Remembering the Fall of Singapore - papers of Cpl Alexander Johnstone 1942-1943 diary part 1

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Fall of Singapore
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.189
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 11

MCICA ancohito left Australia 39. 7. 41 17:10:43 exxterned do
pe 18-7-41. Greater leve hath noman. 28272. OO M SO 12.4:8 2/13 th Pd RegtAIE 48202 COLLINS SERVICE DIARV cre aa Telustene VR2037 AUDITS gorrara PAY OTEICEA OnE PhaL FOR EACH DAV. WITH CASH SUMMARY AND INDEK 46 000 COLLINS BROTHERS & Co. LYD. SYONEY, MELSOURNE, AND BRISSANE moe in AerRan
CALENDAR, 1941 SANUART IULF V.1. 232022 8 5 12 19 2 6 13 20 27. 7142 815nin 18 7142 1023 29.. 8 15 2 9 16 23 30.. 3191724 31. 7 18 25 ... 3 10 17 24 31.. 2 19 26 .. 4 11 18 25.. AUCUST FEBRUARY 33021 22 2 2 9 16 23.. 3 10 17 24.. 411 1828. 5 12 126. 4 11 1825. 6 12202 WO 5 12 19 26. 2142 6 13 20 27.. HU.). 28. 9.. 152 7142 9 16 23 30.. 8 15 22 .. MARCH SEPTEMBER 2 9 16 23 30 7 142 31 + 3 10 17 2 8 15 2 9162830. TV 4 11 1825. 3 10 1724 FD.. 2 19 26. 11825 . 7142 2 19 26 18 13 13 20 27 ... 8152 SAT. OCTOBER APRIL 5 12 19 2 27. 613 20 19 N82 71421 28. 8152 8 1822 29. WED 9162330. NU. 276 23 30.. 3 10 17 24 ... 310 17 24 31. 1 1825. 19 26.. $11 1825 NOVEMBE MAY SUN 2 9 16 23 30 4 11 1825. 3 10 17 24.. 2 19 3 20 27.. 4 11 1825. 7142 5 12 19 2 ED. 28. 29. 70 6 13 20 27.. 8 15 13 30. RL. 7142 18. 29 1 8.152 3 10 17 24 31 SAT DECEMBER JUNE 8 15 22 29 7142 9162330. 8 15 2 2 9 16 23 30. 82 310 17 24.. WED. 11825 3 10 17 24 31.. 219 26. THU. 4 11 1825 13 20 27 . 5 12 19 26 FRL. 7142128 6132027 SAT OEOM
CAL ENDAR, 1940 SANUREY FEORUARY MAACH 53 1 30 0 10N 13 AUCUST 1vir SEPTE 33 15 NOVEMBE CAL ENDAR, 1942 SANUKE KEONN MARC 1 88 MAY JUNE 8 68 80 AUGUST 10ir SEPTEMBE 1 333 28 23 4 1 OCTOSEE NOVEN (B NOTES Sol C.To 84:42 225 -65 53 o 134 166 £214 D442 142 12 r0 tie &307 181 58 114 42 &490 510 382 1857 1309 -699 7 242 £496 13.4.4 54 202 901 4655 4807 301 53 $400 304 4 £371 1454 150:- & 337 41307 464 &16 109 21 H 42 40 1844 4115 1500 614 &166 655 26.442 #1399 812 448 2255 512 4505 20 £334 142 166 6542 -114 236 460 339 197 85.42 27 67 363 4272 #208-117. $742 115 42 32 540 174 663 L184 537:2:014 +487 &4 16543 401 -886 £675 122 &1014 & 409 -1004 113 #203 & 1014 4118. 178 42 205. -919 & 1014 &614 1177 468 24 424 1352 28 1169 943 #1014 &658 1t60 253 179 195:12 £93 1110 & 1014 1076 45 231 289 £43 72034 1355 1065 £1014 £453
NOTES T 2 5 50 1934-1335 -1066 &104 &452 4112 &72 276 260 21:8: -3 £1000 1213 -989 &1014 +192 £187-97129 22:3:42 £39 233-1360 -1116 & 1014 +251 4378 4 54 -622. &190 23542 $1611-1306 -1710 &1014 #421 362 #1314 -314 & 542 24.5. 42 41745 -1620 +1198 41014 & 59 91 -359 - 205 # 105 & 368. 26.5. 42 1836 - 1979 - 1403 & 1119 & 427 & 40 -264 &830 -370 & 56 26.542 #1876 2243 - 815 4749 4483 58 #152 & 41 & 59 27:5:1/2 194 41818 -2091 - 824 £308 & 289 285.42 124 4 164 & 92 & 96 228 $494 1927 - 732 1904 & 01 470 - 790 &865 ₤409 305.42 $1680 - 2397 -1522 ₤1769 4470 334-90 -240 & 360 #304 31:5:42 $1346 -2487 -1762 +2129 & 774 603 26:42 47 4425 &225 #299 -2064 - 1537 42129 &171 notd in ctie. sey August / Sept pages at back NOTES Diary on and fom 15.2.42 on which date e as egeter with other alcied youes in malaya laid down their arms after wilaps the worst well in the course of the mnalayan campaign 15242. 3.2.42 Friday 13th Saterday 14th Sunday 15th The blackest of black day
NOTES NOTES 12132 Eingapor cantulated 132 42 Iarat us & Convalesent Hospital after buing in 10a94 wite anigue fiver Grut and ther ten days in the Pon Depst then drafted out to Chaugi Prisen camp situated in the senth east coast yf Duigapore Is land Our buildings are those previously aspies by Eugard garrisen trears, A3x are on one side of the road, gutise in the other For about ane week we were on our awne AI.F rations the came three meals of rice each and every day During te pirisd 30.2.44 to 2sh42 several events occurred I commenced a course in Salian, senous given by Padre Cerry a Cathelie padre. eino tce weekly monday and Thursday 2.45 pm to 345 rm Hhe oteer your week days I atend the Education cuntre at the same hours and do moat study. Our daily routie is riverdle 800 an fapanese time to hairs and a halp ahead yours) breakfant 930 fatquer 9.15 to 12.30 dinner 1330 rarade 14.30 14300 1830tea ceasser e
