Diary of Robert Russell Walker, 1941-1945 - Part 7
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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 Sep 42 11st 8lbs
30 Sep 42. Comforts arrive, Meal 48ozs Sugar 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 [[too]] - 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 22/27 Bde.
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 Of Rogan staff & Ofrs after supper in mess
16 " Field Offr 24th Lecture by Lt Cmdr Hannon U.S.Navy
25 " "
26 Contacted Spr West
30 Move back to Singapore with 200 men. March 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 - my move back to old Coy in Havelock Rd
Quarters & food bad - work on wharves hard - 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 4 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 2ne in A.I.F.
" " Received $15 pay for Oct. No 4 & 5 Camos march in to Havelock Rd
23 Visit to Dutch Offrs Mess - Ten Party
24 Started to learn Chess.
25 Move of 2/26 Bn & 18 Bn from "A" Camp to our "B" Camp.
27 New Coy formed with "C" Coy Offrs strength 211.
Lectures by Dutchmen
5 Dec Our work party to Singapore - Troop ship - burning ship - metal - Armed M/ship.
6 " Singed 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 6 - D 1
Increased pay for men 5¢ for workers.
16 Dec Received November pay $15 Extr Rations Red + received from A Camp
17 Parade for General of P.O.W camps. Rehearsal main parade 18th
Methods of men scrounging on the job. False bottom w/bottles. Pockets inside strides etc. Tobac, cotton etc all saleable goods.
Bashings received for scrounging P/Sgt Lock. Offrs too.
Our new concert hall & concert party/ Lack of good impersonator.
News of move back to Changi from Havelock Rd
Weight 11st 4lbs. First news of Aleyab.
Officers V Rest - League 3-12
21 Move to Changi by truck to Geylang then march Changi - 8 miles
New quarters new Coy "B" Hannan, Bourke, Peterson, Griffen, Garvey 21/C & Pl Cmds TOTAL 170
23 Received $6 pay - Pay none $21 per month
Meals very light looks as though I will lose weight
Saw Bert he made Xmas cards for C.O. Saw Painting & sketches by Murray Griffin War Artist
Had a look at BōREHōLE News. Many subs. by Bert.
Nearly all Units & camp out except Luke [[Bukiun, Tanglin]] & No 1 Camp. 8000A.I.F.
No more meat issue All fish.
10
Toys & Raffles for kiddies in goal. Letters for men from England.
25 Dec Xmas Day very good. Dinner, Asparagus Soup, Fish croquets, Chips,
Pumpkin, Chile sauce, Plum Pudding & white sauce, Sweets, Peanuts, tea.
Sports. Concert - Sacred excellent service. Supper one nice big cake each & coffee.
My Xmas cards received & Given. Bde Church service in morning. March past G.O.C.
26 Dec Went to see Play "The Admirable Dyeton" Song:- I wish I were a fascinating
bitch, I'd never be poor I'd always be rich, I'd live in home with the little Red light,
I sleep all day & work all night and once a month I'd take a little rest.
Just to make my customers wild, I wish, --- , and not an
illegitimate child.
Conditions slightly better now in Changi - Shower & Urinals upstairs - better mess - $10/month
29 GOC's talk to Officers A.I.F. [[??]] Wright. 29 Dec 42 11st 4lbs
31 Went to Cinderella Pantomine Signed for December pay Maj Wyatt & Roberts Red + } takenaway by I.J.A.
18M.S.C }
Issue of wine to troops. Celebrations on eve bagpipes tries singing etc
New Years drink with Chas & cake. Three men taken from Div HQs.
Jan 1 1943 New Yrs day. Brigadier to dinner, Bully Beef mash - chip spuds, pumpkin, Saki, Hors d'ouvres
Boiled plum pudding & white sauce, Fruit salad, peanuts sweets.
Types of jobs in Singapore were: All types of labouring - Road work, stacking cases, delivery
of goods, carting metal, unloading & Stacking bombs, unloading and loading ships, handling
of scrap iron, working in go downs, cement, Sime Darby & Co?! drivers, mechanics.
Medical people at Langlin Canteen (I.J.A) cutting grass, pricing, building, shipping
& unshipping petrol, Carting $ delivering rations.
4 Jan Gardening scheme at Change under I.J.A & Unit controls.
Lecture by "Bull" Bowring on his show. "Horse" Races - Gambling game started.
News of next pay for Offrs - will $15 instead of $21.
5 Jan Padres Convention - New Order.
Types of fish shark, stingray, toads, prawns, gluck etc.
9 Received $10 of December pay balance of $5 to come.
Arrival of 2/40, 2/1 Heavy Battery from Timor. Frank's brother. Oil cut from 50gms to 10grms
12 Official opening of new Offrs latrines Speakers Dyer & Lowry. Received bal of pay $5.
14 Word of taking command of Ind Coy, ('A' Coy), Lost Gibbs & "Corny" after 2 yrs.
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14 Jan Weight 11st 3lbs (dressed)
16 JAN March to cemetry. Laying wreaths etc.
19 " Word re broadcasts to Australia. Large Nos of Dutch moving in and out.
20 " Filed Officer.
24 " Football Match - Union - A.I.F V ENGLAND 21 - 0
25 " G.O.C. for dinner. Word of Broadcast messages. Dinner: Savouries & cocktail. Fish pastie entree. Bully hash - chips - Boiled Pudding & sauce, sweets & nuts
26 " Aust. Day - March Past - Practise for - Meals.
28 " Dysentry injections first one. Arm sore. Messages home drew one in first
batch "Darling safe well Singapore clothing vitamins. Chas commdg Bn. Love yourself kids.
Dad Mum Fras family Jack well Russ"
Vitamins becoming serious Big MOs conference. Marmite?
