Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 13

NOTES
4.11.42    WEDNESDAY    262nd DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc
B'fast 0800 rice and gravy. A mild morning and a fine day.
0830 fell in for working party. 100 men (40 N C O's 6- O Rs)
Working at Jinsen railway, excavation work for a new
railroad track. Dinner on job 1200 rice and gravy.
1300 - 1700 work again, a smoko every hour. The
railway officials gave us two (2) apples each at
1500. Spectators by the dozens managed to get
a couple of odd apples and cigarettes, if we
had had a decent guard we could have got
dozens. Kids by the hundred stood on the
railway embankment and threw cigs, apples
and turnips down, but the guards stopped
them. Trains passed by frequently and as you
can guess we were the centre of all the eyes.
Dynamiting took place on the job. Arrived
back at camp. 1730 tea rice and gravy and
one apple, had a hot tong after tea and yarned
and rested until roll call 2000, bedmaking
lights out 2100. Worked in singlet today and
gosh was I tired at the end of the day.
5.11.42  THURSDAY  263rd DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc.
B'fast 0800 (usually 0740) rice and gravy and tea.
Mentholatum makes a good hair plaster. No wok
today, did some washing, a shirt, shorts, sox, towel underpants
and h'chief. Issued with a huge cake of washing soap recently
so it helps. Started today writing up a recipe book, everyone
seems to be doing it, so I might as well be in it.
NOTES
5.11.42     THURSDAY     263rd DAY P.O.W
Dinner 1200 rice and gravy. Spent the afternoon with Jim
compiling my recipe book. I am going to make a good job
of it as it might be handy for you (oh yes). Brought the washing
in and then tea 1700 rice and gravy. Read and played
dominoes after tea until roll call 2000. Bedmaking, lights
out 2100. Noodle if you are agreeable we are going to Eng.
after this business is over, in a quiet English village,
you and I and our happiness.
6.11.42  FRIDAY. 264th DAY P.O.W.
In answering roll call last night at 0800, one of the P.O.W. in hushed
voice answered ni du san (23), the interpreter asked where
his voice was and in a very hushed voice said "I have
lost it" of course everyone laughed in the silence of
the hut; he really had temporarily lost his voice.
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710. Bedmaking
washing etc. B'fast 0800 rice and gravy. Those
sick or on light duty wear different coloured
wax flowers in their tunics. 0830 working party
at railway again, another mild day, same work
as before loading trucks and digging alongside
railway embankment. Jap military police in
attendance to handle the crowds so no apples.
At 1030 we were issued with 2 apples, dinner at
1200 brought out rice and gravy. Work again
at 1300 smoko's at intervals and at 1530 we
were issued with sweet potatoes cooked on
the job, I got six (6) and with salt they were
100%, gosh mine own, I would sooner have
them than apples. Arrived back at camp
 