22 NOTES 2 Eack and every inga- my prayers are said auth all my heart and sail Every riday wight He available yass chaps wet and lave a yau or a gave y-eards, Dert cudge, dun fiouard, Harry Langl, Louy Taylor, Etaw weatherby, winder Hade, Harry icholas. a soucet is leed in our paricular area each tunday ingat and up to date they are 0070 and have put on seme very good slase deis ac Bean and Dong EDannon are stal in lospital, alix's arm is nearly aty again and slould ae out at any tue now, the hospital is in our aria. Poor young Dong, his right leg is off above the nince, but ai pluck las pulled him though he is very chevyul. have been to the coart a couple of tures at first for a sever and again to collect sait. water for casting purposes. bec and I managed to seraunge a couple of coco-weets (what a breek) managed to pocure in NOTES 13:2200 42 excellan coy of san unchill, Drian Badgery is now readingit it has some beautyul peater in it so am going to bang on to it for gum death to bring it loue to you. We have a small mnt library (about 60 boots so we ar ry enely in that rispest I see mrian & nearly every day ever at claies and we have a you Touy Cewe was camped near in for a while and I saw quite of est of him, lad a gaine of bridge an He gran one night you can imagine what our conversaton was about. I had an attack gf aysentary and Flye and pray that I have nnever to go trough it again, ane seels dopilers. ore and seef were appeenad was achappers, a got we held for about three weeks and he asked for a transfer to the garden jatique, we are atll onck. Thre is an exensive garden beut arel can only work yor about an howr in the morning
24 NOTES 35221/2 and one then yeels done I hope that we are not Irisas of war lang enough to see them ready for eating Generally speaking the Jam have reaed us reasonally cll as we are Bow), but we are behind harbed were nce meal three him a day, ten ugaretes a week sanitim we mnow Durmeat occasiorally have a bescuts, a pary and add aegetable, sa on the whole we cauld have been a lot morse of I have not diaried my doings each day up to thes point, but hom now on amd going to In He first place we were told not to, but now I am going to, so heres hoping Pug. Paddy's warket and kings bec and I bough for ridisulan mas well ever live in my but I cannot put evenery sow it down in block and white so here starts my dary 22:442 W Aa PO 25 NOTES 22 Wediusday Geveills 6.00 am chawered and buakarted, rice meal wnek, ane bisant and ap of tea 10.00 am B.A.D with tuea transplanted spinach peants to 12.30 pr showered and then dinner, rece stew one biscent and tea Italian andy 245 to 346 am Played solo 4.15pnx to 615 ron ea cousisted of rice wiek one bered and cup of tea. Saw Vany Tayeox and San Weakterby at aace and am trying 5 get same qoles searse Also saw Lient (Peter Playfair) after the during a shall. Light out 10.5 pnd croking alse to relate. cey mayers for you as usual Peg and then shut eye
672 day PoN 63½ day Pon 26 NOTES Tursday Lrday Gevulle 800 am Geveille 8.00 am reasonably cald night had to get up clevered and breanjorted rise meal and put a saint on showered aner one biscit and cup of tea and whest waiting for breadst saw 10.00 am Ha Q with Fiued Trausplanted suiast peants to 12 seem ouemarie in the Shraits again ty time guing ont also exporincnted with some paw naw leaves as tihacco, hrad a Dreayas 930 am. Que, tea, ue42 oue beent raceed agarete (ust the best, but Bat1000 am with ted, not yet sured, Then holl digging until 1100 and then good enouge) digging in the garden with lec until Chowered and her ane 1330pm 130 showered and then dinner Sighted a Capavere submarine going 1330 pm. Que, stew tea, one biscunt- up the Chait of Jalore about 1300 gamed ake blazes in the afernoon am bee made me a new sed during Denner consested of rice, senl tea my trip to clarses and one biscut, managed to get half a tarpsonful of yam on part An isone y one pasket of cigarit. was made bee gave