Papers relating to the service of Cyril John Watson, 1941-1945 - Part 4

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
  • Prisoner of War
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
AWM2020.22.206
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

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124
ro TELEORAM. O.HMS OHONOORAM cnvur RPOSTAORAN. O Lieut. C. J. WaSsm ta 1Ant Tank Cra Cayy Den ty Pany thank for my case which ared a few day Tat inturine your lette wke yedely nearly one mank old Starty has endently hear haying on them an spite of the fast that My Suk bel paken to him in the meatine about half a rou times, and also a tust had been to hew ea eay few days frieed a nite from Hall with your liter Johns, Stating he was endomy the slipp u bt agoing along pety will the ea a diad uto 2 speeds, and i wrk actt days which is very satisfactory te ppena in of wt to do and i ig nan as so as the get is finished. His must ma sitipity from pe a A MA C
TELEORAM OaL IPHONOGRAM. romenn IPOSTAORAN. F O Lent CJ. Watom C Co The wes fg. Hutenh by an pt at the Lord Works Statly also said in his note that he foyt to cilled the money from Maran, so I espe fean His it gonge ted bathe sat hepp the put world, and I managed to get /10 prom her on y/c so things could be mudh wse Would you let me fum just what ga you were able to some bould likt to have tolis shds if you could got it out to me. I wish you could get out here youalf Iespent things an rat & t you do wt my relen I would bo ip to you to sut your gear into in was me, hay into it put of not puly I would be hete here as I dont kik ae will get Bact 4 B hag from her Was onry to yuar ap tht leddon but fat to the unpe hea force was on
AEICORAM O.H.M.S PHONOGRAM. remwn PPOSTAORAN. FOn Sent & ye Walton b lid you conoy Spex ++ Cloghd I os pal ause has rsied his restuatio of now reter it wight be. The By hes cntely see haken up, but I hape tut you it ean many to stay together I you in as pung the sfe lip and says that that are a few badie witl call in the tuber about oyss fo t And te cald not idutify them but pobibly tangy H. Hely on Aoe a t ef apy We and meet every i4 days. We are rally being treated very well The inqual n I vey ating with reciived order sht witice and we had sey what wak He have been very until the new paity aman stanke is uaidt Over
a gent 4 years To the in paily is a y in Augica He was on fegsn and holdy not wns called yp in fanfee accet He geate beglisd very will with a r the Frithday m A fe weis ago os you have o of the su affices wnt to the damer Duning the evening one of them was a spud to i prov the effet that we are not regarded & af Suggne which they saik our after capital but as we are soldiers, mut b t under more shill superviners than other enlians Ihe fir ill epe at necany friendly guendes and helpe is sory my other fa good talk dwish wn could get myself wd more homesish w taw in the old Yaeacie days Hape you are quite well. Im 207 Yony tanks what you have sone for me out there. Ior kind regards H fore Bob lea, also pouty Doc Rogus if you should bee then femenber me to engtody an thee. Hope to see Ut then good tut t B. Reeben in to let in you nt
FICORAN 0. 4.N.8. PHONOORAM POSTAORAN J pren &r Den Gye y the at gg tt t Senfol in th RR a the hoe that sue back to bhange and he able to dliver it t you inte tey sete And thish Ro jet eath of ilay kiags about soo worth of the Lrd Bk thater in gute got be hee wate land in and hepe to have electico light vey sn. There is also a canteers here where we can by ped for to cets a sall beaf, natie poet st mk matches huned pup pecnioually) and cafer the pitiately pin an high and we ay bo Lng to as wuch money as you can is it will old came in he veluall of y a enky 4 Cupeit I an d fa Hhe Aun Benge htte 262 rae Nay
ttes very solid. Ou plyes to lape the t and buld b memonal an t and a road u to it We ae working hs shifp t the mew few op other $1400 1900 and the fie hen wt is very siled Penille is at oxt Rectfast op Tou 9432 pet fro got at 1520 and he in uidday weal. Then oning saity restofor the day ty ou of a p at 194 Up to late we have get on will with Jagauese offiiies and oilderw, in spite of a few natty yus ut of them of an very desent and will share anything they have wil a haw the bill we have a mawilous vew of tly the the nath asto Nth s into the sime of 70 ont itue the seen pth Jo btii badly knacked about thee seen nothing of Lay dundes or howere wi I cauld see and tp one my so Would you send me my ruther seidals if an intuity occus hye enything is ging will at sharg and you a a. I have been a bitof colou the let finday Signds from
sfeet Li petes 12 Serr (led to my writk, Packing ready to move What a mess. All to brondiar 15 see menage home, when inshed away at 1105. Give Fild lard parked on Tuicks, & into Kusher bup of sea, busnit. But an (M Kinden Swaker) Strolt dower to boat Sub charee 5C468 U.S. S Navy give wo great Lime Hambergers, sherse, coffer hore havesack by Pirt t Bane Board 855 Killoughby Cafeteria men in evening supper. Bed Issue unductathes; soilet requirited see purture The Heaverly Body 4th Powell & Bedy Lemart Sie Rdday at work. Kips whecting gear out of Kuching 55 Nanghnellan hoap Rship abluding supt sure (a) ✓ Catalina
Serr (Thus) Reveille 8650 Bfact dath in dispensaty. See give resent no tuch. Ave But ORs on board To sleep on deck Keigh 144 t Gued 28M bellent squip, sadie, land speaker septent Chatters with the gues Very good to ds. Interesting sicr about 18 inthe servicof tery young Beals restricted which is good thing Mort fellows still sightly on of contibl. Squall after evening chow. Baker 46 on the Job again Leave R Paint 1800 while having chon Sir erotar boats accompany us Rmnr Way Memoris pR 36/174

Japanese writing - see original document 

  

(Sideways)

Making Agric Journals.

