Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 7

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.189
Difficulty:
5

Page 1 / 10

130 NOTES Wot PAY P.ON 2-742 SONPAY Zeveilli 0800 shomired and byore breakfast put my washing on to boil, Breakjast 0930 consisted of rice weall some bure and in inace quantites), peadeal, one 9) anscit and ca, I grated some cocouit, so the added to our meagie cal improved King after breakfast I ruised my washing out and lung it together with my bed clotes on the prison Carbed wore B dry, Odwne ovn, I will be a great husband around our louie, being able to wash, sweep and ceok and mind clothes, goe woodle these days of separation canest east much louger, I do hope and pray that by now you have a least received news from the Ariy that I am a pow and that my liter card has arrived, oh how I hope it has, it well ease your weend a lot. auditing again this morning with a gacl untl 1300. Camed during the morning and I had to tear out and grab the bed clotes Dunnr at 1330 consisted y rice (small issue again), grees, gravy (what out of nobody knows), biscut and tea, it is hard to uisualise a good sunday dinner 131 NOTES 373 Hoth Pry RON 2 wethout geting a pain in the Tunny Striet full dress parades are to be held shortly, we believe and such things as weits saluting kenolver in curior and "hats on sticl for practice, leads one to believe that soue of us over line wust be "going tropical! up to date our unt has not participated out understand it is to take place in the enning week. Played silo in the afternoon uith 1800. Afternoon tea at 1000 and yeast parade at 1700. Tea at 1800 cousisted of nce meal, purcapple juice, grated wco wet, tea twos) garlie canes, and ten, we all agreed that it was a seut effort. played nolo again after tea and at 3030 bee and self went for our usual street. Nothing clse to relate mine awcerdey payers for you as usual then shet eye
over 3id Pox DAY AS. PO.W. 132 NOTES NARYPON 12 6 722 Revielli 8800 shaied and stawered and then breakfast at 0900 cousisting of riciaual, pea-meal tea and one Of biseut and our grated cacount auditing again with agai f the morning slieking Canteen Des as at 30.0.421 Another force of A.F.& are to go oversens tamorrow CO Fore), where to wohody knows, the other force (AForce) is runioured to be in Burna. Hunur 1300 learly on a/c of second cunoculation for cholvia men) canisted of me givns, gravy, ane Oibrcint and tea, our pippor assisted things. Three of andi Stayf have been detailed to stand by for EForce, Bob Sadir, Clarric Ounll and wally Bupps, my oc nyos me that I cannot go even if I want to so thats that bec was given the opportunity but says we will stek together. anditing again this afternoon with agack after he sawe back from having his chelera injection. After dincer I popped down to see Stan w and to say goodlye to Brean Bwoles in standing by on B Force. Pay parade at 1530 and I received aly $1.50 for another 10 days as a NOTES 6-742 MANDAY CONTMNUEDY IHPSFPNYPON Japauise Prisoners of war, I feel like a bloated wllionaire, bee and I have put an order in to the cauteen today and mey pay will disappear in its enterity if the cauteen supplies the goods as ordered. Played solo pom - 1645 uitil 1800. Fea parade at 1600 and yeart parade at 1700 our cauteen order arrived a 6,1700 and we purchased te pllowing, 1et of cocout ail (about 3/rds of a bevr bottle) (for havr and good use, 1aottle seya same, 1bake cheeln cance, 14 dept of cocod, reo raisins and Brall of garlie for feavouring (even though it has a strong suell i arssts when chapped up in giving the nicia plaves) so we are will set up for a while. Tea 1800 counted of ruc meal, lot grated cocount in its own miek, two O) biscus and yiu pate and tea, we added a pwraiss and our own grated coccunt After tea we called ne on Stan and went oney to the concert at R.A.A.A darued good show too Wacked back to our lineding uoking do to relate ae over. all my prayen for you as usual ten shut eye
134 BCS MLnaIPOW 72/442 JUEEDA Genulli 0800 showered and grated soun coso unt. for buakast I forgot to wention 6.7.42 that we purchased another ciue A) cocounts, so we have now twenty one (o1) in all so y there is a pod blockade ane certinly will not starve Breanjast at 0900 consisted o oe cucal, pea uical, tea, powdered wilk made up and our grated corosunt. Rad a Beughaz i Derby with a Ruge Fude after Creakfast, it was behind my hor, it must have incasured six (o) iuchis across, maciaged to play it with a cricket bat Auditing at cauter again this morning and then back to our building and I there and then atempted to construct an Audet Repor (of yor you werl laugh). Denver at 1330 cousisted of cussey me greens, stew, ine of biscuts and tea bec and Fhought Brd of a 3(two) ll ter o dripping this morning, tn costs $1.0S, so I am indebted to bee for 35 cents but same gartie for lunch to toue dowe the nosegnce; and this together with, repper, and chile sance nearly made the meal palatable. Audiing until 1500 and Kin 135 NOTES 27 03 TYFSPRYEconrerven HHSAXRPAN played solo uitit 1800. Afternoon tea 1600 and years parade 1700. Tea 1800 counsted of me ueal, tea, one o biscin and a turned pastry ree our condunciets in tuis and listles consised of soya same, raisins, dryyping, grated coconet and pipper and we thoroughly enjeyed our tea all our building is aluzs on account of the move to marow morning, I am NC Oi clarge of baggage party and reautle for as is 0600 can you unaguie S Went over and said goodbye oBran and then back to see Stan, bec and took our cicoa, dripping and oue of cacout down and whacks for a farewell supper it consisted of rich hot eocsa with condused wiek and rugar, his cuts and some of Stans ncat pry teased bread loay, dripping and ripper Yee Ing we felt like lods, one containly will appreciate little extras after this. came dack to our building at DSo feeling very full Caw the most beautiful cuuset touget between two O palms clotking ulse to relate nune own all my prayers for you as usual then sheet eye.
