Diary of Alexander Roland Campbell Johnstone, 1942-1943 - Part 16

NOTES
SATURDAY     30.1.43      349th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast
0730 rice, gravy and burnt rice. Oh mine own it is the
most bitterly cold morning, the wind is like ice. Temp 8^o
0830 Docks working party. (only 69 of us, everything on
but the kitchen clock). Arriving at docks we protested
about working, the temp was -3^o on the site (35^o frost).
Whilst awaiting the outcome 50 more men from camp
were sent out and at 1100 our protest was upheld
and we returned to camp. Honestly mine own I
cannot describe the cold. we received 3 library books
per squad ( ex American Library Japan), 40 all told
came into camp. I propose to start a small book-keeping
class next week, also to write an article
on Queensland for our 2nd camp magazine (the
first is in process of being finished). Dinner
1200 rice and gravy. Played bridge after dinner
until 1600, made a veg. and rice pie and bed

making etc until tea 1730 gruel, gravy, veg. and
rice pie and a piece of whale steak. Read after
tea and wrote up a few notes on my proposed
book-keeping lessons until roll call 2000. The
temp. tonight at 2000 is -3⁰ (still the same) and cold,
oh mine own you cannot imagine how intense
the cold is, one cannot go outside the hut without

doing a freeze, goodness knows how the Russians
fight in the winter they have my sympathy
Oh Peg how I long and yearn for you at all
times, you fill my thoughts and my love for you
is my one satisfaction and mainstay. L/02100
 SUNDAY      31.1.43     350th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking etc, wash b'fast
0730 gruel and gravy. Last night I committed the childish 
sin of "wetting the bed", am I ashamed of myself. On the 
docks yesterday as the tide came in, the small waves set on 
the bank like tiers of ice. Average daily temp for Jan, was 
15.5° or 16.5° below F P (see graph at back of diary). Read 
and rested until 10.00, played our 8th bridge match and 
won, to canteen for Squad order of 51 apples and 35pkts (10's) 
cigs costing 7 and 23 sen resp. Dinner 1200 rice and 
gravy. Read after dinner until 1500 than played a 9th 
bridge match and also won. Tea 1700 rice and gravy 
and an apple pie. Read until roll call 2000 then bed 
making L/O 2100

MONDAY        1.2.43         351st DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc b'fast 
0730 rice and gravy. I had my cigarette tin pinched last night 
it had about 15 cigs in it. 0830 Docks working party, a cold 
day and again loading steel trucks. Dinner 1200 rice 
and gravy. Our complement of steel trucks is usually
 6 which we had finished at 1500, on a/c of saturday 
no work and for which we were paid, the japs asked 
us to do 7, the P.OW's (34 of us) jibbed and refused. After 
much arguing and the Jap NCO 1/c guard standing 
over us we did our 7, finishing at 1700. Returned 
to camp 1715. Tea rice and gravy and ^small piece of whale steak 
and a veg and rice pie also an apple and a rice pie from dinner 
time, JPM did the cooking. Pay night ¥1.54 for 
10 days. Played our 10th bridge match and lost 
(now won 8). Roll call 2000 L/O 2100.
 Unloading steel trucks today a chap sitting on 
the pole to keep the truck down was thrown 
over the top of the truck and badly bruised.

TUESDAY        2.2.43        352ND DAY P.O.W.

Reveilli 0700 roll call 1710, bedmaking, wash, etc, b'fast

0730 rice and gravy 0630 Docks working party. Heard

last night that them whose names were taken as

horsemen (50 of them) will be going away shortly. Also

another party of 100 of us are supposed to be going

to FUSAN. Heard today that mail and parcels are

expected next week, oh mine own how I pray for a 

letter. Loading iron trucks - Dinner 1200 rice and

gravy (rice ration reduced, yesterday's turnout 

probably the reason). Returned to camp 1630 absolutely

done -washed, then tea 1730 rice, gravy, and

veg pie (JPM again). again). Canteen for squad order of

sardines 10 tins @ 0 sen ea between 35 men. Played 

bridge after tea until roll call 2000. L/O 2100

WEDNESDAY       3.2.42          353RD DAY P.O.W

Picquet last night 0045/0200 (Cec did mine for me). Reveilli

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

and gravy - Very stuffy thus morning, stayed in and went

sick, given a day off and ten(10) criosote pills. Read

and played bridge until dinner 1200 rice and gravy.

