Remembering the Fall of Singapore - papers of Corporal Alexander Johnstone Diary 1942-43 part 2

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

Page 1 / 10

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
NOTES 22 2 dayP Gewlls 8.00 am fuet is on the mend. Shawered and breafased 0930 yi tea, wk scouel fust one) Ra.D 1030. Stee to lay up, but fost is dejinately in the mind. gunt moming writing aut ay Ialian notes ther annwr 1350 gue (a mored stew tea and ane bisat. Spent the afternoon wainly resting the testrie. In my mind. I am formulating an ode to you leg am goingt assist a Capt Packlam in peparing an Accauntancy Farm Casting Scheme for returned Soedurs. a particularly hot afternoon tea consisted of rice, party (auat) pind He meat if you can), tea, and will after tea bee and I went for as slaw stroll, announced after tea, that tomorrow buing the Emperor of Japans birtsday, we are to have a Aoliday, but it will be the same as every oter day. There is a strong runisur tlat ingorations are in progun for peac of Pug how I wish it were true Aohing else to relate muse mayers as usual for you cme own then sherk eye SCSrati Notin Geeeral &c add days laue going to 70t down a jew lear eek feelings and longing autside my darred days cne ann last God each and avry inglt in my prayers for you to grant me the opportunity of taking you in a Sonday just as sam as it can be arranged on my return 15- Aushalia I want to have you all to enyrey each unnte, each howr, each day each week for three or your wont without over laving to be away from you for a day. I have it all peaied out, I as sume that- when we do return to Austialia it wight be months byfore wer are discharged (of we are on rice wnd longex it wight be msutks byor we can eat desent meals again, and in aim of tat we hea ange have to be patin and when the holiday (our long rost poud loneymoon even trater, you and I are going to lave ourselves to the rest of the world for a few monks. Ok unle own we will lave and warslip each other as want to all be tie, just you and
34 NOTES 2922 WcadayBrodan Gavudli 800 am. a particulary aundy and cold inge. lastingat shaved and showered this morning, my jost is practically on again dreasast 930 re, wncd tea and ane biscuit Holiday today 0no atigis reported to do re my foot, nowsn Denver 330 m, staw, tea and one te of pincapple between two icntmust have been on account of the Empriors holiday) Epint Hhe afternoon lazing around, bee got a eaco unt given to him, so had a dimk of corount wilk and a fair sized pince of wro net whacho tea cnsisted of nice, unek, teo and two Aisients (agann due to the Emperor I quins). After tea Oco, gack and I sald bigaretes in laddy's marke (to puny to relate), made 8415 aask and 37 eigaretes. Nothing due to relate my prayers as mat for you wure ower thell shat eye Tday th by 30442 Rwele 800 am. Fit and well this morning, showered and tidied up. I am to spinid the ncaming with a Capt. Achham peruosing a Farming Echne for Rcturned Doldeers (The accounting side of it, qmentioned it previously) Briakfas 0930. Gice, met, tea and biscunt, also small amount of pea net meal (pwl gard) spent the morning with Capt Sacklam Dunnr B50 gice, gravy and lea. attended Stalian Actune, amr apaid my mind is all of you and our piture doings mine awn, so quies that acownt for my eack of uncentraton. on Rg when I get back, I am getting a pale that will enable me to spind a hemendous amount of my time with you, I have one or two in wind yea consisted of nee wilk. tea and two psh calesCyaid the fird) Concert after tea, a good show after that Oee, facy and I wen- for a stall, a full wcoon and palmties what was I thuring? nothing dse to relate my mayers as usyal for you nnce owne then shat eye
NOTES a 1543 732 a it of may Gennes 800 am thaved and showered, a very warm morning. speaks well for a very Rot day. Greanfast agso his Rice, tea week and ane biset Tuusted ay aam Dan mistele and an new reading the gade of Distry Geffery Farudl Gas to have tuea treated, hen spirit He rest of the morning trying to make a pain of dlogs (wosden seppen Demor 1300 &iscy wilk Every and water, twe condensed unly to 80 mon) tea, ane biscunt and ane twwo of pincappee between two uen. le and I got twelve obe each cubes as aig as a stilling. Goe in addressing traops injerred that we should be friond of buing nembers of Cth Dw. with Captain Paskaam in afternoon on Farwing project. yous meeting tonight star Tany, winkel Harry Diee, dnc, Reg and self. San as usual turned up tumps with supper. bee gave me his issue of packet agaret is to day, re am a malionare ig cigs I now have tea consised ooe sadl agred and) tea & arant uoking ase neate my mayers for you a usual cie awy ken alut eye FTurday WE dewor 542 Gieelle 8.00 and howered and then breaast at 093o am feeling pt and well but mus. be very egat in weigat about 3 sture. The disease aerrn borre sam to be increasing, our autorities are trying to combat it with a yeart preparation, one spaon per day(years is supposed to save the unessary oetam in 31 in I Grakast consisted of rise, week, gleat ground yeaurs, tea and one biscut peas disirsposnpl of year state samague). Bas to have twea painted ant isdme, made myself a pair of dags. Teny gave me a pair of L.H bests whacks. Denver consisted of rice, tea, Stew two pics of bread and we noted i a good ueal lates purply is that we are going to a untral is land. attended education curtie for my &talion class, guess I am too Lomenct came own I want you ever so much God alone Gnows Ing, the ncripe you are making will be repaid a Thousandped. Tea consised of we unex, tea and one discut Afer tea & quen I am faling a wee bit unserable all my thoughts are of you mne own aoling doe to relate ayyou is usual m

