Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 9

170

1.8.42   SATURDAY   167th DAY P.O.W

Reveilii 0800.

Walked a long way for our tong and then came back

to await breakfast at 0930. (we are not expecting

too much from our crew cooks in their new capacity).

Breakfast consisted of rice and Tea.

Wood fatigue this morning at 1015 returned at

1200 rested till dinner at 1330, Then another

wood fatigue at 1430 returning at 1600. I managed

to get two coco-nuts and a pine apple and

Cec got four coco-nuts, so it was a good afternoon

even though a couple of boongs chased us.

Had a tong (no showers in our new area)

and then dressed for a parade at 1700. We

are certainly more regimental now. Read

and grated some coconut before tea.

Tea 1815 consisted of rice, greens, tea, one (1) rice

biscuit and a piece of bread. I could not eat my

rice again.

After tea we went for a walk, Cec bought a pound

of dates and four (4) cigars so we were like lords.

Went over to our old building for a stroll and

returned here at 2030, had a cup of tea and a

piece of biscuit then bed. Nothing else to relate

mine own, all my prayers for you as usual, then

shut eye

2.8.42   SUNDAY   168th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800

Shaved and tonged, then breakfast at 0930 consisting

of rice, sweet water and tea.

Church parade at 1015. returned to building at

1115 and rested until dinner time. Cec is playing

cricket today against 11 DIV.

Dinner 1315 consisted of rice, green water and

tea, I managed a little rice and tea and Cec

gave me a few dates.

After dinner a muster parade for "B Force"

and then went over and watched the cricket

until 1600.

Came back to our building and after

grating some coconut had a Tong in the

butcher's shop, then read until tea at

1815.

Tea consisted of rice, greens, tea, and two (2)

rice cakes.

After tea we scrounged around, got two

cans, some firewood and had some supper.

Cooked some rice, cup up a pineapple and

boiled it, grated some coco-nut some of

which we toasted and had a cup of tea.

We had a great feed.

At 2100 we turned in and believe me

we were tired.

Nothing else to relate mine own. All my

prayers for you as usual then shut

eye. 

 

171

3.8.42   MONDAY   169th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800.

Tonged and then had breakfast at 0915

consisting of browned rice meal, tea and one

(1) piece of bread.

No fatigues this morning so Cec and I

walked all over the camp collecting guavers

and sugar cane. I am bound to have a tummyache

Dinner 1315 consisted of rice, green stew and

tea. After dinner at 1415 Cec and I were

in the salt water fatigue. Thirteen of us and

the trailer. Whilst at the beach after we

collected the water, we had a swim and

had a look at a mine that had been

washed up. Returned to our unit at 1630

had a shower and then a drill parade

at 1700 until 1730.

Tea 1815 consisted of rice, green stew, one (1)

rice cake, one and one half biscuits and tea.

Rested until 1930 and then went across

to concert at 11 DIV AREA at 2000. It was

a good show and we got back to our

building, at 2215 in time for bed. Nothing else

to relate mine own. All my prayers for you as

usual then shut eye

4.8.42   TUESDAY   170th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800. Tonged, and then breakfast

at 0915 consisting of brown rice meal, sweet

water and tea.

As a fatigue we spent the whole morning

waiting at the Supply Depot to unload rice

nothing eventuated so had dinner at 1315

consisting of rice, green stew and tea.

Back to the supply Depot again and we

waited in rain until 1800 (whilst at

the depot we read and yarned all day

Cec bought some dates, but wait you

have to, for the Japs).

Tea at 1815 consisted of rice, vegetable

stew (found two (2) pieces of meat) one (1)

biscuit and one (1) sweet pasty

also tea, on the whole, a good effort.

After tea we went back again and then

unloaded some trucks. filled our

pockets up with rice and came back

to our building at 1915 had a shower

and then read till lights out (too lazy

to do anything else. Nothing else to

relate mine own. All my prayers for

you as usual then shut eye.