Saved some rice and with sardine made a fish 

pie. Cec sent back some rice with 1 apple 

made an apple pie, both between us for tonight

Played bridge after dinner until 1600, then a hot tong

and shave. Bedmaking etc tea 1730 rice and gravy

plus apple pie and veg pie. Read and played

bridge until roll call 2000. To canteen for squad order

38 apples (0.8 sen each and 2 pts cigs per man at 23

sen (20's) ea. L/O 2100

THURSDAY     4.2.43           354TH DAY P.O.W

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

and gravy. Commenced snowing at midnight and ceased

at 0500 there is about 3 inches on the ground. 0830 Docks 

working party, loading steel trucks, black wind and

wet feet all day, I feel absolutely done. Dinner rice

and gravy (water). Returned to camp 1630, wash, bed

making etc. Tea 1730 rice, gravy and an apple and 

rice pie made by JPM for Cec and I from saved

rice from dinner time. First lesson in bookkeeping

to Capt Sinclair tonight until 2000 roll call, then played

our 1st cricket tournament match and won. J.P.M's birthday

today and tonight I gave him 2 pkts 20's cigs and

a cake of soap. Heard that we are on a new job tomorrow.

L/O 2100

FRIDAY            5.2.43              355th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710. bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast

0730 rice and gravy. Feeling a bit brighter this morning

Oh mine own if you could see my hands, they are

truly those of a labourer, ingrained with mud etc -

Witnessed an eclipse of the sun at 0800. 0830 New

job, unloading a ship (Chinese out flying Chinese ensign)

of Soya Bean Fertilizer (cart wheel in shape weighting

55 lbs). Dinner 1200 rice and gravy. Knocked

a piece of skin off my finger and had it dressed by

the Jap Ship's Dr (crew are chinese except officers)

Nibbled at the Soya Bean Cake and brought some

home to camp. 1700 Tea 1730 rice, gravy and one

apple & rice pie between Cec and myself. To canteen

for squad cigs 35 pkts @ 23 sen. Played bridge

with Cec against a pair of officers and won.

Roll call 2000, bedmaking L/O 2100.

SATURDAY     6.2.43           356TH DAY  P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710. Bedmaking, wash etc. B'fast 0730

rice, gravy and burnt rice. Snow started to fall 0500

and by 0830 there was about 2" on the ground. We left

for the docks working party amidst snow and after

about an hour out there in a small snow Blizard

we returned to camp. 1030 (a piece of wood under our 

coats). Yarned to Capt. Sinclair until 1200 dinner rice 

and gravy. After dinner I made a veg and rice pie

for tea. Played bridge until 1700 then tea 1730 gruel

gravy and pie. After tea Cec and I played our 2nd

crib match against Lt Fraser (AIF) and Lt Farmer and 

lost- yarned with them until roll call 2000 then

went over and yarned to Capt Sinclair until L/O 2000

At 1330 we were measured here there and everywhere

at the 19.2R room and had our finger prints taken

SUNDAY      7.2.43        357th DAY    P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0715 bedmaking, wash, etc, b'fast
1730 gruel and gravy( mixed some curry powder (Capt Sinclair
gave it to me) with it. A bitterly cold morning again.
Inspection at 1030, 1100 to canteen for squad order of 38
apples @ 8 sen ea and 35 pkts cigs @ 23 sen ea (10's).
Dinner 1200 rice and gravy plus a curried soya
bean cake stew from Capt Sinclair (he made it)
Played our 11th bridge match after dinner and
lost. At 1600 had a hot tong and did my washing.
Tea 1700 rice and gravy After tea played a
friendly bridge match and Capt Sinclair brought
me over a little packet of dried shrimps (you
roast and grate them and sprinkle them on
the rice. Roll call 2000 L/0 2100

