Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 12
NOTES
10.10.42 SATURDAY 237th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 roll call 0640 in quad and was it cold
another fine day; bed making and a wash and then
breakfast 0730 rice and barley and gravy. Read this
morning until 1030 then apptd to NCO 1/C Fire Picquet, our
Squad (No.1) with nine other men, were called on to
quad for a lecture and then a demonstration on
how to work Fire Extinguishers and a Hand Pump.
The Japanese are mortally afraid of fire. Had a
shave and then dinner 1200, brown bread roll
and gravy and vegetables. Jap Saturday afternoon
inspection 1300 (turned up at 1400) lasted for an hour
during which time we stood to attention and numbered
in Japanese. the orderly officer was made to count to 100
in front of us all. Cut up a piece of my blanket
and made a pair of moccasins for the cold feet
on the straw mats. Tea 1700 rice and barley
and gravy. Canteen orders tonight I brought
a bottle of cidar (so called, just lemonade), one
apple (one per man) and one packet of cigs (one
per man) costing 22, 6 and 15 sen resp. Gee
mine own the apple was grand also the
so called cidar. Played dominoes until roll
call (in Japanese) 2000. Bed making then lights
out 2100. Our squad is on picquet to night,
Cec and I drew 04.30 / 0630 tomorrow morning,
so a broken nights sleep.
11.10.42 SUNDAY 238th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630, I was on last shift of picquet so
was already dressed, had a wash, then
roll call on the quad at 0640.
NOTES
11.10.42 SUNDAY 238th DAY P.O.W
As from yesterday afternoon we have to salute all
Jap officers and men, in the Aussie's case, the
Japs say our hats (A.I.F issue) are not military
style the consequence is this, we must wear
our hats every time we go outside the hut, for a
wash, walk, drill or latrine and then when
we sight a Jap, we have to bow, ^(taking off our hat) can you
imagine it. when we are going to the
latrines six or seven times a day, and out
washing our plates etc, it will all keep. The
temp. this morning at 0700 was 51° (19° off freezing
pt) and it feels every bit of it, bed making then
breakfast at 0730 rice and barley and gravy, it
looks as if we will have a fine day again.
Read and continued writing up my Jap- Eng dicty.
Two sick to hospital today from our squad, one
with diptheria (suspect) and the other diaorhea.
Canteen before dinner, purchased cigarettes and
razor blades for the squad and managed to
get one apple. Dinner 1200 brown bread roll (apple
in between), gravy and same rice from this morning.
I have a darned cold in my head at present
and feel very stuffy. Read until 1500, then a hot tong,
collected the washing, read again until tea 1700.
rice, gravy and tea (discoloured water). After
tea played dominoes and read till
roll call 2000. Teeth cleaning and bed
making then lights out 2100. I bought
and sold a watch today the story is on
the next page.
NOTES
12.10.42 MONDAY 239th DAY P.O.W.
Yesterday afternoon an Englishman with a
gold watch was broke and out of smokes etc
and wanted to sell his watch for $15.00.
I bought it for $10, 1 blade razor (valued
at $3.50 and ten packets of cigarettes $1.50
I bought at 1700, after tea at 1830 a Jap
came around and wanted a watch and
I sold it to him for $25.00, $18.00 in
cash, $1.50 in cigarettes 10 packets, and
approx 10 lbs sugar $5.50. (but worth
$20 these days). Gee mine own it must
be my lucky day, what a break.
Reveilli 0630 raining, roll call in hut 0640, wash etc
bed making, breakfast 0730 rice and gravy and tea.
Jap vocab. writing up until 0900 then drill until 1130
(2½ hrs) of saluting, believe me, we had enough.
Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy. At 1330
we were ordered on the quad again and did
another 3 hours saluting till 1630. Gee mine
own it has been a trying day. We were told
the reason was for not obeying regulations. (who
knows). A day's saluting for punishment.
Shower and shave at 1700 then tea rice and
a piece of fish and chips, the sugar is a godsend.
Played dominoes and read after tea until
roll call 2000 then bed making until
lights out 2100. The Japs were apparently
very pleased with Australia's military funerals
accorded to the Japanese members of the subs.
which got into Sydney Harbour
NOTES
13.10.42 TUESDAY 240th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630, parade in hut 0640, bed making and wash.
Breakfast rice and gravy. A lousy cold morning.
