Papers relating to the service of Cyril John Watson, 1941-1945 - Part 2

 32. Hand coming good. 1258 plane (&SC)

[[I make?]] hope in [[$?]] planes on [[?]] very

pretty combination, silver & blue.
[[?]] issue.
M1. Quiet day. Blue but no A.R.
1268 [[Right?]]. Issue bananas. 11 each [[available?]]
More Tapi &c Tea in old arbor. Hand
much [[better?]]
M2. Med. Board again O.K. Gordon, K. Long
doing well. More bananas [[we rate ??]]
2 planes over before evening at 1245 hrs
W.P. funds then on[[?]] in garden.
[[?]] for tea O.K. Signs [[?]]
tasty stew preps. for the marrow.
M3. S.W. H.G. R.T. to move to No 1.
M.J. to No. 2. as 2 i/c. Grouse stew for extra
lunch. A.R. & 1 big plane over about 1100 hrs
Farewell party of quorum of “gang”
J.M. funny with story of [[Trev?]] O. &
[[?]] Crabbe on planting party. Very formal.
M4. Quiet morn. Till 1130 hrs. When 8
[[sub? fus.]] planes over drome & apparently
strafe tower & are fired on. L.J. & Bob Sp (?)
Hot evening meal. Chillis drying Artichoke
cutting (3 days in) seems very successful.
B'fast - Plantain nasi, greens, coffee.
Lunch - Cream Tapi, baked plantain
Tea - Greens, rice, stewed vegs (with dried
vegs.)
Good plant decorations around camp. [[?]]
 M5. (Sat) Truck rolling new veg in again last night

Issue of big fish, bread & bowls. Blue

about 1130hrs. All clear. Med. Inspection

by 2 [[?]] at 1500. Weight 58 Kgms.

W.P. elected mess rep. Russell & Johnston
to mess.
M6. (Sun) Communion Rev. Bentlosen
has B'fast with group. W.P. & I have
tea with H.G.  and TW Fraser. X R Blue
only. K Dong hits over 200lb. / day mark.
Porridge & banana - rice & greens- Wong nasi &c.
M.7. A.R. signal. Into trenches but
nothing happens. J.M. to go hosp.
Reid & Throssel to mess. Pleasant evening
Circumstances with J.M. & others

idiosyncrasies becoming very trying.
I.J.A.  have funeral.
M8. A.R. at 1200, just as lunch is coming

Bombing 'drome direction & dont fire.
planes corkscrew dive over tower.
J.M. off on time without [[?]] Record
Quiet evening appreciated.
B'fast - Greens, plain rice (½ plate.)

Lunch - Fried veg, sweet sauce (4"x2"x2")
Tea - Plain rice & ginger, creamed Tapi.

Baked plantain greens (2/3 plate)
Greens very good these days. Tender fried. 

4 Apl.

14. Take over outside garden.

17  Recce Plane.

18 Persons in camp who are "going off"

are trouble and peculiar to watch.

[[?]] told by [[??]] planes.

[[???]]

25 A Anzac Day. Wood chopping.

26. Big day. ∧Wood party A.R at 1pm. Very much

heavier than usual. Have real black

out at end feet & half hand & face.

1967 k rice for May - 228 gms/m/diem.

Big increase. Full moon. [[Garden?]]

doing very well. (27) More root vegs.

arrive by bucketload. Quiet day

Talks MB. house & [[??]]

27. Hand quite sore & feeling "languid"

28. A.R. Blue at 1 pm. 16 planes over

shortly after. More vegs arrive in

issue off rations today, pork, [[?]]

3 pkts biscuits. S W has had turn &

cannot eat tea. Light rain of evening

29. K Dong going very well. 230 [[?]]

22 planes over 1400 hrs [[???]]

[[???]]ginger, [[?]] Pork nasi & greens. [[?]]

Sleep late- exceeding [[?]]

5 J (Tues.)- F. AND'S. birthday. Has Tea with us.

1 doub. firs. over 1045 hrs. On last of lunch, &

over come 46 (seen) big bus. In & out again

1245 hrs. Very clear day. Rebuilding store.

G. Owen to hosp.

6 J (Wed.)- [[Tiny?]] gardens. 1 (4 eng.) high about 1115 hrs

6 back, open formation 1415 hrs. V. Nichn. a/Noon off.

150 plat. (60c), 352 k. veg. 16-17 J. Sleeping better,

probably effect of protein & salt from fish,

Best night for months. [[?]] up. Tranquility.

7 J (Thurs.)- W'proof dressing on back. 1230 hrs

1 big. over & round. Lunch cold. Food

discussions "from bread & milk up". Tobacco

shortage evidenced in lacking sense of

humor & self consciousness. Four [[?]]

accused of ''cheering".

