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

LETTER DAY
NOTES

110

20.6.42     SATURDAY    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.  Oh 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".

111
NOTES 
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. I

tried some blatchan paste on my rice

and was compelled to hoist the rest of

it down the refuse hole, luckily Cec

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, Cec, 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 excellant, on our

way back from the concert, we

had toasted bread and tea at Stan's

Then bed Nothing else to relate mine own

my prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.

 

 

112
NOTES

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 AG de L until 1200, then went

down to Stan's and boiled all my clothes

except my sox, also washed a couple of 

towels for Cec, who played cricket today.

Had a tong and then dinner at 1330

consisting of rice (nosey), 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

dry and then off on the salt water

party.  Did not have a swim, but

tried to get some coco-nuts, got one

myself and bought three (3) for 10 cts

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 eat

them in civilian life, but then we

over here are not civilians so

thats that.

 

113
NOTES 
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). Read and watched

a solo four until tea at 1800, yeast

parade at 1700.

Tea consisted of rice meal, coconut grated

in its own milk, two slices of fish cake

and tea.

Played solo after tea, Cec 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.

 

114
NOTES

22.6.42            MONDAY         127th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0800

Showered and shaved, then very heavy rain

before breakfast. Cec 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 (nosey), greens, stew, tea and one (1) biscuit.

Did not go to the dentist in the morning on account

of the rain.

Cec 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 an hour, had

afternoon tea and then played solo until

tea 1800. Yeast parade at 1700 and while

we played solo, deck tennis on the lawn

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 AG de L.

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 own. My prayers for

you as usual then shut eye. 
 

115

NOTES
23.6.42             TUESDAY            128th DAY P.O.W
Reveille  0800

Raining cats and dogs, so Cec and I showered

under the drain pipe. Breakfast 0900 consisted

of rice meal, pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit.

Stan gave Cec 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,

AG de L, Cec and Barney were over at the canteen

auditing. Shaved and then read till dinner

1330 which consisted of rice (nosey), gravy,

greens, one biscuit and pkt of cigarettes. Cec

and I finished off our bread ex Stan.

Auditing again with AG de L until 1700

afternoon tea at 1600 then yeast parade

at 1700.  Played solo until 1800 then tea

consisting of rice (nosey), gravy and two

(2) pasties and tea (real meaty pastries).

Very overcast all day and a bit chilly,

have had a shirt on all day.

Down to Stan's with Cec after tea, played

500 and Stan repaired a gramophone, we

then listened to several records. All my

thoughts were of you in my arms 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 own. My prayers for you

as usual. Then shut eye.

 

116
NOTES

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 AG de 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 Cec and 

I both agree that Malayan pineapples are not

as good as Australian.

Auditing again with AG de 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.

Cec 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.

 

117
NOTES 

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 AG de L again this morning

until dinner time 1330.  Dinner consisted 

of rice, greens, gravy and tea (note no

biscuit this meal 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 Cec

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 even though.

They have weavils in them (yes we get

weavils 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 Cec 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.

 

118
NOTES

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.

Cec did the coco-nut grating this morning

Auditing again this morning until 1300.

Incidentally working with AG de 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. Cec, 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 AG de 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 pasty,

two (2) biscuits and tea, Cec opened a

coconut so we had coco-nut milk

and some dates on our rice, so you

can see that for our last two (2) meals

we have fared very well.

Played solo with Cec after tea until dusk

then for a stroll, called in on Stan and

sat in the moonlight until 2215 and

yarned. Nothing else to relate mine own

My prayers for you, as usual, then shut eye. 

OUR 2ND PAY DAY AS P.O.W.
119
NOTES

27.6.42                    SATURDAY            132ND DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0800

Believe it or not, I shaved and cleaned my teeth

before reveille 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 G de 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.

Cec 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 went for our usual nightly

stroll, it was a perfect full moon

and to stand on our balcony

 

120
NOTES

27.6.42          SATURDAY (contd)          132nd 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.

Cec 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.

 

121
NOTES 

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 auditing

again with AG de L until 1230 all the building

was washed out this morning to de-bug.

Read until dinner time 1330 dinner

consisted of rice, greens, fish sauce, tea

and one biscuit. Cec 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) pasty (date

-find the dates).

Went for a stroll and then Cec 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.

 

122
NOTES

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 today 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 out, it is just as

well because they have no filling material

available. No work this morning so I

read till dinner time.

Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens, fish

sauce, tea and one (1) biscuit.

Lt AG de L, our cooks were innoculated today

against the dreaded disease cholera, at

this stage they are only inoculating those

handling food, Cec 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 

 

123
NOTES
29.6.42      MONDAY (CONTINUED)          134th DAY P.O.W
No yeast parade today and Cec 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 Cec and I walked back with

him, had a cup of tea and picked up

another five (5) coconuts (gave Stan one (1))

and came back to bed.  Had a chat

in the moonlight with AG de L until

1100 then bed.

Nothing else to relate mine own, all

my prayers for you as usual then

shut eye.

 

124
NOTES

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 due 

to overdrawing of rations), pea meal, tea and one

(1) biscuit, had grated coconut on our rice meal.

Cec and I bought a Kati of peanuts each this

morning (shelled) for 85 cents, we intend to roast

them. A Kati of weight is about one and

a third lbs. (1⅓).

Auditing again this morning with AG de L

until dinner time 1330.  Roasted my

pea-nuts during the morning and AG de L

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 AG de L this afternoon.

Afternoon tea at 1600, yeast parade at

1700 at which time Cec and I watched

a solo four and then had a shower

before tea at 1800 which consisted of

rice meal, tea, and a pastry meat pie

in a herring tin, Cec 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

 

125
NOTES
30.6.42           TUESDAY (CONTD)      135th day P.O.W
to get a game.

Cec and I played solo after tea until

2000 at which time AG de L 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.

 

126

NOTES

1st.7.42          WEDNESDAY           136th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0800

Jimmy 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  I over ate the darned things, have

the J.B's this morning.

Stocktaking again at canteen this morning

with AG de L, 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 AG de L 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 our own

grated coconut.

Finished our game of solo after tea at 1900

then Stan W 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 mine own. All my prayers for you

as usual then shut eye.

 

127

NOTES 
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 AG de L again this morning

until 1330 then dinner consisting of one

small spoon of rice (nosey), greens, soup,

one biscuit and tea, let us hope we

can hang out till tonight.

Auditing again this afternoon with AG de L

until 1700. Afternoon tea at 1600 yeast parade

at 1700, then after watching a game of

solo, Cec 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 own grated coco-nut, so all

things being considered, I really enjoyed

my meal tonight.

Scored for a solo four until 1900. Stan W came

up and he, Cec and self watched the concert

from our balcony.  After the concert went

for a stroll and joined by Harry Longley

we sat on the middle of the road and

discussed the war situation. Cec and I

bought 25 cents worth of pepper tonight.

Nothing else to relate mine own. My

prayers for you as usual, then shut eye.

128

NOTES

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 (Cec did the grating).

Auditing again this morning with AG de L

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, put the

mats down (sticks for stumps) and our

team won by 91 to 36.  I made two (2), last

batsman in and wicket-kept, Cec 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.

Cec 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.

 

129
NOTES 
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. Cec did

the coconut grating this morning so that

improved the breakfast a bit.

Auditing again with A G de L 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 Cec and I 

always play in the same four (4).

Stan, Cec and I listened to a talk by Capt

Mitchell 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.