Diary of Robert Russell Walker, 1941-1945 - Part 4
6
AUG '44 19 Camp very quiet. Command performance of bank. Outrim Rd. 2 men 1 dies.
21 Bought some towgay 1lb $4.25. Balls still on red side. Went to band concert.
23 Went to Baseball A.I.F V U.S.A. - 4 - 11/ Went to Roadshow.
25 Very quiet. Weight now 10st 12lbs no good. Now on Ults/Viol/Rag for balls.
26 Went to Music Quiz. 9280 Went to Orchestral concert. Received Sept AUG Pay 430.
30 Went to lecture by Italian on Submarines, last night. Order out for only 3 offrs with O/R's sheep
31 Went Offrs concert b-dy awful show. 15 more bags of mail in making 42 this trip.
SEP 2 Stan has fever of some kind. Won first game in chess ladder. Brig Varley's visit.
3 5th Anniversary of war. Learnt to play crib.
5 Went to lecture on [[slums]] (6) Stan went to Hosp with Malaria. No mail yet in lines.
(8) Went into Hospital with Malaria. Cookie next to me.
11 Chas sent my name in his wireless message. Mal nearly gone.
14 Went to play "Speakeasy" a good effort. Mail still held up over censoring.
15 First issue of tobacco after all this time. Very poor weed.
17 Allan leaves hosp. Mail still heldup. Very quiet here. Jock brings occasional eggs.
18 Mail starting to appear. Weight 10st 5lbs. Received no mail yet.
22 Left Hosp. Stan still in. Weight 9st 13lbs. Received no mail yet.
24 Went to church. No mail. Concert for General.
25 Received first letter this mail from Dad. (26) Received letter from Lil.
28 Received Sept Pay $30.
30 Moved from Codie lines into but E.I. Settled in O.K. but rather crowded.
OCT 1 Settled down in new quarters, now OC E.T. Played in chess Tourney & beaten.
2 Went to Goal Playhouse good show marvellous building. No Veg issue for 10 days oil
short also towgay and other commodities.
5 Went to dentist for back tooth.
7 Stan comes out of Hosp. Weight 10ST 6lbs. Went to One Act Play in C/Grove
9 Started working in the gardens ½ day. Stan & I had small tin of pork for supper.
11 Went to Orchestral Concert. Garden work OK.
13 All shows lectures etc stopped temorarily (now for 1 week)
16 Blackant tests going on (17) A.R.P. exercise. Soya beans in ration insane.
18 Weight 10st 0lbs. Camp very quiet. Sugar now $10 per lb.
22 B/out fractures over. [1tal] move into gaol. Rupert etc in trouble re watches.
7
24 Feels like I am getting a cold. (25) I have a cold!! (26) Had an egg for Breakfast.
27 70 Bags of mail arrive. (28) Received OcT pay $30. No mail in lines yet.
29 Weight 10ST 5lbs. Very quiet no entertainments on now. Still gardening.
31 Received letter from Dad.
NOV 1 Went lecture on "Thetis". (4) Started little F.O.J. garden tomatoes. Mail very slow in
5 First planes over the island about 1100hrs I after over 2½ yrs. Went to church.
6 Rations poor. Hungry all the time. (7) Another plane over. Letter from Lil, Melb Cup race
11 Armistice day. 1000days P.O.W. I.J.A drill for armistice. issue of Log Cabin & 3 NUNS,
15 Camp quiet. Still in gardens. Went to "Autumn Crocus" also the "Serenaders"
176 Received letters from Mum & Lil. Put in some Tomatoe cuttings.
18 No tobacco issue will have to give it up again. Stories of Red + ships Gilbert's birthday 5 yrs old.
19 Started a roll of all Lismore lads over here.
21 31 today Tobacco very scarce Cheroots 24¢ roll tobacco $280 More planes about.
25 All very quiet. Still gardening. Rations very poor. Given up smoking again. Filled pen.
26 Fourth Anniversary. Evening meal all offrs. Supper cake B.J. few toasts. Anniversary church service.
28 Received pay for NOV $30. Weight 10ST 0lbs. (29) Went to show in C/Grove.
30 Still in gardens. Talk of Majs & Cols going into gaol. "Tempe" from beans.
DEC 1 Talk of 6,000 from R/Valley coming out. Talk of 4oz cut in rice ration (will make it 12oz day)
4 Chas gave me $5. Smoke ration to self no I cheroot per day. Nearly finished his roll.
9 trouble re Coleman what will be outcome. Went to "Dover Road" 3 act Play.
