Diary of Robert Russell Walker, 1941-1945 - Part 6
OUR 3rd HOME 4th AVENUE 24 AUG 42 -
TOP FLOOR
Diagram - see original document
GROUND FLOOR
Diagram - see original document
MOVES SINCE JOINING A.I.F. 28 NOV 40
Lismore to Grovelly Coys I have had
Grovelly B " " A "C" Coy
Grovelly " Redbank "3" Coy Adm Pk
Redbank " Bathurst "3" " 4th AV M.Ts & RATIONS
Bathurst " Changi "B" " Changi
Changi " Kota Tingi "2" " Havelock Rd
K.Tingi " Changi "B" " Changi
Changi " Jasin "A" " "
Jasin " Kota Tingi "3" Thailand
Kota Tingi " Jementah "2" P.O.W. CAMP J.
Jementah action to Singapore HOSP 'A' STAFF. THAIL'ND
Singapore to Changi WARDMASTER. W 6 " "
Changi " Hospital "E" WARD BURMA
Hospital " Changi OC. WARDS KLM "
Changi " Adam Pk " " 3 "DYS"
Adam Pk " Bukit Timah " " 6 "
B. Timah " Changi UNDERTAKER KANBURI
Changi " Havelock Rd O.C. "DOWN COUNTRY" PARTY
Havelock Rd " River Valley Rd H.Q. COY. CHANGI
R/Valley Rd " Havelock Rd ADMIN (GOAL CENTURIAN).
Havelock Rd " Changi OFFR'S GROUP
Changi " Thailand OC HUT "EI"
Thailand " Burma O.C. A.I.F. 'Q' PARTY
Burma " Thailand No 2 COY 2/26 BN.
Thailand " Singapore (Changi)
Changi " Changi Goal.
Changi Gaol " Johore Bahru
JOHORE BAHRU " CHANGI
1
THINGS ONE MISSES IN A P.O.W. CAMP
Wife, family & home.
Freedom. mail from home
Nice sponge cake with Jelly filling & Cream on top
Sweets, Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fresh meat, (although
we have a little) bread, butter, Jam (a little of each we get now)
Grills
Beer or Stengahs
A car to run about in.
Plenty of clothes
Soap for washing, razor blades, in fact all toilet articles.
Talkies. The [[triangle symbol?]]Club
The surf
Somewhere to spend money and some money to spend
Decent bed.
1943 2-26 Bn CHOLERA - DEATHS (Thailand 1943) MAY -
18 May Pte Bazzo 30 May Pte BENHAM. E J. 8 June WOII WILSON H.N. "C"
21 " " While .H. 31 " " SANDS .E. 8 " Pte GIBBARDS. F.D.
" " Cpl LAWSON W " " " HANSEN .W. 11 " " TURNER. H.W.
26 " " COMERFORD J. "C" " " S/SGT GIBBS F.O. "C" 13 " " PAYNE T.R.
27 " Pte BOON J.C. "C" " " Pte GRANT E.R. "C" 16 " * " KLIENDIEST
" " " BIDSTRUP N. "C" 1 JUN " KEELING J.W. 20 " + Pte KERR G.A. "C"
" " " FLYNN. C " " " OSTROPHSKI D.E. 21 " + " BLACKWELL J.
" " " O'CONNOR R " " " MALLORY W.E. 5 JULY * " BILLINGHURST
" " " LONG G 2 " " BLACOW W 10 " * + " MUSSING W.
" " Cpl PEDELTY W "C" " " " BENNETT A.E. 27 " ¤ Sgt COUGHRANE.T.
28 " Pte FITZPATRICK .R. 3 " " TWYFORD .G. 31 " Pte GILCHRIST .J.
" " Sgt MULVENA W.A. 4 " " McFADYEN J.A. "C" 9 AUG ¤ " BROCKHURST A.N.
29 " Pte YOUNG A.C. 5 " " RICKARD J.N. " " ¤ " ROWE H.V.
" " " HOLLYMAN W.A. 5 " " McDOWELL W.E. 13 " ¤ Sgt MOONEY J.
