Diary Jack Lusby Burns - July - Nov -1942 - Part 1
Diary
of
Lieut J.L. Burns
whilst at
Zentusi Prisoner of
War Camp
Commenced - Sunday 19th July 1942.
Finished - Sunday 8th November 1942.
Sunday 19th July 1942.
Arrived at Zentusi Prisoner of War
Camp at 1335 hrs, after a very
uncomfortable trip in the train all
night ^from Yokohama. Treatment during trip
quite good.
[[Kistom?]] Station to camp is about
a 20 mins. walk.
Kits once again inspected. Everything O.K.
Was impressed by physique of Yanks.
Signed a parole business. Felt quite
mean for having done so afterwards.
Also filled in particulars such as
own name, rank, Nationality, next of
kin, their nationality, whether living,
age of self, special qualifications,
place of education, years in service,
whole scholastic careers - also medically
inspected.
Shown to our new quarters - 2 big rooms
each holding 28 & 24, - All placed in quarantine
Spoke to other inmates & found out that there were
other Austs, Englishmen, Yanks & Dutch in camp.
Monday 20th July 1942
Good nights rest as 2 blankets & a
hard mattress provided & also pillow.
Jap Gov't provided tooth brush tooth paste,
1 pr. socks 2 cakes soap.
Our anxious minds were set to rest
when we heard that 3 meals per day
were allowed; including bread allowed
for midday meal. Thus had more
bread for lunch than the last 4
months at RABAUL.
Daily Routine - Reveille 0500,
Muster 0 520, breakfast 0 600
Lunch 11.30, tea 1700, muster 2000,
lights out 2100 hrs.
Learnt that there is a canteen here
where living commodities (no food)
may be bought at exhorbitant prices.
Managed to click on a pair of
rubber shoes. by the kindness of one
of the Yanks. They are most kind
as evidenced by the number of clothes
passed onto us.
Had a beautiful hot bath.
Tuesday 21st July 1942
Thousands of mosquitos here - have
4 big nets for the room - Warned
by the Yanks about bed bugs & fleas.
Have a couple of bites from same.
Library here gave us an issue of
books & mags. (the latter of a propaganda
value). A
A newspaper comes here each day
from OSAKA & TOKYO - it at least
gives us the news of a very biased nature.
Have orderlies to do the work for
us - basis of 2 orderlies & 1 mess -
cook per room. Rates of pay for
these men is 4.50 yen per man per room per month.
Laundry is done by other orderlies
& costs each man 3.00 yen
Cards borrowed from Yanks. - Poker
& Bridge played.
C.O (Major Wilson) received a mention in
the papers "A party of war prisoners reached
Zentusi amongst whom was Major J.E. Wilson.
A committee was formed to afford better co-operation
& purchasing power of all of us.
Wednesday 22nd July 1942
Heard that there was to be an
inspection by supply officers & that today
was PAY DAY. Subalterns receive 85 yen
per month. Of this we receive 50 yen
2 yen under & approx 15 yen is deducted
for cobbler, tailor & food resp. from the
balance (35 yen). The resultant balance ^18 yen
is paid into the local bank in the
name of the local supply officer &
is supposed to be paid to us at the
end of hostilities. The reason why it
is paid into the bank in the local
supply officer's name is that in Japan
all foreigner's capital is "frozen".
Paid in 2.00 yen as a levy to the
committee.
Received an issue of 4 pkts cigs,
2 bottles milk (supposed to receive this
every 2nd day) 1 ½ buns (these come into
canteen at odd intervals & are issued
by canteen to each person). Received 38.64 yen for ^pay
All meals to date have been excellent.
Thursday 23rd July 1942
Feel very dopey when we awaken of a
morning - probably due to the fact that
we are sleeping under mosquito nets
Managed to buy some hair oil
issued with 9 pkts of cigs. to do until
the end of the month. It appears that
all officers are allowed to draw & pay
for 30 pkts of cigs. a month.
Dame Rumour hath it that we are
going to be 'exchanged" as prisoners of
war.
