I have once more contracted fever, although I have been taking Quinine for the past 3 months 105

31-1-44 T.A.B. Innoculation.

6-2-44 The engineers have left Kenya1, having completed surveying the Jungle by the river. They intend trying to

construct a loop line from Towaso to Kinsyok by following the river along, thereby cutting out the Horseshoe

bridge at Entock. I fervently hope that we don't have to attempt that impossibility, because there would be many

cliffs to negotiate. We are now having one of the easiest times since the capitulation.. I believe Tiger can see the

light now, for he helping us quite a lot lately, We have a concert each week & boxing, Sports of various

descriptions, & prizes are awarded to the winners. We also have a Canteen & Coffee Shop but no dough to spend.

They are always running basketball competitions between the Btns, which are "C", "H, "K", L", M", U". The line

runs past our camp, & we see everything. We are doing odd jobs now & again down at K.1. but they are not

overworking us - Civil Engineer in charge.

12-2-44 Whenever any Generals or Big Nobs go up the line we all to jungle, probably because they would kick up

a shindy if they saw us in loin cloths & BAREFOOTED. A". G" went down today.

10-2-44 I have been knocked off Quinine & Plarmoquine because the stocks are exceedingly low.

25-2-44 I have once more contacted Fever, Will I never throw it off. TEMP. 105 again, not feeling too bad - I had I

had my hair cut off for being on sick parade. "The rations here are very poor. Last week we had pat for B., plough

for lunch & dinner. Whenever a few baskets of eggs, cabbage, pommeloes or bananas come on our rations, the Nips

immediately dive on them & leave us a couple a baskets of horse radish. During the past 6 months we have got 2

Red Cross parcels. They consisted of 7 tins of pears a few tins of jam (FOR 700 men) 7 biscuits, 35 cigarettes. THE 

REST WERE RAIDED

25-2- Once more I have contacted fever. Temp. 105, Quinine has almost run out.

28-2- The cold weather is now over, although we have an occassional cold night. It started 2 months ago at

?

5-3- The remainder of the sick men who were not sent to Towso today by train were lined up by Tiger &

belted with a Sam Brown. Then made them march to C. Tonchan, where they are at present staying.

6-3- We are still surveying.

8-3- Those sick men who went to Tonchan on the 5^th arrived back today.

9-3- The remainder of the Nip Engineer left Kenya River Camp today.

10-3 We still have an occasional yesamay day.

11-3- We are now clearing away The undergrowth from beneath the Telephone line. More English going South

from Burma. Train Shot up. I am once more taking 9 Quinine each day.

12-3- Concert of officers - good show.

15-3- Finished clearing the line to Central Tonchan. The 2' 40^th Btn. captured at Timor, passed through here

today. They have completed their job in Burma, where they had been stationed for many months, During the past 2

months they had 180 deaths.

16-5 We are now buggering around at the station, building an unnecessary       ?

21-5 Fever once more. Owing to Tigers warning that all sick men will move to Towso on the 25^th I did not

attend sick parade. Quinine.

29-3 Another relapse of fever. Shortage of Quinine is rather acute. There is no Quinine available at either

Lonepan or Towso. TEMP 104

5-4 Left Tampee & Travelled by train during the night through C. Tonchan, Tonchan, Towso, Tarden,

Chunkai, Kamurie to      our destination Journey of about 75 miles took us approx. 8 hours.

6-4- Started building our camp, erecting tents and so forth. Camp site is overlooking the river, surround by

banana plantations, tobacco, paw paw, cotton & mangos.

8-4- I went to the Kitchen to work as swinging fatigue man.

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 13

 

9-4 Copped fever once more. T. 104.4.

10-4 TEMP. 104 Quinine. Rations here are very good in comparison with the food we have been used to, but

still wicked compared with our army rations.

20-4 9 men were Kicked out of Kitchen including myself owing to Staff being cut down to 1 cook to 15 men

26-4 Sick men from Towso are now arriving here including quiet a large number of Stretcher cases.

28-4 Fever once more TEMP. 102

29-4 Yes. Day. Boss's Birthday

30-4 Working with a temp. of 101.2.

1-5 Went back to working in the cookhouse.