172

5.8.42   WEDNESDAY   171st DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800

Showered and then breakfast at 0915 consisting

of brown rice meal, one (1) piece of bread

sweet water and tea.

On building cleaning fatigue this morning

until 1130 then went for a stroll with Cec

until 1230 came back and had a doze

until dinner at 1315 which consisted of

rice, green stew, one (1) biscuit and

tea. After dinner Cec and I went for

a stroll over to our old house, I had

a chat with A G de L and we bought

four (4) coconuts. Returned to our

building at 1600 for NCOs parade which

lasted until 1620, shaved and then

general drill parade at 1700. lasting

until 1730. Had a shave and a shower

and then tea at 1815.

Tea consisted of rice meal, two and a half

(2½) biscuits and one (1) egg (whacko) and tea.

We cut up a pineapple and added grated

coconut. After tea Cec and I went over to

the English concert again and enjoyed it

once more returning to our building at 2200.

nothing else to relate mine own All my prayers

for you as usual then shut eye

5th PAY DAY AS P.O.W

6.8.42    THURSDAY 172ND DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800. Showered and then breakfast

at 0915 consisting of browned rice meal, one

teaspoonful of sugar, a piece of bread and

tea. A parade (usual) at 1030, on house cleaning

again until 1200, we played solo until

1315 then dinner at 1315 consisting of rice,

green stew, one (1) biscuit and tea, we

opened a tin of sardines

Played solo until 1315 then showered,

grated some coconut before the N.C.O's

1600 parade, drill until 1630, then pay

parade at 1700, we received $1.20, whacko,

Early tea at 1715 on account of us going

to "DOVER ROAD" in the English lines. Tea

consisted of rice, greens, one (1) biscuit, one (1)

rice cake and tea we added grated

coco-nut.

Marched out to English lines at 1800

and reached there after going 1 ½ miles

only to find that we could not get a

seat just 200 of us, so back again

3 miles in all for nothing, were we

pleased. I bought four coco-nuts, 20 cts

worth of dates and some smokes, then

back to our building disgusted.

Had a shower, a cup of tea at 2030

then on my back. Nothing else to

relate mine own. All my prayers 

for you as usual, then shut eye. 

173

7.8.42   FRIDAY   173rd DAY P.O.W.

Reveilli 0800

Showered and then breakfast at 0915 consisting

of browned rice meal, sugar cane water, a

tea spoonful of sugar and a cup of tea.

Cleaning drains around the building this

morning until 1200 then went across to the

canteen and bought four (4) pieces of toffee

@ 5 cts a piece and three cigars at 3 cts (ea).

washed a shirt, hanky, socks and shorts

had a shower and then dinner at

1315 consisting of rice, gravy, and tea.

Rumoured today that "B Force" leave for

Japan on 11.8.42 (Tuesday). Had a

shave after lunch and at 1500 walked

across to see Cec playing cricket for

House 44 (our old house) against the Sigs.

House 44 won by seven (7) runs. Came

back to our building at 1700 for drill parade

till 1730, I took a squad for drilling. Grated

some coconut and then tea at 1815 consisting

of rice, meat gravy, meat pasty and one (1)

biscuit and tea, excellent pastry too.

Went to a lecture straight after tea, by

a naval officer who left Aust 4.7.42.

You can imagine how good it was

to hear how things were in A at that date.

It was 2200 and dark when we returned.

Nothing else to relate mine own. All

my prayers for you as usual then shut eye.

174

8.8.42   SATURDAY    174th. DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800. Showered and then breakfast at

0915 consisting of rice meal (white) one

piece of bread, teaspoon of sugar and

tea

Cleaning fatigue in the building second

floor with Cec and another chap.

At 1115 we went over to H.Q. to pick

up two (2) cricket mats. On the way

we chatted to AG de L and picked

some guavas.

