Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

& I'm afraid that their own officers will not be able to persuade

them to do enough to satisfy our bosses.  It's not really a case

of not working because they'll scratch round in the one place

making that job spin out till say lunch time.  It's really just

as much work as cleaning that place up & then cleaning some

other job up. - But they cant or wont see it.

As I said last Monday was a holiday.  Jock Fraser

& I were warned that Sato Shoee would want us that day and
that he would call for us at 1000 hrs at Area H.Q.  We presumed

that we were to go out for some explanation of the work. Well

we waited till 1245 hrs and with much muttering left for lunch.

I had just sat down to eat when an area runner came to say

that he had called for us.  So thinking harsh thoughts I went

back. He was most apologetic saying that he had been sent to

Johore Bahru & could not let us know.  We were resigned to having

no lunch.  But we owe him an apology. His reason for

wanting us was to entertain us to lunch at his mess at

Bukit Timah. Very nice it was too.  Wireless & piano and

the daily papers.  Conversation is of course a little difficult

between people who have only the vaguest knowledge of each

other's languages - but we managed and he was a very

genial host.  It was certainly one up on the rest of the boys.

excellent - I do not know what the conductors name was for
this movement.  It is long and was played by Renison from
memory.  Indeed the whole score was written from memory I'm
told.
Choir. Comrades in Arms and Vikings Song.  Again good.  I liked
the former very much and would like to hear them sing 'The Battle Eve'
Orchestra  Henry VIII
                     Shepherds
Soloist - John Foster Haig - He is tenor and really good and polished
His numbers were
& in response to persistent applause gave us 'Where e'er you walk'
I still maintain that the human voice is the finest musical
instrument yet made
Orchestra  Minuet Symphony E Flat (Mozart)
Pomp & Circumstance No 4 in D (Elgar)
Both very very good.
Orchestra & Choir - Peers Chorus from Iolanthe (Sullivan)
Grand.
Altogether an amazing performance for anywhere - Changi POW Camp
included where nothing really amazes.
Thursday 4 Mar 43  Here is the advice rec'd from A.G.H
regarding WX 7474 Pte H.M. Ruberry
Result of P.M. examination.
Died at Changi A.G.H. 23 Feb 43
Cause of death
(1) Amoebic and Bacillary Dysentery
(2) Broncho-pneumonia
(3) Toxaemia.
Signed  Arthur H Home  Major
for Lt Col. Comd A.G.H. A.I.F.

MacK. has gone on no duty again.  Some irritant infections in
the crutch.  Don is carrying the baby again but I'll promote
Ian Pearson temporary Lieut to relieve him.
I had a note from Tom at Changi the other day
dated 15 May.  Then he had 50 all ranks but a more recent
memo to Alf with some wallets etc. said that since then another
300 had left Changi & he was reduced to 36 for the Bn.  Bert Saggers
has been transferred to 2/19 Bn and went away in charge of the 300.
It's rumoured that they have gone to Blaka Mati.  There's still
no knowledge of what really happened to the 3000 party.  Tom
confirmed that Pen Dean & MacGregor had been brought back to
Changi gaol but they had since been removed to some place
unknown.  I feel that had they decided to shoot that
bunch we'd have been informed as otherwise the lesson would
have been lost.
Wed 10 Jan  Another week of fairly tolerable inactivity.  The
ration scale continues quite good.  Vegetables are really
liberal & the meat is by no means stingy.  Fish too is coming
forward, mostly dried & with a strong smell but quite tasty.
Area reorganised itself into four Bns. made up

