Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

Jan to Sep 44.  It seems that I have not looked this diary lately. Life has just marched on at fairly even [[?]]. I am still taking my shift as GL Central officer. We have changed our hut. The current plan covering relations between officers and [[?]] is that only 3 officers - a CO [[?]] [[NQ]] - remain with each [[?]] of after 1200 and then only in an advisory capacity,  the [[NQ]] etc doing the actual [[?]] of troops. Other officers handling troops are our GL, Central Landing Forestry in a small as. of [[?]] officers is also the Camp office and MO. and [[?]] staff. All other officers are grouped separately and a token wire has been erected around their [[?]]. [[Duty]] Camp office and [[?]] officers have permitted to go to [[?]] gaol. It is NOT known if this arrangement is ordered by [[?]] or is [[?]] [[?]] order. Since his appointment as Camp Representative Officer, all Lt Cols have ceased to have any appointment in [[?]] of troops under Lt Col Healy. He is a [[?]] Col. Lt Col Heath. comds. officers [[?]]. Col Heath amended the [[?]] regulations in Singapore.

Prices are terrific now and the inflation is beyond control. Examples are - Small [[cherries?][ 20c -23c (normal 1c) [[? ?]] $1.80 (normal 5c) Currants 75c (normal almost given away) [[Tongay, Kachang ?]] $4.60 (a few cents) Suppliers are also very short and [[?]]. An egg, if obtainable is valued at $2. - a [[? with ?]] being $500 - $600, a shirt $10, a typewriter $2000 - It's fantastic.  Sunday 19 Nov 44 An event of unusual nature and importance to myself at any rate has reminded me that I have again been lax in posting this diary.  Yesterday I received a Radio message from Grace. It was quite up to date and was only 10 days old. It says that all are well at home and that Grace is still with [[?]]

The main feature of these radio messages is that [[?]] have the

Say Not The Struggle Naught Availeth

Say not, the struggle naught availeth,

The labour and the wound are vain,

The enemy faint not nor faileth,

And as things have been, they remain.

If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars,

If maybe, in your smoke concealed,

Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,

And, but for you possess the field.

For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,

Seem here no painful inch to gain,

For back, through creeks and inlets making,

Comes silent, flooding in, the main.

And not by Eastern windows only,

When day light comes, comes in the light

In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly

But Westwards, look the land is bright.

A.H. Clough