Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 10

190                            

NOTES

30.8.42    SUNDAY    196th DAY P.O.W

We were employed in emptying our

hold (No 4). Rice, barley and allumite.

A red gravel from which is extracted

alluminium. 4 X 75 men were left

on board to work the balance

went ashore in lighters packed

like sardines.

We worked ½ hour on, 1 hr off. The

Chinese on the lighters alongside

us were very friendly. I was over

the rail without a hat and one

gave me a palm stetson, I sold

an old shirt and a pair of shorts

for 5 Formosan YEN (was I lucky).

Managed to get some sugar

for Cec and self from a broken

bag [[stout?]]. Bought a few

packets of Jap cigarettes 4 X 10 for

50sen.

Tea was at 1800 tonight, after tea

Cec and I went for a stroll around

the boat (about 100 yar).

Have ordered some bananas from

the purser so am hoping for a

good feed tonight.

191

NOTES                            

31.8.42   MONDAY    197th DAY P.O.W.

Cec went ashore today with the others

in lighters, but I was detailed to

act as piquet in our hold, so here

am I, sitting in the hold, the Pommies

are shovelling allumite and I have

brought my diary up to date. Oh

mine own each night all my fervent

prayers go to God for you and for

us. You are never out of my thoughts.

I have reconstructed this diary from

15.8.42, so do hope that I have included

everything of importance. Well

mine own, I look at this move

as one nearer to you, here I am

at present anchored in a harbour

in Formosa, we expect to be here

another five or six days, then off

to Japan (who knows). The Japs

have treated us very well, odd

cup of coffee, bananas or a cigarette

or two. Last week a slight difference

arose between 3 A.I.F and 3. B.E.F.,

came to blows and one of our chaps

got hit. The Jap guard came down

and the Capt of the boat was told

it was an accident, that one of our

chaps tripped and hurt himself,

so the Captain announced from

the bridge in broken English 

192

NOTES

31.8.42   MONDAY   197th DAY P.O.W

"I WILL TURN ON THE LIGHTS, SO AS YOU

CAN SEE, I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO

HURT THEMSELVES, FALLING IN THE

DARK" And believe me he did

flood light the deck.

Usual two meals of rice today, but

an extra one of dry rice for those on

board at midday.

Cec returned at 1700 and had

an easy working day ashore

carrying pieces of timber.

The stuff we have been getting out

of the holds is boxite not allumite -

I have skin trouble on my face

and under my arms (impetago)

and when I am painted I resemble

a red indian.

1.9.42   TUESDAY    198th DAY P.O.W.

Ashore today in lighters (only 21 A.I.F)

Cec and I got among the 21. Remind

me to tell you of our new complaint

comp - in [[alingeresation?]], the 21 were

sick and rested ashore in a hut

and were given mats to sleep on.

Had rice at midday (dry) and

returned to our ship at 1630. Usual

other two meals, our cigs and bananas

that we ordered came to day so

had a supper of saved rice (from

ashore) and bananas

193                                 

NOTES                         

1.9.42    TUESDAY   198th DAY P.O.W

I struck a very nice fatigue last night,

latrine picket, duty to wash the latrines

with no tank water available, a bucket

on a rope, over the side is the answer.

Cholera precautions are on in TAKAO

and we are very careful of the water

we use for drinking and bathing

2.9.42   WEDNESDAY   199th DAY P.O.W

Ashore again in lighters today. All of us

in our party were C.M's, the balance of

the A.I.F (60) were ashore in lighters also,

only they worked on carrying coal

coolie fashion. Rice and gravy at

0800, cold rice and I had four (4) bananas

at 1300. Did some washing ashore, but

rain upset things, so brought it home

both wet and dirty. I have a heavy

cold today so with my impetago as

well, do not feel 100%. Returned to

our ship at 1645,  ships certainly

come and go from this port in

great numbers. Tea and supper

(from saved rice). Slept in the

hold tonight on account of the

weather, very hot night. 

3.9.42   THURSDAY   200th DAY P.O.W

Ashore again today (29 A.I.F of whom

seven (7) worked. I was among

the seven, we carted crated [[machy]].

