Letters of Ronald Maurice Pullin, 1943-1945 - Part 1

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.199
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

37 6r 1105 Moa 1442 a pec 8/ 14/142 sole like MUH Blomer of to u i we wore coad nn raw moum wneme te da here had an lottare or other. Ato a lot of a a od sor of ro III n 10lt I mat ro cald 7on that Conato sact ot led t bad a beey oue it aled as viree os the aopted o on it o not a ar n non are colne on Lino. E 1.3.1 io tr OrIO -Hlo Mlo Ropt o tton the not (ol all popo to o a rar 200 nlo I lorost ber o, but that doogat nntter, I guose. Nor, last bot aot tu oAred to oer 21 iteto wt com WrHAE Io Me guite a Moo rddiag. Mero m on of the bridowad a llo o ald lost Lony ther Mr Merled at Sl. Coore and the breablast me at the Nenerial aall. trbat hs o geet he aa m reat ol at a tal to ao All mll here -h of coure to talting of cothing sre wopt thes a mee wol a wll a soplee to goe pos eone won. Nerrbody Males to to re to yon ln 108t roon, 2o1ds, 10 Dom, an tont r t, an 211 cawna WIr Lalo To rine
M 13264, S9l. R.M. PULLIN. 19 4OPS.W. CANP. THAIN WH L ASEL 20/24 WIS ROTHER UNCLELRANR 4200 TNELLINGToNEd CP (ABh1 HURSIVILLE H.S.W
Pallin 13464 s sout ent P00 nithat 1os teh I have of stailar Pow wont it t allowed to o think the te stist w0 geto rant Robs birthday was the great forme ny guard liftne for a short worte on Inoteced that other chaps as thir guards hadvaniih up the elettrician shop and went where everybody was scanding a trp up About p0 the Bt yo dowt oavle litgle sound ad yet quietly tell in Wish carp comndut anounced Pence ilks. We song the king foisted the flag I but very few could eat a all tosette I sen received about i last taif a phote of nun & P well renloaks tl sel froch bet I sugget golendolive tekes a slinaig course sorre to recve news of Dads departur the letters If received fastr spake of his alleers so I was pefe ie shock. I deeply reglet not being able torb present Felyb my health except for a spill wke tha oheb hasbeen excellent, io nataria viteusi or tother then down s e nthe cite sturate i ways attente thunary sot leas 7
E recker ler t &atetin Eoughs t fe to bel ope for t Vitty of sosh & yor le isla t3p t ell ta the seal tqr Foorly 14 as slearl to wl tlat t t has tikeby ery St E Seat Guey bt t gi Gesete al Niillnd a ae pattere & like hint te iatue t ofher ssmtt sd apwt sixden Sill e Teaerh Detalg Woate t Teltne nel of I & Lihe to Esqr soude i at dad sme ros ary Donhat i d 4 and anat t feet bi clla yan I lave ben t a coset I have not lige test sill dog it thresr p to & last m ga te a th we atorat a sever & wee to resstion ss sil use tape wall wisre sove Jack a ito retire tees shere Am a tine of sis hndwithr nttepe and t is capetdges a sualto rase as fanoarte satiere ot bt wi g ad past ig terem dtyaupla te t ye latt date Repn toe dy about thi Pant the tansto whn Isill de Stafantl
ragst but for to breakfarly eon ende jourt egatable sega d oct arcsptentiful ow what srew It isgetting o stendo th afer finish off wishing luck & health Chope to be hove soo Your Lovingon on fullin Ps. saneds just, pleaking I have takeng hous write this y work in yan electore shop where we generate carrent & coopou gourd soome I will do no weane out of his by eteern. Well tim for ett & ten breapfast of rothent wa a couple of sters o ressd e
7th Septebe 1748 me ou espaint & in that tie I have see all the english lave on the dustratinare expected to te rent o day Recently t to sec to astops aewillen that ul at sete wa of tianse sis Iee days bgoI rclived on letters from no a Goe One inclated a sps lake in ant Frank houe Rotter is pattey on a good niddle agse yot fit and ealthy of guv letter sam acked ifread & is good at that date sdid not have tine to turn round without have my heels Guors letter of 7s sept seat you wate neege aid not receive it neste bnyat hogi y er tch sick hp o ha no whil to the Tagettermnly I have n give not mentiona the before, Give my regords to Mo Graten Nothers wishes of 18 October & will soon as to pas terfeet to see you all before this letter From inforation rebielldI wted tht I will go by olorry to saughot, e to s gepor, th ship to syday Tere isr anour that wt wallfly spore e nege to be witl goother with nu storsite in a cattle tried, any other retted will be paradise. It its is possible ind to obtainor sday bin sugfo to pou abot te consition of the plant & health of the office and factory worhers unless the retive ohed for th 1p he ha most poobally for the as intel the stared. I may be able to do somithing is fit the works wit to ope supe nea ftom watore state that shere ll gon in the footpattso t
The cot sells cord with guates tade the ips ey wnte as follow nep Garles steas detaild to sort the fill days g British guden all men who work in caup or finst word easly or oatude parter must do one loas work per days the gaodeas Private Gurdens those people who had the time and itd to could lave a garden of the ove and be sece all other yardering fatiques I had a garden of uy but nett by rofe and plaated witl lean to been st righ and just storlng to bear ipoodere goes to the centoalcookhoi Theron I had plenty of tie is b ort at night on a lghting set f lave hav been conniong ver the cap and dropping foo dal gias clothes, books cigantl and visleds sets He startion to look like an eray agan rstead of a boker soon sures of trpThe plets up a a plecome over that must deap th pelol at save up but replose an ou sesanto fortdden to talk to pps prsonl lake is order to stop will the frends Frily a P0.W 7 and what the rep look was be when the intervend be finished worty the tocterbuind e av pair 1pt it for head the contare has in nobbed for the lost cofe of daye a and thank of any o are kuping fit tell thereweaith talle that well 6 allowed one letter hee week areakfost bugle las in th entethat Deggs, & selegd, ensteyof till next tix Your Lordy to
Singapore 23 Rept Dear mother, Gwenttobind Martin & Ross ago next stop change. Left Pratchal about 5 days ago Arrived 5 minete sisrived Bankok same day stayed in Bankok till this morning flew to singapone. Had a manvellous time in Bankoh, I will tell you about it soon The plane trip was good. On arrival here was given a pencil letter card, packet of Fags & a ten of sweets Have not much time thefor lovry leanes for change I am out of sate son cannot tell you what branch of the Womens Australian army greeted me here I guess they are red cross. Hope you are all keeping fit I am in better health than ever sots of love+ Luck your foring son & Brother Don Pulten
KAN MFOKI EEUMLT LETTER Mos Pullin 9 Wellington Road Herstrll sydney W it oy ono

