Wallet 3 of 3 - Transcript diaries of Edward William Burrey, 1942 - 1945 - Part 2

8.
18 Jul. One officer had a bone in his arm broken today when a Jap
offr struck him with the flat of his sword. A chum who knocked a
corner off one of the new bridges with his truck had to stand to
attention with a stone on/his head facing the damage. Most Japs,
I'm sure, have a childish mentality. Every morning for the past
week on the march out we pass dozens of Chinese women, each
carrying a/terrific load of firewood. Some of them would be 50 or
more yet carry a load that two of us would shirk. Two years in
the army today, 
19 Jul. Today is/Sunday and I have the day off. Have a bonzer
cold in my head and I feel miserable. At times when I am thinking
of home, I wish I could cry my eyes sore. I'm sure I would feel
better afterwards but tears won't come. I find it hard to express
my feelings at being stuck where I am. One feels so helpless and
the outlook so hopeless. There is seldom an hour that passes
during a day that my thoughts are not drifting homewards. At
times I wonder if I will stick it out but I know I will although
I, unlike many others I feel sure, find it hard just living from
day to day. Nostalgia has always been a weakness of mine, but
strangely a weakness I have no wish to cure.
20 Jul. The wireless that supplied our main source of news has
been confiscated. We still get news but not/regularly. A couple
of searchlights flashing across the sky tonight.
21 Jul. News has brightened considerably. The Russians have re-crossed
River Don in one sector.
22 Jul. Day at home resting. Always plenty of washing to do. An
English officer who used to visit here often, died suddenly last
night. Buried at midday today.
24 Jul. Out on job again. Greenie and I went over to pilfer some
petrol, I sucked pipe to start syphon working and received a
mouthful of diesel oil. Our sins are always found out! Hope to
get in on the racket. $4 a gallon is good money.
25 Jul. Resting again. A good day seeing it's Saturday. Played
bridge all afternoon and night.
26 Jul. Came home with cooks at lunch time. It's not a bad life
as far as the work goes. Legs and arms gave way on me this
morning. Legs especially were almost useless and could only just
walk out to work. Still they are better now. It's Sunday, time
2.45 pm (Sydney time 3.55 pm) and having done some washing and
showered am just ready to stretch out on the bed and cool off
under the fan. Weekends make me miserable. particularly when I
_________________________________________________________________________
Chum. English soldier:

9.
have to go to work. I love tohave either the Saturday or Sunday
off so that I can laze about and dream of home - what the folks
are doing and what I would be doing if I were there. I can
always picture the leg of lamb and apple sponge or one of the
many other sweets and as a rule have to struggle to push down a
plate of bloody rice with a little stew of just vegetables, or
maybe vegetables and a small quantity of meat - enough only to
flavour the stew. Gee no one knows just how much I do miss home.
I could kick myself again and again when I think of some of the
trivial things I used to complain of, and the harsh words I have
spoken to Mum and Dad in the heat of the moment at times, but I
know when I get back home, just how much I'm going to appreciate
everything and how hard I shal try to make things easier for them
both. In short - be far less selfish - 'cause when I look back
I'm afraid I was very very selfish at times. It shouldn't be
hard if I take a pattern from Gwennie - she's one in a million.
I long for the day to come when I shall step off the boat and
make way for "Tresco", but try hard as I have, I can't see that
happening for a long, long time. Still who knows?
27 Jul. It's Monday and a year ago today (actually Monday 28 last
year) that I dined at the Australia with Mum and Dad and Gwen and
then said goodbye. I can picture my folks talking of and reliving
the day just as I am doing today
28 Jul. A year ago today we sailed. Sometimes it seems like
10 years to me and then at other times not nearly a year. One
thing I must admit - my 5fmonths as a POW have flown - strange
but it's true.
29 Jul. The commencement of my second year away from home.
30 Jul. The boys are only working this morning on the road,the
afternoon being a holiday. Trust me to 'draw the craw' by getting
a days rest still I'm not complaining. Out on the job on the
28th,Don and McQueen were caught 'skiacking' by one of the Japs.
They were made stand to attention for about 5 minutes and then
double up the hill to where they were working. Consequently
nicknamed Jack and Jill. The Japs favourite punishment now is to
stand fellows, whom they catch loafing, to attention, out in the
hot sun for an hour or more. Had 3 Scotties standing to attention
from 12 till after 5 pm the other day
31 Jul. A general holiday today on account of the opening of the
bridge and road.
Teseyoe: aw heaeny(shohdey)
 