MONDAY    8.2.43.    358th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast
0730 rice and gravy. A bitterly cold day. 0830 (like an
Eskimo dressed up) Docks working party. A snowfall
before dinner gave us ½ hr break, it was as cold as
charity. 1100 to camp for rations. Dinner 1200 rice
and gravy. Started work 1330 and at 1500 a hell of
a snow deluge. Knocked off without permission as
it was futile trying to work. Jap. N.CO i/c ordered us
to carry on and we refused, he said that he would keep
us there all night unless we did another truck, we
again refused and he kept us shivering on the docks
until 1700 when we returned to camp petrified (we
won out). Tea 1730 rice (vegetable mixed in) and gravy.
Capt Sinclair gave me a pkt of Jap pipe tobacco. Yarned
with him until roll call 2000, bedmaking, L/O 2100
TUESDAY    9.2.43.    359th DAY P.O.W.
12 mos today mine own since I received your last letter dated
19.1.42, it eventually reached me at the Cathay Theatre, S'pore.
Oh mine own 12 mos without word from you, it has
been an age and you alone would know what I have
gone through. Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking wash etc
The picquet last night 0200/0315. Capt. Sinclair lent me
a sleeping bag last night and it was grand. B'fast 0730
rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party, as usual
on iron trucks, 2 falls of snow. Dinner 1200 rice and
gravy. Finished at 1400 but had to wait until 1630 before
returning to Camp, wash, bedmaking etc, tea 1700 rice
and gravy and veg pie (from dinner). 2 Shanghai lads
received letters and parcels (1 ea) today from S'hai
in reply to their first postcard, so we may
soon be lucky. Played our 12th bridge match and
won. Roll call 2000 - L/O 2100.

NOTES
WEDNESDAY    10.2.43    360th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730
rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party, loading
iron trucks. 1100 returned to camp on ration party.
Dinner 1200 rice and gravy. Snowstorm twice
during the day, but we kept on working, bitterly
cols. Returned to camp 1700, tea 1730 rice and
gravy and veg pie from dinner rice and veg.
Hot tong after tea, to canteen for Squad order 1 apple
per man 8 sen. Yarned to capt. Sinclair until
roll call 2000 then bedmaking L/O 2100.
THURSDAY    11.2.43    361st DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking, b'fast etc 0730 rice
and gravy. Japanese national holiday today, so no
work (Foundation Day). This morning I gave the
office details of my gold articles confiscated at FUSAN,
(Peg brooch and gold fish) I was told, they are at
Keijo, oh how I hope I get them back. Heard also
his morning that New Guinea is in Japanese
hands (I hope not for Australia's sake). A parade
was called at 0930 for a lecture by the Jap. officer i/c
who dealt with smoking in bed and gambling for
money, he promised severe punishment for offenders.
Read until dinner 1200 rice and gravy. Read
again after lunch until 1600, then shaved etc,
bedmaking, made an apple and rice dish

Tea 1700 rice, gravy and my apple pie. After
tea I wrote my article on "Great Barrier Reef"
for No. 2. Camp Magazine. Roll call 2000,
L/O 2100

FRIDAY    12.2.43.    362nd DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, wash, bedmaking etc. b'fast 0730

rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party, steel trucks
again (nearly permanent) and one has to scoot
in the bun rush to get a truck. A very mild 
day and not cold. Dinner 1200 rice and gravy
Finished at 1430 and waited around before returning
to camp 1600. Had a wash, bedmaking etc and
made a veg. and rice pie ( I save my potatoes each
meal although it is only one piece). After tea 1700

rice and gravy plus burnt rice and veg pie
(rice is cooked as a treat with veg in it) Cec and I
went to across to officers Qtrs to play a bridge match
which we won. Roll call 2000 L/O 2100.
SATURDAY    13.2.43.    363rd DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, wash, bedmaking etc, b'fast
0730 rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party. on iron

