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 xx 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/- monthly.
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.
Wife: Pte & Cpl. £2-7-8, Sgt £2 13 9., Lt. £3-10-8 Capt £4.5.8 Maj. £4 8.8
Child: 1st 11/- weekly, 2nd & subsequent 7/6 weekly.
Parents - depends on their income - made up to max of £3 1 8 monthly.
Limb less - 75% total for life & all^ct 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 [[?]]
                                   "      "      Hosp         sustenance    "      "      "
travelling area

War Service Homes  To provide every soldier with a home
No time limit - or 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 of this from the maximum
(2) you may then have your home when you
wish & NOT in joint "Estate" which will be a RS Settlement.
May add privately to the fo dept [[?]].
Plans.  Measures 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'wlth Bank Rate + a small surcharge.
Death  Payments scaled down & period increased to widows circumstances
Financial Difficulties  Dept generous in suspending payments
Land Settlement - [[SSS ?]] in each State.  Finance by C'wlth thro' grant to States.
Previous errors of Small areas, had blocks, & now pensioned soldiers
will be corrected this time.
No Capital needed
Man has £2500 - will be increased
[[?]] - £650               "     "           "      to £1000
Repay  - As for WSH
Expert advice available.
If NO experience
Businesses.  Lest 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 men
& any type of business, existing or new.  Must have experience or engage experienced
assistance.  Soldier must put in 2/3.
Repayment  by arrangement.
Limit of Advance  Not yet fixed.

Repatriation - Lecture 2
Q.  If owning one house [[?]] 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.l.?]] House for a short period.  Dept will agree to
owner selling or letting.  Sale this 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 house
Q.  Build on Father's P/y. (farm).  If p/y 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. & h.
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.  [[?]] of Man Power as bar to assess Course
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 [[?]] or if incapacitated for previous occupation.
Q  Private Assets
A.  Can invest these (not in a house) and still obtain grant for a house
or establishment in a business.
Q.  Plans & Spec[[ns?]].
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 of 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 hmf in buying a house
A  Yes - but will not allow a 2nd mf
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 [[?]].
Q  Temporary absence from Farm or business
A.  Should be approved, then OK.
Q.  Purchasing additional houses after obtaining aid to build under NSH
A.  Yes.
Q  Course of suitable training with say H & h. paid for [[?]] interrupted
by war.  Will dept refund
A.  Yes D.