Diary of Arthur Seaforth Blackburn, April 1942 - November 1944, Part 7of 26

28-10-42 (cont) issued Lt Sonai that all photos of any sort be  
handed in to Jap H.Q by 0900 hrs tomorrow for  
inspection by him. He and will return them all  
after due inspection. Jap. sentries etc report a heavy  
naval engagement going on in neighbourhood of  
Solomon Islands. 
29-10-42.  1000 men moved out today including the Americans 
who marched in on 25/10/42. Orders that all trunks,  
suitcases etc abandoned by outgoing troops must  
be handed over to Jap. authorities & not simply seized  
by remaining troops. Otherwise no event of  
importance. Officers have started playing volley-ball  
every afternoon for exercise. 
30-10-42.Camp Comdt sent for me this morning & instructed me  
to prepare scheme for "night lights" throughout  
camp so that anyone moving around after lights out  
could find their way about. It is rather a big  
job as there are a large number of huts & other  
buildings etc about the camp. This afternoon Jap  
Comdt. sent for me again & had a long discussion  
about Geneva Convention 1909. He explained that  
there were some provisions of same which were  
impossible for Japan to carry out but that in the  
main, she would respect the provisions of same altho’
not bound thereby as not being a signatory. AVM 
Maltby approached me in the late afternoon with for a  
discussion on medical matters and as to whether  
medicines, drugs etc should not be bought for camp  
hospital. The main shortage is petroleum jelly & 
prepared ointments etc for treatment of skin diseases.  
This aft morning at breakfast Ensign Levitt (US navy)  
failed to stand up & bow to a Japanese soldier who  
was walking along the road 30-40 yds away.  
The soldier thereupon came into the compound & in  
front of native troops, smacked him across the face. 
I subsequently interviewed Lt. Sonai about the matter but  
he stated that it was imperative that all officers  
should stand & bow or salute to all Japanese & if they failed  
to do so they must take the consequences. 
31-10-42  Last night Early this morning at about 0500 hrs two Jap  
sentries went through the huts _^ on inspection & when Sgt, Bowman & Sgt  
Lette arose at Reveille they found respectively a wristlet  
watch & a lighter missing. They put in a report to me  
& I took it at once to Lt. Sonai. He conducted an  
immediate enquiry & later on in the day returned  
the watch & lighter to the owners together with  
his expression of regret at what had happened.  
This is an illustration of the care which is taken  
by the Jap. authorities to see that the prisoners' are  
private property is respected & of the honesty &  
integrity of the authorities in respect to stealing.  
?? In the morning Lt Sonai sent for me & directed that  
certain orders as to smoking etc be again  
promulgated & that a duty officer or N.C.O. be appointed  
for each hut.  
1-11-42. Submitted proposals for improved lighting & for  
night lighting. Unfortunately the switches at present  
provided do not permit of one light being left 
on in the hut. Am providing hospital was additional  
sugar as well as milk for dysentery patients in  
hospital. Working party of 3 officers & 50 O.Rs  
required today. This was first big working party  
since our men marched out. No movement 
of troops in the camp since 29/10/42 & rumors  
are current of temporary halt in the same.

2-11-42. 398 Dutch troops who have marched in from 
Sourabaya & are still in camp were put under my 
direct control today & were moved in No 3 Hut. 
One Dutchman man died in outside hospital. 
It was found that a large number of Dutch 
with mild dysentery were remaining in their huts 
sick. It was therefore decided to try to increase 
the size of the hospital & to bring in all sick men 
Lt Sonai gave permission to us to enclose eastern 
side of hospital verandah & two sets of rooms on 
east in a wire fence so as to make the whole 
hospital building self-contained. Some 50 more 
patients were then moved in making a total 
(with Staff) of about 200. In evening we had 
a moving picture show in our quarters with 
a machine of films g kindly provided by the Japs 
for us. At about 2315 hrs I was now sent for 
by Lt Sonai (I was in bed asleep) as my instructions 
re night lighting were not being carried out. 
In many cases, practically no lights were on. 
Dutch officers in charge of groups were turned 
out & it was explained to them they they would 
be severely punished unless by tomorrow night 
the night lighting scheme was kept going properly. 
3-11-42. Whole lighting system of camp was checked over 
during the day & a scheme exactly complying with 
Lt. Sonai's requirements for night lighting was 
worked out. After lights out we went around to 
check same & were stopped by the guards who  
informed us that they had received no orders 
from Lt. Sonai as to night lighting & therefore 
original orders of all lights out at 2200 hrs 
must be obeyed. We tried to point out how 
emphatic Lt. Sonai's orders had been but guard 
stated that they would accept all responsibility & 
would inform Lt Sonai of the position upon his 
return to camp as he was absent. Today was 
Japan's Empire day & all working parties were 
cancelled & most guards marched out of camp. 
Obtained Korf’s catalogue of lending books & drew 
up list of books in English which I am going to 
ask Lt. Sonai to allow ?? me to get into camp for use of  
officers. A few men returned from outside hospital. 
4-11-42. Lt. Sonai informed me that Kolff's manager no 
longer sends anyone into camp for books & so 
I cannot get books in that way. Intend to try 
through canteen. Applied for outside dental 
treatment. Matter will be considered. 
5-11-42. Lt. Sonai issued instrons today that he would inspect 
the camp on 7-11-42 & a Major General would inspect 
same upon 9-11-42, all ranks to line up along main 
camp road. This afternoon Lt. Sonai sent for me &  
informed me that everyone in camp must write a 
letter home & that the letter must contain reference to 
the following subjects, the ability & characteristic of the 
Japanese soldier, our longing for leave  our aversion 
about the war & our treatment by the Japanese. He 
stated that we every man can say what he thinks on 
these subjects. Today 15 Indo-nesians were released 
from confinements - they all come from other islands
such as Ambon, Sumatra etc & were apparently released
as a goodwill gesture on Japan's Empire Day. 
6-11-42. Two more patients sent to outside hospital (suspected 
typhoid). Owing to increase in sickness (dysentery) had 
to apply for increased accommodation for hospital. Hut