trucks again loading. Dinner 1200 rice and gravy
A glorious fine day, just like spring. Returned
to camp 1630, wash etc tea 1730 gruel and gravy
plus some saved rice from dinner. To canteen
after tea for squad order of 2 pkts of cigs per man (20's)
@ 23 sen ea and 1 tin of fish between 4 men @ 60
sen per tin. Had a game of poker after tea until
roll call five of us Alf, Syd, Dave, JPM and self.
Roll call 2000. Bedmaking etc and yarned with
Capt Sinclair until L/O 2100. News furphies seem
to be on our favour for a change, we would
all give anything to know how things are going 
as you would guess.

SUNDAY    14.2.43    364th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730
rice (gruel) and gravy. 0800 did some washing in cold
water and oh mine own I was frozen stiff. I washed
a singlet, u'pants, sox and ahirt and it took me an
hour to thaw out. At 0900 Cec and I played our
14th bridge match and won. Read etc until dinner 1200
rice, gravy and 1/3rd tin of fish. To canteen for squad
order of 50 apples @ 6 sen ea. played poker until 1545
then had a hot tong, washed in hot water my pants,
towel, 1 pair sox and h'chief. Tea 1700 rice and
gravy. Well mine own they are protesting about
our food ration, it is not enough to fill me, so hope
to see an improvement. played our 15th bridge
match and won. Roll call 2000 L/O 2100
MONDAY    15.2.43    365th DAY P.O.W
One year of captivity as a P.O.W during which
time I have had no single word of you, oh
Peg treasure, mine it is a span in my life
that I shall never forget. I have borne the
burden as a soldier should and I pray now
that you are as I want you to be "chin up
and smiling" bravely awaiting our re-union.
On picquet last night 0315/0430. Reveille 0700 roll call.
0710 bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730 rice and gravy
0830 Docks working party, from trucks loading again. Snow
early this morning, but a mild day.  Dinner 1200 rice
and gravy.  Returned to camp 1700 wash, 1730 tea
rice, gravy and some melted candy, (salt party
chap got it for all) Played a bridge match with
the officers until roll call 2000, bedmaking
L/O 2100

NOTES
TUESDAY  16.2.43  366th DAY P.O.W.
Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710.  bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730 rice
and gravy.  One can notice the days lengthening. and I think
the weather is getting slightly warmer (11° of frost for the
last 2 days) 0830 Docks working party, steel trucks
a glorious day.  dinner 1200 rice and gravy.  To
camp 1720 wash etc.  Tea 1730 rice, gravy and a
veg pie from dinner.  Managed to get Y3.00
worth of candy (Capt Sinclair took 2/3rd, Cec, JPM
and self the balance).  To canteen for squad order
of cigs (2 pkts per man 20's @ 23 sen ea) and
chestnuts 20 for 10 sen.  Played our 16th
bridge match and won.  Roll call 2000
Yarned with Sinclair until L/O 2100
WEDNESDAY  17.2.43  367th DAY P.O.W
Reveilli 0700 roll call, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 0730

rice and gravy. Looks a bit like snow again this morning

0830 Docks working party - Started snowing very heavily.

Waited at Docks until 0930 before returning to camp. Read

until dinner 1230 rice and gravy. Played bridge after

dinner until 1600, then had a hot tang and 

bedmaking. Tea 1730 rice, gravy (whale meat [?])

and a rice and veg pie from dinner. Bundles

of parcels have arrived in camp and it is

rumoured that they are Red Cross ones. Oh

mine own, the present or surprise I got for you

has had to go, there is an opportunity of buying

odd bits of food and I know you would sooner

have me participate. Canteen 1 pkt cigs (20's) 23 sen

per man. Read until roll call 2000 L/O 2100

NOTES

THURSDAY                18.2.43          368th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 

0730 rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party

A fine but cold day. Loading iron trucks again.

