Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 11

NOTES
24.9.42  THURSDAY  221st DAY P.O.W
the Jap interpretor said I will probably
get them back, oh how I hope I do, now
I have lost your tobacco pouch, knife,
watch and the brooches. They took all
playing cards and even loose onions
so that is that. On the vacant block
were some military officers and their
horses and were they beauties, but you
would know better than I. Then the march
through FUSAN started, the crowds were
milling everywhere, trams stopped and
it was a public holiday. Our first stop
was about half an hour after starting and
we were rested on an Aero School
parade ground - half of the P.O.W. The other
half disappeared. We ate some of our
rice and M & V and to the urinal was
most public, men, women and kiddies.
just and stood, and watched the
proceedings. On the March again after
an hours rest, we apparently marched
in a circle about two (2) miles, Jap
Soldiers, Jap Cavalry and Jap policemen
all around us. Reg Hayter took ill on
the march and Cec and I nearly
carried him till in the end he became
delirous and was taken to the
hospital, we learnt later that 10 all
told were taken to the hospital.
NOTES
24.9.42  THURSDAY  221st DAY P.O.W
The march finished at FUSAN railway
station at 1500 and we sat outside the
station until 1600 then marched on to
the platform. We are certainly objects
for public gazing, incidentally some of
the inhabitants are white Europeans, but
still why worry. At 1630 we boarded
our train, most modern, excellant
carriages, plush seats - would show
Australia a point or two. The police
in FUSAN just smack the kids across
the face or body with a riding crop if
they get in the way. We were given
a Jap piece of white calico with Japanese
writing and a number on it, mine is
519 and it was pinned on to our
tunic. The train left at 1700 and
had 15 cars in all for about 1100 men,
crowds were at every stop and at
every station (bush wireless). The
carriages were heated and also
had fans, also a double glass window
for the cold and it can be intense.
Fusan I am told resembles H Kong
with its mountains. The line is a
single one and we were constantly
pulling off on to loop lines to await
the down trains. At 2000 we were
given two light wooden boxes for 

NOTES
24.9.42   THURSDAY   221st DAY P.O.W
our tea, one contained rice and chop
sticks the other meats, and savouries
(Jap, I do not like the cooking).
The country was delightful at the foot of
the mountains, paddy fields, vegetable
gardens, poplar trees lining the roads
melons growing on roofs of the village
mud huts also chilies drying on
the roofs, giving a red house top
appearance, apples and pears are
growing so here is hoping. The sunset
and moonrise I will never forget.
Tunnels were frequent. As our tea
also some rice and sugar. Jap Provost
were on the train and got out at
each stop, Jap soldiers were on
guard in the train.
25.9.42   FRIDAY   222nd DAY P.O.W
An uncomfortable nights' sleeping as
we could not stretch, talk about a
change in temperature, stopping and
starting all night. At 0800 and 1100 we
were issued with two boxes again,
so we are being looked after. A
photographer and a reporter gave
Cec and I an apple each and
 gee was it good. At 1100 we reached
South Kaji approx 250 miles from
FUSAN. We sat in the train and to
NOTES
25.9.42   FRIDAY   222nd DAY P.O.W
our amazement half the train went north
and our half had an engine stuck on
the back and we went south about 28
miles (or kilometres) to GIN SIN (JINSEN). Now of
course the A.I.F party is split, one
lot the baggage party 22 is here at
GIN SIN, the others we believe are about
4 miles north of Kaji. At GIN SIN 1200
we downed our pack and haversack
and did another march through lined
streets to our prison camp about
half an hours marching. Our camp
is about 4 acres, sleeping huts, wash
huts, kitchens and parade ground and
is totally sheet out from the outside
world by an eight or ten foot fence,
barbed wire on top ^(and electrified). The sleeping
huts are very good, wooden, matted
raised floor and four stoves in
each hut, it can be very cold about
85 men in each hut and not too
crowded. At 1600 on the parade ground
a high Jap officer gave a speech which
was in turn interpreted to us through
a microphone, the gist being that we
are P.O.W, should not have been P.O.W,
must obey disipline and be prepared
to work as, Jap civilians work.
Had to sign are oath that we 

