Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 3

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Documents and letters

Status:

Open for review

Accession number:

AWM2019.22.189

Difficulty:

NOTES

English Italian Pronounced

gentleman signore seen.yor.ay

lady signora seen-yor-ah

mistake abaglio z-bahl-yo

excuse scusa skoo-zah

thing cosa ko-sah

house casa kah-sah

pen penna pen-nah

brother pratello prah-tel-lo

of di de

to, at a a

and e e

or o o

from, by da da

received ricevuto ree-cha-voo-to

present, gift regalo ray-gah-lo

Aunt zia

uncle zio

nephew nipote

upon su

placed posto

table tavola

plate piatta

knife coetello koe-tell-lo

fork forchetta

time tempo

his, her, it (masc) suo

his her, it (fem) sua

this questa

morning mattina

NOTES

English Italian Pronounced

this morning stamattina

hour ora

box scatola

day giorno

match fiammifero

year anno

part (fem) parte

month mese

programme (masc) programma

week settimana

night (fem) notte

afternoon pomeriggio.

afternoon (after dinner) dopopranzo.

evening sera

today oggi od-je

letter lettera let-tah-ray

invoice fattura faht-too-rah

in in in

envelope busta booso-tah

chapter capitolo kah-pee-to-lo

written scritto skreet-to

with con kan

theatre teatro tay-ah-to

lawyer avocato ahv-uo-kay-to

queen dato dah-to

pupil scolaro sko-la-ray

why perché pair-kay

taken preso pray-so

NOTES

English Italian Pronounced

church chiesa ke-ay-zah

station stazione stah-tse-o-nay

ticket biqlietto bee-l'yet-to

effect effetto ef-fet-to

offer offerta of-fair-tah

bag (hand) sacca sahk-kah

bag (sack) sacco salk-ko

bill conto kon-to

water acqua ack-koo-ah

trains treno tray-no

flowers fiore fe-or-ay

operations operazione o-pay-rah-tse-o-nay

entrances entrata en-trah-tah

weeks settimana set-te-mah-nah

idea idea

book libro

who chi kee

bought comprato kom-prah-to

a watch orologio. o-ro-lo-jo

chain catena kah-tay-nah

yes si see

sister sorella so-rell-lah

spoken parlato par-lah-to

doctor dottore dot tor-ay

brought portato por-tah-to

for per par

what che kay

read letto lett-to

NOTES

English Italian Pronounced

novel romanzo ro-mahn-dzo

sent mandato mahn-dah-to

answer risposta riss-poss-tah

away via

lead pencil lapis

key chiave

where dove

are sono

hat cappello.

but that ma ché

boot or shoe scarpa

boot (high) stivale

(porta) door (door) porta.

lesson lezione

minute minuto

book case scaffale

(caldo) hot. caldo

hotel (bar) osteria

hotel (large) albergo

rich. ricco

good buono.

price prezzo

too troppo

high, tall. alto

Italian Italiana

grammer grammatica

very molto

neighbour vicino

but ma

NOTES

English Italian Pronounced

meat carne

cold fredda

dinner pranzo

supper cena

breakfast la piccola colazione

lunch colazione

tea (afternoon tea) thé

important importante

NOTES
10.5.42 SUNDAY continued

extremely hot one and the perspiration

poured off one.

Got back to AIF camp in time for tea

rice meal, soup, tea and two biscuits.

After tea Cec, Jack G, Jack W and self

went across to Paddy's market to watch

the sale of foodstuffs etc. There is a

move on Tuesday 18th of about 3000

troops, it appears they are going by

boat and the remainder of the AIF

(including me I hope) are to follow

before the end of the month, so will

just have to wait and see, watch

and pray for what is going to

happen.

Also get me to tell you about watering

our vegetable garden each morning,

how and what with, how we tried

and tried to procure foodstuffs, smokes

etc without any money, the four

of us.

Got into bed about 10pm, but sleep

as usual came very slowly. Have

been thinking of you, praying

for you all the time mine own,

so feel that everything must be

alright "chin up and smile"

Nothing else to relate noodle, my

prayers for you as usual mine own

then shut eye.

57.

NOTES

11.5.42 MONDAY 85th DAY POW

Reveille 0800.am

Shaved and showered and then

breakfast at 0900. Rice meal, milk

tea, pea-nut meal and a biscuit

fried in fat.

The move is on, so just in case any

of the lads on this advance party get

an opportunity of indulging in

mail with Australia I am giving

Sol Green (S/Sgt 2/15 th) a message for you.

RAP with my eye trouble and tinea

again, much better this morning.