2 JUNE " McLEOD J.D. 6 " " SELLICK .M 14 " ¤ Pte BOWERS H.E.
29 MAY " UNDERWOOD C.W. "C"* 6 " " IRWIN R 22 " ¤ " SPLETTER J.
Cpl PORTER ¤ B/WATER ∇∇ ¤ DYSENTRY 27 " ¤ " McEVOY A
* CEREBAL MALARIA 30 " ¤ " ROW
+ CARDIAC B.BERI BBERI
PURCHASES TOILET ARTICLES - ESTIMATED FINANCIAL STATE
FOR 12 MTHS
Razor Blades 10 Pkts 15.0 1942 ₤ 448:15:3
Shav'g Soap 3 tubes 6.0 1945 341:15:6
Hairoil 12 Jars 18.0 1944 341:15:6
Combs 2 2.0 1945 341:15:6
Toothbrushes 4 8.0
" " 4 8.0
Bootpolish 20 @ 6d 10.0
Toilet Soap 26 @ 4d 8.8
₤3.16. -
CLOTHING PURCHASES.
2 Suits @ ₤7.7.0 & ₤8.8.0 ₤15.15.0
3 Prs work'g trousers @ 45/- 6 undpants @ 4/6 8.2.0
6 Shirts @ 12/6 3.15.0
1 Hat 1.5.0
2 Prs Shoes @ 32/6 3.5.0
6 Pr Sox @ 4/6 1.7.0
4 Ties @ 4/6 18.0
1 Sports Coat 3.5.0
1 Swimming Trunks 1.1.0
1 Overcoat 4.4.0
Odds & ends 3.10.0
₤49.7.0
Cash by Xmas 1942
9 Months deferred pay ₤ 61.17.6
Present " " 53.16.6
9 Months pay 151.5.0
Pay now in pay book 58.3.9
Doubtful remittance 25.0.0
₤352.2.9
₤ 1,370
1942 June 43
ROUGH ESTIMATE EXPENDITURE Paybook 222.1.7 )
Holiday 100 ) Draft & Uni Allow 30.0.0 ) ₤164.11.2
House 100 ) Def 'd Pay 129.15.6 )
Save 100 ) Allot' Bank 66.18.2 )
Clothing 53 ) ₤ 448.15.3 )
₤353 )
Pay due in fortnightly periods Deferred Pay Bank Allot ½ of Total
1 - 14 Jan 1943 7 . 14 . 0 3 . 3 . 0 1 . 16 . 2 12 . 13 . 2
5 - 28 " 15 . 8 . 0 6 . 6 . 0 3 . 12 . 4 25 . 6 . 4
29 - 11 Feb 23 . 2 . 0 9 . 9 . 0 5 . 8 . 6 37 . 19 . 6
12 - 25 " 30 . 16 . 0 12 . 12 . 0 7 . 4 . 8 50 . 12 . 8
26 - 11 March 38 . 10 . 0 15 . 15 . 0 9 . 0 . 10 63 . 5 . 10
12 - 25 " 46 . 4 . 0 18 . 18 . 0 10 . 17 . 0 75 . 19 . 0
26 - 8 April 53 . 18 . 0 22 . 1 . 0 12 . 13 . 2 88 . 12 . 2
9 - 22 " 61 .12 . 0 25 . 4 . 0 14 . 9 . 4 101 . 5 . 6
23 - 6 May 69 . 6 . 0 28 . 7 . 0 16 . 5 . 6 113 . 18 . 5
7 - 20 " 77 . 0 . 0 31 . 10 . 0 18 . 1 . 8 126 . 11 . 8
21 - 3 June 84 . 14 . 0 34 . 13 . 0 19 . 17 . 10 139 . 4 . 10
3 - 17 " 92 . 8 . 0 37 . 16 . 0 21 . 14 . 0 151 . 18 . 0
18 - 1 July 100 . 2 . 0 40 . 19 . 0 23 . 10 . 2 166 . 11 . 2
2 - 15 " 107 . 16 . 0 44 . 2 . 0 25 . 6 . 4 177 . 4 . 4
16 - 29 " 115 . 10 . 0 47 . 5 . 0 27 . 2 . 6 189 . 17 . 6
30 - 12 August 123 . 4 . 0 50 . 8 . 0 28 . 18 . 8 202 . 10 . 8
13 - 26 " 130 . 18 . 0 53 . 11 . 0 30 . 14 . 10 215 . 3 . 10
27 - 9 September 138 . 12 . 0 56 . 14. 0 32 . 11 . 0 227 . 17 . 0
10 - 13 " 146 . 6 . 0 59 . 16 . 0 34 . 7 . 2 240 . 10 . 2
