Papers relating to the service of Cyril John Watson, 1941-1945 - Part 18
Monday.
June 19. - Received eight letters from
Patricia, and included are six
snaps. Very pleased to receive them.
Wire being extended out, which will give
us considerably more room inside wire.
June 23. - Wet morning, porridge which
K.M thinks is not sweet enough.
J.M holds forth on Keith, as Uncle Arnold.
Glass of Burgundy & slice of toast for
communion. &c. Nothing too big or too much..
June 25 (Sunday) - General service with (Hollis)
Bishop. Chopping wood all morn.
& sawing up logs in afternoon. Very tired.
Concerts begin again, making stage
on central smoking point.
Two rather good stories about the
Sea Captain who answered the telephone
re. 'Is the coast clear"., and the Yanks
unlike us waiting for the Claws.
July 17 - Rations decreased.
July 19. (Wed.) - Scales set up & much
fun in weighing each
other. I weigh 10 st. 13 lb. V.R.12-1
C.Y. 10-8 W.P. 9-3 R.T. 9-5. H.G. 9-2 J.M 8-10.
K.M. 9-12 R.W.S 10-11. Most of us seem to
have lost two stone. J. Millner 12-4. J.F 9-13.
Very little lunch of a day.
July 20. - Eclipse of the sun in afternoon.
Astrological portents at high ebb.
Mars & Jupiter passing thro' Leo.
Some more mail rumored at office.
Dry spell at present & are hard at it
watering garden. Every available inch
is under cultivation.
August 4. (Frid). - Bruce Gollan's birthday.
Shicker & I present him
with buaquet. Having very good luck
at poker of an evening. Trust it is not
"lucky at cards unlucky in love".
Very interesting books coming in.
Aug. 5. - Every one weighing again & have
lost considerable weight. I have
lost half a stone. Now 10 st 7 lb.
K.G.M. 9-6 V.R. 11-11 W.D 9-0 RHG. 8-12.
R.D.T. 9-2 J.C.M 8-4.
Aug. 6. (Sunday) Out on wood party
for beds. Work very
hard, but manage enough timber.
C.Y. & Stan both ill & off tucker.
Aug 7 (Monday) Pat's birthday. Working
hard making bed.
Thinking very much of my wife today.
reflecting how she feels on these
occasions. Rations lighter.
Aug 8. - Bed finished after struggle.
Very good books going thro' hut
these days. Kangkong produces very well
now. Planting tapioca outside our wire.
Canteens very scarce now.
Hands very sore from work. Go very
quickly these days. Sheets all but
finished.Using light ground sheet now
for sheet. Bed very successful, with
greatcoat and clothes over the wire.
Aug 10. W.Peck's birthday.
Aug 15. (Tues.) Parade in morning of all P.W's
and internees outside new
building. Col. Suga gives address.
Second anniversary of the official opening
of camp. Reference to justice and no
cruelty. Holiday. Issue packet cigs. each.
Good holiday to have parade & get out
More mail apparently arrived in the
camp.
Aug 19 (Sat) - I pass out on Tengko.
Apparently have black out
and know nothing of it. Questions
asked re clothing on Tengko.Think I
will start on Jawi script.
Aug 20 (Sun) - Quiet day. Build seed box &
begin soaking chekur manis
cuttings. "Campus Capers" performed in
the evening. Very good show enjoyed by
all. Bowled over 6 ducks, very poor condition.
Another bed pole party out and collect plenty
of timber. Many moving to the "upper strata"
Over 500 cuttings of sweet potato & Tapioca (T-1060)
outside the wire now.
Aug. 22 (Tues) Hauled out of bed early in
the dark hours for Air Raid
exercise & spend the dawn in slit trench.
Plant first lot of Chekur manis cuttings
Finding Jawi fairly easy.
Aug 24. Plant Chabai seeds in small bed.
Aug 27. Concert in evening, sketches by Walker
& Morrison. Put over story of. "Is the coast
clear." "Ice cream gone, sausages and fat calf &c.
Collecting posters sketches &c for Magazine
to be published on concerts &c.
