Diary of Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, April 1942 - November 1944, Part 1 of 26

This diary was started on 24 April 42. 
I arrived at Batavia in evening of 13 April 42
having travelled by train from Leles. The journey
took all day & on reaching Batavia weve were
marched to the "Bicycle Camp" of the Dutch about
¾ mile from the Station & there placed in quarters.
Next day the camp was sorted out. It consists of
solidly built barracks with big shady trees
all about the area. Sanitary arrangements are
very primitive & there is no exercise ground.
In the camp are about 2600 P.O.W.s made
up as follows 2000 Australians, 200 English,
200 Americans, 100 Indians, & 0 100 Dutch.
Soon after our arrival a large party of
officers & men, survivors from HMAS Perth & U.SN.
Houston were brought in together with Capt
Kennedy & Lts Hayne & Redward from sts
They were all in a pitiful state of weakness
through lack of food, hard treatment
etc & had had everything they possessed
taken from them. As Senior officer in the
camp, I at once assumed command of
all allied troops in the camp at the
orders of the Japs. I appointed Col. Searle
(U.S.A) as our Camp Commandant. Soon after
my arrival I waited upon the Japanese
Camp Commandant & requested a number of
amenities, medicines for sick, mosquito nets,
of clothing, boots, establishment of canteen,
pay, liberty to send letters & to receive
books etc. I was informed that the Japanese
authorities did not recognize the Geneva
Convention & we had no rights to any
of these things but they would be 

Passes 
AMBULANCE 
VX 28897 MAYMAN. K.H. 
2/2 Pn Bn. 
Bandeong Pass No 14. K H Mayman 
  
VX54914 KETTLEWELL G.A. 
2/3 M.G. Bn. 
Bandeong Pass No 15 G A Kettlewell 
  
VX20255 MICHELL G. H 
2/2 Pn Bn. 
Bandeong Pass No 16 G H Michell 
  
WATER CARTS 
VX18976 BARRY S R. No 2 Camp 
2/2 Pn Bn 
Garoet Pass No . S R Barry 
  
WX9251 KNUDSEN. H.S.N.  No 2 Camp 
2/2 Pn Bn 
Garoet Pass No 7. H S. Knudsen 
  
VX25879 ZIPORKIN. M. No 1 Camp. 
105 Gen 2pt Coy. 
Garoet Pass No 8 M Ziporkin 
  
QX5752. DRAPER ET  E T Draper 
2/3 MG Bn. 
Garoet Pass. No 9 
  
VX22836 NORTHFIELD H.G 
2/3 M.G. Bn 
Garoet Pass No 10  H Northfield 

considered. It very soon became apparent
that the food question was going to be
very unsatisfactory. Up to this date (24 April
42) the food issued consists of rice for every
meal, with a vegetable soup to go with same.
A slice of bread (white) per meal per man
is issued about every fourth day. The meat
issue is so small that it can only be used
to strengthen the soup. Occasionally one gets
one or two small pieces of meat in ones soup.
Up to date there has been one issue of
cigarettes (18 per man). The men off the Perth &
Houston have no razors, toothbrushes, soap or
other toilet articles & our request to purchase same
for them has been postponed - with a promise to
attend to same later. Requests for more meat have
been refused. A certain amount of rations
were brought into camp with us. Certain of
these rations, oatmeal, milk, fruit (tinned) etc
have been handed over to the Camp Hospital
which has been established. The balance will
enable an issue once a week for 12 weeks of
2 sausages per man, & for a slightly less period
a weekly issue of tinned dried potatoes to be
made. A few days ago a number of senior
British & Dutch officers arrived in camp but
they are isolated in one corner of the camp &
not allowed to have anything to do with
the general affairs of same. The lack of drugs
for treatment of malaria & V.D. is very serious but
so far our requests for more have been
refused. 