Far more liberty allowed prisoners
here than in Rabaul. Respects have
to be paid to the commanding officer only.
Quite good interpreters here.
Was paraded before the C.O. of this camp
with a Lieut. J Bussell. It appears
that an officer who was confined to this
room broke confinement to talk to us.
We were asked what questions were
asked us We replied general matters.
Appears as if the J'S. were interested in
something concerning parole.
Friday 24th July 1942
Quarantine finished today. Moved about
0900 hours to new rooms. I remained
in the same room with 16 other
subalterns.
Had a haircut - allowed 2 h'cuts
per month.
Put in for some accountancy books
with Lieuts. Grant & Stirling. - We
ordered these ^by catalogue from a book stall in
OSAKA - Total cost approx 87 yen.
Purchased from Canteen body powder,
Comb, cig. case, mirror, shirts, note
books - practically busted up all my
pay.
The guards walk throughout the building
all day & night. At night the enlisted
men mount duty with the guard as
a fire picquet.
Listened to an hour's music (gramophone)
sent down by the American Embassy) at
the canteen between 5 & 6 1700 & 1800 hrs.
The mosquitoes are exceptionally bad here. Their
prolificness is probably due to the water on the
rice fields
Saturday 25th July 1942
Woke up with a lousy headache - quite
a few of the officers have had a touch
of malaria. So far haven't had a
touch. Managed to "bot" an aspirin.
'Tis great to feel "free", in as much as you
can go to your own pack & get the
requisite article instead of borrowing same.
The tropical ulcer on my ankle & the
septic sore from where I ran a nail
into my foot at Rabaul are healing
up quite nicely.
Officers are allowed to have showers
between 1000 & 1100 hrs & 1400 & 1500 hrs.
One shower for 500 men. (?)
Canteen allowed us 2 pkts cards
for each room. Poker & bridge are firm
favourites.
The room is swept out twice a day
& washed out once. Blankets aired
once a week. Fleas & bugs are living
up to their reputations.
Put a tall one over a Yank about Kangaroos
giving rides to small children in their pouches.
He believed it.
Sunday 26th July 1942
Been here a week today - time
simply flies
Got onto a new "cop" - manage to
have a shower each morning by
means of the tap at the laundry.
Church service this morning at 1000
hrs; the Yankee Chaplain officiated.
My thoughts kept turning to those
at home during the service.
Evidently Sunday meals are the meals
of the week as there is always some
little "extra" served with Sunday
evening's meals - today we had chocolate ^sauce.
Learnt how to play the Yankee Navy game
of "Acey Deucy" - supposed to be akin to
backgammon.
After evening meal attending a concert
run every Sunday between 1800 & 1900 hrs.
Excellent show. The yanks seem very
easily amused. Twas very hot inside
during the programme.
Finished my issue of cig's (23 [[?]]) that were supposed to
last me to the end of the month. Suppose I smoked
a third of them. Clicked on a bottle of milk.
Monday 27th July 1942
Before breakfast went with a party of
officers to collect grass & clover for the
rabbits kept here. These rabbits are
evidently a "white horse". About 16 pair
were originally supplied to the camp . The
idea being to make the camp meat self
-supporting in 6 months. Now in spite
of replacements there are only a few left.
In fact one died today - the boys tell me
that we will have rabbit stew tomorrow.
I blame the decrease of rabbits to the fact that
they are cooped up in boxes.
Made contact with the Yankee officers today.
Our room decided to invite some of them up
for bridge games etc. so as to know
them better, - Good idea.
Attended my first series of lectures -
Business Administration - unfortunately, the
book from which the lecture is based shows
conditions for 1921 - 1929 & is based on U.S.A.
methods. Every afternoon there are lectures
they being Shorthand, Spanish, Japanese, Navigation.
Clicked on two buns at night - the meals are
still good.
Tuesday 28th July 1942.
My little "cop" of the 26th (shower) is not
so sweet after all, as it is supposed to be
illegal. - Still I intend to carry on.
Spent the morning in collecting addresses
of the Aust officers from RABAUL when
I have finished these intend to get the Yanks.
