Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

he wanted me to take over his work at area H.Q.  I spent
the day with Roberts & can take over if he leaves at short
notice.  It seems a good compatable Grp but will
mean handing over control of our men to MacKinnon.
Still if our M.G personnel move I'd ask to go with them.
The P.O.W. postcards came along yesterday and
were duly handed back last night.  I hope some gone thro'
O.K..  Matyuara says they should reach Australia in
a fortnight.  It's a very comforting thought that they 
will get some word from us.  I wonder if the arrangement
is reciprical?
It has just been a normal week.  Pay arrived
seven days overdue & 42[[?]] ends another period.  Road
work seems to be getting pushed on at the expense of
the [[multi?]] drains & they say slave conditions prevail on
the actual [[?]] work.  I wonder what all the urgency
is for!
A few more oddments of personal gear arrived
yesterday but nothing for me.  Just one cloth jacket is all
I've got out of a lot of kit.  If I am invited to a
party or such where trousers are not required then I can
attend correctly dressed.  Otherwise the jacket is of no use. 

two days ago from 2/29 Bn.  Lieut Riches transfer from
2/4 M.T. is approved & he comes in in a few days time.
1. Coy is from old 'A' & B' Coys & 2 Coy mainly old 'C' & D & HQ Coy
mainly old H.Q. LAD & reinforcements.
I had 183 all ranks & was reqd to reduce to 146. Quite a
number were 'unfit'. having war disabilities etc and some are
sick & in very poor condition.  To make up the 37 I had to
reject: the first were the permanently disabled then those
chronically sick & then the ones I did not wish to keep from changi. 
I have taken a risk on some men in hospital who are valuable
men & trust that before I have to move this Coy. anywhere they
will be fit to move with us.
It is the C.O. intention to transfer such N.C.O. and men who are
definitely "unfit" to X list thus leaving the way to promote others
to the N.C.O. rank in their stead.  We can only promote to Acting
Unpaid Rank but at least they can gain exposure and enjoy
the temporary statis. at
We had an R.M.O. Capt Haig to dinner tonight.  Lt [[Somers?]] [[?]]
funny but not as much so as when we invited our own C.O. to
our Mess at Adam Park when he was in residence @ Area HQ.
There has been no more heard of the extension of the zone of fighting.
We miss the electric light very much and it is rather galling to
see the 9. Fd. Amb. building next door looking like a lighthouse
I am struggling now with an a small lamp glass until
yesterday when "dutchy" managed to drop it.  [[?]] it
didn't [[?]]
Sunday 24 Jan 43  Tom Bunning came and had dinner with us last
evening. and on Friday we had Eric Warloy over from Con. Depot. 

Thurs 9 Jul 42
The past week has been typical & nothing of note has
happened.
I heard yesterday that "A" Force is at Victoria Point
near Alor Star doing some work on aeroplanes.  "A" Force
is the one which includes Maj Green and apparently a
substantial part of the Bn - perhaps 200 men.  Also, we are told
1500 men contained at Singapore yesterday to somewhere,
If I dont hear from Tom Bunning from Changi again I must
assume that he was included in that party.
Thur 16 Jul 42  Since over his test Sunday I have been
C.O. "C" Bn.  It happened this way.  Capt Pickford who
has had that appointment went back to Changi ostensibly
to a post as S.C. 22 Bde (and told has new enemies) and as the
Area Comd didnt fancy any other "B" Bn Officer he sent 
Alf Cough to take that Bn. & I move up to Alf's post.
Very nice, & I hope I can hold it down.  On the Saturday
Capt [[E?]] (Gordons) came out and took over my job.
& I [[?]] in expecting to take over Stan Roberts work but
rec'd this pleasant surprise instead
The Bde Group, our "A" Bn. have gone to a
Camp near Food Works to do some other jobs and are no longer 
under this Camp Comd.
I have taken up residence at Area HQ and its 

for a sail.  With this and a month's rations and fuel they
set out hoping for Australia.  After some time they almost
wrecked on some islands and spent days cutting their way
across.  They left this island, how I'm not quite certain and
finished after 9 weeks in & on the ocean by being washed up
on to the xxx East end of the South Coast of Java.  They crawled up
the beach on hands and knees.  Natives got them to a village and
they drove for two days and were handed over to the Japanese
Their story then is of normal prison camp life.  The last fact
we didn't get in much detail because Airey had to catch the flag
ferry back to Southern Area and again I fancy he not too clear
as to details himself
Sat 9 Jan 43  I had a knock of cricket this morning.  In the competition
games 2/4 MG. & Con Depot troops combine for a team.  I didnt
do very well and am afraid I cant expect to play in the matches.
Yesterday Carter told us that the 2/3 M.T. troops did not behave
very well at Java.  This was before the Japanese tending there
He says that they had a lot of loot from Singapore and they
did a lot of looting in Batavia and generally behaved like
hooligans  I hope these actions were only those of a minority. 
Sat 16 Jan 43  Alf Cough had rearranged the Unit - Both the strength of Coys.
& their organisation and has reposted Officers to sort the new
scheme.  We have now a H.Q Coy & Nos 1 & 2 MG. Coys instead of just
3 working Coys. Officers are posted as follows -
1. Coy. Capt Smith-Ryan, Lieuts MacKinnon Lee & Liermonth
2. - Capt Gwynne, Lieuts Wegge O'Sullivan, Vincent & Riches
HQ Coy Capts Hill Pabum & Lieuts Branson & Mentiplay
or H.Q. C.O. Major Cough Adj. Lieut Walton or Lieut Ambrose Bns Capt Hogg.
Capt Hogg lives @ 9 Fd. Amb. next door.  Lieut Vincent was transferred in 