Aug 29. (Tues) In evening, receive two cards
with photos. one from Pat &
one from Mother. Very pleased to get the
photos. Pat admired in smart uniform.
Unsettles one for a while.
Sept. 3 (Sun) Five years since the war
began in Europe. I was lucky
with letters, many are without. Gardens doing
very well with Kangkong. Last month produced
4412 lbs. Last week 1258 lbs.
Sept 6 (Wed) Weighed again today, only 10-4.
All still losing a bit.
V.R 11-7 K.M. 9-5 CY 9-13 R.T 9-1
Had profile sketched yesterday, seems to
be fairly good. Rained most of the day. Dry
spell over by this. Finding days passing
more quickly.
Sept 12. (Tues) Things seem much better.
Sago flour and whitebait in
camp. Few letters (odd) arrive in camp.
Apparent new daily tour by C O: Jawi fairly
good now. Skin trouble still rife.
Nearly everyone in but on bed now.
Issue of lap-laps and paper.
Sept 18 (Mon.) Mail arrives Sat, sailed
Sunday, & we received it
this evening. Record. I receive one with photo.
Many photos received of families, children &c.
Few miss out plus all E force.
Concentration much better these days,
more reading done. Jawi coming along.
Sept 22 (Frid..). Few more letters today.
Writing card home again.
Text :- "Yours, mothers, letters photos joyfully
received. Uniforms bicycle stupendous.
Congratulations Penelopes parents, others.
Acquisition furniture encored. Book Windsor,
Good health. Thinking, loving you all, always."
Sept 26. (Tues.) Segregation of "Scabbies"
takes place. Hut 3 in turmoil.
Only 25 left our end. 34 Scabbies, 5 hospital.
Whitebait often turns up few of evening.
Finished photo frame for snapshot.
Shicker and I begin Plato. Find it very
stimulating, but needs concentration.
Sept 27. - Sum of money arrives for officers.
Represents interest on our compulsory
savings. Lump sum $1400. into mess.
Sept 30. - Segregation of biochis now complete.
Do not use tong&c. Finished photo
frame. Issue of towels, & some measured for
shorts. Enjoying phil.class. Rations lighter again.
Last Sundays concert postponed for rain, tea stopped
Oct 1. (Sun.) Wood party out. Come in with
large snake. Have piece for lunch.
Enjoying Plato & 'The Thoughts of Thoreau.'
Concert not bad. Serial begins. Sketches.
Days much warmer. Very thundery, but little rain.
Oct 4 (Wed) - Weighed again today. 10st 1 lb.
Hell! Doing much reading. Have
again read "England Their England". Also "Thoughts
of Thoreau" "Kitty Foyle" "Midsummer Nights Dream"
"The Admirable Crichton" "Cry Havoc".
Oct 5 (Thurs.) Weighing parade at the hospl.
this afternoon. Roly Wilsons
birthday. My weight 67 Kgm. - 10st 7½ lb.
V.R. 11-9 W.P. 9-4 R.T 9-6 H.G. 9-0 C.Y 10-3 .J.F 10-1.
K.M. 9-10 J.M - 8-9. Most weights bit above
camp weights. Have been doing our own
mess orderly for a week. Most O.R's off duty.
Oct.6. (Fri.) Tophams birthday. (35).
Oct 8. (Sun.) Talked golf & parties most of
morning. I had idea of dinner
party reversed, topsy-turvey; begin with
coffee & cigars, & finish with cocktails.
Porridge with coconut for B'fast. Very good.
Pasty for lunch. Stuffed cucumber & nasi
for tea. Recently served, but light on.
Concert in evening. Jerry puts up good show
as Satan in serial "Gentleman in Hades".
Also Bunny Glovers - "Love on the Double Cross."
which has already had a false start.
Oct 9. Wood party. First time I have been out
for many a day. Find chopping tells
very quickly on the system.
Oct 15 (Sun) One year since we left
Sandakan today. Several
weeks since we had a canteen. I am
mess orderly today & also on wood.
Considerable rain about & thunder storms.
Concert by biochis, "Fundosi Follies".
excellent. Costumes a scream. lap-lap
and Sam Brown. No more additions
to the sooks bay as yet.
