Diary Jack Lusby Burns - July - Nov -1942 - Part 6
Thursday 22nd October 1942
The bridge tournament proceeds apace
Played two games today. - lost the
first by 500 and ^won the second by
2500 so sort of came out even
on the night. Tis funny to see the
lads writing their letters. We are
only allowed to write one of 350
words - Some have written 500
words and are trying to cut them
down. Tis damnable to try and
write one so small as we would
all like to get some more written
but I guess we are very lucky to be
able to write at all.
We were paid today - 50 yen.
The quickest pay I have yet been
in.
Propose buying a photo of all the
lads in camp - will knock me
back 12-20 yen.
All sheets etc. are to be called back
by the J. I understand that they are
going to reissue same-one to each person.
Friday 23rd October 1942
Handed in a letter today to be
typed. - as permission was
granted to write one - my second
since I've been here - I wasted
no time in handing it in.
Bought some photos of all the
officers at present P.O.W's here
Set me back 12.20 yen - Intend
to make an album out of a
notebook and get the officers to
sign them with their names
ranks, where captured & home
address should be able to use
some of them on the cessation of
hostilities.
The Bridge tournament is proceeding
apace. - Played two games today.
Won one & lost the other.
Tis damnably cold today - I
believe we get stoves here in
winter time. Winter starts
officially on 15th November 19.
Saturday 24th October 1942
Slept with 3 blankets over me last
night - in addition I wore
a singlet, shirt u/pants & pyjamas
- It was very cold.
A slight drizzle has set in today
and is it cold?
When playing cricket today saw
one of the lads put a ball
through a window. This is the
2nd one to go within the last
four days - Wonder if we
shall have the game curtailed?
Some rumour re the concerts being
stopped - Hope it is only a rumour
as this hours entertainment is
the only real bright spot in
this camp - Tis a dashed
good hour.
One of the Englishmen received a
parcel from his folks - it
contained a fair bit of clothing.
Gee I hope we get some news from
our folks soon.
Sunday 25th October 1942
Signed my letter today which I handed
in on the 23rd. Twas fairly
[[shek]] work. - It is my second
from here. Enclosed a couple
of snaps that were taken here. I
hope they get through.
Filled in a form in duplicate.
re the clothing that I possess.
Twas divided into two headings.
Private & Japanese. - asking
for shirts, trousers o/coats
boots, u/clothes Blankets etc.
Had a good win at Bridge
this aft although taken to town
tonig this morning.
The sun decided to show its face
today but it was dashed cold
in the wind.
A notice came round that there
will be NO cricket in future - Guess
there were too many broken windows.
The concert tonight was an all
Australian one - a dashed good show.
Monday 26th October 1942
Another list came round this morning
from the J's. asking inter alia.
What sport we liked best - also what hobby
whether we drank heavily habitually or occasionally, whether
we liked drama movies books; What games
referred^ what language spoken etc. - Twas quite involved.
We were taken to town properly last
night at bridge - by a mere matter
of 2 1/2 thousand point. - Phew!
Some u/clothes came into the canteen
but unfortunately I was just too
late in getting there.
Some G. Colonel paid us a surprise
visit about 1300 hours - He had
a chest full of medals.
The Cigarettes have given out. Hope
to get a few of some of the lads
who dont smoke next month.
Although as I lost 1 pkt of fags
in a bet I traded a bottle of
milk for 2 pkts so as I could repay
the debts. Hate like hell having to trade
food for fags.
Tuesday 27th October 1942.
Again have been neglecting my diary
Today is Friday - so have three days
to write up.
Traded my milk today for some cigarettes.
Seems a horrible thing to do.
Our Navigation Class has been
shifted from Mondays at 1400 hrs. to
Friday at 1410 hrs. - It now clashes
with English.
My German is up the pole - missed
two lessons in succession will have
to go to get them in order again.
This dashed bridge tournament is
the trouble as my partner is anxious
to push it through.
Some rumour has come through
that there are Red Cross parcels
on the way - Gee I hope it is true
as I would love to taste some
sweets & smoke some of our
tobacco.
Wednesday 28th October 1942
The J's came around this morning
and checked the list that we had
to make out on Sunday (25/10/42). Everything
went off O.K.