6-11-42 (contd) no 9 handed over to us as annexe to hospital. 
Applied to Lt. Sonai for long list of drugs urgently 
required for hospital. Informed that he feared he 
could do nothing as drugs not available. Subsequently 
learnt that he sent for Gen, Eng Elgin (Dutch) & 
said suggested that sum of 300 gulden which Bg compound 
officers had subscribed for extras for outside 
hospital should be used to buy medicines for our 
hospital. Gen Elgin refused but stated that other 
money might be found. Nearly all the patients in our 
hospital are Dutch. Return called for of watches 
owned by every man setting out identification  
details of same. 
7-11-42. Full parade of everybody held this morning as 
rehersal for inspection by Major Gen. tomorrow. Matter 
went satisfactorily. Dutch troops & Indonesians gave a 
concert in evening which was much 
appreciated. 
8-11-42. Return of watches & a letter per man as per Jap Instructions 
went in today. Commenced cleaning up of camp in 
preparation for inspection by Jap Major General. 
9-11-42. Inspected by Major Gen of Jap Army.. On parade at 
0830. He arrived at 1000 hrs. Parade dismissed 1100 hrs. 
Everything went well. Camp very clean. Issue of 
wine to A compound officers (including Searle & myself). 
Very quiet day otherwise. 
10-11-42. Resumed my Dutch lessons after an interval of several 
days through being kept busy on other things. 
This morning Lt Sone gave orders for an estimate to 
be submitted to him of number of tiles etc required 
to repair leaks in the huts & buildings in camp 
& also of numbers of bags of cement required to 
repair cement work wherever necessary. Had 
dinner with Coggle & Ridgeway in the A Compound. Lt 
Sone approved officers from A  Compound coming 
to our hut for games, recreation etc in the evening if 
so desired. 
11-11-42. Today  Yesterday Lt Marshall, officer in charge of 
Australian section of a working party was made to do manual  
work by a Japanese officer. I have made a formal 
protest to Lt. Sone on the subject. Large supply 
of medicines came into camp yesterday, bought by 
us out of our own money. Two men returned from 
outside hospital. 
12-11-42. First supplies of food etc under scheme of extra feed etc 
for officers propounded by Jap oofie official to us
on 21-10-42 came today. 140 good cigarettes per
officer, large supply of tea, coffee, sugar, margarine 
etc & this evening a quantity of fresh fruit. No 
indication was given to us as to how many days 
or weeks supply it represented but it is beginning 
to look hopeful for further supplies. Handed 
over 148 gulden to C.O. Hospital, Wing Com. Cummings 
for purchase of medicines. 
13-11-42.Uneventful day. Contractor has not called for  since 
Monday. Another typhoid case in camp hospital. 
Col. Lansing handed me sixty gulden subscribed 
by Dutch troops for purchase of medicines for 
hospital. Heard that Cols Lyneham & Dunlop & their 
men are down here somewhere in a camp. 
All much cheered by the news of the Allied & 
American advances in Lybia & Algeria etc.

