Remembering the Fall of Singapore - papers of Corporal Alexander Johnstone Diary 1942-43 part 4

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.189
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 9

NOTES 29342 Wespo7corve) 100t 327 P.OW cuedded bein and what it may bring. This diary at present is dcautifully snited with pangepan, low cng it e remam I cannot say spent poin 1400 untl 1600 on the wood fatique (boega Boaman) sen after afternoon te had a tiug and played solo pomn 1700 uetil 1800. eat oo consisted of rice run tea and cisiit "After tea played welo again until 2000, incidentally playing solo occupies the tuie and we have a good four. Qust Fraver, opr paser, bhuts and johusters, we play on the slate, settle up first pay day (when) Thing surply that we are shortly leaving to be interved on a neutral island, I monder. uoring dse to relate ane own. my prayers for you as usual, then shut eye NOTES Coday Ro4 240 2732 Guulle 6800 shaved and shawered and ther beagest at 0900 consisting of ne weal, untl, ten, paie and ane a buant ou is still of his riter. Ration jatique this morning fuushed abou 12.00 showered and then diner at 1300 cousisting of peluny) sem, tea and andnec of bread went to te lospital, sav Alix and Dang l de little and a fiw other chaps. I kok alix and wong over a pair of sand shaw, a razor, sal nurror, tot biush, shaving brusk and a shirt between them, also gave them two (o) eigarete each came dack to our building at 1000 and played solo antil 1600. Tea consisted of rice ueal, ground wheat, ten and to bismets. We were told tanger that to morrow morning seet our last iue of wiek, even tough it was manily water we will ciss it when we have to eat plain rice, stel we can take it there are others worse of ran us, especially those caps in hospital over sere These was a licture in our area oueglt by Sq Blaue (MAR NI TexRroR7) an A.8.H and its benefits Usking dre to relate wne cam, my prayers for you as usual her shut eye.
80 NOTES 2252 TIUKSDRY 12-0 DAY PON Rwilli 0300 showered and then buaxart at 0900 consisting of niceweal, wilk (our east), tea peaccal and ane anseunt last ight was very oppressive again and slap came slowly. savid two a) bescuets for bes and this mornng discovered that a rat lad prastically eaten them all, so tats tat. Reported to Rad, I have had a tightuen in the call of ay lyft beg. Diagnoss is early berri-sirn, I am under observation for two days during which true I am to stay on my back, taking ughhen C.D) yeast Tablets por day and ane botle of yeart per day so again thats that There has been a continual deluge of rai since 0900, we want it badly, it may ingnove things from a heact veww point Denver consested of me Cussey) sew, ouet) puse of bread and tea Played salo in the aternoon in ary bed, am feeling ok, but of course have the numaness in the legs. tea consisted of wce meal, ground wheat, tea and two (2 biscuits. NOTES 28542 THURSDAY 102D DAY POW The yeart- in the sottle tastes like flat- clampague or apple sider, you know law I like soth don't you mine own (oh yes) bee is sill cst 10070 but is on the wend, be thinks that le may be in for an attack of berri-derre think it is brought on by lack of Retaiin 5 which is enamly found in fruit and uegetables of which we get weither Concort in our area after tea so bee and I steod on the balsouy and wateled it. asking else to relate were own any prayers for you as usual then shut eye.
NOTES Breday P.O.N 32542 Neveilli 0800 shaned and wasled up in the louse, it is a bit yar to walk for a sanver when ane is supposed to be caid up. Ann feeling cots beter this weorning Breakfast 1900 consisted of nice weal, peaucal, tea and oue bisaut spent the morning are my back as ordered, unable to make his morning out of sukes), so hous hoping nat he iue cous to Aglt at annor-time. Dunnr 150 counted of rice, ground coreat, tea and oue peece of bread, believe we are to got some tought ou tew or samething pur agarite issut came giod snails have been cooked in units and I siliive we are to by souce, Rogar ghost can you inagins, but we will wait and see, perhaps a suast has wtmen B. Played solo in the afternoon until 1800 Ken had tea consisting of rice meal, cut up friet (smace) tea, two () biscuits, and onely curried rersale, it was our lust meal for some time (wint be on account of the suails to coue) Afer tea played bee Guman whis the two ivalids). As king else to relak ane own. D de little came lac from hospital to-uigh. all my mayers for you as ciscial thu shut eye NOTES 184th DAY BON 3054 S Gicille 0800 wacked very seawly down to lave a ting as I did not have a slower yesterday. ame feeling a good deal better this moring the nst must have done same good am to report to te R apagain this morning Breakfost ogeo consisted of me unal, unex (yes again), peaieal, tea and one ) Cisct Dr gave me more years tablets and ordered me to stay on my back again for another ts days, then andteer examinatinn Dunnr consisted of rice, vegitable stew, tea and one t piice of head tired afer diner and played slo until 1800. Tea 1300 consisted of me weal, ground whea tude biscets, tea and two disertipiongul of puncapple june boe is stel not 10070, I am feeling a ait stippish and to day my eye are very visky, I well let the MoKnow to morrow. after tea ou went down to te Rat to get his treatment Caspros) and I finished the basty I am reading belonging to agait Why Gritanis at war, the book evere has not made my mind up p we nothing else to relate imeowne all my mayers for you as usual thi shut exe