me 5 of hir of vy pine. making 15 ags in all to last one Falian lerson 2.45 pm to 3.45 pm week Casacke to days are Incidentally sew gravy suisking every where. wnel - nearly water do Rumoured two cases of Aerri-berre Rained cats and dogs mess (ta) broken out held at 1800 his for concert was to be Year was rice wilk, ta, ane bescunt at 1915 his tea was rice, to, wy i two yeast discunts after th went down to aa sc for our Cmnart was $10070 nst Tany and Stn fortnightly and weekly weeting of you usking else to relate chaps Tany, San Harry Dill, were hie, Reg my payers for you as uscial and self: asking dueto relate teg and then shut eye my payers for you asiual Rig cmeawn, then shut eye on my new beb ever
O A NOTES 284:43 Mre Day Salca Renelll 830 am Attended Dawn Semise on square in pont of 444 Barracks, very impressine neise aon 15 wreaths were laid, see my rougst are of you cacdler ehowered, shaved greving a mowe again). Breadast consisted of rce wlk, tea and one bescuit Twea is ote warying anso once more to the Rat 1000 hrs Digging in garden tel dinier time when and more rise, stew, tea and bisaut was the mence at 4s0 warted my sailed liven th yer Struck a chap poor O'land who is prepared to sell us some timed stay on credit Caverageng $5.50 per 7/6, dear but a godsend Tea was pice, wek, tea and jasy (yes a rice pasty), something for the teeth to pnction on On ths other chaps and self spait an hour to nigh- trying to buy some stupp on crede but as lieck, pospects are stee ther Asthing else to relate dy prayers for you as unial ce sun, ten sent aye 29 26 12 125 Sinday Geneille 8.00 am chawered and breakfasted riee tea, wnery and one biscut tied a bet worse this morning goot swollen. reported Bad, do instructed to take in not water 400 34 Lours and report temgrrow for diagussis Lasks septe and have a sweeling in groin. 80 am laid up temporarily. Spent the morning making so cigarettes out of 10 capstans for a chap(what days we live in Dinver 330 me New, tea and one bescnt. Bained again in the afternoon Today there is a cricket match between at7 and Britirl P.O.W. Presouirs of war). Played dopom 320 to 6.00 lated jest Cseigatty better now) three ties. Tex 630 nice, wilk tea, beseut and small caskic. be and I hadai & condused wilk as extral do not ask low ere 90t N. After tea bee fact goedsten & wyself ancunred houe(aunie) I showed each and every one of my raster of you (and proud of them nothing else to relate my mayer o you as usual wne
NOTES Gena Cuin When each ingat I ray so fervently all mysprayer (see back of ti deary), I powr out my leart and saue Oh ane ower the days drag on and one should try not to complain, but we are shat up here, rice tre ten a day. and all day each and every day my tought are of you, every ante, I spend counting the days to when I can give you all te sappmess you naidey desirve & ane feeling seasinably fit and well ucodle, very brown but only weigh 6.12, can you unaquie it. bec Farley and self spend all our tue together and flank you eart day that I have he privilege y his friendslip, be is certainly 10090, and we are great escains. we are leaving all ports of geod recswlore fom, wle rou) so we are all loping it is tul mcnday 274 42200 Nenille 3.00 and Fas stl infeamined, so us walk to be shawers this morning. Gaming eats and sogs. Brianfort 0930 fi, wey, tea and beset again to Gat 1000 irs with my post am to do another day on my back and cantirne bathing with Ls water. ODmine own each and every mnnte you are in my mind all my teought are of you and I am always wandering where you are, lew you are and just what you are asing. The day we are releaved, relieved or ighting again well be a gedsend from hys place Dunnr 1550 me, stas, tea and bescit (very small quanity of nce so the tumning is doing a saxper. spent he afternoon re writing same I talan notes, sleeping and reading tying to read, I cannot concentiate) A perfect day, cool and seening. and the sharts of Johare are blul Tea 1850 rice tea, wilk and a beg pasty (uorey niy The chap looking after the sick brings my meals, bes does the washing at clohing else to relate my mayor & you as usual nne oen then shut eye

