Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 6










LETTER DAY
110
20.6.42 SAATURDAY 125th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800.
Shaved and showered , whacko, today we
have been given a card to write one (1)
message on to our next of kin. We
are all thrilled. Naturally we can only
more or less write what we are
told, but it will be a relief for you
to know by letter card how we were
on such a date. We are only allowed
one card so have written mine
as:
MY DARLING WIFE.
I AM A PRISONER OF WAR, UNINJURED, AND FIT AND WELL.
ALL MY THOUGHTS ARE OF YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY.
MY FONDEST LOVE PEG. LET MOTHER KNOW AND
GIVE HER MY LOVE. HOPE ALL SAFE AND WELL
ALEX.
That expresses all my feeling within
the limits of our message. Of mine own
I hope you get it soon and that you
can read between the lines of my
missing you, wanting you and loving
you, "chin up and smile" (we are
not allowed to write any phrase like that).
I have a feeling that our re-union will
take place soon and then, Pug, we
can make up a thousandfold for our
being separated, "you and I for
happy days".
20.6.42 SATURDAY (contd) 125th DAY P.O.W.
Breakfast consisted of burnt rice and rice
meal, tea, pea-meal and one (1) biscuit
(not the best of breakfasts).
Spent the morning auditing after I
had taken thirty minutes (30) to write
my letter.
Dinner at 1330 consisted of rice, stew,
greens & biscuits (stale ones) and tea.
tried some blatcham paste on my rice
and was compelled to hoist the rest of
it down the refuse hole, luckily Bec
was off his tucker and I had half of
his.
Played solo during the afternoon and
then tea at 1800 consisting of rice meal,
custard (36 eggs ex canteen between 100
men and what a change), two (2) small
raisin pasties and tea.
After tea we went for a walk to the
canteen, Bec, Stan, Herb and self. Bought
two (2) cigars @ 5cts each and then
saw the concert again. A chap has
drawn 20 (twenty) sketches of Changi
subjects and is taking orders at
thirty shgs per set. I ordered mine
and gave him my address, I hope
that when this business is over, they
turn up, they are excellent, on our
way back from the concert, we
had toasted bread and tea at Stan's
Then bed nothing else to relate mine own
[?] prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.
112
21.6.42 SUNDAY 126th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
showered and then breakfast at 0930 consisting
rice meal, pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit
Oh for "bacon and eggs"
finished the borrowed book "OF HUMAN BONDAGE" W.S.
MAUGHAM and thoroughly enjoyed it. Cut up one cigar
with razor blade and mixed it with the rest of my
tobacco.
Auditing with a [A G de?] until 1200, then went
down to Stan's and boiled all my clothes
except my sox, also washed a couple of
towels for Bec, who played cricket today.
Had a tong and then dinner at 1330
consisting of rice (uosey), stew, two (2)
biscuits and tea. At dinner time I was
informed I was on the salt water
party at 1430. Flew down to Stan's,
rinsed and hung up my clothes to
ry and then off on the salt water
party. Did not have a [?], but
tried to get some coco-nuts, got one
myself and bought three (3) for 10cts
each b_________ dear, but they are a
god send, also purchased 10 chinese
cakes @ one (1) cent each, they were
excellant. A man would not ear
them in civilian life, but then we
over here are not civilians so
thats that.
21.6.42 SUNDAY 126TH DAY P.O.W.
Went down to Stan's on my way back,
had my cup of afternoon tea and
then collected my washing and had
a tong. (two tongs and a shower today
what a thrill a hot bath will be, when
the opportunity presents itself, a man
will need a dozen turkish baths to
get clean again). Rea and matched
a solo four until tea at 1800, yeast
parade at 1700.
Tea consisted of rice meal, coconut grated
in its own milt, two slices of fish cake
and tea.
Played solo after tea, Bec arrived back
from cricket at 1830 and then had his
tea, went for a stroll, yarned to Stan
and then came back to our building
nothing else to relate mine own. My
prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.
22.6.42 MONDAY 127th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Showered and shaved, then very heavy rain
before breakfast. Bec grated half a coconut
for breakfast at 0900 which consisted of
rice (not meal), pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit.