NOTES NOTES S 3PO LOKSNPON 2542 £642 Gune 0200 Ihaved and wassed Rielli 0800 Showered (I wacked down to the Bng this morning Dragjast 0930 (Sunday morning time) consisted of nee mealy pes werl one and feel mush better for it) and rdied up. lsant and wed and tea Treas and finces are every where after our spent the morning on my back, reading storm and a half. I am pling mind and then garning to a gaik Betts letter his morning, so will see what te who liees a Double Bay, we talked asctor day to say about jishing and what not in Briakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal, wick and around Syding, you can Ten, pea-meal, and one biseut. quers how interested. & was. I brough Reported to M.O, given three days more outall my protor (arunial) and we an my back, more yeart tablets (eigaten (8)) and to continue on a botte of years. had a great sed yarn, you can just imagins how Lamisick I feet per day, so your rubly cannot be 10090 yet more eases of berri-berri so giodness ouly yuews where it is all going to end They remaved the tree from te roof of the bineding tis morning Denver Doo consisted of rice, gravd Duner 1330 cousisted of me, vegitable sew whea tea and one pie y bread Played solo from 1445 until 1800 (ue a few suarls), meb pice of head and Ea. Denver Kanga I would eat suail, Tea cousisted of rue meal, soup, ouel but then again I inver tought I would be biscut, to and onel me part a P.O.H. Daring the meal, the worst eltric Garted with 1700 then played odlo bee starm I dave ever unturssed came upon us. The building was flooded 1800 Tea consisted of me meal, tea out and a luge tree which had two a biscnits, saya sance (a mwy ar previously ben damaged by we) There was a concertin our area lamks, blew down on tor of our again tenight atended by our GOC building, bedlam broke line (a Gu Callaghan) and the Malayan getid early mine own, asking dse to Command Go.C. (Gen Perciual) Aoking s Brilak cne own. My prayns relate my prayers for you as usual for you as usual ti shu exe. then shut eye
26 NOTES 2542200 Bevneli 8800 usparade this morning we insturssed another topual dacempour, I showered under a drain pipe in our building Gaved et cgowing a now again for find and ten breakfort at 0900 consisingg cmeal, reacal tea and one bicit Cee gois easty on duty today, be says he is feeling pt again, he doet ust look the liste Heard this morning that three I Jap sadmarines had 9o into Eydiy Harbour and sunk a ferryt another furphy I quiss) I guess rie is getting, me dowen, I cane hardly eat it at times, but when there iusting ese, what can onl do Two wore case of berri-burre to hospital fom our building mading 15 in all Played onid with fe until annur 320 which consisted of rice, sew, greens and tea Had a few lands of ss after dinner ans there was a anho and Die & is off at 1500 to hospital with Aerri- borre. head played f w crel, then had a toug with bes, played solo from 1045 wite Fea 1800, bee is now in te your Yea coussed of rice, stew, tea and a M+& past Peayed solo after tea witl dusk notking ae to relate inne own, my prayers for you as usual then shul aye NOTES eth PAYPON 3042 NELES Gesueli 0800 wasted and ten makjast at 0900. consisting of me wcal, reamcal, tea and two biset. Am to see the Mo tomorrow again so will know ten whether I am progressing. There is case after case of terre-berri in our building, but you will notes from our meals that greens are caming to the forey so hous hoping it clecks the discase, it leaves one with a reculiar feeling in the limbs. Six to more cases of bun bure to hospital today, making twenty one Or to date you can gues how we are veeving it, and there menten an only from our building Perhaps to ent of jeeding at 85 p m is too light of yes Daner 1250 consisted of rice, pumplin gravy ouct piece of bread and tea Played solo in the sun unth tea 1200 which consested of rue neal, greens gravy, tea and two Cos biscuts Played sols after tea until D030 I hope that you never serve me up a ree meat in any form in our own lome noodle, but I would eat me for another te years if it mean being with wine own nothing else t relate wine own any prayer for you as usual thei shut eye
NOTES 4:62 MR Gennlli O800 Beautiful eas moring, had a teng about 0730, saved and cleaned my wails Oue to see the M0 this monning Breakast 0goo consisted of me weal peamcal tex and onet bisnet He has given we more yeas tablet yeart and ten 10 more days on my back for osservation, says I am sligary imroved and I myself feel wch beter. hs ta more of our claps to hospital with berri-berri making a total now of samewhere near wenty onelos) spen te moning reading, had a long shat with agai o and then dinver at 1330 which consisted of rue, green sem, tea, ground wheat and our 0) pui7 orad Bead and raezed in the afternoon yen Clambler came over and yound Peayed get two gaines of crib Ted consisted of re meal, purcapple gince, tea, ground wheat, to 2 hisaut Played solo after te until 1915 Clost andeer player today (gc to hospital, 8- Corre) Cancort in our ana and nothing du to relate wine owen, My prayers for you as usual, ten shut eye. NOTES F WDRYC 5642 Guulli 0800 wasked and then break fast at 0900 which esnsisted of ne meal, rea-meal tea and ouet bisnt Am feeling quite of in myself but the legs jul a bet usetesg will spent the morning reading on my back 1 agd informed me that today we are having our tree hundreath (3004) meal of successive rece, just imagine it came owee, and I for oue niver ever did lite i Tea with sugar or wilk in it well be srange and suusking a complete eigantle will be stranger still Dunnr 13s0 consisted of rice, green stew, bread sue) pince and tea Cigante issue today whacks, ten (o cigareth L1Algde b rnformed me that I would be doing some quiet anditing work wixt weity. Spent the afternon, thinking longing and planciing Oee returned from He salt water fateque, 1600. We had a slower and played rolo wtil 1800 tea caunted of ruimeal; graund whe l tolise Played solo again tel durk s0S0. leaking else to relate wene ower Ally prayers for you as usual the abut eye