NOTES
25.9.42   FRIDAY   222nd DAY P.O.W
would not try to escape whilst a
P.O.W in Japan. Several English
officers refused at first but later
did so. After the talk we were
dismissed and taken to our
barracks, Austn NCO'S in one corner
and Austn men in the opposite
corner., boots must be taken off
before walking on the mats.
Electric light and also an electric
cigarette lighter on each switch,
fire is a dread with the Jap.
Tea at 2000 consisted of a bread
roll (yes a real one) and a
dixie of broth and vegetable gravy,
very appetising. After ten we were
issued with 4 blankets (2 light
and 2 heavy) they are large ones
so & can be folded into two
giving us actually 8 blankets, so
those and the stoves, even though
the building is wooden, should keep
us warm in the winter. Lights out
at 2130, but I made my bed very
quickly and was soon asleep
after having washed etc
26.9.42   SATURDAY   223rd DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0600, after a very good
night's rest even though a bit 

NOTES
26.9.42   SATURDAY  223rd DAY P.O.W
chilly, still, our blood will soon thicken
up. Roll call at 0610, reports and
attention as Jap officer 1/C and the
interpreter enter the hut. Our kit bags
have not yet turned up but they should
not be long. Had a shave, did my
mow in, then a teeth and a wash
and breakfast at 0830 vegetable stew
(good) and rice. Cec and I added
sugar and fed well. 0930 another
parade for officer 1/C of POW-KOREA
more friendly than yesterday, addressed
us, interpreted again then dismissal
and now I have written up my
diary. We were also issued with
three (3) aluminium bowls and spoon &
fork for eating, so still looks more
hopeful. Rested until 1230 then dinner
curried gravy and believe it or not
another bread roll. Slept after dinner
until 1600 then had a shower and read
until 1730 then tea consisting of rice
and barley and curried gravy. Read after
tea and yarned until roll call at
2030, then to bed. Lights out at
2130 but too tired to witness the
ceremony. 

NOTES
27.9.42   SUNDAY   224th DAY P.O.W
Revelli 0600. Roll call 0610 wash etc and then b'fast
at 0730 rice and barley and vegetable stew. Very cold
night, but a glorious day. Men with trades filled in
papers this morning. went for a stroll in the
quadrangle, twice round, shook my blankets.
Rested until dinner at 1230, rice and
curried gravy and vegetables. At canteen
from 1315 pckg cigs for section and soap
11 sen, San paper 13 sen, Cigs 15 sen and
tooth powder 11 sen for myself. Had a
warm tong and at 1530 played solo
until 1700. To canteen again for extra
orders then tea at 1800 rice and curried
gravy and vegetables. at canteen again
for section cig. purchase, waited for one
hour. Roll call at 2030 then to bed read
til lights out 2130
28.9.42  MONDAY 225th DAY P.O.W
Revelli 0600 and is it cold, roll call
0610 then for a walk,  bed making then
b'fast at 0715 consisting of rice and
barley (badly cooked) and gravy and vegetables.
Shaved after breakfast in wash house and then at
0930 meeting at canteen of unit representatives.
Did twice around the quad for exercise. Played
solo until dinner time 1300 consisting of
rice and barley and gravy, understand that
we are to get one(1) bread roll every other
day. Played solo after lunch after
 

NOTES
28.9.42  MONDAY 225th DAY P.O.W
hearing instructions read out re our acts
as P.O.W. At 1500 most of the kit bags arrived
and were strewn all over the place for
inspection, my K.B is still to come. Had
a cold toug at 1700 and believe me it
was cold. Tea at 1800 consisted of gravy
and a bread roll, very nice but not enough
we were also issued with one desert
spoonful and a half of sugar, it will keep
till the morning. The balance of our Kit bags
arrived at 1930 but well be given out tomorrow
Started our own picquet for the huts last night
Eight men on at two at a time for two
hours ea. (later reveille necessitated 10 men). Cec and I drew 2-4 shift, you
cannot smoke, sit down talk or go outside
but just stand or walk up and down
in the huts With playing cards it is very
funny, re guards keep on taking and
returning them, so we do not know if you 
can definately play or not. The guard keep
coming in from outside when you are
on piquet and keep an eye on you.
29.9.42  TUESDAY 226th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0600, roll call 0610, washed etc, made
up beds, had a trot, raining early this morning.
Breakfast 0700 rice (gluey) and vegetable
gravy. Got my kit this morning, did
some sewing, shortened my F.S pants
and drill pants also put buttons on

