Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

a novelty for me. The [[??]] each with that little
basket & collect any edible scraps from the drains etc. I believe
the lot of the Chinese is not good at present. A Chinese woman
was moving cement in the [[?]] she carried water from near
at hand but had a long [[?]] with her baskets of sand. She
didnt seem to mind trucks running over her heap but when
hubby came out and criticised her mix she seemed to have
answers. Another sad faced girl had [[??]] slung around her -
she was [[rather?]] [[??]]. I know some one who couldn't
have [[??]] dear, lil [[?]] Incidentally the A/C depot is
in Clarke Road.
X ([[??]] were Australians - see [[?]])
Two Englishmen were [[?]] at Changi, a xxxxxx fortnight
ago. - escapees. I understand that the firing squad was made
up of Sikhs. Those Indians are armed guards over us at Changi.
There are four Australians - a Capt [[???]]
who are at present under sentence of execution at Changi:
As some time has elapsed we hope it has been waived.
Thurs 29 Sept 42
Pay for officers is becoming a matter of urgency. Our last
pay day was on 24 Aug. last and for some time now we have been
'broke". We are still managing to mess fairly well on borrowed
capital but the [[?]] to that arrangement is that the new
pay when it finally arrives is so heavily mortgaged. Yesterday
we heard that $30 & $25 monthly are officers rates [[??]] probably
being shown at Field rank. From that Changi will deduct $10
for Hospital & thus do away with the necessity for making deductions
from the men's pay. So far it's early news from a reliable source
so will await definite news before commenting.
A [[??]] craze is sweeping the officers messes lately.
We have had a few nights against 'C' [[?]] and have won [[??]]
 

I slept the sleep of the just (fed) all
afternoon as did all of us. Tea was another highlight but
none of us could do it justice. We will have to [[?]] our
notions of what we will do to a good meal on our return
because after today I'm sure my stomach is so unacustomed
to quantity and quality that it doesn't function as of yore.
The threat that has been looming up for the
past few days - return to Changi - has increased and tonight
we learn that [[?]] English party, is The Manchesters, are to leave at 0900 hrs tomorrow. xxx That seems to indicate that even
if our orders aren't already on the way they are coming. Rumour
says on the 28th. To support that is the fact that we only rec'd
3 days rations instead of the usual 10 days issue at a time.
Alf Gough has gone down to say 'hello' to xx Col Oakes in hopes
of [[?]] out anything he knows.
[*1943*] 
Tuesday 5 Jan 43
A tremendous amount of water has passed under the bridge since
my last entry. We are now at Changi again. Let me try to put the
matters in sequence.
Christmas Night (Thursday) we rec'd orders to return to Changi on
Monday morning, and made plans accordingly. With that [[??]]
the move was simple to arrange. For Saturday night we arranged a
dinner for all officers from Adam Park Camp [[?]] our [[?]]. It was
very successful - some 43 sat down together and the Camp Comd
Lt. Col. Oakes said a few words and was followed by the [[?]] Comds.
We had to rise at 8 pm as the Commandant had [[?]] & word
that our move had been put forward 24 hrs and the first Bn would
leave at 0930 next morning (Sunday). Luckily our Bn was not
first and were due to leave @ 1200 hrs.
 

I have played a few games but am not yet in [[?]] class
but have picked up some of the jargon and have heard of
[[???]] Also I realise that [[?]] attack
and [[?]] defence have nothing to do with the [[?]] German
battle. Last night Wylie Watts an English officer from [[?]] Camp
came over and played us x blindfold - and won.
Our [[?]] was raided by ants two nights ago. They
were the [[??]] brown [[?]] out and came in their thousands.
it was a perfectly [[massacre?]] and was completely unexpected
we retired in great disorder and spent a sleepless night in
the [[?]]. We have quite a few [[?]] at the house despite efforts
at eradication and believe the ants raided them. [[?]] are
on their side and feel that we should have been informed of
the impending attack.
The following is just an aide memoire of an incident
8 Coy [[?]] McDermott had a fracas with the [[???]]
[[??]].
Thur Oct 6 42
Officers rec'd 'pay' on the 4th which was most welcome but
the conditions under which the Japs paid us is rather unsatisfactory.
The detail of amounts that I have signed for amount [[??]]
[[?]] & [[?]] actually rec'd are shown in a [[?]] page that I
have inserted in my pay book, as I will not duplicate them here.
Lieut Geo [[?]] has organised the musical and
histrionic talent [[?]] part of our Camp and their first
concert last Wednesday was amazingly good. Good artists efficient
production, lighting & management and a compere with quite a
professional touch. They will play [[?]] at English lines and at
No. 2 Camp and those [[?]] will give us concerts. We are looking
forward to the [[?]] parties and particularly to our own parties
in performance. Their effort is the more commendable as some
 