194

NOTES

3.9.42   THURSDAY   200th DAY P.O.W

and talk about laugh at our little

boyish Jap overseers. Meals the

same as yesterday, our three (3)

meals a day again make us

feel like humans again. This

morning I bought a Formosan

Grape Fruit, I came back to the

boat at 1630 and after tea, we

had some rice (which I brought

back in my dixie from ashore)

grape, fruit, bananas (Cec

bought one hundred today)

and sugar (one (1) pair of

pyjamas) so went to bed

feeling 100%. The chinese coming

aboard buying shirts shorts etc

(militarily forbidden) for cigs,

yens, paw paws etc would

make you scream, some of the

chaps have what they stand up

in                           

4.9.42   FRIDAY  201st DAY P.O.W

Excellent day today, early breakfast

went ashore in a lighter launch

to the oil dump, 100 of us, 50 A.I.F and

50 British, loaded, unloaded and

stacked oil drums about 20 mins

work before and after dinner.

An excellent Jap guard were over 

197

NOTES                    

4.9.42   FRIDAY   201st DAY P.O.W

us, had a great chat with me, I taught

him a few English words and he,

me a few Japanese words. At dinner

time he gave me a plate of Jap [[deliveries?]]

cigarettes, bananas and toffee. We left

the ship at 0800 and returned at

1630. Said goodbye to the Jap guard

shook hands and can honestly say

he was a little gentleman.

Had a shower on return to the boat

also a shave, tea as usual, added

bananas and sugar. Went to bed

after having the best working day

since leaving Singapore

5.9.42   SATURDAY   202nd DAY P.O.W

On the ship today, working in No 4 Hold

we emptied it of boxite before dinner

and it was hot, up and down the

hold ladders. Meals the same, but

bananas and sugar help. A lot of

shipping has left the port and it

nearly seems empty. The mountains

in TAKAO are very blue and clear

today. Five fresh water showers

today, gosh it was hot. Washed a towel,

shorts and h'chief, one has to stay with

them till they dry these days, otherwise

they walk. Am going to try and buy

some bread tomorrow if I go ashore.

198                                 

NOTES   

6.9.42    SUNDAY   203rd DAY P.O.W

At oil dump again today ashore in

a motor lighter at 0800. Meals the same,

my Jap soldier friend gave me some

fish and pickles at dinner time.

I had a chat with him for an hour

and showed him all my photos

He persisted in taking one of you

(the one taken on the beach at

Collaroy), and in Japanese, told

me that you were a "beautiful

woman", I in turn told him

that there was only one Peg and

one woman - "you". Another

hospital ship came into TAKAO today.

Gee noodle we left Changi

three weeks ago to day and are

still on our way to Japan.     

7.9.42   MONDAY    204th DAY P.O.W

On ship today loading rice (120 lb bags)

we were in the holds stacking. Three

(3) Japanese women were sewing the

broken bags and you can guess

some of the things the boys were

saying. Blazing sun all day and

with the sun shining into the

hold it was like an oven. Meals

the same, managed to buy some

more bananas this morning over

the side of the ship.

199

NOTES

8.9.42   TUESDAY   205th DAY P.O.W

At coal dump today, meals the same as

usual whilst at coal dump. I felt rather

sick in the tummy and remained in

the tent with the R.A.P.. I purchased

two pomelloes (large grape fruit - red inside)

and one big bunch of bananas, the

best we have had. Pomelloes cost 25sen

ea and bananas 1.YEN per bunch, (42

bananas on it). The boys on the coal

do not over work, two men to a basket

and the coolies carry on a bar across

their shoulders two ea, and ea one

has four times that of one of ours

We have been having nosey pork of

late and the whiff of the refrigerator

when opened nearly kills you.

9.9.42  WEDNESDAY  206th DAY  P.O.W

On ship today, meals the same as usual.

We were loading rice. I had to

knock off at 1000 as I had a

terrific tummy ache. Dr Brennan

examined me and thinks that

I have perhaps strained the wall

of my stomach. Laid up for the

day and had no rice for dinner

or tea. I will never ever forget the

heat in TAKOA, perspiration

just pours off one.