NOTES
6.11.42       FRIDAY      264th DAY P.O.W
1730 tea fish and chips and rice, I gave Jim my
fish, had a tong after tea and then read, wrote
up some recipes until roll call 2000. Bedmaking
etc., lights out 2100. Today, all our side of the railway
embankment were working Korean women and
on the other us.
7.11.42  SATURDAY  265th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc
b'fast 0800 rice and gravy. 0830 working party to railway
again fine day, but bitterly cold. Same excavation
work 2 apples given us in the morning. Dinner 1200
rice and gravy (both cold) on the job. Work again 1300.
Sweet potatoes issued at 1530 and they were good. I
scored an apple from a kid to day. Knocked off
at 1640 back at camp 1700 Knocked out. Tea 1730
rice, sliced apple and my issue of margarine.
(1 teaspful). Our chaps in our squad standing
by for going away have been moved to another
hut (No 3) and our Mess (No 1.) now has 40
men in it instead of 26 so there has been
some shifting around. Read and wrote up
some more recipes after tea until roll call
2000. Bedmaking etc L/out 2100.
8.11.42     SUNDAY  266th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking,
breakfast 0800 rice and gravy. Our picquet this morning 0315 -
0430. I saw for the first time for years snow, it snowed
at 0100, not much, but it was on the ground this
morning, it is a mild fine day in line of yesterday.
NOTES
8.11.42  SUNDAY  266th DAY P.O.W
Wrote recipes up this morning. Can you use 1000 of
them mine own. had a shave and read etc until
dinner 1200 rice and gravy. After dinner to canteen
for cider order and they have 50 pears ready for those
were going away. I have never seen such huge pears
they cost 17 sen each and would be worth it. Wrote
up more recipes (I have now reached the 98th) you can
imagine how the tummy aches. It is bitterly cold
and little patches of snow are still around. Tea
1730 rice and gravy. Played dominoes after tea
and read until lights out 2100 roll call was at 2000
bedmaking etc. it is freezing Peg, just the night for
two lovers, you and I. I am going sick tomorrow
to see if I can avoid going out on consecutive days
as it is too hard the work and the keen wind tickles
the back up.
9.11.42  MONDAY.  267th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking etc. b'fast 0800 rice and
gravy. Reported sick this morn. and it would appear that
I will only have to go out working every second day Our
party of 50 were left this morning and one of them an
Englishman whom I had chummed up with
and helped with cigs and money etc. left me a
note and two (2) presents (Chinese[[?]]]Bricks and
a crucifix). I opened it after he had gone and I
got a shock believe me, it is nice to know that one's
efforts are appreciated on occasions. They left and
were told they were going to MUKDEN the capital
of Manchuria and it is very cold there from
 

9.11.42  MONDAY  267th DAY P.O.W.
all accounts. Wrote up more recipes before dinner
1200 gravy and rice. Spent the afternoon w/up more
recipes, had a hot tong at 1500 and washed a
singlet. Tea was an eye opener at 1730 (probably
due to the visit of high Jap officials at 1400, they came
through the huts and were very interested in
the Aussies (17 of us), they reckoned that their 
S'pore victory was their "masterpiece.") consisted of
gravy, fish, rice and baked or fried vermicelli
and hot sauce, gosh it was a heat. Finished
some loose recipes after tea before roll call
2000 then bed making etc L/out 2100. Our 50
chaps who left to day, joined the train at KEIJO
containing 2000 American P.O.W.
10.11.42  TUESDAY.  268TH DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast
0800 rice and gravy. No work to day. Gave a hand in
compiling camp paysheets for an hour, read and
wrote up recipes until dinner 1200 gravy and rice
more recipes after dinner, carried some stores for
the pig stye in the parade ground for ¼ hr, had
a shave and read till tea 1700 rice and gravy.
A salt issue, fish (a small particle was available).
Finished writing my recipe book up to date after
tea, now have 208. Got the squad cigs at canteen,
read until roll call 2000, bedmaking etc
lights out 2100. Paid to 10.11.42 tonight 4 days at 15 sen.
11.11.42  WEDNESDAY  269th DAY P.O.W.
Armistice day to day, oh mine own how I
ARMISTICE DAY.
NOTES
11.11.42  WEDNESDAY  269th DAY P.0 W
wish it were the armistice for this war, you know
what I mean, don't you. Reveille 0700 roll call in hut
0710 bedmaking, wash etc, breakfast 0800 rice and
gravy. No work today for me, I went on sick parade
at 0900 and eventually reached the MO at 1045, he cant
do anything except to see that I will not strike 2 days
heavy work in succession. A short armistice Service
and two minutes silence at 1100 Wrote up more recipes
and dinner at 1200 bread roll (toasted it) and gravy.
Washed a pair of pyjamas, sox and h'chief, wrote
up more recipes, read etc until tea 1700 rice and
curried gravy. Cec brought me back half an apple,
and my little Jap guard friend (or should I say Korean)
gave me a pkt of cigs (20). At canteen after tea for
free issue of cigs. 60 per man and apple purchase
at 7 sen each. Read until roll call 2000 (I filled
my palliase with more straw to day, so here is hoping
for a good night's sleep.) bedmaking etc lights out 2100.
12.11.42  THURSDAY  270th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc. B'fast
0800 rice and gravy. Working party 0830, at Railway
Station again, gosh mine own, my back has
given out on me I guess, it feels like lumbago
or fibrositis, so am going on sick parade to morrow.
Fairly hard work right at Jinsen Railway
Station. Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy on
job, we were given two (2) apples morning
and afternoon so fared reasonably well.
Saved up my bread roll from dinner. We
 