30 Went to A.I.F. concert "What A Day"
January very windy month - Northerly winds
1 Feb Went to boxing tournament - Wells did not fight
3 " Weight 11st 2 lbs (stripped)
4 " Went to English celebrity concert Singer, violinist pianist (Sir Thomas Beechams No)
4 " Had second Dysentry needle
4 " First news of "Glass Rod" ( batches to go (A.I.F.) of 2,000)
5 " Received January's Pay $15 (Mess Fee $8)
6 " To start Syllabus for 'A' Coy on 8 Feb 43
8 " Lecture by Capt Walker B.E.F in France. Film Nips are making.
10 False alarm Gloat Parade. 0630 Reveille - Pouring Rain March Home.
10 T.A.B. Injection. A.I.F. concert Party. night Variety show (Mexican Pres'd [[??]]
12 March over to rain sodden padang for Parade. Called off again (0630 Reveille).
13 Third Parade. This one the best. Movies taken of Parade
15 Second T.A.B. arm did not worry me.
16 Rice ration reduced 3½oz per day - now 15½ (once in town used to be 27oz)
18 Gad Glass Rod Dysentry Test. Fun of the world! Veg's ration light on.
19 22/27 Bde Concert Party quite a good show. Orchestra -El. Light - Curtain - Props etc.
20 {Post Cards to send home again. First since 19 June - 8 months
Darling{Am safe well unwounded Spirits high. Don't worry. Best love to you, kids
{Dad, Mum, Fraser and family. Remember me to everyone.
20 Men caught selling clothing to Nips.
12 Postcards (1) Guess who is a prisoner mum. Bob
(2) We only are allowed 2h words etc --------------.
21 Feb 43 Beer made from Rice polishings, Thick bit quite good. Quiz competitions.
Weight dressed. 11st 6½lbs.
22 " German Raider, English, American & Greek prisoners landed in Changi.
23 " A.I.F. Concert night John Woods sang "The Deepest Shelter in Town" March overture "Blackjack"
24 " Story of women & children from the goal going to the beach for the day. Well and fit
Signed for February pay Capts pay to be now $16.50 Lieuts $14.
26 " Start of Kappi's Lectures. Interuption by Nips.
Private cooking - What & how they cook - get wood etc. One man in Coy Dysentry Carrier - Glass Rod
27 " Food troubles flaring up again. Wood down to 2lbs per man per day.
28 " Bed bugs? Treatment of etc. Bn Meeting for forming of Assn Poor response.
1 March Bde Concert. Very poor show. 5 Sig, Offrs taken to I.J.A HQ's for questioning?
3 " Received advance of $5 on pay. $4 to mess.
4 Fish becoming monotonous. More dried herrings!
5 First news of party of 25 & 2500 ∧ A.I.F ∧ to go away. (Capt Lieut 60 of R C[[//CO to 12) or maybe 1500/Rs.
5 Started Medicine ball with Reg & Jock.
6 " First definite news of mail for us at the gaol.
7 " Visited Hospital Saw D Turnbull, Alec Gordon and others
9 Report I put in re Major Hunt - Milk etc at Hospital
Visit to 2/10 Fd Amb to play Chess. I drew with partner 1 - 1
Bn now flat out on Garden duties etc because 22 Bde are going away.
10 First letter from home reached Bn. Only one. Rumours still of repatriation of Women & Kids.
11 Lecture by Capt Wise - English newspapers Visit being held up by censors.
13 First letters arrive in Coy. 10 only. Received Balance of pay $11.50
Men selling clothes watches to Nips on Salt water parties.
Sat on Court Martial - Pte Robba (£10 & 45 days)
Went to Concert Party's Anniversary Show. First Class. John Woods again
loves letter telling him if wife adopting 2 months old baby?
Letter France has married a what we call "Choco" but who was brave enough to stay at home and fight for us.
" Engaged for 56 yrs did no good. Married a Yank in one week.
(p) 13 A FORCE 3000 VIC POINT 'E' FORCE 500 BORNEO?"
B " 1500 BORNEO? 'F' FORCE 3500
C " 300 JAPAN
D " 2000 BANGKOK Balance now in Changi approx 5,500
7000
14 First party moved away north rest to follow Mon Tues & Wed
Burial party for the Hoare Bn Parade, Died of Dysentry - Cremated
Minkey Moore adventures. Building thigs for harlots. Shopping. Trips around etc
Manuals of British Law 30 Vols @ £3.30 each. all used for cig paper. McHugh used up Vols of Dickens.
15 News pf WOII Davies arriving home. Deserter!
18 Div. Symphony Orchestra & Choir at A.I.F. Theatre Padre Foster Haig.
Sat on D.C.M. Cpl Love acquitted. News of father who married sons fiancěe
News sheets made up from letters and published on notice boards
Heard of allotments being extended for or to 18 months.
Dick Parker M.O. goes north with party. Is price of butter at home 4/6 per lb?
18 Last of 'D' force get away O.K. Coys will now be able to stretch out more
Stealing coconuts off the trees. £5 & 28 days. Doc Millard goes north.
Beverley's Birthday. 5 years old today! Started to learn Malay with Stan.
19 Bde concert party. Story of Speakeasy. Not the best.
20 S Move of Cous into other building. A bit more room for the men.
Went over to Con Depot and heard "Pirates of Penzance" records.
21 Few members of concert party give a small show in N.A.A.F.I. building. Quite good.
Report re Major Hunt. Apparently have crawled down.
Trailer (wood) very hard work. Was 2 trips per day nearly 12 miles and hilly too.