NOTES
29.9.42  TUESDAY 226th DAY P.O.W
a scrounged shirt, a rainy day for sewing.
When it is fine will have a stack of washing
to do. Read then until dinner 1300 which
consistered of rice and barley and gravy with
plenty of vegetable and tea (very weak in
Korea). Played solo in the afternoon
(cards being kept under the blanket, we
lose them once or twice every day).
Had a hot tong and was the atmosphere
cold outside. Tea 1800, rice and barley
and curried gravy and tea another
attempt at solo, but lost one(1) pack
of cards. Read till roll call 2030 then
to bed Lights out 2130
30.9.42  WEDNESDAY 227th DAY P.O.W
Revelli 0600 roll call 0610, wash etc and
bed making etc, reading until breakfast 0700
rice and gravy. Had to get up at 0400 for the
usual and gosh was it cold, the temp here
in middle winter is said to be 17° below
gee will we freeze I cannot imagine it.
We are only about 500 miles from the
Russian border and I can understand
the intense cold. Did some washing
after breakfast, sheet, towel, sox 2 pair, and
shirt and u'pants. A glorious day again,
Read write dinner at 1300 curry gravy
and brown bread roll. Did some
map work after dinner and read
 

NOTES
30.9.42  WEDNESDAY 227th DAY P.O.W
Coolies working alongside the P.O.W camp here
for the last couple of days have been carrying
t'graph poles on to trucks and singing like
the volga boatmen. Four men to a pale
in pairs (2), they must be strong.
Illustration - see original document. Had a shave and another hot tong.
Finished a map of our trip from Singapore
to Korea-Jinsen prison camp. Read write
tea 1800 one piece of fish (with a million
bones in it) rice gruel (starting tonight
for two days to try and quell dysentry)
and gravy and tea. Read and yarned
after tea until roll call at 2030 then to
bed. Had a successful washing day
all things are dry. All now sleeping
with five blankets (all of my own) and
a ground sheet. Ground sheet and
one blanket underneath, four on top
1.10.42  THURSDAY 228th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 (Oct rising half an hour later and
lights out 2100 half an hour earlier). Roll call
0640. Washed etc and then breakfast 0730 rice
gruel, gravy and vegetables (plenty of them) and tea
Another glorious day, blue sky and warm sun
shine. At 0930 were (91 sections including
ourselves (No 1 SECTION) were taken into the
quadrangle for drill and P.T for one hour
we did 1/2 hour drill with an English officer
and 3/4 hour trotting and P.T given to us in 

NOTES
1.10.42  THURSDAY 228th DAY P.O.W
Japanese, we were told that all orders in future
will be given in Japanese. (orders in back of diary) The exercise
was good, but it certainly shows that in the
main we are not in very good nick. Read
until dinner 1200 brown bread roll (yes two
days in succession) and gravy and vegetables
Read and slept after dinner until 1430 then
had a hot tong rested and read again until
tea 1730 rice gruel, gravy and tea.
Received an issue of Jap newspapers and 
magazines, was paper are about 2-3
weeks old and news though not good news
they are welcome for something to read.
Roll call 2000 then to bed Lights out 2100
2.10.42  FRIDAY 229th DAY.P.O.W.
Reveille 0630, Roll call 0640. Washed etc and bed making
Breakfast 0730 rice gruel and veg gravy. Had
a shave after breakfast and washed a shirt,
pair of sox and a webbing belt. A glorious
sunny day again. Did the cig order for the
squad today allowed 2 pkts per man, this time
per pkt of 20 cost 7 sen compared wit 13 sen per
pkt of 10 last time. Dinner 1300 gravy and bread
(brown) roll and tea. Rested until 1400 then on
to the quad for drill in Japanese language
very educational, marching and numbering
in Japanese, did this for 1 1/4 hrs then
had a hot tong. my washing was dry
and I mended a pair of sox. Read
 

NOTES
2.10.42  FRIDAY 229th DAY.P.O.W.
some more Japanese newspapers then tea at 1730
rice gruel, tea, 6 or 7 chip potatoes, a piece of fish and a tea
spoonful of tomato sauce, gee was it grand
am reading a book "Rogue Herries" by Hugh Walpole.
never ever will I turn my nose up at any food,
get used to it will be grand being with you and
you looking after me, I will be like a baby,
I dream and plan each and every day.
After tea, went to the canteen and bought a
few things for our section. Roll call 2000, bed
making then lights out 2100
3.10.42 SATURDAY 230th DAY.P.O.W.
Reveille 0630. Roll call 0640 wash etc, bed making
Breakfast 0730, gruel and gravy and tea. No fatigues
today only to tidy our hut and kits for inspection at
1300. Read and rested until dinner 1200 one (1)
bread roll and gravy. A lecture at 1000 today
by Jinsen Prison Camp CO to all the officers of
this camp. Inspection at 1300 we stood by our
kit like good soldiers and apparently passed
satisfactorily. Read and yarned until 1500. Had
a hot tong and then a sleep until 1630. Then
had a temp. filling again put in the tooth
that I had trouble with a Changi. Tea 1700 rice
gruel and gravy. After tea Cec and I did
five or six trots around the quadrangle, then
Read until roll call 2000. Oh mine own, life is
unbearable without you, you fill all my
thoughts all day each and every day
made my bed then lights out 2100  

