Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 5

90 
NOTES
6. 6. 42    SATURDAY   111th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Shaved and washed. Last night was another
oppressive night, perspiration literally ran
off me and all this with no clothes on.
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal,
pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit.
Am feeling much better today mine own
but am not to see the doctor again until
Wednesday (8.6.42)

Played patience with myself this morning
then with another couple of berri-berri
inmates we discussed the "going
home furphy".
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, green stew,
tea and one (1) piece of bread.
Played solo in the afternoon and at
1600 went and had a yarn to Stan
W.
Had a tong and then tea at 1800
which consisted of rice, green stew,
tea and two (2) biscuits.
After tea we played solo again
until dusk and then sat and
yarned in the porch.
nothing else to relate mine own
my prayers for you as usual then
shut eye. 

91
NOTES
7. 6. 42   SUNDAY.  112th DAY P.O.W.
Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary
Today is our second (2nd) wedding
anniversary, oh mine own treasure mine
how fervently all my thoughts are of you
this day especially, but then again all
my thoughts are always of you aren't they.
How I wish I could be with you on
this, our anniversary.
Looking back mine own on our two
(2) years of married life, I say to
myself what have I as a husband
given you. Firstly you had a
civilian husband for seven (7) days
and the remainder of the two (2) years
he was a soldier.
As a wife Pug you have received
none of the lovely things that you
are entitled to, but you have had,
you have and always will have
the most fervent and sincere loving
husband that it is possible for
a wife to have.
Yes mine own you have missed a
lot of the joys attributed to wedded
bliss, but if I am spared, you will
be rewarded a thousandfold, then
we can get all there is to be got
out of married life
Your first (1) anniversary gift to me 

92
NOTES
7. 6. 42    SUNDAY (CONTINUED)  112th DAY P.O.W.
the wristlet watch has gone, through
enemy action as also has my wallet,
my tobacco pouch and a lot of other
personal belongings, my watch was
my severest loss I can assure you,
I have waited until today to tell you,
because it was in remembrance
of to day twelve (12) months ago that I
got it, do you remember how happy
we were, how happy we always were,
and mine own how happy we will
always be.
Well noodle two (2) years of our
wedded eye has gone, but such a
lot of years remain for us to wake
up for what we have missed in
those two years.
All my places for the future are based
on our happiness and that alone
and in my prayers each night
I ask "that I may return to mine own
to give her all the happiness that she so
richly deserves, May we live happily
together. the two of us and our
kiddies if we are so blessed"
At this stage I feel Pug that I want
to take you away all to myself,
perhaps to some new State, Queensland
or Western Australia, where we can 

93

NOTES
7. 6. 42    SUNDAY (CONTINUED)  112th DAY P.O.W.
settle down and live for one another
and our happiness and contentment
alone together with our kiddies.
Oh mine own, this separation has
cost me dearly, I spend each and
every day in your arms, your photos
are always in and out of my wallet
and my day dreams are of our
future and our postponed honeymoon.
I know what you have gone through
and if my prayers are answered, and
never ever have I missed saying
them since I became a prisoner of
war, you will still be possessed
of good faith and cheer in these your
most anxious days, but "chin up
and smile" for me would you noodle.
"THOU WER'T MINE OWN SINCE TIME BEGAN

THOU MY BELOVED WOMAN, I thy MAN"
Reveilli 0800. Our wedding Anniversary
day started with a tropical storm
blowing and raining.
Washed and tidied up (yes I guess
you will have a domesticated hubby
when he returns to you) and then
breakfast at 0930 consisting of rice
meal, tea, one (1) biscuit. 