23 Weight undressed 11st 1lb.
24 Went to A.I.F. concert. John Woods as girl cyclist. Lecture by Lt Col Deaken ("Slim River")
26 Con Depot recital of records on amplifier. Rumours (400 mixed offrs to go away
(1000 men to go away
(Yak meat from 1 Apr 43
26 Signed for March pay $40 maybe a rise. Rumours of more mail at the goal
26 CO's & 21/cs for dinner 5 Courses Soup, Fish Croquets, B/Beef Hash & Vegs, Steam Pudding
∧ & white sauce ∧, Fruit Salad ∧ & cream ∧. Coffee
28 "E" Force left 500 strong for an unknown dest. maybe Sumatra. Dr Oakshott with Force
Received first letters from Lil & Mum ∧ & kids ∧ - all well. Just 14 months since I last heard
29 Had eyes examined by Major Orr. Cigarette issue of one per man. Were in genuine "3 Castles"
31 Letters from Dad & Mrs Grigg. Salt water party. Lecture by Maj Wylde. "Modern Japan"
April 1 Told to take Yeast & R/Polishings for the eyes 1 wks L/D Henshaw. Letter from Brian.
Captains now sign for $40 but will only receive $15 a loss this pay of $1.50
14 "F" FORCE 3662 A.I.F. DEATHS 1086 = 29.65%
3336 ENG " 2029 = 60.5%
2 April Letters from Lil & Dad. Photos of kids How they have changed
3 " Went to see Len Bourne & Bert West to discuss news. Recordings at night. Fd offr for day.
6 " Went over to S/Area to see show "Dancing Tears" story of trip around world. Young cove from Havelock Rd.
7 " Received March pay $15 mees fee $8
8 " First news of move North 3500 A.I.F. 3500 ENGLISH & DUTCH. New camp to be built by us BANKOK?
Went to A.I.F show. 3 act play "Whose Baby is This" quite good
9 Mail appears to have finished. Expected one from Fraser. Douvres, cookies or all kinds
11 No definite news of move. Things are very quiet. Pommies may leave first.
12 Now 32 Offrs to go with Force. Had Dusentry & Malaria tests for trip
13 Had 1 Cholera injection and a vaccination "Many Happy Returns Lil"
13 2nd 1st Plague injection
14 Went to dinner with Lt Col Oakes, & Maj Sagers. Good meal. Played Chess
Soup { Peas Rice } { Peanut Cakes
{ Beans white bait } { [[???]] Malaria
{ Chips Herrings } { Sago
15 Sold my watch band to Chas for $4. Weight 11st ½lb undressed.
Went to Bde Concert in NAAFI Bldg - fair- "Hells Bells"
Different methods of brewing moonshine in all areas.
16 Col Oakes & Maj Saggers over for dinner. Oackes speech "still C.O"
17 G.O.C. Brig & Back & Maddern for dinner Soup Steam Pudding Fruit Salad Coffee
NSW Sausages ) Steam Pudding ) Fruit Salad ) Coffee
Beans ) White Sauce ) Mock Cream )
English Pots ) Farewell speeches.
18 First Catch of A.I.F. "F" Force gety away 1400hrs. Pouring rain. I hope our night will be fine.
20 Packed up ready for trip. Reveillle 0045. Bkfst 0100 Fall in 0200
Left Changi 0430. Left Singapore 0700. Truck 17' x 6'6" - 27 men per truck.
First meal evening Gemas. Hash & tea. Arrived K.L 0350 21 Apr.
21 Arrived Ipoh meal 1500hrs Meal Prai (Penang) left 0315 22 Apr
22 Padang Besar 1130. Left Padang Bazas 1340.
First meal in Thailand 1515hrs. First man of Thais impressions
Elephants - Straw Hats on woman - Dress. Arrive Climipion 1400 23 April
23 Meal tin fish left 1500. Arrived Manpong 0545. Tinned food.
24 Had to leave surplus clothing. Awful Camp - cooling arrangements - Black
Market Nips & Thais - Carry of gear from Station. March down to trunks.
Sold clothing G/Cost $5. Food more plentiful. Rotten Latrines & Hygiene
25 2300 hrs fall in and started first leg of march. Heavy packs. Stan sick.
26 (25) 25 Kilos. Market s in passing camp. Type of rest areas. Swimming
26 (55) 1020 Started second leg of march 30 Kilos. New camp. Rest in
27 Bushes - Terrific heat. Night marches. Went for swim - washing - Coffee, etc.
27 Carrying of medical stores. Chas very tired. M.O. doing good work.
Bus for baggage - Rickshaw bikes. A real circus.
15 "H" FORCE A.I.F DEATHS 173 = %
28 (80) March from 2nd to 3rd Camp 25 Kilos. Dust Road. Men sick Hiring
of Yak Carts 3rd Camp. River & vendors. Dysentry & Malaria tests.
29 Rest. Good river. Trouble getting sick men left. 2145 left on 4th hop
had arranged transport for sick but knocked back. Terrible march
some gear carried. Dusty. Tired. Mau sick men. Arrived 4th
30 camp 0745. Long wat from river. Food light and poor. Two
days rest. Reg's party arrived 0930. Maj Wylde Col Harris & party moved through
1 Left for Base Camp 1940. Terrible & muddy road, Many sick men. An
105 awful night & 25 kilos. Arrived next camp 0730 ∧ 2 May 43 ∧ Saw many of our
↨ 125 A.I.F> and received word we were to move again at 1900 20 kilos.
Lost waterbottle now lost watch, towel, w/bottle. Long way to river.
Entick loooked after me, coffee, etc. Jungle camp.
125 Left for next hop at 2000 hrs arrived 0730 20 kilos. Men and all
very tired. Rest up and received word we were to leave at 1700 hrs.
Meals very light. Nips supply water en route (Cha') Doctor passed out.
Saw 3 huge elephants. Passed Capt Millard's camp.
Practically all country bamboo scrub.