136 NOTES 143rd PA7 P.O.M 3:7:117 BEAYES Zevelli 0600 for haggage party. We moved off fom our building at 0655 with eigaten (D kits on our hailer, picted up tin (10) more at Dwvy and Ken rusded and pulled the lot up He Beg kell to Barract Equare, ten yus on the party uecaded our lot and brought the empty taiter back to our building. at 07y0, had a cup of tea and a shower and then breakfar at 0845 cousisting of rue meal, drinping; ane or besant pea ucal, grated cocount, pepper and eoied also some duid wick After breakfast Cce and I tredowe t see san picked up a lammer cuealls, staol, a book and a few oads and ends. Our party of eightern 3 wen enoaid off at 0930, shook Lands all round and in oue way we all feel lowny at oning them 90, we know not where they are going and it is a bread anisng us, well wine own I hope and pray it is a move for the better and nearer and closer to our dear ouer, gee anie own it srely caund be ling byore we are re-weted and then our lifelong happiness begue 13 NOTES 3:17:1/ BiaDMYP.O auditing again this worning with agdi wntil dinner a 1330 cousisting of me, gre gravy, one a lusant and tea. We added voya ance, garer and reppor awaiting again this afternoon with agait wte 1000 atternoon tea, yeast parade at 1700 watched Oce in a solo four and grated some cocount. Tea at 1800 counsted of rice ueal grated csconnt and its wilk heated up, paltauas pepper, dupping and two B) biscuits and one a garlie cake and tea. Played scloafter tea until 3030 and then went for a stroll. Received our iseof paper (ove slee of newspaper) Cec and I had ashower about 3130 and then to bed. Chauge gaol lasked like New York last wight noking else to relate wnve owce. all vy prayers for you as usual, then sher eye
138 NOTES 144t PRY P.O.N JAR 4742 22 Gevueli 080 showered and shaved and there breakfar! at 0900 consisting of rue mear, peameal oncbe I buaint and tea our ovn dripping, repper and 1000 unt, be aid the cocount grating this mornning There are only a few hundred outside hospital patients and say left in the camp now, soit is dejinately a diserted willage yesterday a feight of foty eigl. Japanar bowders went over, they were escorted by fifteen fightus and &also your huge flying boats, so there must be som actuity reasonably ceaseat land. andiing with agoe by again this morning, a tuip was on today to the maccland collecting puncapples with the japs, I would lide to Rave gave, but perhaps wext tie I way be lucky. Dever 1330 consiied of me, greens, gravy au leiant, and tea, we added pipper saya sance and dryping auditing again in the aftenioon with Agdez until 1700. Played solo tel 1800 and then tea cansisting of prce ueal, tea, two O hiscit and a cocount stul, we added grated cocount, pepper and dryying Played sold after tea until 1900 139 THUESONEONMNOI) HLSAYPS 0.242 bre and I did some cooking, his with consisting of ground burielrue, and cts flowr ana grated coco-wt, cooked in coco net ore, borrowed a prying pan and did the job we faued the rece in a tir ih. Saue old garage. alade about ten Co ades There was a concert on our sage but we had abready seen it on usarday, so after our cooking, went down and had a slower about 3051 Reterned in time to replace thles and Yours and then went for a sholl, Discovered your G vron beds, a procuptly brought kin back to our building, whachs, all we need now is a matterss. wdece mine owre the is nothing clre to relate, all an prayers for you as usual then shut eye.
140 NOTES FRIDRY 10743 145t PAY P.ON Revenle 6800 barted our beds upstans and made it look like leme. Howered and then breakfost at 0900 consisting of ruce. wcal, peameal, one a besut and to Weadded grated coconet, repper and diyping anly worked for a few minues and hen the rest of the morning to wysey. Were for a sholl by mysey and then shaved and read tee diner at 1350 coussting of recegreem, gravy, tea and such beseuet addedoyasauce, pepper and garlie Afternoon off again, the cipe must be good ustet it, o w ow it is only iueten days to 9o (39th July) since I last saw you, lift you and said gudleye, to we, it has been a lyes gran and to you I Buone anly too well what it has mcant goe Iug; I am so very confident that we will be re uited by amas 1942 and then we will start all ouer again as I say in my inglty prayers you and I and our iddee if we are so blessed. Catedrome coco-weet and nixed cocoa with it fortea. Played do fom 1600 until 1800, aftemioon tea at 1600 yeas parade at 1700 bec and two others were collectng wood 141 NOTES FRIE (COx THTHPRYPON 18742 this afternoon. Tea at 1800 consisted of rice wcal (watery), tea, one a bescut and pie in te, we added grated coeount in coioa, pippor, reya sance and dripping and had quite a good tea Played solo after tea until 3030 and ken by ueeans of a broken down hurricane lamp and a rueto cream lamp tried to play uectil 9100, but it was a jailure, the light falls very quickly at ueght ouer here, one imete it is light and literally the next is dank. went for our ingeky woll, ts place is practically diserted came back to our building and then to bed nothing else to relate mine own. All vey prayers for you as usual, Hen shest eye
142 NOTES MIRR 47:3 46t PAYEOH Baucilli 0800 Shawered and then brakjast at 0900 consisting of burnt rie weal, pea meal, tea and once) biscuit, we added grated cocount and dripping bec did the grating this moning our aids were tegwas last ought and we seept like teps Aswork again this moring so boiled all the sailed clothes (bec and mine a well as my two sheets. Mrs Harris over the wash tule was not ue it. Had a shower and then dinner at 1330 counsting of rice, greens, gravy, ten and onr bisc. Addin garle, roya sauce, drippring and pepper Thismorning the usual four (41 large fap plying boats were over and over our camp again tewing their white sauages and once on thuir return tip, one of the sausages was just about bloven to bets, they must have been practicing up on the wamland to the A.I.F cemetery this afteroon to pick up three 6) butts on our trailer for firewood our cemetary is in execllant order, tere are about fty graves and amrong them are three 61 8/15th chaps, Iouly knew tuo of them arrived back with our load at 1615 had a cup ytea and then a 14 SAIVEYRYEM) MCHDAY P.ON 7 ting. Played solo until 1800. yeast parade at 1700 (yeast was not the arst) Fea 1800 Cexcellant) consisted of rice ccal saup, two s) pish cakes and anephisat and ta we added cocount, raisis, dupping and reppor glayed solo after tea until dusk, then douned our long paits and shorts and went for our ingatly sholl. It was be first tue for ages since I have marn cong rants, really, sunce I was last at Eeminyet Came bark to our building and then to Aed clothing cese t relate mine scan all my mayers for you as usual ten stect eye.
