Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945
Maj Cough. A.J. Appointed 2 I/C Bn 12. 2. 42
Lieut Branson GH. xxAppt 6 PL 'A' Coy 11 2 42. Relieved T.O. 10 2 42
" Ambrose. T.R. " Bn. H.Q. - Att. to 'C' Coy 12 2 42 ex Lieut Wilson (w)
" Curnow F.L. Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 763132
Maj Green C.E. Adm Comd Bn 12. 2. 42.
Capt Gwynne C.W. O/C 'D' Coy 12 2 42.
Lieut Learmonth RW Att. 'A' Coy 5. 2. 42 O/C PL 13 2 42 ex McCaffre Lt Walton
" Lee K.G. Att HQ Coy. 9 2 42 O/C Composite PL of drivers, [[cooks?]] all Staff
" Manning HJ. Posted 'A' Coy 4 PL 7. 2 42 Buried 13 2 42 Military Cem Katang
(Presb Section 1 Grave No 7.
Capt McEwin O.S. Buried 21 12 42
Ref. S/pore Sheet 763132
Lieut McCaffrey F.G.x. App 2 I/C 'A' Coy. 7. 2. 42.
" O'Sullivan B.M Att Bn HQ Coy. 8 2 42. App. Q.M 12 2 42
Capt Phelps RM O/c HQ Coy 12 2 42
Lieut Keyes JD Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 763132.
Maj Saggers Sec. to Comd. Res Bn 7 2 42. incl E Coy 2/4 MG. Bn.
Capt Thomas O/C 'A' Coy. 7. 2. 42.
Lieut Walton A.B. Ex Lee K. [[RIAP?]] 12 2 42.
" Warhurst Tfd. Bn H.Q 28. 1 42 Tfd E Coy. abt 7 2 42
" Wilson J.G. Tfd 'A' to Rein @ Darwin. Tfd Rein to 'C' Coy abt 28 1 42
Wed 11 Feb 42 Wounded^in right leg by mortar near BALD HILL remained up with
other wounded ^left leg in native house until evening of (see Lt Mentiplay)
Sat 14 Feb 42 xxx Pte Millhouse also wounded in right knee ^4 MG bullets joined them us
on the evening of Fri 13th. This house was behind enemy lines.
Attempts to get thro failed - xxxx Millhouse & I moved out Sat evening to West Coast
Rd ^remainder left there rec'd Med attention from a Mohammedan Institution (in robes)
Sun 15 Feb 42 Informed by Mohammedans on Sun evening that battle was
finished & we could proceed to S'pore. I was still armed &
fired on 2 enemy @ about 1830 hrs.
Mon 16 Feb 42 Moved towards S'pore on W. Coast Rd & disposed of rifle about
1100 hours @ xxx Central depot. Met 3 other Aust Ptes near Pasir Panjang
(armed). They were told xx battle was over. They disposed of their
arms in a creek. Carrying Millhouse we proceeded to P.P.
village. Here enemy sentries stopped us @ entrance to a house,
*later known to be a Jap H.Q.*
& ordered us inside. (Party of 5). Sentries called and xx 6 more
Japs who ordered us to empty our pockets, took our Jack Knives
& returned remainder of gear items. We were led round to xxxx Asiatic
qrs in rear of house & locked us in a small room - 2 windows
both barred. Time about 1300 hrs. Given tea by an English
speaking Japanese. At about 1800 hs taken out put into a motor
truck, informed ^we were going to where other Aust Tps. ^were being concentrated.
1 Guard, - we drove to a place later known to be a Jap HQ
At the gate we met another party of 10 Aust on foot (1 guard)
These included WO1 G F Airey xxxx RSM of MG Bn & Pte
HB Ockerby 2/4 MG Bn. Remaining 8 all 2/18 Bn. xxxxxx This party had been
taken by Japanese to drive carriers on Monday morning.