10 Went to Sime Rd toys. Getting a lot of headaches.
13 Sold notes Aust $12.75 Eng $16. Gave John $5. Went to "Twinkletoes" excellent pantomine
16 Chaps now smoking Potatoe leaves, Brindgel, Paw Paw also cherry tree leaves. Rumours of parties to Singapore etc.
19 Very wet & cold weather for the last days temp down to 76o Invitation to lines for Xmas
21 Word of party of 300 to Singapore 100 2/26 with Reg Swartz. Taking films at gaol - Sentences. Broadcast for Xmas. Presents of bees then sending a plate next morning for honey.
23 Very wet for days now. 1 Gal rum issued to Kranji Camp.
24 Received Xmas cards from Johnie Tarrant & McHugh. Cheroots - big ones 45¢ each 50¢ each.
26 Excellent Xmas day everyone in high spirits. 6 cigars from Nips too much to eat. Offr WOII & Sgts ducked in bath tub. Supper in lines. Breakfast on fried egg etc at Chas Opened tin milk
8
DEC 26 Visited hospital. Planted more tomatoe plants. Sample 2/26 meal on show.
29 Went to O/R's concert. Java weed in now at $3 per oz.
30 Started getting chess lessons from Usher. Talk of oil being available $2 per lb. Coconuts now $1.50
1945
JAN 1 Very quiet New Year's eve. Slightly better food for the day. Basketball & Baseball.
One Act plays very good. Camp is now just in monotonous daily routine.
8 First news of going in on "Q" Party in charge of A.I.F party of 100. Busy getting ready.
10 Left Changes for town by truck and landed in a new camp built for us. Maj. Taylor O.C. [[Hal ...]]
14 Work very reasonable but not much better ration than Changi Nips are fairly good too.
16 Work going fairly well Nips trying to push us all the time. Canteen difficulty overcome.
Out at work all day not much spare time. Men have a lot of Malaria. Meals O.K.
21 Sunday in camp. Br may not come out now. Move round in Hut.
24 Very +quiet. Work proceeding OK. VONK. HOFSTEDE. RAWLINGS
31 A very quiet month after we arrived in our new camp.
FEB 1 Started on extra hours now work to 2000hrs two days per week. Very wet weather.
6 Received JAN PAY $50. Started in Hut chess ladder.
9 Top of Ladder very wett weather on job. Last week very wet. Bad working.
12 100gms cut in Rice Ration. Started camp gardens outside camp.
17 Very wet weather. Work slow. Food low owing to Chinese holidays.
18 Weight 9ST 4lbs. Presents of Beer and Saki to Maj Taylor.
22 First issue of cigarettes at 50¢ per pkt. Still very wet.
27 Working off wall for a few days in dumps. Rain is easing off.
28 "P" Party now coming out this way. Received. Feb pay $50.
MAR 1 Red + ship arrives. High hopes everywhere.
4 Big rush on. First Sunday work. Saw Ben Barnett. Work heavy.
10 First news of further cut in rice ration now 300 gms per day. (11) Work on Sunday. Very heavy.
13 Just finished 4 days at home with bad cold in head.
14 Purchase of sweet potatoes. Changi now on 6 oxs rice + corn. Work good.
18 Good canteen supplies coming in. Beverly's 7th birthday.
21 Dry rations arrive possibility of another 3 mths stay here. Still wet weather.
22 Rations cut again. Rice now 212gms, maize 54 gms oil sugar salt same as before. Less Tapioca with Veg issue.
Calories per day 950.
9
MAR 28 Received March pay $35.
30 Started on new work. Earlier start later finishing. Tapioca feeds. Doc's cakes
APR 2 New work includes tunnelling under a hill.