The meals have been very watery of
late - Guess were damned lucky
to be alive let alone prisoners of War.
Tis beautiful weather, we have been
having the last few days -
Sunny weather etc. - Tis pleasant
to bask in the sun.
The malaria is still recurring
in some of the lads - The chap
next to me (Lieut Ray Tyrrell) is
now down with a dose of it.
When we went for a walk on Thursday -
some of the lads gave some of
the youngsters money - They have
been reprimanded for so doing
as it is NOT the custom to do
such things in Japan.
Thursday 29th October 1942
Went for a walk today - to new pastures
halted at the top of a hill where
there were some monuments Tried
to converse in Spanish with my
Spanish teacher. Heard all about
the Wake Island invasion.
Twas a ratty piece of work on
the part of the J's.
Our luck at cards has deserted
us during the last few days
we have held shocking cards.
One sort of gets all wrapped
up in the dashed thing. Guess
I know or at least can appreciate
how dad feels re his "bowls".
Hope he is now having better luck
than I am at the present as it
is now verging onto early summer
in Aust. - Gee I hope mum &
dad are in good health & not
worrying. They are both super
people.
Friday 30th October 1942
The rumour re the packages from the
International Red Cross has turned
out to be a reality. There must
be close on 500 boxes (measuring
2 1/2' - 1 1/2' - 1 1/2') of Canadian & American
Red Cross comforts funds parcels.
There is enough to give 8 parcels to
each person in Camp. I believe
there is chocolate, butter, cheese,
cigs, tobacco, prunes, raisons, tea
coffee, bully beef sardines etc. It
should be swell.
Being taken to town in the bridge
tournament - Gosh we've been holding
lousy cards. Now run about fourth
on the list.
Tis dashed cold having a cold
shower this weather. The water
is freezing.
Have developed a slight cold - You
soon run through your H'chiefs.
Saturday 31st October 1942
The rats have been busy having a
chew or a meal off my dirty h'chief.
They have made a ^"whole" mess of 6 of them.
(Rotten pun). Anyway had to throw
them away.
The rats are very ferocious or
vorocious as they even had a go
at some of my soap.
Cheers, we were issued with 5
packets of cigs this morning
This brings our total to 26 for
the month. They sure are a godsend.
Gee am looking forward to the issue
of some of these Comforts Parcels.
They say that the Red Cross Chappie
will be down here sometime next
week. I hope 'tis true.
Am sleeping well of a night time
although the rice diet sends
some of the boys on "easing" business.
Should finish our quota of matches
some time next week. I have thoroughly
enjoyed same.
Sunday 1st November 1942
Today marks the day of another day in
the period of my incarceration here. I
wonder how much longer we will
be here. You read the newspapers
but you can't tell a damn thing.
Gee, I like to be our doing something.
Today is a day of rest but just
before dinner had one of my most
strenuous times since I've been here.
Another room "debagged" one of our
lads - we retaliated so war was
declared. They got a paper going.
Ultimatums etc. - gosh twas
funny while it lasted. I had
the honour of being debagged - Blast em
Played two ^more matches of the bridge
tournament.
The concert at night was dashed
good as it now has been limitied
to singing only by the authorities.
Have developed into a fair smoker
going through 1 - 2 packets a day
when I have them.
Monday 2nd November 1942
Tried a new form of physical [[jinks]]
of a morning. Got into some swedish
exercises this morning. They sure
make you fit for the rest of the day.
Still have my blinkin' cold.
Thank heavens the J's. issued us
with this warm British Clothing
as we sure need the stuff.
Has turned cold again today.
Finished off another 2 matches
of the tournament. - we only have
6 more matches to play.
About a month - 6 weeks ago all
our windows were criss-crossed
with strips of paper to prevent the
glass from splashing in the event
of an air raid & understand
if one breaks a cup - bowl etc, ^ the accident has
to be put down in writing & you
have to go to the office & report
the breakage. So far one of our
cups has been broken.
Tuesday 3rd November 1942
We are doing pretty well in the
bridge tournament been managing
to win a few games of late - by
about 2-3 thousand.
Forgot to mention that on Sunday we
had our first hot baths of the year.
it consisted of a pail of hot water
per person & a cold shower later.