Col. Cappy who is Staff Corps gave a series of lectures to
Officers on Malayan Campaign while we were away at
Adam Park & is now repeating them for us.  He commenced
with the T.E.W.T. lasting 3 months conducted from India while
he was at Quetta.  The results of this TEWT were considered
by Comd. when planning the defence of Malaya. and modified
to suit political needs - always the bug bear of the pure soldier.
Then he carries on with the attack of the Japanese against
K.B. and the vaccilation by the Governor about advancing into
Thailand and the botch up over the Jitra Line and the switching
about of parts of Units down to Slim River - a very heavy fight
and at the end of the second lecture we find the AIF in
action at Gemas, Segamat and Muar.  He roundly condemned
the person who sent the troops from India untrained to Muar.
I agree that it would have been better to have put them to
Mersing where 22 Bde had prepared good defences and sent
22 Bde to Muar where the Japanese Guards Division was
put in to break through the stand being made by AIF.
I cant recall when I enjoyed an evening more than last night
The 18 Div Symphony Orchestra, male choir and Celebrity Artists.
It was a treat.  Here is the programme
Overture - Don Juan (Mozart) Conducted by Reg. Renison, 1^st Violin
East who fills this post for Sir Thomas Beecham.  Renison is
the celebrity pianist. and the orchestra included 6 violins, cello
bass, 2 flutes and some half dozen brass and silver instruments.
the names of which beyond cornet and trombone I do not know.
Choir - Loch Lomond, Drink to Me Only & Men of Harlech (the 1^st & last
arranged by Scovell.). conducted by John Foster Haig (celebrity Tenor)
They were delightful but the arrangement somehow clouded the
air unnecessarily.
Orchestra. 1st Movement Piano Concerto [[Ar?]] (Schumann)
Reg. Renison took the piano brilliantly and the orchestra was

of the existing Companies A, B, C, & D. Bns.  "A" is the English & Scottish
Units, "B"  A.A.S.C.  "C"  Sigs, MMG & K & L (G.B.D, A/Tk & 8 Div Corps).
& "D" is 27 Bde.  The new layout may make things simpler
for Area H.Q. but for the Comds. of working areas - no.  But
I'm afraid Area works on these lines mostly.  They want Fraser
& I now to try with the Japanese Officers to have some Coys
again switched between areas for their convenience.  With
regard to our "C" Bn too I don't feel over happy at being
grouped with K & L & Sigs.  K. & L are unfortunate in being
a very mixed bunch which makes control hard & Sigs are 6 Coy
& Jock & I agree they are the worst Coy on the road.  Well I
suppose Area will always have last say so we must try to
make things as smooth as possible for ourselves under the
new organisation.
On Monday last further evacuations were made to
Changi.  From hospital all beri beri & malaria cases were
sent and some sick in lines and men regarded as undesirable.
We missed out again as only our sick in hosp went and
I'm sorry that they included some of my best men. 

now back in lines.
Sat 27 Feb 43
Lt. Col. Cotter Harvey has just made his rounds and says I
may return to Unit today & continue treatment there.  I have
enjoyed the rest but am pleased to return.  Yesterday's
test by Major Claffy was satisfactory and good improvement
shown.  I can certainly read what I am writing now while
a week ago I could not read as I wrote.  Things are still
a bit hazy but I should say that there is no danger of
permanent damage at present.  I hope not anyway.
Tuesday 2 Mar 43  Back at the Unit again.  I am again under
Major Orr at the Eye Clinic at Convalescent Depot.  At present I
draw Marmite, yeast and rice polishings at Unit RAP. and am
to go again for testing at next Tues Monday. 
This week is fairly fully booked.  Friday xxxxxx Saturday night AIF Concert,
Sunday - Church and three visitors for dinner afterwards,
Monday - Symphony & Celebrity Concert @ 18 Div. in the evening &
Tuesday A lecture by Lt Col. Cappy at 1430 on Malayan Campaign
Tuesday. A lecture by Maj Wild of 18 Div on Japan
Wednesday
Thursday - 22/27 Bn Concert
Friday.
and some good sporting fixtures interspersed. Our Unit won
their hockey semi final against 27 Bde HQ & L of C. in fine style 1-nil
on Sunday & play the final against Arty today.
Our visitors for dinner Sunday were under an arrangement whereby
the messes exchange a few members each Sunday.  We had 3 from
18/19 Bn & sent 3 down there.  Gordon Butler, Tom Robinson &
Brian Gordon came to us.  Gordon is 2/40 having come with Lt Col
Leggett's party for interrogation.  Half their Unit has since come
over and gone north.  Their apn. to rejoin was NOT granted by I.J.A.  