94  
NOTES    
7. 6. 42   SUNDAY (CONTINUED)    112th DAY P.O.W.
Today, last year, do you remember our
drinks at Ushers, just you and I, (We
met Mrs Nolan) our dinner at Cahills,
and you had an orchid and chocolates.
I can only today this year express as I
have done all my thoughts of you and
of us mine own, but am pressing
another frangipani bloom here, for to
we over here it is such a pure, white
and sweet bloom and to me that 

represents you.
If I am with you this time next year
Pug, I intend to have a plate of rice with
just everything I want on it, so as I will
be able to say, my first meal on my second
anniversary was plain rice by itself, what [[now]].
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens stew
tea and one (1) piece of bread.
Played solo during the afternoon
Cec was playing cricket for the A.I.F.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, two (2)
biscuits, tea, ground wheat and pineapple
juice.
Played solo after tea again and then
sat and yarned, well mine own our
second wedding anniversary has
passed but wait till our third one
we will make it a grand one
won't we. Nothing else to relate mine
own. My prayers for you as usual
then shut eye.
95
NOTES
Reminder of events since leave Aussie

in case I forget them. These events being

up to this date. except those diaried.
Farewell Sydney
Odds and evens - dice
Arrival Fremantle.

Train to Perth.

Depart Fremantle

Burial at sea - 2 days out

Convoy arrives Singapore
Torrential Rain.

Trucks to [[MC]] Soon

English Barracks  do.

Erecting tents.

Scorpions, monkeys

Orchids

First leave to Singapore.

Buying excursion

Anzac Buffet

Rickshaw trip

Camp to Tampin

Trip by utility.

Tampin camp

Chinese Picture Show

Harvest Festival

Tiger shot

Swallows.

Leave to Kuala Lumpar

Transfer to Audit Staff

Station Hotel Dinners

Dance at Majestic

Dance at Eastern
Camp to Johore

Canteen in camp

Dugouts.

Midnight (Paper boy)

Alex McBean

Brian Badgery.

Camp to Bukit Timah

(Holland Road)

Frangipani, Camelias

Will for tong purposes

Dengue 10 AGH , Mt Rosa

Shelling and Bombing

Con Depot.

Departure (hurried)

Katang - Con Depot.

Cathay Theatre. Singapore

Shelling and Bombing

Incidents in and

around Cathay.

Shell through roof of

theatre.

Flats left in a hurry

Meals in Cathay

Capitulation 15.2.42

Marches to Prison Camp

Changi.

Diary now covers

the rest of events.

Tobacco manufacturing.

Scrounging. 

96
NOTES

8. 6. 42    MONDAY    113th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800.
Tonged and had a shave. Am to see
the M.O again this morning.
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal, pea
meal, tea and one (1) biscuit
Reported RAP am to have another five
(5) days on the sick list, given another
supply of tablets (yeast).
Furphy has it that we are still going
home.
Played Cec crib this morning and
Cec came back from a gardening party
having scrounged two (2) coco-nuts,
two (2) [[quavers]] and a few pieces of
sugar cane. 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, green
stew, tea and one (1) piece of bread. After
dinner Cec and I had a piece of sugar
cane each and was it good
Played solo in the afternoon and
read and yarned until tea
1800 consisting of rice meal, green
stew, two (2) biscuits and tea.
Meat came into night so tomorrow
we should see a meat stew.
Played solo after tea again and
then yarned and to bed. Another
very oppressive night. Nothing else
to relate mine own, my prayers for
you as usual. Then shut eye. 

97

NOTES
9. 6. 42    TUESDAY    114th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0900
consisting of rice meal, pea meal, tea
and one (1) biscuit.
Cracked one of the young coco-nuts and
had the jelly and milk. We had to
furnish a list of surplus kit which we
cannot carry on a march, last night,
so a camp move is immenent.
Played solo before lunch with some
other invalids, read and had a
chat with AG de L, also plucked
a few wild gooseberries.
Dinner 1300 consisted of rice, stew (the
best stew we have had, I actually got
a piece of meat too, as big as a 2/- piece)
tea and one (1) piece of bread. Also
cigarettes (10) today instead of next friday.
Played solo in the afternoon, Alex Web
called about 1600, we sat, smoked and
talked for about an hour then he
went back to Con Depot.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, ground
wheat, tea, biscuits and one (1) rissole
(extra good). Concert in our area
tonight, quite good.
Yarned till dusk. Nothing else to
relate mine own.  My prayers for
you as usual, then shut eye. 