6-6 The whole lot of the Kitchen staff left to go back to the lines which have lately been shifted about 1 mile

from the Kitchen & river.

8-5 Law & Myself won a crib comp.

12-5 We now have a Cholera suspect in the camp. With Volpied once more in charge we went back to the

Hospital Kitchen to cook for the staff of 500.

13-5 Another relapse of fever. on Quinine. 7 day course of 9 per day. I am washing up at Kitchen

14-5 Dung punch for Cholera.

"" Cholera inoculation.

25-5 Received a Red Cross Parcel between 6 ¹/₂ men. Quite good. According to the notice on the parcel we were

supposed to receive one each.

30-5 Fever once more.

31-4 Blood Film showed B.T. MALARIA

1-6 Quinine is running very short for we have to wait at least 2 days before we get treated, & when we do we

now only have a 5 day course of 3 pills per day.

6-6 A large party of Aust. were picked today to go to Japan. I was exempted owing to my state of health.

Volpied took most of the staff back to the lines to stand by for the move. I am now a Night Cook, Cooking pat.

13-6 Fever once more - Quinine.

20-6 I am now on day Shift cooking rice.

2-7- I am now on night Shift again.

3-7- Fever once more - Quinine.

14-7- Dung Puncher & Blood Film

15-7- Changed from Night Shift on to Peeling vegetables.

25-7- Changed back to Rice Cook. Fever once again. Blood Film.

27-7- Admitted to hospital with B.T. Malaria - Treatment - 6 days Quinine, 6 days Attabrine & 1 month on

Plasmoquine.

6-8- Placed on Light Duty list, peeling vegetables at Cookhouse.

7-8- Resumed normal duties at Staff kitchen again.

8-8- I am now working on the stews with Hetford.

9-8- Stated taking Plasmoquine.

14-8- Working on Night shift again.

20-8- Received 1 letter from Mum & 2 from Win.

24-8- I am working on stews again.

28-8- I went on a wood piquette & received a damn good bashing off the Silver Bullet, who let fists, boots &

rifle butte fly for 5 minutes, I copped the lot.

3-9- Changed from Stews to night cooking again.

5-9- Saw our planes going (NIGHT) overhead - heard ac. ac. bursting.

7-9- Allied planes once more flew directly overhead, & dropped their bombs on a railway junction at Non

Product, causing 140 casualties to P.O.W.'s & killing 44 others. Petrol train was hit & the fire could be seen from 

our kitchen. 11 bombers were counted going over.

7-9- Another Reconaissance was seen today circling above the magazine which lies just outside our camp, it

covers approx. 3 acres.

13-9- Working on Stews again.

17-10- I was classified as fit to go North on a working party. The party consists of 1000 men, 650 English & 250

Australians. I had to report back to the line.

18-10- I am now working on a hut     ? on atop.

19-10- Yesamay day. Played Chess.

20-10- We are expected to go North today. We are the last party of 200 to go. Received Red + goods Cigarettes,

Jam, Milk, Soap, Tea, Biscuits, only for those going away were issued. We were also issued with shorts, Black Jap

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 14

 

happy & sandboots by the Nips.

21-10 Reveille 1400 hrs, Parade 0600 hrs, Left Tamuang at 0900 by train for destination unknown. We arrived

at Tomaru at 0900 hrs on the 22-10-44 after 24 hrs travelling. Sparks from engine almost set train alight. There are 

no Careens with us in this camp. All Nips. We are allowed 4 fires to each hut, a safety measure against tigers. We

also have two of our own guards patrolling the camp. Concreto is only about 8 kilos from here & that is where two

Nips have recently been killed by tigers.

23-10 Our job is to chop wood for the railway Engines. We were supplied with axes, saws, wedges & hammers

which should have been dumped years ago. With these tools we were expected to cut 20 metres amongst 60 men.

We cut 11 & were luck to do it.

24-10- Yesamay day was spent cleaning up the camp which billeted Tamils not so very long ago. Nips said we

could continue to feed on Tamil rations until the 3^rd of next month.

25-10- Our task is now 23 centimetres per man. We did it easily but took all day to do it.