(145 kilos) 3 Left Camp. 1745 hrs for next run. Struck alot of A.I.F. Dick Parlor, Budg & Gill
4 Rice, coffee 4 hrs rest easier march arrived ne camp 0730 4 May
36 Hours rest. Long hike to river. Marching in pitch dark
165 K's Tired of bivouac camps 20 kilos
5 Left Camp at 1845 Arrived new camp 0800 hrs 6 May
185K's 6 Burke broke his arm. 20 Kilos very slow march. New area, very small
and fenced in a paddock very little shade. Offrs out in small area.
Left camp 1845 hrs ran into heavy rainstorm at dark marched, slept 3 hrs
7 moved on arrived new camp 0900hrs 7 May. New camp super
↨ efficient. Have to be careful re swims etc. Fell over twice during march
208ls distance 23 Kilos. Visit by Dr Dion tells us his camp is fairly good.
8 Did arm amputation with penknife & Jap saw. Saw Reg & Party all O.K.
Left camp 1940 hrs east march a bit hilly arrived new camp.
225ks 9 0330 hrs 9 May Slept till 0830 hrs. Good breakfast. Big working camp here.
Saw elephants. Bridge work. Good creek. Distance 17 Kilos
16
9 May Elephants working on line. Two men one elephant. Left camp 1950 hrs
10 Easy going to next camp. arrived 0800 hrs 10 May. Last coffee. No cigs.
245 K's Distance 20 Kilos. Rotten food rice & burnt rice soup etc. No sleep in day
Left 2010 hrs. men sick very early spoiling pace awful march slow
11 & tiring only 1 1hr spell. Arrived mew camp 0900 hrs 11 May. Rested
268 K's News to move on again. Distance 23 K's. Saw nip soldier with carts
Cigs $2.50 packet. No bananas or coffee. Left camp 2010 hrs. Fairly easy
12 march 20 K's. Arrived next camp 0800 hrs. All disappointed but relieved
288 K's when told we would move on. Good meals. Lt. Col. Harris. No sender To move on 1000 strong, others catch up No 4 Party arrives.
13 Still resting. Eric Roselt broke leg. Word of a "G" Force.
14 " " No 5 Party arrives. Food still good. Fergy moved ahead to camp.
Stolen sugar incident. Move to new camp at 0330 hrs. 15 May arrive
300K's 15 new camp 0900hrs. Distance 12 K's. Ghastly camp. No rooves. No
187.5 miles) cooking facilities, no smokes, 2 meals per day. No tea or coffee. Boys made
some rice coffee. Men 10 to a bay, Offrs 8 to a bay. Meals now all
Rice. Towgay. Fish, onions, ∧ Lima beans ∧. Now in permanent camp. Meals becoming better
16 Busy settling in. Rain through tents. Building falling down. Yaks 5,10,15$
17 1000 men arrive with Maj Johnston. Start on road work and 7' Tiger Fence.
(1t) 17 Cholera injection. 18 May 1 Death ∧ Pte Basso ∧ from Cholera. Precautions boiled water, etc
18 Huts fell in rebuilding of huts. Start of sore balls first really noticed.
19 Malaria Test. Men working on railway. Bad diarhoea through camp.
160 more men arrive. Good rumours through [[Lunis]] finished. Sabin Beri Beri
(3t) 21 2 Deaths from Cholera ∧ Pte White ∧ Cremations. Offrs on wood party. Men kept out working ∧ to 2210hrs ∧
(4t) " 1 " " " Cpl Lawson admitted Hospital 0830 dead 1500hrs.
1 Quinine pill per day Nip issue. ½ prophalactic dose.
22 10 Takes presents from Nips. Mens gear wet Work all day in rains.
(5t) 23 1 Death from Cholera. Continuous rain. Working with Nips, Walker! Walker!!
24 Hec Wilson admitted to Hospital maybe Cholera suspect. Taken to Chol/Hospital
" Had 2nd (3rd) Cholera injection. Admitted to hospital (Chas, Stan & I) with dysentry.
(6t) 25 1 Death from Cholera. 37 Admissions to Hosp today. 5 Offrs including N White
(8t) 26 2 " " " Cpl Comerford Pte Seddie 2/30 both old "C" Coy.
First trouble getting our rations through. Carrying party.
Col Jutner arrived now 4 M.Ds in camo for 2000 men
17
(9t) 26 1 Death from Cholera 2/30 Pte Mosely. Bamboo writing pass.
(24t) 27 15 " " " Sgt Everingham 2/30 Cpy Higgins 2/3- Pte D Boon 2/26
28 Yesterday, blitz on Nips by Maj Hunt. Today all men in camp on essential duties.
(27t) 29 Chas discharged. Camp work in progress, considerable improvements latrines, hosp, etc
(35t) 29 Discharged from hospital. Back at work. Maj Hunt's screed to Nips on conditions.
(46t) 30 All men off work now on camp work. 7 men escape no 2/26 Bn amongst them
(51t) 31 Segregation of all sick men, Myself & Stan now on Hosp Admin Staff. OC of 500 men
June (57t) 1 All men in ward total 542 + 4 Offrs. Officers staff 6 total = 553 Marched in 1 June 43
(66t) Taken off C/O job at evening time because of fever & run down. Capt Stahl
took over.
(70t) 2 500 men demanded for work about 450 able to go. I am to rest for 2 days.
(77t) 3 Men at work again. Very wet morning it rains every & all day practically. 4 more escaped.
(81t) 4 Returned to work at Hosp. as General Supervisor. Available men now 365 : 320 sent to work 16% ∧ Frank Cahill arrived ∧
(84t) 5 All men in camp. Col Bannie's order. Hosp still enlarging ∧ TOTAL (1247) ∧. Malaria raging. Cholera declining
(86t) 6 Men of R&R work. 17th day of rain. Conditions hard behind us @ -11oz rice feed per day no beans or fish. Nip troop move through.
(88t) 1* 7 Still raining. Men go out on rd work. One man died in * Hosp men available 230 Hosp area 1373. ∧ 190 men available ∧
(93t) 1* 8 Hec Wilson passed away after a long illness. Swartz, McGeever, McGlynn go to fwd camp.