1 Bottle of milk (½ pint) for lunch - the men
buy these for 10 sen - when it is their
issue & then retail them to some of the
Aust. officers for 50 sen
Managed to click onto 2 ^extra pkts. of cigarettes -
they will help to fill the gap till the end of
the month.
Learnt to play "contract" bridge from the
Yanks - managed to hold our own.
'Twas rather funny, we thought we
were playing "auction" - & they contract -
still we got along.
One of the Yankee "enlisted men" promised
to teach our officers - "contract bridge" ā la
Culbertson - He is supposed to be a good player.
Think I am in for a cold.
Had a shower at 1400 hrs today.
Wednesday 29th August 1942.
Definitely have a cold. Woke up with a lousy
head - borrowed two aspirins. Attended sick
parade - doctor asked me when I had my
tonsils removed and then proceeded to paint
my tonsils & "swab" my nostrils.
Also let the American dentist have a
"look see" at my teeth - all OK. which
was a relief.
Played "contract" bridge again with the
Yanks - cards seem to be the normal
routine.
Attended another lecture in Business Admin.
- procured the lecturers notes intend to
copy them out.
Played poker in the afternoon - won a
"lik - lik".
Listened to the "music hour" after evening
meal - semi classical music - quite
good.
Played contract bridge again at night.
Managed to purchase 5 pkts cigs for 1 yen
Gave half to Lieut. R. Allens.
The meals here are excellent but promise to become
monotonous in time.
List of Canteen
Article Price
Blades - Razor Pkt. 50
Books Note School 6
" " " 20
" Memo, pocket small 28
" " " large 37
" Sketch small 25
" " large 50
Boxes - Soap 48
Brushes Tooth hard 35
" Shaving small 60
" " large 500
" Scrubbing 30
Cigarettes - Green Pkt. 11 10
Buns 5
Cleaner - White Shoe Btle 34
Combs 32
Erasers 5
Handkerchiefs - small 30
" - med. 40
large
Holders - Cigarette horn 60
" " small 15
" Toothbrush 13
Prices
Article Price
Holders - drawing 190
Laces - Shoe Brown 17
" " Black 7
" " White 15
Milk - Btle (1/2pint) 10
Mirrors 140
Paper - Toilet 180 120
Pil Mel Tin 40
Pencils - colouring Pkt. 5 30
" " " 10 60
" " Drawing 20
" Lead 5
" Propelling 180
Pens - Fountain 300 480
Penholders 10
Pen Nibs 3
Pegs - Clothes Pkt. 10. 2
Pikes small 17
Pomade - hair dressing jar 77
Polish - Boot; Black or Brown Jar 35
Powder - Body 50
" - Tooth 26
List of Canteen Prices
Quantity Price
Razors, safety 174
Rules Straight 50
" Slide 6" 980
" 10" 780
Scissors 40
Sandals (slipper - rice mat) 45
Shirts - undershirt with collar 240
without collar 200
[[?atteran]] silk 300
Singlets 90
Underpants 130
Tacks - thumb - box 20
Vitamens A-D pkt . 240
" B. " 160
Tea pkt 90
Toilet paper (100's sheet) 180
Sandals (Wood) 75
Cigarette Case 10 170
20 190
Dye ( Green, Blue, Brown etc.)
Nail Clippers
Cards - Pkt. 250
Thursday 30th July 1942.
Due to my cold, last night was the first
night I slept under a blanket. Sweated
like blazes and as nose ran all night,
had a perfectly lousy sleep. Stayed in bed for
"muster" & breakfast.
Learnt how to play the Yank game of "stud" &
"draw" poker whilst I showed them our game
of "blind" poker & "Slippery Sam".
Slept in early afternoon played "contract"
later on.
Clicked on an issue of 10 pkts of cigs. The
J.'s must be short of paper as all empty pkts.
of cigs. must be returned to canteen. These
cigs. are sold to us at 11 sen & enlisted men at
10 sen.