98
NOTES
10. 6. 42     WEDNESDAY    115th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Shaved and showered, feeling much better,
last night again an oppressive one, I
sat after saying my prayers, my head
on my knees, thinking of, loving and
wanting you ever so much.
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal,
pea-meal (I give Cec P.M and he gives
me his ground wheat), one (1) biscuit,
tea, and Cec and self had a cup of
coco-nut milk on our rice.
Heard this morning that we are to have
purchasing canteen rights and the
Japs one paying N.C.O'S. $4 (1/9) per month
(out of which $1 (2/11) is deducted for
unit cook houses, so going home
furphy is temporarily wiped.
Went down to  M.O to collect a couple
of days supply of yeast tablets.
Called in and saw Stan W, had
just returned from Salt water party,
he gave me half a coco-nut.
Spent the rest of the morning giving
a hand in the office.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice,
vegetable stew, tea and one (1) piece
of bread. Cec is playing cricket
again this afternoon. Played solo
on the tables in the sun until 

99  
NOTES

10. 6. 42    WEDNESDAY (CONT'D)     115th DAY P.O.W.
1745 then tea at 1800 consisting of
burnt rice meal, pineapple juice, tea
and two (2) biscuits.
We have our yeast now at 1700 and
does it give one an appetite.
Played solo after tea until dusk and
then to bed, another very oppressive
night. Nothing else to relate mine
own, my prayers for you as usual
then shut eye. 

100
NOTES
11. 6. 42     THURSDAY      116th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0900
consisting of rice meal, pea-meal, tea
and one (1) biscuit.
RAP and collected another supply of
yeast tablets. We believe we are now
going to be paid and have access
to a canteen, I wonder
Read and played solo until 1330
then dinner consisting of rice,
green stew, tea and one (1) piece of bread.
Played solo again in the afternoon
until yeast parade 1700 then
shaved and showered and knocked
down a couple of milk nuts (green
coco-nuts
Tea 1800 consisted of rice, green
stew, two (2) biscuits and tea.
Am feeling fit but am still on
the sick list.
I have a slight rash on my chest
(I always was a hairy brute), it is
a heat rash I think, but in any
case I will see the M.O. in the
morning.
Played solo for a while after tea and
then Cec and I went for a short stroll
(my first) nothing else to relate mine
own. my prayers for you as usual
then shut eye. 

101
NOTES
12. 6. 42     FRIDAY   117th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0900
consisting of rice meal, pea-meal, tea
and one (1) biscuit
Saw the M.O. this morning am now
on B.7 (seven (7) days light. duty).
Had a haircut and shower during
the morning and chatted with a
chap about Pastoral accounting (ex
Capt Packham).
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, green stew,
one (1)  piece of bread and tea.
Lt de AG and self went around to
the canteen this afternoon and did
same auditing, a canteen is going
to function from tomorrow and
we are going to be paid (N.C.O's $3 per
month) tomorrow.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal,
pineapple juice, tea, ground wheat,
and two biscuits.
After tea Cec and I strolled around
to see Brian at Educ. Centre, I was
after a couple of fountain pens
for auditing. Struck Stan W. Reg.
and Harry Longley on our way
back, yarned and then returned
to building. Nothing else to relate
mine own. My prayers for you
as usual, then shut eye. 

OUR. 1ST. PAY-DAY AS P.O.W.