ARCJohnstones
Left Australia 29. 7. 41
Returned do. 17. 10. 45 

 

To 
Dearest Alex, 
With all the 
love of your wife, Peg
18-7-41.
"Greater love hath
no man.....!"
  
NX20572 BD4 A.R.C. Johnstone 
R.H.Q. 
2/15 th Fd Regt A.I.F. 
ABROAD
COLLINS
SERVICE
DIARY
Cpl. A-R Johnstone 
NX20572
AUDIT STAFF
COMMAND PAY OFFICE A.I.F. 
MALAYA
ONE PAGE FOR EACH DAY.
WITH CASH SUMMARY
AND INDEX
COLLINS' BROTHERS & Co. LTD.
SYDNEY, MELBOURNE, AND BRISBANE
MADE IN AUSTRALIA

 

CALENDAR, 1941
JULY
29th THE BIG DAY.

 

CALENDAR, 1940

CALENDAR, 1942
  
NOTES
Solo scores commenced 8.4.42 
_______________________________
B.          J.          A.          C.         J.B 
-25     -53    +143       -65                8.4.42 
-166    -142   +214      +54              10.4.42 
 +10      +10     +10       +10 
_______________________________________ 
  
-181    -185   +367         -1 
-518   -282   +490      +310            11.4.42 
_______________________________________ 

-699   -467   +857    +309 
-242     -54    -202     +498            12.4.42 
_______________________________________ 
  
-941    -521     +655      +807 
-513     +371    -315       +460           20.4.42 
________________________________________ 
  
-1454  -150    +337     +1267 
+410    -464   +163     -109              21.4.42 
________________________________________ 
  
-1044  -614    +500    +1158 
+1299   +166    -812     -653             26.4.42 
_________________________________________ 
  
+255   -448    -312      +505 
-20     +334    -148      -166                6.5.42 
_________________________________________ 
  
+235   -114     -460      +339 
-27       -3        +97        -67                8.5.42 
_________________________________________ 
  
+208   -117     -363       +272 
-22      -546    -174       +742              11.5.42 
_________________________________________ 
  
+186    -663    -537      +1014 
+487   -401    -585                   +499  16.5.42 
_________________________________________ 
  
+673   -1064   -1122      +1014    +499. 
-205.     -113.       +203    +1014     +115.  17.5.42 
_________________________________________ 
+468   -1177    -919       +1014     +614 
-8           +8      -24                         +24  18.5.42 
__________________________________________ 
  
+460    -1169   -943.     +1014       +638 
+253        +93   -167                       -179   19.5.42 
__________________________________________ 
  
+713      -1076   -1110    +1014        +459 
+221 .      -259      +45                       -7     20.5.42 
___________________________________________ 
+934     -1335     -1065  +1014       +452