Oct 18 (Wed.) Fresh fish came in late, & we
have fish & chips for supper.
Oct 20 (Fri) Col. Suga informs Camp. Reps
at tea party, of J.naval.
victory off Formosa. They are celebrating.
Two more bags mail come in, & news that
Red Cross Ship is coming here. Hope it is true.
Canteen in with 28 temp. whitebait &
tobacco. Few biscuits, but nothing else.
Plenty of rain around, & many heavy
thunderstorms.
Oct 21. (Sat.) Finish my 4 days mess ord.
today. Raining again. More O.R's
into confinement. makes more work for us.
Oct 22 (Sun.) Another play in evening -
"They also serve" by F. Gavin.
Raining most of the day.
Oct 24 (Tues) J Flett's birthday. New
latrine goes up in quick time
with good weather. Wood party in
afternoon. Pig manure party in evening,
see pig pens. All very tired.
Oct 25. Wet day, very early b/fast of
porridge, everyone stays in bed
all day. Doover back up plus half
from Tappy gives me "full" evening.
Few more letters in. Into a few
good books, too many to get through.
Sleeman back from hospital. Story of
Tootser & birthday present (W.C.)
Oct 27. (Frid.) J. Morrisons birthday.
28. (Sat). Tore sheets up today or rather
they fell apart. A.R.P. exercise in afternoon,
rained all evening.
Oct 29. (Sun.) A.R.P alarm in morn. Stay in
bed till late. Fire practise.
Concert of short sketches.
Oct 31. - Mothers birthday, very quiet day.
Nov. 2. (Thurs.) - Memorial service at cemetery.
15 go from this camp. Have news
of big naval stauch, our [[lances?]] seem heavy.
Rained all morning, so spent all day on back.
Temp. shows 75oF., but we are all freezing.
Can't get feet warm & joints are stiff as
axxx paper.
Nov. 4 (Sat.) Weighed again today. 66 Kgm.
Down 1 Kgm. Nearly all down.
C.J.W. 10-5½ V.R. 11-7 C.Y. 10-1 R.T 9-6 RHG 8-13.
W.P 9-1 K.M. 9-8 J.M. 8-5.
Emporers birthday yesterday, & we are issued
with few bananas and cake of toilet
soap.
Nov 5 (Sun.) Usually better day than others
as we try to make it worth
while. Concert in evening. Shakespeare -
Midsummer Nights Dream & MacBeth
portrayed. Also serial "The Hot Spot."
Nov. 6 (Mon) Teeth examined. Dirty, but O.K.
Nov. 7 (Tues.) Usually wet in afternoon.
Evenings spent inside become long
& tiresome. Best thing to go to bed.
Finding great enjoyment in Plato, & new
line of thinking. Introspection gives vast
scope for enjoyment. The present holds
very little here: life in retrospect, I like,
more real than future, though future
speculation keeps one going, the emotions
from such are almost too exquisite. In
retrospect it is amusing & delightful to point
out what little incidents are clearely
retained & what has been forgotten.
Nov. 10. (FRI.) Mail in for E. force. Few
letters for "B." force. Dry winter
& grasshoppers in N.S.W.
Nov. 11. (Sat.) Armistice Day. 1000 days of P.W life.
Vol. pde at 1100 hrs. Begin reading
Hegel - "Hist. of Philosophy".
Nov. 12. Rev. Henthorpe visits camp for service.
Wood Party & away early & get in good
lot. Crash back-up of nasi. Good concert -
Sketches by W.P and R.W.S. "Cox & Box" by
Spiers & Phillips. Put a decent cut in
leg with saw.
Nov. 14 (TUES.) Big load of coconuts in. Maj. Jerry
A. came to our "joint" for evening
mess, which is interrupted by sand party.
Nov 15. (WED.) Col. Suga calls C.O for conference
in evening, and gives him news of
Americans fighting in Phillipines. Roosevelt
re elected. Germans have rocket gun which
will range to the American coast.
Nov. 19. (Sun.) Very quiet loaf all day. Excellent
show in evening - "Murder Manor"
by G Forbes. Beautiful evening with sun
setting behind the stage, and the moon and
Venus high and bright in the West.