Dinner 1200 rice and gravy. At Dinner time I

had some sugar given use. Returned to camp 1700, 

wash, bedmaking etc, Tea 1730 rice and gravy, plus

some rice and sugar from dinner time. I saw small

cases of Wilson's Borued Boy with a Red Cross on them

being brought into the Jap. store tonight at 1715 so

perhaps there is some truth in the Red Cross Furphy.

Yarned until roll call 2000. Understand that our 

diaries are going to be read by the Japs. L/O 2100

FRIDAY            19.2.43        369th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast

0730 rice and gravy. Only two baths a week are

now allowed ( Wednesdays and Sundays) as there

is a shortage of firewood. 0830 Docks working 

party. Loading iron trucks again. Nothing of

importance to relate, still persistant furphies

regarding R Cross parcels. Dinner 1200 rice (1/3 issue),

gravy and bread roll (roll to be issued twice a week).

Returned to camp 1700, tired out, wash etc. Tea

1730 rice, stew ^ margarine issue and roll from 
dinner time. After

tea I had a yarn with Capt Sinclair and then

came over to our hut, watched a game of bridge

bedmaking. Roll call 2000. Yesterday an officer

ⁱ/c Salt Party wandered off the beaten track and

had a feed in a shop, Consequences 30 days

solitary confinement in camp. 2 Civilian

police picked him up. L/O 2100

NOTES

SATURDAY             20.2.43               370th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast

0730 rice, gravy and burnt rice. 0830 Docks working

party, on parade ground before leaving at 0820 Jap ^I/c

camp told us about the officer yesterday who was

charged and warned us against similar acts. Loading

iron trucks again. Dinner 1200 rice and gravy. 

Returned to camp 1700, wash, bedmaking etc. Tea

1730 gruel and gravy also a sugar issue (Things are

on the mend) Played a bridge match with the officers

after tea until roll call 2000. Jack W made me

a rice pie and a veg and rice pie for supper.

L/O 2100

SUNDAY             21.2.43              371st DAY P.O.W

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

gruel and gravy. On piquet last night 0430/0545. There

is a strict tightening up by the Jap guards, all over this

Officer wandering away, it is presumed he was trying

to escape. 0800 the troops were weighed, my weight 

is 61.3 Kilos (9 st 11 1/3 lbs). Played bridge until dinner

1200 rice and gravy. An issue of 100 cigs today, also 

am trying to get some foodstuffs, with what luck I wonder.

Read after dinner until 1500 washed u/pants, 2 prs sox

and towel and had a hot tong. Read until tea 1630

rice, fish and gravy. Concert at 1800/2000 all excellent

show too. Oh mine own it is a break to get it, we

understand that we are to have one, once a month.

A few packs of cards from Yulla have arrived, one

pkt per squad (13 squads in camp) so with previous

book issue from Yulla, we are not forgotten

altogether. Roll call 2000 L/O 2100

NOTES

MONDAY                22.2.43              372nd DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc,

b'fast 0730

rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party, a bitterly

cold day. Cec reported sick with "the runs". Loading 

iron trucks. Dinner 1200 rice and gravy. Returned

to camp 1700 frozen stiff. Wash etc, tea 1730 vegetable, 

rice and gravy. Pay night 1900. I received ¥1.20 

for 8 days.

Also given a cellophane envelope 
for a dispentry test.

Yarned until roll call 2000 then had a rice pie

that JPM made for me. Bedmaking L/O 2100. JPM

gave his first short hand lesson last night.

TUESDAY          23.2.43           373rd DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 

0730 rice and gravy. 0830 Docks working party, a fine

and mild day. Loading iron trucks again, it is a

never ending job. Ever since the Capt Thomas

incident the guards have tightened up on us

and discipline is very much different. Dinner 

1200 rice and gravy and bread roll. Returned

to camp 1700 wash etc, bedmaking etc. Tea

1730 rice and gravy. To canteen for Squad

order of 10 tins fish @ 60 sen ea for 35 men.

Also a margarine issue at tea time. JPM made

me a fish and rice pie for after roll call supper.