(95t) 9 Raining. Men still working on road. Myself in charge of 2/26 Bn Group. Our push carts for rations.
(96t) 10 Rain. Now work. Start of Quinine famine. Men on Yak carts. Went to Hec's service.
(100t) 11 More Yak pushing. First operation on bamboo table. Small amount of good news coming in. ∧ 125 men to work. ∧ Conference with Takuda
12 Rain during night. Maj Hunt walked back to HQ's. Camp duties cut by 100. ∧ Hosp 1473 ∧ W/parties 120 - 150 Yaks ∧ several ∧ killed
(101t) 13 W/Party demanded 200. Rain in night & day. G/Rod Parade. Tayama. Pressure on for w/parties ∧ Returns for 16 June ∧ W/P 17 ozs Hosp 12 ozs
(102t) 14 ∧ Rain ∧ Swedes 2 fish on fin 80 to birder fir rations. Rice now 15 ozs W/P & 9 Hosp. Position down line seious some 6 oz rice.
(104t) 15 3 M & B last night stopped signs of shits. Yak party returned 0200hrs hard trip. Rain. More discharges for w/parties
(106t) 16 Rain. Ration party with packs etc 50. Test job on road 120. Cerebal Malaria more evident 3 deaths
17 Clive Moore leaves on 4 day trip North. Sent note to J. Wagstaff. Now wardmaster. Threat of no food for patients
18 Offs starve for q day very hungry. All Offrs given jobs. New job OK. Rumours of move away.
19 Settled down in new job. New w/Masters mess/ 147 Patients. Royal Rout by 2/30 sacked all 2/26 Offrs.
(109t) 20 Clive Moore returned with news Truck was got going. Hosp now 1246 & contracting. Clive's session.
(110t) 21 Still raining daily but not all day only odd showers.
(113t) 22 Rain (23) (114tr) Col Harris Col Banno visit to camp. (24) ∧ Blitz on Kitch. Dyer sacked. ∧ Rain, Very quiet 25 Offrs Ration Party.
25 No interest anywhere. ∧ Rain ∧ Few rations came in no increase yet 26 (115t) Rain Rice increase tomorrow, ∧ sore on ∧ my leg.
27 Rise in rice ration. Carved F. Gibbs cross. Weather reports coming inn slowly
(t116) 28 Rain. Boys killing & selling YAK meat, $! to $3 for good cuts $3 for 3lbs.
*MALARIA C + C. B BERI
18
1943
JUNE 29 Pay arrives for Offrs. Captains 3 mths $120. All Officers receive $20 per M = $6 . First news of move.
30 Classifying men to move etc. Maybe moving 6-700 men (sick) north
JULY 1 Col Kappe arrives. Maj Hunts trip to Nichi Nichi. May hear some news. Reg Swartz stays night.
" 2 Pay maybe increased to $90 by Kappe. Cameron staning in front of Gd House (Pickaxe)
" 3 Another days starve for lost pick. First feed 1730jhrs. Tabacco & cigaretts coming in. ∧ Things men are selling. ∧ Cgeck of Jap Stores mooted.
" 4 Maj Hunt returns news of Hosp he as OC. I now have tom tits 8 Offrs escape, rest 5 day no food.
" 5 Nips recall blankets & nets. Classification of ward. (117t) (6) News of my name for move N.
" 7 List of Offrs issues for move N. (8) No news of move. Things very quiet. Ration parties every day.
" 9 Con depot formed. Move N cancelled indefinitely. Chas' trouble outcome?
(18t) 10 Now to go and live at Hosp 6 Offrs in two bays. 11. Col Kappe's policy for camo. Pay, etc, Mess
12 Called to enquiry. Climax Reached. Chas talk to Offr. Purchasing Party successful. W/Parties small
40 13 Busy day. Nips take blood & Dys tests. (14) No excitement Tobacco etc Nips take all tests.
(11 st) 15 Talk of lights & unloading at Nichi. Another buying party of Nichi. Buying party returns.
16 W/Parties asked for are bigger. Rations for sick (some) up 100gms. per day. Nips talk to Maj Hunt ∧ men may die, ∧ etc.
17 W/ " slowly increasing. New C/D formed. Sore on leg very sore. Off colour today
18 Canteen stores arrive 4 Cases of Red + Med Supplies. 2 Bit. MO's Malaria experts arrive, Dicky birds of ulcers etc
Fergy extracts some teeth in word. Rain becoming heavier.
(120t) 19 P's of ulcer legs. Meals for day included English potatoes. 20 Very quiet day
21 News of Burma trip. News of camp possibly clothing. Blitz on nets & tents. Had severe Colic tomtits.
22 Getting new rolls ready. Fairly rainy all day. Tom Tits stopped. Talk of move to No2 camp.
(122t) 23 No further news of move. R'lway work started. News of 500 men to 3 Camp. Boongs coming here.
24 Maj Hunt goes N to Hosp area (25) Buying party to Nichi. Received $20 refund. ∧Better rations∧ R Cabin
(124t) 26 Busy getting Rolls etc ready for move, Purchasing party for men. (27) Fine day (123t) more Gualte. Belly ache!!
28 Maj Hunt's return. Cholera Test. Talk by Maj, Hosp not so good.
(125t) 30 Preparations for moves still going on. Only 2 MO's left for Hosp.
AUG 1 First convoy moves past for Burma. Word of move to 2 & 3 Camps. Slept badly
(127t) 2 Chas leaves for 2 Camp me in doubt for Burma or 2 Camp much hustle & bustle ∧ Very wet onight ∧
3 Just missed out on trip to No 2. Fergy instead. Another 300 standing by for 2 Camp. Word of Burma postponement
4 Sad stories CHOLERA amongst natives our cookhouse & men all down
hospital end of camp. Natives are filthy and steadily dying Ulcers, cancer, etc
5 Position still very serious. 30 More men move to 2 Camp. Nip goes to Nichi for word.
120 men to go to 2 Camp tomorrow leaving only Burma Party & staff here.