Nov. 21. Vern & I measure up. Bag peanuts $4. pk.
and 50 eggs (65c) in canteen.
Nov 24 (Fri.) C Youngs birthday. Lazaret
gradually filling. Twenty of us left in
clean skin area now. How long will we last.
Nov 26. (Sun) On crosscut saw all morning.
Usually more satisfying day.
Biochis concert. Almost sunburnt from
yesterday in sun, finishing garden.
Banana skins at a premium.
Dec. 2 (Sat) Mrs R Tophams birthday. Received
card from Mother dated Apl. 16th.
Heavy wind storm hits us just before tea.
Breaks flag. pole. We decide to hold formal
mess in our arbor for Regt officers.
My bed pole broke yesterday. Nearly on floor.
DEC. 3 (Sun.) Communion with Rev. Henthorp.
Grim days. (3) behind with rations.
Hold Regtl dinner in evening. Were to hold
it outside, but storm comes up & extempore
arrangements inside prove very satisfactory.
Fourteen members, Majs. Fleming C.O, Blanksby
(PRES). Owen, Capt Waddle, Padre O'Donovan, Lieuts.
Flett, Rae, Peck, Pascoe-Pearce, Madin (V.P.) Robin,
Durrant, Barros, and self. Toasted the King, Regt
and Absent and Fallen. Coffee and doover for
supper. Major Banksby's play "Suka Chita"
presented. Music written by him. I pass
vote of thanks at finis. Very pleasant evening.
Almost forgotten.. Canteen in - 2 pkts rice, ½ gula
toffee, 3 twists, 1½ cakes (17c job.) Tobacco.
DEC. 5: Enjoying reading again, small off-period.
Too much, concentration on future.
Weighed again today. Authenticity doubtful.
I am still 66 Kgm. 10-5½. V.R. 11-9 W.P. 9-2.
K.M 9-8 R.T 9-6 H.G. 9-2 C.Y - 10-1 J.M 8-11
Enjoyed "Hangman's House" Golden Treasury.
Days of banana skins, Tapi & lime leaves.
DEC. 7 (Thurs.) Fathers birthday. Days draw on,
very tired and lethargic. I.J.A call
for return of nominal roll "for transmission
to Tokyo & Aust." Also message sent to
Gov-. Gen. - Season greetings humbly sent by P.W
Borneo. My idea for party - buffet dinner
(or supper) with promises (humorous, if poss.)
on food &c. Recipes by Rargins Ltd. (Telc.)
Great discussion on wines, last night, with
Maj. Johnson. All intend to get into same.
DEC.8. (Fri) Third anniversary of war of G.E.A.
Ceremony but no celebration. Tapioca.
for month made up in rice & sago flour.
Cut on leg better without any trouble. Now
have cyst on side of head, been there for
about six weeks. Amusing evening, concocting
"Uncle Arnold party". Everything giant size.
Lobster on loaf of bread for hors. d'ouvre.
With camouflage, well used, could have much fun.
C. Owen to hosp. Rather off, for some time.
DEC. 9 (Sat.) Awake early, with beautiful air
redolent with orchids. Many our best
show of blooms we have had. News of
picture show tomorrow night. Issue
of crockery, earthenware bowls and spoons,
rubber cups. 1 large, 1 med. bowl, 1 r. cup &
1 spoon per person. Garden produce again
reaching good standard. Just as well!
Brinjals are best yet.
DEC.10 (Sun.) Saw wood before b/fast. Rains
before midday. Spend rest of day
pleasantly reading in bed.. How cold one
can get here, though on the Equator. Picture
show in evening. I.J.A in Southern Pacific,
Manchukuo, launching of ship, Independence
of Java, using power & dogs in snow country.
Main film, pastoral symphony on theme
of "Poor Blind Nell," Lt. Nokara & Col. Suga
give addresses as prologue. Everyone in good
spirits and happy. We are easy to please.
Defective eye sights are put in front of screen.
Great array of chain accompany A.I.F. party.
Phantasy of young matron & son in light.