NOTES
12.11.42  THURSDAY  240th DAY P.O.W
Knocked off at 1700 and returned to camp.
At 1730 had a hot tong then tea 1745 rice,
gravy, a piece of fish, hot sauce and an
apple and bread roll saved from
dinner so for once I am feeling fullish.
After tea I went to canteen for Squad
Cigarettes 2½ pkts per man @ 7 sen per
pkt and a bottle of cider 22 sen, so with
yesterday's cigarettes will be fairly right
for smokes. Discussion is under way
for Xmas Day dinner, pork, apples, pears,
nuts and fish, gosh mine own, I am not
looking forward to Xmas without you
as you can well guess, still I will wait
til it comes. Yarned until roll call 2000
then bed making lights out 2100.
13.11.42  FRIDAY 271st DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast
0800 rice and gravy. Working parties again to day, but I
went on sick pde and am going to wear a body belt or
a scarf or piece of blanket. Read & wrote up more
recipes until dinner 1200 brown bread roll and gravy.
Read and wrote up recipes after dinner until
tea 1700 rice and curried gravy (very light sauce)
an issue of sugar and salt also. Wrote up
my 192nd recipe to night and called it a day.
Read until roll call 2000, then bedmaking
lights out 2100. Oh mine own, in my prayers,
I ask for you to brave "chin" up and smile."
NOTES
14.11.42  SATURDAY  272ND DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast

0800 rice and gravy on picquet last night 0430/0545,
the major came through on inspection and at 0500 I
happened to just pick up a Readers Digest to see what
it was and the sentry outside saw me and calling
me to the door politely slapped my face, so that is that.
0815 I fell in on working party and proceeded to Jinsen
Wharf, about ½ mile, the harbour is built on square
lines with a lock at one end. Our job was unloading
coal bags (by means of an escalator chain of buckets)
onto railway trucks. The escalator we were working
on broke down and did the job, hand to hand in
small wicker baskets. It was a fine, but bitterly
cold day, I had everything but the kitchen sink on,
including a scarf on my waist. Dinner 1200
gravy and bread roll (I saved my bread roll for
tea), we had it in a room with a fire in it and
we were ^as warm as toast. Only got 1½ apples this
afternoon. Arrived back in camp 1730, tea was rice,
gravy, [[snow]] and fish plus hot sauce. After tea
I had a hot wash and then yarned etc until
roll call 2000, bed making, then lights out 2100
15.11.42  SUNDAY  273rd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, one could not open
the windows this morning, they were frozen, a fine
day, but cold, gosh. Bed making, wash etc. b'fast
0800 rice and gravy. Temp at 0800 was 30^o (2^o Below F.P)
Played solo this morning had a haircut and
wrote up the 229th recipe. Dinner 1200 bread roll
 