144 NOTES W7h DAY. PO SONDA 72 Genelli 0800 Shanea and showered cleared my hoots, made a hat band os there is a full church parade this morning at 1015. Breakfast 0930 consisted of we mcallat pea meal, one o bscnt and tea, we added grated coco wit ripper and dripping At 105. we feel in and after an inspection by our dc atended the church parade under the cacowet palies until 1100 During the service, placces were ever head yeturned to building at 1115, made to he caun, one out of wax and another out of sgurts cream. Bared like blazer before diner 1330 which consisted of rice, grens, fst sance, tea and an C viscut, we added repper, chile sauce and dripping Tull again after dinner and we played solo. wntil tea at 1800 Afternoon tea at 1600 and year parade at 1700(more like beer every day. Tea 1800 consisted of ruimeal, saup, tea and one and ane half parties Cparty, sugan me and cocount), we added graed coco wet, dripping raisins and pipper 145 NOTEE SUNDAYLCONID) IHTH DAYPON. 2743 went for a wrounging stoll after ca, bee, Beopesliand ney, collected a shert, two 6 pairs of shorts, a pair of long pais, a walking stek, a Lurricane laup geart and same cricket gear Beturned to building, had a tereg (in the daid, let our lamps, they junchoued 10070. and then to bed coking use to relake iine owe. all my prayers for you as usual, kew. sheet sipe
146 NOTES MINPRY 13742 NEANNPON Ravulle 0800 slewered and then breakart a1 0900 cousisting of rie ucal, pea-meal, ha and onct) cisout, co offie work this morning. bus put some clohes on B boil and was called away on a spicial yortqul, so I tok lis place on the rui gunding squad tunsted aboutB and then went and seroanged a ssand and a takle for our two o boxes. Tonged and ken dinner at Bso consisting of burnt ghepice, grins, fish same and talAD.w0 bisant), added pepper, saya rnce and gavee Didnene tw erushing ater dinner until 1500 kin ram. Played sele fom 1645 wtil 1800, afternoon tea pt 1600, yeart parade at 1700 Tea 1800 consisted of ruc meal, one and one half pastes, pucapple juice, one r bisaut and tea, we added aius dripping, repper and grated cas wet went pr a stel at 30s0 after playing solo and got Robert Lislel a bed. Returned to buulding a3Bo loking sere trelate mine own, all my prayers for you as usual kin cut eye 1i NOTES 447/& 149t DAY PO WESL Rennell 0800 Thowered and then breakast at 0900 counting of me weae, nea meal, two 3o descets and ten we added dryping, pepper and grated coco iet Iwas on raton fatque this morning lex our building at1100 and returned pave supply depo at 1345, perspire, gee I was like a werag. Had a shower and ten dinner at 130 consisting of ne, gravy grens, one obiscit, and tea we added garlic, pepper and dripyring. Aftr dinner we went over to Odnane to piek up a long pair ex pants for bee and a pair of boots for aself, before leaving the out house at Divoycaugh aligh and did i crackler Come back to our building at 1600 had aternoon tea and played solo until 100, year parade at 1700 Tea 1800 consisted of rcecueal, weat pee, acc biscent and tea we aaded grated cococit dryping, rarnng and repper and soy a sance Playel sils after tea until 3050, wen for our usual stroee(now have to wear long paits and shirts slewe turned down) notking else to relate we our emy prayers for you as usual, hen shut eye
148 NOTES 15742- AEPHESSM 150RDAYP.OM Ravlli 0800 shaved and them showered, briak ast at ogoo consisted of rue wead surnt, pea mcal, tea and onc 111 besoint, we addret grated cocouits, dripping and reppir I am playing cricket this afternoon for our building against Devvy. Ticking gree this morning wntil Doo tin back to our building, hnd a ting, rested cuitil diner at 1550 which counted of ricequis, psto gravy, ten and auct cixut and tea, we added during rays sance and repper als o garlee Played oricket this aftern con; very lot; we won by to ruin, I made 5.H.0. Came back to our building about 1730 thoroughly burnt. I have liecouse soft through being in the office) had a shower and then ten at 1800 consisting of me weal pineapple jine, two fat caker, yeas! and tea, we added grated coco ct, dripping, repper and raiscus all hed we thorouglly enjoyed it Played solo afterten wiht dusk and then for cerienial shell, had a look cit a koulding we are supposed to be insaing into 177.42 noting else to relate neneaane all my prayars yor you as usiial them osbut eye 149 NOTE SBFDAY PON 174 TRSRY Reverli 0800. Gaming cats and dags, showered and ten breakfast at 0900 consisting of rue meal, hea ueal, sue biscrt and tea we added drypng, colocnt and repper dee wood fatue after breakfar, three hrailer loads and prushed at 000, given a cupr of tea and ten weeek dawse for a shower. Dinver Bsocounted of rece, greens, grany sue o aiscurt and ca, we added gartic, repper voya same and dupping Anditig in the afteroon with agdit fante 1900(yeart parade), afterison ten parade at 1600, watched a solo your with 1800 then tea counsting o nece ueal, pineapyile junce, tea and two Or pineanple pastes, we added raisins and grated to to mi and ance again had & grand tea. Arl his afternoon cooked some rice neal with grated so co-unt, ant I was not too imressed with it Concert in our area ouight, it is runioured that we lave for papan you 3o.7.45wonder went for a shall after a good coucort then to bed notting else to relate mine own all my prayers ffor you as usual then shut eye