Am having a cap made out of the tail of my shirt, so
as it will do away with all this b- bowing, next
thing now, will be instruction in Japanese saluting.
It looks like a fine day, so perhaps another day's
saluting again. Another 300 apples came in this morn.
to be divided amongst 500 men so here's a raffle, I may be
lucky. Salute drill again this morning 0900/1115 just
another 2¼ hrs. Managed to draw an apple in the raffle,
cost 6 sen. Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy and
a small dumpling. Salute drill again 1330 - 1615,
yes another 2¾ hrs. Shower and then tea 1700
rice gruel (back on gruel again on a/c of dysentry)
and gravy. A peace offering after tea, each man
received two (2) pkts (20's) cigarettes free, can you
beat it. Yarned and played dominoes until
Roll call 2000. Bed making and then lights
out 2100. Rumoured that Russia is likely to declare
war on Japan at any moment, I wonder.
14.10.42 WEDNESDAY 241st DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0630, roll call in quad 0640, bed making and
work, breakfast 0730 rice gruel and gravy. There is
supposed to be an inspection at 1500 and if we pass
our drill examination, drill is supposed to cease.
At 0900 drill again untl 1200. C.O Prison Camps Korea
inspected the men drilling in squads, we were given
68% others 89% (officers 66% - last). The C.O. through
the interpreter said " he was very glad with the
NOTES
14.10.42 WEDNESDAY 241st DAY P.O.W.
parade". I hope it means the end of our drilling and
saluting. C.O. also carried out a hut inspection so it
is a day of days. Every opportunity I get, I grab a Jap
soldier and fill in a bit of my dictionary. Dinner
1230 (late on a/c of parade) brown bread roll and gravy.
Played dominoes after dinner, read, shaved
and had a hot shower, rumoured that we are
to have a double issue tea (I wonder). Got my
home made forage cap so from now on, bowing
will cease. Tea 1700 rice gruel (double issue) at 1730
gravy and a fish dumpling, gosh xmas is not in it.
Yesterday and today 10 and 30 men respectively
were taken across to the railway and did some
loading and unloading timber and rice respect.
and They received for Their labours yesterday
2 pkts of cigarettes and today one pkt of cigarettes or
1 apple, I volunteered today, but was nearly
killed in the rush. Played dominoes until 2000
then roll call, bed making, teeth cleaning and
then lights out 2100.
15.10.42 THURSDAY 242nd DAY. P.O.W.
Reveille 0630 roll call in quad. 0640, wash etc, bed making, then
breakfast 0730 rice gruel (double issue for a week on trial)
and gravy. 0900 on quad, drill until 1000, P.T for
1/2 hr then 1030/1100 sports etc, 3 huts, ten men from
each hut 150yd relay, I represented our hut (No 1)
and we came 2nd. Dinner 1200 bread roll and
gravy and some gruel from this morning. 1330
drill again until 1415, then P.T and games until
NOTES
15.10.42 THURSDAY 242nd DAY P.O.W.
1545 (we must be good boys). Hot shower 1600 and
played dominoes until tea 1700. Rice gruel and gravy.
Managed to buy 10 small bun biscuits today at 5 sen
ea and they were urishi. Dominoes after tea until
roll call 2000, teeth cleaning, bed making then
lights out 2100. After tea, apples, cidar (lemonade)
and cigarettes arrived at the canteen, so tomorrow
may have an apple again. Heard tonight that
officers are to receive $120 per month and no work,
others (NCO's and men) will be paid if they work.
16.10.42 FRIDAY 243rd DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0630, roll call in quad 0640 bed making and
wash, canteen order list compiled, breakfast 0730
rice gruel and gravy. No drill this morning, at
canteen buying sectional order of apples and cigs.
Shaved, read and played dominoes until dinner
1200. Bread roll and gravy, apple and some rice
from this morning. No drill again ths afternoon
played dominoes, read, had a hot tong, then
tea 1700 rice (a double issue and more, as much as
we could possibly eat) and gravy, gosh I will
be latrining and bowing all night. Played dominoes until
roll call 2000, bedmaking etc, lights out 2100.