Played our 2nd bridge watch against the

officers and won. Also entered a hut knock

out bridge competition tonight. Roll call 2000

then JPM and I had our supper. A Jap

magazine tonight is very pessimistic about

Aust. but I know it is not so. L/O 2100

 

Red Cross Parcel Day

NOTES

WEDNESDAY             24.2.43                    374th DAY P.O.W

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

rice and gravy. Feel [[froivsy]] this morning a cold in the

head and am sore all over. 0830 Docks working party,

A nice fine spring day. Loading iron truck. Dinner

1200 rice and gravy. Felt pretty miserable after

dinner and sat by the fire, well wrapped up.

Returned to camp 1700 and the biggest of surprises

awaited us, the R Cross parcels were stacked on the

parade ground for distribution. We received one each

and tore into the hut to open them, we are all full

of excitement, but mine own how I long for a 

letter. The parcel contained approx 7/8 lbs including

1/4 lb bar of chocolate, 1 pkt fruit drop (ate these straight

away and gosh they were good) 1 cake soap, 1/4 lb tablet

sugar, 2oz pkt tea, 1 tin (1 lb) stewed steak and rice, 8 oz

Peak Fran's service biscuits, 1 tin apricot and plum

jam (12 oz), 1 tin meat roll (12 oz), 1 tin margarine (8 oz),

1 tin condensed milk (16 oz), 1 tin bacon (8 oz), 1 tin

turkey and tongue paste (3 oz), 1 tin cheese (3 oz). 1 tin

tomatoes (10 oz), 1 tin marmalade pudding (1 lb)

so you can guess how thrilled we are. The Jap

^I/C told us that there are more parcels stored away

for us. Tea 1745 rice and gravy, everyone is talking

parcels. Made a rice pie for supper, so having

eaten 1/4 lb chocolate and 1 pkt fruit drops, I am

feeling full. The parcel s a cardboard box

labelled "Prisoners Parcels - British Red Cross

and order of St John War organisation"

was used 14" x 8" x 6". Bedmaking, yarned

until roll call 2000 L/O 2100

NOTES

THURSDAY                25.2.43             375th DAY P.O.W

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

rice and gravy. Parcels are still the subject, you cannot

imagine how the men feel. Feel lousy this morning

so am reporting sick. 0900 sick parade, M.O told me that

I have a slight attack of bronchitus and gave me Excused 

Duty to 27.2.43 and some creosote pills. Played bridge 

and read until dinner 1200 rice and gravy, I changed

my bread roll (tomorrow's) for 1 1/2 issues of rice. Ate my

tin of biscuits for dinner with 1/2 tin of paste and my gravy.

Read and slept during the afternoon, had a shave 

(I still have my moustache). Tea 1730 veg rice and gravy

plus a good cup of tea and sugar. Went to JPM's short hand

class 1830/1930. Made a rice and marg. pie for supper.

Canteen for squad order of cigs 2 pkts per man @ 23 sen

per pkt of 20. First camp magazine came out today

(1 per squad). Roll call 2000, bedmaking L/O 2100.

FRIDAY             26.2.43            376th DAY P.O.W 

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710 bedmaking, was etc, b'fast 0730 rice

and gravy, I spread my tin of condensed milk and had [[sauce?]]

on the rice. Made a rice and cheese pie and a plain rice

pie and oh mine own, I have a confession to make, I

finished the milk and cheese off. At 1000 I was taken

before the Jap. Adjutant about a watch I sold in Oct.

Dinner 1200 bread roll (changed) and gravy. Gave a

book keeping lesson to Capt Sinclair in the Officers Hut

1330/1600 (also a Jap Lieut gave a Jap lesson). At 1600

Capt Sinclair gave me a delicious cup of tea ( milk &

sugar) and 2 biscuits and cheese. Tea 1730 rice, gravy

and 1/7th tin of fish. After tea made a lost of squad

library books for the new library. 1930 supper of 

rice and marg. pie, plus golden syrup. Roll

call 2000 L/O 2100

 

NOTES

SATURDAY             27.2.43                        377th DAY P.O.W

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

rice and gravy. On piquet 0545/0700. Washing this

morning with warm water, 2 h'chief, 2 prs sox, 3 towels

pillow slip, 2 tea towels, 1 shirt, pyjamas, singlet (a

big wash), this kept me busy until 1200 dinner rice

and gravy. Book keeping lesson 1330/1600 and another

grand cup of tea (milk and sugar). Brought the washing

in and then read until tea 1700 gruel, gravy and

fish (flying type). I, for once have clean hands (blame

the washing) made a rice and marg. pie for supper.