14 - 27 " 154 . 0 . 0 63 . 0 . 0 36 . 3 . 4 253 . 3 . 4
28 - 11 October 161 . 14 . 0 66 . 3 . 0 37 . 19 . 6 265 . 16 . 6
11 - 24 " 169 . 8 . 0 69 . 6 . 0 39 . 15 . 8 278 . 9 . 8
25 - 7 November 177 . 2 . 0 72 . 9 . 0 41 . 11 . 10 291 . 2 . 10
8 - 21 " 164 . 16 . 0 75 . 12 . 0 43 .8 . 0 303 . 16 . 0
22 - December 192 . 10 . 0 78 . 15 . 0 45 . 4 . 2 316 . 9 . 2
5 - 18 200 . 4 . 0 61 . 18 . 0 47 . 0 . 4 329 . 2 . 4
19 - 1 January 207 . 18 . 0 85 . 1 . 0 48 . 16 . 6 341 . 15 . 6
ADDITIONS TO HOUSE
Back verandah - Glassed in with sliding windows.
Workroom with bench and tools.
Complete, Garage board in sides
Diagram - see original document
P.O.W - ADAM PARK - CANTEEN PRICES 1942 1944
Aspargus 80¢ Chinese Sauce 45¢ Sauce 90¢
Pilchards 65¢ Pineapple Cubes 45¢ W/Sauce 1.75
Pork & Beans 60¢ Loaf 18 - 20¢ Cigars 10 & 14¢
Soups 40¢ Coconuts 3 - 5¢ Cigs 1.25 (10)
Honey 50¢ - $1.50 Coconuts .75
Tomato Sauce 50¢ Sugar 3.40
Biscuits 10¢ Gula 1.80
Bread Rolls 10¢ Pencils 1.80
Cigs 15-25 - 30¢ Paw Paw (Med) 1.60
Cigars 30¢ packet of 10
Jams 80¢ tin
Dec 44 Nov 44 Sep 44
Java $3.00 Sugar $10.00 Gula - $5 lb
C/nuts $1.50 cheroots .25 ($7.00 Gula 5.40 Sugar-($6.40 lb
Salt 2.40 ($10.00 " Cigs 2.00 Tob. Java-$1.90oz
Peanuts $12.80 Peanuts - 6.80
Cigars - 20¢ ea
Salt 1.40 lb
Onions - 37¢ oz
Cig papers - 30¢ Pkt
ONE WEEKS MENU - 4th AVENUE
22 - 29 JULY
WED BR'KFAST RICE, STEW, EGG, TEA
LUNCH " FRIED VEGETABLES
TEA " MEAT & VEG STEW, DATE PASTIE
THURS BR'KFAST " & EGG
LUNCH " MUSHROOM SOUP
TEA " & M & V STEW, PINEAPPLE PASTIE
FRID BR'KFAST " & M & V " + EGG
LUNCH " VEG STEW
TEA " M & V ", BAKED PUMPKIN, (CABBAGE
(2 CAKES
(PINEAPPLE
SAT BR'KFAST " MUSHROOM SOUP
LUNCH " JAM & PINEAPPLE
TEA NO ) ROAST MEAT BOILED SPINACH, ASPARGUS ON TOAST
RICE) " PUMPKIN GRAVY,
) " YAM PINEAPPLE PIE, CIGARS
SUN BR'KFAST RICE, MEAT STEW, EGG
LUNCH PINEAPPLE, RICE BREAD, CUCUMBER, ETC (No rice)
TEA RICE, MEATSTEW, BAKED VEG'S PUMPKIN PIE
MON BR'KFAST RICE, MEAT STEW, 2 EGGS
LUNCH BREAD PINEAPPLE ETC
TEA RICE STEW VEGS, DATE PASTIE
TUES BR'KFAST RICE, STEW
LUNCH STEW, BREAD JAM ETC
TEA STEAK, R'ST VEG'S P.PASTIE
In addition to the foregoing we
always have morning & afternoon
teas with some cookie, usually
of rice cakes or scones. (Supper too)
On the table we have Salt
& Pepper, Rice Bread & Margarine, Jam,
Tomatoe Sauce, Vegemite and
Coconut and Pineapple when
available, toasted rice bread, Worcestershire
Sauce.