Hair cut this morning, so am now

a well groomed prisoner of war.

We are hoping that now a move is on

our rations may go up. (we held a reserve) Spent the morning

in the garden, showered and then dinner

Dinner 1330. Rice, stew, tea and two pieces

of bread. Attended Italian class with Cec

(yes he is in it now) and Clarrie. Today is

one of the hottest days I have experienced.

Tea consisted of rice meal, milk, tea

and two (2) fat cakes.

After tea Cec, 2 Jacks and self went for a

stroll. Strong rumour that there is going

to be an exchange of prisoners, hence the

move. Peg it sounds too good to be true.

Nothing else to relate mine own, all my

prayers for you as usual, Then shut eye.

NOTES
12.5.42 TUESDAY 86th day POW

Reveille 0800.

Showered and then breakfast 0900.

Rice meal (no milk this morning) ground

wheat (One desertspoon full), tea and

one biscuit.

Our CO. Major Atkinson is seriously

ill, tropical meningitus. R.A.P for

tinea treatment, now nearly ok, for

good I hope. Usual morning water

fatigue for the garden, then in

typical army style we spent two

hours waiting to do a fatigue, vegetable

fatigue in English camp, then did not do it.

Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, stew,

tea and two pieces of bread. The

3000 A.I.F. for the advance party for

this unknown destination were

reviewed this morning. Italian class

again in the afternoon, saw Brian B,

he gave me a wallet of Bert M's with

two photos of Nancy in it, in case I see

Bert first. At 1700 had a game of solo

again. Tea 1800 consisted of. rice meal,

milk, tea and one rissole.

After tea listened to Capt Ben Barnett

give a talk on his cricket career, then

Cec & Jacks and self went for a

stroll before turning in. Nothing

else to relate mine own, my prayers

for you as usual, Then shut eye

59.

NOTES

13.5.42 WEDNESDAY 87th day POW

Three (3) months as a prisoner of war

today Peg and to me it is an eternity.

Oh to be in touch with you to know

how you are bearing up, my one consolation

is that you always promised to keep a

"chin up and smile attitude" for me,

it cannot go on much longer mine

own and then you and I for the

happiest of happy days, remember

my own verses to you. Every minute,

hour , day, week, month or year that

you have been absent from my side

will be repaid a thousandfold. I

want to love you as no other husband

could, you are my all noodle and

I worship your body, your soul and

my wife for what she truly is

"mine own".

You are brave I know Peg and

being so, you will carry on through

these anxious days so once again

we can only hope and pray that

our re-union through God

will be speedy.

Reveille 0800.

Shaved and showered. Breakfast

0900 consisted of rice meal (very

small helping), milk, tea and one

biscuit. Usual morning watering

NOTES

13.5.42 WEDNESDAY continued

fatigue and picking greenery for the

stew. Had a shower and then dinner

at 1330 consisting of rice, stew, tea and

one piece of bread

After dinner with Cec went to say

goodbye to Bill Nicholas and Tony

Taylor, they are in this advance

party leaving in the morning, for

where nobody knows. Vince Leonard

is also going. Bert, Harry, and Winkie

are in a working party in Singapore,

leaving Stan, Reg and myself in

camp. Have given Tony & Bill a

message for you if they get an

opportunity. Brian Badgery gave

all the impression he is not going

in the party.

Afternoon tea 1600 and then a

shower again with Cec.

Tea consisted of rice meal, milk,

two fat cakes and tea. After tea Cec

2 Jacks and self went for a stroll to

see the cleaning out of Paddy's market.

Came back to our barracks and

then turned in. Oh mine own

if only all this business about

going home can be true. My

prayers for you as usual mine

won, nothing else to relate so shut

eye.

NOTES

14.5.42. THURSDAY. 88th day POW

Advance party reveille 0500.

Left building 0615. Bets all around the

place that we will be in Australia by

31.7.42, what do I think mine own, if

only it were true.

Reveille 0800 shaved and showered and

breakfast at 0900. Consisted of rice meal,

milk, and tea (note nothing else).

Tinea is still worrying me. Spent

the morning in the garden, watering and

digging. From all accounts (furphies)

we will be home soon, how or why,

no one knows definately. Showered

and dinner consisting of rice, stew,

(including two (2) potatoes, the first ever)

tea and two pieces of bread.