37 BN
FROM:
MR. C.S. PULLIN,
9 Wellington Rd.,
Hurstville,
SYDNEY, N.S.W. AUST.
11th August 1943,
D Rec 8/12/44
No. 13264
Sgt.R.M. PULLIN - Prisoner of War in Malaya.
Dear Ron,
At last we have found out where to write to you. It is a long
time since we have had any letters one way or the other. Quite a lot of
things have happened in that time Jack Bartlet came and saw us, and gave us
good news of you till he left. I think we told you that Cousin May and
Jack got married. May had a baby but it died at birth so they adopted one
and it is such a bonny youngster - a little girl. The next one to get
married was Cousin Norman and Jean. He is at a parish up in the north of
N.S.W. They are expecting an addition shortly - they are going fine.
Then Dave got married - his wife kept on working - her name is Nona.
Next on the list was George (of all people). He has a very nice wife -
I forget her name, but that does'nt matter, I guess. Now, last but not
least, our Martin. His wife is quite a nice girl, they seem suited to
each other. They are staying with us for a while - they are both still
working. It was quite a nice wedding. There were between 80 and 90 guests.
Gwen was one of the bridesmaids and believe me she did look very lovely.
They were married at St. Georges and the breakfast was at the Memorial Hall.
Everybody had a great time and everything went off without a hitch. We are
all well here - Mum of course is talking of nothing else except when she sees
her boy again. Also Gwen, Mart, Bob and Orvie and myself are well, and
hoping to see you again soon. Everybody wishes to be remembered to you including
the Greens, Reids, Mrs. Brown, and Aunty Mary and family, and all your
Aunts and Uncles, and their families. Your loving - Dad and Mum.

