Diary of service - Donald Morrison, 1940 - 1945 - Part 22

POW Life: 1942-1945

Ian Morrision came into Singapore with the War Correspondents but did not find his
way out to Changi. I would have liked to have seen him again as our previous meeting

was for about five minutes only at Simpang Bengam.

For the past few days we have been eating like fighting cocks with Red Cross rations,

K rations and extras brought in from outside. Someone at AIF Headquarters had a 
brainwave and withdrew the wire picquet, so apart from kitchen ditties and hygiene 
jobs there was nothing to do except have a well reserved loaf.

September 1945 No. 2 Area

Some of the nursing Sisters from the "Manunda" had a stroll around the camp on 11 
September, and paid a visit to the Officers lines. One of the was Mittie Lee who had 
been at Bathurst when we were there in 1941. As Soon as she saw Padre Paddy Walsh  
she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a great big kiss, which he, being a 
gallant Irish Gentleman, immediately returned, much to Mittie's delight. Because her 
kiss had been returned Mittie had won a bet of a dozen beer from one of the sisters. 
Everyone gathered around and we fired questions at the girls for the remainder of 
their stay which was only too short. McGlinn and Johnson turned on afternoon tea - 
maybe the cups did have a crack or two and the milk was condensed and there were 
no biscuits and the chairs were very scarce - and the atmosphere of visitors in the 
Mess returned once more after an absence of three and a half years; it was very nice!

The next day I was told that I would be flying out to Labuan with some of the sick 
and there was much hustle and bustle to get ready. Fortunately as it turned out it was a 
false alarm; no officers from No. 2 Area would go but I was down to go on the 
Hospital ship "Oranje" on 14 September. I said that I was fortunate it was a false 
alarm about flying, as many of those who did fly found the transition from Malaya to 
Australia in 24 hours, when in a pretty low physical state, was more than they could 
take and for some their minds are a blank up to two days after their return. Those who 
came by sea had leisurely cruise in pleasant surroundings and we were able to change 
or adjust themselves gradually back to the old way of life.

Selarang Changi

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POW Life: 1942 - 1945

Neil Gahan was coming on the "Oranje" which was very nice as we had been very 
good friends ever since joining the unit. Vic Brand had to write out our medical 
histories for the time spent in Malaya and give injections and vaccinations for various 

diseases, or should I say against various diseases.

There was not packing up to do but an awful lot of good byes had to be said and it 
would take a long time to do the rounds. The ship did not sail for 36 hours but I 
thought that I better get on with the job.

Men who have lived together for three and a half years under conditions such as we 
experienced formed some very close friendships which stood up to many tests and 
when the time came to part there was much regret as many of us would obviously 
never meet again. I am most probably biased but I do think that the ex POW stick 
together more than any other ex-service groups of men. Their lives were so closely 
interwoven and the mention of a chap's unit often gave a lot of information about the 
lad himself – where he fought, where capture, what work party etc.

Sleep was practically impossible on Thursday ight there was so much to talk 
about and remember and wonder what the future would hold. Neil, Mel, Fred, Eric 
and I and a few others sat up for a long time and tried to sort things out. In the 
morning there were more good byes and then I decided to give away some of the unit
records that I had compiled. To Arthur Wimpole, who was President of the Unit 
Association, I gave the Address Roll compiled in alphabetical order of home towns 
and a nominal roll of all officers in Changi with their addresses. I had a spare roll of 
the Unit No., rank, name next of kin address, religion, occupation, date of birth, work 

party, present whereabouts, grave No. (if applicable) and date of joining Unit to Bob 
Banes. I gave Bob also an aluminium shield engraved with the names of all officers 
who had passed through the Unit since 1940 and my army record on the other side.

During the afternoon of Friday 14 September, Lord Louis and Lady Mountbatten 
came into the camp but I missed them; I missed them while I was having one of my 
innumerable cups of "fare well" coffee. They were both very informal in their 
approach to the men and full of understanding of their problems. More to the point

Selarang Changi

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POW Life: 1942 - 1945

they both were doing their utmost to see that we could be sent home at the earliest 
opportunity.

It seemed that time for Embarkation Parade would never arrive but then it always 
does pass slowly when it should hurry up. I was dressed in my best regimentals - tan 
shoes polished with Hibiscus flowers, socks rolled down, khaki shorts and shirt, 
slouch hat and small attaché case containing shaving gear, tooth brush, white canvas 
shorts, spare socks, complete copy of Unit Roll, "Oranje" Roll and a couple of 
engrave aluminium souvenirs.

At about 1745 a lot of well wishers collected around and we made our way to the parade 
ground near the Administration Block where we arrived in time to hear the 
bugle sound Fall In at 1800 hours. We were a pretty motley crew and just stood slack 
yarning to each other until 2015 when it was my turn to board the ambulance, shout a 
few last farewells, and set out for the Singapore docks.

After we drove out of the Goal entrance the voices inside the ambulance became very 
quiet and my memory of the next few hours is rather hazy. The only person I can 
remember in the vehicle was Padre Quirk and he also was thoughtful. Going 
home......could it be true!