Attended Italian class in afternoon

with Clarrie and Cec. Furphy is that

within 14 days we leave for Timor to be

exchanged as 'Ps O.W' and then to N.W.W AUST

to be interred for 60 days, during which

time we are to built up to normal. Oh

Peg you can guess how hard I am

praying can't you, oh if only it were

true. Tea consisted of rice meal, milk

tea, two biscuits (you could smell jam on

them). AIF concert tonight, an excellent

show, we enjoyed it very much. Nothing

else to relate mine own, My prayers for

you as usual, then shut eye.

NOTES
15.5.42 FRIDAY 89th day POW

Reveille 0800.

Shaved and showered. Oh mine own the

furphies are gathering momentum, this

morning the latest is that the advance party (6000)

that left yesterday have gone to Timor as

Hostages, the remainder of the A.I.F are to

leave direct for West. Aust. within fourteen (14)

days, pray ever so hard noodle won't you

Breakfast consisted of rice meal, tea, milk,

and one biscuit.

RaP for tinea treatment. Working in

garden. no shower at dinner time,

giving my tinea a chance to dry up.

Dinner 1330 consisted of the unusual.

rice meal, tea, two pieces of buttered bread,

and believe it or not one level desertspoonful

of sugar (we must be as rumoured "Guests

of the Japanese Govt).

Spent the afternoon reading at Educational

Centre, had a long chat with Brian B.

Had a game of solo before and after tea

and then Cec and I did a stroll. Tea

consisted of rice, stew (double issue), one

fat cake and cup of tea.

Very distressing news our O.C Major CW

Atkinson passed away this afternoon, the

funeral is tomorrow. Nothing else

to relate mine own. My prayers for

you as usual, Then shut eye.

NOTES

16.5.42 SATURDAY 90th day POW

Reveille 0800.

Showered and then breakfast at 0900.

After breakfast Cec and I gave a hand

at wreath making, Cec wanted to make

a wreath for the Major's wife so we gave

a hand. It is a holiday observed in our

building to day, funeral being at 1130.

Breakfast consisted of rice meal, milk,

tea and one fat biscuit.

Cec and I collected armful's of frangipani

blooms for the wreaths and gave a hand

in making them.

Funeral at 1120 I gave a hand in

carrying wreaths. Will describe funeral

in full on next page

Dinner 13300 (an extremely hot day) consisted

of rice, stew (poor soup), tea and one piece

of bread

Played solo in afternoon. Acquired a

topez and proceeded to autograph it

with detail.

Tea consisted of rice (no ground rice on

account of funeral) tea, milk and coconut

shredded in it, and one biscuit.

After tea Cec, 2 Jacks & self went for

a walk . the camp is like a deserted

village, only about 2000 of us left.

Saw a tinted frangipani bloom tonight

Nothing else to relate mine own.

My prayers for you as usual

Then shut eye.

NOTES

MAJOR C.W. ATKINSON'S FUNERAL

Passed away afternoon of 16.5.42.

Funeral party moved off from our

Div HQ. at 1130. Approx six (6) wreaths

(Audit Staff, Wife, Eschelon, Pay, GOC and

Building 44). Marched to Hospital, (boiling

hot day) Cec, Wally, Mac, self and a

couple of others acted as wreath carriers.

Halted at 10 AGH mortuary and

then with the body shrouded in the

Union Jack, wreathes placed thereon,

and a group of six (6) officers

as pall bearers, we moved off.

We marched half pace to the A.I.F

Cemetery (about ¾ mile) where

the service was read by Padre

Benjamin, very impressive indeed

with a large gathering of men

and officers.

Well Peg, one feels very much

for all those loved ones at home,

who have given their loved ones

for the cause of God, King and

Country, but they can always feel

justly proud of the deeds of valour

and the cause they died for.

"May God comfort and solace

all those whose loved ones have

been called to colours in the

greater beyond."

NOTES

17.5.42 SUNDAY 91st day P.O.W

Reveille 0800.

Showered and shaved. Breakfast 0930 consisted

of rice (not rice meal), milk, pea nut meal, tea

and one fat biscuit

Prior to breakfast Cec and I had a clean up

of odds and ends as we heard last night

that we are on "twelve (12) hours notice to

move", I wonder if, when and where we

will move to.

After breakfast Cec and I were on the usual

watering business. We did our washing.

and Then had a [[tong?]].

Dinner consisted of rice, stew, tea, yeast

and one piece of bread.

Played solo till afternoon tea 1600, then Cec

and I went for a stroll in our deserted

camp.

Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, custard

(yes), one (1) mince pie, and tea. After

tea had a bit of cricket practice and

then Cec, Jack G and self went for a

walk.

Everything is very quite. Chaps in

camp will do any thing for a smoke,

trade their foodstuff (meals) and it is

cruel to see them picking up cigarette

butts. Nothing else to relate mine

own. All my prayers for you as

usual, then shut eye, but what a

time it takes to get to sleep.