when they arrived and made our meals palatable for some
two months apart from restoring lost vitamin [[?]] in
our bodies. It is certain that they played a big part in
restoring the [[?]] xxx deficiency and cured the [[??]].
To withhold the quantity for today [[??]] excellent
idea and will assist many men to have a better day.
There is still a tin of bully to each man as an Iron
ration against a day of possible [[?]].
Christmas Day 24 Dec 42.
Greetings have been exchanged betweeb the 5
officers' messes in the Camp. Most have regarded the [[?]]
A Merry Xmas a bit fatuous under the circumstances, and
have helt to 'Greetings' and 'Compliments'. However the
day has been pleasant enough.
Chursh Parade this morning and the Padre
(Capt Andrews) constructed a jolly fine service.
A modicum of forgathering this morning and
we [[?]] the remainder of the [[?]] with [[?]]
of our officers. The popular [[?]] is 'A Jappy Christmas
and American New Year'. We all hope the New Year
part develops early. We would prefer relief by British Forces
but would not be stuffy about it if the Yanks did the job.
[[?]] enough not an extra came from the
Japs to aid our feast but so far as the mess is concerned
our dinner was splendid. I have my [[??]] in this
[[?]] and it speaks for itself - in Malay time, but when it
tells of good food even the Malay language can be beautiful.
All of the mens' messes did fairly well and by
did [[?]] best to make an occasion of the day.
 

of the instruments are home made. [[?]] Gardens [[?]]
[[??] and a [[?]]. The band comprises some 16 players and is
conducted in the best Harry Ray manner. It's amazing where the
[[people?]] have come from too. Well out white slacks fancy shirts
ladies clothes and top hat and tails for the compere. The back [[?]] is a well
painted scene & the curtains have the Coy name and a [[?]] of faces painted on them.
Rackets are causing quite some trouble again. Like the
past they are always with us but only so often cause [[?]]
[[?]] Camp, are marching back to Changi today. It appears that
some of the men were down at Figden & Brisbane's [[works?]] pinching
cement & the [[?]] Guards caught them. There was a fracas, one
of our men being badly beaten up. That camp [[?]] Major Lacey
in the old 27 Bde [[??]] here and is a hot bed of [[?]].
There are a few go on here petrol, food, [[?]] tobacco, [[?]]
clothing, cement & no doubt a host of others. Trading with the
Boong, is taboo and some risk attends the sales, but the
lads have them well organised. Lack of [[?]] among [[?]]
causes occasional flare ups. e.g. the other night a [[?]]
party of [[?]] came over to B Coy and beat up an [[??]]
who was holding out on them. It was well organised, a [[?]]
& a clean fight. They just took it out of his hide. [[??]]
got a few more details of the rackets as a matter of interest.
The River Valley Road camp we hear is [[???] in the way
of living conditions - but they make up for it in the way of [[??]]
as in the business of [[??]], but [[?]] are the men who [[??]]
navy? and the man who through one of the guards into [[???]]
[[??]]
Wed 21 Oct 42  [[?????]] the way. A [[?]] is quite magnificent &
[[??]] from [[??????]]
a faint [[?]] the [[?]]. The [[???]] arranged and for a [[??]]
 