OUR HOME 4th JULY -
Diagram - see original document
OUR 2nd HOME 3rd AVENUE 13 AUG 42
Diagram - see original document
BANPONG - TO - TAM BUSIAT
- 1943-1944 -
| KILOMETRES | CAMPS | REMARKS | |||
| DISTANCES | |||||
| April | Up | Down | March | ||
| 25 | 0 | 433 | 0 | BANPONG | Starting point for march north |
| 26 | 25 | 408 | 25 | TARO | First staging camp. Short rest for daytime |
| 28 | 50 | 383 | 25 | KANBURI | 2nd " " Nights rest |
| 29 | 70 | 371 | 20 | ONEYA | Pagodas on river bank. Daylight rest |
| 1 | 90 | 351 | 20 | WAMPO | 4th staging camp. Nights rest |
| 2 | 115 | 338 | 25 | TAHSO | Big base camp 'D' Force. Daylight rest |
| - | 120 | 328 | 5 | TONSHAN | Roadside watering place on top of long hill |
| 3 | 133 | 318 | 13 | KANYU | Camp in bamboo thicket swamp. Daylight rest |
| 5 | 157 | 315 | 24 | KINSIOK |
Daylight rest. Small coral camp on right of road. Cookhouse on river |
| 6 | 183 | 311 | 26 | WOPING |
Camp off rd. Long walk to river-waterfall. Dutch camp |
| 8 | 205 | 305 | 22 | BRENKARI | "Hitler" camp. Nights rest |
| 9 | 222 | 300 | 17 | TAKANUN | Camp in off road. Nights rest) |
| 10 | 244 | 294 | 22 | TAMERAPAR | Camp in off road thru car park.Daylight rest. (Camp in off road on hill. Nights rest) |
| 11 | 267 | 274 | 23 | KONKOITA | Col. Kappe's first HQ's. Daylight rest. |
| 274 | 267 | 7 | TIAMONTHA | Roadside watering point | |
| Arr12 | 294 | 244 | 20 | NIEKIE(SHIMO) | 2 days rest. No shelter |
| left15 | |||||
| - | 300 | 222 | 6 | NIEKIE | Working camp. "F" Force HQ's. Ration depot |
| 15 | 305 | 205 | 5 | SHIMO SONKURAI | Australian working camp |
| 311 | 183 | 6 | SONKURAI | English working camp | |
| 315 | 157 | 4 | KAMI SONKURAI | Australian working camp | |
| 318 | 133 | 3 | CHANGKARANG | Working camp. Scotch & English. Ration depot | |
| 328 | 120 | 10 | BORDER | Two Pagoda Pass on border. Two pagodas | |
| 338 | 115 | 10 | KANDU | Staging rest camp. To Tanbaya | |
| 351 | 90 | 13 | APERON | Rl'wy siding. Staging siding for Tanbaya | |
| 371 | 70 | 20 | RONCHI | Staging camp for move to Tanbaya. Ration depot | |
| 383 | 50 | 12 | TANBAYA | English & Aust. hospital | |
| 388 | 25 | 5 | ANAQUIN | Purchasing village from Tanbaya for canteen etc | |
| 433 | 0 | 45 | TAM BUSIAT | I.J.A. Base for Rl'wy | |
1
INCIDENTS
Man caught & buried by Japs.