Arigato
Japanese script - see original document
153.2 

NOTES
4.10.42 SUNDAY 231st DAY.P.O.W.
Reveille 0630 Roll call 0640 wash etc, bedmaking then
breakfast 0730. Rice gruel, gravy and vegetable and tea.
very bleak cold morning. There are 21 cases y diphtheria
or suspected diphtheria and numerous (39) cases of severe
diaorhear we are only approx 500 strong in this
camp, so things are not too tight. Last night the
canteen got in a supply of ink, pencils, pads note
books, boot cream, combs, mirrors, shaving brushes
but still no eatables. Rained during the evening.
Made a set of dominoes out of paper, seeing
that we can not play cards now. had a couple of
games, then a shave, bought a pot of after shaving
cream 53 sen and another packet of tooth powder,
Read until dinner 1300 bread rice and gravy (vegetable)
Slept until 1530, hot tong and then rested and
read again unto tea 1700 rice (not gruel) and
gravy and tea. went for a stroll in the quad
after tea then played dominoes until roll call
2000 for 1 cigarette per 100 up. Made the bed etc
then lights out 2100.
5.10.42 MONDAY 232nd DAY.P.O.W.
Reveille 0630 Roll call 0640 on quad. I washed and
dressed and made my bed before reveille today, I
blame the water in the rice for early rising. B'fast
0730 rice and barley and veg. gravy, a good helping
of rice and barley so feel well fed. I cleaned two
pairs of boots before b'fast, as at this stage we
never wear them, I thought it a good idea to
clean them and pack them away.
 

NOTES
5.10.42 MONDAY 232nd DAY.P.O.W.
0900 -1100 squad drill, all in Japanese orders, gosh
one at least gets a laugh out of it and so do
the Japs. Tobacco nondiyoshi (men may smoke)
was given at 1030 and huge crockery ash trays
were placed on the ground, honestly they are
scared stiff of fire., Played dominoes and read
till dinner 1200 brown bread roll and gravy and
vegetables. Had a sleep after dinner until 1330 then
another two (2) hours in the quad and gee mine
own am I knocked up. Had a shower 1600 then
rested until tea 1700. Fish in batter 2" x 2", a spoon
of hot sauce and rice and barley. Lights failed
to show until roll call 2000, but from 1800 - 1930 had
quite a long chat with a Jap guard (Kimura)
he is going to teach me Japanese. After roll call
teeth cleaning, bedmaking. Lights out 2100
6.10.42.    TUESDAY    233rd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630. Roll call on quad. 0640. Bed making and wash
before reveille. Breakfast 0730 rice and barley and gravy, a
good issue. 0900 Drill again on quad unil 1130, gosh 2½ hrs.
1130 we were given form to fill in regarding our house address
so I do hope mine own it means news for you and a means
of letter writing. Had a shave and then dinner 1200 gravy and
vegetables and a brown bread roll also some rice I kept from
this morning. At 1330 we were called for another quad
2 hours, but after yesterday, I decided to remain in the
O/House as did twenty three other NCO's so that is that, at
1430 I washed a pair of shorts, towel and two h'chiefs and
at 1500 had a hot tong Read till tea 1700 rice and barley and gravy.
Read until roll call 2000, then bed making
and lights out 2100. Today we received an
article on "what we (P.O.W) owe to the Emperor
of Japan" - souvenir.

7.10.42    WEDNESDAY    234th DAY P.O.W
FOR ALL THESE LONELY HOURS OF SORROW
THAT YOU, MY LOVE, AND I ENDURE TODAY
HOW GREAT WILL OUR REUNION BE TOMORROW
HAVING ALL THE JOYS WE KNEW OF YESTERDAY
ALL MY LOVING THOUGHTS ARE OF YOU
IN THESE, YOUR DAYS OF STRESS AND STRIFE
ALL MY FERVENT PRAYERS ARE FOR YOU,
YOU, MINE OWN BELOVED WIFE.
SO CHIN UP PEG AND ALWAYS SMILE
OUR DAYS OF BEING APART ARE NUMBERED
OUR RE UNION, WE WILL MAKE WORTH WHILE
IN DAYS THAT WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED
GOODNIGHT BELOVED AND GOD BE WITH YOU
TO EASE YOUR MIND AND GIVE GOOD CHEER
GOOD FAITH, STOUT HEART AND COURAGE TO YOU
YOU MY WIFE WHO'S ALWAYS NEAR.
After tea 6.10.42 - "ALEX."
Oh noodle I wrote the above with all my feeling, its
you and you alone who fill my thoughts, I long so
much for our re-union and our happiness in the
future, you must as I, also, be brave and have
courage and faith in the belief that in the
end and soon everything will be alright.
Reveille 0630. roll call 0640 and a very cold
morning, but promised a fine day. bed made and wash
before reveille. Bad news, at 0400 this morning a young
Englishman in hut NO. 4 with dysentry, passed
away, we all feel pretty miserable as there are about forty other cases besides the diptheria cases. Another
Englishman in Keiji camp also died the
day before yesterday.