Rumour has it and very strongly too that we are to
return to Changi and today names the date as the 28^th
We have had an intimation from the Japanese that [[?]]
in the west are that River Valley Road and other camps
have returned. Changi area is reported to have [[??]]
preparations in progress and Tagame has called from for
a return of camp strength by Unit. Anyway today [[?]]
it move to anticipate and calculated the amount of transport
necessary to move [[?]] Bn to Changi.
The usual Christmas Eve festivities are missing
tonight. We drank a few [[?]] in coffee at the canteen and
I had a few nips with Alf from my bottle of Samson.
We were not permitted any latitude for singing or [[?]]
by the Japanese but tho' the camp was as quiet as usual at
nights but small groups could be met all over the place. The
moon is almost full and we are not conducive to early bed
ordinarily, leave alone Christmas Eve.
So far despite any pressing requests for [[?]]
rations, particularly meat, nothing has arrived apart from the
[[?]] rice and useless watery vegetables. It appears that the men's
meals will not be bolstered up much. All Coys have small [[?]]
in the kitchens but the Japanese are [[?]] two [[?]] periods now
and it is well into the third period already so such stuff as the
Canteen and Purchasing Commission may [[?]] for [[?]]
be almost beyond their capacity to buy.
Withheld from the Red Cross Comforts for today are,
for each man 1 tin of Bully Beef, tin Condensed ([[?]]) milk and
12 ozs of very nice biscuits as well as cook house issues of cooking
ingredients w so many [[?]] per man. There were [[?]] boon
 

the troops indicate the [[?]] of rations for six. He agrees [[?]] the [[?]] & a pump [[??]]
to the [[?]] & away [[she??]] The [[????]] &
it is withdrawn. There was another sections [[?]] off [[??]].
There are more [[?]] movements afoot. No 2 Camp and all of our
Englishmen are warned for a 2 day train trip & [[?]] marching. They are
going in parties of 650. The first draft (Suffolks from 2 Camp) left 3 days ago
but the remainder have been postponed. They left in metal [[??]] trucks,
organised in 25 to a truck but were actually 29. They have a xx hole cut in the
floor for convenience. There are some [[four?]] arrangements in [[?]]. The troops
ordered to move here had the remainder of their comforts issued [[?]] and
[[?]] well at the moment. They will have a few tins of M W & bully for
the trip too.
The Red Cross Comforts were excellent - sweetened condensed milk,
Bully, M W., biscuits, & [[?]] of flour, cocoa and a breakfast food. [[?]]
The Japanese have reduced our ration scale at present. They have also
appropriated some of the comforts for themselves - e.g. Vegemite & some of the
cigarettes. There were [[?]] some hats & clothing. & [[?]] - our comforts seemed
to have all come from South Africa no doubt because the Japanese evacuation ships
have been travelling to [[?]] from Lorenco Marques on the Portuguese East
African Coast.
Our new Guards are Koreans and there seems a hearty mutual
dislike between the [[??]] officers and the Koreans. A peculiarity
about the Jap soldier is that he seems to ignore [[?]] other than his own.
They [[???]] Guards move around here [[?]] lately and it is very galling
to be obliged to salute these officers. If one [[???]] &
demand it - ridiculous.
Today I authorised the purchase of some [[???]]
Dinner. I hope we aren't here to [[?]] them.
xxxxxday 2 Nov 42.
Considerable movement of [[?]] has taken place over the last fortnight.
The general scheme appears to be to move all British troops up country and
keep A.I.F. here. Our friends of 'A' Bn [[?]] from [[?]] Camp have gone & we
understand British from Changi also. They went in parties of 650 [[?]]
Marched in to Singapore Rly Station carrying all their gear (personal). Each party
was allowed 2 3 ton trucks for medical [[?]] and comfort rations and officers
 

 
had the difficult task of defending a hopeless cause [[?]]
debated very effectively. The adjudicator gave the debate
to the opposition and the Speaker [[?]] a [[?]]
Committee to draft amendments as a [[??]]
[[???]]. I must record Norm Couch's effort. In
discussing the rehousing and Soldiers' Homes Scheme, he
emphasised the necessity of assistance in this regard. Our
declining Birth Rate has been [[?]] and he considers that,
to acelerate the setting up of Returned Soldiers in homes, will
have an effect in stemming the decline. He finished up 'However
whether it be done in the old way or the new it must be done.'
This almost lost him the case because the feeling of the
meeting was unanimously in favour of the old way.
Wed 23 Dec 42.  Our wedding day Grace. This is the second out of
three anniversarys of this day in 1939 that we have been apart.
It is a comfort to know that you are waiting at home for me
and as I wrote recently - may all of our future celebrations be
together.
Today was spent in moving 5 Coy out of the
[[?]] Area. They were took some watching tho as their idea of
a. Coy move seemed to be to leave nothing behind but a terrible
mess.
Thurs 24 Dec 42  We finally vacated [[?]] area today by bringing
7 Coy over, and hope that the new allocation of huts will prove
fairly stable. The three big huts from W. Area are dismantled
and construction on various sites over her has commenced.
 