8 J (Fri)- Reading "Let the people sing" 1 big. 'un

over during lunch. Carry it to trench. Days and

nights much warmer. Revising recipes & c.

Brews, [[yeasts?]] & chutneys on the job. Many

approaches for tobacco.

9 J. (Sat)- Washing & airing. 1445 hrs. One pl.

over N area, low, straffing. Small amount

tobacco in. (about 1 oz./man.) Jubilant air.

25 M (Fri)- On w [[sect?]] again, but nothing else

Truck in last night but no tobacco. I certainly

hope she comes soon & I don't smoke. Tea, papaya,

brinjal, banana leaves & c in demand. K Hong south.

1 2 fus pl over about 1015 hrs. C.Y in [[?]]

Rice tomato chutney & small fish gegee the menu.

1 big 4 eng. over about 1400 hrs. ∧Drops pamplets. Into trench again

for I.J plane about 1615 hrs. Good rain. Wood party

ordered 1500 hrs Does not leave.

26 M (Sat)-No wood party. Clean up camp. Rice

party for June (2400 lb). Hope for Java used ($60p.k.

Pay recd. for May & June. No Sand. contributions.

Pay credited, all up $100. Bills. Books change. Good ones too.

B'fast- Plain rice & greens: LUNCH- Fried Rice & greens

TEA- Fish nasi, cottage pie, greens. (V.G)

Vern. finishes shaving bowl.

27 M (Sun.)- Rain in night. Chop wood again. Quiet

day. Canteen in afternoon. 6 pkts biscs each

& few over, 360 plantns. (60c each), dry fish 70 k @

$16.00 p.k. & 90 k fresh small fry as rations.

No tobacco causes groans. Camp on hols.- only

essential duties for week.∧1-3[[weeks?]] More root vegs. for June.

28 M (Mon)- Wood party, but not for me. Drying fish

small [[begug?]]. [[?]], 1 pkt bisc, ½ sugar for cigs Another

quiet day. Dry rations June in. Oil cut 1/3. Chat on

Pde- got with Vern. Begin read. -Wells- W.W & Kapp.

Many having black outs.

29 M (Tues) –  Wet morn A.R. blues then A. Clear.

W.P is Temp. storeman. Months sugar issued.

Maj. W back from hosp: Very shaky! No tobacco

situation tense. No trading warning (Your late)

30 M (Wed.)- 4 eng. job over & back again In-out

& in again. Passing job puts me in again 1500 hrs.

2 small fried fish for tea V. Quiet. Not as scrap

wasted

31 M (Thurs)- Hot morning. Chop wood. Cold.

Enjoy hot b'fast with plenty sugar. Read "Wordsworth"

appreciated; "Prof. at B'fast Table"- not fully

apprec; needs to much concentration for present.

"Chances for carman." for birthday appear lousy. (V)

Throat clearer- Tooth sucker inane babbler,

all hyperch's- are dangerous to sanity of

others, not to mention the tobacco shortage.

560 k veg. to June 9. Spend afternoon under

blanket. Cracking on greens again. Sugar only help.

Scandals.

JUNE 1. (Friday.) - My [[?]] day. 11 days

to birthday- Lovely day Down in garden [[?]] Chillies & c

990 k. veg. to 14 J. 29 to fish- dry small, & seal.

Transplanted artichoke cutting. Very quiet day.

Not even Blue. Pkt (20) 3. G [[cash?]] for rubber cup brinjal

nasty taste to mouth. Short measure.

2 J (Sat.)- Cleaning party. Quiet day. On mint.

V.R & K.M in trouble over greens. 2 more sp full

sugar. Abalone (?) nasi for tea. (Shellfish & shark.)

Proposed picture night does not come off.

3. J (Sun) - Service by Padre. C of Eng. read, otherwise,

a quiet day. Nasty taste in mouth.

Cyst on back breaks down, & discharges. Meals O.K.

B'fast- Sweet kedgeree & fried Tapi.

Lunch- Boiled veg. & greens. Tea- Fish cottage

pie, baked brinjal, tapi, greens, plain nasi. (V.G.)

Thunderstorm. [[??]] HUMOUR (after Padre)- "What did he have to say"

4 J. (Mon)- Wood party. And very annoyed with

J.M & J.F over deprecatory remarks at B'fast. See V.R

re dissolution which is inevitable after recent events.

Much palaver. J M eats "over the road".

I refuse to have any more strain. Another storm.