DEC.11 Wood party of all available after
B/fast. 68/170. Proceed about 1 mile
from camp to carry in rubber. Everyone
seem to rub up blisters &c. Do 3 trips for
14 days wood. First time I have been so
far from wire, since I arrived.
Very quiet camp for remainder of day, as
most people are knocked out. The legs felt
the strain; greatest use of them for years
Cut in tea, oil and salt ration.
DEC. 12. (Tues.) Pleasant surprise early in
morning to receive letter & photo from
Pat (dated 3 Jan 44). Only handful of letters
arrive. Everyone knocked out after work
yesterday. Very quiet afternoon. Books are very
spasmodic, can't find any interest in present lot.
This is certainly a war of attrition here.
DEC.15 (Fri.) Camp searched this morning.
Rain almost every afternoon this week,
but mornings are very nice. Everyone very cold
this evening, I gradually changed from Short &
shirts to singlet, then slacks and jumper.
Though the temp. variation is between 74o -
& 92o F daily. (once down to 72o) we feel the
drop, it reflects our condition. I need a
ground sheet over me every night.
Dec. 16. I.J.A have Q.M conf. for Xmas order.
Order for $5500 put in. Pack $1000 (@
8.50 p.k) fruit, peanuts, eggs (4 @ 1.50 each),
gula melacca, ginger. Poultry (12.50 p.k.) Cnuts.
Cigs, coffee, sugar, to be issued. But after
this, things likely to be very grim. Protein
nearly cut out., & dry rations cut by 50%.
DEC.17 (Sun.) On crosscut all morning. Camp
formal mess for Xmas day wiped.
Now having hut get-together. Terrible inside. As
re poultry orders for Xmas, & expenses by Tich
that none will be allowed in. I feel an
ineffable current of animosity. No argument or
reason can be compatible with the situation.
Very good concert - "Cocktail Vigerette" by
Graham McLeod and two sketches. Started
evening for a change. Funny - Bill Bennett's
A.B.C and XYZ of Psychology.
Funny picture one could portray of the C.O.Belardo
laden with seat and petrol tin going to Sgts.
More - Johnny being ticked off by Winnie when
arriving late for Kangkong picking.
DEC. 19 (Tues.) And my 4th wedding anniversary
here. I wonder what Pat is doing
and thinking now. Have been approaching
my "off-period" for several days now & find
difficulty in concentrating, nor obtaining
full enjoyment from my reading. From today
till after New Year, I shall give my time
to the "festive season". Very pleasant day,
no rain, sun myself in afternoon, Cigarette
issue ($1 p. pkt) afternoon for Xmas. Johnnie gives
nice little speech to wish us "all the best,"
from "the Team". I respond. Begin quietly
singing rounds later, & spend very
pleasant impomptu evening. First time
I remember, for almost year, singing bawdy songs
Have not enough passion in in for it, prefer
gentler, soothing music.
DEC. 21 Thurs.) Wood party outside camp
again. Four trips. Very great strain.
Letter cards here, & I.J.A require certain
sentences included, but we do not agree.
K.M. & I finally called up toTex building.
& fill in cards. Much ado about nothing,
finally. My thoughts Strongly with you
all, 19th & Xmas season. Your cards last
Xmas received. Company congenial. Good
health still. Love you, all families. My
only hope is that this war will be over
soon & we may have a happy reunion."
Spend bad night with back & bladder.
DEC. 22. (Fri) My first visit to sick pde.
Just a strain. Biscuits, (3 pkts)
soya sauce, few biscuits, dried tapi in.
Sugar, salt & cut by ½ to end January.
DEC. 24 (Sun) Stay in bed till b/fast. Feeling
better but right foot (toe & heel) bit
bad. Good humour as food arrives in. 35 fowls
last night. Pork (37 lbs), bananas, papaya, pumpkin,
curry, blatchan, egg, prawns, ginger. Shows
promise for tomorrow. Pack & prawn nasi for
tea. Major Owen shifted [[down?]] to yesterday.
M.Arnell back to No. 1. Begin concert "Dover Road':
and rain unfortunately intervenes. Adjourn
to hut & sing-song, then later outside again.
Extra bun for supper, & crack "pack & prawn N" back up.