 

NOTES
Solo scores (continued) 
B.            J.              A.               C.             JB. 
______________________________________ 
  
+934   -1335      -1065       +1014      +452 
+112        +72         +76           -           -260    21.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1046 -1263     -989        +1014         +192 
+187      -97      -129                              +39    22.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1233  -1360   -1118        +1014         +231 
+378       +54   -622.                          +190    23.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1611  -1306   -1740        +1014         +421 
+134    -314     +542                           -362   24.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1745  -1620   -1198       +1014          +59 
+91       -359.      -205.       +105.          +368.   26.5.42
______________________________________________ 
  
+1836  -1979   -1403     +1119           +427 
+40      -264     +538      -370           +56    26.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1876 -2243    -865         +749         +483 
-58        +152      +41          +59           -194   27.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1818  -2091   -824        +808         +289 
-124      +164     +92          +96          -228   28.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1694  -1927  -732         +904            +61 
-14         -470 -790         +865           +409  30.5.42 
______________________________________________ 
  
+1680  -2397 -1522       +1769             +470 
-334       -90    -240        +360             +304.   31.5.42 
_______________________________________________ 
  
+1346    -2487  -1762    +2129             +774 
-47.          +425.    +225.                          -603     2.6.42 
________________________________________________ 
  
+1299  -2062    -1537     +2129             +171       160 ea in centre. 
  
see August/Sept pages at back  

  
NOTES
Diary on and from
15.2.42 on which
date the AIF together
with other allied forces
in malaya laid
down their arms after
perhaps the worst week
in the course of the
Malayan campaign
8.2.42 - 15.2.42.
Friday 13th Saturday 14th
Sunday 15th
The blackest of black days
 

 

NOTES 

NOTES
15.2.42 to 21.4.42
Singapore capitulated 15.2.42
I was at No 2 Convalescent Hospital 
after being in 10 AGH with dengue fever. 
Spent another ten days in the Con 
Depot then drafted out to Changi 
Prison Camp situated on the south 
east coast by Singapore Island. Our 
buildings are those previously 
occupied by English Garrison 
troops, AIF are on our side of 
the road. British on the other. 
For about one week we were on 
our same AI.F rations then came 
three meals of rice each and 
every day. 
 During the period 22.2.42 to 21.4.42 
several events occurred. I commenced 
a course in Italian, lessons given 
by Padre Carry a Catholic padre, 
lessons twice weekly, monday and 
thursday 2.45pm to 3.45pm. 
the other four week days, I attend 
the Education centre at the same 
hours and do private study. 
Our daily routine is reveille 8.00 
am (Japanese time, two hours and a half 
ahead of ours), breakfast 9.30, fatigues 
10.15 to 12.30, dinner 13.30 parade 
14.30, 14.30 to 18.30 (tea) classes etc

 

22
NOTES
15.2.42 to 21.4.42
Each and every night my prayers 
are said with all my heart and soul. 
Every friday night the available 
Yass chaps meet and have a 
yarn or a game of cards. Bert 
Mudge, Clive Leonard, Harry Langley, 
Tony Taylor, Stan Weatherby, Winkie 
Wade, Harry Nicholas. 
A concert is held in our particular 
area each thursday night and 
up to date they are 100% and 
have put on some very good 
shows. 
Alex McBean and Doug Shannon 
are still in hospital. Alex's arm 
is nearly ok again and should 
be out at any time now, the 
hospital is in our area. 
Poor young Doug, his right leg 
is off above the knee, but his  
pluck has pulled him through, 
he is very cheerful. 
Have been to the coast a 
couple of times at first for a 
swim and again to collect salt 
water for cooking purposes. 
Cec and I managed to scrounge 
a couple of coco-nuts (what a break) 
Managed to procure an

 

23 
NOTES 
15.2.42 to 21.4.42
excellent copy of San Michele 
(Brian Badgery is now reading it) 
it has some beautiful [[plates??]] in 
it so am going to hang on to it 
for grim death to bring it home 
to you. We have a small unit 
library (about 60 books) so we are 
very lucky in that respect. 
I see Brian B nearly every day 
over at classes and we have a yarn. 
Tony Clive was camped near us 
for a while and I saw quite a 
lot of him, had a game of bridge 
on the grass one night, you can 
imagine what our conversation 
was about. 
I had an attack of dysentery 
and I hope and pray that I 
have never to go through it 
again, one feels hopeless. 
Cec and self were appointed 
wood choppers, a job we held 
for about three weeks and then 
asked for a transfer to the 
garden fatigue, we are still 
on it 
There is an extensive garden 
but one can only work for 
about an hour in the morning