Dinner at 1315 consisted of rice, greens,

tea and one (1) biscuit. After dinner

we went up and put the cricket

mats down. I played for "B PARTY"

against "A PARTY (Major Kevin Fagan

was Captain). They won 128 - 74

(I scored 46 yes believe it or not)

Came back to our building at 1730

had a shower and then tea at

1815 consisting of rice meal, tea, 

one rice slab and greens. On

the mess parade the cricket team

(Japan Party) to play the Con Depot

tomorrow was read out and I

got in (Cec is a selector so do not wonder)

Played solo until dusk then bed.

Had a chat with Major Fagan. Nothing

else to relate mine own. All my

prayers for you as usual, then

shut eye.

 

175

9.8.42   SUNDAY   175th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0800. Showered and then breakfast at

0930 consisting of brown rice meal, sugar, tea

and a piece of bread.

Salt water fatigue at 1015, had a swim,

found a coconut and pushed the trailer

back arriving here at 1200. Had a shave,

shower and then dinner at 1315 consisting

of rice, gravy, tea and one (1) biscuit.

Rumoured that we are moving on

tuesday. Cec is playing cricket at

18 Div all day to day and I am

playing at the Con Depot.

Had our cricket match and we

won by two (2) runs, I made 23

and I think it helped. Cec won

his match too. Came back at

1800 had a quick shower and tea

at 1815 consisting of rice, greens, tea

and one biscuit.

Playing cricket for two consecutive days

has knocked me out, so after

tea promptly went to bed and

read till 2030 (That which is Hidden

- Francis Brett Young).

Nothing else to relate mine own.

All my prayers for you as usual

then shut eye.

176

10.8.42     MONDAY    176th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800

Very stiff and sore from cricket, water restrictions

on showers, so had a long walk to our tong.

Breakfast 0915 consisted of rice meal (browned)

one piece of bread and tea. Emu parade

our cleaning until 1130, washed a shirt,

a pair of shorts, two handkerchiefs, a towel

and a sheet. Played solo from 1215

until 1315 then dinner consisting of 

rice, gravy, one and one half biscuits

and tea, J J.J.C. bought a tin of tomato

soup and that helped

Played solo after dinner until 1645,

I then grated some coconut before

our drill parade at 1700.

Drill parade until 1730, had a shower

and then tea at 1815 consisting of rice,

gravy, one and one half biscuits, and

tea, each night we have a small issue,

After tea until 1930 Cec and I went

for a stroll after some guavers, ran

into a picket, so thats that

Came back to our building and Cec

soaked some browned rice , JJJC

added some dates and grated coconut

and we had supper with a 

cup of tea. Nothing else to relate

mine own, All my prayers for

you as usual then shut eye

 

177

11.8.42    TUESDAY   177th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800.

Showered and then breakfast at 0915 consisting

of brown rice meal, teaspoon of sugar, and (1)

piece of bread and tea

Cec and I were on the wood carting fatigue

this morning, left at 1015 and returned

at 1130 had a cup of tea and a tong and

rested until dinner time

Dinner at 1315 consisted of rice, gravy and 

tea. For lighting smokes there is a 

perpetual rope suspended from the

rafters, quite unique.

Played solo after dinner until 1645, I

then grated some coco-nut and at 1700

had our usual drill parade until 1730

Tea at 1815 consisted of rice, gravy,

mince meat pasty and one (1) biscuit

and tea.

After tea the cricket team to play House

44 was chosen and got a game, so

tomorrow we hope to have a win.

Went to the concert after tea 1915 -

2015 and is was a good show.

Came back to our building, had

a cup of tea and then to bed. Nothing

else to relate mine own, All my

prayers for you as usual then shut

eye.

178

12.8.42    WEDNESDAY    178th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0800

Tonged and then breakfast at 0915

consisting of browned rice meal, sugar, one 

piece of bread and tea

Area cleaning fatigue again today,

finished at 1130, Cec and I went over

to the canteen and bought two (2) cakes

of peanut toffee @ 5 cts each and two (2)

coconuts. Read until dinner time.

Dinner at 1315 consisted of rice, gravy

tea and one (1) biscuit.