200                         

NOTES

10.9.42    THURSDAY    207th DAY P.O.W

Laid up on boat again today,

coal, oil, and warehouse parties left

on time but unexpectedly returned

to ship at 1030 NO1 Hold has two cases

of diptheria as far as I can gather,

hence the upset. Very sick in the

tummy today, had a small issue

of gravy for breakfast and dinner

and a small amount of gravy for

tea. Cec bought five (5) buns and

ten biscuits, he insisted on me

having 3 of the former and six of the

latter. Oh mine own, you have no

idea what they were like. No5 I and 

4 Holds are finished so should be

pushing northward soon

11.9.42   FRIDAY    208th DAY PO.W

On ship all day again, rained cats

and dogs, ships' crew expect a typhoon

Meals the same, ate two (2) small

meals of rice and being on the

sick list, I received a little extra

gravy. NoS. 1, 3, and 4 Holds are now

finished loading. No. 1 Hold has two

(2) diptheria cases and a host of

Jap doctors came aboard and took

swabs of those in No.1 Hold. Am

feeling nearly normal again, but

the tropical heat is terrific.

NOTES

11.9.42   FRIDAY    208th DAY P.O.W

Cec and I bought one (1) yen's worth

of bananas (48), one half tin of

biscuits (small very select ones) and

one of the crew bought me 50 sen

worth of lollies, gee mine own it is

really like xmas. Rumoured that we

leave for Japan on 13.9.42

12.9.42   SATURDAY   209th DAY P.O.W

On ship again all day, raining cats

and dogs, tried to sleep on deck

last night, but the gale made me

make for downstairs. Meals the same

I will never forget the pork on the

FUKAI MARU whilst at TAKAO. Played

solo all day, the first time for ages.

Issued with a desertspoon full of

sugar. Had the mow trimmed last

night. Gee it will be grand to get

off this ship, out of this port.

13.9.42  SUNDAY  210th DAY P.O.W

On ship again all day again. Raining

 again. Meals the same. Played solo all

day. Very good day, Cec and I bought

from one of the crew, one (1) bag of caramels,

one (1) yen each, whacko. Loaded in

fish, coal and vegetables aboard today

so looks like a move again. Cec

and I got six (6) onions, how?

NOTES

14.9.42    MONDAY   211th DAY P.O.W

On ship all day, raining on and off, 

stores all loaded, looks like a move 

tomorrow. Meals the same as usual. 

Played solo all day. Our cigarette 

order came to hand to day so 

will have smokes for awhile, they 

cost thirteen sents per pkt. Cec and 

I have been nibbling at caramels 

and biscuits, gee they are good. 

Some spring onions fell through 

the hatch covers and what a run 

there was from the lads.

15.9.42   TUESDAY   212th DAY P.O.W

Well mine own, we have commenced another

stage of our journey, which will, I hope and 

pray bring us closer together. We up anchored

at 0900 this morning and said farewell to

TAKAO. Very cloudy day again, we are 

back on to our two (2) meals a day again.

This morning the purser sold bread 

and biscuits for the last time. Cec and 

I managed to buy 50 sen worth of biscuits 

and they were good. Sanitary paper is

unprocurable and selling at a premium  

this diary may consequently disappear.

Hundreds of sampans (fishing) 

were around us all day as we 

hugged the coastline of the island 

Played solo during the day and

NOTES

15.9.42    TUESDAY    212th DAY P.O.W

spent the rest of it reading and resting. 

I am lending "San Michele" all round 

and getting other ones in return, but somehow

I cannot concentrate, only being able 

to read spasmodically. The stay at TAKAO 

(16 days) was all too long, living conditions 

on the boat were far from good and I 

personally am darned glad that we are 

under way again, to where, none of us 

know. At 1700 we met the convoy after

travelling up the west coast of Formosa 

Two (2) destroyers and nine (9) merchant 

ships, our own making twelve (12) in 

all. Then off we set. 

16.9.42    WEDNESDAY    213th DAY P.O.W

At 0200 this morning, from going north we turned

about and to our surprise, this morning we

are heading south. Later on in the day we

eventually arrived at our rendezvous 

of yesterday afternoon, so have spent a 

day doing nothing, we are all wondering

whether there is a hitch in the proceedings,

all sorts of furphies are floating 

around, we now number eight (8) ships 

and two (2) destroyers. Meals the same 

weather terrifically hot, did some washing

(towel and shorts). Am covered in a 

heat rash, but most of us are 

berri-berri etc, being prevalent. We 

were paid twelve days pay today. 