Had grated coconut on the rice. Spent the
morning auditing. Dinner at 1330 consisted of
rice (uosey), greens, stew, tea and one(1) biscuit.
Did not go to the dentist in the morning on account
of the rain.
Bec was put on rations this afternoon, to
Arty Square with trailer, meat and cigarettes
came in so tomorrow should be a good
day.
Auditing again in the afternoon until 1530,
gave my book keeping pupil and hour, had
afternoon tea and then played solo until
tea 1800. Yeast parade at 1700 and while
we played solo, [?] [ter?] on the [law?]
was in progress.
Tea consisted of rice meal, grated coco-nut,
two (2) fish cakes, one (1) biscuit and tea.
Dashed over to the canteen and bought
four (4) pine apples @ 10 cents ea and a
bottle of soya sauce 45 cents also three (3)
cigars in the black market for a G each.
Called in on Stan and played solo, had
supper, tea and piece of pastie, coconut biscuit
and one of our pineapples. Nothing else
to relate mine [?]. My prayers for
you as usual then shut eye.
23.6.42 TUESDAY 128th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Raining cats and dogs, so Bec and I showered
under the drain pipe. Breakfast 0900 consisted
of rice meal, pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit.
Stan gave Bec and I a small loaf of bread last night,
so we had a piece of bread and two (2) slices of pineapple
as well.
Raining cats and dogs again, so will try the dentist
tomorrow. Auditing by myself until 1200,
[Agde?], Bec and Barney were over at the canteen
auditing. Shaved and then read till dinner
1330 which consisted of rice (uosey), gravy,
greens one biscuit and pkt of cigarettes. Bec
and I finished off our bread ex Stan.
Auditing again with Alyde L until 1700
afternoon tea at 1600 then yeast parade
at 1700. Played solo until 1800 then tea
consisting of rice (uosey), gravy and two
(2) pasties and tea (real meaty pasties).
Very overcast all day and a bit chilly,
have had a shirt on all day.
Down to Stan's with Bec after tea, played
500 and Stan repaired a gramophone, we
then listened to several records. All my
thoughts were of you in my [arves?] mine
own, what would I give to be with you.
Oh Pug, I pray to God "to possess you of
good faith, courage and a stout heart"
Came back to our building at 2200. Nothing else
to relate mine [?]. My prayers for you
as usual. Then shut eye.
24.6.42 WEDNESDAY 129th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
A fine day, showered, grated coco-nut and
then breakfast at 0900 consisting of burnt rice
meal, pea-meal, one (1) biscuit, tea and
grated coco-nut.
Auditing this morning with A Gae L again
until dinner 1330 which consisted of rice, gravy,
greens, tea and one (1) biscuit.
Very extravagant morning, smoked three half
cigarettes, must have thought it was Xmas Day
Cut up a pineapple after dinner, but Bec and
I both agree that Malayan pineapples are not
as good as Australian.
Auditing again with A Gde L until 1700.
Afternoon tea and yeast parade at 1600
and 1700, then played solo until 1800
Tea consisted of ground rice (rice
meal), grated coco-nut and milk (army
issue), two fish slices and tea.
Bec and I went down to Stan's and then
over to a deserted building and cooked
herring rissoles and pineapple rissoles,
we ate them straight off the top of the
stove. Went back to Stan's and had
some gramophone music, I developed a
series of pains in the tummy, so came
home to bed, felt quite OK then after
being on my back. Nothing else to relate
mine own, My prayers for you as
usual then shut eye.
25.6.42 THURSDAY 130th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Shaved and showered, grated coco-nut and
then breakfast at 0900 consisting of rice meal,
pea-meal, tea and grated coco-nut (note
no biscuit this morning).
Auditing with AGach again this morning
until dinner time 1330. Dinner consisted
of rice, greens, gravy and tea (note no
biscuit this meat either).
I must tell you about the dragon flies over
here, they are all colours of the rainbow,
especially at our tong in the late afternoon.
Auditing again until afternoon tea
1600 then watched and scored for Bec
in a solo four until tea 1800. Usual
yeast parade at 1700. Tea consisted of
rice meal, two biscuits, tea and one (1)
tin of pineapple between three of us.
