Diary Jack Lusby Burns - July - Nov -1942 - Part 3

Monday 24^th August 1942
Went to P.T. for the first time, this morning,
since I've been here. Twas rather by accident-
had to return a book to a Lieut. Carlson USN.
(our lecturer on Bus. Admin.) Was doing this
before breakfast when I noticed him in the 
squad.- So I stayed & joined in.
Signed our letters which were typed from our
proofs put into the office on 16 Aug. 42. I hope 
it gets through. Also was allowed to put a
photo inside.
Attended a lecture on "Salesmanship" by a
Lt- Cmdr. Newman U.S.N. it was excellent.
Some of the shirts put over by the "high pressure
salesman."
Finished my notes on contract bridge
started on 15/8/42.
Had a joke played on me last night - during
the night thought the bed felt very uneven
but still managed to get quite a good

sleep. In the morning when I awoke, saw

2 flat brooms under my bunk. Sure was
taken in.
Forgot to mention that we had 2 doughnuts
last night.
Tuesday 25^th August 1942
Rotten night sleep - itched and scratched all
Night - condemned all bed bugs to perdition.
Some of the Americans were issued with letters
& they were supposed to have come via the
ASAMARA.  MARU - the exchange ship of diplomats
between U.S.A. & J. There is a rumour that over 1200
letters were carried besides parcels. I guess
everyone is looking forward to the latter.
Four more new prisoners came in - four of
the light ^ aussies we left at YOKOHAMA. Golly we were
pleased to see them. They tell us they have
been living like "Kings" in YOKOHAMA after our
departure. The nurses who came from RABAUL
with us are supposed to be going back to Australia
on the next exchange ship. I hope those who

have my address get in touch with my people.

The "new" officers who came in on 18 Aug' 42 were

released from quarantine - this entailed a

lot of shifting round of quarters as we are

placed according to seniority. In our room

we lost one & gained one- still leaving our total at 17.

A Captain Charles S Todd ∧ U.S.M.C^. is a decent stick -most

kind giving me cigs. etc.

Wednesday 26^th August 1942
Visited the Aussie officers this morning, who
came in yesterday. They seem to have been
treated exceptionally well. It appears as
if our nurses from RABAUL are going back
to Australia on the next exchange ship.
They brought some cricket bats & quoits down
with them. I hope we are allowed to play
cricket - although tis doubtful as 4 other
cricket bats came down with our clothes from
YOKOHAMA on 7^th Aug. & we have NOT seen
them since.
The letters that arrived for the Yanks are
being distributed at the rate of from 20.40 a
day. Are the officers glad to receive them -
they sort of go into a daze for the rest of 
the day.
The upper part of my arms & shoulders are
just one mass of bug & flea bites. I believe
representation has been made to the J.'s to have
the place sprayed - so far to no avail.
warned last tonight at muster that a typhoon was
on its way. (It didn't eventuate.)
The meals are light - compared with before - of late.

Thursday 27^th August 1942
The promised typhoon didn't eventuate but
rain fell in torrents. If it rains
sufficiently prior to the departure of the
"hill party" at 0800hrs, they don't have
to go to work that day. As Sunday is the
only day they have of rest, most of them

are quite pleased.
Had a rather decent thing happen to me -
When we had 21 packets cigs. issued to us, I gave
a packet to one lad. Today he reciprocated
as I was completely out.
A Major Potter (U.S.M.C.) gave an extremely
interesting talk on NICUARAGUA after dinner
It is customary to have these lectures every
Thursday night. - Previous to our being
quarantined, we used to "walk" every 
Thursday evening.
Seems to be some funny business going on
in the canteen e.g. our room couldn't get any
tea whilst other rooms seemed to be getting
plenty. The thing was fixed up eventually - it was
due to the fact that his records were "mucked up." - some
as they were once before re milk.
Charlie wanted to give me some cigs. but have to draw a line (somewhere)

Friday 28^th August 1942
Added two more lectures to my list - thus
am now doing Bus Admin, Costing, Spanish
and Shorthand. These two new lectures
are ^ held at 10 30 hrs. & 15.30 hrs. resp.
Issued with our blanket from RABAUL - We
had to leave these at YOKOHAMA.
Unfortunately, there all of them did NOT come
down from YOKOHAMA - thus those who were
first in took 2 & left others with none.