Taken on to the truck with their guard. We drove to a hill behind
Ford Motor Co Works & stopped. Our driver appeared to be
W-O(ii) Airey G.F. Arr Java Escaped to Java. Att 2/3 MG. Bn. Arr. S'pore
Java Party 6a 7 1 43. Dep 19 1 43
S/Sgt. Chapman DB. -Died 11 9 43 Cholera Maln.Ulcers Dys KhanKan 55km G130-A Force
Sgt Fitzpatrick R.N. K.I.A. Ulu Pandan 12 2 42 Buried 21 12 42.
Ref S'pore Sheet 761126
Sgt Gardiner P.A. Wounded 8 2 42. - evacuated 11 2 42 rejoined unit 15 2 42
" Hanson B.E. KIA. Ulu Pandan 12 42 42. Buried 21 12 42 Ref
Ref S'pore Sheet 761226 763132.
" Howard EJ. SS. Ulu Pandan 12 2 42. Died 1 7 43 Cholera Kanu 2.
Grave No 22. H. Force
O'Leary D.M. Died 14 11 43 Dysentiry Pneumonia amputation. Kami
Sonkurai, Grave 344. F Force
Pearson J.E. Died 13 2 44. Gen debility Enteritis Avit Chunkai. G.1195N - D Force
Phillips C.A. K.I.A. Ulu Pandan 12 2 42. Buried 21 12 42.
Ref S'pore Sheet 763132
Ramage GR - 22 9 43 - Dysentery - 108 km AWL
Rutherford JM Died 14 10 43 C. Beri Beri. ChunKai. Grave 696N - D Force
Sanderson JW Died 189 7 43 Dysentiry, Beri Beri, Tarsoa. D "
Smith C.V. Died 22 10 43 Malnutrition Cardiac Beri Beri Kami
Sonkhurai Grave 283 - F. Force
Mantle N. Died 22 6 44. Dysentery Tamarkan - Maln. & ulcers A Force
7717 Armstrong F L/Cpl " 8 42 Dysentery SandarKan B "
Brennan MJ " 27 - 9 - 43 Kanu 1 - Beri Beri B "
Briggs JA. " 11 9 43 Dysentery & Ulcers KhanKan 55 km Grave 136
A Force
Carter R.C " 18 2 45 Blackwater - Chung Kai - D "
Davidson T. " 18 9 43 Gen Debility Kanu 1 D Force
Giesse P.A " 28 9 43 Karn I Dysentery Brankati D "
Heppell CL " 6 10 43 Kann 1 Gen. Debility D "
Innes W.L. Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 763132
Jones B.C. Died x5 11 43. Beri Beri. Ploy Avit Chung Kai D "
Lee Steere L " 3 10 43 Cholera Kanu 1 D "
enquiring the route to Aust concentration points.
Other Japanese troops here exhibited hostility & toward brandished
rifles bayonets & swords at us clamouring round the
truck. They attempted to snatch haversack from WO Airey.
He resisted trying to explain his rank. A Jap NCO restored order
& apparently ordered the driver to move away quickly. xxxxx We drove back
to B.T. Rd, & turned North. Stopped about 1 mile & stopped @ a village
until dark then turned round & returned to the house @ PP village.which we had left @ 1800 hrs & again were locked in the same room &
given a meal by xxx the English speaking Japanese.
He said "Do NOT be afraid you quite safe, we are now your friends"
After our meal a chair was brought in & a Jap Officer entered, other
Japanese crowded round the window inquisitively.
Interpreter said "This is an officer & you are at a Jap HQ & must answer
all questions truthfully. He enquired for the senior xxxxxx rank & WO
Airey stood up & declared his rank. He was questioned regarding
military movements in Aust & overseas, the number of Aust Tps in Malaya
& American Tps in Aust. W.O. Airey evaded the questions xxxxxx
appeared to be fictitious figures The officer said he thought his
replies were not truthful & finally asked would we all like to go home.
This appeared to be cynicism as he laughed @ our reply of 'Yes'.
