Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

Lakeman P.H. Died 24 6 43 Malaria           [[Kanu??]]          D Force
Langdon R [[?]]  "    24 1 44  [[?]] Beri Beri  Syme Rd H    "
Cemetery Grave No 10
Leadbetter E J  Died 9 12 43    Kanu 1                                        D   "
Lee J.                       " 26 5 43    [[????]]                                H   "  
Grave No 89   
Livingstone J.S. died 4 9 43 [[?]]    xxxxx   [[?]]  Tarsau  D
Lynch J.J.             "   1 8 43 Cholera & Typhoid Kanu River D
7660 Manning D.H. " 22 12 43 General Debility  Kanu 1
Mathison D A       " 10x 3 5 44 Cardiac Beri Beri [[??]]      D
M^cCarsly J            "   21 7 43    Malaria      [[?]]                      D
M^cAstill R R         "   28 3 45 Beri Beri [[??????]] Party
M^cCudden W P  " 21 8 43   Cardiac Beri Beri Chang Kai   D
Grave No 274 N
M^cDonald   K K  Died 25 11 43  Cholera    Tarsau             D
M^cDonagh H C Died 27 6 43        "         Kanu II                 "
Grave No 18
M^cGlinn   D.S   Died 16 2 43     xxxxxx Dysentery Tarsau   D
MacIntosh J L      "   10 11 43   Dysentery & Beri Beri  [[?]]  F.
Grave No 595
M^cKay  W       Died 23 8 43                              [[?]]                  D.
Maher  K R        "     24 7 43  [[?]] Dysentery  [[??]]               [[?]]
Moir E L              " 1 11 43  Dys Malaria              Kanu 1           D
   "   K.G.    [[?]] 8 43   Cholera       [[?]] Jungle                            D
Musseman A C Buried 21 12 42     Ref    [[??]] 758128
7426 Murphy  J. P.     30 11 43                       [[?]]
 

[[?]] attended by a [[????]]
about a week & [[???]] by the Japs
My treatment was good
15 May 42  I was now able to [[?]] I was xxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I was taken out to a car & xxxxxxx by a [[?]] I did  [[??]]
I replied that I [[??]] in the A.I.F. I was brought
to Changi Gaol & handed [[?]] over to the xxxxx [[?]]
Gaol administration. I gave them my [[????]]
& they told me [[??]] that I should be taken to [[Selerang?]]
when the [[??]] interned, but the Japs said [[?]]
order was for me to remain at the Gaol until fit.
I remained at the Gaol under [[?]] 
12 Oct 42 when I was moved to Selarang & [[??]]
[[?]]
These six pages are the rough notes of story related to me by
[[?]] at Changi on 32 Aug 45. The following six pages are the
actual declaration signed before Maj R.Head Legal officer AIF Malaya
on 24 Aug 45 at Changi.
The British officers  Capt Thomas & Lt Aldrich were both Leicester Reg^t.
It is believed Lt Aldrich died of his wounds which were serious and Capt
Thomas is believed to have escaped to India. It is reported that he has sent a
card (Red +) from India to an officer in Changi
The map Ref. of the place of execution is Singapore Sheet 1" - 753097.
 

New  J  Died 21 10 43.  [[?]] & Amputation [[?]]                A.
Grave [[?]]
8139 [[?]] [[??]] - 5 12 43     Pneumonia     55 km               A
Newling  O.K. Died 22 10 43   Gen Debility     Kanu 1      D
        "       R.F        "    29.9.43 Gen Debility           Kanu 1     D
[[Nybo?]] L/ C     "      4.9.43     "        "        xxxxx   [[?]]         D
Osborne  E.F. Buried  16 2 42    Ref S'pore Sheet 784112 D
      "    J R  Died 27 9 43  Pneumonia   Kanu [[??]]             D
Grave No 170
Oswald H.G. Died 7 11 43  Dysentery  Kanburi                   D
[[?]] E J Buried 21 12 43  Ref Spare Sheets 763132
[[?]]    N. J.  -   22 11 43   Am Dysentery     [[?]]                      D
Peat L. V Buried 21 12 43 "       "          763122                         D
Philp W H  Died 19 9 43    Malaria       Kanu 1                      D
Powell A. E.    "      16 7 7 9 43 Dysentery   xxxx [[?]]            D
[[Poyser?]] L   "     20 10 43  Am    "    Chung Kai [[?]]          D
Preedy E L      "    7 8 43                  "    [[BianKali?]]               D
Renufe [[?]]           4 10 43              "  Trop [[??]                   [[?]]
Ridley J I         "    8 11 43  ^[[?]] Malaria No 3 [[????]]            D
Roberts W.C   "  16 8 43 ^[[?]] Dysentery & Gen Debility[[A?]]
Grave 60
15941 Robinson " JWx  28 3 43  Am Dysentery Chung Kai [[?]] D
Rodda [[????]]  " 20 2 43  [[?]] Malaria [[?]]                                   D
Russell D [[n?]] " 24 1 44  [[?]] Malaria  105 [[?]] Burma            A
Scadden K W.  " x 33 4 44  Dysentery [[?]] Malaria [[?]]           A
Skelton G.T. 7.9.43 "  Pneumonia & Beri Beri Kanu 11                A
Grave 80
Slater  A.  16 9 43   "  [[?]] Beri Beri   Kanu 1                                  D
 