1 Yen 80 sen for loading etc.

NOTES

17.9.42    THURSDAY    214th DAY P.O.W

Our rendezvous was one of the Pescadores

Group of Islands off the west coast of

Formosa. At 1700 yesterday we set off

on a northerly course, we now have

a convoy consisting of ten (10) ships and

one (1) destroyer (at least only one (1) is

now visible.) The ships in the convoy

are turning at all angles, so I guess it

is a case of "a little way in a long

time". Meals the same as usual, excepting

that at tea 1700, we had a form of

smoked fish in our stew. Had four

showers today, three in buckets one [[ex?]]

salt water [[hose?]]. Played solo during

the day. We are definately heading

north whether for Korea or Japan, who

knows. A Japanese paper I saw today

has an article on the ill treatment of

Jap. P.O.W on their way to Australia.

One of our merchant ships in the

convoy has a small red cross

painted below the bridge although

as with all the merchant ships, she

carries guns fore and aft. At

breakfast 0900, one of the Jap crew

gave us some powdered fish, it

resembled saw dust, but tasted

like smoked fish. Had a shave and

a pompadour hair cut today.

NOTES

18.9.42    FRIDAY    215th DAY P.O.W

Very rough sea. We apparently struck

the China Sea in a bad mood and

I believe from all accounts it can be

bad, we pitched and tossed all day

and our convoy appeared at stages to

be like corks. We shipped several seas

some of which in coming over the ship

emptied themselves in our hold. Hold

No 4. The kitchen stay got several

drenchings believe me a good number

were sea sick including the Jap guard

commander. Small birds landed on

our deck and the Jap crew caught

several, one of the crew had three in

a box and I saw him tie a piece of

cotton round both its legs and in

turn tie it to a basket. My two halves

of blanket I sewed together in a sleeping

bag form. The tropics must be well

behind us by now. The weather is

decidedly cooler and one sees shirts,

sweaters and greatcoats all over the

ship (Those who have not sold or

traded them being the lucky ones).

We are only a couple of days sailing

distance from Japan, so our trip

must nearly be finished. Meals the

same excepting there being more in

back ups on account of sea sickness.

NOTES
19.9.42    SATURDAY    216th DAY P.O.W

No rain, but still very windy and

blowing a treat. Meals the same,

but today we each received a

small packet of sugar coated nuts.

Okamato also gave me a slice of

yellow water melon, believe it or not.

Today is certainly a change in

climate, you can notice the difference

Had two showers and a shave. I

still have my moustache.

Today the Japanese crew and

the guard of the FUKAI MARU had a

farewell party in No.3. Hold. The

prisoners gave a concert for an

hour and then the Japs rendered

a few items. After that the Japs gave

an exhibition of wrestling (JUDO).

and then our chaps also participated.

All told it lasted about two (2). hours

and then all artists were given

packets of cigarettes, brandy, [[?]]

water, pieces of pork and onions.

We have indeed been treated very

well considering that we have

been P.O.W and the Jap on occasion

have gone out of their way to do

things for us.

NOTES
20.9.42    SUNDAY    217th DAY P.O.W

A break in the weather, but still a

very choppy sea. We are heading

east so perhaps the furphy that we

are going to FUSAN in KOREA is

true, it is said we berth tomorrow

or early Tuesday morning, we have

been five (5) weeks on the FUKAI

MARU and now the weather is so

much colder, one would think

that we are out of the equatorial

regions into the polar region.

Played solo all day, meals being

the same. Sugar issue today and

sweets issue yesterday, also had

a piece of yellow sugar melon last

night.

21.9.42    MONDAY    218th DAY P.O.W.

A fine day, but gee what a sea, the boat

has done every thing but fly, the

propeller has been out of the water

nearly all day. We left the convoy at

1200 and are now travelling to what

would appear to be Korea, where

we expect to berth tomorrow. Meals

the same. Played solo all day

and gee mine own one can

hardly get warm now, it seems

so absurd.