After tea (which 1 egg & ½ tomato & rice) went for a 2½
-3 mile hike. These hikes are evidently of a
weekly custom - was quite glad of the exercise
Can quite understand why mosquitoes are plentiful
when one sees all the water lying round. Was also
struck by the J. intense cultivation. By every inch of
ground being used, the smallness of the houses, the
excavations made to terrace the ground, the smallness of
the trees & people & the intense poverty of the latter.
Friday 31st July 1942
Had a very good sleep - woke up feeling much
better although the old head hurts if i turn it
too quickly. Blankets were wet with sweat.
Spent the morning copying out notes on "Bus.
Admn." in preparation for the lecture between
1300 & 1400 hrs.
The "galley" came to light with a double issue
of soup for lunch - quite acceptable.
After the lecture on "Bus. Admn." had finished
attended another on "Navigation". It seemed a bit
haywire but may learn something.
There seems to be, in the J. mind, an ever-
exciting dread of fire as cigarettes are only
allowed to be smoked in your own room near
an ashtray. No matches are allowed but the room
is supplied with an electric lighter which
they have to pay for, These buildings would
certainly blaze as they are constructed of pine.
Had fire drill about 1230 hrs. every one sort of
rushed round like a flock of sheep. The Austs.
did not know what to do as we had never been
told - 'Twas quite funny.
Played contract bridge in the late afternoon & a
new game after 'supper' for cigs.
Saturday 1st August 1942.
Mosquitoes very bad last night - they must
have "got" into the net between "muster"
& "lights-out". - Still have my cold.
Have become quite used to tea when I
wake up in the morning. The yanks introduced
this practice of having tea at 0505hrs, 1000 hrs,
1400 & 1730 hrs. Hot water is supplied by
the galley but each room has to supply its
own tea which is bought from the canteen (when
procurable) at 90 sen a ¼ lb.
Have a touch of "dobies" of the beautiful red
variety - Golly, it's itchy.
"Showered" at 1120 hrs - there is always a
queue around this object being the only one of
its kind at ZENTUSI.
Slept after lunch & was woken up in time for
inspection by the J. orderly officer. - This is a
weekly affair - every Sat. aft. at 1400hrs.
The rooms was completely "swabbed" down
this morning - this also is a weekly practice.
The J's. amaze me as they are so clean in some
respects but amazingly thoughtless in others.
Sunday 2nd August 1942.
Our officers ^i.e. the Aussies. have taken over the duty of
"Camp Orderly Officer" - guess my turn will come
sometime in September.
Have now developed a heat rash on the
forehead. - These heat rashes or prickly
heat seem very prevalent amongst the Aust.
Officers - guess it must be change of climate.
My ankle is still paining - hurts like
hades when I knock it.
Attended Church service at 1000hrs - don't
know why it is but my thoughts always
go back to those at home during the service -
I hope that everyone is well & bearing up
under the strain.
Learnt too late that there is a "discussion
group" each Sunday at 0830 hrs. This
service or group being introduced by our Padre May.
Slept and read during the afternoon.
Excellent dinner - Rdoughnuts, ½ tomato, 1 small
fish & a bowl of rice _ Sunday night's dinner is the
Mecca of all dinners meals.
At 1800 hrs attended the annual weekly concert held
by the inmates of the camp. There is quite excellent
talent especially in the singing line amongst the Yanks.
Monday 3rd August 1942.
Today is the day of days, as there is
supposed to be a big inspection by the J.
Supply officers. So as we would be reminded
of the fact, Some J. started to practice his
buglers calls at 0400 hrs.
The inspection party arrived at 0800 hrs -
composed of 5 officers & 3 P.R's. We hope to expect
great things off this visit ie. from the [[Kai?]]
& Canteen point of view.
Slept during the morning.
Attended the lecture on Bus. Admn. - towards the
end of the lecture a new party of 10 prisoners
came in - who they are & where they are from -
" more anon.
Tried to get a haircut in the aft. but
learnt that hair is only cut during the
morning.
Contributions were called for bottles of
milk for the new prisoners (who looked
very emaciated) so I turned mine in.
The water was off all aft & night - golly my
tongue hung out for a drink. The water
supply seems a mystery to me.
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