NOTES HDAPO Sore 55t Genceli 0800 slaved and wasked Last sight was andter gigt inspiratio atually ran of oe and all this wnth uo ilo this on Dreagast oges consisted of mi weal, pual tea and one birank ve falg uc beter tedaycae ew out ane ust to see the doctor again antil aunday (C.64D) Played patience with myself this morning then with another cauper of berry- berre inmates we discursed the gaing lewe furphy Duncer 1350 aunived of rice, quen stew, Ea and ane 6, piece of bread Played solo in the afternoon and at 1600 went and had a yarn to Stan Had a tong and then ten at 1800 which consised of rire, green sew tea and two o brsants After tea we played sole again until durk and then sat and yarned in te parch. nothing else to relate in me awn my prayers for you as usual then sheet aye. NOTES BDAY PON 7642 30207 Our audweading annversary Today is our secand (and) weading annnunsary, ot wine own teasure wine hawe forvently all my toughts are of you this day expecially, but then again all my tought are always of you are at they How Luush I could be with you on this our annuersary. lasking bask mine awn in our two A years of married lye, I say to mysey what have I as a husband given you Firstly you had a awilian husband for seven (7 days and the remainder of the two la years he was a salaur as a wye Eng you lave received nome of the soely Kings that you are enitled to, but you have had, you lave and always well lave the most pervent and sincere loving husband that it is possible for a wife to have Yes wine own you have aussed a eot of the jays attributed to wedded bless, But if I am spaied, you will be rewarded a thousandjold hen we can get all kee is to be got out of married lie your firs C anniversary gitt to me
NOTES S 2622 Hhe writle wate las gave through enemy action os also has my wallet, my thacco pouch and a lot youe personal belongings, my match was my severar aon I can asure you I have waitd until today to tell you, because it was in rememberance of today twelve O2t months ago that I got it, do you remember low dappy an ore, low laspy we always were, and wne own low aary we will always be well uoodle two 121 years of our ceedsed eye has gone, but such a lot of years remain for us to make up for what we have auned in tose to years all my places for the fixure are based on ear happiness and that alone and in my prayers each ingat Pask "that I may return to iune owen to give her all the happiness that she so riclly deserves may we live happily to gether the two of us and and biddees if we are so blessed! at this sage & ful beg that I want to take you away all to myney, porhaps to some cene State, Qnewssland or certain Aushalia, where we can NOTES Dar corenee 112400694 £000 setteo dame and eive for ane andte and our leppneess and continment alone together with our ridden. Obwne own, his separation has coot we dearly, I spend each and every day w your arms, your rlot are awway we and out of my waller and my day dreams are of our future and our posponed honymson I guane what you have give though and ymy prayers are answered, and never oer have I aussed say ing tem sunce I becamse a prisoner of was you will stee be possered of good paith and cheer i there your ost amises days, but due up and suule for me wout you noodle, Thow Wear Mire Oun Sirce Tiire BEGAN Thow My SELOVED NONAN, THY MAN Banlli 0300. our wedding Ance werrar day sarted with a tropial sorm blaring and raining wasted and tideed up (you & queen you will have a docesicated Hubby when he returnr to you and rin breakfast at 0930 consisting of me weal tea one (1 bescut
NOTES 17thPO 2222 Today, last year, as you remember and drinks at uohon, just you and I, lave nest mr usean) our dinner at Cariel, and you had an orched and chocelates I can nly tiday this year expriss as I have done all my thoughts of you and of us wine own, ant am prursing andther frang grain alsom lene, for te we over here it is suce a piorly white and sweet bloom and to we rat represents you. II am with you this tuel wxk year Iug I intend to have a plate of we with just everyting I want on it, so as I will be able to say, my jirs weat on my seroad annwersary was plan nee by ttelf, what and Dinner 1300 connted of nce, greens stew tex and auet pine of briad. Played sals during the afternoon bee was playing cricke for the H.1.P. Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, two 6) Ciscuits, tea, ground wheat and prisapple fince Played solo after tea again and then sat and yorned, well mine oun onr second weading accuwersary has passed but wait tel our knd one we will make it a grand one wont we asking else to relate were awle ay prayers for you as usual ten sut eye NOTES leave Aussie Demeded of eac in case I toget tin these events buing up to thir date except thore diaried Farwwell Sydnen Dugents gdds and wens- dice arrival gremanle. andinght (Paper bey) been mcBean train to Pert. Departure Greman to Enan Badgery. Burial at sea-ayi Caccep to Buki Tunah Holland Road Canvey arrives Dugapore torieutial Gain Franzeauc Camilian truces to te soon well for tong purposes Enguse garrael as Denque -10aGx Mt Gera creeing conts. Selling and Bambing Scorions, monkeys Con Depot Orcheds First leave to Durgaper Departue Clurried) Gatang-bou Depot Buying excursion Auzac Bupsr Cathay Tleatre Duigapar Felling and Babir Gickslaw hip Caup to tampin pusdents in and treer by whety around Cathay Fell trough reg of Tampin Cauep teare Camise Neture Slew Karvest Festrval Flats aft in a burry Tigershot wallowt weals in Cakay leave to Guala Lampar Capitulation 132. 42 cuarcher to Priseu Caup transfor to Audil Ettf Satus Notel Duners Clauge Beary nave covery Dance at Majeste geve wice at ser Felaces wana Sa Caup to John scrannging cal len in caut

