Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 14

6.12.42   SUNDAY   294th DAY P.O.W.

to be our way if anything. We get Jap newspapers

about every 10 days, are really 14/20 days old.

and reading between the lines, we are holding

our own. After dinner I curled up and slept and

slept until 1600, had a wash and brought my

washing in. Tea 1700 gruel, gravy, toasted roll and

our mixture of chestnut butter. Canteen after tea

for Squad No.1 chestnuts  3½ bags @ ≠1.20 each for 40 [were?] 
(22 chestnuts each). Yarned and read until roll call 
2000 then bedmaking, L/O. 2100.

7.12.42.    MONDAY   295TH DAY  P.O.W.

One year ago today since hostilities in S'pore broke out. 
It was at 0400 this morning, that I saw the first flight of 
Jap bombers come over S'pore, I was in camp at Johore 
Baru, time seems to have flown in one way, in another 
it has dragged. Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmakg, wash etc, breakfast 0800 gruel and gravy. No work 
today, made a vegetable and rice pie and had 
a shave before dinner 1200 gravy and bread 
roll. Also made a vegetable pie for another 
chap so have had a busy day cooking. Read 
etc. until tea 1730 pie and gravy plus toasted cob 
and chestnut butter and vegetable pie felt very 
comfortably fed, Cec brought home 3 sweet spuds and 
3 apples so we fared very well. After tea I made 
an apple charlotte for a cobber. The walls of our 
hut are green mouldy in spots and in consequence 
we may be shifting into a new hut. It is snowing 
very lightly since tea. Roll call 2000, bedmaking 
L/O 2100.

8.12.42.   TUESDAY    296TH DAY  P.O.W.

Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710 wash, bedmaking etc, breakfast 0730 
pie and gravy. 0825 fell in for working party. Today is a national worshipping day at various Shrines for the Japs in commemoration 
of "12 mos at war". Working party today was at

dock and honestly mine own, I have never ever been

so cold, it was bitterly so, temp 21°. I had everything on 
and even though we lit fires all over the place it was 
impossible to get warm. Dinner 1200 rice, gravy and 
roll (pie is issued on job). Knocked off at 1630 frozen 
stiff and arrived back at camp 1700. Tea 1730 rice 
and gravy (received our issue of sugar) and one

bread roll toasted between Cec and I. Heard that

we are losing our Jap C.O of this camp, we are

not sorry. I have often heard about the Siberian winds, 
but today, I experienced them for the first time. After tea 
Cec and I made an apple Charlotte (rice, breadcrumbs, 
sugar and apple) and had it after roll call 2000 so at 
2100 L/O, I retired to bed feeling tired but in no way 
hungry.

9.12.42.   WEDNESDAY    297TH DAY  P.O.W.

Reveille 0700, roll call in hut 0710 bedmaking, wash etc b'fast 0730. Have a very stuffy cold in the head. One working 
party again today at docks (black liquid mud and 
wind. B'fast gravy and rice. 0830 fell in our working 
party parade at docks again. Brilliant sunshine 
and not quite so cold. Dinner 1200 rice and 
gravy and bread roll (saved). Loading black

mud into trucks. At 1500 it commenced snowing

lightly and kept on. This morning my tea cup

9.12.42.     WEDNESDAY    297TH DAY    P.OW.

had a few drops in it after breakfast when I put

it in my haversack and at dinner time it had

turned to ice (imagine that). Knocked off at 1630

and arrived back in camp at 1700. Our new

Jap. Major visited us on the job today and at

1600 carried out an inspection of our hut. He

certainly looks a more soldierly officer. Tea

1730 rice and gravy and ½ bread roll with

the last of our chestnut butter. Canteen after tea

for cigs. 2 pkts per man @ 15 sen ea. Had a shave,

snowing ceased, roll call in hut 2000 L/O 2100.

10.12.42     THURSDAY    298TH DAY P.OW.

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc 
b'fast 0730 rice and gravy and our squads turn 

for burnt rice. No work today for me, rested in the

morning, bought 2 writing pads at 20 sen ea.

and made a cloth bound note book for a diary

and rewriting up some more recipes. At 1115 Cec and

self went out with rations to Railway job. Not so

cold today, but cold enough. Returned to camp 1300

for dinner, bread roll and gravy. On our way back;

(I was N.C.O. i/c) I commented to our Jap guard on

Jap. tooth powder and when we reached the first

chemist shop, he took us in, but I told him that

it was a mistake that I did not want tooth powder,

I wish it had been a fruit or cake shop. Rested

during the afternoon, read and had a hot [t?] at 1600.