1 Aug. Work again. Had a hectic ride home on truck!
2 Aug. Out onjob again. Commenced work on a new road. Our hopes
of completing the roadwork and having arest have been dashed
tothe ground. Came home by the short cut. Saw remains of petrol
dump that was bombed by the Japs during the war.
3 Aug, Beri-beri getting serious. Many cases have been sent back
to Changi this week and more will be going daily unless the
present rate of infection is checked. Rumors today have it that
No 1 Camp will be working on road till 8 Dec - something to look
forward to!
4 Aug, Gordon H. going to mend my boots for me. Material consists
of a piece of car tyre and one inch nails.
5 Aug, Working on new road in the timber again. When we finished
up at 5.30 pm and the axes were checked one was missing - taken
home by our cooks. Jap offr made all men go back to work and
said we would spend the night there. Worked through till 8.30 pm
when we knocked off for tea which had been brought out for us.
Pitch dark by 9 pm when we were told to collect tools and go
home. One thing is certain. They will never break the boys
spirits. We sang al the way home, and after supper and a bath lay
down to sleep at il pm feeling weary and footsore. Axe heads are
worth S5.00 each!
6 Aug. On cement job today for a change. Every available man has
to go out these days. Bob H. fined S1.00 for refusing to go out
to work when on L.D.
7aug. A holiday for all today. Forgot to mention my experience
with bugs. The other night discovered bugs in my bed during the
night. Stretcher has crack in woodwork and was alive with them.
Cleaned it this morning with Cresol and boiling water so here's
hoping! Chap from other house brought his ukelele down tonight
and we had a sing song.
8 Aug, It's Saturday and I have the day off. For some reason the
weekends make me feel very miserable. I seem to miss home more
than ever these days. News is scarce now. Rumor has it that the
Japs are jamming stations giving out BBC news. Short wave sets
are forbidden in Singapore. Wrote to Les this morning.
9 Aug, Sunday and I had to go to work. Gee it makes me mad. Don
has Dengue. Temperature of 103. Not going into hospital and I
don't blame him. Heard tonight that push has started from Australia,
We are believed to have landed troops on Solomons, Timor and
Bali. I hope and pray that this push will lead to our release in
the very near future.
LD. Oh dutes
 

10 Aug. Some civi Japs and their wives, I presume, inspecting the
shrine today. I laughed at Gordon Young's description of the
Malay bowing as the Japs passed by and muttering 'you bastard
while he was on guard yesterday.
li Aug, Had the day off. Tokyo Radio announced they have sunk 38
M.O.W. ships off Solomon Is.
12 Aug. Three chums made stand to attention in the sun without
hats on out on the road today. After a while the Jap responsible
came up and hit each of them with a stick over the head. One of
the chaps fell over and was immediately kicked in the head,
Later one of them collapsed and was taken away in a truck
Sights such as this were and still are fairly common so is it any
wonder a fellow gets disgusted with every bloody thing.
13 Aug. Heard a rumor, believed tobe true, that the ship on which
the last batch of nurses left from here was captured by the Japs
off Java. Nurses and others were made to wade in the water then
machine guns were turned on them and all were shot.
14 Aug. A holiday for all
15 Aug. A year ago today we put foot on Singapore. It seems an
eternity to me. Have the day off.
16 Aug. Have been informed that there is to be an offrs and sgts
mess. Our offrs have already shifted out into new quarters. I
like most others, am opposed to us having a Sgts Mess,
17 Aug. Had our first Mess meeting. All Sgts in our house now
sleep in one room. We are very comfortable
18 Aug. Had the day off. Went over to a game of two-up at GBD
after tea. Lostloowhich is a lot at a time like this.
19 Aug, A half holiday. Played two-up again and lost another
buck. Heard tonight that Britain has made a big scale landing on
the French Coast.
20 Aug. Home early today Have had no Nip with us for past 2 days
yet work goes on the same - well a little anyway! Dad's birthday,
Am puzzled as tohis age. 500r 51lthink. I dread thinking that my
folks are getting old. Still one consolation is we all age together.
21 Aug, Started eating in our Sgts Mess this morning. Meals good
so far. Had an excellent roast dinner tonight
22 Aug. Saturday and I have the day off. News that we are evacuating
the Solomons and cannot carry on an offensive is very disheartening
still it may not be true.Went to concert given by the Surreysandoocf.hew
tonight. Good entertainment.
Mod. Har d War: t2p. Anether Lanng ata: Sofraus. Knsteh ttoefs
 