NOTES
15.11.42  SUNDAY  271st DAY P.O.W
and gravy. A kit inspection after dinner by our
own officers (Jap instructions), a sheer waste of time.
Had a hot tong at 1500 and played solo until tea
1700 rice gruel (gruel is now to be issued on non
work days) and stew. Bought a pair of B.E.F.
pants for $4 after tea. Heard that the Governor
of Chosen is inspecting the camp tomorrow; I
suppose we will be out on working parties
Roll call 2000, bedmaking, lights out 2100
16.11.42  MONDAY  274th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking etc, b'fast
0800 rice and gravy. The Gov-Gen of Chosen is inspecting
the camp to day. I was lucky enough not to be on working
party today and after b'fast assisted in tidying up for
inspection. Wrote more recipes up this morning.
(it certainly passes the time away and it may
come in handy). Gov-Gen came through
our hut very quickly with his entourage, so
that is that. Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy.
Wrote more recipes up after dinner, finished the
286th. Had a shave and Cec cooked some
sweet potatoes (2) and a turnip and that was
our afternoon tea at 1600. Tea 1700 rice and
gravy an issue of a piece of fish and some
soya sauce. Read and played solo after tea.
Gosh mine own it is cold at present, one
can hardly poke his nose outside and it is
not yet winter. Roll call 2000 then bedmaking
etc in bed immediately L/O. 2100
NOTES
17.11.42  TUESDAY  275th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in tent 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0800
rice and gravy. Last night we each received a free issue of 1 cake
of toilet soap. At b'fast this morning our mess received two
buckets of burnt left over rice, so went to work feeling
full. Working party fell in 0830 I was on the earth
works and had a very good [[?]] day. We
were cutting and leveling earth embankments
It rained on arrival there at 0900, so sheltered
until 1000 and then commenced work. Our party
numbered 50 and we sang and whistled whilst
marching through the streets of Jinsen, it certainly
amuses the kids. Dinner on job, bread roll,
margarine and gravy (I saved the bread roll
till tea) at 1200. I bought 6 persimmons, 2 sweet
potatoes, 1 pkt caramels and 1 pear costing 50 sen,
10 sen, 25 sen and 25 sen resp. so had a
good buying day, the kids threw us odd apples
and potatoes and small cakes. At 1530 we
received from the Japs 3 lousey biscuits, or I
should say the Korean contractor, one chap even
bought an egg for 20 sen. Returned to
camp at 1700 for tea rice and gravy, plus
pear, persimmons, sweet potatoes, bread
roll, lard and caramels so went to bed
feeling 100%. At Canteen after tea and
for the squad, picked up 38 pkts cigs, 16 cakes
toilet soap, and 13 bottles cider, 15 sen, 11 sen
& 27 sen resp. Roll call 2000, bedmaking
lights out 2100

 
NOTES
18.11.42  WEDNESDAY 276th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc
B'fast 0800 rice and gravy. Fell in again to day for
working party at 0830. At railway again, a bitterly
cold day. I never took my greatcoat off, I hit my
finger with a spade and received Jap. med.
attention. Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy (again I
saved my roll). Press photographers were on the job
again and as we were working with women
it will look fishy if you see it in the paper, oh
yes. Morning and afternoon we received lousey
rice flour rolls, cold and doughy. Returned to
camp at 1700 had a hot tong and then tea 1730
rice, curry gravy (the smallest of issues) and my
roll from dinner. Jack Mewies had the job
of typing out our censored letter cards that we wrote
some time ago, so I hope that you have it before
long. After tea, read and played solo until roll
call 2000, and then bedmaking L/O 2100.
19.11.42  THURSDAY 279th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking, b'fast
0800 rice and gravy. Our squad is resting today, so after
breakfast I hopped into my washing, a shirt, long pants,
2 pairs of sox, & h'chief, gloves, towel and also had a
shave. Wrote a few more recipes up before dinner
1200 bread roll, gravy and lard. After dinner wrapped
myself up in a blanket and read "Peter Jackson Cigar
Merchant" until tea 1700 rice and gravy. Read &
played solo until roll call 2000 then bedmaking etc.
lights out 2100. J Mewies gave me a copy of my
letter card written to you today. Heard that
2 P.O.W at Keijo were killed on a working
party yesterday.
NOTES
20.44.42    FRIDAY    278th DAY P.O.W
On picquet 0545 /0700 Cec and self. Reveille 0700.
roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash, etc, b'fast 0800
rice and gravy. Working party today again 0830
to wharf unloading coal, same job as previously.
Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy, plus an
additional stew from the contractors. Work
again from 1300 until 1645. At 1430 we got
a few boiled sweet potatoes each, they were
excellent. A very cold day, returned to camp
1700 had a hot tong and then tea, consisting of
rice, gravy, Japanese [[snow]], hot sauce, a sugar
issue and my bread roll from dinner time
so for another night this week am going to
bed full (or feeling so). Stayed on my back
after tea until r/call 2000 bedmaking L/O 2100
21.11.42.  SATURDAY  279th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking etc, b'fast 0800
rice and gravy. Working party again 0830, on the Hill Job
excavating again, very cold. Managed to buy 1 pkt of
toffee (20 pieces) between 3 of us for 30 sen, was given a
biscuit and an apple. Dinner 1200 Gravy and bread
roll (which I saved). At 1500 we were issued with
a bowl of boiled sweet potatoes (about 6, I saved
three of them and the apple. Arrived back in camp
1730 tea rice and gravy, plus breadroll, sweet potatoes
and apple, so again feel 100%. We were issued
with tonight by the Japs, San paper, toothpowder,
pencil, cake of toilet soap and two more pkts of cigs
(20's), so a good day. Played solo after tea until
roll call 2000, bedmaking then L/O 2100.
Signed my letter card to you tonight, mine
own, so here is hoping.
 

