Papers relating to the service of Cyril John Watson, 1941-1945 - Part 3

22 AUG. (Wed.) – N.S Davidsons birthday. What    
farcical circumstances. Very plain rations
Oedema prevalent thru camp. Some badly,
almost everyone showing some signs.
0730 -  Fried rice & greens. General clean up.
1130 – Corn kedgeree, greens.
1 pl. over & round for ½ hr very high.
Must keep in. Q.M. promises clothing, 
blankets, shoes &c. Rice & little extra food
Expectancy terrific. Why delay? I.J.A.
issue 3lb sulphur & lime. Goodbye
scabbies! Wood running out again 1 day short
1530 – Rice & Veg. stew. Wash & clean up.
13 k. dry fish, 6 k. whitebait in. 1830 - corn
bun & cup tea. J Crozier messes with us
M.B. gives during meal, details of interview
with Col Suga. War finished, but C-C-C
South area awaiting results Manilla conf
Will protect in from soldiers. Ration
position very difficult. Assure him that
“we will play.” 1930 - fish nasi, sav. veg.
greens. Pound down bony belachan
during day for G. Forbes. First night for
year or so, that I go thru’ night without
covering M.B. 2 i/c [[nomin?]] 3 i/c Maj. Johnson.
17 AUG. (Fri.) - Big [[?]] day. Early fish
kedgeree (2½ issues knocked) followed by
six meals. No external action. Still
having tenko &c. I.J.A supposed to know
of position, but I think most do.
Yesterday - issue of good native rice
unpolished. Beautiful. My ginger &
pepper comes good. Helps many with
meals. Get much belachan & oil. Few
peanuts.

18 AUG. (Sat.) – Few rations in. Turtles
eggs, 4lb tapi. 1430 – Wood party for all
fit. Issue rubber shoes and clogs.
About 1500 - news re Jim Flett. Very sad,
but — ?! General party about 1730 hrs.
Meals very big and stoppers. Still
getting nearly double rations down.
 

19 Aug. (Sun) - Communion. Corn porridge.
Officers take over all O.R's duties for 36 hrs.
Sawing wood &c. Boiled Tapi, rice, greens.
1400 - several types planes over. A.R. alarm,
flying boat & twin eng. jobs dive over
camp. Pamphlets dropped. Can see even
in pl wave. They must notice no [[explosive?]]
Situation ridiculous. 1600 - turtle egg
rice, baked binjal. 1730 - fish nasi, sav. veg,
greens. Eating about 2 meal rations with
all sick fellows around, plus oil &
belachan. Can feel the flesh going on.
Stomach seems to be standing well.
W.P. i/c cooks cannot eat tea. Worked
to standstill. McIver doover special.
Meals too late for concert.
20 AUG. (Mon.) - Officers still in
kitchen & batting. What confusion.
Wood situation under control. Ten weeks
of suspense & uncertainty, food to be
cut a bit, later back to seven day
policy on strength of pamph. Many
explosions at odd intervals during
day and night. No IJ rations
Running out of flavorings, protein, &c.
Sugar & flour promised but not in sight
Effect of delay very trying on many
nerves, who take it out on others.
Meals becoming more plain, but garden
is being raped for flavorings. A.R. alarm
in morn. for few mins. I.J. produce
sulphur & cocnut oil in morn.
21 AUG. (Tues.) - Tenko tea, 0730 - corn porridge,
Flem wants clothes. L Shorts bring $45.
R. Robin i/c kitchen. C.O. wants smartening
up. Cleaning gear &c. 1130 - brinjal
nasi & greens: Writing, clean mess
gear as we are still batting. 1530 - Corn
kedgeree, greens, Tong, clean up. 1830 - 
Fried kedgeree, corn, greens. 2100 - Cup of tea
Beautiful moonlit night. What a farce
this place is now? A.I.F. on the way.
Here shortly (?) At least ½ issue
again, I receive, & treat accordingly.
Have to arise about 3 or 4 times during
the night. Physical reaction of diet
over system, very noticeable.
 