3 Received an old letter from Dad. Weather clearing up a little very hot on job.
7 Word of increase in ration to 500gms. All hoping.
9 Silver City cigs for sale. Long walk to a new job. Work fairly reasonable.
12 Hours long. Work hard. Small rations. (13) Lil's birthday.
16 Still a long walk job. No ration increase yet. Weight 8st 1lb.
20 Red + parcels arrive. No increase in new rations for heavy duty.
22 Had a look at other job. Stew on job from Garden. Toying to sell my watch.
24 Sold watch for $250 rich for a day or so. Biggs back on job today. Many sick in camp.
27 Something started. Very wet working. Rations still poor.
28 Received Pay for April $35. 2500lbs tapioca in canteen.
30 Half day holiday. Red Cross food very nice.
MAY 1 Wet day, half day off. No of sick in camp 73. (A.I.F. 36) Is y out.
6 Half day work. Coffee, milk, gula, rolled outs, jam and extra Tapioca in.
7 New party of extra 100 arrive 50 A.I.F. 50 ENG (1 USA). Very crowded now in camp. New
men on same work as us. Sick going down now 6R. Brosnan to Hospital.
10 Sick position better now 43. Rumours of tunnelling to stop on 15? First man killed 2/30
13 Half day off. Men now off shift work, work all day on contract.
16 Plenty of hard work 1M per day. Chinese garden, cane etc. Hosp party late Trying to send sick men to Kranji
Pte Billsborough sent to Hosp with injured right hand. Quinine trouble.
17 40 gals Palm oil arrive. (19) Ration day new scale O.K. Arrival of Red + Toilet Articles.
20 Half day off. Last of Red + Supplies issued.
22 Started a 3rd job on long walk. Extra salt sugar jam & milk in energy rations - Cigs issued
24 Total of 6 now on Bigg's job. Sick figures slightly rising Why? Weight 8st 10lbs.
28 Received May pay $35 (30) Sickness bad. (27) Holiday full day.
31 Work hard, many sick. Cigs arrive none for sick people.
JUNE 1 Heavy rain making a mess of our work. Tunnels very dangerous at present.
4 To falling in, in some areas. Alot of Bronchitis & Flu about, damp air.
6 Pte Sullivan to Duffy camp also RSM Neild. New offr in command POW'S Johore. Good cigarette issues.
First death in camp. C/Malaria.
10
JUNE 11 Toyama arrives inn camp. Started on new job, slightly shorter week. Saw Russ Mackie.
12 Sick in camp lose 50 gms rice per day. Pay monthly for O/R's
13 Energy rations arrive. (15) Tapioca now $1.50lb
16 Received letter from Dad. (17) Sent Radio message. Half day work.
18 Issue of ∧ Sandshoes Sweat towels & soap. New job not so good home last night 2100hrs.
24 Very quiet. Full day work. Sold some old coins. Sgt and one leave for another job. Neild & others return.
25 Sold eight old coins for hundred dollars.
30 Received Pay for June $50. Toyama presents pineapples & Oil in canteen
3 Job in woodyard. Big meals on Sunday, frys with the oil! Much Malaria
5 Started work in ∧ (6) 4 old tunnels.
8 Sold pen for $700. New work OK. (10) Sold an old gold ring $45. Whitebait issue.
10 Weight 8St 8lb. (11) Four men caught outside the camp wire up till 0230hrs.
14 TAB needle. Issue of Red + Clothing (20) Cheeroot issue.
22 Laid up with Colic. Just enough to stay in
24 No of sick increasing in camp. Men worn out. No today 87
26 Gm A:drich H E Died 1800hrs today Beri Beri.
27 Went with funeral party to bury Aldrich. Saw Robin Fletcher. Had a long journey round.
28 Pte Cumiskey P.J. died 0600 hrs today Beri Beri.
29 Have had a week in camp and feel much better for the change.
31 Pte Carter died 1530 hrs today. B/B & Malaria. Also a Dutchman died.
AUGUST 1 Went in with funeral party everything IK. Meat arrived in camp 22 Kilog
2 Dog meat. Nips bring it in. LV sick a couple of days in camp.
3 Two dog catchers out today no result. New camp of 100 nearby. Tapioca now $2
4 Received pay for July $50. Trouble over maize.
5 Full day holiday. Men being cooking etc. Quiz in Hut AVB
8 Rumours & word of move to a new camp, but when?
11 Having some days off. Men much better for rest.
12 Weight today 9St 1lb. Still resting no word of move
14 Still resting in camp. May move in a week. 30 men going out daily. Sick figures down.
15 New work at Barracks. Matthews incident
18 Suspenders still on.
11
L.V.TAYLOR
c\- BANK NSW. HOBART.