 

24
NOTES
15.2.42 to 21.4.42
and one then feels done. I hope 
that we are not Prisoners of War 
long enough to see them ready 
for eating. 
Generally speaking the Japs 
have treated us reasonably 
well (as we are POW), but we 
are behind barbed wire, rice meal 
three times a day, ten cigarettes 
a week (sometimes we miss out) 
Our meals occasionally have 
a biscuit, a pasty and odd 
vegetables, so on the whole 
we could have been a lot 
worse off. 
I have not diaried my doings 
each day up to this point, but 
from now on am going to. In  
the first place we were told not 
to, but now I am going to, so 
heres hoping Peg. 
Paddy's market and things 
Cec and I bought for ridiculous 
prices will ever live in my 
memory, but I cannot put 
it down now in black and white 
so here starts my diary 
  
22.4.42 
________

 

25 
66th Day    POW 
NOTES 
22.4.42         Wednesday 
Reveille 8.00am 
Showered and breakfasted, rice meal 
milk, one biscuit and cup of tea 
10.00am R.A.P with tinea 
transplanted spinach plants to 12.30pm 
Showered and then dinner, rice, stew 
one biscuit and tea. 
Italian study 2.45 to 3.45 pm 
Played solo 4.15pm to 6.15 pm 
Tea consisted of rice, milk, one biscuit 
and cup of tea. 
Saw Tony Taylor and Stan Weatherby 
at AASC and am trying to get 
some smokes (scarce). 
Also saw Lieut (Peter Playfair) after tea 
during a stroll. 
Lights out 10.15 pm 
Nothing else to relate. 
My prayers for you as usual Peg 
and then shut eye.

 

26 
67th Day POW 
NOTES 
23.4.42             Thursday 
Reveille 8.00 am 
Showered and breakfasted rice meal 
milk, one biscuit and cup of tea. 
10.00 am RAP with tinea 
Transplanted spinach plants to 12.30pm 
also experimented with some paw 
paw leaves as tobacco, tried a  
rolled cigarette (not the best, but 
good enough). 
Showered and then dinner 13.30pm 
Sighted a Japanese submarine going 
up the Straits of Johore about 1300 
pm. 
Dinner consisted of rice, stew, tea  
and one biscuit, managed to get 
half a teaspoonful of jam on part 
of my rice. 
Italian lesson 2.45 pm to 3.45 pm 
Incidentally stew = gravy 
         do          milk = nearly water. 
Rained cats and dogs mess (tea) 
held at 1800 hrs for concert was to be 
at 1915 hrs. Tea was rice, tea, milk and two 
yeast biscuits. 
Concert was 100%. Met Tony and Stan 
Nothing else to relate 
My prayers for you as usual 
Peg and then shut eye. 

 

27 
68th Day POW 
NOTES 
24.4.42              Friday  
Reveille 8.00 am 
Reasonably cold night, had to get up 
and put a shirt on. Showered 
and whilst waiting for breakfast saw 
submarine in the Straits again. This 
time going out. 
Breakfast 9.30 am. Rice, tea, milk & one biscuit 
RAP 10.00 am with tinea, not yet cured. 
Then hole digging until 1100 and then 
digging in the garden with Cec until 
1230. Showered and then dinner 
1330 pm. Rice, stew, tea, one biscuit 
Rained like blazes in the afternoon. 
Cec made me a new bed during 
my trip to classes. 
An issue of one packet of cigarettes 
was made. Cec gave me 5 of his 
making 15 cigs in all to last one 
week (whacko). The boys are 
smoking every where. 
Rumoured two cases of berri-berri 
broken out. 
Tea was rice, milk, tea, one biscuit 
After tea went down to AASC for our 
fortnightly and weekly meeting of Yass 
chaps. Tony, Stan, Harry, Bill, Winkie, Reg 
and self. Nothing else to relate. 
My prayers for you as usual Peg 
mine own, then shut eye on 
my new bed (the best ever)