Played bridge until roll call 2000, then bedmaking

supper and L/O 2100

SUNDAY           28.2.43              378th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0700 roll call 0710, a glorious spring morning, wash

bedmaking etc, b'fast 0730 gruel and gravy. Last night

after L/O 2100 JPM and self, fried our saved potatoes

and opened a tin of bacon and fried that, had a 

cup of tea (milk and sugar) then to bed 2230. I hung

my blankets out to air at 0630 this morning and the

Jap sentry in English said "it is a beautiful

spring day". Reported on sick parade 0900 and

was given 4 days No Duty and another packet

of [?] pills. Wrote out some Japanese poems

and yarned till dinner time 1200 rice and 

gravy. Opened a tin of beef steak and rice and had

it with gravy (saved issue rice for a pie). Played

bridge until 1500 had a hot tang, a mow trim,  bed

making then tea 1700 rice, burnt rice and gravy. Saved

some rice for supper. Played bridge until roll call

2000. Supper of rice and meat pie and Marmalade

Pudding (delicious). L/O 2100 

NOTES

MONDAY                     1.3.43            379th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 (reveilli now 1/2 hr earlier), bedmaking

wash etc, b'fast 0715 rice and gravy. Rained during the

night (first rain for ages) but a fine morning my

cold has freshened up. Made a rice, meat and

potato pie for JPM and self for tea. Wrote up some

short hand notes and played a bridge match before

dinner 1200 rice and gravy, made another rice pie

for tea, also a pie for Dave A and F.H, this took me

the whole afternoon. Tea 1730 rice, fish and gravy.

Saved the rice and for tea had meat pie plus fried tomatoes

in marg,  and a rice cake with butter and syrup. at

1830 attended JPM's short hand class. Roll call 2000

bedmaking L/O 2100

TUESDAY            2.3.43              380th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640, bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 

0710 rice and gravy. Had a lousey night coughing

and spluttering. A POW raffled 20 pkts cigs & razor and

soap, 10 cents ticket (collected ¥ of 5.00 can you beat it in

a POW camp) reminds me of  the chap on the F.

Marie who sold a shirt 3 times. Made a lot of

rice pies etc for chaps out working so filled the

morning in, my parcel is just about done.

Dinner 1200 bread roll and gravy (changed the

roll for rice). Booked and read until tea 1730

big rice, gravy and a bacon and(?)pie, also

a butter and sugar issue. Played our 4th bridge

match and won then roll call 2000. Bedmaking

yarned to JPM until 2100 then turned in

hoping for a better night.

 

NOTES

WEDNESDAY         3.3.43            381st DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 another lousey night coughing

again, bedmaking, wash etc. B'fast 0715 rice and gravy.

Made JPM and self a rice, gelatine and potato pie

for tea. Spring cleaning day (Jap. order), did the

hut out properly. At 1000 gave Capt Sinclair a 

book keeping lesson, took my sugar over and we

had a cup of tea. 1200 Dinner rice and gravy

finished off my [?] (all is now gone except 1 tin of

butter and ½ tin bacon). Had a shave and a

hot tang after dinner at 1400. Read etc until

1600 when we received our 1st monthly issue of

Rec Cross addnl food comforts 10 oz of sugar and

2 /14 oz cocoa and 1 tin of Bully Beef. Tea 1730

rice (plus cocoa and sugar and butter) gravy

and the pie plus fried tomatoes and gelatine.

To canteen after tea for squad order 1 apple per

man 7 sen ea and 2 pkts cigs @ 23 sen (20's) per man.