Tea 1730 gravy, rice and Jap. snow, A session of ¼hr

"answers to questions" (very amusing). Read until

roll call 2000 then bed making L/O 2100.

11.12.42.    FRIDAY.     299TH DAY  P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking wash etc. b'fast 0730 
rice and gravy. No working party today again for No.1. Squad. 
One question asked the Japs was "could we go to a cinema to 
study Japanese Culture". The questions each week are numerous 
and amusing, and the answers are given each week by 
the Japs on a typewritten sheet. Spent the morning reading, 
resting and w/up a new recipe book. At 1115 I was 
again NCO I/C ration party for docks. Nearly lost 
the basket of bread rolls going over the bridge. Returned 
to camp at 1300 dinner gravy and bread roll. After 
dinner wrote up a few more recipes and toasted a 
bread roll for Cec and self. Reat until tea 1700 rice 
and gravy and toast and margarine (issue tonight). 
Canteen for Squad chestnuts and [cigs?] 11 sen and 
15 sen. res/n. Played solo until roll call 2000, bed 
making then L/O 2100.

12.12.42.      SATURDAY    300TH DAY P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730 rice and gravy. Working party 0830 to docks, a mild fine day 
for a change, loading trucks with mud. Dinner 1200 
rice, bread roll and stew. Knocked off at 1630 
and returned to camp at 1700. Had a hot [long?], 
a shave, then tea 1730 rice gruel, curried gravy, 
and bread roll and margarine. 1830 to canteen 
for No. 1 Diptheria Immunisation (½c.c), we are to get 
No 2 and No 3 later (3 c.c's in all). Breadcrumbed ½ 
roll for tomorrow and grated 20 chestnuts, I intend making 
a vegetable pie. Bedmaking etc until roll call 2000 L/O 2100.

13.12.42            SUNDAY        301st DAY P.O.W 

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking,

wash etc b'fast gruel and gravy. I saved my

gruel for a veg. pie and had ½ roll instead.

Got a new pair of black boots 11.12.42 in lieu

of my worn tan ones and they are very tight

on the feet. Aired my blankets and did 1 hours washing

1 shirt, 1 towel, 1 tea towel, 3 pairs sox, 1 h'chief, 1 upants and gosh I

was frozen stiff when I finished. Made some shortened

butter for a chap and rewrote some more recipes until

dinner time 1200 gravy and bread roll. After dinner

wrote up a few more recipes, cooked a veg. pie for

myself, brought in the washing, darned a pair of

sox, had a haircut and read until tea 1730 gravy

and rice and veg. pie, gosh at least I feel full

tonight. The arm is a wee bit sort from the injection

and I have a lousy cold in the head. At canteen

for squad apples (half bad) for 40 men 36@8 sen and

27 @ 3 sen. Yarned til roll call 2000 L/O. 2100.

14.12.42        MONDAY        302ND DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash etc. b'fast

0730 rice and gravy. Not feeling the best. Fell

in one working party parade 0830. At railway,

a very easy day and very mild. Dinner

1200 rice and two (2) stews and bread roll.

I bought 10 small marzipan balls @ 5 sen

ea. (very dear but gosh they were good)

also 6 candles (gluey) at 10 sen ea for one

officer who was with us. Had one Aspirin

powder after dinner and it made me

14.12.42        MONDAY        302ND DAY P.O.W

feel much better. Returned to camp at 1700 and

on our way back, a Korean civilian was

urinating against our prison camp wall

and one of our guards hopped into him

properly. Tea 1730 rice, gravy and some onions

we pinched at dinner time. Cec and I

made two (2) apple charlottes and gosh we

went to bed feeling very full. Roll call

2000 bed making etc L/O 2100.

15.12.42        TUESDAY        303rd DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash etc. b'fast

0730 rice and gravy. 0830 fell in on working party to Docks.

Our [[?]] dinner is under discussion, so we may get

something extra. The 50 officers are putting in ¥20 ea for

500 men giving ¥1000 for extras. I hope it comes off.

