Notebook of Avon Reah Smith-Ryan, 1942-1945

Sun 10 Sep 44.  It seems that I have overlooked this diary business
lately. Life has just marched on at fairly even tempo. I am
still taking my shift as G.L. Control Officer. We have changed
our hut. The current plan covering relations between officers and
O/Rs is that only 3 officers - a C.O. Adj & Q - remain with each group
of approx 1200 and then only in an advisory capacity, the WOs etc doing
the actual adm. of troops. Other officers handling troops are our
G.L, Central Gardens, Forestry & a small no. of reserve officers. There
is also the Camp Office and M.O.s and Hosp. staff. All other officers
are grouped separately and a token wire has been erected around
their huts. Only Camp Office and Group officers haare permitted
to go to the gaol. It is NOT known if this arrangement is ordered
by IJA or is Lt Col Newy's order. Since his appointment as Camp
Representative Officer, all Lt Cols have ceased to have any appointment
in comd. of troops under Lt Col Newry. - He is a junior Col. Lt Col Heath
Comds. Officers [[Gp?]]. Col Heath commanded the Arty. & Defence Guns in
Singapore.

Prices are terrific now and the inflation is beyond control. Examples
are - Small Cheroots 20c-23c (normal 1c) Java Tobacco $1.80 (normal 5c)
Coconuts 75c (normal, almost given away) Towgay, Kachang Hijau $4.60
(a few cents) Supplies are also very short and irregular.
An egg, if obtainable is valued at $2. - A watch will readily
bring $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 being in a batch despatched
on 8 Nov 44 and thus only 10 days old. It says that all are
well at home and that Grace is still with Jim. The main
feature of these radio messages is that recaipients have the

Say Not, The Struggle Naught Availeth

Say not, the struggle naught availeth,

The labour and the wounds are vain,

The enemy faints 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

2/30 Bn A.I.F.
3 Mar 42.
Major Green

2/4 MG Bn A.I.F.

As requested the following are the details of the engagement of
my Coy. with the enemy on Feb 12 in which Lieut Mackinnon, who was attacked
with his PL and 4 guns displayed outstanding bravery and devotion to duty, and
in my opinion, deserves some sort of recognition for this.

On the morning of 11 Feb, 2/30 Bn. withdrew under orders from
Causeway Sector to vicinity Mandai Cross Roads and occupied a new defensive posn
with Coys disposed from Cross Roads to the S.M.C pipeline astride the road

'D' Coy's position was such that it was responsible for the
protection of the right flank of 2/30 Bn and as the most likely method of enemy
approach appeared to be along the Pipe Line the Coy was disposed astride this, and on
the forward slopes of the high ground just North of the MANDAI ROAD at this point.

Lieut MacKinnon's PL with 4 M.M.G. at this stage came under
Comd. 'D' Coy and the Co-operation, intelligence & energy of MacKinnon & his men
was noticeable from the start. MacKinnon himself made many recces in order
to find the best possible gun positions for the tasks I gave him and throughout
the whole day of 11 Feb spent his time in improving the general fire plan of
my position.

After recce patrols at night and a fighting patrol at dawn had
made contact with the enemy North & along the PIPE LINE, at 0910hrs 12 Feb
he launched a heavy attack in the general direction South along SUNGEI MANDAI
and on to D Coy position
At this time 2/30 Bn were in the process of carrying out an
orderly withdrawal (not in close contact) with the object of counter attacking
BUKIT PANJANG further South. 'D' Coy automatically became a rearguard
for the Bn. and much depended on the time we could hold off the enemy attack
MacKinnon had to bring his guns back from their trucks
at great speed and under fire.  These guns were remounted and were maintained
in action despite heavy fire and some casualties for nearly two hours for
which period the position was held.
MacKinnon himself proved fearless under fire, personally
directing the fire of the guns on many occasions.

When an Indian Regt on our right flank was
known to have withdrawn East along MANDAI ROAD I decided to
withdraw and it was NOT until every man of my Coy were
successfully out of the position that MacKinnon brought his guns
out  He did every thing possible to save these guns but by the time
they were loaded on to his truck and his PL Sgt had been killed
during this process, he was almost surrounded by the enemy and I
consider he did the only thing possible when he had to finally
abandon them after attempting to destroy both truck and guns in
the face of heavy fire. The final withdrawal of his men across
the BUKIT MANDAI whilst under exceptionally heavy fire was also a
tribute to the courage and outstanding leadership of Lieut MacKinnon.
Sgd E.H. BOOTH Capt
o/c D Coy 2/30 Bn.
The above is a Copy of a Communication received from
Capt Booth 2/30 Bn
Sgd CE GREEN Major
C.O 2/4 MG. Bn.
The last para. is in the handwriting of Major Green. and the remainder
was Copied by Capt Bunning from Capt Booth's original letter
A Smith Ryan Capt
2 I/C B Coy 2/4 MG Bn