23 Aug, Previous news about the Solomons denied. We are consolidating
our position there. Went out to the Municipal Nursery in Serangoon
Rd today, Visited Chinese Kampong and some of the inhabitants
bought us coffee, eats and cigarettes. The Cheus have been
marvellously kind to us all along. Japanese have told our HO
that for past 6 mths up to 15 Aug, we have been punished for
daring to take up arms against Nippons Army and from now on we
can expect better treatment.
24 Aug. Have another day of rest. Heavy rain all night and this
morning the weather is quite cool so have spent most of the day
in bed under a blanket.
27 Aug, Todays Syonan Times says that our casualty lists have at
last reached home. I can just picture the relief my folks will
experience when they learn I am safe after all these long months
of uncertainty
29 Aug, Saturday and I am home resting. Roadwork has just about
cut out now. Large numbers of sick are going back to Changi¬
each day and there is a strong rumor that we are all going back
shortly.
30 Aug.Our Camp held a Commemoration Service this evening, it
being on a Sunday 3 years ago that war was declared. Gordon H.
and I made a wreath for Bill Harris and I laid it infront of the
Cross during the service. There were some beautiful wreaths
50 or more and the Service given by Padre Andrews was most
impressive. Also a choir of about 60 of the boys was in attendance,
1 Sep, The start of still another month and new Jap Administration
takes over. A muster parade was held for checking purpose. Fell
in at 1S.Jo and marched down to parade ground. We were two short
in the count and were kept on parade till 21.15. Being 6 hours
without food and in the sun most of the time,we all felt pretty
weary when we eventually reached home
2 Sep. Our Sgts mess is being disbanded from this morning thank
goodness. Meals have not been a success. Another parade for the
Nips this morning. Check was correct. HO and MAc have been
transferred to No 7 Coy and we shifted out this morning. I'm
sure we shall all be much happier. The house has been a lovely
place and still possesses many conveniences. Our room is champion,
Heard tonight that 4 AIF personnel were shot at Changi yesterday
for being out of bounds.
ma Ty
 

4 Sep. Went on guard tonight. News has come in from Changi that
all men have been forced to live in $XSSquare for refusing to
sign the paper submitted by the Japs. By signing we promise not
to escape, take up arms against the Nips and to help the progress
of the Greater East Asia project. We have been warned against
signing the paper and told that any man who does so will no
longer be recognised a member of the AIF
6 Sep. Went out to work this morning and was home again by 10 am.
Not a bad effort considering I had not been out since iSept.
Heard that men at Changi had signed the paper and returned to
their billets but don't know how true it is. We have commenced
wiring this camp. Don't like the idea of it at all
8 Sep. Issued with our Red Cross comforts. One 21b tin of jam
between 2 men, also a few sweets, and some cereals which are
being used in the kitchen. Comforts came from S. Africa but
don't know who is responsible for them. Heard a rumor that some
mail and newspapers, cheese and butter have arrived here from
Aust. I hope it is true. It's 8 months now since I heard from
home.
14 Sep. We are working up atthe shrine these days. Nip Officer
in charge ('Adolf') is bloody mad. Even the Nip privates laugh
at him behind his back. Dozens of monkeys play round in the
trees up there. I have only been going out about oneday in three
or four since we shifted over to No 7 Coy.
15 Sep. News very scarce these days. Seven months POW today and
still no sign of us getting out.
17 Sep. Japs counted the men out on the job at Knock-off time and
found 65 missing out of 200. I was confirmed tonight inthe camp
Chapel by the Bishop of Singapore - Bishop Leonard. There were 9
of us and the service was most impressive. It is the first time
I have been in the Chapel and I marvel at how they have made the
small room so charming. It is on the lst floor of a building
that received a direct hit from a bomb and is the only room
remaining in fair condition. The walls have been painted with
flowers, pictures hung all round, a carpet on the floor in front
of the Altar and the Altar itself made out of odd pieces of
furniture. It makes a marvellous picture and is a credit to
those who made it. I am going to write here the words spoken by
the Bishop as he placed his hands on each of our heads as we were
confirmed. It just did something to me and I thought these words
might help me to remember. "Defend . O Lord, this thy Child with
BkS. Sauce. Selarang Ide gound: C.K.A.Prorct. Jag plan: Mlieing. Fenen
kedom a!: Bisheg. Aoge
 

thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine forever, and daily
increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thy
everlasting kingdom." Amen.
21 Sep. I was working down on the waterfront today. Thousands of
trucks packed in all available space around the wharves. Found
skeleton on rocks. Looked like a civilian, passbook with name,
Fred Wild, beside the bones. Streetsin Singapore are deserted
these days and more than half the shops empty.
23 Sep. Working on road at the back of our camp. Given much to
do and then allowed to come home but we finished our share too
quickly and were given more. They run a Bridge and Crib tournament
here each pay and Rex and I won the Bridge final tonight and
collected 600 each.
25 Sep. Work day about on new road and shrine now. Figures are
high and there are very few resting.
27 Sep. Have a lousy head cold. Have to wash 4 to 6 hankies
daily and I feel rotten. Have some sores like ulcers on my leg
and had Saturday and today off.
28 Sep. Were kept working till 7.15 pm. I was pretty weary as
the sun was terribly hot and the work consistent all day
30 Sep. Last day of another month and still home seems a long
long way off. The AIF Concert Party recently formed in this camp
put on their first concert tonight. It was an excellent show.
Band consists of 3 mouth organs, 2 mandolins, I guitar and 2 doumg
Some of the acts were good especially the 'Hu-lu' dancer,
1 Oct. The beginning of another month. Things would be just
getting and looking nice at home now. Gee how I wish I were back
there.
2 Oct. Went to race meeting held at No 2 Pommies Camp last week
Won 400 on the 3 races. It's a marvellous night's entertainment,
just like a big day at Randwick on a smaller scale! The whole
affair has been built since we've been POW.
4 Oct. A big lot of Red Cross Comforts have arrived and tonight
each man was issued with ilb sugar
5 Oct. The rations are going to be better for a while although
the Jap scale has cut down considerably. We were told that there
is a food shortage on Singapore.
Racc meeting. bane deviced Wirng ty hoes
 

6 Oct. For breakfast this morning we had malt meal with milk
(condensed) and sugar. This is the first time I've tasted milk
for over 4 months so it was well appreciated. Each man tonight
received i tin of bully beef, I tin of milk and some caramels and
18 sweet biscuits. A chap these days is like a young kid the way
he gloats over foodstuffs.
9 Oct. A general holiday. Another 120 Jap guards have moved into
our camp.
10 Oct. For the first time today there was a Jap guard over us
whilst working on the road. Consists mainly of Koreans and
Sikhs.
11 Oct, Closed back entrance to our camp and now have to walk 2
miles or more instead of 200 odd yards. Every man has to salute
all Guards. Were pulled up by 2 different Sikh Guards for not
saluting. Jap interpreter slapped a Sikk guard out on job. It's
Sunday and has been a buggar of a day. Gee I feel awfully fed up
with everything but I guess I'll come good again soon. The
outlook seems so black and home so far away.
12 Oct. It appears to be more difficult now to gain an entry to
the camp than an exit. We are counted each morning and night
now.
14 Oct. Heard Col Byrne is very sick in hospital at Changi
Capt. Woolridge and his men who deserted were picked up at Java
and are now out at Changi.
15 Oct. Raining heavily this worning but were made march out to
work. When we arrived we were told to go home again. The weather
cleared up at lunch time so we were sent out again to work the
afternoon. Walked a total of 8 miles for the day besides working.
Played cent poker and two-up tonight (pay-day). Won over a dollar.
Eight months today POW. I feel at a loss to express myfeelings
at present. It seems that I've given up hope of seeing home for
some years hence and am trying to settle down here and make the
most of a very dull life.
18 Oct. Raining heavily this morning. Marched out to Shrine and
sat in tent all morning. Workedin afternoon. Lots of our boys
have been issued with new hats fromRed Cross Comforts. They have
snap brims and look the part. Order issued that they shall not be
worn 'Pork Pie style or raised in acknowledgement to a salute.
20 Oct. In Singapore today carting lime. Finished up the aft-noon
with a swim in the Swiss Club Pool. It was glorious, the first
swim since I have been in Malaya. Received a further issue of 18
sweet biscuits and i tin of condensed milk tonight
Desested. Eseafed betore CarMolaton
 