Rain quite consistent.
19
12 elephants go past. _ Mr Korasu - good to us his English idioms etc. Tom ama
6 Party to Nichi for Sevin, Some movement by trucks from Nichi. Nights buying from Nip Cigs $1 Fish 350
7 Another 88 men to move to Camp 3 only B/Party & few staff left still no news. Boong under W3 noises at night.
8 Men kill snake 10'2" in hut. Still no word. Ration parties each day
(129t) 9 Purchasing party to Nicki, also Serum. Beautiful sunny day. Serum arrives. Purchase from elephant man
(130t) 10 All our men now had another Chol. Needle. Men chased killing YAK. Thai money now scarce.
(131t) 11 Boongs leaving dozen or so bodies on ground. Sales of stuff. No word.
12 Rumours of Maj Hunt coming back & us moving south. Fires in hits alot of wood.
(133t) 13 Rumours of move south cancelled. Ration parties. Money from Falenda $600 Joe Mooney.
(136t) 14 Plague needle & Wire rod. Old Koriasn one friendly Nip. State of Dysentry word Sick men
15 Very quiet MP's taken over Nichi no purchasing party (16) Day quiet Rumours move still on ∧ Letter from ∧ Maj Hunt
(137t) 17 Very quiet again Wet afternoon. Stores of 2 Camp 500 dead (10 per day) Natives death rate declining.
18 Quiet again. Rumours of move on 20th INST. Capt Brown (Dr) arrives left Changi 27 Jun 43
19 No word of any move Koriasn's present cig paper. New MO to look after natives in the camp.
(138t) 20 Col Banno's visit to Hosp on way to Burma. No news more Tobacc & Gula, Priest died mental?
(140t) 21 Very wet & quiet day. (22) Grula stolen Quiet.
23 Col Banno returns from Burma. News of Maj Hunt (24) No word. First 2 trucks move to Burma. Perry leaves.
(141t) 24 50A men standing by to march to 5 Camp, more expected to go by truck (25) ∧ MO's for evening meal. ∧ 1 truck load of men BURMA
(142t) 26 50 Men leave to march to Hosp (14st) (27) Burma move continuing.
(144t) 28 Trucks go down. Rumours of more pay (144t) (29) More trucks leave ∧ 4 ∧ Kit inspection by Nips.
(145t) 30 No word (31) Rumours of Red Cross Stores Koriasin drunk again
SEPT 1 One new Cholera case. Des Carney's cooking. Move to Burma Truck to No 5
State of camp, getting in, condition of patients food etc. Rough roads
2 Move to Kando. Better camp. A Force boys Yanks & Dutch rough roads. 2 men
dying no sleep for mooning. Orderly who gave us cigs & sweet coffee
3 Move to Railhead. Roughest road. Wait all day & night. No sleep sat up all
night. Rain all night. Nip Truck - Railcars. Offered $130 for my watch
4 Left on train for Camp at last rotten trip slow & hot. Boong smoking
cigar back to front. Boongs getting on trains, stench of sores etc.
5 Arrived camp O.K. Started work immediately Stan & Gang OK. Took over
E Ward. Transferred to over the line. Ulcers only State of men arriving.
Hosp, food, the way trams arrive & men handled.
20 Busy getting general work done. My sores giving trouble but OK.
6-7-8 Serious ulcers to be amoutated. Little Boong shoved off train
Cheroots food getting better. Operating theatre.
SEP 9 Busy gettint area in order news of Canteen Figure trouble. New to Take over C
10 Look over C Ward Dysentry. Busy getting into new job. Many deaths
11 Settling down news of probable canteen
14 Last few days just routine. Several amputations done successfully. Rumours of our
pay in camp. Food not much improved. Very little canteen food. Filthy men
with filthy habits. Lieut Gray my 2 i/c on English Offr ex India interesting.
15 Things moving along slowly. Men apathetic. no guts left, still dying off heavily.
18 Issue of 61 cigs. Calico shorts, etc. Still no canteen. Very heavy rain the last few days,
and still raining. Men who just give up & die after weeks of fighting. Eat wise
campaign. My sores clearing up. Rations improving heaps of vegs & meat.
Dead mens gear how little each man has.
19 244 Deaths to date in Hospital out of 1920 men. 20 today 208 B36 AIF
Still raining heavily. Man who had watches & jewellry in kit.
21 Rumours of IJA Medical General to visit on 23rd. Few beans coming in
Rain appears to be easing up. Death rate still heavy 53 in my ward since 3 Sept.
24 Still raining heavily. Large quantities o vegs difficulty in cooking them.
General still coming. Death rate still heavy. 190 to date 15% of camp in 1 month.
25 Visit by Nip Col. No news. Camp still the same deaths over 300 now.
29 Things going on as usual. Boongs going past on train calling waving
giving thumbs up. Brig. Varby's visit $1,000 gift. Death rat still high.
yesterday 341. Duck stew feed $1.20. Rain has cleared up.
Col Dillon arrives. Pay for Offrs 2 weeks. RAMC & AMC plus all patients.
Good weather coming in. Completed unit role. Stan has Malaria!
30 Arrival of 11 Yak carts. Men's pay $5,443. My pay $60.
Oct 3 Paid all 2/26 men 50¢ Amenities. Rumours of movement but nothing
definite. Talks of recce planes. Rations light on tonight.
4 Trip to Anaquin. Shopping. Japanese purchase of cakes.
Type of village Free tea with purchases. Pomaloes, Lemons. Clogs, biscuits,
eggs 3 for $1. Red Cross being put up. weather very fine.