Johnnie's story re Bank teller & was now "who should not hoard -"
(-gold)
DEC. 25 (Mon.) Awake very early before
reveille, & struggle commences.
B'fast - porridge, peanut nasi coffee. Bun for tea.
Ration parties & issue cigarettes. Pork (37lb.)
Xmas dinner with 20 of us in end of hut, very
good. Cowdens good introductory speeches.
Chicken stew & rice, pudding (spice, plantain,
peanut) doover & tea, & ending feeling uncomfortable.
W.P off food with tummy turn.
Tea - Chicken nasi, savory greens, sauce, doover
& many stopped early. I manage 3/4. Concert
Variety &c. Warmed nasi for supper. Doover
and coffee. Very funny with people still
trying to get rid of nasi. Batman being
ill & offered pill & glass of water by Doc.
Water! - hasn't got room for pill. Johnnie
(& officrs) crack both back-ups. Wind from
both ends very much to fore all night.
Most people have two or more doovers over.
DEC 26 Quiet day with light usual meals.
Maj. Owen's birthday. Clean up
doovers and massage the spine. Everyone
feeling "intoxicated with food" - hangovers
&c in evidence. During night the
"Tempest" breaks. Queues outside latrines.
Intestinal unrest in camp reaches all
time high. I am up almost all the night.
DEC. 27. (Wed.) Very sick animal today.
Ill very early in morning (together
with another third of the camp) but
gradually improve during the day, and
am almost right by lights out.
DEC 28. Taking things easy all day. Crack
doover back up. Very nice sunny day
but rain very early in evening. Full moon.
DEC 29. (Fri) Almost 100% today. Toe & heel
of right foot nearly better.
More movement in the hut. K.M has
been suspect for several weeks. The lazaret
barrier has now reached the door, and
it appears that our ménage may be
forced into disintegration by the itch.
Rice party in evening - reduction to 2149 lb
for month. A very serious & precarious position.
Decide to change my bed poles and in they
D go quickly in the afternoon. Books change
Very poor lot in.
DEC 30. - Wood party in morning. I help K.M.
change his bed poles. Many taking
food position too seriously. Don't wish for
good N Y day. Sago flour position unchanged
Will have (apparently) final "gastronomic fling"
tomorrow night & N.Y day. Then —?
Very black sky in evening and heavy rainstorm.
DEC. 31 (Sun.) And so the last day of a
rather frustrated & disappointing year.
Though in other respects it has been comparatively
happy despite adventitious circumstances.
Clean up in morning. Yak & corned dugong (?)
issued. Also extra 115 lb rice. Fine day &
continues throughout night. Concert next
door. Toddy Walkers pantomine "Sinbad
the Sailor" proves star turn.
Coffee and round tart for supper, lights go
out at eleven, but we sing "Auld Lang Syne"
and give cheers to see in the New Year".
Good feeling and confidence throughout.
C.O finishes concert with very apt peroration.
Beautiful sunset at beginning of concert,
double rainbow over variegated mauve W. sky
JANUARY 1st. 1945. (Monday.)
A beautiful moonlit
morning with sun coming up & moon
going down together. General service by
Rev Henthorp at 0800 hrs. Fine morning.
Rains late in afternoon & becomes cold. I
do think that people at home would be
surprised to see us in jumpers & tunics.
Good evening nasi & doover, expect last sq
meal for some time. Too wet for concert.
Talk and sit round all evening. Doover with
∩ 1945 stamped on for supper. Very tired, &
so to bed before 2300 hrs. lights out.
JAN. 2. - Begins quietly until Maj.Owen is
relegated to lazaret. Then quick bed
change after lunch. I go up above Vern.
Good position with photos nicely placed
near head. K.M under net with Maj. Owen.
First time I have slept alone since Sandakan.
Prawns come in after tea, most of big ones
have tails missing. We eat the lot, & they are
alright - not bad as many thought.
JAN. 3. - Fixing net &c. Bunny Glover has to
move out. Everyone spending more
time on bed. R.Wilson has evening meal
with us, as it is our visitors night. These
have proved very successfull socially.
JAN. 5. Wood party in morning, only two trips.