Purchased 28 cigarettes (28cts), 10 cherroots
(40 for 25 cents) and one (1) pkt of cigarette
paper (15 cents). The cherroots [?] though.
They have weavels in them (yes we get
weavels in everything over here, that
is where we get our meat vitamin from )
but make a good "cut up smoke".
Called in on Stan and Bec and I went to
to the concert. Came back to Stan's had a cup
of tea and played a few records, the to bed.
Nothing else to relate mine own. My
prayers for you as usual then shut eye.
26.6.42 FRIDAY 131st DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0900
consisting of rice meal, one (1) biscuit
and tea, we had grated coco-nut on our meal.
Bec did the coco-nut grating this morning
Auditing again this morning until 1300.
Incidentally working with Agde L auditing is
an easy past time, we certainly are not over
working ourselves.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, herring sauce,
tea, greens and one (1) biscuit. Bec, clarrie and
self opened one of our tins of sardines as well
on the strength of another pay day tomorrow,
so let us hope it is correct, it will be a
god-send.
Auditing at Canteen with A Gde L this
afternoon, bought one (1) pound of dates
45 cents. Returned to unit 1630, had
afternoon tea and then played solo
until tea 1800 yeast parade 1700. Tea
consisted of rice, soup, one (1) date pastry,
two (2) biscuits and tea, Bec opened a
coconut so we had coco-nut milk
and sauce dates on our rice, so you
can see that for our last two (2) meals
we have fared very well.
Played solo with Bec after tea until dusk
then for a stroll, called in on Stan and
sat in the moonlight until 2215 and
[?]. Nothing else to relate mine own
My prayers for you, as usual, then shut eye.
OUR 2ND PAY DAY AS P.O.W.
27.5.42 SATURDAY 132ND DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Believe it or not, I shaved and cleaned my teeth
before revielle and then had a shower, the reason
being the mosquitoes at the tong, they nearly eat
you alive and I do not want another dose of
dengue. (there is quite a lot of it about).
Breakfast consisted of rice meal, pea-meal
tea and one(1) biscuit and we had
grated coco-nut on our rice-meal.
Auditing again with A Gde L until dinner
time. Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, herring sauce,
greens, tea and one(1) biscuit.
Salt water fatigue has been cancelled daily,
as it is told by the Japs that there has been three
(3) cases of cholera due to using the s.w., I
sincerely hope that it is wrong.
Pay parade 1445, N.C.O's received $1.50 (one
dollar and fifty cents). haven't as yet planned
how I am going to spend it.
Bec and I went down to Stan's for
the afternoon and played solo until tea
1800 (came back to our building at
1700 to collect our yeast)
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, fruit
syrup, tea, one (1) biscuit and two (2)
fish cakes. Played solo until 2030 and
then wait for our usual nightly
stroll, it was a perfect full moon
and to stand on our balcony
120
27.6.42 SATURDAY (contd) 132 ND DAY P.O.W.
facing the sea ring with coco-nut palms
and a silver sheen on the ocean, one
finds it hard to realise that we are in a
prison camp.
Bec and I had a shower about 2200
in the moonlight as it was very hot. Oh
lassie how you fill all my thoughts, I
think of you every minute, wondering
where you are and what you are doing,
you are always with me in spirit.
Nothing else to relate mine own, I sincerely
hope that our separation does not last
long enough to enable me to write
many more pages in this, my ill kept
(or not) diary.
My prayers for you as usual, my darling
wife, then shut eye.
28.6.42 SUNDAY 133rd DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0930 consisting
of rice meal, tea, pea-meal, one biscuit
and I grated some coco-nut for our rice
meal.
Did some washing until 1100, then auduting
again with AgdeL untill 1230 all the building
was washed out this morning to de-bug.
Read until dinner time 1220 dinner
consisted of rie, greens, fish sauce, tea
and one biscuit. Bec is playing cricket
again today with the A.I.F.
Played solo after dinner until 1800
afternoon tea at 1600, yeast parade at
1700. Alex came around about 1530
and sat alongside me whilst we
played solo, he left about 1730 after
a deluge of rain.