He then enquired our Units. W.O. Airey said we were xxxxxxxx Machine Gunners
18 Bn soldiers The remaining 11 soldiers ^not MG then spoke up & said they were
drivers. After a general discussion the Off. & interpreter xx left the room.
About 15 mins later interpreter informed us that we would remain there
that night & that possibly next day he would arrange palliasses.
Tues 17 Feb 42 Rec'd adequate food ^& water asked for & not molested & permitted
latrine facilities. - no bedding supplied but some coolie clothing.
bandages & medical stores for wounded even.
McMaster H.C.S. Died 265 7 43 Beri Beri. Malaria Tarsoa D Force
Meads K L " 14 9 43 Ulcers & Amputation KhanKan. 55 km
Grave No 139 A Force
Mangan C C Buried 16 2 42 Ref S'pore Sheet: 784112
Needham W H Died 15 12 43 Pneumonia KhanKan Gr No 59 A "
Paterson W J " 25.7.43 Dysentery & Cerebral Malaria Hieki F "
Rowell E J Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 758128
Saunders C S Died 31 8 43 Amputation & ulcers, debility Chung Kai
Grave 334 N D "
Thackrah C B Died 19 9 43 Dysentery Tambaya Gr No 226 F "
Townsend F. Mc " 16 8 43 Ulcers, Pellagra, Diarr KhanKan 55 km Gr 52 A "
Tregenza J. E " 2 9 43 Brankali D "
Barrymore F M " 21 12 43 Kanburi Malaria D "
Bartlett M A " 7 12 43 Dysentery Beri Beri Tarsoa D "
Biggs G " 21 8 43 Ulcers & Dysentery Kohn Kan 55 km A "
Grave No 61
Booth H V - See AWL LIST
Brazier A M 18 3 43 Dysentery 14 Kilo Burma Thanbyuzayat A "
Brooker J A Buried 16 2 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 784112
Brown A R " 21 12 42 " " " 761126
Buckley J S Died 19 9 43 Malaria Kanu 1 D "
Bullock L N W - Died 31 12 43 - Chr Malaria - Nonproduth D "
Burgess A J MBK 12 42 42 Escaped to Sumatra - now Changi
Cannon R F Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 763132
Carr J M Died 23 7 43 C. Malaria Tarsoa D "
Case W C Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 758128
Clare J M Died 8 8 43 Chr Dysentery Hindane D "
Clarke J S " 13 8 43 Diarr & Gen debility KhonKan 55 km A "
Grave 44
6632 " S " 23 1 43 Dysentery. Burma - Thanbuzayat A "
Clark F D J " 10 10 43 Malaria Kanu 1 D "
Clifton G D Buried 16 2 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 784112
Wed 18 Feb 42 Adequate food etc. During the day a
Jap came to the window with a pencil & paper & said
'Names'. We all wrote our names.
Thur 19 Feb 42 About daylight From dawn the Japs ^except one appeared very
unfriendly even except one ^man who pushed food quickly thro' the window to us
& ran away. The change in atmosphere was most marked. We even
Our requests for water were ignored ^& answered with jeers. XXXXXXXXXX I noted
all the names from
party in my pay book which xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
were answered with jeers xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
About 1730 hrs one man was called out & the door locked again. After
2 mins another man was called out. 2 mins later I was called out.
One Jap covered me with a pistol, another was kneeling on the floor
with some strips of hessian. My hands were tied behind my back
I was motioned down the passage way. Here I joined the previous 2
also with hands tied behind. The whole party finished up the same.