78 
NOTES 
26.5.42         TUESDAY (CONTINUED)         100th DAY P.O.W
wedded bliss" and what it may bring.
This diary at present is beautifully scented 
with frangipani, how long it will remain
I cannot say.
Spent from 1430 until 1600 on the wood
fatigue (Volga Boatman) then after afternoon
tea had a tong and played solo
from 1700 until 1800.
Tea 1800 consisted of rice, stew,  tea and
one (1) biscuit.
After tea played solo again until 2030,
incidentally playing solo occupies the time
and we have a good four. Luut Fraser, Ops 
Fraser, Chute and Johnstone, we play on
the slate, settle up first pay-day (? when)
Strong furphy that we are shortly leaving
to be interned on a neutral island, I
wonder.
Nothing else to relate mine own, my prayers
for you as usual, then shut eye
 

79 
NOTES 
27.5.42         WEDNESDAY         101st day P.O.W
Reveilli 0800
Shaved and showered and then breakfast
at 0900 consisting of rice meal, milk, tea, p'meal 
and one (1) biscuit. Cec is still off his tucker.
Ration fatigue this morning finished about
1200 showered and then dinner at
1330 consisting of rice (nosey), stew, tea and
one (1) piece of bread.
Went to the hospital, saw Alex and Doug,
Lt de Little and a few other chaps. I took
Alex and Doug over a pair of sand
shoes, a razor, steel mirror, tooth brush, shaving
brush and a shirt between them, also
gave them two (2) cigarettes each.
Came back to our building at 1600 and
played solo until 1800. Tea consisted
of rice meal, ground wheat, tea and two (2)
biscuits. We were told tonight that to-
morrow morning sees our last issue
of milk, even though it was mainly
water we will miss it when we have
to eat plain rice, still we can take
it, there are others worse off than us,
especially those chaps in hospital over
here.
There was a lecture in our area tonight
by Sgt Blaine (M.H.R NTHN. TERRITORY) on R.S.L
and its benefits. Nothing else to relate  
mine own, my prayers for you as usual  
then shut eye. 