26 AUG (contd) - 1700 - whitebait nasi
& greens. Makes mouth sore, but do
over nearly two issues. Concert on bit
singing. 2100 - Sweet bun & tea.
Everyone expectant. Issue 5 pkts. cigs
27 AUG. (Mon.) Offs. take over kitchen
for 24 hrs. 0730 - corn porridge with
oil. Oil available $40 p. bottle. Order $10.
Issues roll in during day. Another 5 pkt cigs.
1 cake pink soap, ½k. peanuts, 3 large
sheets white paper. 29k. dry beans, pig,
curry, pepper, coffee, 60k peanuts. Medical
doses, Vitamin pills, milk. Legs swollen.
Oedema pde. 42 on, and many not there.
1130 - fried rice & greens. I lace with belachan
powder. Then start on pig. Better job.
1500 - planes over again very low. Finish
evening meal, then hot shower. Planes over
for long time, Blue rung before they clear.
1545 - peanut nasi, greens. Legs very swollen.
1915 - Save biscuits. Pork & bean saute,
rice, biscuits. 2100 - Fried whitebait rissole.
Mouth sore again. Vitamin tablet seems O.K.
Swelling's down. W.P. rooted from day in
kitchen again. Burn pig with [[?]]
28 AUG. (Thurs.) Tenko 0720. Tea. 0730 -
Rice & greens. W.P. & I batting. Clean up
Read. 1130 - corn rice & greens. Air raid
alarm rung during meal. Nothing happens
C.O. to rest again. M.B. deputy C.O.
Maj. Johnson 2 i/c (nose job.). Sleep & read.
1530 - rubber cup rice, boiled cucumber,
corn sauce. Reading "Cėsar Ritz". Tong.
1830 -  fish nasi, greens. Talk & walk.
2100 - corn bun & cup tea. 2200 - Lights out
Hope rations tomorrow. Poor day. Garden
has lacing.
24 AUG. (Fri.) - 0730 - Cor & greens Corn
porridge (becoming (?) very forgetful).
Go thro' J. Flett's gear. Watches missing.
Personal effects retained, rest distributed
Food containers to W.P. & I. Issue sugar,
salt, corn, (4 bags each) 2 spam tins.
rubber cup salt. 1130 - plain rice & greens
Pack sugar, salt & fry fish. 1530 - Fish
nasi & greens. Rice party: 15 days supply
1730 - Col. Suga addresses pde of English
speaking P.O.W's. Peace coming. Hiroshima
City & Nagasaki devestated with
 

atomic bombs. Aug 15: Emperors [[?]]
ordering laying down of arms. Some
generals of field armies are bellicose, &
talk of changing nationality.
We will be perfectly protected. Russia
has declared war on Japan & intered
Mandukuo, despite treaty. J have
accepted terms Potsdam conference.
Keep up morale, particularly of sick
comrades. Will feed, clothe & cure us.
1900 - Col. Suga reads pamphlet dropped.
from G.H.Q. Brit. Born. - signed by Gen
Wootten, comd 9 A.I.F. Div.
1915 - Corn nasi, sav. veg, greens.
2100 - Corn bun & tea.
25 AUG. (Sat.) Window dressing begins.
Off's beds back from hosp. Iron beds,
wicker furniture issued. Some
boots & clothing comes in.
C.O. off duty. M.B. deputy. Wood rake up.
Wood party in afternoon. Very hard
job, long carry. Late afternoon meal.
Dinner by lamplight. (Gasolene job.)
Perc. W messes with us. Have signs of
Oedema but so has everyone.
Shirts, mosqie. nets to executives.
Newspaper issue 4 sheets.
26 AUG. (Sun.)  Fay's birthday. Hoped to
be able send greetings. Local service.
0820 - porridge. W.P. & I serve & I wash
up. More clothes coming in. Boots,
sand shoes, singlets, socks, [[?]]
towel, sheeting, issued thro' day.
1200 - Brinjal rice & greens. 1300 - At
least 5 planes over & round. Alarm
rung & into huts. 4 small fast seven
eng. (NONA jobs) & 1 big green 2 eng (X)
drop pamphlets. Rumor - landing
tomorrow. Beautiful show. Sawing wood
Issue 5 gals. oil, 124 k peanuts, tea.
Deferred pay to come to us. Our army
[[Stand?]] $10000. Kuch $200,594. Aust Red +
$7000, to hosp. 1600 - shapati & greens
sweet corn nasi (AI meal.)
Blankets for exchange.