Farting Freda - Armie-Cars on Rubber Estate
Dutch Officer - Clothing
The one time we saw our bombers
[*AYER HITAM*] Blitz on Kluang Rd
Batu Anum Rd for 1½ hrs hiding from planes
Hours of 11 Ind Div Transport 24 hours of endless traffic
Machine Gunning convoy from air at Jementah
The 2/29 party cut off behind Gemas
Blowing bridges
Dive bombing blitz Simpang Rengam
No of cars & Trucks wrecked on the roads
Accuracy of Jap information eg Shelling at Ayer Hitam
Size & Stacks of bomb craters
Planes shot down
John Buswell - Interpreter
C.Q.M.S. delivery of meals etc.
Length & No of marches during withdrawals
Life at Kranji
What is was like sleeping out at nights on cold hard ground
Meals and how we enjoyed them when we got one.
Trip to Singapore
Walk over area on Recce
Bath and feed 1st day at 2/30's "B" Echelon
Seeing Athol, Pictures, beer, feed, Air Raid, bed
Scene of Singapore Air Raid/
Trip back up to C O
Danny Wood's experience
Bombing of 2/26 Car Park, Armd Cars. Jock Lake, Indians. etc.
Days we were shelled (3) at Kranji - Dud shell 10y away
Godown full of food. Indian bakery, Pineapple, Milk etc
2
Ron Magarry's attack and result M.C
Experiences with traffic etc on Island
Big bomber blocking traffic down rd
Officers who cracked up
How wounded acted and were treated
Experience of 2/30 cove at Gemas escaping in truck.
Type of fighting
The way the 2/30 bashed them at Gemas.
Directing the Arty fire on to the Mortars
The night of withdrawal from Gemas
Old Malay - Paya Lang who wouldn't stop in boat - may have been Jap
Amount of equipment Respirators personal etc dumped
Farcial scorched earth policy
[*SEGAMAT*] Doyle's accidental shooting
Nightmare march from Segamat to Embussing Point - Ride on Armd Car
Night of blowing bridges with Major Shaw & Arthur Watch horn.
Unorderly withdrawal of A & B Coys
Putting Arty onto Japs on Rd
A Coy blitzed by Mortars
Sgt Sullivan with 2" Mortar
Armoured cars combing trees with Vickers.
Geo Nicolls fate
Sgt Horsley's death
"P.O.W Blues"
Types of planes used by Japs
How the A.A. guns work with "Predictors"
Method of Jap flying to avoid A.A. fire
[*KRANJI*] How we lived
Motor boats "Pelawat" Outboards etc
Type of Kranji country
Difficulty in keeping open lines of Com during shelling
Bob Brennan's patrol
3
Blazing oil tanks - Shower of oil
Trip round Naval Base what we saw
Amount of Rolling stock
Meeting of and treatment by the 2/4 M.G.S Bunning, McKinnon
2 Pioneer Cpls who were captured by Japs. Work & return etc
Meeting new C.O.
Lt Col Boyes new job, coordinater of Western defences etc
Camouflage net on rd at Kranji
3 Sleepless nights at KRANJI
( Trip to Singapore - bombing raid - meals - pictures - changi sleep - clothes
( G2, Malayan command - Dutch Officer - Geldarde ^W.O. - Searches for Div HQ's - what
( we found - Amount of traffic on Rds - Effort to find Coolies -
Kidnapping ^of me by Japanese (to find Div Cmdr)
Feelings on morning of peace
last barrage of war - cove half under bed.
Hill 100 - homes etc as in [[India?]] at rear on 12 Feb 42
Blowing out of fwd Coys at KRANJI
Jap officer aiming pistol at Chinese
Ammo dump. Arms dump
Meals in P.O.W camp - Biscuits - Jam - Small Stews - Rice - Sweet Rice
Raffles college
Behaviour of Japanese
March to Changi - Bodies on road - Amount of transport - smell
of bodies - distance 16 miles - time arrival 0500hrs
P.O.W camp - Excellence of Div. Concert Party - Female impersonator
Inspection by Cmdr J.I.A.
" " " J.I.N.