17.10.42 SATURDAY 244th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 (and is it cold), roll call 0640, wash, bed making
then breakfast 0730 rice gruel and gravy. A beautiful
fine day. 0900 on quad for drill and PT and
then leap frog. An issue of sugar today (one
dessertspoonful) and in our hut, we all put in
NOTES
17.10.42 SATURDAY 244th DAY P.O.W
a teaspoonful each for a chap in hospital who has had
berri-berri, diptheria and dysentery all at once. He
has been given two blood transfusions and is on the
mend. Dinner 1200 brown bread roll and gravy.
Inspection 1300, much ado about nothing, Jap major suggests
we all get our hair cropped as we will be here a long
time (I wonder and oh how I pray for home and Peg).
A big stick always accompanies the major and a
hat or cap gets knocked off on occasions, today one
jack knife was discovered and all knives were
promptly confiscated, those who had shaven
heads were given an apple each. I think that most
of us will stick to our hair. Read and
played dominoes, had a hot tong, a hair cut
then tea at 1700 rice gruel and gravy. Played
dominoes after tea, and also bought the
section apple order (6 sen each) 13 apples
for 24 men, I was again fortunate. Roll call
2000, bed making teeth cleaning then lights
out 2100.
18.10.42 SUNDAY 245th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 (temp. 39 o or 7 o above F.P.) roll call on
quad 0640. Wash, bedmaking etc, breakfast 0730
rice gruel and gravy. The coldest morning yet, but
a fine clear day. A working party today again, five
from our squad, but I missed the draw. The
Japs have informed us that we cannot conduct
a church service, we have no Padre, but one
officer was going to take a service this morning.
NOTES
18.10.42 SUNDAY 245th DAY P.O.W
washed a towel and a pair of socks and aired my
two (2) woolen singlets. Our blankets were all
sprayed this morning as a precaution against
scabies, so we have cases of diaorrhea, dysentry,
diptheria, malaria, berri-berri, and now
scabies, so things are not so hot. Played dominoes,
read and aired my blankets dinner 1200
bread roll and gravy. Read, played dominoes
and gave my blankets a shaking. After dinner we
were issued with a few Japanese papers, buy they
are not good reading. Did not have a hot tong today
on a/c of my cold, I feel a bit chesty. Tea 1700 rice
gruel and gravy. After tea went to the canteen and
picked up three pkts cigs per man, this is the fifth
free pkt, they are pkts of 20's and from now on
we are to receive 5 ea month.Played dominoes
after tea and then roll call 2000, bed making
teeth cleaning and lights out 2100.
19.10.42 MONDAY 246th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 (not so cold) roll call in quad 0640
bedmaking, wash etc, breakfast 0730 rice gruel and gravy
Had a quiz contest last night between the four (4) squad
in our hut, we won (no.1 squad) and the officers gave a prize
of $5 so we split it between 21 of us. I bought a Valet
Razor $2 and 5 blades (ea 5 sen) 50 sen, so I should
be right now as far as shaving is concerned.
Cec and I drew piquet again last night, but sold our
shifts 0430/0630 for 1 pkt of cigarettes ea, bribery and
corruption, 0830 I was one of a working party of 90
NOTES
19.10.42 MONDAY 246th Day P.O.W
men, we marched out of the camp and shovelled dirt etc
onto small trolly trucks, levelling off ground, we worked
for about two hours (two ten minute smokos in
between) and arrived back at camp at 1115. We
were given a pkt of 20 cigs ea and the NCO's got an
apple as well, I swapped my apple for another pkt
of fags, so for my morning's work (which I
enjoyed for a change) I received 40 cigs. We were
working practically on the sea shore among
very fine vegetable gardens. Dinner 1200 a
brown bread roll and gravy. 1300, in quad for
PT then drill but I went off (excuse Banjo) and
washed some h'chiefs and had a hot tong also
added a few words to my dictionary. Read until tea
1700 rice (normal issue again) and gravy.
Played dominoes after tea until roll call 2000, then bed
making, teeth cleaning and lights out 2100. A chap made
me a lumber jacket out of half of my own blanket.
20.10.42 TUESDAY. 247th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0630, roll call 0640 in quad, bed making and
wash, them breakfast 0730 rice and gravy. A mild
morning for a change. Late last night a list had to
be completed showing, name, rank, service, unit and
if we had ever been to Japan (I wonder what it's for).