A typical spirit of some people.
The rooms etc have been given a "surprise"
wash & scrub down in honour of the
Chief of general staffs' visit tomorrow.
One of the orderlies (NEALE) let me read one
of his letters which he received from his
home in Texas. Very good of him.
Chess has been in vogue a bit of late.
Had another chat with the lads in quarantine
The tables & forms in this room are
absolutely riddled with bed bugs etc. If
your leg rests against part of the tables under
structure you are sure to be bitten.
There has been an inquiry into food of late. Hope it
is an increase.

Saturday 29^th August 1942
Issued with 10 packets of cigs. today - cost
10 sen a packet. Evidently the J's must
be short of paper as the "covers" of the
cigarette packets have to be returned when
you make your purchase of cigarettes.
The procedure of getting your cigarettes is
as follows - On the wall near the counter
is a list with everyone's name in the
camp. Opposite each person's name is
a number. You look up your number
then give it to the chap behind the counter
who calls it to a 2^nd man. He checks
it off on the list & if sigs. have been
unissued to that number you receive some.
Unfortunately, some people don't play the game.
and give other people's Number. My number is 59.
These ^ new lectures involve quite a bit of my
"spare" time. Thus, the day should go
quickly. - Also, these lectures eat out my 
afternoon's bridge.
The committee of Aust. Officers formed on approx.
22/7/42. to control our affairs e.g. any papers, represent
us to the J's & yanks was disbanded today. Back room
now will have to buy its own papers. Tis a shame.

Sunday 30^th August 1942
Attended church parade at 1000 hours
Thought very much of home & those dear
to me.
Had the worst night's sleep, since I been 
here. - the "wogs" just carried me away
- heard every hour strike from 2100 hrs to
0500 hrs.
Played "stud' poker (my first introduction
to this famous ^ American game). It's deadly.
Received our usual Sunday treat (which is
much appreciated all round) of 3 doughnuts
at night.
For the usual Sunday concert they had
a "quiz" arranged between two rooms of
Australian officers. (Our room .22. & room 12)
I represented our room together with Lieuts.
Grant & Cooper. We won, 45 - 37 1/2, The
"quiz" was conducted on general matters.
We are being fed on, now, cabbage soup.
and it sure fills one up with objectionable
smells.
There is a rumour around that all the
officers with engineer experience are shortly 
to go to TOKYO
Monday 31^st August 1942
'Tis raining now & looks as if it will
rain all day.
The rumour of yesterday savours of the truth as
6 Yanks officers (civil engineers) are leaving
tomorrow for TOKYO.
Just after lunch there was an inspection
(informal) by an admiral of some description
It was a surprise inspection - we had
to remain in our rooms till it was
over.
With these new lectures I am kept rather
busy, as I have two each day & another
every 2^nd day.
Now that the days are becoming cooler the
^numbers of mosquitos are becoming less. Even now
'tis rather the exception than the rule to
see a mosquito.
Played chess and Bridge - the former seems to
have taken this room by storm.
The "yanks" seem quite surprised at the
"intelligence" shown by we Aussies during
the "quiz" of last night.
Starting from tomorrow our rations are supposed
to be on the increase. - Quien sabe.

Tuesday 1^st September 1942

As I did NOT sleep very well last night

on account of bed. bugs I searched

my blankets, mattress. (particularly along

the seams - found & squashed 2) & my pillow

-This pillow is really a khaki covering around

sawdust or wood filings. - Imagine my 
surprise when I found 2 nests of the
blighters each with 20 - 30 bugs. in I squashed
them & made a "red' mess (my own blood)
over the pillow. I took this down to the 
J. office and asked for a new pillow. This
was refused but I managed to get the thing boiled.
Yesterday's rumour was correct as at 
noon 14 men (inc. 6 officers) left for TOKYO.
Dame rumour is on the "way" again. Some more
are to be sent to TOKYO and the rest of us are
to be engaged on agricultural work. This is
alright in a way as long as it is NOT

military work as it is deadly sitting on
one's tail.
Of late have been playing bridge between tea &
muster. I play with a Lieut. Kilner (NGVR)
against 'to yank warrant officers - Stirling & Doon
Wednesday 2^nd September 1942
Reville has been put forward 1/2 an hour
- now 0530 hrs. I believe during winter it
goes forward to 0700hrs. It is even quite
dark now.
As my pillow coverings were being washed
from yesterdays orgy, I borrowed another
pillow last night. Unfortunately, I had another
disturbed sleep, again imagine my surprise
when I found about 20 bugs in the pillow
I borrowed.
Today at 1200 hrs mounted as duty officer
for the camp. - a duty which comes about
once every 3 months, and lasts for 24
hours. The procedure is :-
Together with the old ^duty orderly} officer you report
to the J. duty officer. The old duty officer
hands in his report which the J. duty
officer reads attaches to a file of these reports
& then hands the lot to me.
At 1400 hrs I again report for any
instructions. Mine today were to pass
the word around to all the rooms for
them to stay in their rooms during