130
NOTES
5.7.42    SUNDAY    140th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0800
Showered and before breakfast put my
washing on to boil. Breakfast 0930
consisted of rice meal (semi burnt)(and
in small quantities), pea meal, one (1) biscuit
and tea, I grated some coconut, so that
added to our meagre meal improved things
After breakfast I rinsed my washing out
and hung it together with my bed
clothes on the prison barbed wire to dry.
Oh mine own, I will be a great husband
around our house, being able to wash,
sweep and cook and mend clothes,
gee noodle these days of separation
cannot last much longer, I do hope
and pray that by now you have at
least received news from the Army
that I am a p.ow and that my
letter card has arrived, oh how I
hope it has, it will ease your
mind a lot.
Auditing again this morning with a A G de L
until 1300. Rained during the morning
and I had to tear out and grab the
bed clothes
Dinner at 1330 consisted of rice (small
issue again), greens, gravy (what out of nobody
knows), biscuit and tea, it is hard to
visualise a good sunday dinner
 131
NOTES
5.7.42    SUNDAY    140th DAY P.O.W
without getting a pain in the Tummy.
Strict full dress parades are to be held shortly,
we believe and such things as units saluting
themselves in "mirrors" and "hats on sticks"
for practice, leads one to believe that some
of us over here must be "going tropical."
up to date our unit has not participated
but understand it is to take place in
the ensuing week.
Played solo in the afternoon until 1800.
Afternoon tea at 1600 and yeast parade
at 1700. Tea at 1800 consisted of rice
meal, pineapple juice, grated coco-nut, tea,
two (2) garlic cakes, and tea, we all agreed
that it was a stout effort.
Played solo again after tea and at
2030 Cec and self went for our usual
stroll. Nothing else to relate mine
own. My prayers for you as usual
then shut eye. 