19 Move Back to Changi. Drive through city. Truck stopped $320 presents etc.
20 Move into old A.I.F Areas offrs move in. Now OC No 2 Coy. Maurie Norm
Ern, Graham Bourke. Much movement, clarifications, etc.
23 2000 hrs "Cease Fire" fol Malaya Ships coming?
25 Medical paratroops expected today. Issues of XOOA cigs. Meat + fish more plentiful
J.G. HALKEMA _ KOHL (26) Weight 9st 6lbs
c\- MILITAIRE LUVHTVAART ← Cattle buyer for JAVA GOVT
BANDOENG. ANDIR. JAVA
28 Issues of butter, cheese, etc. Food appears to be plentiful now. New clothing issued
to everyone colours of singlets etc. Still plenty of cigs. No sight of our people yet.
First allied plane over low. "Liberation" Dropped pamphlets. Rations improving
Putting on weight fast.
30 Plane over again about 0250 dropped parachutes on Changi Drome.
First actual issue of Int Red + Cigs. Pineapple 2 to 1 tin. Food position now is fairly
good, we are receiving XXX 3800 calories per day. Yesterday B.J. had a trip
around all the POW camps on the Island. Everyone very impatient.
First British personnel in camp, all paratroops. Weight 9ST 8lbs
31 Plane over again more expected today. Many stories nut not many of them true. Nip Guards
taken off the perimeter wire, our own guards now taken over. Tin pineapple to2. Red + issue Cigs.
Two New Zealanders in camp, landed at Civil Airport in "Mosquito" leaving tomorrow
Went toa concert in the Grove. Broadcasts everyday now.
SEPT 1 Two "mosquitoes" over. Very quiet Saw the paratroops for the first time. Some Red +
Comfort parcels about. Our new kitchen started today, big improvement. First small
issue of Red + to men. Broadcasts (short wave) everyday & night now
2 More Liberators over One Mosquitoes. Some Guerillas arrive including a RAPWI Lt-Col
Listened to the broadcast from Tokyo Harbour on the USS Missouri. Transmitter
operating direct to Colombo. 88 Cylinder dropped today.
3 Flags officially hoisted on gail tower. Planes over again. Won a british
Reel + packet. Pte Brown died. Lt. Col (Aust) and other press reps arrive by
parachute. First warship in tomorrow.
4 Bn Pde Funeral for Pte Brown.
12
1945 5 Chas goes into town. Everyone expecting our troops to enter Singapore today.
SEPT Rations much improved Rice is being cut as much as possible.
Our troops landed today. Chas witnessed some of the landing. Stan sick again
6 More reporters & people about. Blond girl press rep. First letter form sent home.
First Americans leave Changi for home. Have a stinking cold. M Trip over to
7 Selarang & Aerodrome. Fun in building with boongs. Much scrounging.
Visit of VAD girl to huts. Still no definite word of our leaving. Yanks all gone
8 Went for a walk about all morning. Men allowed nearly anywhere now. Still no
word of when we leave. Good is still very poor talk of Indian rations today or tomorrow
End of the Sussex in camp. Brig Lloyd in Camp. Aust Hosp opening at Katong.
Trips to Singapore etc. Still no decent pencils about.
9 Men still dashing off to Singapore ad lib. Chas trouble. First Aust. Paratroops arrive
at Klang aerodrome. Everyone very amazed about our position. Poms leaving daily.
10 Phil Le Cornu came to visit us "Paratrooper" Wrote a letter & sent a cable to Lil. First
Talkies in camp.
12 Trip to town saw "Mununda" "Sussex" & a Submarine. Saw surrender
[ * KUO FUNG TING 81 HIGH ST* ]
ceremony. Had lunch with Mr Koo. Trip home by truck. May embark in 7 days.
13 Had our first bread & butter, Saw our first talkies. Went for a swim
"Thousands Cheer"
14 Went to Talkies again :"Princess & the Pirate" All A.I.F sick gone. We may go soon. probably next week.
15 Went to another talkie show "Hangover Square" Schemozle in IJA camp looting etc
Terrible wating men drunk and hard to control. Walking out of camp. Wrote two
letters home. Still no mail in or cables. Food not so wonderful at present.