WO Airey still bore his haversack. We were marched up the PP road in
file led by a Jap off with 1 guard @ rear. Hostile demonstrations from
Japs lining the road & from house windows. We turned into
"Reform." road approx 400y. I was in leading file. Pte Millhouse ^was @
rear & when I called to him re his knee I was shouted @ abusively
by the xxxxx Officer. We moved to the left of the road about 100y
& halted facing into a creek & formed into single file xxxxx with our
^own fixed bayonets xxxxxxxx backs to a creek. ^I was the left hand man, Millhouse behind me, Airey near him. 7 Japs armed with British rifles
then appeared & formed up in single xxxx rank facing us at about
20 feet. The Jap Officer ^from my flank addressed his troops & then made us turn
& face the creek. He then gave an order & I heard the sound
of rifle bolts being worked. I then considered they might shoot us
Clark G B Died 5 7 43 Cholera Kami Sankurai Kanu D Force
Cooper H M " 3 10 43 Gen Debility Kanu 1 D "
Cryer A " 28 7 43 Typhus Kanu 1 D "
Davey R W " 1 97 43 Dysentery Tarsoa D "
Davison T M " 25 10 43 Diarr Ulcers & Amputation KhanKan 55 km A "
Grave No 204
Dwyer W A Died 22.8.43 Dysentery. Brankali D "
Eastwood H Buried 21.12.42. Ref S'pore Sheet 763132
Elkins H L Died 12 8 43 Dysentery Ac Enteritis Brankali D "
Elvish R P " 9 10 43 Malaria Pellagra Ulcers Chung Kai Grave No 643N., D "
Foxall S E - " 7 7 43 Fever, Malnutrition - 40 km - AWL
Facey A B K.IA 15 2 42 Buried 16 2 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 784112
Findlay A W Died 18 1 44 - Malaria - Nompraduct D "
Fletcher C H Died 21 2 44 - Colitis - Nonproduk - D "
Fraser N W Died 43 67 43 Cholera 105 Kilo A "
Fury T J - " 15 6 43 - Allied Bombing. Thanbuzyat - AWL
Geary M H " 9 8 43 Dysentery Ac Enteritis Hindane D "
Gittos T E " 26 89 43 Dysentery & Post-amputation Tamarkan D "
(Had amputation (leg))
Goodwin R " 6 11 43 Dysentery & Beri Beri. Tanbaya F "
Grave No 579
Gorman A Buried 16 2 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 784112
Gossage G J " 21 12 42 " " " 763132
Goulden R S Died Fir S. 8 42 Victoria Point A "
Gray L C Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 763132
Gregory J E J Died 1 6 43 Cholera Sungei Sankurai F "
Grave 33
Hackshaw A Died 2 11 43 Ulcers Tanbaya Gr. 548 F "
Halbert F " 4 6 43 Cholera Sungei Sankuri Gr 24 F
Hall D C J " 21 5 44 (1) Septic Thrombosis Rt. Thor. Vein
(2) Pyaemia Grave No 134 Changi
Hall W H " 17 7 43 Cerebral Malaria Kanu II Gr No 38 H
but was not surprised this would happen. I
leant forward to say to my neighbour something like
'This doesn't look too good' & as I was straightening up the
officer gave another order & the Japanese fired. I was struck by
a bullet & felt it entered below my left shoulder blade xxxxxxxx & emerged
& struck me between my third and fourth rib smashing them.
I was quite conscious & could have remained standing but fell
down the fairly steep bank in to the creek facing the opposite bank.
Another man fell with his head against my wounded right leg. He
was not dead & kept talking. I have no idea in what order the men
were shot but when all had fallen the creek many more shots were
fired into them. ^The Japs shouted all the time they were firing. The man resting on me continued xxxxxxxxxxxxx
to shout at the Japs and about a dozen shots were fired into him.
One shot just missed my head. From the other end of the line another
voice continued shouting at the Japs. Firing continued until all
was quiet - There was no moaning. After about 5 mins I looked
around. Movement was awkward as I was bound & encumbered
by the next man. I finally sat up & spoke but received no answer
nor did anyone move. I was now feeling very dazed and brought up
blood when I spoke. I managed to free my hands quite easily.
I removed & hid the composite riding boots I was wearing & walked
down the gully towards the Coast Road. After a short distance I
collapsed. At this time it was still light & probably about 1830 hrs.