Read until roll call , bedmaking, cocoa for supper

L/O 2100

THURSDAY             4.3.43            382nd DAY P.O.W 

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 bedmaking, wash etc, 

b'fast 0715 rice

and gravy. Window cleaning and emptying sand from

fire buckets and filling them with water. Another 3 books

per squad from Yulla. Dinner 1200 rice and gravy.

Made a couple of pies for tea. Arranged today to

change my two rolls per week for 7 issues of rice.

(very pleasing). Read etc until tea 1730 rice, gravy

and apple pudding. Played a bridge match and

won. Roll call 2000 bedmaking, JPM ran up

a rice and bully beef pie plus cocoa for

a supper, beginning to wonder if we are

P.O.W's L/O 2100. On piquet 0900-1100

NOTES

FRIDAY              5.3.43                383rd DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast 

0715 rice and gravy. Arranged today to make a

super tea for JPM and self. Reported sick last

night 1830 and at 0900 today went across to MIR

for an inhalation, A Japanese inhaling machine

with a bunsen burner. Made a chocolate pie (rice,

cocoa, margarine and sugar) and a curried

bully beef pie (rice, bully beef, curry powder and

margarine) for tea. Dinner 1200 bread roll and

gravy. Slept until 1600 read and then tea 1730

rice, fish and gravy (saved rice) plus the 2 pies

(really one of our best meals). Played a bridge

match in the league and lost. Roll call 2000. JPM made

a supper of rice and fish pie, buttered bread roll &

cocoa. So at L/O 2100 went to bed feeling full.

SATURDAY           6.3.43             384th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640, bedmaking, wash etc, 

b'fast 0730 rice and gravy. Made another rice, curry

and bully beef pie for tonight. Cleaned up the hut

for an inspection at 1030 by the Jap. supt of P.O.W

 and about 20 reporters from Tokyo. Dinner 1200

rice and gravy. Gave Capt Sinclair a B'King

lesson and he gave me a bowl of curried shrimps.

Read and rested until 1730 tea gruel, gravy

and the bully beef pie, used half the gruel with

the shrimps and half with cocoa and sugar

(used half our cocoa and sugar together). Read

and finished "Rebecca" today until roll call

2000. Bedmaking, cocoa then L/O 2100

 

NOTES

SUNDAY           7.3.43           385th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 bedmaking, wash etc, 

b'fast 0715

gruel and gravy. Made another rice, curry and bully 

beef pie for dinner. Drafted out a book keeping lesson

for Capt Sinclair. PJM and self are sharing our two

parcels and foodstuffs so it is [?] although it

is on its last legs. Played solo until dinner 1200

rice and gravy (saved rice till tea and had our bully beef

pie). Played solo after dinner until 1545 then had a  

hot tang, shave and bedmaking, read until tea 1700

rice, gravy and fish ( saved rice for tea me made

another bully beef pie). Played in the semi finals

of the hut Knock out bridge competition and

won. Roll call 2000 and then a grand supper

prepared by JPM (1) a fish pie and (2) a chocolate pie

(3) a good cup of cocoa. L/O 2100. As I cannot get

to sleep for ages I did another chaps piquet 2100/2300.

                                                                                

MONDAY         8.3.43               386th DAY P.O.W

Reveilli 0630 roll call 0640 bedmaking, wash etc, b'fast

0715 rice and gravy. Have developed a terrific earache

and cannot hear (right ear). I went on sick parade

at 0900 and had some drops put in and wadding.

Capt Sinclair came over and yarned for a while

I made him a cup of cocoa. Made a bully beef, curry

and rice pie also a chocolate pie for tea. Played

bridge until dinner 1200 rice and gravy. Slept

and read until tea 1730 rice (unpolished), gravy.

choc. pie and bully beef pie. From today each man

receives 1 tin of bully beef or M & V per 6 days. Played

in the hut bridge knockout final and won ¥1.

Roll call 2000,  bedmaking, cup of cocoa

L/O 2100