NOTES
18.5.42 MONDAY. 92nd day P.OW

Sleep would not come last night it

was about 0300 this morning before I

managed to get to sleep. I had to smoke

one of my few cigarettes, it was the hottest

night I have every experienced and mosquitos

by the million.

Reveille 0800. Showered and then breakfast

0900 consisting of rice meal, ground

wheat, milk, tea and one biscuit.

RAP 1000 tinea parade, only a slight

touch of it now.

Usual watering fatigue and then

the gardeners sat and speculated on

the rumours. No rain for about two

weeks now and the weather is

extremely hot and sultry.

Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, stew,

tea and one piece of bread.

After dinner Cec & I wagged lecture and

went scrounging, I managed to get an

officer's rain coat and Cec got a pair of

long pants. Played solo till 1800 and

then tea which consisted of rice meal,

(no milk) sugar (one desertspoonful), tea,

and one biscuit also three desertpoonfuls

of pea-nuts (Green). After tea, Cec, JG,

and self went for a stroll, discovered a

garden of camelias, the smell of them,

oh mine own, how I thought of you

Nothing else to relate mine own. My

prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.

NOTES

19.5.42 TUESDAY 93rd day P.OW

Reveille 0800

Shaved and shaved and then breakfast

at 0900 consisting of rice meal, peanut

meal, milk, two biscuits and tea

RAP for tinea treatment 1000 and

then usual watering fatigue in garden

At 1100 disappeared to [[tong]], to wash

my scrounged clothes, two towers, one

pair sox, one pair underpants and

two pyjama pants.

Dinner 1330 consisted of. rice, stew

(meatless) tea and one piece of bread,

In the afternoon Cec, Clarrie and self

went scrounging again managed to get

a good pair of rubber soled shoes

and one long pair of pants.

Played solo from 1700 to 1750 and

then had tea at 1800 consisting of

rice meal, milk, tea and one

rissole. After tea played solo again

for about 10 minutes and then went

scrounging again, got a kit bag

and some soap.

A particularly cool night again, so

sleep came quicker. Nothing else

to relate mine own. I have been

"building castles in the air" all

day. My prayers for you as

usual then shut eye.

NOTES

20.5.42 WEDNESDAY 94th day P.O.W

Reveille 0800.

Showered and then breakfast at 0900

which consisted of rice meal, milk,

tea and one biscuit.

RAP for tinea treatment

Usual morning watering fatigue, then more

scrounging. Cut down a pair of mosquito

pants for shorts.

Saw Brian Badgery and had a yarn.

A move for the rest of us is imminent; but

to, we still know not where.

Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, stew, tea and

one piece of bread.

Went scrounging again with Cec, managed

to get a pair Jade ornaments, two (2) small

ones, some soap, toothpaste and two (2)

housewifes'.

Had a shower and played solo until

1800. Tea consisted of rice meal, soup,

tea and two fat cakes. Went for a stroll

with Cec until dusk.

Met Stan Weatherby and had a four

of solo. Had a cup of tea and a biscuit

and then returned for sleep.

They are all talking about our move

and you can well imagine all our

hopes up in the matter. Nothing else to

relate mine own. My prayers for

you as ususal. Then shut eye.

NOTES

21.5.42 THURSDAY 95th day P.O.W
Reveille 0800.

Shaved and showered and then

breakfast at 0900 which consisted of rice

meal, milk, tea and one (1) biscuit.

[[Lt. Agdeh]] just informed me that in a day or

so I may be doing a few days auditing

(yes even though we are P.O.W). This morning

went to our old building and collected

a half bran bag of pea-meal, we have

run out, so more scrounging again

Boiled a sheet and a pair of pyjamas.

Dinner consisted of rice, stew, tea

and one (1) piece of bread.

Cec and I went scrounging again,

with much success, two toothbrushes,

one tin boot polish, tube tooth paste,

3 (three pairs of sox). whacko mine

own, your hubby is getting already

to come home to you, note my choice

of poems on the subject on the next

page.

Played solo from 1700 to 1800 then

tea. 1800 consisted of rice meal,

milk, tea, two (2) fat cakes and one

tin of pineapple between four (4)

men (nine cubes each). Had a shower

after tea. Concert was on in our area,

a good show too. Went for short stroll.

Nothing else to relate mine own. My

prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.

Last edited by:

Loretta Corbett

Last edited on:

27 June 2025, 9:47 pm

Last updated: 27 June 2025