SOLO Scores (continued) 
B             J          A             C            JB 
1934     - 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        160ea [[ex?]] centre 
  
see August/Sept pages at back 
  
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

 

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 of Singapore Island. Our  
buildings are those previously 
occupied by English Garrison 
troops, AIF are on one side of 
the road, British on the other. 
For about one week we were on 
our own AIF rations then came 
three meals of rice each and  
every day. 
During the period 20.2.42 to 21.4.42 
several events occurred. I commenced 
a course in Italian, lessons given 
by Padre [[Corry?]] a Catholic padre. 
lessons twice weekly, monday and 
thursday 2.45pm to  3.45 pm, 
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 
1430, 1430 to 1830 ( tea) classes etc

 

22 
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?]], Jim Leonard, Harry Longley, 
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 
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 dysentary 
and I hope and pray that I 
have never to go through it 
again, one feels hopeless. 
Cec and self were appointed 
woodchoppers, 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 
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 P'sOW), but we 
are behind barbed wire, rice meals 
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 
here's hoping Pug. 
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 
22.4.42         Wednesday 
Reveille 8.00 am 
Showered and breakfasted, rice meal 
milk, one biscuit and cup of tea 
10.00 am. 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 4.15 pm 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 
23.4.42    Thursday
Reveille 8.00 am 
Showered and breakfasted rice meal  
milk, one biscuit and cup of tea. 
10.00 am  R.a.P with tinea. 
Transplanted spinach plants to 12.30 pm 
also experimented with some paw 
paw leaves as tobacco, tried a  
rolled cigarette (not the best, but 
good enough) 
Showered and then dinner 13.30 pm 
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 & 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 
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 cigarettes 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 Pug 
mine own, then shut eye on 
my new bed (the best ever) 

 

28 
69th Day    POW 
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 till dinner time 
when once more rice, stew, tea 
and biscuit was the menu 
At 1430 washed very soiled linen 
(oh yes). 
Struck a chap from Q'land who 
is prepared to sell us some tinned 
stuff on credit (averageing $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 tonight 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 
26.4.42  70th Day POW  Sunday 
Reveille 8 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 as usual 
mine own & then shut eye 

 

30 
General Intermediate Notes 
When each night I say so fervently  
all my prayers (see back of this 
diary), I 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 
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.  Oh 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 suffer. 
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. 
[centred] _____________

 

32 
28.4.42       Tuesday     72nd day POW 
Reveille 8 am. 
Foot is on the mend.  Showered 
and breakfasted 0930    Rice, tea, milk 
scone (first one).  R.A.P 1030.  Still 
to lay up, but foot is definately  
on the mend.  Spent morning  
writing out my Italian notes 
then dinner 1330.  Rice (a morsel) 
stew, tea and one biscuit.  Spent 
the afternoon mainly resting the  
tootsie.  In my mind I am 
formulating an ode to you Pug. 
Am going to assist a Capt Packham 
in preparing an Accountancy 
Farm Costing Scheme for Returned  
Soldiers.  A particularly hot afternoon  
Tea consisted of rice, pasty (meat) 
(find the meat if you can), tea and 
milk.  After tea Cec and I went  
for a slow stroll.  Announced  
after tea, that tomorrow being 
the Emperor of Japan's birthday, 
we are to have a holiday, but 
it will be the same as every other 
day.  There is a strong rumour 
that negotiations are in progress 
for peace, oh Pug how I wish it were  
true.  Nothing else to relate.  Mine 
prayers as usual for you mine  
own then shut eye. 

 
33 
General Intermediate Notes 
Odd days I am going to jot down
a few heartfelt feelings and longings
outside my diaried days.
Mine own I ask God each and
every night in my prayers for you,
to grant me the opportunity of
taking you on a holiday just
as soon as it can be arranged
on my return to Australia
I want to have you all to myself
each minute, each hour, each day
each week for three or four months
without ever having to be away
from you for a day. I have it
all planned out, I assume that
when we do return to Australia
it might be months before we are
discharged (if we are on rice much
longer it might be months before
we can eat decent meals again) 
and in view of that we both
might have to be patient and 
when the holiday (our long post
poned honeymoon) eventuates,
you and I are going to lose
ourselves to the rest of the world
for a few months. Oh mine own
we will love and worship
each other as want to all the 
time. Just you and I. 
 