 

Photograph - see original

 

 PRO427

To 13264, Sgt. R.M. PULLIN.         

4(1)P.O.W. CAMP. THAILAND.

 

IN THE GARDEN of. AUNT ETHEL &

UNCLE FRANKS WITH MOTHER. 26/12/44

 

FROM

MISS G. PULLIN    9 WELLINGTON Rd,

HURSTVILLE.  N.S.W.  AUSTRALIA.

 

13264 Sgt. Pullin.

Bomb Disposal Section 

Singapore Royal Engineers CW

Ex P.O.W 

Pratchai 31/8/45.

Thailand. 

Dear Mother & all,

I have often said,

as a P.O.W., won't it be grand to be allowed to

write home. Now I have the chance I can think

of nothing to write but I suppose as in the old

days I will manage to ramble on.

Bob's birthday was the great day for me.

At 5.30 the my guard left me, for a short

time I worked on. I noticed that other chaps

were knocking off as their guards had vanished.

I shut up the electrician shop and went to my

hut where everybody was standing around asking

"ls it the wrap up". About 7.30 the British army

"Fall in at the dowl double" bugle sounded.

The camp went mad yet quickly fell in and

our British camp commandant announced "Peace

Talks". We sang the "King" hoisted the flag, drank

tea but very few could eat any rice.

All together I have received about 16 letters, the last

one contained a photo of Mum & Porky. Mum looks

very well in her floral frock but I suggest

Gwendoline takes a slimming course.

I was very sorry to receive news of Dad's departure. The

letters I received first spoke of his illness so I was prepared

for the shock. I deeply regret not being able to be 

present at the last.

My health, except for a spell when I had cholera

has been excellent, no malaria or dysentry or

vitamin lice or any of the other things that smote 

down so many on the railway, I have been most

fortunate in many ways. At times I have been so

hungry, I have picked leaves from the jungle & boiled

them up in a tin.

 

Page 2
I have not lost any weight, in fact I have put on
a few pounds as a guest of the Imperial Japanese Army



 

  

Page 4

The food at present is good but far from
home standards, we have rice for breakfast, dinner

& tea and enjoy it. Meat eggs vegetables sugar

and oil are plentiful. I know what stew is.

It is getting near the end of this paper so I will

finish off wishing luck & health to  one & all,

I hope to be home soon.

XXXXXX

Your Loving  son & Brother
Ron Pullin
P.S. Dawn is just breaking, I have taken 3 hours

to write this. I work in an electric shop

where we generate current for coop houses &
gaurd rooms. I will do Mr Wearne out of his

job on my return. Well time for a 
bath & then breakfast of 2 of fried eggs & 2

small bananas a couple of slices of pickled

 

*{+ 1/2 pint of ricepap with a 

pint of plain tea to wash it

down. Love to all and

especially to mother.

RP.

To

Mrs A.H.Pullin

9 Wellington road

Hurstville

Sydney

Australia

 

FROM

Sgt. R.M.PULLIN 13264

B.D.S. SRE

Pratchai

Thailand

 

15th September 1945

Dear Mother, Gwendoline, Martin & Bart,

Well a month has passed since I

was released, in that time I have seen all the English leave

for Rangoon. The Australians are expected to move at any

time in the next 5 days. Recently leave to town has been

granted daily, when leave stops we will no that we will

move  within 36 hours. While on leave I have been looking

for presents but to date it only managed to buy one for [[?]]

Gwen It is made of Siamese Silver.