24 J (Sun)- Back to bed. Abcess feels better.
particularly without latex patch. Interrupted
by alarms. 1015- first in, then another three
trips by 1230. Seen 1 d.f very high, [[1.4C6.t?]]
low & strafing, tackled by I.J. fighter.
R.McL & R McI to mess. Have more Rijsttafel.
A.R. blue after lights out.
25 j. (Mon.)- Wood party w/o me. 1210 -1400 hrs.
at least 7(poss 12) 4 e.d. & "do over" drome.
29 k.pork. Many collapse from "trench squat".
J.F. very much "Lois de combat". Meals better.
Crew "over  way" very low.
26 J. (Tues.)- Back dressed again. Into trench, 1030.
back to hut & stay there while pl. wanders.
Beautifully quiet. Caravans & [[?]] with A.J.McN
Root veg. in almost daily.
27 J. (Wed.)- Coffee after Tenko. 1015- 1 d.fus. over
high. Then 1-4 c. with noises close, then 4 to.
going. S.W: 1200- return N.E. &C Obtain haversack
carriers. Restless feeling- back. 
B'fast- Green [[?]]. Lunch- Tapi & artichoke, greens.

Tea- Fish nasi, sav veg, greens. Crack back up.

Dry rations (x oil) & rice & [[?]] issued late.

10 JUNE 1945. (Sunday.)- Chop wood with

Hilner. Tong. 1 big un over very low. Good

look. 1000 hrs. Then fairly quiet day.
 11 JUNE.- And once again my birthday. 27.
1212 days P.O.W. How long O Lord. Wood
party to E of camp in morn. I hoped for better.
Next obj. 2- 7/8/45. Big 4 pl. at 1500 hrs disturb
siesta. V.R., K.M., W.P. & I have evening

meal outside Rations falling away again.
More changes. J.M. to [[Hand?]] 1.
12 J. - Rainy morn. Not even Blue. Pictures 
in evening. News reel, horses, & musical
feature. "Aint misbehaving". Return to 2 for
supper. Bright lights too much. [[BANER?]] back from

hosp.
13 J. (Wed.)- Chop wood. Stomach upset again.
Into trench for 0, circa. 1245hrs. Again 445
for pamph. dropper. Cannot eat lunch, or
evening meal. Bowl sugar over.
14 J. (Thurs.)  Plain rice. Off duty, & tucker.
23 k. coffee, 13 k sugar, Java tob. & leaf in.
1200 hrs pl. over river. Back discharging
again. [[Senchers?]] eased. 

15 J (Fri)- Back plugged. Tummy off balance.   
1100 1 doub. fus: 1500- 1/4 eng. Swap haversack
with R.Reid. 280 k. tapi for 22-23 J.F unwell.

Very plain meals, can't face greens. Ash water.
16 J. (Sat)- 1100. 1 v.b. 2 tail strafes for hours
1k-sug $45. Sell paper $5, puttees $5. Afternoon

tea instituted.

17 J. (Sun.) Comm. Back to bed. Off wood cutting.

1210, red but see nothing. Jumble sale. I help.

$7.50 = 1 belt $3 = buy garters $2. 1915- 1 dark [[f?]]

over. Yello. Coffee in trenches. Bad night, up

twice. Turning with back no good. R. McI to mess.

18 J. (Mon) - H.G. birthday. Wood party again.

1230- 1 big un low over river again. 1 strap $4.00

J.F. has pleurisy. "Mentals" of camp very dangerous.

H.G & R.T to mess. Nights much warmer, not

noticing cold so much. Days passing very

quickly and quietly.

19 J. (Tues.) - 3 more [[cuts?]] in back. Not so good.

To trenches twice, 1100 & 1245, are nothing but heat.

3 dys. case. back from hosp.

20 J. (Wed.) - Have look at back. Surprised.

Moff. expresses satisfaction. Coffee & back up

at "tenko". Starts day right. Conversen coffee,

import, treatment, & c, [[?]], braziers &
charcoal barbecues, & finish at barbecue parties.

Hew over- 2 trunks- under construction

Clarke. Clayton to mess. Brit. Off. dies.

21 J. (Thurs.) - Quiet morn. To trench 1230. Fighting

afoot. Medical stores into camp. Good heavy 

rain. Back very trying. R.HAIG to mess &

regales us with Rijsttafel & c.
22 J (Fri)- Med.l attention de luxe on back

with spirit & plaster. No latex. 1045- 1 doub. fns

Chat R.N.W. on Farmers Agents. Pick seed chilli.

Meals very plain, only tapi.

23 J. (Sat.) - Quiet morn. Transfer two chillies.

104-c. s.t 1450. Stewart P. has "turn". R Wilson

again. After tea, A.J.McM on Eden, oysters & c.