{Sick on 7-3-42. Went to Hospital on 10 Mar 42
{Conditions in Ward. Bad orderlies - Thermometer not washed
{Food dished as to pigs. Transfer to Dysentry Ward - Better conditions
{Saw Blue Calligan who later died. Went home on 15 Mar 42
4
(WX11045)
(Solomon)
Sick again relapse on the 16 Mar 42 sent back to Hospital better
Ward - Capt B.H. Solomon, Lt G Solomon former cracked skull latter
Malaria, Shrapnel in the leg.
Loss of appetite. Smoking - Pooh! Still Rice! Rice!! Rice!!
Quinine 3 times a day, Lost weight. Good concert parties.
Number of dysentry cases.
Rumours and how they fly - Hope I will be able to see papers when
I get back.
Terrible feeling - Temp to 105o.
Read read read till my eyes gave out.
The beautiful vegemite & doughnuts.
Shaving during the action & washing with one mug of water.
Lieut Williams arrived in our ward with Malaria
Move from one Verandah to the other - the storm that washed us out.
Japanese tanks - types etc
9 days without "Tom Tit" = Had it on 30 Mar 42
No of dead per day
Mr Phillips Red + Pte Evans Amm Park Coy
Shortness my shorts
6 A.I.F escaping caught & shot; warning sent to Units - ½ Rations etc
Dud Francis' experience in Java.
Johnnie's visit to town on clothing recovery - things he brought home
Party of 550 to Singapore building road - left behind- efforts to get in
The markets run by the boys prices etc - efforts to stop - procuring [[?]]
Ringworm first noticed on 15 April 42
Wait for 5 hrs at gate to go to Singapore
Troops in Adam's Park being well treated rolls 10¢ Coffee 5¢ Tinn'd goods 50¢
Use of herbs & grasses in our stews. Small amount of meat ¾oz when we get it.
The food the boys bought for me, Milk, cheese, cocoa, jam. $5
Methods of getting the latest news
Moved into Working party Group 22 April 42.
5
Pay with W/Party. Foods etc.
Work in Quarry. Type of work.
Living conditions. Electric light - Scrounge for material etc
Cooking up Rice Specials. Rice, C. Oil, Chinese Sauce, Salt, Curry!
Fritters Pineapple & boong flour
Tinea still bad 10 May 42
Concert by order of the Japanese - Good One.
Types of tobaccos 10¢ per packet Cigs 10¢ & 25¢
Dedication ceremony of Shrine - Roads & bridges into shrine
Scene of battle in Golf Links, graves, etc
300 trucks per day at quarry -
Weight 2 May 42 10st 4lbs
(1 sick
5 Men who escaped - could not get through (1 10yrs Sol. confinmen
(2 8yrs " "
(No smokes
(No [[ ??]] 7 - 9 ??
(No latrine
(No clothes
3000 A. I. F to Saigon ∧ or FORMOSA + 6000 English Athol, Johnny, Basil
Rice bellies - 27ozs weight on 18 May 10st 7lbs
Unusual activity on 17 May - Tools collected etc
Received photos from trunk
17 May Ringworm practically cured
Cpl Sano asking for reference from Col Oakes
19 May change over of guards - No work.
Method of burying Japanese soldiers (symbol, see original document)
Working conditions of Eric Taylors W/Party.
Inactivity becoming very boring - cooking up fritters for lunch
Bodies at camp when boys first arrived Adam Rd
Doherty selling 2 doovrs for 80¢ Mixture - Garlic, leaves, pepper, Salt, spaghetti, potato
Caught cold on 22 May
(100 P.O.WS in Singapore - Blitz - Punishment - 7 Days close confinement
(2 days no rations 3rd day 1 meal - for 7 days 2 meals 65 from 2/4 MG's
Closer watch on bounds of Camp - AASC cove shot at night in shoulder
Issue fish = how they stank etc. Methods of cooking
Pay 7 June 42 $2.75 in 5¢ notes. Coy Pay
6
Tinea in testicles - prevalence - treatment etc.
Capt Sabin transferred to Camp HQs 6 June 42
Another Asparagus on the night 10 Jun 42. Whacko!!
Two pays in 3 days making a total of $5.25 for 30 days not had 17.5¢ per day
Tried some 2¢ cigars - not bad either
Yew Tee Village oil tanks - Saw result - result of fire. Armoured car & 2/26 Bn carriers
Another Aspargus Supper 13 June 42
Alot of aerial activity noticed 12 - 14 June 42
Few details of news leaking through and things seem better
Rice Grinder - made out of Lawn Mowers & electric motor.