Fri 20 Feb 42 Before dawn I recovered consciousness but fainted again about day recovering it was just light. I bathed in the creek water and removed the bandge from my leg to my chest. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
leg xxxxxxxxxxxx I could not apply a dressing to my back
Harrison H R Died 15 9 43 Malaria Kanu 1 D Force
Hayes K T Buried 21 12 42 Red S'pore Sheet 761126
Heal H W Died 22 12 43 Dysentery & Beri Beri Tanbaya F "
Grave No 737
Heinz-Smith F J Died 13 10 43 Ulcers, Malaria Dysentery F "
Kami Sankuri Grave No 294
Helmrich L C Died 22 12 43 Beri Beri ^also Malaria & dysentery Kanburi Grave 513 F "
Hodgson L S " 24 9 43 ^ Malaria Leg Amputation & Ulcers KhanKan A "
Grave No 159
Holdman N P - Died 29 3 45 - Allied bombing - Bangkok - A.W.L.
Holt W J Died 20.85.43 Blackwater C Malaria Fever 105 Kilo Burma A
Hope E J " 8.8.43 Beri Beri Enteritis & Malnut Khankan 55 km Grave 43 A "
Hoppe V T W " 17 11 43 Malaria Kanu (Kuie) D
Hopson E M Escaped Sumatra. Died 26 4 44 Dysentery &
appendicitis. Blang Kedjeran Sumatra
Howell K J Buried 21 12 42 Ref S'pore Sheet 758128
Hunt E H Died 10 8 43 Dysentery Hindane D "
Jaensch L " 6 10 43 Kanu 1 D
Jenkins J M - " 10 11 42 Thanbyuzarat - Dysentery - AW.L.
Jones I W " 14 11 43 Beri Beri Kami Sankurai F "
Grave No 340
Jones N Died 11 11 43 Beri Beri ^Ploy. Avit Chung Kai D "
Grave No 886N
Kelt R J 19 1 44 Beri Beri Nonpreduk - D
Kidd G Died 24 10 43 Cardiac Beri Beri Kanburi H "
Grave No 214
King E H Died 12 11 43 T.B. Tamarkhan D
Kingdon J " 13 10 43 T.B. Dysentery No 2 Hosp. Kanburi D
Grave
Kuhlmann L A C 23 3 44 - Colitis - Nonproduk D
Kelly C G 13 1 44 - Deb. Pellagra - Tamarkan AWL
I tried to move back to the place of shooting but
could only see that a ^rubber tree had been felled across
the bodies. I sheltered in a native house that day.
A chinaman Two Chinese, man & woman came in & asked if
I was in party shot the day before. I admitted I was &
asked for help. They said they witnessed the shooting. They
pointed out their house nearby but said they were leaving
on account of Japanese but would return when Japanese
left. They then departed.
I stayed there for 2 days ^seeing no one & moved to S'pore on
Sun 22 Feb 42 From this time on I am uncertain of
times & days & dates. For about 8 days I moved unmolested XXXXXX & finally came to
what appeared to be Chinatown & eventually collapsed. A young
Sihk Policeman bought me coffee. He hailed a ricksha &
sent me to the S'pore Gen Hospital. xxxx The sentry tried
to drive me away but I entered through a gap in the Hosp
wall & lay down in a passage. A dentist dental assistant
assisted me to a closet & brought a man named Professor
Tratman who was carrying on as a dentist under Japanese
orders. The Prof took me to his surgery & after treated
some Japanese. I told them I was a Malay. He dressed
my wounds. He explained his difficult position. but kept
me His assistant was They put me in the bed
their rooms. The Jap doctor
About 2 Mar I was moved by Jap Ambulance to the A ward
under the Clock tower & came under Jap medical people. The
Prof came with me & gave me currency $10 & advised me that as
he knew I was an Aust. soldier & if I was ever afraid about
the Japs had any reason to fear a Jap enquiry to fain mental shock.
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