Cricket match started at 1430, we

left here at 1400 to put the mat

down, Cec was Captain, House 44

batted last and scored 9 for 83 we

had 9 for 103 (I made one (1) and

fielded like an old hen). We are

to play them again on Saturday

circumstances permitting.

Ducked up on the roof tonight to

see a huge liner all lit up on 

the horizon (I wonder just what it is)

Tea 1815 consisted of rice, green stew,

tea and two (2) rice patties. Played

solo until 2030 and then had a

tong, had a cup of tea and then

to bed, gee am I tired and stiff.

Nothing else to relate mine own. All

my prayers for you as usual, then

shut eye.

 

179

13.8.42      THURSDAY      179th DAY P.O.W.

Reveilli 0800.

Tonged and then breakfast at 0915 consisting

of browned rice meal, sugar, piece of

bread and tea.

Very stiff today after cricket and I have

a cold on my lip.

Cleaning fatigue this morning, it

rained cats and dogs, so the drains

cleaned themselves. Played solo

from 1200 until 1300

Dinner 1315 consisted of rice, gravy,

and tea we had a tin of sardines

between four (4) of us.

Played solo again after lunch until

1530, I then shaved and grated

some coconut and got dressed to

take over the duties of Ord. Sgt at

1700. I traded an ounze of Boong

tobacco for a blade razor to day,

razor blades are getting low.

Tea at 1815 consisted of rice, fish

pasty, tea and greens.

Played solo after tea until 2030 

and then went over to the roof of

2/9 Fd Amb to see a few English

Artists in action (a good show too)

Hospital was lighted well and truly

also the gaol and a ship at sea.

Nothing else to relate mine own

All my prayers for you as usual

then shut eye.

 

PAY DAY

180

14.8.42      FRIDAY       180th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0800 A/Ord Sgt. today.

Showered at 0700 and dressed as I am

Ord Sgt.

Breakfast at 0900 consisted of browned

rice meal, tea, sugar and bread.

Ord Sgt duties this morning until

dinner time 1200.

Dinner consisted of rice, gravy and

tea. Parade at 1245 for "B Party Japan"

for Medical Inspection again at

English Arty Square.

Arrived there at 1330 and were finished

at 1500, inspection was as before except

for blood slide.

We stayed there as five (5) of us had

taken a tin of cold browned meal

between five and a bottle of grated

coco-nut. We stayed in order to

see "Dover Road" and an excellent

show too. We ate our rice and

coconut at 1730 and went into the

show at 1830. Three acts and with 

ten minute intervals it finished

at 2145. We arrived back here

at 2215 and a pasty had been

kept for us, was it welcome.

Nothing else to relate mine own.

All my prayers for you as usual

then shut eye.

 

12 MOS. IN MALAYA.

181

15.8.42      SATURDAY       181st DAY P.O.W.

15.8.41. I left Sydney, oh mine own on

29.7.41 and landed here 15.8.41, twelve 

months today and to me it has been an

eternity, but i pray to God that 15.8.43

will see us, you & I with all our

happiness in our re-union in full

swing.

Reveilli 0800 Showered and then to the

R.A.F. to get a cold on my lip treated

Breakfast at 0915 consisted of brown rice

meal, tea and one (1) piece of bread

I am playing cricket again today for

the Japan party against House 44.

Cleaning fatigue again this morning until

1130 then had a game of solo until dinner

Dinner 1315 consisted of rice, gravy and tea

Rained cats and dogs after dinner so

cricket is off. We played solo until

1600, word came through that "B Force"

leave for Japan tomorrow, imagine 

the rush Cec and I flew over to

4th M.T for a haircut and I went

and said good bye to AG de L.

Well mine own we packed up, were

paid and then tea at 1815 consisted 

of rice, gravy, one biscuit and

tea. After tea we were issued with

our House 44 gift, a packet of cigarettes

(20) a box of matches and a cake of

 

182

15.8.42          SATURDAY        181st DAY P.O.W

soap., three pkts of biscuits (39) between four

of us and a tin of sardines between four

also. Went over to the canteen and

bought cig papers and ran into

Doug Shannon, said goodbye to him

and then back to our building. A

lot of House 44 were there to say

good bye to us.