Received scoshy Red +. 10 cigarettes each, small quantities of milk, biscuits & jam & 4 galls? Tea

which were sent to Kitchen. Tinned Port Fat, Towkai, Soya beans, flour & sugar. This camp is small (100 yds

square) surrounded by a seven ft. bamboo fence. The area is thoroughly clean. The Nips here are the best we have

struck along the line so far. We have a beautiful rocky bed stream passing through our camp. Bath. Prd?

7-11- An Englishman died today of Seroubak Malaria & was buried beside the railway line. I was very

pleased to receive a letter from Mum dated 12-11-42.

9-11- I have contacted Malaria again but there is no Quinine to be had. Dreadful pains in back.

11-11- A Scotsman died today of Malaria. The worst day I have experienced in my life. There are 216 Fever

cases out of 498/500

12-11- Eight stretcher cases were carried to the station: were supposed to leave at 0900 hrs; but they didn't

leave until 2300 hrs; during which time another Englishman died. Another Englishman in camp also died of

Malaria.

13-11- Laurie Mooney of the 20^th died today of Malaria, Now bringing the total to 5 in 6 days. Not bad eh. I am

getting back on my pins again now although I haven't eaten for 4 days. I have not been given any Quinine yet.

14-11- Another Englishman died of Fever.

15-11- Another  "      "      "     "     " Fever.

16-11- Another  "      "      "     "     " Fever. (ENGLISHMAN DIED EN ROUTE) 50 men were today evacuated

to Tamakan

19-11 Pte. Willey (Aust.) died of Fever.

20-11- A party of 80 men were evacuated today - My Fever much better.

21-11 Another Englishman died. I went to wok today. Received a letter From Mum dated

9-11-43.

22-11- Approx. 100 men were evacuated today including Bill Thompson, only 10 men of our party were

capable of working today out of our original 100. Camp is now very quiet

23-11- An orderly who arrived back from Tamakan said that of the party of 50 men who went down on the 16-

11-44, 4 Englishmen died, Plague Suspected. We now have 46 fit men left out of the original 500 men.

26-11- 40 men were evacuated this afternoon leaving about 200 men. Red + arrived - Milk - Bovril - Marmite

- cigarettes -

30-11- An orderly, arriving back from Tamakan, informed us of the death of Bordinett (Aust.) who was evac.

from here on the 22-11: Coming back: Whilst passing through Wampo?, 21, 4 engined Bombers (AMER>) passed

over the train, flying very low, headed towards Kamurie. The returned 10 mins. later.

1-12-44 34 men were evacuated today. A Jap. Colonel inspected the camp today. We all have mosquito nets

now. 70 men worked today. results better.

4-12- Contacted Malaria again. reported sick & was admitted to hospit.

5-12- I was placed on the party which is expected to evacuate tomorrow. I was put on Quinine & rest. A

party of 200 men, Aust, Dutch, & English mixed, arrived here today - Sid Williams came up, News. A flight of 21

bombers flew over Tamakan, The last 3 planes dropped approx 20 bombs on the Ack Ack guns. 3 bombs landed in

camp, killing 18 men & injuring 35 others - 2 men are missing - 1 Nip Killed - Two Ack Ack guns were blown up.

Crators were approx - 60 ft across & 30 ft deep.

6-12- At 1300 hrs. the evacuation party left for the station.

7-12- We shivered all night in the hot boxes, but did not leave the station. At 1330 hrs we were told we were

not going. I was discharged from hospital & given 2 days Bed Down.

8-12- We were half through our ricey meal (1830 hrs.) when 4 planes flew over the camp & dropped bombs

every where. They were (American) 4 engined Stratophere bombers & were flying very low. They bombed Tamajour

Station & also machine gunned it. Many Explosions were heard coming around Concreto Way. We could very

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 15

 

clearly see the bombs leave the planes - 6 to 9 or10 at a time.

9-12- Ration party went to Tomajou Station and on returning, reported. Only 1 bomb had hit the station, &

that lobbed on the woodpile, causing no damage, The remainder of the bombs were scattered in the jungle,

surrounding the station, killing 6 Thais. The Thai village there has now been evacuated. "Concreto" 50 bungs were

killed there.

10-12- 12 4 engine bombers went over.

11-12- 180 men worked - remaining 280 SICK.