 

80  
NOTES
28.5.42         THURSDAY         102ND DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800
Showered and then breakfast at 0900
consisting of rice meal, milk (our last), tea
pea-meal and one biscuit.
Last night was very oppressive again
and sleep came slowly. Saved two (2)
biscuits for Cec and this morning
discovered that a rat had practically
eaten them all, so that's that.
Reported to RAP, I have had a tightness
in the calf of my left leg. Diagnosis is
early berri-berri, I am under observation
for two days during which time I am
to stay on my back taking eighteen
(18) yeast tablets per day and one
bottle of yeast per day so again that's
that.
There has been a continual deluge of
rain since 0900, we want it badly,
it may improve things from a health
view point.
Dinner consisted of rice (nosey), stew,
one (1) piece of bread and tea.
Played solo in the afternoon on
my bed, am feeling OK, but of
course have the numbness in the
legs.
Tea consisted of rice meal, ground
wheat, tea and two (2) biscuits.
 

81
NOTES 
28.5.42        THURSDAY        102D DAY POW
The yeast in the bottle tastes like flat
champagne or apple cider, you know
how I like both don't you mine
own (oh yes).
Cec is still not 100% but is on the
mend, he thinks that he may be in
for an attack of berri-berri. I
think it is brought on by lack of
Vitamin B which is mainly found
in fruit and vegetables of which we
get neither.
Concert in our area after tea so Cec and
I stood on the balcony and watched it.
Nothing else to relate mine own. My
prayers for you as usual then shut eye.

 

82 
NOTES 
29.5.42         FRIDAY         103rd day P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800
Shaved and washed up in the house, it 
is a bit far to walk for a shower when  
one is supposed to be laid up. Am
feeling lots better this morning.
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal,
pea-meal, tea and one biscuit.
Spent the morning on my back
as ordered, unable to smoke this
morning (out of smokes), so heres
hoping that the issue comes to light
at dinner-time. Dinner 1330 consisted
of rice, ground wheat, tea and one (1)
piece of bread, believe we are to get some 
form of a stew or something tonight. 
Our cigarette issue came good today. 
Snails have been cooked in some  
units and I believe we are to try some, 
Logan's ghost can you imagine, but we  
will wait and see, perhaps a snail 
has vitamin B. Played solo in the 
afternoon until 1800 then had tea 
consisting of rice meal, cut up fruit (small)  
tea, two (2) biscuits, and one (1) curried  
rissole, it was our best meal for some  
time (must be on account of the snails  
to come). After tea played Cec German 
whist (the two invalids). Nothing else 
to relate mine own. Lt de Little came  
back from hospital to-night. All my 
prayers for you as usual then shut eye.
 