very comfortable indeed.  The Area Comd his S.C. & Marshall. ^& QM &
the Bn C.Os and Adjs & an English Liaison officer and and
batman.  It is a very nice comfy cottage and for only a
small number carting is easier.  Our meals are very attractive.
As regards volume of work, I cant really say that my last post
was solid but this one is good too.  Alf had the Bn well
organised and Lieut Hertage is a good reliable Adj.  So while
we remain here things wont get harrassing.  In the event of
a move I may assume more responsibility.  Here's hoping
any way.
Sat 1718 Jul 42  Yesterday Gen Percival visited here and
informed the Area Comd that he and all senior officers
down to & including Brigadiers Full Colonels were leaving shortly for
Japan.  3000 troops would accompany them.  Its rational that
some place of security would be found to hold the senior
officers of the army. & may or may not mean that the island
is now regarded as a place which may be [[?]]
Had a further memo from Tom Bunning two
days ago.  There are only half a dozen 'B' Coy men at Changi now
& only 1800 A.I.F including Hospital staff and patients.
Last night the Seniors from here were invited
to a [[?]] show.  It was on the lawn of a house near [[??]]
& included a news reel of the Battle of Malaya & Singapore. 

took a header down the bank and [[hoped?]]. The Japanese came
to the edge to administer the Coup de Grace. McClean who was not
dead called them every name he could think of and then got one
through the head.  Airey had lain quiet and they took a shot at
him just seeing his forhead, stunning him slightly.  Later he
heard movement which must have been McLean coming to and
moving away.  Ocherby was dead.  Airey then moved off and had
many experiences until 18 Feb. when he came to the coast & found a
canoe or small 10' plank boat which leaked like a sieve.  In
this he got out to a wreck, tried to patch it with a [[??]]
without much success & put off for the first island.  Natives
prevented him landing by throwing stones.  This was expected on
several islands but finally he had to land and rest from baling
and paddling.  They sold him a little coffee and food and sent him
away.  He headed for what he thought was a small island but
proved to be the end of a larger one and had the same bother in landing. 
On this island he found a Dutch Official and an English Officer 
named Pocock.  Pocock had arranged to charter a sampan for 80 [[fr.?]]
& Airey went in with him.  They made Sumatra in this landing @ the South
end which was then in dutch hands. They made other contacts there
and went up river and across to the Western side.  Some English families
were still there and housed and fed them.  From here on he xxxxx was
with rations after people trying to arrange to get further.  A [[?]]
man wanted £400 for a launch, this with the Japanese 25 miles off.
but finally they got a boat of ship life boat pattern. The Dutch
officially forbade them to leave harbour but when they went out
did not stop them. They could not manage the [[large?]] oars with
only about 9 aboard so came back to shore and took a [[??]]

Fri 234 July 42  Another quiet week. We have organised another 'D' Bn. (in place
of the 2227 Bde personnel, under Major Haig, who moved out and became a [[?]]
camp near [[?]] [[?]] [[?]].) The new arrivals are from No2 Camp.  The A.I.F
part of it from the houses on(Lor?) Rd Syme Rd corner. They are about
700 strong under Lt. Col Robertson (20 Bn) & one 22 Bde and some 80 odd Sigs.
Had a few more lines from Tom Bunning.  He has duly
about 30 of our Bn left with him not [[?]] new officers are Lieuts
Warloy & Ambrose. Tom is living with 29 Bn H.Q. & is understudying Bn Mgr.
This of course doesn't mean a thing at present but in event of anything
happening to affect our release it could lead to his appointment & should
clear the way for me.  I was the only Coy 2/c in our Unit whose Coy
Comd. was not removed through consequences of battle. However this 
present position in which I find myself has made up for that
& should the above suggested event occur I may manage a satisfactory
appointment if not promotion.                                                                 

 Sunday 256 Jul 42  Another mess night last night but I'm afraid
that lack of a little beer tends to dampen things a bit there's no
doubt that the glass that cheers ones stimulate conversation.
Today the C.O. is inspecting my Bn lines (or hear is) & I hope Coys.
have paid attention to those details which offend a C.OS. eyes.
I had a little trouble today evening when the Japanese
picked up an a Sig. man in a native hut. He had his pack full of
cigarettes & 5 bottles of beer.  It took some time to get him released and
then on condition that we give him 14 days.  I agree that a stiff punishment
is required against bringing beer etc into camp.
There is still wild talk of moves, the latest being
that all officers are headed for Japan. The senior officers haven't
gone yet.  Still our eventual removal to a place of security must
be regarded as a possibility.
Thur 30 Jul 42  Life moves along quietly, the first inspection of my Bn by C.O.
wasn't exactly a huge success. True he found that we had the best houses
in the camp but also that we had some [[?]].  The Officers command
have taken it well and that is terrific cleaning up activity.