The Unit would be far better without a few, not all, of the
men who joined at Fremantle.  Discipline had not soaked
into their systems through lack of time and any bother can
usually be traced to them or their influence. When you think
they have never seen a Bn. Parade.  Their spirit must
suffer from missing the life of the Bn over our total
existence.  Officers, to them, are merely gaolers but the
older originals can remember more things than the
present.  My men to be evacuated were CW Gray
Drysdale & Sgt Stevens
Leahy, HWHM Holland (Bert), Bendall,     All good men.
Work on the job progresses very slowly
The factors are, lack of effort on the part of our men
& lack of tools & a planned days work by our overseers.
The Col. from Singapore came out yesterday morning &
laid down that work would continue for 1 hour to 1830 hrs
as a penalty & if a days work was done then back to
1730 today.  Sato Shoee said as I was leaving. - OK 1730 hrs 

We can send 24 words of message and no comments
re our domicile or army matters and no slang or
semi-slang expressions. My message is as follows:
No.  Rank.  Name.  -  Date.
My Darling.  I am in quite good health and fairly
comfortable.  Anxious to hear from you that all are
well.  All my love  Avon.
For want of a more certain address I have addressed
my card to c/- C.B.A. Perth.
I heard yesterday that there is a Repat Ship in
Singapore.  It may be time.  I hope their is some inward
mail and comforts and that our cards leave on it.
Thursday 25 Feb 43  To do absolutely nothing requires considerable
effort and I'm not certain that this 'complete rest' business
does not defeat itself in the output of energy needed to remain
really inactive.  Tomorrow's test with Major Claffy should decide.
The number of patients in the officer's Ward has increased.  There
were seven when I came in and now there are 17. and four of the
originals have gone out.  Lt Col Leggett had his teeth removed.
and has gone out.  Major Maxwell is in for a hernia
Two days ago Pte Ruberry of 'A' Coy  - now of
course, with my No.1 Coy died here - dysentery. Pte Stone
has been seriously ill and Lt Col. Cotter Harvey tells me that he
is now out of danger tho' when I saw him last night he was
slightly delerious.
There was rather an outbreak of dysentery at
Selerang.  My 4 PL was the only one to be affected of my
Coy.  All possible avenues of infection were checked &
it seems to be in check.  About 12 were evacuated to A.G.H.
and only Ruberry & Stone were serious the remainder being 

But I think our genial friend is as keen to Bunk off as
we are.
Over the past few days they have been repairing
the Club House roof & ceilings & doing a bit of cleaning up.
I dont know why but expect to find out soon.  If they
intend using it as guard quarters they'll need water & light.
Midway & Libyan rumours were good last night.
Friday 12 Jan 42
The big shot is still hostile and work continues
to 1830 hrs & today which was to have been a holiday is not.
The weekly rest day is changed to from Monday to Friday
but we have to wait until next Friday.  Today is gray &
raining fairly constantly so I'm lucky in that this is my
day in.  This day in, day out arrangement is a real boon to me.
We are starting a canteen in opposition to the Boongs. Local
Boongs are coming round our roads & are peddling on the Golf
Course & their prices are far below the Canteen.  So our Canteen
should be priced similarly.  Serves the Boong Canteen glad.
Another muster roll call last night.  The men got
home at 1900 hrs & had to parade @ 1915 w/out tea.  They
were not amused. 

There was a Coy of Japanese soldiers who did a mock action
on the road & retired with men wearing slings etc and helping
the wounded out.  No doubt depicting a Coy of brave Nippon men
who captured these 15000 prisoners.  A Ghastly business.
Thur 18 Feb 43
C/- A.G.H. Roberts Barracks Changi - Note the new address.
Its not very serious or I hope not.  For a week I had noticed a
blurring in my vision.  This is a complaint which has affected
quite a number of men and is caused by a deficiency in Vit B2.
I had found difficulty in picking faces @ 30' and paraded sick
R.M.O - Capt Tim Hogg sent me to Con Depot for examination by
they Eye Specialist - Major Orr.  He applied his tests and sent me to
A.G.H.  I marched in yesterday.  There is not much in the way of
treatment - only to be put on to Marmite and rest.  Today I was
tested at the Hospital Eye Clinic and am due for another test tomorrow
I fancy I'll soon return to lines because here I can only have rest &
Marmite & tho' with the Unit I cannot get as much of either I can
at least get some Marmite & some rest.  The right eye is more blurred
than the left and feels weak.  Its a worry as I've always enjoyed
very good and keen sight and on return to the Bank will need my eyes
at full capacity
Sunday 21 Feb 43.  On Friday I went again to Major Claffy the eye
Merchant here for further tests.  I fully expected that he would
send me back to lines and was disappointed when he said to
continue to do nothing at all and see him again in a week.
In the meantime I get a half teaspoonful of Marmite with
each meal.  I must admit my eyes are dim in fact I find
it hard to read this as I write.
Today we rec'd another Red Cross  Card for
despatch to Australia.  It is identical with the last -