NOTES
22.11.42  SUNDAY  280th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 071, wash, bedmaking etc
b'fast 0800 rice gruel and gravy. Pay night, last night,
I got 5 days @ 15 sen, 75 sen, and the canteen is
functioning this morning with cigs (3 pkts per man)
lemonade (2 bottles per man), apples (3 per man) and chest
nuts (about 20 per man) costing 45, 22, 22 and 20
sen per man, so all the boys are feeling quite
pleased, gosh noodle a little extra makes all
the diff. Wrote up more recipes and rested
until dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy.
(Saved the roll, ate chestnuts and 2 apples
instead) Wrote more recipes after dinner
reaching 354th (is that a good effort). Had a
tong at 1500 and played solo until tea
1700 rice and gravy, bread roll and an apple
from dinner time so again, am feeling full
and fit. Played solo after tea until roll call
2000; bedmaking, lights out 2100.
23.11.42  MONDAY  281st DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc
b'fast 0800 rice and gravy. Jap. Harvest Festival
holiday today so no working party. After b'fast I
washed a singlet and u'pants. Spent the morning
reading until dinner 1200 gravy and bread roll (I
saved it again till tonight). Played solo in the afternoon
until tea 1700 rice and gravy and bread roll from
dinner also an issue of fish and [[snow?]]. Cec is off
colour again tonight. Played solo after tea until
roll call 2000. Bedmaking L/O/ 2100.
NOTES
24.11.42  TUESDAY 282nd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast 0800
rice and gravy. Caughed all night and felt a bit off
colour this morning, so went on sick parade. Am off duty
till Monday next and am to go on to gruel till then.
Read and wrote up recipes until dinner 1200 bread
roll (saved it again) and gravy. After dinner wrote
up some more recipes and then curled up in my
blankets and slept, it is bitterly cold and a piercing win
is blowing. tea 1700 rice gruel and gravy and
roll from dinner. Canteen after tea for squad purchase,
4 bags chestnuts, 28 apples & 1 bot cider. Distributed this and
played solo until roll call 2000, bedmaking, L/O 2100
25.11.42  WEDNESDAY 283rd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast 0800
ruil (gruel) and gravy. At 1800 yesterday our fires were lit and
they certainly warmed the hut, roasted chestnuts were reroasted,
rolls toasted and one chap even fried an egg on a plate.
you would have laughed at the scenes around the fire.
Finished my recipe book before dinner (450 recipes) bread
roll and gravy (saved the roll again) roasted some chestnuts
on the fire, others toasted rolls, cooked apples etc. The
washing this morning when hung on the lines immediately
form icicles and became stiff (gives you an idea of the
intense cold. Read and played solo after dinner
until tea 1700 gruel and gravy, an issue of margarine
and my bread roll (toasted with margarine & chopped
chestnuts. Played solo after tea until roll call
2000 then bedmaking and bed. L/O 2100.
Each night I lay awake planning our future
mine own, over and over again
 

