Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945
Lakeman P.H. Died 20 6 43 Malaria Kami Kanu Sankurai D Force
Langdon R G. " 24 1 44 Cardiac Beri Beri Syme Rd H "
Cemetery Grave No 10
Leadbitter E J Died 9 10 43 Kann 1 D "
Lee J. " 26 8 43 Ulcers Diarr Malnut xx Khan Kan 55Km A "
Grave No 87
Livingstone J.S. Died 4 9 43 Gen DebilityUlcers Chr Malaria Tarsau
Lynch J.J. " 1 8 43 Cholera & Typhus Kanu River D
7660 Manning D.H. " 22 10 43 Gen. Debility Kanu 1 D
Matheson D A " 10xx 35 44 Cardiac Beri Beri 105 kilo A
McCarthy J " 21 7 43 Malaria Hindane D
McAskill R R " 28 3 45 Beri Beri Buried Pakan Baroe Sumatra 20 Party.
McCudden W P " 21 8 43 Cardiac Beri Beri Chung Kai Grave No 274 N D
McDonald K K Died 25 11 43 Cholera Tarsau D
McDonough H E Died 27 6 43 " Kanu II Grave No 18 H
McGlinn D.S Died 16 2 43 Gen Debility Dysentery Tarsau D
MacIntosh J L " 10 11 43 Dysentery & Beri Beri Tanbaya Grave No 598 F.
McKay W Died 23 9 43 Bran Kati D.
Moher K R " 24 7 43 Am Dysentery 55km Khan Kan Grave 27 A
Moir E G " 1 11 43 Dys & Malaria Kanu 1 D
" K.G. " 78 8 43 Cholera Hintock Jungle D
Mussman A C Buried 21 12 42 Ref S/pore Sheet 758128
7426 Murphy J. P. 30 11 43 Kuie
I was attended by a Eurasian orderly for
about a week & not questioned by the Japs
My treatment was good
15 May 42. I was now able to walk. I was xxxxwhat I did in S'porexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I was taken out to a car & asked by a civilian what I did in S/pore.
I replied that I was a driver in the AIF. I was brought
to Changi Gaol & handed me over to the Jap Gaol British
Gaol administration. I gave them my full particulars
& they told the Jap that I should be taken to Selarang
where the A.I.F were interned, but the Jap said that his
order was for me to remain at the Gaol until fit.
I remained at the Gaol under Brit Admin until
12 Oct 42 when I was moved to Selarang & rejoined my
unit.
These six pages are the rough notes of story related to me by
McCann at Changi on 23 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 Leceister Regt.
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 F Died 21 10 43. Ulcers & Amputation KhanKan Grave 201 A.
8137 Needham JW L/cpl - 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.R " 4 9. 43 " " Hindane Hindate D
Osborne E.F. Buried 16 2 42 Ref S/pore Sheet 784112
" J R Died 27 9 43 Pneumonia Kami SanKurai F
Grave No 170
Oswald H.C Died 7 11 43 Dysentery Kanburi D
Ovens E J Buried 21 12 42 Ref S/pore Sheet 763132
Outtrim N. J. - 22 11 44 Am Dysentery Tamakan - D
Peat L. O Buried 21 12 42 " " " 763132 D
Philp W H Died 19 9 43 Malaria Kanu 1 D
Powell A. E. " 187 79 43 Dysentery Tarsua BranKali D
Poyser L " 21 10 43 Am " Chung Kai Gr.748N D
Preedy E L " 7 8 43 " BranKali D
Rennie RCS - 4 10 43 - Trop Ulcers Amp. Pneumonia Pellagra - AWL
Ridley J I " 8 11 43 ^Ulcers Malaria No 3 Base Hosp Kanburi D
Roberts W.C " 16 8 43 ^Bronchitis Dysentery & Gen Debility KhanKan 55 km Grave 60 A
15941 Robinson JWx " 28 8 43 Am Dysentery Chung Kai Gr317N D
Rodda AW " 20 2 45 Cerebral Malaria [[Nacompaton?]] - D
Russell DN - 24 1 44 Cerebral Malaria 105 Kilo Burma A
Scadden H W. " 422 4 44 Dysentery Malnut Malaria Diarr Tamarkan A
Shelton G.T. " 7. 9. 43 Pneumonia & Beri Beri Kanu II Grave 80 A
Slater A. " 16 9 43 Ulcers & Beri Beri Kanu 1 D
I, WX 17837, Private L. W. McCann do solemnly & sincerely
declare as follows -
On Wed 11 Feb 42, during action South West of BUKIT TIMAH village
I was wounded by mortar in the right leg and remained with
other wounded in a native house. The party included British
Officers named Capt Thomas & Lieut Aldrich (Both Leicester Regt) During next day
the others moved out but I remained. and an
Fri 13 Feb 42 I was joined by Pt 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 met three other Australian Soldiers near
Pasir Panjang Village. We had previously disposed of our arms and
when we informed these men that fighting had finished they disposed
of theirs and carrying Millhouse we moved on to Pasir 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 one guard. At the gate
Smith MJ Died 13 11 43 Dysentery & Ulcers. Tanbaya Grave 615 F.