Tea consisted of rice, tea, fruit juice,
two (2) biscuits and one (1) pastry (date
-find the dates).
Went for a stroll and then Bec and I called
in on Stan, we played 500 on the cement
floor (it is always hot) in the moonlight.
(a perfect full moon and not a cloud).
Came back to our building at 2215.
Nothing else to relate mine own.
All my prayers for you as usual
then shut eye.
29.6.42 MONDAY 134th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Shaved and showered and then breakfast
at 0900 consisting of rice meal, pea-meal,
one (1) biscuit; tea and our own grated
coco-nut. It is eleven (11) months tody since
I left you mine own and to me it has
been eleven (11) years, but you will be
repaid a thousandfold, you and I will get
all the happiness possible out of life after
our re-union.
It is raining cats and dogs again, but
went over to the dentist this morning and
got my tooth fixed, it was only a piece of
enamel off, not a filling our, it is just as
well because they have no filling material
available. As work this morning as I
real till dinner time.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens, fish
sauce, tea and one (1) biscuit.
lt AGdeL, our cooks were inoculated today
against the dreaded disease cholera, at
this stage they are only inoculating those
handling food, Bec being on the rice
grinding fatigue was also done, I am
hoping that I can get it, I would certainly
like to and I believe we all will eventually
when the serum is available.
Had a hair cut during the afternoon
and played solo until tea at 1800
29.6.42 MONDAY (CONTINUED) 134TH DAY P.O.W.
No yeast parade today and Bec and I
(believe it or not) bought 10 (ten) coco-nuts
from canteen, Stan gave us one (1) last
night and he is trying to buy six )6) for
us through his unit order, so "Rogans
Ghost: we will have enough coco-nuts
to last us for weeks (seventeen (17)).
Tea consisted of rice meal (very light)
soya sauce, tea, two (2) biscuits and one
(1) small rice cake or ball..
Played solo after tea, Stan came up and
at dusk Bec and I walked back with
him, had a cup of tea and picked up
another five (5) coconuts (gave Stan one)
and came back to bed. Had a chat
in the moonlight with A Gde L until
1100 the bed.
Nothing else to relate mine own, all
my prayers for you as usual then
shut eye.
30.6.42 TUESDAY 135th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Shaved before reveille (to miss the mosquitoes),
showered grated some coconut then breakfast
at 0900 consisting of rice meal (light issue doe
to overdrawing of rations), pea meal tea and one
(1) biscuit, had grated coconut on our rice meal.
Col and I bought a Kati of peanuts each this
morning (shelled) for 85 cents, we intend to roast
them. A Katie of weight is about one and
a third lbs. (1⅓).
Auditing again this morning with Agdeh
until dinner time 1330. Roasted my
pea-nuts during the morning and Agdeh
and self ate pea-nuts and audited.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens,
gravey, biscuit and tea. An extremely
hot day today. (I feel like something the
cat brought in).
Auditing again with Agdeh this afternoon.
Afternoon tea at 1600, [c/east?] parade at
1700 at which time Bec and I watched
a solo four and then had a shower
before tea at 1800 which consisted of
rice [?], tea, and a pastry meat pie
in a herring tin, Bec and I also
had grated coco-nut on our rice
meal.
Put my name in for a cricket match
to be played on Friday, I would like
30.6.42 TUESDAY (Cont) 135th day P.O.W.
to get a game.
Bec and I played solo after tea until
2000 at which time Agdeh and self
went around to the canteen to take stock
(30.6.42).
Returned to building at 2200. Nothing
else to relate mine own. My prayers
for you as usual, then shut eye.
1st.7.42 WEDNESDAY 136TH P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
[Jine?] Britz early this morning. About 0630
great air activity and at 0745 three (3) huge
flying boats went over our camp. Showered
and then breakfast at 0900 consisting of
rice (reduced quantity), tea, pea-meal and one
(1) biscuit. grated pea nuts and coconut (our own)
Yesterday we got our pea-nuts roasted and I
am afraid Cover ate the darned things, have
the C.B's this morning.
Stocktaking again at canteen this morning
with Agdeh, counting eggs, weighing fish etc.