 

OUR 3rd PAY DAY AS. P.O.W.
132
NOTES
6.7.42    MONDAY    141st DAY P.O.W     
Revielli 0800.
Shaved and showered and then breakfast
at 0900 consisting of rice meal, pea-meal
tea and one (1) biscuit and our grated
coconut.
Auditing again with AG de L this morning,
checking Canteen a/cs as at 30.6.42
Another force of A.I.F are to go overseas
tomorrow (B Force), where to nobody knows,
the other force (A Force) is rumoured to be
in Burma.
Dinner 1300 (early on a/c of second
innoculation for cholera men) consisted
of rice, greens, gravy, one (1) biscuit
and tea, our pepper assisted things.
Three of audit staff have been detailed
to stand by for B Force, Bob Sader, Clarrie
O'Neill and Wally Cripps, my OC informed
me that I cannot go, even if I want to, so
thats that. Cec was given the opportunity
but says we will stick together.
Auditing again this afternoon with
AG de L after he came back from having
his cholera injection. After dinner I
popped down to see Stan W and
to say goodbye to Brian B who is
standing by on B Force.
Pay parade at 1530 and I received
my $1.50 for another 10 days as a

133
NOTES 
6.7.42    MONDAY (CONTINUED)   141st DAY P.O.W
Japanese Prisoners of War, I feel like a
bloated millionaire, Cec and I have put
an order in to the canteen today and
my pay will disappear in its entirety
if the canteen supplies the goods as ordered.
Played solo from 1645 until 1800. Tea
parade at 1600 and yeast parade at 1700
Our canteen order arrived at 1700 and
we purchased the following, 1 lb of coconut
oil (about 2/3rd of a beer bottle) (for hair and
food use), 1 bottle soya sauce, 1 bottle chillii
sauce, ¼ lb pkt cocoa, 1 lb raisins and
2/3 rd lb of garlic for flavouring (even though
it has a strong smell it assists when
chopped up in giving the rice a flavour).
so we are will set up for a while.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, hot
grated coconut in its own milk, two (2)
biscuits and 1 rice pattie and tea, we
added a few raisins and our own
grated coco-nut.
After tea we called in on Stan and
went over to the concert at R.A.A .A
darned good show too. Walked back to
our building. Nothing else to relate
mine own. All my prayers for you
as usual then shut eye; 

 

134 NOTES
7.7.42    TUESDAY  142nd DAY P.O.W
Revielle 0800
Showered and grated some coconut
for breakfast (I forgot to mention 6.7.42
that we purchased another nine (9)
coconuts, so we have now twenty one
(21) in all, so if there is a food blockade
we certainly will not starve.
Breakfast at 0900 consisted of rice meal, pea
meal, tea, powdered milk made up and
our grated coconut.
Had a Benghazi Derby with a huge
spider after breakfast, it was behind my
box, it must have measured six(6)
inches across, managed to flay it with
a cricket bat.
Auditing at canteen again this morning
and then back to our building and I there
and then attempted to construct an Audit
Report (oh yes you will laugh).
Dinner at 1330 consisted of (nosey)  rice,
greens, stew, one (1) biscuit and tea
Cec and I bought 2/3rd of a 2(two) lb
tin of dripping this morning, tin costs
$1.05, so I am indebted to Cec for 35 cents.
Got same garlic for lunch to tone down
the nosey rice; and this together with, pepper,
and chili sauce nearly made the
meal palatable.
Auditing until 1500 and then
NOTES 135
7.7.42    TUESDAY (CONTINUED)  142nd DAY P.O.W
played solo until 1800. Afternoon tea 1600
and yeast parade 1700. Tea 1800 consisted
of rice meal, tea, one (1) biscuit, and
a turned pastry pie. our condiments
in tins and bottles consisted of
soya sauce, raisins, dripping, grated
coconut and pepper and we thoroughly
enjoyed our tea.
all our building is abuzz on account
of the move tomorrow morning, I am
NCO in charge of baggage party and
reveilli for us is 0600 can you imagine
it.
Went over and said goodbye Brian
and then back to see Stan, Cec and I
took our cocoa, dripping and one (1)
coconut down and whacko for a
farewell supper it consisted of rich hot
cocoa with condensed milk and sugar,
biscuits and some of Stan's meat pie,
toasted bread loaf, dripping and pepper.
Gee Peg we felt like lords, one certainly
will appreciate little extras after this.
Came back to our building at 2230
feeling very full. Saw the most beautiful
sunset tonight between two (2) palms.
Nothing else to relate mine own.
All my prayers for you as usual
then shut eye. 