At docks working all day, a beautiful autumn day. I

can assure you little work was done. The winch

hauls the trucks up a gradient and just as

one lot reached the top, the cable broke (how) and

away the trucks galloped and smashed well

and truly. At the coal yard the escalator fused

(how). Dinner rice, gravy and bread roll.

Returned to camp 1700, tea 1730 rice, gravy

and a roll from dinner. After tea I went

to canteen for squad No. 1's order, chest nuts

22 for 11 sen, order 1 bot per man 22 sen and

½ cup fried sweet potatoes 6 sen. Read

until roll call 2000 then bed making

L/O 2100.

16.12.42        WEDNESDAY        304th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash etc. b'fast

0730 rice and gravy. Last night issue cig's were given

out, 3 pkts of 20 per man and some paper. 0830 fell in on

working party at docks. Worked until 1200 and

returned to camp for dinner of gravy and bread

roll. Early return on a/c of straw carrying for

huts (to go under mats), also a reshuffle of

squads (35 men instead of 40) reason being

squads were too cramped. Margarine issue

today, Cec and I fried some spring onions

that we pinched and my vegetables from

the gravy this morning and this dinner time

we are going to have it for tea. Spent ½ hr de-

butting cigarettes for pipe tobacco. 1430/1500

on straw carrying. Had a hot [[tang?]], then a parade

at 1645 before our new Jap. C.O. Sugar issue then tea

1730 rice, gravy, toasted roll & margarine and fried

onion. After tea to canteen for order for squad.

Then made a veg and rice dish, once again I

go to bed feeling full. Read until roll call 2000

then bedmaking. L/O. 2100.

17.12.42        THURSDAY        305th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking etc 'b'fast

0730 rice and gravy. On piquet last night 0045/

0200, also burnt rice issue this morning, so breakfast

was more substantial. Working party 0830 on docks

again. Another fine day and Cec and I were

point men, the easiest of jobs. Dinner 1200

rice and gravy roll. Returned to camp.

17.12.42        THURSDAY        305th DAY P.O.W

1700 wash etc tea 1730 rice and gravy and burnt rice.

Cec and I saved some rice and we had one apple

left and with a small amount of sugar, made an

apple charlotte again, bought a bottle of cider and the

canteen also sold 7 sen worth of boiled sweet

potatoes so once more we had a good tummy going

to bed. One of our P.O.W' broke his leg at the railway

working party today. Roll call 2000, bed making etc

Lights out 2100. 

18.12.42        FRIDAY        306th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, wash etc,

b'fast 0730 rice and gravy. Working party 0830 to railway.

Very easy day levelling off a new rail road track but

bitterly cold. Managed to buy 2 pkts caramels ea 20

sen and 20 sen for chestnuts, also did 20 sen in

cold blood. Dinner 1200 rice gravy (2 lots) and bread

roll. 2 chaps were injured yesterday at the railway

and this morning before leaving, we were told to

be careful and to stop work whilst trains were

passing, this instruction we certainly carried

out and a train every 20 mins probably accounted

for our easy day. Sang xmas carols in the

afternoon and on the way home. Arrived back

in camp 1700, wash etc. tea 1745 rice, gravy and

½ bread roll and meat extract (lifted from

the Korean woman cooking on the railway).

also some spring onions (pinched). Read etc

until roll call 2000 then bedmaking etc

L/O. 2100.   

19.12.42        SATURDAY        307th DAY P.O.W

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710, bedmaking, b'fast 0730

rice and gravy (saved ½ our rice for a veg, rice and onion

pie for dinner). All working parties cancelled today

for a big inspection by officials, hut cleaning up

and area cleaning 6 to the dozens. 1100 the inspecting

party arrived, two Inter. Red Cross officials and a

retinue of Jap. Officers and Officials, gosh mine

own, it is grand to know that at last the IRC being

on the inspection might mean letters from home.

They carried out a quick inspection and spoke

to no one, we are all bucked up. Fried some

onion and vegetable from this morning and

with saved rice, made a veg pie for dinner.