Thursday ^Wednesday 2^nd September 1042 - cont'd
muster & make no undue Noise. Also to
see that all trays are clean & have some
water in.- Passed this on.
About 3.15 went for a stroll around
camp as an informal formal
inspection. - Everything O.K.
Forgot to mention that one of the "enlisted
men" also mount duty during the
day with you.
Is as to appear properly dressed, borrowed
a cap from Capt Brown, Slouch Hat from
Lieut Bowring & Belt (Sam Brown) Lieut Milne.
gaiters Lieut Edney.
at 2000 hrs you meet the J. duty officer &
his satellites (usually an interpreter &
a J. room orderly) & we proceed on our
way to "Muster".- which is really a roll
call. Every one stands to at the head of
their beds. The Room leader bows & the
rest of the room "number". Received another message
after this to see that lights went out as soon
as possible after the lights out Bugle Sounded. at
2200 hrs made another inspection of the camp - met
a couple of the Fire Piquet. Everything O.K. Retired 2230.
Thursday 3^rd September 1942.
Arose at 0500hrs (i.e. 1/2 hr before reville)
so a to have a clean-up etc. before muster
at 0600 hrs. Everything satisfactory at muster.
except that men must wear shirts during
inspection.
At 1000hrs went for a walk - routine
inspection - around the camp - Satisfactory.
at 1200 hrs handed over my duties to Lieut 
C. Nielson. Wrote out my report as per
yesterdays & today's memoires.
Play  "Acey- Deucey" with the C.O - was beaten
horribly. -Must put a bit more work
into my spanish.
At 1800 hrs went for a walk around
zentusi & its environs - evidently our
quarantine has been lifted. We went in
an entirely new direction, around the
hospital rice fields etc. Saw the main
business street - it is akin to a lane^arcade
about 10 ft - 12 ft wide - the shops displaying
all their wares in the front.
The barbers shops are very brilliantly lit.
The "new" men came out of quarantine today - we 
have two more additions to our Room Lieuts [[Daose]], Tyrell.

Friday 4^th September 1942
Went to bed last night feeling very tired.

As I was only up for an hour after lights
out the previous night. - heaven alone knows
how I'll be when we hit civilisation. Anyhow
was so dashed tired that the bugs failed
to worry me.
Together with a Lieut. Kilner, I play 'W.O's
Stirling & Door bridge of a night-time between
the hours of evening meal & muster. approx.
2 hours of bridge.
Now that 2 more officers are in here
things are a bit crowded at the table.

'Twas was very humourous last night- our 2
new arrivals found the bed bugs too
invigorating so each took unto himself a
table on which to lie.
Meant to have a hand of poker today but
climbed on the bed after lunch & that
is the last I knew till 14.30 hrs.
Spanish & shorthand are just beginning
to assume their true shape as far as I am
concerned. The meals seem to be on the
improve. They were up here again tonight asking
if we had sufficient rice
Saturday 5^th September 1942
The length of the days are rapidly decreasing
it is quite dark now at 0515 hrs
& at 1730 hrs.
Bit of a mix up today at Bus. Amin.
either some forgot that it was on or that
they were asleep as only 3 of us turned
up for the lecture.
Was absolutely cleaned up at bridge
tonight - played with Charlie Todd against
Stirling and Doon. down about 3000 points.
Had a marvellous evening meal, soup
rice and pork "burgers".  Meat sure tastes
nice.
Some of the lads tonight were caught out
of their rooms during "muster". They were
"ticked off" by the J. duty officer through the 
interpreter.
From our windows we overlook a Shrine
and a school. There seem to be a fair
crowd of youngsters attending the latter as 
we often see them lined up in the playground.
Each room is now supplied with an
ash-tray with the rooms number on it. It must
be kept clean for muster with 1/4 inch water in it.