6 Nothing happening deaths now 401. New Japanese Officer takes over.
Cool nights clear skies.
LIEUT GRAY. R. MORAY NAMK, WHARFDALE RD, PARKSTONE, DORCE.
OR C/- R.A.O.C RECORDS
21
Oct 9 Large supplies of canteen goods in. Received $35 Pay.
Talk of move now very strong adequate steps being taken.
Rations irregular now and not as plentiful as previously. Still dry. Creek serious
deaths now 420.
11 Started Malaria treatment. Water position very serious.
Canteen supplies now good.
13 Kitchen moved down nearer to water. Very long food carry. Washing a problem
no word of move or anything else. Men caught trading reprisals.
14 All wardmasters paraded to Nip leader. Difficulties in cooking. Rumours of
move back to Singapore in 20 days.
16 Still in trouble with Nips, but getting better. Rumours of more Red + stuff on the way.
19 Jap issue of cigarettes 70 per man. Creeks still drying up, very hot weather
my malaria still running a temp only 3 days more on quinine.
22 No news. Kitchen moved again to better creek. Finished Quinine today. Ich starting again
24 Things still very very quiet. New kitchen working OK. Truck up from Nicki took tools away
25 Still no weather from outside (27) Death 530 (27.5%) Meals good plenty of beans
Started on course of R/Polishings (Did not start course)
29 Thrashing of O'Rouke 20 lashes. Black Marketing. Man with 8 Bottles of Quinine.
30 One of our men goes to Lanbasai with Nips. Very hot from lunch onwards
31 Talk of 5 Bags of R/Polishings. Rice polishings arrice. Weather inclined to be stormy
NOV 1 Boongs moving in lots of inter camp movement R/P's still coming all on 3 ox per day
3 Camp very quiet after move resorting settled. Scenes in W6 ghastly sights. Still no weather.
4 Visiting round an ordeal terrible sights. Still no word. Deaths 575 (29.3%)
6 Rumours of movement, busy getting rolls etc reading. English offr Capt Sydney died Cholera needle.
8 Chas visit news of move on 20th. Weather very disappointing. (Kappeyama [[Quickamini]]
9 Chas goes back to No 2 Camp. (10) Lots of R'w'y equi'nt going North also war supplies.
10 Pay arrives with good weather $35 Thai. News of 400 from No 2 Camp to move on 16th Food not so good now mainly beans, & rice very monotonous. Everyone
keyed up for a move somewhere or other.
14 Glass Rodding? News of move on 17th I hope not to miss it. Deaths 635 32.5%
15 Had glass rod. Looks like alot of men to Stay behind. ∧ Gkass Rod & malaria test ∧ Big shock when told I was staying
17 One Cholera carrier fuss made by Nips. Busy making up useless tolls.
18 News of move now on 21st Nov. Out of smokes.
22
Nov 19 First word of trains of 200 in 6 trucks. Balance 340 here.
20 Move commences Stan gone. Trains each day of 200. Men on early
trains have long waits. Everything proceeding to plan
23 Troops still leaving. Sick men left. Hopeless cases amongst them can do nothing.
27 Move all finished now settled down in 8 Hut things seem to be
OK. Going to Lan Basai tomorrow. Duly 320 now in camp.
218 Patients. Camp deaths 675 (35%)
30 Visit by Col & Major from 55 kilo talk of move to Bangkok Old Bill's visits
Food just fair Padre's Uncle Crump & Chas Fred. Men still dying
DEC 5 Life very quiet. 60 Yaks move in. Building Air Raid Shelters. Talk
of move about 25-7 Dec. Felt off colour for last few days. Malaria? Chill?
Food still good. purse going down rapidly. Deaths now well over 700 in
this camp.
7 Things still very quiet. No outside word "I Bring" The trader and his antics
8 Trip to TAMBASIAT with Nips adventures there, accident with truck, buying
eggs etc. Slept right in Barracks. Pagodas on the way. Women in fields.
11 Change over of Nip Guards. Now under Koreans. May have to push
cart to Anaquin for rations.
13 Truck arrives back no more pushing Yak carts we hope. Falling of
Lomboya tree. Alot of 2/26 men dying of Preparations for Xmas everyone
looking forward to it. We have hooch, chickens.
16 Water drying up in creek. moving kitchen to new spot. Truck
leaving us again.
20 Creek still drying up only holes left now to bathe in and very dirty 752 GRAVES Man who had hallucinations, Frank's trip to 55 Kilo. Papers & weather.
Very little of it though. Death rate decreasing but still about 1½ per day 66
Bombers flying over towards Bangkok. Work on cemetry now looking food.
22 Letter from Stan. News of movement Sth. We may move in February. Pay $50
24 Xmas Eve Service Chapel. Carols, Sing songs. Franks trip to Anaquin. YAKS.
25 " Day Brkfst WATER MELON, SUGAR & LIMES, SWEET PORRIDGE. LIVER & BRAINS, BACON & EGGS. MARMA;ADE TART, COFFEE, MILK 7 SUGAR. CIGS & CIGARS.
LUNCH, RICE STEW, PASTIE DOUVRE TEA:- MEAT & GRAVY DOUVRES. PUDDING & SAUCE COFFEE (28) Plenty of eggs & Gula. Camp Great. no excitement, Veg Garden!
31 Trip to Anaquin pushing cart. Aust'n rations. Injections Cholera Dys, etc
Chickens for New Years day dinner N/Years Eve evening meal of chickens, pudding etc,
concert. Hooch for New Year.
Amusing incidents
Request for reference from Col Oakes
"Thimbs up" sign by guard on truck for pineapples.
Bill McGeever's assistant asking permission to go home for lunch
Efforts to learn to drive on Bukit Timah Shrine job
Day we had to stand on tennis court for stealing from Quarry
Incidents during searches. Picking up campers, grenades, photos etc. Not worried about search
Terrific tempers. Kiotski & Yasame on jobs. Dress of Uda.