NOTES
26.11.42  THURSDAY 284th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, b'fast 0800 gruel
and gravy and our turn for burnt rice. Tidied up for
inspection by C.O. prison camps Korea. Finished my
recipe book. 450 recipes. I may start another one.
At 1130 I went out on a ration party to the railway job.
Returned to camp at 1300 for dinner (bread roll and
4 boiled potatoes (as stew) ). The cook house ran out of
stew, so saving my b/roll, I had potatoes and burnt
rice for dinner. Curled up in the afternoon and
slept until tea 1730 rice gruel, gravy and some potato
and burnt rice (saved today's bread roll until
tomorrow). Played solo after tea until roll call 2000
The bedmaking L/O 2100. Inspection did not eventuate
27.11.42  FRIDAY 285th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast
0800 rice gruel and gravy. It commenced snowing last
night and this morning there was 4" snow on the ground,
nice to look at, but gosh mine own it is cold, it is about
15 years since I saw snow in such quantities. Bought
a Jap. lesson book this morning ¥1.80, played solo until
dinner 1200 gravy and bread roll (ate half). The countryside
is like a white mantle and the sun is shining
brilliantly. Played solo again during the afternoon.
until tea 1700 rice gruel and gravy, a fish issue
was also on. Played solo again after tea until roll
call 2000. then bedmaking etc. L/O 2100. Gosh
mine own it is not even supposed to be cold yet;
so goodness only knows what it is going to be
like when it does get cold.
28.11.42  SATURDAY 286th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc (oh yes)
no water this morning taps are frozen, so washed after b'fast
0800 rice gruel and gravy. No working party from our squad
today, but I did ½ hr wood stacking, the wood was covered
with snow, so it was not a warm job, read and lazed
until dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy (saved the roll until
tea.) Played solo and read during the afternoon until tea
1730 rice gruel and gravy and half a breadroll. At canteen
after tea for squad order of cigs and chestnuts, 2 pkts
cigs per man @ 7 sen ea and chestnuts 2 for 1 sen (22 per man).
Played solo until roll call 2000. Then bedmaking, L/O
2100. On 1st shift of picquet 2100/2215 then bed
29.11.42  SUNDAY 287th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, etc. Taps frozen
again in our No. 1 wash hut, so went to No. 2 for a wash.
Breakfast 0800 rice and gravy. Had a shave and we
are still unable to have a hot tang, the bath houses are out
of commission. Played solo until dinner 1200 gravy and
breadroll (saved again until tonight). Read and slept
during the afternoon and at 1600 fired up some vegetables
saved from breakfast and dinner and toasted
half a bread roll. Tea 1730 rice gruel and gravy
Played solo after tea until roll call 2000. Then
L/O 2100. Hope to have a good nights sleep
after doing picquet last night. Snow is still
on the ground even though it ceased snowing
on 27.11.42 at 0300. Oh mine own how I
am dreading 1942 Xmas away from you,
at least xmas 1941, I could communicate with
you, but mine own you will be repaid
a thousandfold.
 

NOTES
30.11.42  MONDAY 288th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast
0800 rice gruel and gravy. Saw the doctor last night and
gave him back my light duty ticket, so am fit for rice
and work again. No working party to day, so read,
yarned and played cards until dinner 1200. I did
not eat my dinner, gave Cec my stew and saved
the bread roll, I feel a bit queer in the tummy so covered
myself with blankets and slept until 1500. Jack M.
made me a pair of blanket slippers. Read again
until tea 1700 gravy and rice. I ate the rice (we got a
sugar issue ) and the liquid gravy. On my back
after tea until roll call 2000 then bedmaking L/O 2100
1.12.42  TUESDAY 289th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast

0800 rice and gravy (ate ½ the rice and liquid from the gravy).
Washed 2 pairs sox, shirt, towel and 2 h'chiefs and
gosh. the water is just liquid ice. Finished another
pair of blanket slippers, yarned with a scotsman
who was an engineer in Malaya and had been
in Aust last Nov. Dinner 1200 gravy and
bread roll And an issue of margarine. Dr
has given me no duty until 5/12/42 and am
to go on gruel again on 3/12/42. Had a shave
and a hot tong (bath now working) and played
solo until tea 1730 rice and gravy. After tea
yarned and played solo until roll call
2000, then bed making, lights out 2100.
Oh mine own, the days are passing and
to me each one brings us closer to you.
NOTES
2.12.42  WEDNESDAY 290th DAY P.O.W.
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, (bedmaking, wash before
reveille). Breakfast 0800 rice and gravy, rained until 2100,
working parties cancelled, except salt party. Fine again
at 0900, reported sick again at 1000 and played solo
until dinner 1200. At 0930 working parties were all
ordered out again on a/c it being fine. Dinner gravy
& bread roll, ate some roll and liquid gravy and
toasted a roll for Cec when he comes back tonight;
also fired some vegetables during the afternoon.
I have a good dose of diaorhea I am afraid, but
will hope for the best. Spent the afternoon running
back and fro to the lav. Tea 1700 rice (gruel), fish
stew, suow and a couple of slices of toasted roll.
Cec did the canteen order after tea for cigs (15 sen) apples
(8 sen) and chestnuts 22 for 22 sen. Rested until roll call
2000, bedmaking etc L/O 2100. LAV 20 times in 24 hrs
3.12.42  THURSDAY 291st DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking, etc. b'fast
0730 (earlier) rice gruel and gravy and out turn for burnt
rice, ate a small amount of gruel only and a cup of
tea. Feeling much the same having had a broken night
sleep. Rested and read until dinner 1200, I ate nothing.
With some assistance I made Cec a pie of rice, gruel,
½ bread roll grated, 1 grated apple and baked it. The
Japs ordered our officers out to work, but they
refused. Tea 1700 gruel and stew, I picked at
a bit, Gosh mine own it is freezing and my tummy
spends its time upside down rested until roll call
2000 then bed, lights out 2100
 

NOTES
4.12.42    FRIDAY    292nd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash
etc, b'fast 0730 gruel and gravy (I managed the gravy
only). Had a good vomit last night and feel ever
so much better. The temp. this morning at 0700
was 24⁰(8 below zero) so you can guess how
cold it was. Resting in hut this morning when the
Jap. Co of this camp ordered us to walk around the
quadrangle, this we did and were promptly
tacked on to a squad of officers (those who
refused to work) and we were drilled for
an hour and we (the sick)were only dismissed
when it was impresses on the Jap majpr that
we were not capable of drilling. Dinner 1200
bread roll and gravy ( I had the gravy only). This
afternoon I made another pie, the same as
ysterday (apple charlotte) and I will probably
participate tonight. Read until tea 1730 rice
gruel, gravy and pie, I enjoyed my first full
meal for some time. Up to dtae the jobs around
here have been,steelworks, railway, earth works,
saltworks, dockyards and coal dump. Rested
until roll call 2000, bed making light out 2100.
5.12.42     SATURDAY    293rd DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bitterly cold, window
all frozen, temps 25^o. Breakfast 0730 rice gruel and
gravy. On picquet last night 2215/2330. Yesterday
the Jap major gave an exhibition of manuring
the garden by means of a bucket and the

lavs. He also made the officers each do
5.12.42    SATURDAY    293rd DAY P.O.W.
a turn at it. Last night, the men decided to refuse
to work unless the officers got better treatment,
the officers would not allow us to go through with
it as they said, they will take what is coming
until it gets too bad, then they will protest.
It is all over, them, refusing to go out to work
and not taking the original oaths "not to
escape". Made a pie of roce, vegetable, breadcrumbs,
and chestnuts for tonight and rested until dinner
time 1200 bread roll and gravy. After dinner we
played solo until 1500. I had a shave, bath
and washed a singlet and underpants. Read until
tea 1700 gruel, gravy and the pie. Read until
roll call 2000. bedmaking L/O 2100
6.12.42    SUNDAY    294th DAY P.O.W
Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking etc, b'fast
0800 gruel and gravy. (I hung washing out at 1500
yesterday and at 1730 it was frozen like a board.) The

temp this morn, at 0700 was 11⁰ below F.P. (21^o). After
breakfast had a deputation about our damp wall
and eventually received permission to have extra
fuel for the two fires at our end of the hut I bought
a bottle of B.1 VITAMIN tablets ¥ 1.60 (J Mewies and self)
as my tummy is playing up Made some  chestnut
butter this morning (chestnuts grated and our issue

of margarine). You will have a domesticated
husband after this war, mine own. Dinner
1200 bread roll (toasted) and gravy, a good meal.
The news as usual as we can gather appears