13-12- I started work again after having 7 days off. Reccy Plane Overhead. 7 more bombers flew overhead

tonight: 160 men working out of 460. Owing to the large number of sick our rations have been cut down to the

minimum. SLOWLY STARVING.

14-12- Flight Off Hackett left for TAMAKAN with a Pom Off to bring stuff back for Xmas. A train went

north, the first one in 9 days. We heard that 15 men were killed & 38 injured when Kinsyok railway siding was

bombed & Machine Gunned. Mostly Dutch casualties. Few Engl.

15-12- Innoculated for Plague & Cholera.

(17-12- APPROX. TOM DUNN PARTY OF 100 NO.2 GROUP)

The weather is now extremely cold - We now have a large log fire in each bay at nights. our hut

now contains 9 fires.

20-12 YESAMAY

22-12- Received 2 more inoculations Plague & Cholera.

24-12- XMAS EVE. PRESENTD FEVER.

25-1- Owing to the fever, I was unable to eat Xmas dinner or TEA. Hackett has not yet returned.

28-12- A few measly canteen supplies arrived here, but not his Nibs Hackett. We were told that we were

expected down at Tamuan for Xmas. Old Tom Dunn generally pops in for a chin way, clad in Jap happy.

31-12- We left Tamajou for TAMUAN at 2100 hrs. Only 2 group left their now, 40 men were crammed in 

each hot box. What a Pleasant New Years Gift.

1-1-45 Hullo 45. Arrived at Kinsyok at 0600 hrs. & slept in the jungle for the remainder of the day. We left

at 2000 hrs.

2-1-45 We arrived at Tamuan at 0800 hrs. I was very pleased to see the boys again. A flight of 10 four

engined bombers flew overhead. The camp here has changed a little. The whole dam place seems to have been dug

up everywhere. We now have drain, 3 metres wide surrounding the camp. An Englishman was shot the other

night. Nobody knows who shot him, why he was shot, or by rifle or revolver. Darky Hunt who came down down

one of the evacuations died at TAMAKAN. We now know that of the 500 who went to TAMAJOU 21 men did not

survive.

3-1-45 I went to work at the Amoebic Kitchen - cooking Stews. The Staff & D. Kitchens have amalgamated. 

The food here is excellent in comparison to what we were getting up north, but it is not yet fit for pigs.

6-1- I went back to the lines when the Stewman came back from Hosp.

7-1- YESAMAY

8-1- Working on - Water Carrying

9-1- We are now on contract work. We have 5 days in which to dig a 3 metre wide drain around the camp. each

party of 4 men only have 30 cubic metres to do. We work from 9.30 to 1 P.M. & 5 PM til 8 P.M.

10-1- YESAMAY

13-1- I have got fever again, but since I have almost completed my contract, I am going to hang on for more

money      ?

15-1- The job is finished.

16-1- YESAMAY

17-1- Blood Slide showed B.T. Malaria. I was admitted into hospital. The Nips have a search every week now,

Pencils, Books, Knives, wallets, watches have to be hidden also money over 10 dollars.

20-1- Received letters from Mum, both were over 9 months old

21-1- Finished taking Quinine - My weight is 9st. 6 lbs. - 1 party of 100 Aust. & 200 Eng. left for Tamisan on

working Party. Mac. & Bick. The Nips are taking all the officers away from this camp & are leaving the N.C.O.'s to

take over the administration - The first party Left today - Most of the Medical Officers are staying though.

22-1- Discharged from 42 ward. Another party of Officers left for Kamurie, 12 kilos up.

23-1- The remaining officers left.

26-1- Takeama party - working at Kamurie - we are taken out by truck Work reasonable. Most of the stuff out

there is buried.

1-2- Yesamay.

2-2- Arriving home from Kamurie I reported sick - Blood Slide was taken & I was Bedded down.

Kate Walker - Copy (2) of Wartime diary of Roy Clifford Mudiman.doc Page 16

* 2-2- Bed down. Quinine.

4-2- Admitted into hospital with B.T. Malaria. Quinine.

5-2-- Approx. 1700 hrs, 8 planes flew over Tamikan & dropped their loads. Their were plenty of Ack Ack guns

popping to start off with but as the last bombs were dropped they dwindled down to 1 gun.