Three days ago I received 6 more letters, 1 from Mother &

5 from Gwen. One included 2 snaps taken in Uncle Franks new

home, Mother is pulling on a good middle age spread yet

looking fit and healthy. In one of Gwens letters I am 

asked if reading is good, at that date I did not have time 

to turn round without having a [[rap]] on my heels. Gwen's

letter of 7th Sept. 44  "Sent you radio message "I did not receive

it. Martin living at Kogarah, [[?]] Sept 44 Sgt Reg to Capt Reg.
2/ Nov 44. "Uncle Albert sick" I hope he has recovered by now.
Give my regards to the Targett family, I have not forgotten them
even if I have not mentioned them before, Give my regards to
Mrs. Graham. Mother's wishes of 18th October 44 will soon
come to pass, I expect to see you all before this letter arrives.
From information released,I understand that I will go by
motor lorry to Bangkok, plane to Singapore, then ship to Sydney.
There is a [[(?)]] rumour that I will fly from Singapore to
Darwin, so long as I start soon I do not care how I travel,
I can manage to ^ travel be with 40 others with rice, stores etc in a 
cattle truck, any other method will be paradise. If it is possible
I intend to obtain 2 or 3 days leave in Singapore to find out about the
condition of the plant & health of the office and factory workers,
unless the native worked for the nip he has most probbaly
starved. I may be able to do something for them as until they
are fit the works will not be able to open up. News from
Singapore states that there is not a cat or dog to be seen
& that even the footpaths are made into vegetable gardens.

 

This camp is also covered with gardens. Under the nips they worked
as follows "Nip Gardens" Parties detailed to work the full day in the garden.
"British Gardens" All men who work in camp or finish work
ealy on outside parties must do one hour work per day in the
gardens. "Private Gardens" those people who had the time and
wanted to could have a garden of their own and be excused
all other gardening fatigues. I had a garden of my own, it
is about 40 ft by 30 ft and planted with beans, the beans are
now 3 ft high and just starting to bear. All produce goes to
the central cookhouse. The reason I had plenty of time is because

I work at night on a lighting set.

       Planes have been coming over the camp and dropping food,

medical gear, clothes, books, cigarettes and wireless sets. We starting

to look like an army again - instead of a broken down bunch

of tramps. The camp lets up a cheer when planes come over that

must deafen the pilot. Chaps wave up but the plane crew cannot

be seen to return the salute.

      The little turncoat [[?]] when we pass, EXPOWS are 

forbidden to talk to Japs, personally X takes no order to stop

me from being friendly [[?]] with the friends. Daily a P.O.W.

will meet a Jap in a back street and what the trip looks

like when the interview is finished is only the doctor's business!

     We have been paid £.70 to £6 per head. The canteen has

been mobbed for the last couple of days.

        I cannot think of any more to say write. I hope all at

home are keeping fit, tell the Newcastle Public that I will be

writing them I have not written nothing as I am only

allowed one letter per week.

      Breakfast bugle has now blown so I must go out collect 

3 fried eggs, 2 sausages, 2 slices of bread, 2 bananas.

                Your Loving Son & brother

                    Ron Pullin

 

                                              Singapore

 Dear Mother, Gwendoline Martin & Bob, 

                          Arrived 5 minutes

ago, next stop changi. Left Pratchat about 5 days ago

arrived Bankok same day, stayed in Bankok

till this morninh, flew to Singapore

            Had a marvellous time in Bankok, I will

tell you about it soon The plane trip was

good. On arrival here was given a pencil, letter

card, packet of Fags & a tin of sweets Have not

much time before lorry leaves for Changi

I am out of Date so are cannot tell you what

branch of the Womens Australian Army greeted me

here. I guess they are red cross.

     Hope you are all keeping fit. I am in

better health than ever Lots of Love &

Luck 

           Your Loving Son & Brother

                  Ron Pullin

 

 AIR MAIL

 

          Mrs Pullin

            9 Wellington Road

                Hurstville

                  Sydney

 

Written in English

No. 13264

Rank: Sgt

Name

Pullin RM

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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