Yank's activities at B'Timah. Men drawing petrol for Steam Roller at Golf Links
Amount of clothing worn by them, Cholera belt. U/pants etc
Boys teaching them to call themselves name eg: "Me a C-t" pointing to his nose.
Ants in memorial. Urine in cement. Selling of tools.
Samo's performances. Piano playing.
Night Norm White, McGeever & self taken to Guard House at B Timah on way to Coy lines
Teaching Nips to call themselves, unwittingly, names such as F--- C---
Ball bags worn by nips copied by our men
Boys & Nips working together near knock off time.
Guards nipping off from the job to the B.T. brothel. Nips & our men selling stuff from Godowns.
Sikh & Nip Guards abusing themselves in public.
Cleaning rifles & arms at B/Timah. Empyting shells
Guard at Havelock Rd sending our man back for his rifle & equipment.
British MP's grabbed 2 Nip Gds stealing clothing, put them in them clink, took rifles and Bn to deal
F Lowry bathing his balls in a tin at Adam Pk.
Nips ambushing Thais. Nips giving our men pick a backs
Elephant breaking McGeever mug in mad rush at night
On March Australian Soldier No 1 heart No feet.
Lanterns nips use on marches. Nip fear of wild animals (Tigers)
Fergy extracting Nips teeth with fencing pliers & scissors
Watch buying & selling. Boong being cremated jumping up & running away
Ward 3 "Shitters Ditch" Men bogging in his own bed, then getting into other mans bed
Glass rodding native women at 5 Camp.
"I BRING" the trader and his sayings
Thai girl to A.I.F lad. "You - no fucking good!"
300/20 20(00)30∅∅∅( 17505 Sgt Horsely K.T. 28 Jan
[[12259]] 11259 L/Cpl Bannah VJ 25 "
[[11067]] 11607 Pte Dawson PW 28
VX61560 " Kinniburgh JH 10 Feb
9881 " Whitmore RA 29 Jan
[[14423]] 14123 " Nelson LW 30 "
QX11504 " Doyle JF 19
16482 " Nicol GG 28
12008 [[???]] L/Cpl Ennett F E Changi
14796 Pte Callaghan G A 21.3.42
10 Jan left Ulu Sedili
12/11 move & sleep to PALOI
11 move to JEMENTAH
11 Settled in go position
12 Coy's got into position AS/13 11 Div moved back
12 Night 11 Div moved back
13 11 Div still moving. Word of our relief to come. Wet night.
13 Advance party to PAYA LANG Estate
13/14 Waited for relief in rain
14 Bn moved to PAYA LANG Estate - Coy m. gunned from air on move
14-17 Stay at PAYA LANG
17/18 Move to FORT ROSE Estate
18/19 Withdrew to Segamat. MAN KILLED
19 Rest at BUKIT SIPIT
19 Moved into position on river bank SEGAMAT
19/20 Slept night
20 Coy moved to GEBUANG to protect Embussing
20/21 Brigade embussed for move to YONG PENG
21 Arrived YONG PENG moved into position
21/22 Stayed for night on hill
22 Moved to Embus for AYER HITAM
22/3 Coy slept one night
23 Day at BATUPAHAT Rd
23/4 Night slept
24 Coy moved to RLUANG Rd
24/5 Slept night on KLUANG Rd 1 MAN KILLED 6 WOUNDED
25 Withdrew to Embussing pt for SIMPANG RENGAM
26 Dive bombed. Casualties 3 WOUNDED
26 Sent to Singapore on recce
26/7 Stayed with Athol
27 Contacted G2
27 Recce Bn area - Tea at Div HQ - Endeavour to locate Bn
27/8 Returned to see Lt Col Boyes at 40¼
28 returned to Singapore
28/9 Stayed Athol
29 Went to Malayan Cmd
29 Contacted G2 at Div
29/30 Slept at 2/29
→ 30 Waited for Bn at KRANJI
30/31 Bn arrived were put into Coy areas
31 Coy slept at Pineapple factory
31 Stayed morning at factory then moved to Coy
31/1 Slept in Coy's old position
1 Quiet 2 Quiet 3 Quiet - Camouflage Nets on rd. 4 Quiet - Dive bombers on [[???]] Tanks
4 First signs of Ja[ activity in GB
5 First Shelling
6 Second days shelling
8 Third day A & B Coys hit also 13th area & Coy Reps & 14
9 Japs landed - blowing up of Shell Oil depot
10 Withdrew to BUKIT PANJANG - pasts blazing oil tanks
10/11 Stayed for day hiding - Blazing oil tanks - closed in perimeter for night. won "D"
11 Withdrew to Clark Rd - Japs - cross country to Golf Links
11/12 GBD
12 Moved to Tyesell Palace thence to Hill 100
12} Types of homes - country - dive bombers - dispositions - Units
12} Arrival of Major Glasgow - Capt Rickard - Lt (1 Man killed)
13} Two Gordons killed in slit trench - Fergy & McGarry wounded
14} Cooking - electricity - Phone - Books - clothes - Razzors - Baths - Telescopes
15} Lollies - Grog 300 cases wines - Med supplies - Man killed _ Bomb shelter
Snipers = Shelling - Men shot at by Gordons & Capt Fox to 'D' Coy - Cease Fire
Visit by M/G Gordon Bennett 1530 hrs - Dogs - Trip to B.H.Q with Robba
Own troops shelled by own Arty - last barrage of battle
Tape Flor Personasi Ebien Gusto
S.M.T.O.B.C.O.
Tabacls Depa???? Calidad
PART OF PRESENTATION
15 Oct 42
Torn paper
skius
trtheen Stan
Lismore
___________________________
Torn paper
½ 25 - 13 - 6
½ = 12 - 16 - 9
Back cover
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