7.10.42    WEDNESDAY    234th DAY P.O.W
Breakfast 0730 rice and barley and vegetable gravy. Last night
managed to get half an apple. Officers (yes) apparently can
buy fruit and nuts outside, gee mine own after giving Cec
a quarter, the mouthful of apple tasted like nectar. I
learned today that the Japs. dr here volunteered to give a blood
transfusion at midnight last night to the dead soldier.
Squad drill again 9 - 11.30, very trying, we were drilled
before the camp commandant at 10.30 prior to dismissal
and made such a hash of it, we drilled and waited until
all other squads were finished because of lousy drill
Dinner 1800 brown bread roll, gravy and vegetables.
An issue of two d'spoons of sugar and I kept some
rice from this morning. At 1430 a parade was called
in the quad for the deceased soldier, we have no padre
with us, but an officer conducted the parade and
the coffin was covered by a Union Jack. After the
service we lined the path to the gate, it was opened.
the Japanese hearse was waiting and the pall
bearers went with other transport together with
Jap. escort. Incidentally the Japs did everything
they possibly could, both before and after the soldiers
death. Constructed a cross word puzzle and had
a hot tong then tea 1730 one piece of fish each
for 20 men, there are 23 in our section and we
drew out of the hat, I missed the bus so only had
rice and gravy. Played dominoes after tea
read and went to the canteen and bought
a tin of mentholatum, like Vicks. Roll call at 2000
Bed making and lights out 2100.

8.10.42   THURSDAY   235th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0630 roll call on the quad 0640 and it is getting
colder with a vengeance. Bed making and a wash, then
breakfast 0730 rice and barley and gravy. Late last night
2030. the Allied Officer in charge of us wrote a letter to the
Jap Commandant thanking him for their efforts on
behalf of the deceased soldier Sapper Smith R.E.
On the quad again at 1000, but rain interrupted us
so we were dismissed to our huts. Made up a Jap
vocabulary note book and played dominoes until
dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy, gosh. These cold
days, one could eat lots more, but still. Had a shave
after dinner, still raining. Another dysentry test is to
be made today, by means of celophane bags, very
awkward but then again it is for the best. Everyone
is curled up in their blankets sleeping or reading I did
a bit of each and then a hot tong and a cold (yes and very
cold) tong after it. Then read till tea 1700 rice and barley
and gravy. After tea read and played dominoes until
roll call 2000. Each night and morning now I
clean my teeth as we can buy tooth powder in
the canteen. Bed making then lights out 2100.
9.10.42    FRIDAY.    236th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 roll call 0640 in quad, bitterly cold but a dear
fine day, bed making and washing before reveille, b'fast
0730 rice and barley and gravy. Squad drill 0900 on
quad until 1100, we put on a good display and were
dismissed pronto, dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy
made a wooden set of dominoes, had a game, read
rested and hot tong at 1500. Made up two odes
for you, they are my thoughts for you mine own

9.10.42    FRIDAY.    236th DAY P.O.W
Another parting ode:
Farewell - mine own beloved Peg - farewell.
The parting hour has come, The time is short
The boat steams away - farewell
I always think, that nothing was so sad
As our last kiss, your arms around my neck
Your eyes so wet with tears.
Your lips - that smiled to hid, the sigh
The smothered cry of pain, our parting.
Our last goodbye: ex Alex 9:10:42.

A greeting ode:
Oh Peg mine own beloved. I'm home again.
Our days of being apart are at an end
I long to have you in my arms
To kiss your lips, your eyes, your hair
To hold you close and feel you near
For now and every other year
Our being apart is at an end our happy days are here
And once more "chin up and smile" my dear
T'is our re-union. ex Alex 9:10:42.
Wrote up a Jap dictionery in a note book. tea 1700,
a piece of fish, a few chip potatoes, rice and a
desertspoonful of tomato sauce, played
dominoes after, did a bit more dictionery
writing then roll call 2000, bed making and
the usual nightly stroll then lights out 2100
Another letter from the Emperor today, also
kept it as a souvenier.