102   
NOTES
13. 6. 42     SATURDAY     118th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Showered and then breakfast at
0900 consisting of rice meal, pea-meal,
tea and one (1) biscuit. Opened a milk nut
and had same milk on our meal, it
gives added flavour at least to the
meal.
We were paid at 1000 (three Japanese
dollars). I gave a hand in collecting orders
for the canteen.
Cec and I purchased two (2) tins of
pineapple cubes and two (2) tins of
herrings in tomato sauce, two (2)
ripe coco-cuts and two (2) packets
of cigarette papers, pineapple cost
35 cts per tin, herrings 65 cents, nuts
5 cts and cig papers 10 cents. We
are like school kids now.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice
tea, green stew and one (1)
piece of bread.
We understand that todays pay of $3
is for the month of May and from
1.6.42 we are to receive 10 cents (3d)
per day payable every ten (10) days.
(whacko if it is correct).
Played solo until 1630 and then
had a shower and a clean up.
yeast parade at 1700 and then 

103
NOTES
13. 6. 42    SATURDAY (CONTIN'D)    118th DAY POW
read and yarned to AG de L for a while
Tea (a gala meal). 1800 consisted of
roasted rice meal, a rissole, two (2)
cheese biscuits and a cup of tea.
Went for a stroll after tea and climbed
a cashew nut tree and got some
fruits (the nut grows on the extremity
of the fruit.
Came back to building yarned and
then bed. Nothing else to relate mine
own. my prayers for you as usual
then shut eye.
Jinsen P.O.W.C
30 July. 1943.
Alex.
I'm writing this on "our"
bed in Jinsen Prison Camp; in
the hope that when you read it
you will have a pint of beer in
your hand and an early prospect
of seeing Peg.
When you read this we
shall have parted - perhaps for
ever, though I hope not. You
and I were great pals. Our
friendship was born in adversity
and will continue in prosperity.
my wish for you is the same
as for myself -  Home soon &
a long life with the wife.
Your friend Jack. 

104
NOTES
14. 6. 42     SUNDAY     119th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Raining cats and dogs, showered etc
and grated some coco-nut for breakfast.
Breakfast consisted of rice meal, tea,
pea-meal and one (1) biscuit.
Poured coconut milk on the rice meal
and added same ground coco nut, 
gave the rice a good flavour.
Drain sweeping this morning and
then collected some more cashew nuts
for a chew. Stan W'by was cooking
a rice plum pudding this morning
as an experiment. Read a cowboy
yarn and then dinner at 1330 consisted
of rice, green stew, tea and one (1)
piece of bread.
After lunch Stan, Bob Leslie and self
went collecting cashew nut fruits (Cec
is playing cricket today). Got quite a
few (ants in ones' pants) called at
canteen, then home for yeast
parade. 1700. Showered and
played solo until 1800. Tea
consisted of rice meal, pineapple,
tea, ground wheat, two (2) biscuits,
After tea Cec and I went down to
Stan's and played solo until dusk.
nothing else to relate mine own. My
prayers for you as usual then
shut eye. 
105
NOTES
15. 6. 42   MONDAY    120th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Shaved and showered and then breakfast
at 0900 consisting of rice meal, pea meal,
tea and one (1) biscuit, added some
ground coco-nut again to our meal.
Commenced auditing his morning
and worked until 1300, during the
morning, my book-keeping pupil came
around and I gave him an hour.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, green stew
(water) and tea, note NO BREAD. so
we opened a tin of herrings between 3.
More auditing in the afternoon until
afternoon tea 1600, then played
solo until yeast parade 1700.
Cec and I then had a shower.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice, tea,
stewed pineapple (small helping)
and two (2) date pasties, whacko.
Hughie McLeod lent me a book
"Of Human Bondage" in exchange
for my copy of "San Michele".
Lay awake for hours mine own, thinking,
hoping and planning for us, oh if
only I could learn, how you are, where
you are, that is my one worry, so
earnestly each night I ask God to
"give you courage, faith and good
cheer".  Nothing else to relate  mine
own. My prayers for you as usual
then shut eye. 