Sunday 6^th August^September 1942
Contacted a touch of dobies - the
itchiness is giving me hell.
Attended church service at 1000 hrs
The yanks and Aussie Padres alternate
in taking the service. The Yankie
officiated today. Also, today we used
the new song books i.e. books of songs
voluntarily written up by officers. I
took out a book on Sunday to do it.
Played poker in the afternoon. - Lost.
The evening meal was excellent. There's
no doubt about the fact that the J's. are
keeping to their promise to increase
the rations after the 1st September. Had
two doughnuts (reputed to have Aust. butter in) for
tea.
Attended the concert at 1800 hrs. It was
an excellent show. One of the Aussies
Capt. Hutchinson - Smith earned the sobriquet of
the "Spinner of Yarns". Played bridge
afterwards with Charlie Todd V. Stirling and Doon.
Everytime I am at church my thoughts
turn to those at home - May God bless them.
Monday 7^th September 1942
Cigarette supply running very low.
Hope the next issue is NOT far off.
Have taken up a new subject - Navigation.
So now have my time fairly well
occupied.
The "bugs" etc are on the rampage again.
'Twill be a great day when I get a
perfect days rest.
Was taken to town today at poker.
Missed out on Bus. Admin. today.
Went to sleep after lunch & did NOT
awake until too late.
Also missed out on Shorthand today due
to an inspection by a J. colonel of
the intelligence corps. We all to remain
in our rooms till the inspection
had passed.
The increase of rations is definitely on
the up grade. I wonder for how long?
I hope those accountancy books which we
put in for are NOT long in turning up.
Dreamt. of home last night. I hope it
isn't long before we are there once again.

Tuesday 8^th September 1942
Missed writing up my diary today
Why - I don't know- usually try
& write my diary before breakfast. - Ran
a bit late today so left it till after
breakfast with the result that it was
NOT completed.
Houses still continue to be built
apace. Am getting the craze a bit
myself.
Been learning to pay an American
game called "Acey - Ducey". It was
introduced by the Navy (U.S.A) - Quite
a good game for two to play.
Now have my time fully cut out.
as I have now added Navigation
to the score of lectures. This 
latter subject is held one hour's
lecture a week. - Promises to be
interesting - an officer off the "HMS EXETER"

is running the show.
A batch of 14 new prisoners came in
today - men from the H.M.A.S. PERTH. are
supposed to be amongst the new comers.
Gave my bottle of milk into the pool for them.
Wednesday 9^th September 1942
Eureka - today we were issued with
cigarettes - 20 packets - to do us for
the month - as I owed 5 pkts I
shall have to economise.
Also, quite a lot of other stuff came
in hope to get onto some of it
tomorrow.
Missed my Bus. Admin. lecture yesterday
as I lay on my bed after
lunch & sort of didn't wake up in
time.
Poker plying has been stopped by
The ^senior American officers - perhaps it
is just as well.
The meals of the last two days have 
NOT been up to much - still losers
cannot be choosers.
Formal mess tonight.
Felt very tired during the day owing
to lack of sleep at night. - Oh for
some clean sheets?
Am becoming fairly interested in Spanish
class conducted by a Lt. Col. I. Potter U.S.M.C.
 

Thursday 10^th September 1942
The old dobies since is aticklin! Guess
it must be the soap that the J's issue us
with as quite a few officers are suffering
from the same complaint.
Record of Records. A Lieut Roy Tyrrell sleeping
2 bunks from me & a Lieut Pat Dowse 1
bunk from me last night killed 151
 60 bugs respectively in their blankets &
pyjamas only. I bagged about 20. [[?]] be a
pleasure to have a good nights rest - The
guards were extraordinarily actively last
night. Running around with torches.

He evidently wanted all windows shut
-this makes the rooms oppressively hot.
Managed to get amongst a few canteen
requisite this morning. - books
w' cloths, H' chiefs, Belt, etc. Went for a walk ^around [[zenture]] & environs.
Wonder of wonders we had 2 doughnuts
from the canteen tonight - they were
grand - sugar coated etc.
Lost practically a brand new bowl of
tooth powder this morning. Left it at the
ablution bench for 5 minutes when I returned it
had gone.
Friday 11^th September 1942
Had a super sleep this morning from
0830 hrs to 1020 hrs - made up a bit
for what I'd missed at night.
We had to fill in a screed again today
practically the same as we filled in when we
first came here. (19.7.42). It is reported that
the one signed on 19.7.42 is kept as a 
record here in our own writing. - This
one is to be converted to J. On the other

hand Dame Rumour hath it that we

are all to work for the J. in some capacity
& this is the means of finding out. Quién Sabe?
Our teacher went on the "ran- tan". at shorthand
today - says we should be further
advanced. - guess he has something to moan
about.
Tried to get a game of cricket going - NO

luck.
Borrowed 1/2 jar dental powder from Charlie
Todd - He's an extraordinary generous
beggar. as well as a grand cave.

Milk for lunch - Had milk & bread.