Returned to building at 1130 and auditing
again until dinner 1330 consisting of
rice (small quantity), greens, fish sauce
and tea.
Auditing with Agheh again this afternoon
until 1600, then afternoon tea and no
more work for the rest of the day. Played
solo until 1745 (yeast parade at 1700) and
then tea consisting of rice meal, pineapple
juice, two (2) fish cakes, tea and ur own
grated coconut.
Finished our game of solo after tea at 1900
then Stan [?] came up and we listened to
a lecture by Brig. Taylor on Malayan
campaign. Walked back with Stan
and had a cup of tea, talked until 2130
then back to our building. Nothing else to
relate [?]. All my prayers for you
as usual then shut eye.
2.7.42 THURSDAY 137th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Shaved before reveille again this morning.
Showered and grated some coconut, then
breakfast at 0900 consisting of rice meal,
pea-meal, tea, two (2) biscuits and grated
coconut.
Auditing with Agdeh again this morning
until 1330 then dinner consisting of one
small spoon of rice (uosey), greens, soup,
one biscuit and tea, let us hope we
can hang out tree tonight.
Auditing again this afternoon with Agheh
until 1700. Afternoon tea at 1600 yeast parade
at 1700, then after watching a game of
solo, Bec and I went down for a tong.
Tea at 1800 consisted of rice meal (this
time a reasonable issue) tea, three (3)
biscuits, pineapple juice and we
had our [?] grated coco-nut, so all
things being considered, I really enjoyed
my meal tonight.
Scored for a solo four until 1900. Stan [?] came
up and he, Bec and self watched the concert
from our balcony. After the concert went
for a stroll and joined by Harry Langley
we sat on the middle of the road and
discussed the war situation. Bec and I
bought 25 cents worth of pepper tonight.
Nothing else to relate since once . My
prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.
3.7.42 FRIDAY 138th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0910 consisting
of rice meal, pea-meal, tea, one (1) biscuit
and grated coco-nut (Bec did the grating).
Auditing again this morning with Agdeh
until 1300. Early dinner today 1300 on
account of the cricket match. PAY V AUDIT,
ESCHELON and POSTAL.
Dinner 1300 consisted of rice, greens, gravy, one
(1) biscuit and tea, tried some pepper on our
rice and stew, it was excellant on the
meal.
Went over to collect the cricket gear at 1345
we played on R. A. ground that the
[?] down (sticks for stumps) and our
team won by 91 to 36. I made two (2), last
batman in and wicket-kept, Bec captained
our side, so we were all pleased with
our victory. The match finished at 1700,
so we came back to our building,
showered and then tea at 1800 consisting
of rice meal, tea one (1) biscuit and
a tin meat pit (in a sardine tin) and
grated coconut on our rice meal.
Bec and I played solo until dusk, then
went for our nightly stroll, met Stan
and yarned and came back to our
building at 2130. Nothing else to relate
mine own, my prayers for you as
usual, then shut eye.
4.7.42 SATURDAY 139th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800
Shaved and showered and oh gosh am I
stiff from yesterday, I feel as if I have berri-berri
in every joint. Breakfast at 0900 consisted of
rice meal (watery and not too much), pea-
meal, tea and two(2) biscuits. Bed did
the coconut grating this morning so that
improved the breakfast a bit.
Auditing again with Agdeh until dinner
time 1330, dinner consisting of rice, greens,
tea, one (1) biscuit and pepper.
No work this afternoon, played solo until
1800. Afternoon tea at 1600 and yeast parade
at 1700.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, custard
(eggs and condensed milk), two (2) cakes and
one (1) biscuit and tea, grated coconut also
made it very appetising. Finished a book
today "The Patriot" by Pearl S. Buck, I
thoroughly enjoyed it. I have often meant
to say that our regular solo games (even
though the cards are like soiled paper) make
a great time occupier, and Bec and I
always play in the same four (4).
Stan, Bec and I listened to a tack by Capt
Untchell entitled "skiing around the world"
and thoroughly enjoyed it, went for a
stroll and then to bed. Nothing else to
relate mine own, my prayers for you
as usual, then shut eye.

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