No. of different cig packets. (Even biscuit Packets)
Taken to cigar smoking 2¢ & 3¢ Specials - Oh Yeah!
19 June 42 first news of post cards home.
Electric light bulbs taken off 22 June 42. only blackout tests.
Started engraving 18 June 42.
Japs favourite times God Save King. Auld Lang Syne
Change over to own camp No4 Lieut Oda
CHOLERA!? outbreak in Singapore 29 June 42
Asparagus supper 30 June 42
Light back on 1 July 42. Men walking about collecting grass & K.Kong for stews
New Job commenced. 1 July. [[Slirine]] road near Bukit Timah Ford Factory
Rubber being sent away.
Cars and trucks being stacked in Chinese High School
Chinaman's head at Bukit Timah Village
Singing sailors marching past camp.
1400 A.I.F. sent overseas 8 July 42 including Maj Armstrong, Lt Owen
Move to 4th Avenue 16 July 42. House - tents - My own quarters.
All officers above Lt-Col sent to JAPAN
18 July 42 night to pictures. Newsreel, "Gabby" "Jap Drama" "DUMBO" Walt Disney
20 " " Invitation to Japs house on 24 July
New Mess at House $1.50 each meals excellent {EALES TRACEY LAMACRAFT }
SEE MENU { SWARTZ WALKER BEIRAE }
{ PADRE FERGUSON ROBERTS }
MESS MEMBERS
7
Weight on 18 July 42 10st 11lbs
" 23 July 42 11st 1lbs
Piano (Baby Grand) added to house furnishings
Huge quantity of chasis etc going past work on road
Oda says "Home in 10 yrs" oh yeah!
Incident by Jap guards on road job. (Slowup - actions - lack of Engish)
Blue Doherty sent back to Changi 28 July 42
Lieut Livingstone to Changi 1 Aug 42
Dinner night 4 Aug 42: Guests Lt. Col Bretherton
MENU: TOMATO SOUP. ROAST MEAT & VEGS (G PEAS) STEAM PUDDING & WHITE SAUCE,
SAVOURY, FRUIT, BLACK COFFEE, SMOKES. 3 BOTTLES "TIGER"
Table: Table Cloth, table centres, Brass Vases, Franji Panni, Brass & Copper ware.
Night work on road to speed up work.
Trip to Pontian Kechil for pineapples - Memorial at JB.
Moved into new house 13 Aug 42
Bacon and eggs for breakfast 17 Aug 42
Started to learn Nippongo 15 Aug 42.
21/8/42 Trip to Singapore with purchase committee. Method of buying. Trip home. Aero parts, cars , etc stacked near wharves
22/8/42 " for pineapples to Pont. Kechil. Day in village cigs, fruit, eggs, etc. Arrived home 10pm
" " First news of Camps 6 & 7 going back to Changi we stay move to No 7 area
24/8/42 Move to new HQs
Weight on 29 Aug 42 11st 4½lbs
29/8/42 John Eales goes back to Changi for treatment
Night of 28th search by Nips for petrol & money nil result.
1/9/42 Inspection by new Jap Staff. First news of $100 pay per month
Petrol racket how why & where managed.
Jap blitz re "Promise not to escape" forms 20,000 men in Barrack square. 72 hrs no food.
News of men's release Changi 5 Sept 42
South African Red + Jam, Kaffir meal etc lollies, Soupmix
Pay no bonus 8 Sept 42 Weight 8 Sept 11st 7lbs
10 - 12 Sept Shrine Dedication - celebrations - March out - boxing etc - Beer prizes
16 Sept 42 Change over of Coy - Look over Rations & M.T.
8
18 Sept First formal mess in 4th Avenue 36 Officers
19 Sept Trip into Brewery for Yeast 3 Glasses of beer!!
22 ' Ennett & Siddle caught stealing petrol. (Ennett died)
Starting of better days - we hope- new canteen, sports ground, holidays, etc.