0915 No. 1 HUT (our hut) only went into the quad and did
two hours drill. News furphies indicate that a ship
load of prisoners from S'pore to Japan were sunk
of the 1150 prisoners, only 250 were saved. Also heard that
British and American troops from Iran were marching to
NOTES
20.10.42 TUESDAY 247th DAY P.O.W.
the Caucasus to meet the Germans. Dinner 1200 bread roll
and gravy. 1330 a call for volunteers for a digging party.
four (4) from each section in our hut. I managed
to get in and at 1345 twenty with guards and
shovels set off in a lorry and after going through
the town of Jinsen eventually stopped at a
beach where we loaded sand and small stones
on to a lorry (two lorry loads). Gosh mine
own, at the water's edge and on the beach, all
my dearest thoughts were of us in our old
days. Clovelly, Clifton Gardens, Balmoral etc.
Apparently a students gathering also took
place on the beach and these students together
with other Korean spectators viewed as a
P.O W with great curiosity; the little kids
held Judo (wrestling) contests. We returned at
1700 and I really enjoyed the work. Tea
rice, fish (a good helping our section won
the ballet out of the four [[?]] in our hut)
and gravy. Had a nice hot tong, donned
my blanket lumber jacket and played
dominoes until roll call 2000. bed making
etc then lights out 2100. Received our new P.O.W
numbers tonight nicely done on celluloid. The
new number is 1 - 154 the old one was 1. 519.
21.40.42 WEDNESDAY 248th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0630, roll call in quad, bed making and wash
Our own doctor gave me some creosote tablets for my
chest this morn. B'fast rice and gravy, one drinks
21.10.42 WEDNESDAY 248th DAY P.O.W
practically nothing these days on account of the rice. 0900 N.C.O's
and officers on quad for drill until 1115. Dinner 1200 bread
roll and gravy. Nothing doing after dinner until 1600 when
I gave a hand to unload some wood. Had a shave and
a wash, no tong on a/c of my cold. Teas 1700 rice and gravy.
An issue of Sanpaper (approx 100 sheets) for a
fortnight, also a tablespoon of soya bean sauce
but am not interested in the latter. Played dominoes
after tea until roll call 2000 then teeth cleaning and
lights out.
22.10.42 THURSDAY 249th DAY P.O.W
0630 reveille and cold gosh we are freezing 0640 roll call in hut.
Bed making, wash etc, breakfast 0730 rice gruel and gravy.
Played dominoes until dinner 1200 bread roll and
gravy. The major (Jap) came through our hut during
dinner to see how we were going. No parades, just
as well as it is a bitterly cold day. (the first day of
winter, the guard told us). Played dominoes after dinner,
gosh it is freezing outside 45o, goodness knows
what I will be like in the middle of winter. More
cartloads of wood arrived, must be storing it up.
Hot bath every 3rd day, so tomorrow is the day. Tea
1700. rice (small quantity) and gravy and one piece of
fish. Unloaded three drays of firewood, then played
dominoes until roll call 2000, bed making, lights out 2100.
23.10.42. FRIDAY 250th DAY P.O.W
0630 reveille, 0640 roll call in hut ( not raining but
just b- cold 33o in the hut, the cold is intense. Wash,
bedmaking, breakfast 0730 rice and gravy. Some
NOTES
23.10.42 FRIDAY 250th DAY P.O.W
big inspection today by Jap. Gen in charge of Prison Camps.
Drew another apple in the raffle this morning - 17 for the
squad of 21, large ones, 10 cts ea and was it good. The temp
this morning was only 1° from freezing point 32° and
the worst is yet to come. 0900 hut tidying and I was
detailed to fill in water holes on quad with sand. At
1100 those of us in the hut (a working party went outside
this morning) stood to attention whilst the Jap Gen and
his staff (4 brass hats) came through. Dinner 1200
bread roll and gravy. Had a shave after dinner
Gosh mine own I have never ever been so cold it is
petrifying, I now do believe Siberia is just across the way.
Sorted out my collection of cig. packet covers, had a
hot tong and believe it or not had to strip to be weighed.