16 Very quiet day went for another swim, Going to town tomorrow. Rations very poor.
Writing letters but are they getting home.
17 Marvellous day in town Spent most of it on the "Nelson" Meals etc. Gun turrets.
Shopping. Hitch hike home.
18 Visit to Korean camp for war criminals etc. News we may leave in two days
Weight 10STONE. Received 210 ∧C O, [[lay]]. First issue of beer ½ bottle per man. Went to Talkies
saw Hedy La Marr in "Untamed"
19 Word we move on 21st. Trip into "SAN FOIN". Present for Lil
[[13 unmarked]]
19 letter from Mum not much in it,
20 Ready to move tomorrow. Went to talkies saw "Topper Returns"
21 Left Changi 0730 Now on boat with Chas, Ferg, Stan. Small Cabin.
23 Settled down in ship OK. Trying to buy plenty of smokes for home.
Meals good. Cabin small. Water short. Expect to leave today.
24 Left Singapore about 1230 hrs. Now on the way home at last. Meals
still food and we are well settled in,
25 Still a good smooth trip.
27 Saw some volcanoes last night. Sea still calm. Been off colour for a few days.
29 Arrived Darwin received messages. Sent messages. Going to Sydney
OCT 31 Left Darwin, Saw Miss Valinadre. Lieut Stevenson
Blank pages in
this item have
not been
scanned
| FORCE | DESTINATION |
No |
2/26 BN | |
|
'A' |
BURMA |
2996 |
179 |
|
|
'B' |
BORNEO |
1487 |
48 |
|
|
'C' |
JAPAN |
552 |
2 |
|
|
'D' |
THAILAND |
2218 |
– |
|
|
'E' |
BORNEO |
500 |
|
|
|
'F' |
THAILAND |
3662 |
619 |
|
|
'G' |
JAPAN |
200 |
9 |
|
|
'H' |
THAILAND |
666 |
40 |
|
|
'J' |
JAPAN |
299 |
15 |
|
|
'K' |
THAI (MEDICAL) |
55 |
|
|
|
'L' |
" " |
73 |
|
|
| GENERALS - JAPAN |
140 |
1 |
||
| SUMATRA |
74 |
|
||
| OUTRIM RD |
10 |
|
||
| SELETAR |
6 |
|
||
| O/SEAS FROM JAVA |
582 |
|
||
| TULIP FORCE - BURMA |
47 |
|||
| DISCHARGED |
13 |
|||
| EVACTUATED |
1017 |
|||
| D.O.W. |
102 |
|||
| D.O.C. |
146 |
|||
| K.I.A. |
487 |
|||
| MISSING |
1837 |
|||
| B/MATI |
381 |
|||
| CHANGI |
1806 |
|||
|
19,355 |
[[ This page has floor plan ]]
POST WAR - AUCTIONEERING
First and forEmost us to reorganise the layout of the
office and staff. Below are two plans to work on merely as
a basis. Although the main idea is to have the office neat,
and laid out in a manner to handle business of all types
at the same time, it is to be realised that the former does
not appreciate, what could be termed "Flashiness" good plain furnishings
are just as comfortable as ":ultra" furniture and the client will feel
more at ease in plain surroundings. Inside walls to be
FIG 1 FIG 2
[ [ 2 floor plans ] ]
of 3 ply with mottled glass in tops. walls would not extend to
ceiling,. Comfortable chairs, heaters for winter and fand for the summer.
A perfect set of books to be kept by a reliable man and some
system of filing adopted.
