Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

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

them to do enough to justify our losses. It's not really a case

of not working because they all scratch around 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.  Jack [[?]]

& I were worried that [[?]] [[Share?]] would want us that day and
that he would call for us at 1000 here at [[?]] H.Q.  We presumed

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

we waited till 1215 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 Baher & could not let us know we were [[?]] to having

a lunch. But we owe him an apology. His reason for

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

Barhit Timah. Very nice it was too.  [[?]] & [[?]] and

the daily papers.  Conversation is of course a little difficult

between people who have only the vaguest knowledge of each

others 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 [[?]] from
memory.  Indeed the whole score was written from memory I'm
told.
Chair  Comrades in Arms and Vikings Sang.  Again good.  I liked
the former very much and would like to hear them sing "The Bitter End"
Orchestra  Henry VIII
Shepherds
Soloist - John Foster Harg - He is tenor and really good and polished
His numbers were
& in response to persistent applause gave us "Where 'er you walk"
I still maintain that the [[?]] is the finest [[?]]
instrument yet made
Orchestra  Minuet Symphony E Flat (Mozart)
Pomp & Circumstance No 4 in D (Elgar)
Both very very good.
Orchestra & Chair - [[?]] [[?]] [[?]] [[Solanthe?]] ([[?]])
[[?]]
Altogether an amazing performance for anywhere - Changi POW Camp
included where nothing really amazes.
Thursday 4 Mar 43  Here is the advice told 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 dysentry
(2) Brancho-pneumonia
(3) Toxaemia.
Signed  Arthur H Home  Major
for Lt Col Comd Alott. A.I.F.

Meek.  has gone on no duty again.  [[?]] constant infections in
the [[?]].  Ron is carrying the baby again but I'll promote
Ian Pearson Temporary Lieut to relieve him.
I had a note from [[?]] 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 [[?]]
300 had left Changi & he was reduced to 36 for the Bn.  [[?]] Saggers
has been transferred to 2/19 Bn and went away in charge of his son.
It [[?]] that they have gone to [[Bla?]].  There's still
no knowledge of what really happened to the 3000 party.  From
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
[[beach?]] we'd have been informed or otherwise the lesson would
have been lost.
Wed 10 Jan  Another week of fairly likeable [[?]].  The
ration scale containers 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 across 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 Onetta.  The result of this TEWT were considered
by Comd. when planning the defeat of Malaya. and modified
to suit political needs - always the bug bear of the fare 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 switches
about of parts of Units down to [[Sh?]] [[Ri?]] - a very heavy fight
and at the end of the second lecture we find the AIF in
action at Gemas, [[Sigar?]] and Muar.  He grandly 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
Messing where 22 Bde had prepared good defences and sent
22 Bde to Muar where the Japanese Guards [[?]] [[?]]
put in to break through the stand being made by AIF
I cant see all when I enjoyed an evening more than last night
The 18 Div Symphony Orchestra male choir and Col [[?]] Details
It was a treat.  Here is the sequence
Overture - Don Juan (Mozart) Conducted by Reg. Lewison, 1^st [[?]]
East who fills this post for [[?]] Thomas Becham  Lewison is
the celebrity pianist. and the orchestra included 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.
Chair - Loch Lomandm [[?]] to the Daly & Men of Harlech (the 1^st list
arranged by Scovell.). conducted by John Foster Haig (celebrity Tenor)
They were delightful but the arrangement sounded [[?]] the
air unnecessarily.
Orchestra. 1st Movement Piano Concerto [[?]] (Schumann)
Reg. Lewison 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, [[?]] & 8 Div Corps).
& "D" [[?]] 27 Bde.  The new layout may make things simpler
for Area H.Q. but for the Comdrs. of working areas - no.  But
I'm afraid Area works on those lines mostly.  They want [[?]]
& I now to try with the Japanese Officers to have same Coys
again switched between areas for their convenience.  With
regard to our "C" Bn too I dont 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 C Coy
& Jack & 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 now 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 29 Feb 43
Lt. Col. [[?]] Harvey has just made his rounds and [[says?]] I
may return to Unit today & continue [[?]] [[?]].  I have
enjoyed the rest but am pleased to return.  Yesterday's
[[?]] 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.  They are still
a bit hazy but I should say that there is no [[?]] of
permanent damage at present.  I hope not anyway.
Tuesday 2 Mar 43  Back at the Unit again.  I am again under
Major [[?]] at the Eye Clinic at Convalescent Depot.  At present I
draw Marmite yeast and [[?]] polishings at Unit [[?]] 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 their 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
Thursday. A lecture by Maj Wild of 18 Div on Japan
Wednesday
Thursday - 22/29 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 [[?]]
on Sunday & play the final against Arty today.
Our visitors for dinner Sunday were under an arrangement whereby
the [[?]] exchange a few numbers each Sunday.  We had 3 from
1 Sig Bn & sent 3 down there.  Gordon Barter Tom robinson &
[[?]] [[Garvans?]] came to us.  Garvans is 2/40 having come with Lt Col
Leggett's party for interragation.  Half their Unit has since came
over and gone back.  Their offer 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 reached
into their systems through lack of time and any [[?]] can
usually be traced to them or their influence  when you think
they have never seen a Bn. Parade.  Their spirit most
suffer from missing the life of the Bn over our total
existence.  Officers, to them, are merely [[?]] but the
older originals can remember more things than the
present.  My men to be evacuated were CW Gray [[?]] [[?]] [[stress?]]
All good now
Leahy, HW HM Ballard (Bert), Bendall,
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 Three said as I was leaving. - OK 1730 hrs 

We can send 24 words of message and no [[?]] into
re our domicile or army matters and no slang or
semi-slang or [[pronouns?]] - My message as follows:
No.  Rank.  Name.  -  Date.
My Darling.  I am in [[?]] 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. [[Bank?]]
I heard yesterday that there is a Repat Ship in
Singapore.  It may be time.  I hope there is more inward
mail and comforts and that our cards heave on it.
Thursday 25 Feb 43  To do absolutely nothing requires considerable
effort and I'm not certain that this complete [[?]] [[business?]]
does not defeat itself in the output of energy needed to remain
really inactive.