 

 

31 AUG (Thurs) - 0730 - Corn & rice porridge
then clean up pde. Issue ½ pkt Capstan,
 ¼ tin State Express Cut & butter bread
[[six?]] - planes over again. Big Douglas drops
more food & clothing. 1130 - Salmon & rice,
bread and butter (same) & plain jam. It
is beautiful. (Still)

[[Remarked?]] -Speak on Medical & other

practices.) -80k. gula melaka (black

market.) issued. ¾ lb. tin each. ($35 [[?]]

Gave B1 injection. Camp now completed.
2 inj. Can't stop nibbling peanuts.
More tinned goods in. Butter, tongue,
rabbit, corned hash, asparagus, milk,
& loaves bread. Read Womans Weekly

Jly 5. & Womans Mirror. 1530- W P. [[S?]]
collect meal. Peanut nasi & pineapple
N. Bennett to hosp. Maj Eddy marches
out to Kuching hosp.
 31st AUG. (Tues.)- Shell explosions during

night. Many people need B injections &

quickly. Very sleepy night, but mouth

sore. Signs of mal. urges awakening. Bring

on the Vitamins, Protein & the &c
1730 - Corn Porridge.  Wash few clothes.
Education Com. next. Agree import.
Now paper is available, work can be done
1100 - 1d & 2 eng. pl. over. Did it land?
1130- Pork & peanut wasi. A beauty.
Many busy making note books, taking notes
(Yesterday- CO & M.B. bring in nearly
¼ million dollars. I.J.A. pushing
Yak cart.) 1530- Fried rice & greens,
Good tobacco, 4 more bags peanuts (234k)
dry fish (15k.) tooth powder issued.
1700 - sweet peanut nasi, sav. veg,
greens. (Still doing double issues) Boots,
shorts, sand shoes in. Socks changed for
larger job. 2115 Bun sweet & tea.
2200- IJ sing out "lights out".
Vitamin pill issue. Few tins milk in.
Malaria rampant at present.
 

29 AUG. (Wed)- Very good night, but
very hot. Sleep thru' until reveille.
0730- Fried rice, corn & mash served.

0950- planes over for short time.
Apparantly messages, pamphlets dropped.

1½k peanuts, pr. shorts issued, 1 pr boots

black. Thiamin tablets (2mgm), 1 Tsp.

Brewers Yeast powder, 1 mult. Vit tab.

issued. 1130 - Peanut nasi, greens. 

Shell peanuts. Discuss our ludicrous
position 1500- planes over, which
confirms gaff. 1530- brinjal wasi,
Collecting & noting information & c.
1900- Fried rice, baked fish, greens,
fried banana fritter.
Signals put up to O.K. the dropping
of food. Wireless sets dropped too, I
fear. Articles taken in searches
now available. Papers & books
open at office for inspection.

30 AUG (Thurs)- 0730- Corn porridge

Expectancy- was message received

yesterday. 1030- 2 Beaufighters (?) over

Then silver jobs & finally big Douglas.

Drops parachute containers. Sit on

step greasing boots and watch the

fun. Have waited long time for this.

1130- Peanut rice & greens. Reports

begin drifting in of dropped articles.

1200- Wood chopping party outside our

wire. 4 trees downed & brought in, in

quick time
 

15 AUG. (Wed)- Having bfast & watch

hot wire. C.O. comes round and ensures

bright day. First reactions- wood position

First action, move wire notice. Things

quieter very considerably, when obvious

that I.J.A. are not in picture. Meals

boosted. Double day, afternoon tea.
No air movement. Late in afternoon,

C.O & M.B. called, but Pascoe Pearce dead.

Tragic effect of doubt & uncertainty.
1 bag (60k) peanuts in mess. Compensation, 

L O's 

& c to tea with Suga (answers. camp.) No mess.

Knock over sugar & peanuts in morning.

16 AUG (Thurs)- Nothing happened yet.

Funeral of P.P in night. Four at a time.

Increase of area since C.Y. [[funeral?]] is

terrible. Four planes over about 1400. NACL

K-SK, Z-SK seen pers. Drop leaflets. Sporadic

firing. 60k. dry fish arrive in. Chop

wood late in afternoon, Meals are

stoppers, everybody joyous but impatient.