 

136 
NOTES
8.7.42    WEDNESDAY   143rd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0600 for baggage party. We moved
off from our building at 0625 with eighteen
(18) kits on our trailer, picked up ten (10)
more at Divvy and then rushed and
pulled the lot up the "Big Hill" to Barrack
Square, ten of us on the party.
Unloaded our lot and brought the
empty trailer back to our building.
at 0740, had a cup of tea and a shower
and then breakfast at 0845 consisting
of rice meal, dripping, one (1) biscuit; pea
meal, grated coconut, pepper and
cocoa also some dried milk.
After breakfast Cec and I tore down
to see Stan picked up a hammer,
nails, stool, a book and a few
odds and ends.
Our party of eighteen (18) men moved
off at 0930, shook hands all round
and in one way we all feel lousey
at seeing them go, we know not
where they are going and it is a
break among us. Well mine own
I hope and pray it is a move for
the better and nearer and closer
to our dear ones, gee mine own,
it surely cannot be long before
we are re-united and then our
lifelong happiness begins.
137 

NOTES 
8.7.42    WEDNESDAY   143rd DAY P.O.W
Auditing again this morning with AG de L
until dinner at 1330 consisting of rice, greens,
gravy, one(1) biscuit and tea. We added soya
sauce, garlic and pepper.
Auditing again this afternoon with AG de L
until 1600 afternoon tea, yeast parade at
1700 watched Cec in a solo four and
grated some coconut.
Tea at 1800 consisted of rice meal grated
coco-nut and its milk heated up, sultanas,
pepper, dripping and two (2) biscuits and
one (1) garlic cake and tea.
Played solo after tea until 2030 and
then went for a stroll. Received our
issue of paper (one sheet of newspaper).
Cec and I had a shower about 2130
and then to bed. Changi gaol looked
like New York last night
Nothing else to relate mine own. All
my prayers for you as usual, then
shut eye. 

 

138
NOTES
9.7.42    THURSDAY   144th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 080.
Showered and shaved and then breakfast
at 0900 consisting of rice meal, pea meal one (1)
biscuit and tea our own dripping, pepper and coconut.
Cec did the coconut grating this morning.
There are only a few hundred outside
hospital patients and staff left in the
camp now, so it is definitely a deserted
village. Yesterday a flight of forty eight
Japanese bombers went over, they
were escorted by fifteen fighters and
also four huge flying boats, so there
must be some activity reasonably
close at hand.
Auditing with AG de L again this
morning, a trip was on today to the
mainland collecting pineapples with
the Japs, I would like to have gone, but
perhaps next time I may be lucky.
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens, gravy
one (1) biscuit, and tea, we added pepper
soya sauce and dripping.
Auditing again in the afternoon with
AG de L until 1700. Played solo till
1800 and then tea consisting of
rice meal, tea, two (2) biscuits and a
coconut slice, we added grated
coconut, pepper and dripping.
Played solo after tea until 1900.
139 

NOTES  
9.7.42    THURSDAY (CONTINUED)    144th DAY P.O.W
Cec and I did some cooking, biscuits
consisting of ground burnt rice, and its
flour and grated coco-nut, cooked
in coconut oil, borrowed a frying
pan and did the job. We found
the rice in a tin in Stan's old garage.
Made about ten (10) cakes.
There was a concert on our stage
but we had already seen it on
Monday, so after our cooking, went
down and had a shower about 2030.
Returned in time to replace tables and
forms and then went for a stroll.
Discovered four (4) iron beds, so
promptly brought them back to
our building, whacko, all we need
now is a mattress.
Well mine own there is nothing else
to relate. all my prayers for you
as usual then shut eye.
 