106 
NOTES
16. 6. 42    TUESDAY    121st DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0900
consisting of rice meal (toasted), pea-meal,
tea and one (1) biscuit, poured
some grated coco-nut over the rice again.
Auditing again this morning until
1200 then polished my boots and shoes.
Stan W. has been offered the job of
OC our cook house, but do not know
if it will came off or not.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, stew,
one (1) biscuit and tea & pkt of cigarettes.
Auditing until 1600 with AG de L
then afternoon tea. Cec went around
to ordnance to get his repaired
boots. I went around to the canteen
with AG de L to pick up unit orders,
but nothing doing.
Came back to unit at 1700, had
my yeast issue and played solo
until 1800. Raining cats and dogs
Excellent tea consisting of rice
meal, pineapple juice, tea, one (1)
biscuit and two (2) fish rissoles.
Raining after tea, no concert, so
played solo again until dusk.
nothing else to relate mine own
my prayers for you as usual, then
shut eye. 

107

NOTES
17. 6. 42       WEDNESDAY    122nd DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800.
Showered and then grated another one
our coco.nuts. Breakfast 0900 consisted
of rice meal, pea-meal, tea and one
(1) biscuit, had grated coco-nut on our
rice.
Spent the morning auditing with AG de L
and then dinner at 1330 which consisted
of rice, greens, stew, tea and one (1)
biscuit.
Auditing again in the afternoon
on and off. Afternoon tea 1600 and
yeast parade 1700. Tea 1800 consisted
of rice, pork stew (we got a pig), two
biscuits and Cec and I opened a
tin of pineapple between us, whacko
a good tea.
Went gathering cashew nuts for
half an hour in the afternoon, got
quite a few. Gave Stan the nuts to
cook. After tea I grated some more
coco nut and then Cec and I called
on Stan. We went over to the canteen
met Alex and Doug, bought a Katty
of pea-nuts, 25 cents, then went to the
concert, just started and a storm
finished it, Played solo in Stan's
room until 2130, then to bed. Nothing
else to relate mine own.  My prayers
for you as usual, then shut eye. 

108
NOTES
18. 6. 42     THURSDAY     123rd DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800
Shaved and showered and then
breakfast at 0900 consisting of rice
meal, pea-meal, tea, one (1) biscuit and
grated coco-nut.
Did some more auditing this morning,
went over to the canteen to do a spot
of auditing but too busy, so came
back and Cec and I did a spot
of work here, till AG de L gave
Cec a spell.
Dinner consisted of rice (nosey), tea,
stew, greens and one (1) biscuit.
Cigarettes for sale at 1415 @ 10 cents
for a packet of ten to day.
Went over to the canteen again with
Cec and Barney, showed them a
couple of books and then I came
back to our building. Played solo
until 1600, Alex and Doug came around
we had afternoon tea and yarned till
1700 then Cec and I walked part of the
way back with them and got some
cashew nut fruits, Alex is going to
experiment. Showered and then tea
at 1800 consisting of rice meal, soup, tea
and two (2) raisin pasties. Cec and I went
down to Stan's, roasted and ate some cashew
nuts (excellent). Played solo and Stan gave us
supper consisting of tea, rissole, pie and bread
we came back to our building at 2200 feeling
like Kings. nothing else to relate mine own. My
prayers for you as usual, then shut eye. 

109   
NOTES

19. 6. 42   FRIDAY.    124th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800.
Showered and then breakfast at 0900 consisting of
rice meal (toasted), milk (ex canteen funds), tea, one (1)
biscuit, pea-meal, and our own grated coco-nut
(a bit high). Discovered this morning that I have
lost a filling from one of my back teeth. I do
not think anything can be done about it, but
am going to make inquiries.
Reported to MO about my berri-berri, now
OK mine own and I walked over to the
dental unit about my tooth, am to go
on Monday morning next.  Met Brian
on the way back and had a chat. Also
gave my pupil a bookkeeping lesson
for an hour whilst waiting for the doctor
Auditing with AGL until 1330 then dinner
consisting of rice, stew (gravy), greens, tea
and one (1)  biscuit. Auditing again in
the afternoon till 1700 then yeast parade.
Played solo until 1800 then tea
consisting of rice meal, stew, rissole,
and tea. Shifted seats and tables for
concert at our building, played
solo until concert started 1715 then
enjoyed it. Went for a stroll afterwards

and then to bed. Nothing else
to relate mine own. My prayers
for you as usual, then shut eye.