Many still ill. Decide on late meal of

fish kedgeree, W.P., R.R., T.S., D.J & self to

cook. Flat out when I.J.A intervene.

Contravening Regs. Action by cook, pacified

at work. Stalemate. Very funny news

today. No supper, but cooks have coffee
7 AUGUST (1945 Tuesday)-Rebecca's birthday.

and another milestone passed. Wet morn.

to tenko. A chap ended early, but repair with

pain in chest. Wood party, I stack & cut a bit.

"Thinking Only darling love of thee". A.R. 1500.

Chatting R.Ewer, W.P.: F. Andrews back from

Camp. K & F tea- Belachan rissoles, Tapi, Sour greens

8 AUG (Wed.)- Strafing by 2 eng. pl. 1100. several

(4) about 1700- 4 sing. fighters over & around.

Beautiful day. 2/10 Light mess on stage.

G. Sol. & A. Laxton mess with us. Optamism

rebounded & why not. Inconvenience of saw

not available in evening. Undisturbed night.

Tea- Plain rice, sav. pasty, greens, coffee.

9 AUG. (Thur.)- Still superintend wood. [[?]]

1100- at least 4 2 eng pla. AAND, LANO, NALO

and what a sight. We are behind the times.

Canteen issue dry fish (about 1oz.). Pipe from

R. Harlett. Ted Boucolon's heartiful pipes. Water

short. No tong. Rain gives us supper tea.

to saw again gives me trouble. J.F. has&

pains & sees L. King. Hosp. tomorrow. 
 

10 AUG. (Fri)- W.P. birthday. Small wood

chop before b'fast. J.F. goes to hosp. Give

him slacks & pullover. Forgetting A.R's. so

many alarms. 2 in morn. 1215- twin eng. job.

1700- 6 sing. eng. job. W.P. & I miss quietly.

Sugar & peanuts pounded getting lacing.

11 AUG. (Sat)- Wood party. Very good job.

Sawing party at midday. Interceppted by

1 4 eng. passing. Good chatty tea session

after party. Remember morn. tea at Grannnie's.

Peanuts in again. $750 peanuts count to 446.

W.P. has good luck with shirt & c. Mess with

G. Baker & A.J. McM. R. Hawlett has "turn" after

lights out. Candle useful.

12 AUG. (Sun)- Bed. Corn porridge, then roast

peanuts. 1100- alarm only for ¼ hr. C.O.

barges in at finish. K.G. Lunch-only stew,

greens (poor) sleepy afternoon, McM & Baker

mess with me. Peanut wasi, beans, sav.

greens, brinjal in pastry, coffee. ½ coffee

back up. Concert- "Round the world" V.G.

Tea, chat then to bed. R.H.W(Red +), C.O, Capt

Johnston here with Col. Sugar. Food ship sunk.

13 AUG. (Mon.)- Chop wood. Alarm for nothing

1145 hrs. Shorts (last ball R.A.A.) & shirt over. M.B.

Detailed for pig kill tomorrow. Last four days,

very small root veg. ration. M.G. Notice.

lighter meals, burnt peanuts, sugar help.

1500- another alarm only. Peanuts soap issue.

Malaria in camp on increase. J.F. not so G.

14 AUG (Tues.)- Wet morn. Sharpen knives.

Pig arrives 1130. 56 k job by W.P., Wm Hins &

self. 1400- A.R. 1 pl. 1500- 4 [[?]] eng. to 'drome.

Lunch 1600. Baked Jap's dumpling, artichoke sauce,

greens. Issue 4 cakes Umbrella soap, more in

reserve. Present ration 60 k. peanuts.

Pork & peanut nasi, greens, baked [[chiken?]] mains.

Spoilt by undercooking. Poor use materials.

4 AUG (Sat.)- Chop wood. Clean up pde.

20 K belachan in. A.R. passing pl. 1200.

1545- 1 pl. over short period. Recieve $12.

worth p'nuts (26/8 per lb.) 12/13 k. Belachan

small lot $1.50, Extra issue 45 k sugar,

45 k salt, sago flour, 9 k coffee, curry for

Aug 15. Shell 1 bottle peanuts. ABG's birthday.

Sleep right thru' night.

5 AUG. (Sun.)- General service. C.O's b'day.

Corn porridge; pick beans, extra sugar

issued, wandering: lunch- piece boiled tapi,

belachan sauce, baked brinjal, greens; A.R.