83 
NOTES  
30.5.42         SATURDAY         104th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0800. 
Walked very slowly down to have a tong 
as I did not have a shower yesterday. Am 
feeling a good deal better this morning, 
the rest must have done some good. 
Am to report to the R.AP again this morning 
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal, milk 
(yes again), pea-meal, tea and one (1)  
biscuit. 
Dr gave me more yeast tablets and ordered  
me to stay on my back again for another  
two days, then another examination. 
Dinner consisted of rice, vegetable  
stew, tea and one (1) piece of bread. 
Rested after dinner and played solo  
until 1800. 
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, ground  
wheat, two(2) biscuits, tea and two  
desertspoonful of pineapple juice. 
Cec is still not 100%, I am feeling  
a bit stiffish and today my eyes  
are very sticky, I will let the  
M.O know tomorrow. 
After tea Cec went town to the RAP 
to get his treatment (aspros) and I finished 
the book I am reading belonging to [[AGde L?] 
"Why Britain is at War", the book even 
has not made my mind up for me.
 Nothing else to relate mine own. All my 
prayers for you as usual, then shut eye. 

 

84 
NOTES 
31 5.42        SUNDAY       105th DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800. Shaved and washed 
Breakfast 0930 (Sunday morning time) 
consisted of rice meal, pea meal, one (1) 
biscuit and milk and tea 
Spent the morning on my back, reading 
and then yarning to a Jack Betts 
who lives at Double Bay, we talked 
about fishing and what not in 
and around Sydney, you can 
guess how interested I was. I brought 
out all my photos (as usual) and we 
had a great old yarn, you can 
just imagine how homesick I felt. 
More cases of berri-berri so goodness 
only knows where it is all going to end. 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, ground 
wheat, tea and one piece of bread. 
Played solo from 1445 until 1800.
Tea consisted of rice meal, soup, one (1)  
biscuit, tea and one (1) rice pasty. 
During the meal, the worst electric 
storm I have ever witnessed came 
upon us. The building was flooded 
out and a huge tree which had 
previously been damaged by 
bombs, blew down on top of our 
building, bedlam broke loose. 
Retired early mine own. Nothing else to  
relate. My prayers for you as usual 
then shut eye.
 

85 
NOTES 
1.6.42         MONDAY         106th DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800. 
Showered (I walked down to the tong this morning 
and feel much better for it) and tidied up. 
Trees and fences are everywhere after our 
storm and a half. I am feeling much 
better this morning, so will see what the 
doctor has to say. 
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal, milk, 
tea, pea-meal, and one biscuit. 
Reported to M.O, given three days more 
on my back, more yeast tablets (eighteen 
(18) and to continue on a bottle of yeast 
per day, so your hubby cannot be 
100% yet. 
They removed the tree from the roof of the 
building this morning. 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, vegetable stew 
(wi a few snails), one (1) piece of bread and 
tea. I never thought I would eat snails, 
but then again I never thought I would be  
a P.O.W. 
Rested until 1700 then played solo til 
1800. Tea consisted of rice meal, tea 
two (2) biscuits, soya sauce (a newy on 
me). There was a concert in our area 
again tonight attended by our G.O.C 
(Maj. Gen Callaghan) and the Malayan 
Command G.O.C. (Gen Percival). Nothing 
else to relate mine own. My prayers 
for you as usual, then shut eye. 

 

86 
NOTES 
2.6.42         TUESDAY         107th DAY P.O.W 
Reveille 0800. 
No parade this morning we witnessed 
another tropical downpour. I showered 
under a drain pipe in our building. 
Shaved etc (growing a mow again for fun) 
and then breakfast at 0900 consisting of 
Rice meal, pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit. 
Cec goes back on duty today, he says he 
is feeling fit again, he does not look the  
best. Heard this morning that three (3) Jap 
submarines had got into Sydney Harbour  
and struck a ferry (another furphy I guess). 
I guess rice is getting me down, I can 
hardly eat it at times, but when there 
is nothing else, what can one do. 
Two more cases of berri-berri to hospital  
from our building making 15 in all. 
Played crib with JW until dinner 1330 
which consisted of rice, stew, greens and tea. 
Had a few hands of solo after dinner as there 
was centre and Bill F is off at 1500 to 
hospital with berri- berri. 
Read, played JW crib, then had a tong
with Cec, played solo from 1645 until 
tea 1800, Cec is now in the four. 
Tea consisted of rice, stew, tea and a  
M & V pasty. Played solo after tea until 
dusk. Nothing else to relate mine own, 
my prayers for you as usual then shut eye. 
 