Well mine own where this trip

is all going to end only our Lord

Knows, we rise at 0400 tomorrow

and leave at day break 0815, I

will not make any entries until

we reach our ultimate destination

for obvious reasons, so this entry

will be the last for a couple of 

weeks (A Force leaving after us - see 20/10/42 - ship sunk)

Well mine own, all my prayers as

usual are for you, I have no other

news to relate so will have shut eye.

You can guess mine own how 

I am hoping that all my moves 

mean one thing and one thing

only, a quick re-union with you.

 

183

16.8.42         SUNDAY       182nd DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0500, breakfast 0600, packed and with

our kits etc paraded for the last time on

 the Barrack square at Changi at 0730

Roll call and at 0815 (punctual) three (3) trucks

(92 AIF in all) moved off amidst goodbyes

and joined the English "B Party" convoy

(1100) at 0830 in front of our Detention Barracks

at 0845 we moved off and headed for

Singapore. We stopped at Changi Gaol,

to pick up the Japanese Officer in charge

of our party and to see the English and

other civilian internees waving to us

through the bars of Changi Gaol, made

one feel very sorry indeed for all the

men, women and kiddies in there, but

they are being treated reasonably well.

We reached Singapore wharf at 0935, stacks

and stacks of broken up iron everywhere

(also passed planes in crates on Singapore

Road by the dozens).

Went aboard the ELISTER MARU (used as

a fumigation ship) at 1315. Our kit

bags were stacked for fumigation in the

hold and as we walked up the gang

plank on to the boat our boots were

sprayed with disinfectant.

We stripped and were given a disinfectant

bath, then a shower and we sat on

mats on the deck, waiting for our gear

 

 

184

16.8.42          SUNDAY        182nd DAY P.O.W

to come out of the hold sterilized. We

got dressed and with our gear marched

on through the boat on to the wharf.

We opened a tin of bully beef and a

packet of biscuits between four (4) of

us and waited until 1800 before

going on our ship. (FUKI MARU).

The Governor of Singapore, Sir Shinton

Thomas and other Govt officers are

going to. (The Governor looked like

one of the boys, shaving soap in

pocket etc). The ship, 3750 tons used

as a Jap troop carrier, imagine this,

carried 1400 troops. Well they packed

1500 of us on it and were they packed

in the four (4) holds. I was bunked

in aft hold 6' x 18". The hold was full.

We had a meal at 0030 17.8.42

and then slept on the roof of our

outhouse on the deck.

 

185

17.8.42          MONDAY        183rd DAY P.O.W

Up at an ungodly hour, still at the

wharf. Had a shave and shower on

 the wharf at 0700. From now on we

are to receive two meals of rice per 

day 0900 and 1700 (gee the tummy

will be screaming out).

Rice and a small helping of salted

fish for 0900. The brass hats and

their odds and ends, also the civilian

personnel were transhiped to another 

boat (400 of them) so we now have

1100 aboard - 92 A.I.F and the remainder

Englishman.

At 1500 we left Singapore harbour

and anchored outside.

Rice and gravy (including sea weed

and onion) at 1700. One thing, one

can get as much tea as one wants,

you can guess the nightly effects.

18.8.42        TUESDAY        184th DAY P.O.W

Rained cats and dogs and it is

hard to describe what our hold is

like, hatch cover on etc.

Meals 0900 and 1700 consisted of

rice and gravy.

We were issued with four (4) packets

of London Cigarettes each to day.

Still anchored outside and

nothing else to relate.

 

186

19.8.42           WEDNESDAY       185th DAY P.O.W 

0815 We up anchor and away, we

were the last of the convoy, three (3) ships.

Quite an amount of sunken shipping

visible, including the Empress of

Asia. Two (2) light cruisers pulled

in alongside us at dawn, we

thought that they were for escorts, but

no, we left them at anchor.