1230 hrs. Chop & crush peanuts, afternoon

tea. Shower & clean up. Tea- peanut

nasi, green beans, greens, bun, coffee.

J. Rowell to mess. A.R. 1430 hrs. Sing song

2000. Crushed peanuts & sugar very nice.

C.O makes few remarks. Open packet Camels.

6 AUG. (Mon.) Wood party cancelled. G.N.S.Car

to hosp. in afternoon. Organises 8 men. [[?]]

flying everywhere. A.R's 1030, 1230, 1430. small

2 eng. med. seen. Medical Board. H.D.

Afternoon at burner roasting peanuts. [[Bake?]]

peanut & sugar delightful. Pain in right chest.

C.O. reiterates his last learnings remarks o

tenko.

27th [[Aug?]]. (Fri.)- C.Y dies very soon after Tenko.

(C. 0730 hrs.) Rather busy day. Pde for C.Y.

Funeral party 1645 hrs. - 20 Offs. sufficient,

but no hitches. News from Col. Suga- Hitler

killed in action: J Curten. (RM) died 10

days ago, Wm Ford P.M: Request for

protein: (C.Y- Exhaustion due malnutrition)

Kushing cut off. K. cantee belachan yest.

Obtain 1 colgate tube ∧[[?]] $7.50. Shorts T.U ones.

L.J. Browes (+ rat trap) up for $220. Hand to

raise on raffle. Knocked. Two more

scabbies in hut change. A.R. alarms &

distant droning only. J.F. v. ill. (lungs)

C.O's very inept remarks. & Psych. situation.

28 Jl (Sat.)- Raining. Chop wood with R.McM.

A.R. alarm 1 pl. 1130 hrs. Hot & cold.

Transplant chilli seedlings after tea. VR & KM

in white shirts. W.P- H[[?]] birthday.

29 Jl (Sun)- No service. Bed. B'fast- (Corn porridge)

1030- 1 pl. over, then pick chillis; measurements

taken, lunch (Tapi chunks, greens, sav. sauce)

siesta, raffle Browns articles; Tea- (whitebait

Tapi, boiled rice  Peanut nasi, sav. veg, greens, belachan

bun). Sing song, Cup tea & chat on pde

ground. Bed.

30 Jl. (Mon.)- Raining. Wood party off till Tues. No A.R. Camp benefit

from rest. Want next end the rations. Sudden wood party 1430 hrs.

Stack & chop. R. Rich. back as Hut Comdt. Garden suffering

from unavoidable lack of attention, but still very good.

Transplant chillis to camp bed. Much black belachan in late.

31 Jl. (Tues.)- Quiet day. 1145 hrs. A.R.- nothing happens, 1200 hrs-

aother with heavy noises. Camp protein finish tonight, when more?

Rice party late, 1900. (1727 k.- filled from floor spillings (correct weight. 1590 k.

Teeth checked. O.K. Advised gold filling upper, peridontal specialist.

AUGUST 1. 1945. (Wednesday.)- Col. Walch resumes C.O.

I attend conf. Three alarms two unanswered. 1030. 1200.

1530- 1 twin eng. light over. Dry rations. Rubber cup sugar

$15. R. Ewin to mess. Very interesting evening outside

listening. Canteen. 10 k dry whitebait $20., 7 k belachan $25.

2 pkts biscuits each. Spirits high.

2 AUG. (Thur.)- Drizzling. Very quiet day. No A.R. Knock back

belach at $60. Boiled water in use. Thoughts back to

recipes, house plans, business & c. Feeling bit tired, can't

settle down or read. First rest. Weigh on Kate stick 88 k.

8 st 5 lb Most of camp at bedrock. Cold night.

3 AUG. (Fri)- Wet & cold again. Morn on back. 1130- AR.

as 1 pl. passes. Luncheon fiasco of finance with peanuts

($16 p.k.) and belachan ($25.) orders. Raise $52.03.

Order $40 belach; $12 peanuts. Peanuts in 2200 k @ $13. p.k.

J.F. coughing badly of night. Maj. Campbell interviews Col.

Suga. Europe finished in turmoil. Churchill out. Atlee in.

[[?]] & Labuan taken by [[Ausns]]. Kuching cut off.