6-2-- Lots more planes flew over here & circled over Tamakan - They did this 5 or 6 times flying in a circle

off approx. 8 miles in diameter. We only heard 1 stick dropped before they left. Party of 500 Aust. packed today - 

Standing by to leave for MACK 8 ?

7-2- Over 40 large planes passed over here today, heading approx. West, 3 of them were practically     ?

appeared to 6 engine jobs - as they flew past the camp they kept on turning their lights on - Something round &

white was dropped from one - it looked like a pin head from that height. Maybe it was a parachute, but why? That

party of Aust. who were standing by, left tonight.

7-2-45 A party of 300 Aust. & several Engl. Left here for another camp further south.

10-2- Discharged from hosp.

11-2- ¹/₂ days YASUMI.

12-2- Kua Buti Party. The work is mainly shifting bombs, digging       ? holes, camouflaging huts & clearing

jungle.

15-2- ¹/₂ days YASUMI. CHOLERA UNJECTION

16-2- Humbo Party. The job is mainly for mechanics, carpenters, plumbers. Mugs like myself, do the cleaning.

17-2- Kua Buti again.

18-2- Our Heights & weighs were taken - I am 173 centimetres high & 62 kilos in weight.

22-2- A full days YASUMI

25-2- Reported sick - Blood Film.

26-2- Admitted to Hospital with B.T. Malaria - Spleen +

1-3-45 Party of 100 Ausies left here for a camp sth. Of here + 150 Dutchies.

5-3 Planes passing over all night. 1000 hrs break. - Discharged from Hosp.

6-3 Kua Buti Party

8-3 ¹/₂ day YASUMI

9-3 Full days YASUMI

22-3 ¹/₂ day YASUMI - I contacted my 34 dose of Malaria B.T. I did not go to Hosp. Because I am in a party

which is standing by to move.

23-3 A party of 200 Ausies - 180 Dutch & 20 Eng. marched to Tamuai Station, Including myselve. We

eventually boarded a train headed South.

24-3 Pulled into Non Product approx 0600 hrs & left again just after Daybreak. The rising sun was beautiful to 

look at, a deep Red, the only one I have seen. We Stopped again & detrained at approx. 1300 hrs, 20 men including

myself stayed behind at the small stream while the remainder marched along the road. We have to make this

detour, owing to the bombed Bridge. We loaded the Kitchen gear etc onto the small barge which was moored to the

side of the dirty sluggish moving stream. We didn't travel far before we sighted the bridge which had been

completely wrecked by our bombers. The bridge was a steel span bridge once upon a time but it was lying at an

angle of 45 degrees, what was left of it. We disembarked at this bridge & marched for perhaps 2 miles along the line

before we turned off into a paddy field where the remainder of the party were waiting. After shoving a meal into a 

corner of our empty Stomachs we boarded a train (30 men to each steel hot box & prepared to stay for the night. I 

with 15 others slept on the corrugated iron roof which in our exhausted State, seemed very comfortable indeed. We

are 1Kilo from the next station & 31 3/16 Kilos from Bankok.

25-3 we roused at 0600 hrs, packed our gear & prepared for the move. A Locomotive Shunted a few

passenger carriages onto our train, picked up a few Thai's & started off at 0800 hrs. We arrived at Bankok Station,

detrained & parked ourselves in the Marshalling yds, which were in chaotic condition, due to our bombers. The

nearby building were in a similar condition. The line here comes to a dead end, where it meets the river we believe

is the Meenam. It wasn't long before we boarded a few barges & travelled up or down stream for a couple of

hours. Progress was slow, but we eventually pulled in at the Bankok Godowns, which were comparatively new, &

wonderfully designed. There were over fifty in all excluding a few a one end which had been completely

demolished. We debarged & went into 1 of the godowns to rest. The city of Temples, so named is Bankok &

rightfully so, for as we travelled along the river, some very beautiful Temples, very colourful & picturesque, were

unfolded in our view. A sight which I shall never forget. We slept in the Godown, accompanied by an unexploded

bomb.

26-3- 1 party of 120 left here this morning, bound for our unknown destination. The rest remained in the

Godown.

27-3 A party of 141 Dutchmen left here approx 1200 hrs. to follow the others. At approx. 1530 hrs, we