21 Oct. Up at the 'Symphony' today. Showed Nip photo of Gwen.
They reckoned she was extra good.
22 Oct. Had a job in Singapore today. The Chows are marvellous.
Bought me bananas, pineapple and paw paw. Also given a packet of
cigars. All the kids shouted to us as we drove by and gave the
thumbs up and 'V' signs. It seemed just a little like old times.
Pommies and Scotties left today for Nth
23 Oct.A holiday today,
24 Oct. Played baseball tonight. I was the only scorer on our
side. Issued with a new pair of boots and u-pants from Comforts
Fund.
26 Oct. Lt. Robinson got knocked to the ground by Shino the Jap
offr before we started work this morning. Told Robbie he should
salute him first thing and then knocked him out, cutting his jaw
and breaking his glasses.
28 Oct. Dear old Mum's birthday. I've been thinking of nothing
else but Mum all the week and today especially. I have felt
terribly miserable. I have been away for Mum's last two birthdays
now and I pray each night that I shall be back home long before
the next one.
Went to the 3rd AIF Concert tonight. Very good especially some of
the chaps who impersonate women. You'd swear they were the real
thing.
29 Oct. At guarry today, Climbed hill at lunch time. One of the
highest spots on the island. Saw old Johore town for the first
time since Feb.
31 Oct. At lunch time 2 Nips,3 chaps and self went in truck to
Krangi Pier. Had blow-out and had to wait for 3 hours till they
fetched another tyre. Saw burnt buffolo plane still in paddock.
Late getting home.
i Nov. Went to church tonight and took communion. The start of
yet another month, and 7 weeks tomorrow to Christmas Day. An AIF
chap was killed on the job the other day when timber fell on him
Have Singapore ear again.
3 Nov. Nip guards come round the houses at night and want to buy
old clothing amongst other things. Sold a torch the other night
for S2.00
5 Nov. On job in Singapore. Went for walk up the town at lunch
time and nearly got left behind
'Symghong. The shoe:: Nih. Ihe nooth: Buffolo pane. Bort. tohter pare
 

8 Nov. Sunday and I'm resting. Church service tonight for Armistice
Day next Wednesday
i0 Nov. A Jap offr remarked that when he arrived here his troops
were well disciplined but since mixing withthe Aussies (not
Pommies) they have become most unruly. Where once they used to
saluteall offrs now they hide behind the nearest tree or vehicle
and say 'there goes the bastard'. He said if a Pommie salutes a
Jap offr or guard that is quite in order but when the digger
salutes he should be searched as 9 times out of 10 he is in
possession of stolen property, or AWL.
15 Nov. News is excellent these past few days. We are going to
shift to No 2 Camp next Friday. Heard the women and child refugees
from Changi are going into our camp.
18 Nov. Worked till 7.15 tonight and arrived home at 8 pm.
Believe Nip offr is punishing his Nips - doesn't matter a buggar
about us! Lecture tonight by Capt Rinder on Malay Straits Police
Most interesting especially his tales about the Chinese gangs and
gangsters.
19 Nov. Those at home today commenced shifting the gear over to
the new camp. At 9 pm HO was informed by the Japs that they had
been disobeyed and all gear had to be brought back. This was done
by some of the offrs and Sgts from 10 pm onwards.
20 Nov. We shifted over to the new camp this morning. I just
made the grade. Carried 2 full packs, i small one, roll of blanket,
ground sheets and mirror and an electric motor. The quarters
are very diappointing after the past luxuries. Place full of
bugs, Washing facilities poor and no sewerage.
21 Nov. Work as usual today. On most of the jobs tools were
cleaned and stacked so looks as though the work may ease up.
22 Nov. Had a letter from Les today.
26 Nov. No more road work till further notice. Gee it's a break.
30 Nov. Plenty of camp duties daily. Mainly dragging trailers
with wood. It's tough going but keeps one occupied.
i Dec. The start of another month. I'm afraid Christmas will not
be too bright for me or my folks.Still we're only one family in
millions who will be hiding a tear. About 600 AIF from 'C' Bn
left for Japan (we think) on 27th Nov? (28) Ding was amongst
them. Terribly sorry to see him go as we have been in contact
all the time with each other till now.