87 
NOTES 
3.6.42        WEDNESDAY     108th DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800 
Washed and then breakfast at 0900. 
consisting of rice meal, pea-meal, tea 
and two (2) biscuits. 
Am to see the M.O. tomorrow again, so will know 
then whether I am progressing. There is case 
after case of berri-berri in our building, but 
you will notice from our meals that greens are 
coming to the fore, so heres hoping it checks 
the disease, it leaves one with a peculiar 
feeling in the limbs. 
Six (6) more cases of berri-berri to hospital 
today, making twentyone (21) to date you  
can guess how we are viewing it, and these 
numbers are only from our building. 
Perhaps the cost of feeding us $5 p.m is too  
high (oh yes). 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, pumpkin gravy, 
one (1) piece of bread and tea 
Played solo in the sun until tea 1800 
which consisted of rice meal, greens 
gravy, tea and two (2) biscuits. 
Played solo after tea until 2030. 
I hope that you never serve me up a 
rice meal in any form in our own 
home noodle, but I would eat rice 
for another ten years if it meant 
being with mine own. 
Nothing else to relate mine own. My 
prayers for you as usual, then shut eye. 

 

88 
NOTES 
4.6.42          THURSDAY          109th DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800. 
Beautiful cool morning, had a tong about 
0730, shaved and cleaned my nails. 
Am to see the M.O this morning. 
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal, 
pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit 
M.O. has given me more yeast tablets, 
yeast and ten (10) more days on my  
back for observation, says I am 
slightly improved and I myself feel 
much better. Two (2) more of our chaps 
to hospital with berri-berri making 
a total now of somewhere near twenty 
one (21). 
Spent the morning reading, had a  
long chat with [[AG de L?] and then 
dinner at 1330 which consisted of 
rice, green stew, tea, ground wheat 
and one (1) piece of bread. 
Read and talked in the afternoon. 
Ken Shambler came over and yarned. 
Played JW two games of crib. 
Tea consisted of rice meal, pineapple 
juice, tea, ground wheat, two (2) 
biscuits. 
Played solo after tea until 1915 (lost another 
player today (JC to hospital, b-berri). 
Concert in our area and nothing  
else to relate mine own. My 
prayers for you as usual, then 
shut eye. 
 

89 
NOTES 
5.6.42          FRIDAY         110th DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800 
Washed and then breakfast at 0900 
which consisted of rice meal, pea-meal 
tea and one (1) biscuit. 
Am feeling quite OK in myself but the 
legs feel a bit useless still. 
Spent the morning reading on my 
back  Lt [AG de L?] informed me that 
today we are having our three 
hundredth (300th) meal of successive 
rice, just imagine it mine own and 
I for one never ever did like it. 
Tea with sugar or milk in it will 
be strange and smoking a complete 
cigarette will be stranger still. 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, green 
stew, bread one (1) piece and tea 
Cigarette issue today whacko, ten (10) cigarettes. 
Lt [AG de L?] informed me that I would be 
doing some quiet auditing work next 
week. Spent the afternoon, thinking, 
longing and planning. 
Cec returned from the salt water fatigue 
1600. We had a shower and played solo 
until 1800 tea consisted of rice meal, ground 
wheat, tea, one (1) rissole, two (2) biscuits. 
Played solo again till dusk 2030. 
Nothing else to relate mine own. My 
prayers for you as usual. Then shut eye. 

 

90 
NOTES 
6.6.42          SATURDAY          111th DAY P.O.W 
Reveilli 0800 
Shaved and washed. Last night was another 
oppressive night, perspiration literally ran 
off me and all this with no clothes on. 
Breakfast 0900 consisted of rice meal, 
pea-meal, tea and one (1) biscuit. 
Am feeling much better today mine own 
but am not to see the doctor again until 
Monday (8.6.42). 
Played patience with myself this morning 
then with another couple of berri-berri 
inmates we discussed the "going 
home furphy". 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, green stew, 
tea and one (1) piece of bread. 
Played solo in the afternoon and at 
1600 went and had a yarn to Stan 
W. 
Had a tong a then tea at 1800 
which consisted of rice, green stew, 
tea and two (2) biscuits. 
After tea we played solo again 
until dusk and then sat and 
yarned in the porch. 
Nothing else to relate mine own 
my prayers for you as usual then 
shut eye. 
 