24.4.42.  Today a new Japanese Camp Commandant & Adjutant
took over control of the camp. Lt Muritani (former
Adjutant) purchased for the officers 10 gulden of
fruit which he handed over to us. He still
informs us that it is impossible to purchase fruit for
the men. A D.C.M convened by me sat today
to try two men on disciplinary charges. The Japanese
authorities have made us responsible for discipline
& informed us that we will all suffer unless it is
maintained. Late in the afternoon the Japs knocked
out the nails in the shutters which they had nailed 
over my window. I can now look out onto the street. 
25.4.42. Anzac Day. All working parties except one were cancelled 
as Japs explained it was day of remembrance for Jap dead 
in all wars. One working party maintained was one to 
sort out maps - 4 officers 16 O R S. I went on same marched 
1½ miles - did ¼hr work sorting out old books (Agricultural 
reports) & marched back. Late in afternoon new Camp Comdt. 
took over & addressed all officers warning us that discipline  
X would be stricter. 
Tonight he ordered officers lights out at 2215hrs.
26.4.42. On map sorting fatigue again. Commandant 
promised Canteen or some system of buying, also 
payt of officers in near future, obtained "Story of 
San Michele" from map-room in private house, also  
china cup. 
27-4-42. ↓ Map sorting fatigue again. Obtained two more books 
& another cup from house. Cigarette issue (19 per man) by  
Japs. Canteen to open tomorrow. In evening Japs stopped  
concert in one of men's huts at 2100 hrs because "permission 
had not been given". 
28.4.42. Map sorting fatigue again. Obtained 6 more books. Canteen 
which was to open tomorrow has been postponed as today 
& tomorrow are holidays for birthday of Emperor of Japan on 29^th. 
Meeting of all officers tonight which I addressed on subject 
of disposal of proposed pay to officers - but none to men. 
29-4-42. Birthday of Japanese Emperor. All ranks paraded at 
camp H.Q. in morning & band concert provided. Rest of day 
treated as holiday & all working parties cancelled. Canteen  
put off for another day. Food position very bad as  
practically no meat or vegetable in soup. SX 11596 Sgt 
C.L. Caldicott died today from Diptheria 
30-4-42. Arrangements for Canteen broken down. Permission 
given for Lt Col Russell to go out tomorrow & to buy. Fire 
wood has run out & Japs will not issue more. No tea 
except at meals. This afternoon Japs closed my shutters 
for 1 hour "whilst a high general went past". 
1-5-42*} Shopping party met with only slight success as not allowed 
to go to shopping centre. Taken to Chinese shop. Later in 
afternoon Lt Ross allowed to go out & contact Chinese 
contractor. He able to supply big order if permit obtained 
from Japs. Camp Commandant says we may go to permit 
office tomorrow. Working parties as usual, troops moving. 
2^.5^.42. I reported to Camp office to go out & obtain permit to Contractor. 
Informed Japs too busy today but would fix in a day 
or two. Later they decided to let me & Lt Ross go. Left camp 
at 1300 hrs. Went right through town to a warehouse & after 
long argument by Ross (in Malay) with a Jap. we were sent 
back to a big Chinese shop. Made a farb few purchases & placed 
a large order for Canteen which he promised to deliver next 
week. On arrival back at camp found at 1700 hrs found that 
another contractor had delivered a lot of goods for Canteen.
Had half a bottle of beer for lunch in Chinese shop. Yesterday 
Japs informed us that no more vegetables could be issued owing 
to shortage of supplies. I put in an emphatic protest in writing 
Late this evening they came to light with another veg. issue. 
Obtained a pipe & a little tobacco in Caton Chinese shop. 
3^.5^.42. Sunday. Church parade in morning, Canteen opened. Another 
contractor came along with limited supplies. Had 1^st Dutch 
lesson (1 hr). In afternoon Gen. Sch. came along to my room 
& we had a long talk. He tells me Japs convinced I had at 
least 1 full division with me & do not believe 1 Bde could 
resist so strongly. Alleged to be 500 Jap. dead. 60-80 of our men 
(POWs) at Sookabami Hope these are missing Coy. Bought 
600 lbs of fresh potatoes for troops. Japs have agreed to party 
going out twice a week to buy fruit & vegetables. 
4-5^.42. Went out to shopping centre again today to endeavour to finalise 
supplies re canteen. Unsuccessful owing to absence of permission 
in writing for Head of Supply Control. Bought a Gramophone