Few more vegetables coming in. Dumpling
for lunch a great success. J.Milner on frogs
& snails. Cat stew.
JAN 7 (Sun) Commmunion [[pin?]] C.O. [[en?]].
Unexpected canteen of few
biscuits, cigars &c. "Dover Road", less
the first Act owing to lack of time; goes on.
Made cushion filled with socks for me -
"notwithstanding."
JAN. 8. Order re retiring O.B.D.after Tengko &
firm stand (!?) by C.O. Sit around in the
dark. Feeling cold very much. Presume due
to short rations. Wrapped in jumpers and
blankets early in morn, people sleeping in
slacks & tunics and Temp. at 74o.
General clean up. No chillies, chekur manis.
JAN. 9.(Tues.) Jack Britz birthday. Momentous
afternoon when more rice (371 lb) & sago
flour (278 lb) arrive in. Also pork issue (18lb)
Things look better. Biology on again.
"The Science of Life" by Wells & Huxley in.
Still more changes in hut.
JAN. 10 (Wed.) Verns birthday but Kangkong
before b'fast. More changing & J Morrison
moves to No. 4 hut, our first split. However
it will be all of us soon. First reading of
biology group. Promises to be very good.
Idea of big caravan rally at Perricoota
for long week end discussed and thought
to be very nice idea. Have last full
gathering down end of hut.
JAN. 11. More into sick bay. Three more to
come in. R.T. H.G & J.F to move out
tomorrow as result of medical inspection.
Going to No.2. M.O's from 2 to No. 1.
Great interest being taken in recipes.
Spending 1100-1200 hrs reading Biol. to group.
1430-1530 privately & 1700-1800 in discussion.
JAN. 12. - Move takes place. Only big 4. & C.Y.
left at S of No. 3. Funny to see two
people meet in camp & give salutations by
exposing their complaints to each other
JAN 13. (Sat.) Bob Stanistreets birthday (25).
Wood party in afternoon in rain. We
get orders to change huts on the morrow.
Bunch of bananas taken from tree near trench.
JAN 14 (Sun.) All change to No.2 hut except R.M
and C.Y who at last minute have the "itch".
Move in quite satisfactorilly, bed on floor, not
much room. Concert of request items & general
singing in evening. Doover for supper. Usual
days meals - B'fast - green or banana nasi, or
porridge; Lunch - Bun & greens, or pumpkin tart,
Tea - Blatchans or curry nasi (sometimes pack)
and greens. or Plain rice, savoury greens, atpioca,
piece cucumber. Sweet doover about twice p. wk.
Garden yeilding very little these days. Greens
are picked every second day only. Chillis & chekur
manis bean still on. Some split paper for smokes.
JAN 15. Weighing pde at 0900 hrs. Official weight
has 2 Kgm added to scale reading. I am
now 65 Kgm. 10st.3 lb. V.R. 71, 11-2. K.M. 59. R.T. 59
W.P. 58 H.G. 57. C.Y 63. J.F. 64 J.M. 55. Seems to be
a general decrease of from 1 to 2 Kgm. Interesting
feature - L.J.M.B. is ½ stone more by scales
than ration pt. steelyard.
JAN. 16 (Tues.) Raining every day now & portion
of night. Chekur manis & chilli ban
partially lifted. K.M gets net.
Garden figures for four weeks.
| WEEK ENDING | 22/12 | 29/12 | 5/1 | 12/1 | 19/1 | 26/1 | 2/2 | 9/2 | 16/2 | 23/2 | 2/3 |
| Kang Kong. | 865 | 832 | 675 | 394 | 192 | 501 | 380 | 516 | 279 | 643 | 466 |
| Brunjal | 33 | 53 | 34 | 20 | 17 | 32 | 86 | 47 | 34 | 30 | 14 |
| Potato leaf. | 96 | 33 | 26 | 38 | 30 | 53 | 32 | - | 26 | - | |
| Potato | 95 | 22 | 39 | 7 | 74 | 22 | 55 | - | 21 | 63 | 113 |
| Beans | 30 | 17 | 25 | 8 | 20 | 15 | 22 | 15 | 14 | 27 | 16 |
| Others | 15 | 12 | 22 | 46 | 40 | 18 | 19 | 20 | - | 27 | 9 |
| 1134 | 969 | 821 | 513 | 373 | 644 | 599 | 598 | 374 | 790 | 618 |
JAN.19 (Fri.) Bill's birthday. Wonder how he
has fared these years. Raining every
day. Slept in jumper, coldest night, I feel.