BLANK PAGE
| 8 NOV | QX11301 | PTE | PHILLIPSON .H. |
MAL DYS |
NO 3 CAMP - THAILAND |
| QX11338 | " | SMALL .F. | NO " " | ||
| 26 OCT | QX17249 | SGT | HOARE V.P. | ULC DEB | NO 3 " " |
| 16536 | PTE | WARD W.J. | |||
| 4 |
" | ||||
| 17636 | " | McKAY ALEX | C/MAL | NO 3 " " | |
| 23 JUN 43 | " | BARWICK W.J. | C/MAL | " " " | |
| 12 DEC " | " | CROYLE A.R. |
AMP DYS. MAL |
KANBURI " " | |
| 11 JAN 44 | QX15103 | CPL | MILLS .A. | C\BB | " |
| 29 MAY 43 | PTE | UNDERWOOD .C.W. | CHOLERA | NO 1 CAMP THAILAND | |
| 28 JUL 45 | QX11211 | " | CUMISKEY P.J. | B.B. | JOHORE BAHRU GRAVE NO 34 |
"C" COY WOUNDED IN ACTION DEC 8. 41 - FEV 15 42 ---
| QX 17836 | LIEUT | TAYLOR E.R. | 25.1.42 |
| " 17841 | WO11 | MCHUGH R.P. | KRANJI 8.2. |
| " 17276 | L/SGT | TARRANT J.H. (PTE) | KLUANG 25.1 |
| " 14041 | CPL | CAROLAN H.S. | 10.2 |
| " 12262 | PTE | COLLINS R.J. | KLUANG 25.1 |
| " 10305 | " | GILL R.H. | KLUANG 25.1 |
| " 14066 | " | FERGUSON H.B. | " 25.1 |
| " 10204 | " | FREIR F R'm'don Duty | 10.2 |
| " 21081 | " | FAIRWEATHER C.C. | 10.2 |
| " | BIDSTRUP H. | S. RENGAM 26.1 | |
| " | CROFT J. | KLUANG 25.1 | |
| " | MORLEY J. | S.R. 26.1 | |
| " | CHAY J.H. | CATHAY 15.2 | |
| " | OAKROOT W. | KRANJI LEG 8.2 | |
| " | GUY H.A. | 40¼ LEG 29.1 | |
| NX35537 | " | FLOOD G.W. | " BACK 29.1 |
| QX11211 | PTE | CUMISKEY P.J. | DIED 0600HRS 8 JUL 45 BERI BERI |
-------------- "C" COY HONOUR ROLL 1942-1944 ----------------
| 28 JAN 42 | QX17505 | SGT | HORSLEY K.T. | KILLED IN ACTION - 40¼ M.P. | |
| 25 " " | " 11259 | L\CPL | BANNAH V.J. | " " " - AYER HITAM | |
| 28 " " | " 11607 | Pte | DAWSON P.W. | KILLED IN ACTION - 30¼ M.P. | |
| 28 " " | " 16482 | " | NICOL C.J. | MISSING BELEIVED KILLED - 30¼ M.P. | |
| 29 " " | " 9881 | " | WHITMORE R.A. | KILLED IN ACTION - 30¼ M.P. | |
| 30 " " | " 14123 | " | NESLON L.W. | " " " - " " | |
| 19 " " | " 11504 | " | DOYLE J.F. | ACCIDENTALY SHOT - SEGAMET | |
| 10 FEB " | VX61560 | " | KINNIBURGH J.H. | KILLED IN ACTION - FARRAR RD, S'PORE | |
| 21 MAR " | QX14796 | " | CALLAGHAN G.A. | DYSENTRY - CHANGI | |
| CHANGI '42 | " 12008 | L\CPL | ENNETT F.E. | ACCIDENTLY KILLED - " | |
| 26 MAY '43 | " 17117 | CPL | COMERFORD J.M. | CHOLERA | THAILAND - SHIMO SONKARAI - CHOLERA |
| 27 " " | " 14865 | "PTE | BOON J.G. | " |
" " " " |
| " " " | " 16396 | " | BIDSTRUP .N. | " |
" " " " |
| " " " | " 10619 | CPL | PEDELTY W | " |
" " " " |
| 31 " " | " 16517 | S/SGT | GIBBS F.O. |
158 Mary St St 29 T'w'ba |
" " " " |
| " " " | " 14688 | PTE | GRANT E.R. | 21 |
" " " " |
| 4 JUN " | VX61250 | " | McFAYDEN J.A. | " | " " " " |
| 29 JAN 42 | NX4709 | " | UPSTONE C.W. | " | KILLED IN ACTION - 40¼ M.P. |
| 8 JUN 43 | QX15224 | WDII | WILSON H.N. |
72 York St Hobart |
THAILAND-SHIMO SON KURAI - CHOLERA |
| 20 " " | QX10585 | Pte | KERR G.D.A. |
CHOLERA DEV |
" " " " + C. MAL |
| 27 AUG 43 | VX63564 | " | MCEVOY .A. |
CHOLERA DYS |
" " " " - DYS |
| " " " | QX13575 | " | BREEN .P. | DEB | No 2 CAMP. THAILAND |
| " " " | QX18668 | " | LONG .E. | DYS | No 2 CAMP. THAILAND |
| 5 SEP 43 | VX65556 | " | SALKELD .A.W. | DYS | BURMA HOSPITAL (TANBAYA) |
| 30 " " | QX14102 | " | WATT .H. | DYS | " " " |
| 7 OCT " | QX17150 | L\CPL | BROWN W.A. |
ULC JAUND |
" " " |
| 8 OCT " | QX17150 | L\CPL | McDONALD I.H. |
CHOLERA DYS |
" " " |
| 25 " " | QX15211 | PTE | ROWNTREE A.N. | DYS | " " " |
| 1 DEC | QX15004 | " | WAY W.E. | C\BB | KANBURI |
| 10 DEC | QX10204 | PTE | FREIER F. | DYS | BURMA HOSPITAL (TANBAYA) |
| 16 " | QX9387 | " | FORD G.A. | C\BB | KANBURI |