but on leaving shop was ordered by guard to return same as 
"permission had not been obtained". Already several gramophones 
in camp but could not persuade him. Late in afternoon report 
received that 2 men in hospital dangerously ill for lack of 
drugs. Interviewed Camp Commandant & demanded permission to 
go out & buy medicines etc. This was granted &  Lt Col Russell 
procured necessary drugs and equipment. 
5^.5^.42. WX15614 Pte Walker 2/4 MG Bn died last night & was buried today 
in cemetery at Batavia. As a result of our service strong 
representations re same we were allowed to purchase more 
medicines. At about 1030 w I & C Col Searle were sent for by 
Camp Commandant & informed that all British, Dutch & Indian  
troops were to be sent out of this camp & only Australian & 
American troops would remain, some more Australian & Americans 
being brought in. About midday I received a letter from  
A.V.M Maltby complaining in strong terms about our 
"neglect" to attend to requirements of the camp hospital. 
I replied that we had never ceased to endeavour to  
better conditions in the hospital & that I refused to accept 
his authority to give me orders. At about 2100 hrs 
Lt Ross (R.R) U.S. Navy died in hospital. 
6^.5^.42 Long interview with Camp Commandment when I demanded immediate 
supply - and if necessary purchases - of medical supplies & hospital 
equipment to prevent further deaths. Told we would be informed 
this afternoon as to what could be done. No such information 
was supplied. Had interview with A.V M. Maltby as to my our  
letters. He apologised for his letter & said only trying to help 
the general position. Had long discussion & parted good 
friends. Information received from working party that Priok harbor 
now open. Troops & guns being landed. Rice issued today 
full of weevils. Showed sample to Camp Commandant &  he 
promised to replace. Attended funeral of Lt Ross. 
7-5-42. Wheat (in husks) issued in lieu of rice. So far nobody 
solved problem of how to make it eatable. Permission 
given to go out & buy hospital equipment etc & 
arrangements made for shopping part at 1545. On 
arrival at Camp H.Q. found Commandant had forgotten 
to sign pass & left camp & so matter had to be postponed. 
8^.5^.42. Went out with Lt Col Russell at 1030 hrs to Rathcamps to buy 
medicines & equipment for camp hospital. Also procured 
gramophone & some records. Returned at 1300 hrs. Warning 
order that British & Dutch will move out of this camp next 
Thursday & Americans & Australians come in instead. Food at 
breakfast uneatable owing to cooking in rancid botte butter. 
Mess meeting in evening. Russell resigned owing to projected 
departure with British. Commander Lowe (Aust Navy) appointed 
in his place. Reported that two Dutch native troops have 
escaped. 
9-5-42. Uneventful day. Issue of good rice today. 
10^.5^.42. Sunday. Attended Church parade. Japs issued to me a form 
of personal particulars to be filled in by every Australian 
Officer. Two questions were as to organization & equipment 
of each unit. Orders prohabit us from supplying this 
information. Japs issued a lot of furniture etc for Officers. 
I got a cupboard, a table & a chair. Had snap taken  
with some Jap sentries. 
11-5-42. Handed in personal parties forms. Questioned by H.Q. Intelligence 
officers as to why no parties or organization or equipment. Explained 
that that was orders of my King. Russell & Ross went out shopping 
without me or any other Aust. officer. Gave lecture to officers 
on right flank of Syrian campaign. All British, Indian & Dutch 
officers were lined up in evening & told off for their move to new camp 
12^.5^.42. During the night Q.M's store was broken into by smashing off lock 
& 170 tins of milk belonging to Hospital was stolen. Ordered an 
immediate search of all huts, kits etc. but with no result. 
Definite orders issued for British, Indian & Dutch troops to 
move out of camp on 14/5/42 & all Americans & approx. 
350 Austs to come in. 
13-5-42. Long conference in morning with Japs over incoming troops & 
quarters for same as total is over 300 increase. In afternoon 
applied for permission to go out & buy a violin for camp orchestra 
Permission granted & I was driven out in Camp Commandants 
car! One of British English Soldiers has 6 hens & a cock. 
One hen sitting at present. Have bought them for 20 gulden. 
14-5-2. Today all British, Indian & Dutch troops marched out as 
arranged. 431 Americans & 350 Australians marched in. Men 
still missing are those at Gareat, Bandeong & Sockabain. In 
evening Jap. 2 I/C paid me a visit in the evening for a few minutes. 
My gramophone was broken last night but a man is trying to  
mend it. 
15^.5^.42. Long conference with men Japs about saluting. Orders are that this 
must be strictly enforced in future. This afternoon Lt Mitchell 
(AA) was taken off by Japs & interrogated & then put in the  
guard room for the night.