 

140
NOTES
10.7.42    FRIDAY    145th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0800.
Carted our beds upstairs and made it
look like home. Showered and then
breakfast at 0910 consisting of rice
meal, pea-meal, one (1) biscuit and tea
We added grated coco-nut, pepper and dripping.
Only worked for a few minues and then
the rest of the morning to myself. Went
for a stroll by myself and then shaved
and read till dinner at 1330 consisting
of rice, greens, gravy, tea and one (1) biscuit.
added soya sauce, pepper and garlic.
Afternoon off again, the life must be good
mustn't it, oh mine own it is only nineteen
days to go (29th July) since I last saw you,
left you and said goodbye, to me, it
has been a life's span and to you
I Know only too well what it has
meant, gee Peg, I am so very confident
that we will be re- united by Xmas
1942 and then we will start all
over again as I say in my nightly
prayers ' you and I and our Kiddies
if we are so blessed.
Grated some coco-nut and mixed
cocoa with it for tea. Played solo
from 1600 until 1800, afternoon tea
at 1600, yeast parade at 1700 Cec and
two others were collecting wood
 141
NOTES
10.7.42    FRIDAY (CONTINUED)    145th DAY P.O.W
this afternoon.
Tea at 1800 consisted of rice meal (watery),
tea, one (1) biscuit and pie in tin, we
added grated coconut in cocoa, pepper,
soya sauce and dripping and had
quite a good tea
Played solo after tea until 2030 and
then by means of a broken down
hurricane lamp and a [[squirto?]] cream
lamp tried to play until 2100, but it
was a failure, the light falls very
quickly at night over here, one minute
it is light and literally the next is
dark.
Went for our nightly stroll, the place
is practically deserted came back to
our building and then to bed.
Nothing else to relate mine own. All
my prayers for you as usual, then
shut eye.
 

 

142
NOTES
11.7.42    SATURDAY    146th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0800.
Showered and then breakfast at 0900 consisting
of burnt rice meal, pea meal, tea and one (1)
biscuit, we added grated coconut and dripping.
Cec did the grating this morning our beds
were the goods last night and we slept
like tops.
No work again this morning so boiled
all the soiled clothes (Cec's and mine) as
well as my two sheets. Mrs Harris over
the wash tub was not in it. Had a
shower and then dinner at 1330
consisting of rice, greens, gravy, tea and one (1) biscuit.
Added garlic, soya sauce, dripping and pepper
This morning the usual four (41 large
Jap flying boats were over and over
our camp again towing their white
sausages and once on their return
trip, one of the sausages was just
about blown to bits, they must have
been practicing up on the mainland
To the A.I.F cemetery this afternoon to
pick up three(3) butts on our trailer
for firewood our cemetary is in excellant
order, there are about fifty graves and
among them are three (3) 2/115th chaps,
I only knew two of them.
Arrived back with our load at
1615. had a cup of tea and then a
143
11.7.42    SATURDAY (CONTD)    146th DAY P.O.W
tong.
Played solo until 1800. Yeast parade at
1700 (yeast was not the best).
Tea 1800 (excellant) consisted of
rice meal, soup, two (2) fish cakes
and one (1) biscuit and tea we added
coconut, raisins, dripping and pepper
Played solo after tea until dusk, then
donned our long pants and shirts
and went for our nightly stroll.
It was the first time for ages since
I have worn long pants, really, since
I was last at Seminyeh.
Came back to our building and
then to bed.
Nothing else to relate mine own.
All my prayers for you as usual
then shut eye.
 

 

144
NOTES
12.7.42    SUNDAY    147th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0800.
Shaved and showered, cleaned my boots,
made a hat band as there is a full church
parade this morning at 1015.
Breakfast 0930 consisted of rice meal (roasted)
pea meal, one (1) biscuit and tea, we
added grated coconut, pepper and
dripping.
At 1015. we fell in and after an inspection
by our OC attended the church parade
under the coconut palms until 1100.
During the service, planes were over
head.
Returned to building at 1115, made
two tier lamps, one out of wax and
another out of sqirto cream. Rained
like blazes before dinner 1330 which
consisted of rice, greens, fish sauce,
tea and one (1) biscuit, we added
pepper, chili sauce and dripping.
Full again after dinner and we
played solo. until tea at 1800.
Afternoon tea at 1600 and yeast
parade at 1700 (more like beer every
day.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, soup, tea
and one and one half pasties (pastry, sugar
rice and coconut), we added grated coconut,
dripping, raisins and pepper.
145
NOTES
12.7.42   SUNDAY (CONTD)     147th DAY P.O.W
Went for a scrounging stroll after tea, Cec,
Bob Leslie and self, collected a shirt, two
(2) pairs of shorts, a pair of long pants, a
walking stick, a hurricane lamp glass
and some cricket gear.
Returned to building, had a tong (in the
dark), lit our lamps, they functioned
100%. and then to bed
Nothing else to relate mine own. All
my prayers for you as usual, then.
shut eye.
 