14-11-42. Submitted written request for permission to 
buy some sherry to give a small sherry party 
on my birthday, 25th Nov. Lt Sone explained 
he had no power to give me permission but would 
pass my request on to higher authority. Played in 
bridge tournament in A compound today wherein 
everyone played 20 set hands. Searle & I played 
together & came 2nd. Have got an attack of 
neuritis in the old place, my left side of neck & shoulder. 
Haven't had an attack since Clifford cleaned 
up the last one four or f??  five years ago. Can 
only use aspirins to try to get rid of it. 
Unpleasant incident today when Lt. Leavitt 
(U.S. navy) applied direct to Jap H.Q. for the 
return of a typewriter which they had borrowed 
from the Americans some time ago. When I 
pointed out that these applications should come 
through Camp H.Q. he became assertive & 
objectionable & whole incident has left a nasty taste. 
15-11-42. Sunday. Having no Protestant Padre, Capt Godding  
took a short service this evening & we are going 
to arrange for a service conducted by him every 
Sunday. Had a good inspection of camp this morning & 
found it much improved. Received complaint from  for Dutch 
that undue preference is being shown to men sick in 
hospital because shin bones are cut off meat & the bones 
are then sent to hospital in addition to their 
ordinary share. An enquiry found that this extra (shin 
bones) was used to make special weak soup for the 
dysentery cases being to recover, & as every dysentery case 
is a Dutchman, (all Austs, Amerns having recovered) 
the complaint is just very usual. However Dutch 
officers concerned insisted on the complaint although 
I pointed out that they wanted to penalise their 
own sick. I of course refuse to alter the present 
procedure but will look after the Dutch sick, even 
if the some of their own people will not. 
16-11-42. Quiet day. Things seem to be settling back into a 
regular routine. My books from outside 
have not yet arrived & reading matter is 
once more returning short. 1 man returned 
from hospital (outside) yesterday & reports presence of 
a number of merchant seamen injured when their  
ships were captured & sunk by a raider operating off 
coast of Africa. Injured have been put into outside 
hospital & uninjured are in P.O.W. camp at Prisk. 
Report that as far as possible all men on captured 
ships were saved by the raider. 
17-11-42 Today Lt. Sone gave permission for me to buy 
some sherry & gin so as to enable me to give a 
birthday party on the 25th. I have attached Capt 
Hammard to the staff of Col. Lansing (C.O. 
Dutch troops) so as to assist him in his 
various problems. Today outside electricians 
started on the job of rewiring & repairing all the 
electric light fitting etc throughout the 
camp. Contractor today brought in 3 books 
out of my list as ordered (new ones). Says 
he will bring in more of the balance 
tomorrow. Pte. James George 
Moodie, an Australian died at outside 
hospital today & was buried in usual cemetery

18-11-42.  Orders that lopping back of trees must commence tomorrow 
but as no saws or other tools available matter will be 
difficult. Extra food for Officers is coming forward 
very slowly - 6 paw-paws amongst 80 officers today. 
Order by Lt. Sone that all officers & others should kill 
mosquitoes tonight & produce "bodies" at orderly room 
tomorrow. Result of fly killing a few days ago 
estimated at over 20, 000 flies killed & produced! 
19.11.42 Wrote to camp comma His Lordship the Bishop of 
Batavia (R.C.) requesting him to procure for us 
a prayer book & a bible & a hymnal & requested 
Camp Commandant to deliver same. Had dinner 
with Brig. Pearson (marvellous dinner, savouries eggs, 
asparagus, savoury tomatoes, ham etc, then grilled bacon 
chipped potatoes & green peas, then fruit salad & cream 
the whole washed down with a glass of beer. Had 
long discussion afterwards as to position of war 
in view of report in Asia Raya that Darlan 
has crossed over to the Allied side & joined in 
with Americans. 
20-11-42. At 0130 hrs this morning was awakened by a 
message from Lt Sone that immediate parade & roll- 
call of everyone in camp was required. It passed 
off satisfactorily but we did not get back to bed until 
0430 hrs. At a conference today Lt. Some told me 
that he proposed repairing generally & putting in order 
the whole electric light system of the camp. Received 
a harmonium & a number of R.C. & Protestant Church 
books in Dutch from Bishop Batavia. Lt. Sone presented 
me with 5 bottles of beer as a birthday present.  
21-11-42. Uneventful day. Lt Sone gave permission for G.G & C in C to attend my party on the 25th. 
22.11.42. Another quiet day. Weather is keeping fine & 
hot. I expect the rain will set in with a rush  
soon.  A.V.M. has drawn up a long list of 
breaches of Geneva Convention & submitted same to 
me. Series of orders from Lt. Sone today 
(1) Return must be submitted tomorrow setting out 
the clothing possessed by each man in camp 
so as to clearly show surpluses of each article 
held. This must be done rank by rank. 
(2) The whole outer fence of the camp must be 
boarded up with a wooden fence so 
as to completely enclose it. This must be 
done by 28th Nov. 
(3) On 28th Nov. the General Commanding all Java 
will inspect the camp. Parade will be the 
same as for last inspection but time will 
be notified later. 
Contractor called today & stated that Korff's 
unwilling to sell their library books for 1 gulden 
but he (contractor) submitted a list of books 
which he had for sale. 
23-11-42. Everything has gone wrong today. Lt Sone inspected camp 
& found a number of things in respect of which ???? his 
orders have been disobeyed by the Ambonese. As a 
result he has prohibited all games of any sort, all 
music, card games, chess etc & has ordered that 
every soul in camp shall work around the 
camp every day from 0930 - 11.30 & 1400 - 1700. Officers 
must organise the work in gardening, tree cutting, 
 & repairing camp & fences generally. 
24-11-42. Working throughout camp commenced today & proceeded 
satisfactorily. This afternoon Cpl David Leith