I, WS 17837, Private L.        W.     McCann do solemnly
declare as follows -
On Wed 11 Feb 42, during action South West of BUNIT [[?]] village
I was wounded by mortar in the right leg and remained with
other wounded in a native house. The forty includes British
officers named Capt Thomas & Lieut Aldrich (both Leicester Regt) During next day
the others moved out but I remained. xxxxxx
Fri 13 Feb 42 I was joined by [[?]] WX 16675 Pte R J Millhouse of
my unit who had received four machine gun bullets in the right leg.
Sat 14 Feb 42.  We moved out in the evening towards the West Coast Road
and received medical attention at a Mohammedan Institution. I
was still armed and had fired on two enemy soldiers on the way.
Sun 15 Feb 42  We were informed by the Mohammedans, in the evening that
the battle for Singapore was over and we could proceed to Singapore.
Mon 16 Feb 42  In the morning moved towards Singapore on the West Coast
Road and at about 1100 hrs mer three other Australian Soldiers near
Pazui Panjang Village. We had previously disposed of our guns and
when we informed these men that fighting had finished they disposed
of theirs and carrying Millhouse we moved on to [[?]] Panjang.
Here Japanese sentries stopped us at the entrance to a house, later
known to be a Japanese Headquarters and ordered us inside. Our
jack-knives were taken from us and we were led to the Asiatic
quarters at the rear of the house and locked in a small room with
two barred windows. Time about 1300 hrs. We were fed by an
English speaking Japanese and about 1800 hrs taken out, put on to a motor truck and informed we were to be taken to where Australian
troops were being concentrated. We had our guards. At the gate
 

 [[?]] M. J Died 13 11 43  Dysentery & [[??]]                       [[?]]
Grave 615
Spouse S F Died 13 10 43  Gen^l debility [[?]] Tarsoa        D.
Squire D J  Buried 21 12 43 Ref Spare Sheet 761126
Stone C C  Died 1 3 44  dysentery malaria  [[??]]               A.
Sullivan E H  Buried 21 12 42  .Ref Spare Sheet 763232
Treasure  J   died 13-9 43   C Malaria       Kanu 1                  D.
Vaughn F    Died 1.4.44  [[?]] Dysentery  [[?]]                 A.
Grave [[?]]
Walker H A   Buried 21 12 42  Ref Spare Sheet  763032
Warne  [[?]]     "    21 12 42         "          "          "    763132
Wearne T.C.     Died   30 [[?]] 43    Dysentery    [[???]]             A.
Whittaker F         "    6 8 42    CHr Diarrhoea          [[?]]             D
Williams L.G.W.   "   7 2 44     [[??]]              Tamarkan            A D
17943 Wilson J(D.D.)" 26 8 43   "                     [[?]]
Worth W.G.                "  28 8 43   Cholera    Kanu  [[?]]              F
[[?]]
Wright H.C.              "    3 12 43                        Kanu                       D
Yensch  F B              "  19 xx 3 44 Dysentery Cholera [[?]]          A
 

we met another party of Australians on foot under
one guard. These included WX 13977 WO1 G.J. Airey and WX 7336
Pte H B Askerley, both of my Unit. The remaining xx eight were
all 2/18 Bn. This party xxxxxx had all been taken by
by the Japanese to drive carriers that morning. Those men making
our party 15 were taken on the truck. The driver apparently did
not know his destination because he drove to a place behind
the Ford Motor Car Works then north on Bukit [[?]] Rd where
he remained until dark and then returned to the house from
where he had left. We had been subjected to hostile [[demonstration?]]
and an attempt had been made to [[?]] WO1 Airey of his
haversack. WO1 Airey resisted this attempt explaining his rank.
On our return we were locked in the same room and given a meal
by the same English speaking Japanese. He said "[[?]] the
officer, you are quite safe. We are now your friends." After the
meal a Japanese officer came in and other Japanese crowded around
the [[?]] inquisitively. We were warned to answer truthfully
and the senior individual called for. W O 1 Airey stood up and
declared his rank. He was questioned regarding military movements
in Australia and overseas, the number of Australian Troops in Malaya
and American Troops in Australia. He evaded the questions and the
Officer said he thought the replies were not truthful. He then
inquired if we would like to go home to Australia and laughed
cynically when we replied 'Yes'. He then asked our Units and
WO Airey said we were Australian Gunners. The eleven soldiers
not of my unit then spoke up and said they were drivers. After
animated discussion the officer and interpreter left the room.
A little later we were told we would stay the night and that next
day he would arrange for bedding.
 