 

146

NOTES

13.7.42           MONDAY           148th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0800

Showered and then breakfast at 0900

consisting of rice meal, pea meal, tea

and one (1) biscuit.

No office work this morning, Cec put some

clothes on the boil and was called

away on a special fatique, so I took

his place on the rice grinding squad.

Finished about 12 and then went

and scrounged a stand and a 

table for our two (2) boxes. Tonged 

and then dinner at 1330 consisting 

of burnt ghee rice, greens, fish sauce,

and tea (NB. no biscuit), added pepper,

soya sauce and garlic.

Did some tin crushing after dinner until

1500 then rain. Played solo from 1645 until

1800, afternoon tea at 1600, yeast parade at

1700.

Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, one and

one half pasties, pineapple juice, one

(1) biscuit and tea, we added raisins,

dripping, pepper and grated coconut.

Went for a stroll at 2030 after playing solo

and got Robert Leslie a bed. Returned

to building at 2130. Nothing else

to relate mine own. All my

prayers or you as usual then

shut eye.
147

NOTES

14.7.42       TUESDAY         149th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0800

Showered and then breakfast at 0900 consisting

of rice meal, pea meal, two (2) biscuits and

tea we added dripping, pepper and

grated coconut.

I was on ration fatique this morning

left our building at 1100 and returned

from supply depot at 1245, perspire, gee

I was like a wet rag. Had a shower and

then dinner at 1330 consisting of rice,

gravy, greens, one (1) biscuit, and tea we

added garlic, pepper and dripping. 

After dinner we went over to ordnance

to pick up a long pair of pants

for Cec and a pair of boots for

myself, before leaving the outhouse

at Divvy caught alight and did it

crackle. Came back  to our building

at 1600 had afternoon tea and played

solo until 1800, Yeast parade at

1700.

Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, meat

pie, one (1) biscuit and tea we added

grated coconut, dripping, raisins

and pepper and soya sauce

Played solo after tea until 2030, went

for our usual stroll (now have to 

wear long pants and shirts (sleeves

turned down) Nothing else to relate

mine own, all my prayers for you

as usual, then shut eye.

 

148  NOTES

15.7.42            WEDNESDAY.                150th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0800

Shaved and then showered, breakfast

at 0900 consisted of rice meal (burnt), pea

meal, tea and one (1) biscuit, we added

grated coconut, dripping and pepper.

I am playing cricket this afternoon for

our building against Divvy.

Picking greens this morning until 1200 than

back to our building, had a tong, rested

until dinner at 1330 which consisted of

rice, greens, fish gravy, tea and one (1)

biscuit and tea, we added dripping,

soya sauce and pepper also garlic.

Played cricket this afternoon, very

hot, we won by 40 runs, I made

5 N.O. Came back to our building

about 1730 thoroughly burnt (I have

become soft through being in the

office) had a shower and then

tea at 1800 consisting of rice meal,

pineapple juice, two fat cakes, yeast

and tea, we added grated coconut,

dripping, pepper and raisins

all told we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Played solo after tea until dusk and then

for our usual stroll, had a look at a

building we are supposed to be moving 

into 17.7.42. Nothing else to relate

mine own. All my prayers for you

as usual then shut eye.

149
NOTES

16.7.42           THURSDAY               151st DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0800.

Raining cats and dogs, showered and then

breakfast at 0900 consisting of rice meal,

pea meal, one (1) biscuit and tea we added

dripping, coconut and pepper.

On wood fatigue after breakfast, three

trailer loads and finished at 1200,

given a cup of tea and then went

down for a shower.

Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens,

gravy, one (1) biscuit and tea, we

added garlic, pepper soya sauce and

dripping.

Auditing in the afternoon with AG de L

until 1700 (yeast parade), afternoon

tea parade at 1600. Watched a solo

four until 1800 then tea consisting

of rice meal, pineapple juice, tea

and two (2) pineapple pasties, we

added raisins and grated coconut

and once again had a grand

tea. Cec this afternoon cooked some

rice meal with grated coconut, but

I was not too impressed with it.

Concert in our area tonight, it is

rumoured that we leave for Japan

on 22.7.42 (I wonder). Went for a

stroll after a good concert then to 

bed. Nothing else to relate mine own.

All my prayers for you as usual

then shut eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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