| 16 NOV | QX14071 | " | SLATER R.R. | C/MAL | No 2 CAMP. |
THINGS ONE DOES IN A POW CAMP
We get up before daylight to have a shower to avoid the rush.
We read, yarn, play cards. God for walks, try to enjoy
meal times, enjoy our limited cigarettes & tobacco.
Go to concerts.
Become bored but get over it.
Try to shave with blunt Razor blades.
Do duties, go to school or do fatigues.
Take long walks to our latrines to urinate our rice out.
Make up lists for Bn of all kinds.
OUR BEDROOM - ADAM Rd.
Plan of bedroom
Diagram of truck
The Japanese have a type of camouflage new to us , it
consists of a frame built over the bonnet of the car or
truck and extending as far as the front bumper bar. Thus
breaks all the line from above and should be very effective.
Of course trucks with canopies over the rear are paint camouflage.
The normal Japanese army colour is a brown khaki.
Cars are sometimes camouflaged by tying palm leaves
down and over the top of the car having the same effect
as the framework on trunks.
Use is made of all captured trucks and tractors but
those in disrepair are more or less driven to a standstill
and then dumped for scrap. This is the type of truck supplied
for the English drivers and they find it difficult to keep
them on the road also they are issued with only 5 gals
of petrol per day, consequently it is a common sight to
see them towing each other near the end of a work day.
All the wrecks such as burnt, disabled, "scorched"
and damaged trunks were all towed from the streets and
placed in dumps in the city handy to the wharves and
no doubt they will be sent away for scrap metal. These
numbered many hundreds and included all civilian
as well as army wrecks.
The method of handling these wrecks is crude but
effective they merely hook on with a tractor and yank
it along the road, it doesn't matter if the wreck has a
wheel or wheels or none at all, we have even seen sedans
being dragged along on the side and smoke flying out
from contact with the bitumen.
All Japanese transport appear to be well cared for
and have a least two drivers or one driver and one man
sitting in the back of the truck to signal the truck behind
with a blue flag. The convoy is always led by an
officer in a car who checks loads, speeds, etc.
One truck manufactured by Japan is called the
"NISSAN" and it appears to be well built, in the 9 TON
class and has a forward cabin. They also have a
truck much like a Ford and must be built under
license.
They do not appear to have any uniform Staff
Cars but use cars as they pick them up and the
result is they have all shapes and sizes, which I consider
is detrimental because it makes i much harder to
obtain and carry spare parts etc.
Motor cycles used are mostly our captured ones,
but their own are Harley Davidsons and I think one other
make. They do not appear to be good riders and as a
rule most of the machines need a lot of maintainance.
Cycles from a major form of transport and nearly
every Japanese who doesn't travel by truck etc has a
cycle and all cycles are grabbed as required.
The number of vehicles captured from us was enormous
and must be a huge saving to the Japanese.
Convoy as a rule drove very slowly not exceeding
25 MPH but we often see individual trucks moving very fast, but
they are usually our own trucks.
Our own trucks they severly over load 15cwt trucks
will carry 25-30 men 3 tonners carry as many as 70 no doubt
it is unsafe and hard on the trucks but it is much better
than marching.
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