NOTES

22.9.42    TUESDAY    219th DAY P.O.W

Well mine own after stopping and starting

all through the night, this morning

at 0700 we found that we were

alongside what appears at this stage

to be FUSAN in KOREA or CHOSEN.

A delightful looking harbour with

stepped gardens up the hillsides.

The place is very mountainous and

the weather, well mine own, we

need everything we can find to

put on to keep us warm, it is

a very sudden change. A few

ships are in port and one small

steamer pulled out as we pulled

in at 0800. At 1700 a large

Red Cross ship and a merchant

ship put out to sea. Meals

were the same and after breakfast

this morning, Jap doctors who

had come aboard, gave us a

cursory medical examination

consisting of a look at the throat.

Our hold was fumigated also

the out houses and we are

still on the boat not knowing

our ultimate destination, but

time will tell, gee is it cold.

Played solo all day an did

a freeze.

NOTES
22.9.42    TUESDAY    219th DAY P.O.W

At midnight we were told to report to

No.3 Hold for medical inspection at 0200

and oh mine own was it cold, the

examination consisted of bending

and the glass tube test.

23.9.42    WEDNESDAY    220th DAY P.O.W

A beautiful fine day just like a

spring day in Aussie, played solo

all day, had a shave and the

meals were the same excepting

tea, when they gave us "backups"

of rice and pork stew, apparently

to feed us up for our long

trip by train tomorrow (rumour

300 miles). High Japanese Officers

were on the bridge deck watching

us eat, so perhaps the meal was

for their benefit. Sea gulls by

the hundreds are around the

boat and I amused myself

throwing them pieces of pork.

One of our chaps was unfortunately

caught pinching onions and

Reg Hayter stood for one and one

half hours on the bridge deck

with the guard alongside him in

full view of all of us, holding

his hands out in front of him

with the onions therein.

NOTES

24.9.42    THURSDAY    221st DAY P.O.W

Well mine own from today I think I am

going to write the most eventful part of my

time spent as a Jap. P.O.W, I hope I can

keep track of it all as it is certainly the most

interesting. Reveilli at 0600 and we received

our plain rice to take with us on our trip.

Our breakfast at 0800 consisted of a double

issue of rice and pork stew. We packed our

kits, I had a kit bag, pack and haversack.

At 0900 we pulled in at the FUSAN wharf

and it was covered with brass hats, provost

and photographers, it would appear that

KOREA was seeing its first P.O.W, which

was proved later. 22 A.I.F. out of the 93

were detailed to remain on board as

a baggage and cleaning up party. The

others went ashore at 1030. We swept the

hold out and swung the baggage ashore

with the winch. Then Cec, another Aussie and

a Pommy lifted a board up in the hold

and with a torch scrounged some sugar

and M&V also shirts. The Jap Provost put

in appearance and the hold was ordered

to be emptied. Cec and the Aussie managed

to get out but we had to leave the other

chap down there for about half an hour

until we could get an opportunity to

get him out. Luckily the Provost went

away for a while and we got him

NOTES

24.9.42    THURSDAY    221st DAY P.O.W

out, only to have his name taken by an

English Major with us as witnesses-

wouldn't it. We were told we would

be searched on shore, so Cec and I

opened the M&V and crammed into our

travelling rice and the sugar we put

in our handkerchiefs, also ate some

M&V straight from the tins. At 1100 we

said farewell to our little Jap friend Q,

he gave us a packet of cigs and he

has my address, and then we said

farewell to our prison ship FUKAI MARU

after being on it since 1800. 16.8.42, can

you imagine it and today is 24.9.42. We

left the boat and the crew lined up to say

farewell - SAYONORA, we marched down

the gang plank and were sprayed with a

type of disinfectant on our hands, boots

and kit and clothing, then to a vacant

block for a kit inspection and here

mine own comes the story of my greatest

loss. Gold I have discovered is taboo in

Japan, your little wallet with the Peg brooch

and the gold fish, in my big wallet was

inspected and the officers took the both

brooches, you can imagine my sorrow,

oh mine own I would sooner have

lost anything than those as you can

image. They took my NUMBER and