Gee the warm water was lovely.
Held a concert last night which was
photographed by the J. Red Cross
("Stills"). There was singing & the
Aussies ran a Melbourne Cup
Sweepstakes. - He put in a hat
30 well known Aust. horses - it
cost you 2 cigs to enter - the names
were drawn out of another hat. I
didn't [[?]] needless to say.
One of the Aust officers described the
race (a' la broadcasting style) - another
described the fashions - (taking off people
in camp here) A good time was had by
all.
Wednesday 4th November 1942
Had an excellent meal [[?]] for
dinner this evening. Even although
it was about an hour late. -
Fried chips (sweet potato) and
fried french beans - gee they were
delicious also had noodles.
Have approached another tobacco
shortage. Am out and we are
NOT to be issued till the 7th
Some of the Yanks have received
books which were sent from their
people friends etc in U.S.A.
Twill be grand to get hold of
some of them if possible. All the
library books have been called in
by the J. There is a rumour
going around to the fact that the
library is to be augmented by a
extra issue of books from the late
Amer. Embassy & the Red Cross.
Now only have one more game ^ to play to finish
the tournament - If we win by 960 we
will have an average of 1000+ for the match.
Thursday 5th November 1942.
A notice came round from the J's. to
the effect that we were only allowed
to write letters in future consisting
of 100 words for the 1st paragraph in which
you must answer any queries from letters
written to you. The 2nd paragraph to 50 words
dealing with health etc. & a third (if the
J's. think fit only) any other matter.
We must NOT mention Sunday night sing
songs or food or illness (unless confirmed
by J. doctor.) as theses matters have been
given full publicity.
Finished our last game of bridge last
night - we won & our average for the
36 games is 1020+. A We stand a
chance to be in the 1st four.
The library has been closed for since
the beginning of the week. I hope it
opens soon.
They broke open some of the cases containing
comforts fund parcels - there is a
rumour going around that we will be
issued with some tomorrow - Gee I hope so.
Friday 6th November 1942
Twas very cold last night - in fact
tis dashed cold today - very overcast.
Borrowed some bug powder & spread it
around my bed. So had a dashed
good sleep - woke up this morning with
quite a few dead bugs around the head
of my bed.
Have just about completed the photo
album of all officers in camp here.
A new officer came in yesterday from
Hong Kong.
Camp seems dead after we have finished
our quota of games for the tournament
The break in the morning was taken
up by playing a game.
Same rumour hath it that we are
going to have a pretty decent Xmas -
wonder what mother & father are doing over
there. - Bless 'em. We evidently are
going to have a pudding & carols etc.
They have started a new class for Bookkeeping
have joined it.
Saturday 7th November 1942
Day of days. This morning quite a
lot of stuff came into the canteen &
we received an issue of 20 pkts of
fags. After paying back what I owed
5 pkts I now had 15 left.
managed to secure 15 pkts more
so now am in a good position.
Later on we were issued with out
first Red Cross Parcel - American
it contained to following (see
enclosed list. Gee twas grand.
To make the day even better - we
had beef burgers for dinner &
milk for lunch. What a day!
Everyone is rushing around smoking
amen. Cigs or making making coffee or cocoa.
Gosh, the chocolate was delicious.
I just scoffed my first bar. Have
gone into partnership with Peter Dixon
re the sharing of our goods as
far as each other is concerned. Had a
big inspection party through in the
morning - 'twas quite a formal affair.
Sunday 8th November 1942
Attended church service this morning
we now have a choir composed of
9 - they help a lot with the singing.
Will have to start a new book tomorrow - This
book was supplied to me when we
first came in. The paper in the others
so NOT so good.
The comforts fund parcels are working
out fine. Traded some prunes for
5 packets of J. fags and some coffee
for cocoa. 'Tis grand to have a cup
of coffee etc. Now and then
As I have a gilette razor - a product
of scrounge at Rabuel. I turned
in the gem razor & blades we rec'd
from our comforts issue and got issued
5 gilette blades instead. As I shave
about once every two days & each
blade lasts about 6 weeks have
dashed near 1/2 year's shaves ahead
of me. Missed the usual concert played
bridge instead - went alright.
AWM2016.485.1
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