Spouse S F Died 13 10 43 Genl debility, ulcers Tarsoa D.
Squire D J Buried 21 12 42 Ref S/pore Sheet 761126
Stone G C Died 1 3 44 Dysentery malaria Diarr TamarKan A.
Sullivan E H Buried 21 12 42 - Ref S/pore Sheet 763132
Treasure J Died 13 9 43 C. Malaria D
Vaughan F Died 1 4 44 Mal & Dysentery TamarKan Grave no G3 A
Walker H A Buried 21 12 42 Ref S/pore Sheet 763132
Warne N " 21 12 42 " " " 763132
Wearne T.C. Died 20 1211 42 Dysentery Kandaw (4 Kilo) Thanbyuzayat A
Whittaker F " 6 8 43 Chr Diarrhoea Hindane D
Williams L.G.W. " 7 2 44 Malaria, dys TamarKan AD
17943 Wilson J(D.D) " 25 8 43 " BranKali
Worth W.G. " 28 8 43 Cholera Kami SanKurai F
Grave 92
Wright H.E. " 5 10 43 Kuie D
Yensch F B " 19 xx 3 44 Dysentery C. Malaria Tamarkan A
we met another party of ten Australians on foot under
one guard. These included WX 13977 W.O1 G.F. Airey and WX 7336
Pte HB Ockerby, both of my Unit. The remaining xx eight were
all 2/18 Bn. This party included 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 Co Works then north on Bukit Timah Rd where
he remained until dark and then returned to the house from
whence he had left. We had been subjected to hostile demonstrations
and an attempt had been made to deprive 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 "Do not be
afraid, you are quite safe. We are now your friends." After the
meal a Japanese Officer came in and other Japanese crowded around
the windows 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
enquired 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 Machine 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 R. Died 23 11 43 Beri Beri Kami Sankurai Grave 464 F. Force
Willimott J F Died 5 12 43 Dysentery Kanburi Gr 68 F
" G E " " Thanbi Thambyuzayat A
AAOC
Taylor J I Died 11 7 43 Pneumonia & Beri Beri K. Sankurai Grave No 22 F
Tues. 17 Feb 42 We received adequate food water and smokes,
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 were received adequate food etc.
Thur 19 Feb 42 From dawn the Japanese appeared very unfriendly - except one
man who pushed food quickly through the window and then ran away.
The change in atmosphere was most marked and our few requests for
water were ignored or answered with jeers. I noted all the names
of our party in my Pay Book which I later xxx lost after my
attempted execution. At about 1730 hours we were taken out singly
and our hands tied behind our backs with stript 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 previously questioned us. Hostile demonstrations were made by Japanese Soldiers
lining the road and looking from house windows. We turned North
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 his knee 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 creek and were formed into single rank with our backs to
a creek. I was the right hand man, Millhouse the left hand man and
Airey and Ockerby 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 convinced 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 struck 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 bodies, 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 voice 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 very dazed and
brought up blood when I spoke. I managed to free my hands
quite easily, removed my boots and moved Westerly 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 unmolested towards Singapore
and finally came to what appeared to be Chinatown and eventually
collapsed. A young Sihk 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 dental
assistant found me and hid me in a closet and brought a man
named Professor Fratman 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 later a Japanese
doctor had me moved to the main ward under the Clock Tower and I
came under Japanese medical people. x Professor came with me
and gave 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 one Eurasian
orderly for about a week and not questioned by the Japanese
My treatment was good.
Deb ParkinsonThis transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.