Beautiful bright moonlit night. Plane over

just after lights out. 25 k. dry fish [[?]]

V.N to kitchen. J.G.F. to mess [[enpec?]].

9 Jl. (Mon) - Bad disturbed night. Sick ones
have no control. Many "bowl over" on Tenko
Many sick pdes. Wood party, I attend, do
five trips in bush, 3 on road. 32 mastered.
Gasfire the cause (?) of trouble. A.R. blue only.
10 Jl. (Tues.) -Rains still continue. Only 2 to
hosp. Chop wood by self. Temp. Hut bound! 
What a day! Shocking sights. No control.
Everyone in hut flat out; sick & well.
Double duties for "fit men". Night orderlies.
"The Cad with the Candle." All come good.
Gear from Sand. turns up. (left Apl '44).  No A.R.

8 fit. take man into hut. Co-op?
11 Jl. (Wed.) - Situation much improved.
Day on back. 1200 - pls. over until 1430 hrs 1 high
tailed [[?]] e very low over camp.  Late lunch, finish
1500, then sleep. Take tenko in evening. Change.
General improvement. Sago flour comes in.
(apprx. 250 lb.)
 28 J (Thurs.) - Boiling day. F. And's does right
thing by me. Back dressed, they quiet day
R.[[Hien?]] to A/ Mess.O. Sugar issued. (1@ $40.)
1628 k. rice, 112 k corn, dry stuff same. P. for S.
New oven finished. Books change. Nothing doing.
A.J.McM and Gipps. & fish again. Trousers $20
29 J (Fri.)- Cold in head. Very heavy. Rains
laet in morn. Pl. round about during rain.
Issue tobacco 1.46 oz. each. Greens & dry rations.
Through pack, new trousers out. Paper out $12.50.
30 J. (Sat.) - Med. Board. H.D. Back dresssed.

Paper made to $20. Invited mess C.O. [["back"?]].

1 d fus. 1115 hrs. Canteen 2200 bisc. cause pain.

27 k. belachan (14.50). Issue 13 pkts. Finance

worries. ($2 pr pkt.) 

JULY 1 (Sun.)- Coffee Open Service. Corn
porridge: Kedgeree & greens: belachan nasi, sav.

veg & greens, coffee: Mess with C.O & M.B. (R.R & J)
6 big uns o N.W leave heavy noise. 1145 hrs.

Upset evening after mess.

2 JL. (Mon.)- Back plastered up. Wood party.

3 trench visits, see 1 H.C. 1100, 1200,1300.
4 t. Jav. :: 6 t. belach, 3 saline. [[Nest]?] orders called

for. T. Flem. to hosp. Out of oil.
3 JL. (Tues.)- [[Tissy?]]chiller. 1200-1815. 6 b.w

make things fly very close by. Twice round.

Moving in No.1 hut. J. Miln to No.2. Med. Board

for faires. Feel best for months.
4 JL. (Wed.)- Early b'fast. Pig manure party.

Annoyed not notified of Heavy duty. 1200-

6 6. n pass SW-NE. 1400 hrs. 1f 4.c. from S.W. comes

very low & round. Stay in hut. M.G's wed. anniv.
5 JL. (Thurs.)- Hosp. carrying party for Ration.(Lgr.)

A.R. blue called, nought else. Many have colds.

C O off duty. F.F & M.B. deputising. Fd. Offs to

have stage area. First product new oven great

success. B'fast- Green nasi: Lunch corn

kedgeree & greens: Even.- boiled rice, greens,

Soya bean stew, corn & belachan bun.

Tighten up disc. Up in morns. Duty Fd. Off. daily.

6 JL. (Fri.)- Two visits trenches. 1200 hrs- 1.4 c

over Recce. See M.B & receive sal. Crushed

p'nut nasi & coffee back up begin good day.

Lunch- fruit Kedg: Tea- Belach. nasi. Greens all meds

7 JL. (Sat.)- B[[?]] but no A.R. Dys. increasing

Our H. Duty in morn. Chilli & chekur ban on.

R.R bad leg. Surf fish. with A.J.McM.

8. JL (Sun.)- 3 [[?]] since left Changi.

P. Stewart dies. Act. Lieut Cornish's

Place has "trots". Many ill. Bed in aftn.

No cash, x 1 $100 bills. Find I am H. Duty with

venngeance. 300 - 1 high tail b.4 over very

low. No gong rung. Stay in. Camp health

state very low. 

15 JL. (Sun.) - Communion by Rev. Henthorn. Back

to bed. Loose bowel cond. under control. 