JAN 21 (Sat.) Quiet day. No concert. Idea of
presentation. clocks mooted & agreed upon.
JAN 22. Wood party. Feb. rice in. 2072 lb.
7oz./man/day. Meals. Green death, jelly, plain nasi.
Great interest being taken in housing and
building finance &c. Had watch looked at
and tried to change springs. No good.
JAN. 26 (Frid.) Wood party again. Marty gives
us few hints on State S. Bank schemes.
Wiang again! Wood party cancelled.
JAN. 27. (Sat.) Have had two sunny days.
Cutting down rubber limbs. Plane with
lights over at night. Accurated discussions
re houses &c and now household economy.
Recipes, bottling &c under vigorous debate.
We should know all about it. Gardening also.
JAN. 28 (Sun.) Showery day. Hut boil in morning.
Variety concert in evening. Curious phenomenon
in postless and almost sleepless nights of
many people. I am always languid, but sleep lightly.
JAN. 29. - Wood party in morning. Very heavy.
Having bit if lapse with books these days, except
"The Science of Life". Many good literary books
&c I should like to read, but cannot concentrate.
Talk on Heredity & Genetics in end of hut.
JAN. 30. Another 506 lb. rice in for Feb.
JAN. 31. Hear some think chopping is a
racket and open offer to change made. Rather
funny interlude. Bean stick party on.
FEB. 1 (Thurs.) Another bean stick party. Sago
flour rations very much cut. 458 lb.
(c.f. ult. Jan 28. - G Batsoo. Case of the Boiled egg.
Spends day under close scrutiny.) Pudding
says his frog and snail game is under
surveillance. Has already been on the mat
for chillis out of ban.
FEB. 3 (Sat.) Wood party, very heavy first trip.
Meals noticeably lighter again. Very few vegs.
FEB.4 (Sun.) - Chopping and sawing wood
before b/fast. All apros. Finding it very
hard to concentrate. Discussing "the first meeting."
No concert & no doover. Sleeping lightly. K.M
has broken down on hands & body. Four years
since we sailed from Sydney. How much longer?
FEB. 5 - Hosp. parade of eye defectives. Medical
re-classification of camp begun. My thumb very
sore (& inflamed down arm) from tiny scratch.
Vegetables almost pouring into the camp.
Nearly ½ ton: Toppy & I bridge in C.O's while
Messages (Xmas & New Year) from Red Cross, Aust,
Canada, U.S.A &c. read to Camp Reps.
FEB. 6. (Tues) Bad night with sore thumb.
More vegs. in. Banana, yam, Tapi, cucumber,
squash, papaya. Extra 200lb. 30 Katils, peanuts,
@ $5 p.k. Monty's music taken yesterday,
and is reprimanded. Vern & J.M were with him.
Roly. W. & C.O. interviewed with Col. Suga, and
told very hard to get ships in. "War in Asia
and Europe at climax". Euchang bureau
under G.N.S.G (Maj) established in camp. Swap
double sheet newspaper for cake of soap.
Very nice weather at present, but I am
still cold of a night. Old pyjamas busted.
FEB. 9 (Fri) - Rations of vegs. have been coming in
every day & dissatisfaction is felt at "saving
policy". Meats are tasty, but small, & no doovers.
Have not been able to concentrate on reading
for days. Thinking of reunion, houses, holidays,
hobbies and cookery. Good themes. Discussing
camping & boating, river & canoe. Read "War
Time cookery" (Death) as light fodder. Practical book.
FEB. 10 (Sat.). - Wood party to new area. Long
but ever walking Sight seeing is mentally
exhilarating. Three trips not noticed.
Buy K.D. Tunic $35.00. J.M has mental
aberration, but does not help himself. Maj. C
O. has been same way for some time.
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