Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

By 15 May 42 I was able to walk and was taken out to
a motor car and asked what by a Japanese civilian what I
did in Singapore. I replied that I was a driver in the A.I.F. but
I was then driven to Changi Gaol and handed over to the British
Gaol Administration. I gave them my full particulars and
they told the Japanese that I should have be taken to Selarang
Barracks where the Australian Soldiers were interned but the
Japanese said that his doctor had ordered that I remain at
Changi Gaol until fit. I remained at there under British
Administration until 12 Oct 42 when I was moved to Selarang Barracks
and rejoined my Unit
and I make this solemn declaration by virtue of the Statutory
Declarations Act 1911-1922 conscientiously believing the statements
contained therein to be true in every particular

........................................................
Declared before me at Changi Singapore the ___ day
of ___ 1945 before me

......................................................
Major
Legal Officer A.I.F. Malaya and
a Commissioner for Affidavits for the
High Court of Australia. 

Repatriation Lecture 1
Notes from Lecture by WO(1) Leichardt RAA - Sec Repat Appeal Board
Tuesday 1 May 45 - Hut 54
1. Repatriation - Pensions, Treatments etc.
Covers disability from Wounds, injury or sickness, on duty
except V.D. and resultant incapacity, wounds & injuries caused
during breaches of disc. & orders - Statute barred.
If prior to enlistment xxhad sickness etc. which appeared O.K. &
enabled M.O. to pass, war service brought a return or complication,
man becomes eligible.
Paid according to degree of disability - Med. Exam to decide this.
Full Pension  £2/2/- weekly.
Basis - Ability to earn living with a pick and shovel
Can earn other income even if on full pension.
Special Rates - T.B., Blind £8 fortnightly + £2 in case of blind for attendant.
Reviews.  Periodically - if after 5 years has an remained constant it
becomes paid for life. - Appeal can be made for increase if
condition becomes worse.
Wife & Child - up to certain date only - wife - 100% 18/- monthly
Deceased - Dependants paid according to rank.
Widow Pte & Cpl. £2-7-0, Sgt £2 13. 9., Lt. £3-10-0 Capt £4.5.0 Maj. £4 8.0
Childn: 1st 10/- weekly, 2nd & subsequent 7/6 weekly.
Parents - depends on their income - made up to max of £3. 1. 0 weekly.
Limb less - 75% total for life & all es if above knee or elbow 17/- &
below knee or elbow 7/- - Artificial limbs provided free
Eye  50% total + 15 fortnightly - "       eye          "             "
Both legs  up to  £12 fortnightly
T.B  Never less than xxxx total even if cured
Med Treatment  Free as outpatients plus suitable degree of pension
                                   "      "   Hosp   "           "     sustenance &     "      "      " &
travelling exes

War Service Homes  To provide every soldier with a home
No time limit - on when commencing to each house or when
married after enlist - Also for aged or widowed parents.
Max ^was £950. - but will now be higher.
Buy your block  or (1) dept. deducts % of this from the maximum
(2) you may then have your home where you
wish & NOT in some 'Estate' which will be a RS Settlement.
May add privately to the fo dept maximum.
Plans.  Thousands available to select from
Building  Must be by tender.
Repayment  Depends on amount borrowed and mans circumstances -
up to 30 or 35 years
Int. C'mth Bank Rate + a small surcharge.
Death  Payments scaled down & period increased to widow's circumstances
Financial Difficulties  Dept generous in suspending payments.
Land Settlement - SSS etc in each State.  Finance by C'mth thro' grant 

to States.
Previous errors of Small areas, had blocks, & now pensioned soldiers
will be corrected this time.
No Capital needed
Max was £2500 - will be increased
Plant. - £650               "     "           "      to £1000
Repay  - As for WSH
Expert advice available.
If No Experience
Businesses.  Last war. - mainly to restart men who sold a business to enlist
This section on a small scale only.
Now proposed larger scale & not only as above but to any approved man
& any type of business, existing or new.  Must have experience or engage experienced
assistance.  Soldier must put in 1/3.
Repayment  by arrangement.
Limit of Advance  Not yet fixed.

Repatriation - Lecture 2
Q.  If owning one house can will Dept build another.
A.  No.  Must dispose of house first
Q.  If wife has a house will Dept build for Soldier
A.  Yes.  Wife and husband are separate individuals.
Q.  Transfer in occupation
A.  O.K. if have occupied W.S. House for a short period.  Dept will agree to
owner selling or letting.  Sale thro' Dept.  Profit if any to soldier  Tenant
must be approved - amount of rent does not matter provided agreed
repayments are maintained.  If let Dept will not build home @ new
domicile as soldier owns a home.
Q.  Build on Father's P/y. (farm).  If pty is 'willed' to Son and title can be
A.  furnished as sec. - Yes
Q  If unable to attend Night Course will dept pay for a course at some
recognised  Educ. Firm (Correspondence)
A  Yes - eg H. & R.
Q  Professional Training.
A  Yes. Must Matric. first at own expense, then will give professional
training, part of cost free and remainder as a loan
Q.  Evasions of Man Power as bar to assistance
A.  No. - this will not debar a man
Q   Fake age on enlistment.
A.  No - this will not debar a man
Q.  Change of occupation.
A.  Only if under 20 years or if incapacitated for previous occupation.
Q  Private Assets
A.  Can invest these (not in a house) and still obtain grant for a home
or establishment in a business.
Q.  Plans & Specns
A.  If not liked can have own architect prepare plan - Subject to grant - but Dept
Architect must run the job.  Your own architect can watch for afar if you wish

Q.  Adding private funds to up of house
A  Yes, up to any amount - must not affect maximum grant.
Dept does not mind as they then have extra Sec.
Q.  Will Dept advance for house and business.
A.  Yes.
Q  Will Dept advance for home and farm
A.  No - Farming grant includes house
Q.  Taking over a M/e in buying a house
A  Yes - but will not allow a 2nd M/e
Q  Insurance, Rates & Taxes & maintenance
A  Owner's responsibility
Q  Flats
A  No Speculation not allowed
Q  Present home too small
A.  Sell & buy another, or Dept will assist to alter.
Q  Vocational Training - When to apply
A.  Should apply immediately - after a time dept and machinery
may cease to exist - regarding all as repatriated.
Q  Pension - Time to apply
A.  Should apply immediately - within 6 months.  but Dept
not very strict
Q  Extension of existing farm P/y
A.  Yes will assist - if he wants both p/ys. which should be
adjacent or close - even if original farm provides a living.
Q  Temporary Absence from Farm or business
A.  Should be approved, then OK.
Q.  Purchasing additional houses after obtaining aid to build under WSH
A.  Yes.
Q  Course of suitable training with say H & R. paid for and interrupted
by war.  Will dept refund
A.  Yes D.

Casualtyies Return as supplied by Capt Gwynne

on his return to Changi from Kanburi

on 28 Apr 44 -