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

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 on 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

PRO4271

To 13264, Sgt. R.M. PULLIN.         

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

IN THE GARDEN of. AUNT ETHEL &

UNCLE FRANK'S 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.

Bobs 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 comandant 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 [[rice?]] or any of the other things that smote 

down so many onth the railway, I have been most

fortunate in many ways. At times I have been so

hungry, I have picked leaves from the jungle & cook

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
I was thrashed a few times with bamboo punched
& kicked but by comparison to the others got off
very lightly. My clothing has always been reasonably
decent. I have little to complain about.
Letters received inform me of many marriages.
Latter on I will write, or perhaps personally
congratulate the happy couples. The Pullin family
tree is spreading its boughs. There appears to be far
hope for Gwen getting off the shelf, for Gwen's last
letter spoke of Uncle Harry being poorly, I hope
by now he is back to good health
I am pleased to note that Martin has taken up
a decent trade, welding should have a better
future than counter jumping. Bob should be finished
his time by now & be a full tradesman. I have
received the information about Bob's girlfriends
Pleased to note that Gwen & Bob are still connected
with the scout movement. Mention is made about
"Peggy has a son" which Peggy does this refer to. surely
not Peggy Wearne.
As regards to my movements for the near future,
I do not know where the army will take me to.
They are not obliged to ship men to anywhere
except Malaya. I will get in touch with the
Force head officer & obtain at least a months
b leave or finish up with them. If they have
been paying paying me in the past I will be
under the obligation to go back to them. Only time
will answer a lot of these problems I will try and
be home for Christmas.
There are a lot of things I would like to say
[[page torn]] but I cannot decide what is the most interesting

Page 3
I have managed to keep a nice handful for of
personal belongings together. these included this
pencil, Pen, writing paper, the wallet you gave me,
cigarette case that Bill Howe of my staff gave me
Pay book, Passport, Bible, Prayer books, Driving
Licence and the pullover that Gwen knitted for
me. Last but not least a matchbox cover for
[[Martinxx?]]. The pullover has been very usefull,
in the past 3 years. I have been afraid to wash
it in case I spoil it. I have no Lux. Possibly
I will bring it home for Gwen to wash. Unfortunatly
I lost my watch. As the band broke when I was
filling a can of water at a river.
I wish to be remembered to the numerous
relations, when possible I will write to them. I
sincerly hope they are all enjoying good health
my regards to the Gadens, Browns (fellows & Roly)
Reids & the rest of the [[next door?]] neighbours. Allan
Howe, Jack Mayer, Reg Dunning all come in for
mention. I notice from the letter of 16/1/45 Reg
lives near Martin. So I conclude Martin has started
a home of his own. Good luck to him. Has
Mother own pet cats, dogs or fowls these days, I bet
there is a cat. How is the garden, I am an
expert digger these days, I have shifted mountains
so I guess I will be able to dig the garden when
I arrive. This letter is all I I I I but I do
not wish at present to go into detail of the
past, my P.O.W friends I will save for a
latter date.
I hope Mother does not worry about things
I am in the hands of fate and I cannot tell
when I will be out of the 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 vegatables 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 ^I/C in an electric shop

where we generate current for cook 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 rice bread

& ½ 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 (V)

Pratchai

Thailand.
PRO4271

15^th September 1945.

Dear Mother, Gwendoline, Martin & Bob,

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 I only managed to buy one for [[little?]]

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 putting 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 nip on my heels. Gwen's

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

it. Martin living at Kogarah, [[up to?]] 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 18^th 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 (romour) 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 probally
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 Garden" Parties detailed to work the full day in the garden.
"British Garden" All men who work in camp or finish work
early 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 Bean, the beans are
now 8 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 xcannot

be seen to return the salute.

The little turncoat nip salutes us when we pass, EX P.O.Ws are 

forbidden to talk to Japs, personally ^it I takes no order to stop

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

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

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

We have been paid £1.70 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 to them 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.

So long till next time.
Your Loving Son & Brother

Ron Pullin.
PRO4271

Singapore 23^rd Sept

Dear Mother, Gwendoline Martin & Bob, 

Arrived 5 minutes

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

arrived Bankok same day stayed in Bankok

till this morning, 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 soon 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

Mrs Pullin

9 Wellington Road

Hurstville

Sydney

Written in English

No. 13264

Rank: Sgt

Name Pullin R.M.