Farewell Singapore, sordid memories

and we are all wondering "where

to now"

Meals the same at 0900 and 

1700. We passed Mining at 1800

and are doing about 9½ knots

Rained cats and dogs after tea

so had an interrupted night.

Allowed on deck at intervals and

can smoke there until dusk 2000

20.8.42      THURSDAY         186th DAY P.O.W

At sea again, even Ord Rooms on

the ship (can you beat it).

The meals the same again but

at 1200 we were issued with

sweet tea and a jellied biscuit.

21.8.42      FRIDAY      187th DAY P.O.W

At sea again, meals rice and gravy

again. Passed Kouda Island

(off F.Judo China), was used as

a Penal Servitude island [[?]]

 

187

22.8.42       SATURDAY       188th DAY P.O.W

Meals the same again. At 1200 we

anchored off SUNYAK CHOLON on the Sanjak

River. Five ships and one destroyer

were there when we arrived, but left

headed for south, that afternoon.

SUNYAK is approx 25 miles from Saigon

and has the appearance of a modern

French seaside resort (Palm Beach).

There are many pretty brown and

white villas. French is the language

although it is Jap occupied now of

course.

23.8.42      SUNDAY         189th DAY P.O.W

Meals the same again. We said goodbye

to Sunyak at 1400. In the morning, boats

came alongside selling cigs (20 cts - 20),

eggs, bananas and grape fruit. Only 

Jap money used, so most of us were

stiff except those who had got it

changed in Singapore, the boats also

sold beer bottles of French Brandy.

We set sail N.E., six ships and one

destroyer (this left us after a matter of

three or four hours)

24.8.42      MONDAY        190th DAY P.O.W

Meals the same again. course SE-E

We are in the typhoon area, here is

hoping we do not strike one.

Sweet tea and the jellied biscuit at 1200.

 

 

188

25.8.42       TUESDAY      191st DAY P.O.W.

Meals the same again. Duty today

Latrine NCO, nice sweet job, the lavs 

are built for 5' Japs.

Rain and squalls all day, plenty

of swallows around.

26.8.42       WEDNESDAY        192nd DAY P.O.W

Meals the same. rain again, we

spend out time putting on and taking

off hatch covers. Our washing facilities

are wooden buckets and sometimes

the salt water hose. We are given

great latitude as P.O.W's on a prison

ship, and the guards and Jap

crew treat us reasonably well.

Play solo each day for a while, 

the same four. Had my hair

cropped today, owing to the heat, the

rice bugs etc. so with my mow,

I guess you would not know me,

but soot etc makes short hair

desirable

27.8.42        THURSDAY      193rd DAY P.O.W

Rain again, meals the same. At

1400 a lecture by Capt Beattie of the

Loyals - our hold companions - on

Shanghai at the time of the Jap

attack on that city and it certainly

was gruesome.

 

189

28.8.42       FRIDAY       194th DAY P.O.W

Meals the same. A day of soot, we

must be running out of coal. We

expect to reach port 29.8.42. Very

big swell and we pitched and 

tossed all day. At 1400 Capt Geldard

A.I.F Gave the Englishmen a chat 

on Australia.

29.8.42         SATURDAY       195th DAY P.O.W

Meals the same. At 1200 we anchored

off TAKAO; (Formosa). At 1400 we entered

its harbour, a pretty one too, very

busy port, there were about 18 ships

at anchor including a Jap Hospital

Ship and troop ships with troops

aboard, bound for where, I wonder.

Bought about fifty bananas for

$1 (or 1 Yen) and Cec and I had

a feed and a half, cut up some

on our rice and we were issued

with a desert spoonful of sugar and

a handful of sweets (hard lolly balls)

were we pleased. Last night the

seas came over the rail on several

occasions.

30.8.42     SUNDAY      196th DAY P.O.W

Meals the same, but as we were

unloading today, were given a

small helping of rice and a salt

[[?]] plus sweet tea at 1400