1200 bread roll, gravy and veg pie. at 1330 we

received our second diptheria immunisation

1½ c.c.'s, I think the last one upset me a bit, so

I hope this one does not. Read and rested

until 1500 then toasted a roll, received an issue

of margarine so added it and some meat

extract to the toast. Tea 1730 rice gruel and gravy

toasted roll etc. Canteen for Squad order of [?]

clothes 15 men @ and wash towels 20 men ea.

Played solo until roll call 2000, then bed making

L/O 2100. My arm is painfully sore tonight.

20.12.42    SUNDAY     308th DAY  P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710. Taps frozen so

no wash till after breakfast 0730 gruel and

gravy. managed a small amount of gravy

that was all. My back is aching, my arm

NOTES

20.12.42     SUNDAY  308th DAY  P.O.W.

is sore and I feel a complete wreck, stayed in

bed all day under blankets. Dinner 1200 gravy

and bread roll, ate nothing. In the afternoon Cec

made me some toast and put sweet potatoe and

meat extract on it. Tea 1730 gravy and rice all

I could eat was a small amount of gravy and

some of the toast. After tea Cec gave my back

a rub with metholatum then roll call 20000

L/O 2100. Sweet potatoes ¥0.25  today at canteen

21.12.42       MONDAY      309th  DAY    P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 roll call 0710. Reported sick to M.O at 0715. Feel

a bit better but still very off colour. Wash, bedmaking, etc.

b'fast gravy and rice, managed the gravy and half the

rice. Given a day off so this morning so I made a

vegetable pie for tonight. I hope I can eat some.

Read and rested until dinner 1200 gravy and

bread roll, ate half the gravy. Looking back

on yesterday's note gives you an idea as to how

I felt. After dinner I slept until 1500 washed my feet and

a towel, underpants and singlet and it was an effort

and a half. Had a sleep until tea 1730 rice and

gravy and veg. pie, ate most of my tea. Gosh mine

own 4 days to Xmas and I hope with all my heart

and soul that it is our last xmas apart, and

that next xmas I will be able to atone to you

for all ^that you have gone through, it will be the

happiest of times. Yarned and read until roll

call 2000 then bedmaking etc. L/O 2100. Am going

to bed tonight feeling a good deal better

22.12.42     TUESDAY    310th DAY   P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710. Feel 100% this morning

bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730 pie and gravy. Our

working party parade @ 0830. To Docks, pointsman

all day an easy job, but gosh it was cold again.

Dinner 1200 rice, gravy and bread roll (saved

till tea).Returned to camp 1700 wash etc, tea

1730 rice, gravy and toasted bread roll with

the last of our meat extract. After tea to canteen

for squad order 1 apple per man, 2 pts of cigs ^(20's) per

man and 1 bottle of cider costing 7 sen, 32sen

and 22 sen resp. (a Jap officer also sold us a pkt of cigs

20's for 7 sen on the job today). Roll call 2000

bedmaking etc L/O 2100. All sorts of talk about

Xmas Day concert and menu but will wait

and see before I note it in this  diary.

23.12.42    WEDNESDAY    311th DAY   P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 rollcall 0710, bedmaking, wash etc

on picquet last night 0200/0315 so feeling a bit 

tired. B'fast 0730 rice and gravy. Had ½ toasted roll

on picquet last night. Working party 0830 to Coal yards

a fine day and though working in coal dust. Plenty

of shipping about. Dinner 1200 rice (small issue)

gravy and roll. Hands and feet were like

ice all day. At 1500 we were given 2 firm

apples each. Returned to camp at 1700 had a

wash etc. Tea at 1730 rice, gravy and bread roll.

Brought back coal from the job today in our

overcoat pockets. Made an apple charlotte after

tea and gosh it was good. Roll call 2000, bed

making etc L/O 2100.

24.12.42    THURSDAY     312th DAY    P.O.W.

Reveille 0700, roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc. Xmas Eve

mine own, oh I feel so lonely and miserable without you. I

hope that you are brave and "chin up and smiling"

and firm in the belief that soon our re-union will

take place. I will leave all my thoughts etc till tomorrow

and will then pour out my innermost feelings to you.