After driving for about half an hour we debased at one of the wharves and there she 
was, a glorious white vision flood lit from stem to stern with gigantic red crosses here 
and there. I joined the line that was slowly moving into the ship still in a bit of a daze 
when a friendly female asked if I would care for a cup of tea. Naturally I said "Yes, 
please". I thin she was one of a party of Red Cross workers who had set up shop at 
this point. With the tea went a couple of biscuits and they were most welcome. A little 
further on some kindly handed us cigarettes.

I have no idea what the time was when I reached the end of the queue and entered the 
"Oranje" through a "hole" in the side. I then went down a stair case into a fairly large 
room which had been set up as an office. Things were well organised, I gave my 
number, rank and make to a senor Sister seated at the table; she had a quick look at 
the medical history prepared by Vic Brand and made an entry in a ledger of some sort.

Selerang Changi

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POW Life: 1942 - 1945

Seemingly without an order of any sort a Nurse who was standing by grabbed my 
attaché case, in spite of protests that I was capable of carrying it myself, and led me to 
a three berth cabin on some deck or other. She suggested that I have a bath and get 
into bed as I looked pretty tired. "Good night".

The two other occupants of the cabin were Clive Uhr, Radiologist of Brisbane and 
Bill Mellor of New Zealand. The bathroom and toilet were combined with the cabinet 
which in times of peace was really a two birther. Clive, Bill and I had a bit of a yarn 
and then Yo Yo, the Nurse, came in and gave each of us a nerve steadier so we 
thought it was a good time to hit the hay. The one thousand three hundred and eight 
days of captivity had ended. It was time to look to the future.

Selarang Changi

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POW Life: 1942 - 1945

APPENDICES

• RATION SCALE
• 2/29 BATTALION OFFICERS ROLL
• MONTHLY CAMP STRENGTH CHANGI
• CANTEEN PRICES IN DOLLARS AND CENTS
• BATTALION MARCHING SONG
• SINGAPORE ISLAND
• JOHORE
• "B" COMPANY LOGO
• DINNER MENU
• THEATRE PROGRAMME
• DIARY EXTRACT (1 PAGE ONLY)

Selarang Changi

Appendices

POW Life: 1942 - 1945

2/29 BATTALION OFFICERS ROLL

Selarang Changi

2/29 Battalion Officers Roll

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POW Life: 1942-1945

2/29 BATTALION OFFICERS ROLL (cont'd)

Total 73

Dates given are those of joining the Unit.

Selarang: Changi

2/29 Battalion Officers Roll

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POW Life: 1942-1945

MONTHLY CAMP STRENGTH CHANGE

March and April 1942 shows the departure from Changi of "A" Force and the work parties to 
Singapore while the latter return in December. Then more Forces leave in early 1943 with the 
remnants going back to Changi ten months later and then there was the final round up of all the 
prisoners into the goal area after the dropping of the bomb.

Selarang: Changi

POW Life: 1942 -1945

Battalion Marching Song: [Sung to the tune of "Sussex by the Sea"]

We are the boys from Melbourne

We've come a long, long way

Now we've arrived at Bathurst

All ready for the fray

And when we leave these sunny shores

To go and join the fight

We have heard the call and we'll fight for all the 2^nd/29^th

Good old 2^nd/29^th, good old 2^nd/29^th

Like the rising sun we are "second to none"

The 2^nd/29^th

The above song played an important part in the lives of the soldiers during the war, and was 
important to the sons and daughters and relatives of these soldiers during the Parit Sulong Memorial 
Service in Malaysia in September 2007.

The below information was provided by Margaret Hogan, a daughter who attended the service. 
After a conversation with Bob Christie, who revealed an interesting and important part of the 
Battalion's history, [which perhaps not generally known], is stated below:

It appears shortly after the Battalion was formed John Haig thought it important that they form a 
band. Musicians were called for, and subsequently the band was formed. Norm Goyne was the 
Drum Major, Tommy Hall and Padre A R McNeil wrote the words to that great old tune "Sussex by 
the Sea".

Selarang: Changi

Battalion Marching Song

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SECOND TO NONE

Officers Mess CHANGI

17 Mar 43

DINNER

Hors D'Ouvre

Clear Brunoise Soup

Cannelloni of Chicken

Potato Straws

Hot Pot Riz

Roast Vegetables

Tomato Gravy

Tropical Fruit Salad

and Dressing

TOAST - THE KING

Chili Patties

TOAST - COMDAIF - Proposed by Lt. Col. S.A.F.POND O.B.E.

Response

TOAST - OUR GUESTS - Proposed by Capt W.B.BOWRING

Response Lt. Col C.H.KAPPS

Maj C. WILD

Coffee served in the Ante-Room

CIGARS CIGARETTES NUTS

ADDRESS - Maj SHEAN, MALAYA COND

Selarang: Changi

Dinner Menu

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(Photograph: See original document)