61.8 Kilogram's or 9 st 10lbs (1 Kilogram = 2 1/5lbs). No
parades today tea 1700 rice and gravy. Cold, oh gosh
1730 and the temp is 41° can you imagine it. Read and
played dominoes until roll call 2000, bed making and
lights out 2100. When it is cold you notice the light
ration of tucker.
24.10.42 SATURDAY 251st DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0630 roll call in quad 0640. It was so cold last
night that everyone went to be dressed in pyjamas, pullovers,
balaclavas etc. The temp at 0400 was 29° and this
morning 0700, 35°. Bed making, wash etc, breakfast 0730
rice and gravy. Last night the paper frames were put over
the windows inside and this morning the window panes
were covered in ice. No parade or drill this morning.
Sold a pair of shoes to an English officer for $15.00, when he
NOTES
24.10.42 SATURDAY 251st DAY P.O.W
gets paid and a towel for $3.00, I did not want them and
the cash will probably come in handy if we get the opportunity
of buying anything. Heard that we are to receive free, a toothbrush
(every two months), pkt of tooth powder (monthly), a pencil,
a toothbrush, so with san paper free and cigarettes (100
per month) we will be kept in essentials by the Japs.
Another P.O.W at Juisen (an Englishman) S/Sgt J. James. died this morn.
he had been taken outside to hospital as it was so serious
and he passed away in that hospital. Read and played
dominoes and tried to get warm. 30 apples at 8 sen ea
were available this morning for our squad of 21 men
and believe me they were good. Dinner 1200 bread roll
(apple in between) and gravy. No inspection today, so
rested after dinner until 1400, then played baseball
until 1515 gosh it was at least warming. At 1530 gravel
spreading on quad until 1630. Wash, then tea 1700
rice and gravy and then read, yarned and played dominoes
until 2000 roll call, wash, teeth cleaning and L/out 2100
25.10.42 SUNDAY 252nd DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0630 roll call in hut, the least said about the cold the
better, it is impossible to describe one's feelings. bedmaking,
wash etc, breakfast 0730 rice and gravy. Read etc until 1030
Then parade for funeral service of the English P.O.W. He
had been cremated and the service was very impressive.
Once again we lined the path to the gate. Rested until
dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy. Shave, read and
rested after dinner at 1400. another English soldier died
in the camp hospital, you can well imagine how
we all feel, two deaths in 24 hours and making 3
NOTES
25.10.42 SUNDAY 252nd DAY P.O.W
all told for this camp, it is heart breaking, it would appear
that there will be another funeral tomorrow. I made a mattress
out of my ground sheet and contents of Kit bag and it helps
to keep the cold out, others have followed my example.
Tea 1700 rice and gravy. Our first issue of t'brush and tooth
powder was issued this afternoon, I hope that I am not
here long enough to use either. Read until roll call 2000
then bedmaking, teeth cleaning and lights out 2100
26.10.42 MONDAY 253rd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 roll call in hut 0640, wash, bedmaking etc, b'fast
0730 rice and gravy. Not so cold this morning. Played solo in a
corner behind a curtain until 1030, then funeral service of
Gur Poll in quad. Union Jack is always to the fore, another
impressive service and I hope it is the last we see in this
camp. Played solo again until dinner time 1200 bread roll
and gravy. A working party was on this afternoon, I was not
in the running as I am on piquet tonight. Our CSM No II
[Holmes] had his arm broken and reset, just in his bed in
our hut, seemed crude, but no x-ray place is available,
I believe, isn't it strange. Washed a shirt, towel, h'chief and
sox, had a hot tang and read and played solo until tea 1700
rice and gravy, and a piece of fish. Have just learned that the
dr could not break the bone in the arm of our C.S.M so all
that for nought. The officer's had their first Jap lesson today
OR's are not in it, so an taking a copy of each lesson. Played
solo after tea until roll call 2000. Bedmaking etc then
lights out.
27.10.42 TUESDAY 254th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630, roll call in hut 0640, wash, bedmaking etc
NOTES
27.10.42 TUESDAY 254th DAY P.O.W
b'fast 0730 rice and gravy. On piquet last night 2300/0100 a lousy
shift, so do not feel so sprightly this morning. New order came
out last night no washing or teeth cleaning between lights out
and reveilli, the penalty is a slapped face. Not allowed
to smoke between those hours either, but the Jap guards come
in and avail themselves of hut and the cigarette lighter.