Extract from Lecture by Major Hunt 28 Jan 43
on Vitamin Deficiency Diseases
I.J.A Standard Diet - (Promised but NOT supplied)
in Grams.
Per Day     Rice     500}
                    Flour      50}    
                    Meat or  50}            Deficient in Vitamins B1
                    Fish                                                                    B2 (complex)
                    Veg       100}                                    Proteins, Fat, Vits. A. C & E.
                    Milk         15}                                    & Calcium.       

                    Sugar     20}

                    Glu             5}
                    
Items which are rich in Vits B1 & B2 (complex)

A I F. Personnel in Malaya

Since coming to Adam Park with the working party I

have kept some record of happenings but, unfortunately I have
not written any thing about the time between 15 Feb and then.
I'll try to jot down a few points regarding our stay at Changi.
On the Monday morning 16 Feb. we were ordered to join the rest of
the Bn at Chinese Cemetery off Holland Road by 0800 hrs and to
see that each man had 2 days rations. We drove our convoy to
the place on time and were arranging the issue of the rations when
I was accosted by a little fellow and disarmed and refused permission
to rejoin the Coy. I couldn't even get back to my own truck for my
pack & haversack which I had packed with necessary clothing and
hotel articles and the personal items I didnt intend losing. I was
herded at the road corner and found most of 'D' Coy and Major Green
Capts Anderson Thomas Thompson Lieuts Raphael Branson Capt Gwynne " Hill
Later Capt Bunning came but he managed to fall back down the
road to the Coy. About midday we were fallen in and marched to
Raffles College padang and spent almost 2 days there. Food was
a problem as we had been forcibly prevented from getting the 2 days
ordered. - OL. at the road corner Jack Thompson & Geoff Raphael were
whittled away on a truck & haven't been seen since. At the same place
R.SM Airey & a driver also were taken with the same result.

Pasir Panjang. we hope that there will not be any further
demands for the G.L. work.
A party of PoW coming from Medan, Sumatra three weeks ago
had the misfortune to have their convoy intercepted by an
Allied submarine (presumably British). The ship carrying them
rec'd two torpedoes and sank quickly and it appears also that
a tank was sunk in addition. Out of a total of 700 British
Aust & R.NF., 450 were killed or drowned and 250 picked up by
escort vessells.  A few were brought out to this hospital and 2/3
have died here. (Pte E.M Hopson of our Coy was killed. He was
our man who escaped northwards on Sunday evening 15 Feb 42.
We only heard recently that he was @ Medan and now this is
our next news of him. He was a good soldier.) incorrect - see below
I am @ present off duty, but almost fit again. I had an
attack of diarrhoea. Very uncomfortable, and hard to regain
lost condition again afterwards.
We are @ present receiving another batch of mail. A very mixed
lot of old mail ranging from Sep. 42 - Jan 43. So far I've had 3 -
1 from Grace in Jan 43 & 2 from Mother in Oct 42 & Apr 43
Pte Hopson referred to above was NOT killed or drowned. He
died on Sumatra 26 4 44 of dysentiry and appendicitis and
was buried @ BLANKEDJERAN, SUMATRA.
A matter of some importance happened three days ago - A
Capt Mountfort (S.S.V.F) went AWL to Singapore to see his
native wife & was arrested by the I.J.A. Police. Lt Takahashi
had not been informed of his absence from here. As a result
Col Holmes has been sacked together with his staff  Lt Cols. Gallaghan &
Dillon and interpreter Maj. Wilde. Lt Col Newy has been succeeded
by Takahashi as Commander. and it is interesting to speculate
how he will run the camp and on his relations with the late regime

A GH AIF 21MAY44.
O.i/c Medical Services AIF.✓
2nd Echelon, AIF.

      - - - - - - - - -
WX10370, Pte. HALL D.C. -2/4 M.Gnrs.
It is advised that the result of PM examn
held on above-named soldier who died at A GH
this-morning is as under:-
Cause of death: 1. Septic Thrombosis Rt.
                                  Iliac Vein.
                              2. Pyaemia.
PM held at A GH
21May44.
Reference Personal Effects Pte.Hall
left none whatever - no paybook.
Arthur R Holmes Mjr
for Officer Comdg.A GH AIF.
22 Bde
Gr No5134  20 note
III GP
IV  "
[[K?]]

Capt Smith-Ryan