 
LAD
McCann L  Died 03 11 43  Beri Beri Kanu [[?]]   R Force
Grave 464
Willimott J F Died 5 12 43  Dysentery  [[?]]           F
      "            G E   "                         "    xxxx [[?]]            A
AAOC
Taylor J I  Died 11 7 43    Pneumonia & Beri Beri [[?]] F
Grave [[1022?]]
 

Tues 17 Feb 42  We received adequate food water and [[?]],
were not molested and were permitted latrine facilities. No bedding
was supplied but some clothes, bandages and dressings were given
us for the wounded men
Wed 18 Feb 42  Again we xxxx received adequate food etc.
Thurs 19 Feb 42  From dawn the Japanese appeared very unfriendly - except one
man who pushed food quietly through the window and then ran away.
The change in atmosphere was most marked and our xxx requests for
water were ignored or answered with jeers. I noted all the names
of our party in my Pay Book which I later lost after my
attempted execution. At about 1730 hours we were taken out singly
and our hands tied behind our backs with xxxx strips torn from
a bag. WO1 Airey still wore his haversack. We were marched
down the road in file led by a Japanese officer and had one guard
at the rear ^This was not the officer who had [[???]]. Hostile demonstrations were made by Japanese soldiers
lining the road and looking from house windows. We turned shortly
into Reformatory Rd and marched about 400 yards. I was in the
leading file and Pte Millhouse at the rear and when I called out to
him regarding the [[?]] I was shouted at abusively by the officer. We
turned off to the left of the road and continued for about 100 yards, and
halted, at a xxx and were formed into single rank with our backs to
a [[deck?]]. I was the right hand man, Millhouse the left hand man and
Amery and Asherly near him. Seven Japanese soldiers then appeared
armed with British rifles with bayonets fixed and lined up in single
rank facing us at about 20 feet. The Japanese officer then
addressed his troops from my flank and then made us turn round
and face the creek. He then gave an order and I heard the sound of
rifle bolts being worked. I then considered they might shoot us, but
 

was not concerned this would happen. I leant forward to
say to my neighbours something like 'This doesn't look good'
and as I was straightening up the officer gave another order and
the Japanese fired. I was stuck by a bullet which entered below
my left shoulder blade and emerged between my third and fourth ribs
smashing them. I was quite conscious and could have remained
standing, but fell down the fairly steep bank into the creek, facing
the opposite bank. Another man fell with his head against my
wounded right leg. He was not killed and kept talking. I have no
idea in what order the men were shot but when all had fallen
into the creek the Japanese approached and fired many more shots
into the bodied, shouting all the time they were firing. The man
resting on my leg continued shouting at the Japanese and about
a dozen shots were fired into him. One shot just missed my head.
From the other end of the line another [[?]] continued shouting at
the Japs. Firing continued until all was quiet. After about 5 minutes
I looked around. Movement was awkward as I was bound and
encumbered by the next man. I finally sat up and spoke but received
no answer nor did anyone move. I was now feeling dazes and
brought up blood when I spoke. I managed to free my hands
quite easily, removed my boots and moved [[?]] down the creek
towards the West Coast Road, but collapsed after a short distance.
At this time it was still light - probably about 1830 hrs.
Fri 20 Feb 42.  Before dawn, I recovered consciousness, but fainted again
recovering at first light. I washed my wound and removed the
bandage from my leg to my chest. I was unable to dress my back.
I moved back towards the place of shooting but could only
 

see that a rubber tree had been felled across the bodies.
I took shelter in a native building that day, and two Chinese,
a man & a woman came in and asked if I was one of the men
shot the day before. I admitted I was and they said that they had
seen the shooting. They pointed out their house but could not help
me, saying they were leaving on account of the Japanese, but would
return when the Japanese had gone. They I stayed there two days
seeing no one.
Sun 22 Feb 42  From this time on I am uncertain of times, days and
dates. For about eight days I moved [[unnoticed?]] towards Singapore
and finally came to what appeared to be Chinatown and virtually
collapsed. A young Sikh Policeman bought me coffee, and hailed a
ricksha & at my request sent me to the Singapore General Hospital.
A sentry tried to prevent me entering the building but I got in through
a gap in the blast-wall and laid down in a passage. A dentist
assistant found me and hid me in a closet and brought a man
named Professor [[?]] who was carrying on as a dentist under
Japanese orders. I met him again later interned in Changi Gaol.
He took me to his surgery and dressed my wounds. I did not
divulge their cause. He and his assistant sheltered me in their
rooms. Their position was very difficult and late a Japanese
doctor had me moved to the main ward under the Clock Tower and
came under Japanese medical people. xx Professor came with me
and have me ten dollars. He said he knew I was an Australian
soldier and if I had any reason to fear Japanese enquiry regarding
my wound to fain mental shock. I was attended by [[?]]
[[?]] for about a week and not questioned by the Japanese
My treatment was good.