Lt Cpl [[?]] South they say has been sick. Carter was wearing
3 stripes. They came from Java in a ship of about 8000 tons
which had obviously been in use as a Japanese transport being
filled up with boats.  They were crowded in and said the ship
was rather dirty but meals were good.  As in failing going
overseas from here strict watch against dysentry patients were
made.  Careful inspections held during or [[?]] of drafts.
Previous Java parties have only stayed here a day or so before
moving North and these people understand they only have a couple
of days here.  Jack Hands from Capt Comd D Coy 2/3 MG is in
this draft.  Sam Cowan did not land at Java, he went on
to Australia, lucky man.
Fred Airey's tale is an epic.  When he and Ocherby left us at the
rd Jn on Monday morning 16 Feb 42 he drove a truck picking
up Japanese dead and taking them to the [[?]] & [[?]]  He had
his truck packed at one time and Ocherby driving a Vauxhall
happened to park alongside him. They got down and walked off
but got picked up and taken to a house where there were about
10 other oldies including McCann and Malthouse of our 6 Coy.
Later they were taken out, hands tied behind their backs and
marched off to be shot. They had to turn their backs on the firing
squad & face the little gully into which they would fall. They were shot
in threes.  McCann was in the first 3 and as we know he got one
right through his left side, came to later and after many wanderings
was taken into a civil hospital partially looked after transferred to
a Japanese Military hospital well treated, brought out to Changi
Gaol to convalesce reaching Changi Camp in June.
Airey was in the last 3 & his bullet whistled past his ear so he 

The senior officers party has not left for Japan yet.
Fri 31 Jul 42  Yesterday the working parties came home at lunch time for
a half holiday and we have all day today - a rest weekend.  The
reason is that here is some sort of a "do" on.  Said to be to [[?]]
the big wooden bridge.  There is also talk of a celebration at the HQ
at Bukit Timah no doubt all part of the whole schermozzle.
I had a Run of Circles yesterday and today I am
rather stiff and sore. Id a lively sort of game and we all raised
a big swet. Ray Morton has that effect in these parts and of
course all gear saved as there is no winner.  When one comes
to think of it this time last year we had been at Woodside
Camp S.A. and were cold and miserable.  We were just commencing
to prove that delightful countryside with a few half day route
marches.  Despite the cold and wet we enjoyed our stay there the
main attraction being week end drives to Richards and Grace.                                        
Thursday 13 Aug 42   It has just been routine over the last fortnight.
I rise and have breakfast at about 0800 hrs and get down to the House
lines about 0900 hrs.  Take a general look round and occasionally a
look in detail.  My main worry is in the non resperative attitude of
a few officers. - all junior ones.  I have been for a walk around
the working parties a few times.  Once we walked right through
to the Race Course then out to Duncan Road at about the Chinese
High School and home down the main road.  Quite a pleasant
walk.  I am still hoping one day to get out to Changi.
Rations are not so good lately.  Quantity is sufficient
to fill but the quality is sadly lacking in essential vitamins. The
M.G. declare it a virtual starvation diet.  Far too many for peace of
mind are being [[?ated]] to Changi with Beri Beri. Some dengue cases 

performances running every night until all ranks have had
an opportunity to see them.  Lectures on a thousand different
subjects are on each night. debates & intellectual discussions
There is a celebrity concert party [[?]] I'm told they really are
celebrities.  The violinist is a leader in the London Philharmonic
Orchestra.  Padre Foster Haig is a [[?]] tenor.  I must hear
their perform.
Sport is lively and covers all branches. Our boys are [[?]]
up and will give a good account of themselves in this regard too.
Fri 8 Jan 43  Last evening at about 2000 hrs a large party (stated @ 5000)
arrived from Java. and today we heard that Carter and Hunter
(of 'D' Coy left at Fremantle) and others were amongst them. And
also W.Os F Airey our R.S.M was with them.  Amazing but true
because he Carter and Hunter came over here this afternoon.
Carter & Hunter's story is that when returning to the "Aquitania
at Fremantle in Jan 42 they were apprehended and taken to
KarraKatta, charged AWL, not 'desertion' and given 29 days
Before their time was up the 'Marella' had been brought round
and they & other troops came North on her. They were coming on
to rejoin the Bn.  In the meantime Singapore had fallen and
they were landed at Batavia.  For a time they were drafted to
2/3 MG Bn and later withdrawn into a composite Bn.  At no
time did they actually fight and say they never saw a Japanese
until 19 days after fighting had ceased.  They do not speak highly
of the Dutch troops, but as no one force here speaks highly of any
other force their comments are perhaps harsh.  They were put in
concentration camps.  Of the 2/4 MG men there were no casualties
but 2 men (NOT of 'B' Coy) died of [[?]] during the time on Java.