Weight 29 Sept 42 11st 8lbs.
30 Sep 42. Comforts arrive Meal 48ozs Sugar 36oz Peas 36 oz Gee Oil 6 Gals
1 Oct went to Japanese wrestling.
During Sept promotion of sport (Me on Basketball). $15 pay per month
[*4 Oct*] Chas' Birthday party. Sam [[Soo?]] - Cake etc
Boxing tournaments,
[*5 Oct*] Men caught stealing petrol enquiry etc in our house
[*8 "*] Move to Changi - McGeever & White left - Left B/Timah 1100hr
arrived Changi 1900hrs. John Wood impersonator in Concert party (A.I.F)
New Coy "B" Coy. Quarters etc. Rations + comforts.
Now 18/26 Bn 22/27Bde.
Officers Mess $7 per month
[*14*] Bn move to Singapore less CO, Coy Cmdrs & unfits Presentation by men
to me of cigars and supper with O/R own staff & ofrs after supper in mess
[*16 "*] Field Offr 24th Lecture bu Lt Cmdr Hannon U.S Navy
[*25*] " "
[*26*] Contacted Spr West
[*30*] Move back to Singapore with 200 men. Muck up from one camp to another.
Boong nearly killed $1 conscience money
[*1 Nov*] Coy taken away & sent ∧ (4) to River Valley Rd - unsatisfactory
[*4 Nov*] Hannan takes over - may move back to old Coy in Havelock Rd
Quarters & food bad - work on wharves band - State of shipping 4 at wharf
Concert Party Havelock Rd.
Man thrown in creek for stealing money - died?
[*9 Nov*] Day at Wharf unloading boat
[*14 Nov*] Weather reports becoming better & better - Theft of Marmite from RAP.
[*17 " *] Work party to Kings Rd School - Rd making etc. Weight 11st 5 lbs
9
[*18 Nov*] Many happy returns Gilbert 3 years old today
[20 " ] Commencement of No 3 & 5 Camps moving into our "A" Camp
[20 " ] Concert - spoilt by dirty songs, etc.
[21 " ] My 29th birthday my first as a P.O.W. 2nd in A.I.F.
[ " ] Received $15 pay for Oct. No4 & 5 Camps march in to Havelock Rd.
[23] Visit to Dutch Offrs Mess - Tea Party
[24] Started to learn Chess.
[25] Move of 2/26 Bn & 18 Bn from "A" Camp to our "B" Camp.
[27] Gen Coy formed with del "C" Coy offs strength 211
lectures by Dutchmen
[5 Dec] On work party to Singapore - Troop ship - burning ship - metal - Armed M/ship
[6 " ] Signed for our November pay may get it for Xmas.
Soccer & football matches after mess each night.
[12] Farewell party to Dutch Offrs - Illuminated address - Concert - Food etc
" Soccer Match ∧ E - D. 6 - 1
Increased pay for men 5¢ for workers
[16 Dec] Received November pay $15. Extra Rations Red + received from A Camp.
[19] Parade for General of P.O.W. camps. Rehearsal Main parade 18th
Methods of men scrounging on the job. Tobac, ∧False bottom w/bottles. Pockets inside strides etc. cotton etc, all saleable goods.
Bashings received for scrounging P/Sgt Lock Offrs too.
Our new concert hall & concert party. Lack of good impersonator.
[18] News of move back to Changi from Havelock Rd,
[19] Weight 11st 4 lbs. First news of Alayab.
Officers V Rest - League 3-12
[21] Move to Changi by truck to Geylang then march Changi - 8 miles
New quarters new Coy 'B' Coy Hannan, Bourke, Peterson, Griffen, Garvey 2 I/c & Pl Cmds ∧ TOTAL 170
[23] Received $6 pay - Pay now $21 per month
Meals very light looks as though I will lose weight
Saw Bert he made Xmas cards for C.O. Saw Painting & sketche by Murray ∧War Artist Griffin
Had a look at BOREHOLE NEWS. Many subs by Bert.
Nearly all units & camp out except Luke Bukeem Tanglin & No 1 Camp. 8000 A.I.F
No more meat issue. All fish.
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