Played solo in the morning, made a hay palliase and
a small pillow, our own Dr examined out chest and
throat. Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy and at
1300 was detailed for a working party. 20 of us went
to a timber yard and stacked steel bars, started at
1430 and knocked off at 1600, three smokos, the
guard supplied the fags and we were marched back
to camp at 1615 and O/R's received 7 sen NCO's 12
( very first Jap working pay). Had a shave, a wash
and then tea 1700 rice and gravy, also an issue of
sugar and salt. Played solo after tea until roll call
2000 then bedmaking, teeth cleaning and then L/Out 1200
28.10.42 WEDNESDAY 255th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 on quad, bedmaking, wash etc,
b'fast 0730 rice and gravy - the mattress was the ants pants last
night, very warm and no sore hips this morning. A
working party was on again today but I missed out. Played solo till
dinner time 1200 bread roll and gravy. Played solo again
until 1600 then yarned with an English officer about poultry
farming until tea 1700 rice and gravy. A Jap guard bought
me a pkt of Juitaus today (souvenier in wallet) 0 5 sen
They are good for the throat. Solo after tea until roll call
2000, teeth cleaning, bedmaking L/Out 2100
NOTES
29.10.42 THURSDAY 256th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 roll call 0640 in hut, wash, bedmaking etc, b'fast 0730
rice and gravy (the gravy this time is just water almost). At
0830 I was on a working party to the quarry. We set off and
after going about 1 1/2 miles out of the course eventually
reach the quarry. Women were engaged alongside us
and our job was for three of us to load a truck and
push it down a reclaimed paddy field and empty
the truck. The women push the same truck and same
quantity of rock, gravel and sand, goodness knows
how they do it. Our party was 90 POW (30 NCO's and
60 men) our guards were two (2) to each 30 men
and a 1st class private. We did four trips before
dinner 1200 gravy only (I started today giving my
bread roll at 1200 for half and issue of rice in the
morning and half an issue at night) I will see how
long I can make it last ^ (shaved at 1230). At 1300 off again to the
quarry until 1630 this trip we did six loads and
when I returned to camp at 1700, I was absolutely
done. Tea ^1700 gravy and rice. During our day at
the quarry, managed to get eight (8) turnips and
five eschelots, pinched most of them, you would
have laughed. Spoke to a Korean civilian and he is
going to get all 10 bread rolls tomorrow (I again wonder).
Canteen orders tonight, cigarettes 7 sen, soap 13 sen
and cider 22 sen in the draw I got one (1 pkt of
cigs and a bottle of cider. 6 cakes of soap for 23
sen. Roll call 2000, bedmaking, L/O 2100 and
honestly noodle I tumbled into bed and was
absolutely done. I was paid 25 sen today.
NOTES
30.10.42 FRIDAY 257th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0630 roll call in hut 0640, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast
0730 rice and gravy. Last night a few of the A.I.F chaps were
issued with diptheria masks, ours are yet to come. Am
going on a working party today and hope to get on the
quarry job and see if the bread rolls turn up. A mattress
made out of a sheet and straw is my ambition today, an
Englishman is sewing the sheet for me this morning.
Another one is washing a shirt, singlet and sox for
me. 0820 on working party, issued out are the
quarry job and finished up at the railway, making
a new railway line, loading trucks, only this time
we did not have to push them, returned to camp
at 1200 dinner rice and gravy (bread roll is
to be issued at night now). 1300 fell in for work
again and by swapping numbers, I became a
private and got on to the quarry job, but no
bread. Came back to camp at 1630 received 15 sen
(private's pay), had a tang and then tea 1700 gravy
and bread roll (toasted it in bathhouse fire). Gave
two pkts of cigs to the chaps for doing my washing and
making my mattress. Yarned after tea until roll call
2000, bedmaking, etc lights out 2100. Tonight mine
own I bought a present for you. An Englishman
J Mewies was going to sell something to an officer, but
I immediately thought of you, so I got it, prices
cannot be mentioned, but I know you will love it.