Maj. Carter to hosp. "to Tenko" men parade down

to hosp. for tickets. Collect wood. Shortage &

trying to stave off party till Wed. Finish

belachan. Symptoms generally abate in camp.

Policy of pumping up meals & recuping [[?]].

Tob. issue 1½ oz. each. Undisturbed night.

Quiet day. F.O's mess.

16 Jl. (Mon.)- Feel O.K, best for legs. Still

swollen. Sit in sun & on back all day. 1 pl

over 1400 for some time. 1 belt web, $7.50.

Cut R. Howletts hair. Story of "Pheasants Bread".

Tobacco in late. Two protein meals per day. V.G.

17 JL. (Tues.)- Chop wood with Len. J. then quiet

day. China Tob. issued ($25 p.k.) Small quantity

Java. Plenty. No A.R. Man power officer.

O.C wood heap. Labour bureau very short.

18 JL. (Wed.)- Chop wood. G. Sol. Wood party.

All m[[?]] on heap. L.J. ill. Temp. Hut Comdr.

A.R. 1515-1600. Flat out. Well in collaboration

with R.G. Macl. Trousers over.

19 JL. (Thurs.)- Busy morn. Conferences wood

& man power. Finance panic again. Orders

for belachan called. A.R. 1400-1500.

F. Hills, to Brit. Off. Camp. R.W.S has close

shave. Turn ups over.

B'fast- rice & greens. Lunch- boiled Tapi & greens,

Soup. Tea- Whitebait Tapi, boiled Tapi, greens,

piece pastry. Light rice diet, but very nice.

20 JL (Fri)- Parade R.W.S. to C.O. "Responsibility"

Brown a la cousouinne. 1200-1245 hrs. A.R. 1 pl.

Stewarts gear distributed. Get rest cleaning container

21 JL (Sat.)- Chop wood with J. Kell., J. Russell.

Satisfaction in wood burning position. 1100-

1-4 eng. d.t over. C.Y. has bad turn & dys.

22 JL (Sun.)- Man power meeting. 1200-1245

1 d.f. over 'drome then tower. Ian King to Mess.

W.P ill. Psycho.-cases in camp badly increasing.

Meals- Tapi porridge: pastry, whitebait tapi,

greens: Corn Soup: Corn, peanut, papaya nasi,

Sav. veg, greens, peanut bun, coffee.

Flem- "Must see more of each other."

23 JL. (Mon.)- W.P. off tucker. Camp generally

on improve. 1230-1300 1 d.t over. Hut move

projected. Responsibilities Hut & wood keep me

busy. J.F obviously ill, but difficult & slipping.

"Out of bed" at reveille again. Water restrictions.

W.P. still off food. Have supper. Night alarm

24 JL (Tues.)- Wood party. Stacking. 1245. A.R.

during lunch (W.P. still so-so, off greens)

-A.R. & d.f. Bit more supper from A.P. Beautiful

moonlit night. When the belachan?

25 JL. (Wed.)- Chop wood with G.Sol. Boil clothes.

Still Hut. Comdr., apparently till next Monday when

R.R will take, all being well. C.Y rcd ticket.

1215- 6.6.u over drome. A.A. (?) bursts seen-

1345. Full moon. Beautiful night. W.P out job

storeman. Chat evening R.W.S, Spiers & I. Jackson, W.P.

26 JL. (Thurs.)- Quiet morn. W.P. about O.K. J.F still

"under sheet." 1100- 1 b u to N, continues thru'

morn. No alarm. Wood now under control again.

12 JL (Thurs.)- 1330-1530 hrs. night orderly. Duty 

taken over later. Very stiff & tired. 1300-1430

1 doub. & 4.e. over low. Good improvement

149 k. whitebait ($7.70 p.k.). Ban lifted on [[?]]

Bed early. good sleep. New moon last night.

13 JL. (Fri)- That combination again.

Chop wood, with Len. J. Late B'fast, then

in comes pig, then [[Miss?]] & I butcher up. (45k.)

Lunch 1530 hrs. Beaut. hot shower. General

improvement in camp. Have slight looseness

in tummy but feel A.1. Land

out of med. supplies beyond expectancy.

Looking after R.G. Mcail. interests. Good

sleep.

14 JL. (Sat.)- Quiet night, great improvement

I have slight symptoms. On back most

of day. Had salts. F.O's on Exchange bureau.

B'fast- Pork rice & greens: Lunch- Tapi & fruit

sauce, greens. Tea- Pork & bean stew, rice,

savoury vegs. China Tob. in (11½ k @ $25 p.k)

Second quiet day. Rations just after lights

out, then good nights sleep. Swellings & beriberi

of legs apparent.