Last night, a couple of chaps sat up all night and made

a Xmas pudding (rice of course with saved apples

and bread rolls). All sorts of talk about "where will

we hang our stocking". Breakfast 0730 rice and

gravy. Luckily I drew a day off working parties and

spent the morning reading and w/up recipes. Made

myself a small veg and rice dish. Dinner 1200

rice and gravy. 4 of our chaps were brought up

before our own C/O for being under the influence

last night at 2400. (Some saki came in with the

stores for xmas and the chaps admit that a Jap officer

gave them a drink) can you beat it. Had a shower

at 1400, played sole until 1630, then read until tea

1730 gravy, bread roll (a new kind) and burnt rice.

Today our own officers (5) accompanied by Jap Officer

and guard went to the cemetery and laid 3

wreaths on the graves of those P.O.W from this

camp who passed away. Great concert rehearsal

today for tomorrow. Well mine own 1800/2100 all

my thoughts were with you, you will never know what

a heartbreaking separation this has been for me, but

I know only too well what you are going through

too, so till tomorrow mine own, goodnight and

God be with you to give you the courage

and faith to be "chin up and smiling".

25.12.42.

 XMAS DAY 1942        313th DAY P.O.W.

FIRSTLY MY WISH TO YOU "MINE OWN".

"I PRAY TO GOD THAT YOU ARE BRAVE AND AS I HAVE

ALWAYS WANTED YOU TO BE "CHIN UP AND SMILING".

I CANNOT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE WISH YOU THE HEARTY

XMAS WISH, BUT THIS FOLLOWING WISH I GIVE YOU

AND I KNOW IT IS BOTH OUR WISHES
"A WISH THAT HOPS AS A GUIDING STAR

MAY BRIGHTLY SHINE OVER HEAD

A HOPE, THAT SOON EARTH'S WARS MAY CEASE

AND THE VOICE OF CHRIST AGAIN SAY "PEACE"

OH, NOODLE I AM WITH YOU IN HEART AND SOUL, ALL

MY THOUGHTS ARE OF YOU. I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE

GOING THROUGH, WE ARE BOTH ONE, SO I SHOULD

KNOW.

BE BRAVE AND HAVE FAITH AND OUR DAY OF RE-UNION

WILL COME, AND YOU AND I WILL TAKE UP HAPPINESS

IN BOTH OUR HANDS AND ENJOY IT IN ITS ENTIRETY

FOR THE REMAINDER OF OUR DAYS.

OH MINE OWN, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND

SOUL, I WORSHIP YOUR MIND, YOUR BODY, YOUR SOUL

AND YOUR SPIRIT, AND WHEN AT THE ALTER ON

OUR WEDDING DAY, "I TOOK YOU" TO BE MY WIFE, I

REALISED THEN AS I REALISE NOW, THAT SAYING,

"GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO MAN IS A WIFE" IN

MY CASE WAS INDEED A FACT.

WE ARE ONE, AND OUR BEST DAYS ARE TO COME

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO XMAS 1943 WITH (AS

I WANT YOU TO ALSO) FAITH, COURAGE, GOOD CHEER

AND A STOUT HEART   
MENU

BREAKFAST. 0745

1½ HERRINGS, 1½ DEsP'FUL SOYA BEAN SAUCE.

2 CUPS RICE.

2 CUPS GRAVY (2 PIECES OF PORK)

CUP OF TEA

SAVED ITEMS ADDED, BURNTRICE AND ½ BREAD ROLL.
DINNER. 1300.

1 FRIED PORK CHOP

POTATO CHIPS, APPLE SAUCE, TOMATO SAUCE.

STEW (ONIONS, POTATOES, CARROTS, CABBAGE.)
BREAD ROLL.

APPLE TURNOVER.

TEA, BUTTER, MARMALADE JAM, CIDER, APPLE AND ORANGE.

TEA. 1730.

FRIED PORK,

STEW (A RICH ONE AGAIN)

RICE.

APPLE TURNOVER

NIPPON CAKE

TEA, BUTTER, BREAD ROLL, APPLE CHARLOTTE (OUR OWN).

WINE SAUCE.

25.12.42.

Reveille 0700 roll call in hut 0710 the Jap officer wished

us a "merry xmas". Wash, bedmaking etc and then

breakfast 0745 (see menu). My first xmas with

snow, it commenced snowing at 0300 this morning

and snowed all day. Our Lt [[FRa?]] and two foster

officers (who adopted us) came around at 0900 and

gave each Aussie and envelope with ¥2 and a

note wishing us a merry xmas (note is in wallet).