were permitted & so [[?]] package of [????]]
back type waggons & were warned for 2 days train and some marching.
Japanese hinted that the two days would be complete & some odd hours after.
There is much speculation to their destination [[after???]]
etc. The most likely is that they are going to [[?]] railway construction
work in Thailand. Before leaving, the Japanese assured themselves that each man
had good or [[?]] & graciously handed out the East African comforts boots to
attain this [[?]]. It is understood that when an objection was raised to the
rolling stock the Japanese pointed out that these were the vehicles in which Jap
internees were brought down to Singapore. [[Many?]] troops were instructed to bring
a food container for 25 men - cooked food would be provided en route. Cooking
utensils were NOT to be taken - they said they would be available at destination.
The sanitary arrangement for the trip was a hole cut in the truck floor.
Major [[Lees?]] commanded the first 650 from here, the remainder of the fit men/[[?]]
following next day. Lt Col Madden, Maj Elliott & some 12 spare officers and
unfit men then returned to Changi. We are sorry to see the last of these chaps, &
those we were getting to know from N^o 2 Camp as well.
Troops are commencing to come in to the vacated camps and the
first to No 2 Camp (2 days ago) was [[Serangam?]] Road Camp personnel under
Major Bert Higgins - [[HQ?]] [[??]] and [[CSM?]] Campbell are withhim
and some of our 'B' Coy men. I [[?]] across this morning and had a couple 
of hours with Bert and a talk with [[?]]. They are quite fir and their
treatment has apparently been generally a parallel to ours.
Tomorrow is to be a holiday. As Alf Gough explained at today's conference,
it is for the Melbourne Cup. The Japanese [[?]] Grandfather Something is
also having a birthday.
A new sport has developed - frog racing. There is a circle about 10 ft
across and starters are placed under a tin in the centre - the tin is raised and
first frog out is the winner. The frogs have colours like jockeys pedigrees
& the stage is set with starter, judge & bookies. One owner has been rubbed
out for life for fixing a wire to his frog's hind leg so that when he sat down
he got a prick in the rear.
Rather new pay arrangement for [[?]] commences as from 1 Nov. There
seems not to be any fixed policy for pay - only at the whim of the Jap. [[?]]
Comd. @ Changi. The officers have not got scale pay for Oct and we have
all been more or less broke for two weeks past.
Today I read a letter from a R.A.F. Sgt who went home to Australia
 

One interesting item I have not mentioned is
the Race Track in this Camp which provides a lot of [[?]]
evenings. It is in a [[??]], has a very [[??]] and
track in the accepted manner and starting straight, finishing
straight & a hurdle track with obstacles named after famous ones
on English Courses. The track is marked off in yards and
each line numbered. The horses [[around?]] so many as their numbers are drawn from one box and distances from another.
The whole is very adequately lighted in the Trotting Ground
idea and the enclosure etc are all complete. Judges and
other officials, stewards etc. are all [[catered?]] for - and last but
not least the paying public. There are no bookies but a
tote xxx operates and is well handled and laid out. Runners
boards & so on to give a [[?]] on public fancy. A percentage
of the tote money goes to the Camp Hospital.
Tonight the Officers Friday evening lecture night
took the form of a debate. The thing was as a Parliament
with the Hospital Team, Majors Rogers and Hazleton and Capt
Phenimore as the Ram and Goat and Camp [[??]] Capt
Dyer with Lt Col Oakes at [[?]] Couch as the opposition.
Major Gough was Speaker and Adjudicator from a purely
debate view point were Capts Horder, & Richards and Lieut Walton
The Opposition considering the present Repatriation [[?]] to be
most inadequate to cover the need & after this was attacked [[?]]
strongly and demanded certain reforms. The [[?]] Case