 

34 
29.4.42    Wednesday    73rd day POW 
Reveille 8.00 am. 
A particularly windy and cold night
last night. Shaved and showered
this morning, my foot is practically
OK again. Breakfast 930 rice,
milk, tea and one biscuit.
Holiday today so no fatigues.
Reported to dr re my foot,
now OK. 
Dinner 1330 rice, stew, tea 
and one tin of pineapple
between two men (must have
been on account of the Emperor's
holiday). 
Spent the afternoon lazing
around, Cec got a coconut
given to him, so had a
drink of coco-nut milk and
a fair sized peice of coco
nut whacko.
Tea consisted of rice, milk, tea
and two biscuits (again due to the
Emperor I guess). After tea Cec, Jack
and I sold cigarettes in Paddy's 
Market (too funny to relate), made
$4.15 cash and 37 cigarettes. 
Nothing else to relate. My prayers
as usual for you mine own
then shut eye. 
 

35  
30.4.42   Thursday  74th day POW 
Reveille 8.00 am. 
Fit and well this morning, showered
and tidied up. I am to spend the
morning with a Capt. Packham
perusing a Farming Scheme for
Returned Soldiers (The Accounting
side of it, I mentioned it previously).
Breakfast 0930. Rice, milk, tea and
biscuit, also small amount of 
pea nut meal (fowl food) 
Spent the morning with Capt
Packham. Dinner 1330 Rice,
gravy and tea. 
Attended Italian lecture, am
afraid my mind is all of you
and our future doings mine
own, so I guess that accounts
for my lack of concentration.
Oh Pug when I get back, I am
getting a job that will enable
me to spend a tremendous
amount of my time with you,
I have one or two in mind.
Tea consisted of rice, milk,
tea and two fish cakes (find 
the fish). Concert after tea, a good
show. After that Cec, Jack and I went 
for a stroll, a full moon and palm trees
what was I thinking? Nothing else to 
relate. My prayers as usual for
you mine own then shut eye. 
 

 

36  
1.5.42  Friday   75th day POW 
1st of May. Reveille 8.00am. 
Shaved and showered, a very warm morning
speaks well for a very hot day. 
Breakfast 0930hrs. Rice, tea milk and one
biscuit. 
Finished my book "San Michele" and am
now reading "The Jade of Destiny" Jeffery
Farnol. 
RAP to have tinea treated, then spent
the rest of the morning, trying to
make a pair of clogs (wooden slippers)
Dinner 1330. Rice, milk (very much
water, 1 tin condensed milk to 80 men)
tea, one biscuit and one tin of
pineapple between two men.
Cec and I got twelve cubes each, 
cubes as big as a shilling. [[GOC?]]
in addressing troops inferred that 
we should be proud of being members
of 8th Div.?
With Captain Packham in afternoon
on Farming project. 
Yass meeting tonight. Stan, Tony, Winkie
Harry, Bill, [[Ollie?]] Reg and self. Stan
as usual turned up trumps with 
supper. Cec gave me his issue of packet
cigarettes today, so am a millionaire
19 cigs I now have. Tea consisted of rice 
stew (a good one) tea & biscuit. Nothing else 
to relate. My prayers for you as
usual mine own then shut eye. 
 

37 
2.5.42        Saturday      76th day POW 
Reveille 8.00am  
Showered and then breakfast at
0930. Am feeling fit and well
but must be very light in weight
about 8 stone. The disease berri-
berri seems to be increasing, our
authorities are trying to combat it
with a yeast preparation, one
spoon per day (yeast in supposed
to have the necessary vitamin B1 in it
Breakfast consisted of rice, milk,
ground wheat (flour), tea and one biscuit
plus desertspoonful of yeast (stale 
champagne). RAP to have tinea painted
with iodine, made myself a pair
of clogs. Tony gave me a pair of
L.H boots whacko. 
Dinner consisted of rice, tea, stew,
two pieces of bread and we noted it
a good meal. Latest furphy is that
we are going to a neutral island.
Attended education centre for my
Italian class, guess I am too homesick
mine own. I want you ever so much
God alone knows Pug, the sacrifice you
are making will be repaid a
thousandfold. Tea consisted of rice,
milk, tea and one biscuit. After
tea I guess I am feeling a wee bit 
miserable. All my thoughts are of 
you mine own. Nothing else to relate.
My prayers for you as usual mine
own then shut eye. 

 

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