31.10.42 SATURDAY 258th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0630, roll call in hut 0640, bedmaking, wash etc,
b'fast 0730 rice and gravy. Standing by for a working
NOTES
31.10.42 SATURDAY 258th DAY P.O.W
party today. We were told this morning that we will be
able to write a letter card home within a week, gosh I
hope it's true, and how I would love to have one from
you. 50 men including 7 A.I.F all from this camp are
standing by to leave the camp, they are tradesman,
so that will leave only 17 A.I.F P.O.W in this camp.
No work this morning, played dominoes until dinner 1200
rice and gravy. No work again this afternoon waited
for the 1300 inspection until 1500 but nothing was doing.
Read and played dominoes and yarned to J Mewies.
Tea 1700 rice (I gave my roll away) and gravy. Told
him all about you and we are trying to work out a
scheme whereby I can take you to England. Read
until roll call 2000, bedmaking etc then lights out
2100. Showers are only available every second day.
1.11.42 SUNDAY 259th DAY P.O.W
The start of another month mine own, gosh I hope it
is nearing the end of our separation. Teeth pulling was
in operation last night, everyone gathers around and
gapes. A list was taken today of those men who had
articles taken at Fusan, so mine own, you can imagine
how I am hoping and praying that my Peg broach
and gold fish will be returned to me. Reveille 0700
(half an hour later), roll call 0710 in hut. A very bleak
and cold day, b'fast 0800 rice and gravy. Nothing
doing this morning, bitterly cold, yarned with Jack
Mewies for a couple of hours about England, I have
nearly decided to take you to England mine own
so look out. Issued with a huge cake of washing
NOTES
1.11.42 SUNDAY 259th DAY P.O.W
soap, a pair of white sox and a pair of white gloves, the sox
are useless, but the gloves are reasonably warm. Dinner
1200 rice and gravy. Nothing doing in the afternoon
we were issued with another blanket, a thick one,
and those without great coats were issued with a Jap
soldier's great coat. My little Jap guard friend is
getting copies of Jazz songs in our hut. Seven shirts
were distributed amongst our squad of 26 but I issued
the draw. Tea 1700 rice (swapped bread roll) and gravy.
Yarned again with Jack Mewies after tea, drew one (1)
pair of underpants in another raffle. Roll call
2000. Bedmaking etc 2100 then lights out 2100.
2.11.42 MONDAY 260th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc,
b'fast 0800 rice and gravy. 0820 on parade ground for
working parties. I was detailed for No 4 party, ten
(10) men (4 NCO's and 6 ORS) our job was cutting a
back away for building purposes, a smoko
and oha (tea) every hour, dinner (brought out
to us on the job) rice and gravy. Kids all round
the place and we got a good laugh out of
them. They smuggled us apples at ten (10) sen
a piece, and a biscuit and some leathery
rice and flour (like a dumpling). Had
two (2) good guards on with us. We are
to be paid every ten (10) days for work done
in that period. Returned to camp at 1630
had a hot tang and was ready for tea
at 1700. A good plateful of rice and fish
NOTES
2.11.42 MONDAY 260th DAY P.O.W
and chips (I traded the fish for rice). I cut
up an apple in the rice and added salt and
sugar and had a darned good tea. A Jap
guard today gave me some of his spare
rice ^ at dinner time, yarned and read after tea until
roll call 2000, bedmaking lights out 2100
3.11.42 TUESDAY 261st DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut, 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast
0800 rice and gravy. No work today and this morning we
wrote our letter card, copy here under, how I hope it
reaches you for xmas because I know what it would
mean to you. I hope that you can read between the
lines of my longing to be with you. "Dearest Peg.
In excellent health. We are being well treated, quarters comfortable, food
reasonably good. Very cold here, but have plenty warm clothes. If
allowed send parcels, send only concentrated foods, chocolate.
Cigarettes are available. Work occasionally, exercise as much as
possible. Allowed write one card, love mother, sisters, wife [[?]]
and others. All my thoughts are of you every day and you
know just how I long for a letter and our re-union. All
my love and dearest thoughts. Your worrying must cease
Keep your chin up and smile and remember I am
with you at all times. I pray that you are fit and well.
Alex
Dinner 1200 rice and gravy, shaved and read after
dinner until tea 1700 (Jap holiday today). Rice and gravy.
Chestnuts (already roasted) were available at the canteen
12 for 7 sen and they were good. Read etc after tea until
roll call 2000, bedmaking etc lights out 2100. On piquet
again 0100/0300.
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