 

28 
69th Day    POW 
NOTES 
25.4.42        Anzac Day       Saturday 
Reveille 6.30 am 
Attended Dawn Service on square 
in front of 4 A/TK Barracks. Very 
impressive service approx 15 wreaths 
were laid, all my thoughts are of you 
noodle. 
Showered, shaved (growing a mow 
again). Breakfast consisted of rice  
milk, tea and one biscuit. Tinea is 
still worrying me so once more to 
the RAP. 1000 hrs. 
Digging in garden til dinner time 
when once more rice, stew, tea 
and biscuit was the menu. 
At 1430 washed my soiled linen 
(oh yes). 
Struck a chap from Q'land who 
is prepared to sell us some tinned 
stuff. on credit (averaging $8.50 per 
tin 7/6, dear but a godsend 
Tea was rice, milk, tea and 
pasty (yes a rice pasty), something 
for the teeth to function on. 
Cec, two other chaps and self 
spent an hour to night trying 
to buy some stuff on credit 
but no luck, prospects are still there 
Nothing else to relate 
My prayers for you as usual 
mine own, then shut eye
 

29 
NOTES  
26.4.42              70th Day POW        Sunday 
Reveille 8.00 am 
Showered and breakfasted rice, 
tea, milk and one biscuit. 
Tinea a bit worse this morning 
foot swollen. Reported RAP, dr 
instructed to bathe in hot water for 
24 hours and report tomorrow for 
diagnosis. Looks septic and have 
a swelling in groin. So am 
laid up temporarily. Spent the 
morning making 30 cigarettes out 
of 10 capstans for a chap (what 
days we live in). 
Dinner 1330 rice, stew, tea and one 
biscuit. Rained again in the afternoon 
Today there is a cricket match 
between AIF and British P.O.W 
(Prisoners of War). 
Played solo from 3.30 to 6.00, 
bathed foot (slightly better now) 
three times. Tea 6.30 rice, milk, 
tea, biscuit and small cookie. 
Cec and I had jam & condensed 
milk as extra (do not ask how 
we got it). After tea Cec, Jack 
Goldstein & myself discussed 
home (aussie). I showed each 
and every one of my photos of 
you (and proud of them) 
Nothing else to relate.  
My prayers for you as usual 
mine own and then shut eye

 

30 
NOTES 
General Intermediate notes 
When each night I say so fervently 
all my prayers (see back of this  
diary), pour out my heart  
and soul. 
Oh mine own the days drag on 
and one should try not to 
complain, but we are shut 
up here, rice three times a day, 
and all day each and every
day my thoughts are of you, 
every minute, I spend counting  
the days to when I can give 
you all the happiness you 
so richly deserve. 
I am feeling reasonably fit 
and well noodle, very brown 
but only weigh 8.12. Can you 
imagine it. 
Cec Farley and self spend all 
our time together and I 
thank God each day that I 
have the privilege of his 
friendship, he is certainly 
100%, and we are great  
cobbers. 
We are hearing all sorts of 
good news (where from, who 
knows) so we are all hoping 
it is true. 

 

31 
NOTES 
27.4.42          71st Day POW        Monday 
Reveille 8.00 am 
Foot still inflammed, so no walk 
to the showers this morning. 
Raining cats and dogs. Breakfast 
0930. Rice, milk, tea and biscuit 
Again to R.AP 1000 hrs with my foot 
am to do another day on my back 
and continue bathing with hot 
water. On mine own each and every 
minute you are in my mind, all 
my thoughts are of you and I am 
always wondering where you are, 
how you are and just what you 
are doing. The day we are released, 
relieved or fighting again will be 
a Godsend from this place 
Dinner 1330 rice, stew, tea and 
biscuit (very small quantity of rice 
so the tummy is doing a supper. 
Spent the afternoon re writing some 
Italian notes, sleeping and reading 
(trying to read, I cannot concentrate). 
A perfect day, cool and sunny 
and the Straits of Johore are blue. 
Tea 1830 rice, tea, milk and 
a big pasty (mostly rice). The chap 
looking after the sick brings my 
meals, Cec does the washing up 
Nothing else to relate. My prayers 
for you as usual mine own 
then shut eye.

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