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

 

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

 

93
NOTES  
7.6.42          SUNDAY (CONTINUED)         112th DAY P.O.W. 
settle down and live for one another 
and our happiness and contentment 
alone, together with our kiddies. 
Oh mine own, this separation has 
cost me dearly, I spend each and 
every day in your arms, your photos 
are always in and out of my wallet 
and my day dreams are of our 
future and our postponed honeymoon. 
I know what you have gone through 
and if my prayers are answered, and 
never ever have I missed saying 
them since I became a prisoner of  
war, you will still be possessed 
of good faith and cheer in these your 
most anxious days, but "chin up  
and smile" for me wou [[ld]] you noodle. 
  
" THOU WER'T MINE OWN SINCE TIME BEGAN 
  THOU MY BELOVED WOMAN, I  thy MAN" 
  
Reveillie 0800. Our Wedding Anniversary 
day started with a tropical storm 
blowing and raining. 
Washed and tidied up (yes I guess 
you will have a domesticated hubby 
when he returns to you) and then 
breakfast at 0930 consisting of rice 
meal, tea, one (1) biscuit.

 

94 
NOTES  
7.6.42         Sunday (Continued)         112th Day P.O.W 
Today last year, do you remember our 
drinks at Ushers, just you and I (we 
met Mrs Nolan over dinner at Cahills, 
and you had an orchid and chocolates. 
I can only today this year express as I 
have done all my thoughts of you and 
and us mine own, but am pressing 
another frangipani bloom here, for to 
me over here it is such a pure, white 
and sweet bloom and to me that 
represents you. 
If I am with you this time next year 
Pug, I intend to have a plate of rice with 
just everything I want on it, so as I will 
be able to say, my first meal on my second 
anniversary was plain rice by itself, what [[?]] 
Dinner 1330 consisted of rice, greens stew 
tea and one (1) piece of bread. 
Played solo during the afternoon 
Cec was playing cricket for the A.I.F. 
Tea 1800 consisted of rice meal, two (2) 
Biscuits, tea, ground wheat and pineapple  
juice. 
Played solo after tea again and then 
sat and yarned. Well mine own our 
second wedding anniversary has 
passed but wait till our third one 
we will make it a grand one 
wont we. Nothing else to relate mine 
own. My prayers for you as usual 
Then shut eye. 
 

95 
NOTES 
Reminder of events since leave Aussie 
in case I forget them. These events being 
up to date. except those diaried. 
(two columns) 
Farewell Sydney                       Dugouts 
Odds and evens - dice            Midnight (Paper [[boy?]]) 
Arrival Fremantle 
Train to Perth                            Alex McBean 
Departure Fremantle             Brian Badgery 
Burial at sea - 2 days out        Camp to Bukit Timah 
Convoy arrives Singapore      (Holland Road) 
Torrential Rain                           Frangipani. Camelias 
Trucks to [[Ute?]] soon            Well for tong purposes 
English Barracks    do              Dengue  [[10 AGH Mt [[Rosa?]] 
Erecting tents.                    
Scorpions, Monkeys                 Shelling and Bombing 
Orchids                                        Con Depot 
First leave to Singapore          Departure (hurried) 
Buying excursion                      Katang - Con Depot                                            
Anzac Buffet                               Cathay Theatre. Singapore 
Rickshaw trip                              Shelling and Bombing 
Camp to Tampin                       Incidents in and 
Trip by Utility                                         around Cathay 
Tampin Camp                           Shell through roof of 
Chinese Picture Show                                theatre 
Harvest Festival                        Flats left in a hurry 
Tiger shot 
Swallows                                    Meals in Cathay 
Leave to Kuala Lumpur         Capitulation 15.2.42 
Transfer to Audit Staff            Marches to Prison Camp 
Station Hotel Drivers                               Changi 
Dance at Majestic                   Diary now covers 
Dance at Eastern                    the rest of events. 
Camp to Johore                      Tobacco manufacturing 
Canteen in camp                    Scrounging 

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