At 0930 chimney sweeps commenced operations on

our fires and the concert stage was finalised.

Church service 1000, table, Union Jack, and carnations

for flowers. To Canteen for Squad Purchase of

1pkt of butter ¥3.50 (about 1½ lbs), 4 jars marmalade jam

@ 65 sen ea, 8 tins of sardines @ 60sen ea, apples

and oranges 1 ea, orange, 2 ea apple @ 6 sen ea

1 tin pineapple @ 90 sen and 1 bot saki (Jap wine)

a ¥2.50 and 3 bots wine @ ¥2.80. We drew in

our squad for the items and I drew 1/10th of the butter,

1/3rd jar of jam, ½ tin of fish so was thrilled. Dinner

1300 gosh it was a spread. Cec, Jack and self
made a table and used own knife, fork and
spoon (first time for ages). Our toast was "
our loved ones at home". After dinner Cec,
Jack and I set to and prepared an apple
charlotte (rice, breadcrumbs, apples, wine, cider,
sugar, margarine and toffees melted).
Received a sugar issue at 1530, goodness only

knows mine own as P.O.W we have fared
very well, and I guess our loved ones at home
                                   25.12.42.
are imagining us having nothing. At canteen 1600
for squad issue of free cigs, 2 pkts of 20's, 5 bags chestnuts
between 35 men free, 2 apples per man free, 9 tins
of sardines between 35 men free and a roll of
ham ¥10.00 per squad so we indeed fared very
well. Tea 1730 see menu and I honestly felt over
fed and could hardly move after tea, we

made some sauce for the apple charlotte and it
was grand. Concert in our hut 2030/2300
and it was a darned good show. Union
Jack on stage and all Jap officers and NCO's
of this camp sat in front row. One song sang
was "There will always be an England"

and for a finale we had our "God
Save the King". Bedmaking etc, roll call
2315 L/O 2330 and our last Xmas apart
mine own. All my thoughts have been
with you as I have said, and in one way
you and I have been together all day.
and I close with my own
"God above knows how I miss you
How I want you night and day
All my thoughts are of you dearest
Even tho' I'm miles away"
Chin up noodle and look forward to
Xmas 1943.

                         _______________

26.12.42.   SATURDAY   314th DAY P.O.W.
Temp 14° or 18° below zero (F.P.) bitterly cold. Reveille
0700  roll call in hut 0710 bedmaking, wash etc
(water on cook house, taps frozen) 0730 b'fast
rice and gravy (plain diet again) and 1 apple
charlotte from yesterday and sauce (we made
3 apple charlottes yesterday.) 0850 to docks on
working party a bitterly cold day and I had
a tummy ache and the runs all day.
Dinner 1200 rice, gravy and roll. Returned
to camp at 1700 wash, toasted a roll, and
issue of margarine to night. Tea 1730 gruel,
gravy and toast. Another diptheria needle
tonight 1830, so will hope for the best. Read
until roll call 2000 then bedmaking L/O 2100
27.12.42.     SUNDAY     315th DAY P.O.W
Yesterday I forgot to mention that the sea in
the docks was frozen. Reveille 0700 roll call
0710, bedmaking, wash breakfast 0745 gruel and gravy.
Snowed all night, quite a heavy fall and this morning
everywhere in a mantle of snow and bitterly cold
again. Feel a bit brighter this morning although
the appetite has waned this morning. Ha a shave
after breakfast and lined our kits up for a Jap. QM
inspection of their used stuff to us, blankets, bowls etc.
waited until 1130 for Jap. retinue of inspecting officers
meanwhile I was yarning to a Lt Butler, a teacher
from Scots who knows Brian Badgery. Dinner
1230 gravy and roll. Feel much better even tho'
the temp. is just 15° and it is agony walking

27.12.42.     SUNDAY     315th DAY P.O.W
about out of doors. After dinner Cec, Jim and self made

two (20 veg pies and at 1500 I went to canteen to draw
squad order of cider (15 bots). Then read and dozed
until tea 1730. rice and gravy and the two veg. pies.
Had a hot tang at 1600 and honestly mine own I cannot
get warm, the temperature is cruel. Read after tea until

roll call 2000 then L/O 2120. 
                                          __________ 

 

28.12.42    MONDAY     316th DAY P.O.W.

Temp 14° above zero (18° below F.P.), the walls inside the

hut are frozen, frost is everywhere inside the hut. Reveille

0700 roll call in hut 0710, wash, bedmaking etc, b'fast 0745 rice

and gravy. 0830 working party on docks, it ceased

snowing yesterday but ice and snow was every

where. I wore pyjama pants, u/pants, F.S pants and

KD pants, two pairs of sox, singlet, shirt, sweater,

blanket jacket, tunic and great coat, a towel

around my head, a balaclava and hat and

honestly I was frozen all day. A few of the boys

refused to go out and were charged. We were

loading trucks, pushing them about 100 yds and

then unloading. Dinner 1200 gravy, rice and

roll. Three men to a truck and was I glad to

get back to camp at 1700. Tea 1730 rice, gravy

and an issue of soya bean paste. Also received

another issue of white sox and white gloves. They

will come in very handy. Cec and I made an

apple charlotte after tea and it was good. Yarned

until roll call 2000 then bed making L/0

2100

                                    ____________

 

29.12.42    TUESDAY     317th DAY P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 rollcall 0710, on picquet last night

0315/0430. Bedmaking, wash etc b/fast 0730

rice and gravy. 0830 on working party at docks

not so cold today. Cec got 3 eggs for a pair of sox

so will do some cooking tonight. Dinner 1200 gravy,

rice and roll. Returned to camp 1700. Arm has

been sore and inflamed all day. Tea 1730 rice

and gravy. To canteen for squad order of 35

apples @ 7 sen, 15 bots cider and 35 pkts of cigs.

At 1900 Cec made some toast and a boiled an egg

for me, gosh mine own it was grand. I made

some jam out of orange peel, apple and citron

tonight. Read till roll call 2000, then bedmaking

lights out 2100.

                                   ______________

30.12.42    WEDNESDAY     318th DAY P.O.W.

Reveille 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking, wash etc b'fast 0730

rice and gravy. The Jap/American interpretor (California

Joe) was moved from this camp 24/12/42 and we have

a new one (there are always two of them). On working

party parade 0830 to docks again. A fine mild day

again. Dinner 1200 rice, gravy and bread roll.

Loaded 6 trucks. Returned to camp 1700 wash etc.

Tea 1730 rice and gravy. Informed tonight that the

following days are holidays 31st, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th

whacko a spell will not do any harm. Canteen

order again for squad tonight 35 apples @ 7 sen ea and

15 bots of cider at 22. Allowed to write another letter

tonight (140 words) gosh aren't I lucky, oh mine

own how I hope and pray it reaches you

soon. Roll call 2000, bedmaking, etc

L/O 2100. Copy of my letter is in 31/12/42 diary^

                                  ____________

31.12.42    THURSDAY NEW YEAR'S EVE     319th DAY P.OW

Reveille 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast 0730

rice and gravy. Finished my letter card to you mine own

and handed it in this morning, you will read between

the lines my longing for you, copy is in my wallet.

Well [[?]] the start of another year is on us, we must

pray for a cessation of hostilities and our re-union

in 1943 oh mine own I have such a lot to make up

to you, for all you have gone through. The Jap. ord.

officer on roll call this morning told us "to pray for

our fellow men and country in the new year". I

got a bucket of hot tea and washed two towels,

shirt, h'chief, 2 pairs sox, tea-towel and 1 pair pyjamas.

Read until dinner 1200 rice, gravy, we opened one

tin of fish between 3 of us, no bread today and

for the next 5 days on account of Jap holidays.

Wrote up a few more recipes after dinner and played

solo until tea 1730 rice, gravy and burnt rice, Cec and I

added ½ bot cider each and ½ an apple. That was our

tea. Read and yarned after tea until roll call

2000 then bedmaking etc until L/O 2100.

I am getting the picquet to waken me at 2355 to see

the new year in, oh mine own wife, how I

am so fervently thinking of you, every minute

my heart is with you, all my thoughts and

my inner most feelings. I bought or I

should say bartered for a present for you

today so in it goes with my big surprise

present for you. Well mine own, "goodnight

God bless you and be with you at all times.

                                   _____