Science of Life.

Science lends a hand in the Garden.
Grow them Indoors.

Soilless Growth.
Miracles by the millions.

Vegetable gardening in Malaya.

Water - washing under tap. 1000-1100 out [[xcept?]]
Filling water bottles only. Must use containers,

not use running tap. [[xcept?]]

Tea - 14 (39) 2/3 pint. Authorised list only

Capt Young - has pers. effects, kit bags

Requests as previously display 1345-1500.

Falling in of parties. partic. small ones.

No. 2 but Bed by 2000. No noise.

$24.53

 

Fouling drains - Repair (23.7.45)

Garland - naval almost P.P - Imp

Hut boil Wed AND St imp. 

                                               

Water Rescue

2300 - 0700. 1000 - 1200                 ? Washing clothes

1700 - 1900. Make once peice         Ref Kitchen - 3 - Song.

Now workers Morn Workers - beer.  Free & hands - use vessel 

Small [[?]]    

[[????]]                                     

Limit ½ gall. 6 [[??]]   

Right hand side
1 riding whip

1 pr attach brace

1 pr clip on epaulettes

1. Sulo Leg Care

2. Trousers K.D.

3. Shorts K.D.

4. Razors Made

5. Shorts. blue

6. Shirt. blue green

7. Tin. tooth powder

8. 2/3" shaving soap

                                     

Upside down
P'master Conf.U Deferred pay to be paid to us. 

Sand $10,000 $19.50, $17,000 Ant. Red + (10) to Hosp.
Kach $200,594.

Prop. Dovision among all camps. Off camps meet Bills

Edwards. P.W.D. Busring Point. Rep each camp to Suga

Siered

Musting Cant. Camp. O.M's ate each day.

G'tee pamyment in own currency when available.

Job. Tea today. Pork tomorrow. 
Clothes, more available.

Toilet requested tomorrow

Clothing returen Footwear size.

 

 

TO 

Lieut. C. J. Watson.                           

Anti Tank.

Changi. Camp.

FROM
[[C?]]

Dear Cyril

Many thanks for my case which arrived a

few days ago.

I did not receive your letter until yesterday.

nearly one month old. Stabby has evidently been

hanging on to them in spite of the fact that Major

Quick had spoken to him in the meantime

about half a dozen times, and also a truck

had been to their camp every few days.

Received a note from Stabby with your

letter & John's, stating he was enclosing the slippers

but they did not arrive.

[[Work?]] is going along pretty well. The camp

is divided into 2 squads, and we work alternate

days which is very satisfactory. The Japanese now give    
us a certain amount of work to do, and we can go

as soon as the job is finished. It is much more
satisfactory from our point of view and

also from theirs

 

TO 

Lieut. C.J. Watson (2)
FROM
[[C?]]               

I have seen Rudolph - Mackisack they are on a

job at the Ford Works.

Stabby also said in his note that he forgot to

collect the money from Machain, so I expect I can

kiss it goodbye. Andrew's brother sent him $30 from

the [[next?]] World, and I managed to get $10 from

him on a/c, so things could be much worse.

Would you let me know what gear of mine

you were able to secure. Would like to have Nola's

photo if you could get it out to me. I wish you

could get out here yourself. I expect things are rather

dead out there now.

Please yourself what you do with my valise. If.

it would be right to you to put your gear into in

the event of a move, hang onto it, but if not, perhaps

it would be better here as. I dont think we will get

back to Changi from here.

Was sorry to hear about Bob Siddon, but glad to

hear Ronie was on the improve.    

 

TO 

Lieut. C.J. Watson (3)                                            

FROM
[[C?]]

Did you receive any of your own gear. I hope you got

Pat's photo.

I suppose John Vance has reached his destination

by now, wherever it might be. The Bty has certainly

been broken up, but I hope that you &I can manage

to stay together.

Sgt Morrison was on Jurong. Rd a few days

ago, and says that there are a few bodies covered.

with earth in the trenches. about 10 yds from your

[[Unit.?]] He could not identify them but probably Tangey &

Sgt. Nealy are there.

We have been getting quite a few vegetables lately

and meat every 3 or 4 days. We are really being

treated very well.

The original Japanese engineers we were

working with, received orders to move at very.

short notice, and we had 11 days without work

until the new. party arrived. We have been very.

fortunate as regards. Jap officers etc.

(over).

 

(4)

In the new party is an officer who has spent 12 years.

in America. He was in Japan on holiday and was called up.

He speaks English very well with a real. Yankee accent.

A few weeks ago on the emperor's birthday, some

of the senior officers went to the Japanese officers house for

dinner. During the evening one of them made a speech to

the effect that we are not regarded as prisoners, but

as part of Singapore which they took over after capitulation,

but as we are soldiers, must be kept under more strict

supervision than other civilians.

I have found all officers & unit soldiers very

friendly, generous and helpful in every way.

I wish we could get together for a good talk. I.

find myself much more homesick now than in the old

Malacca days.

Hope you are quite well. I am 100%. Many thanks.

for what you have done for me out there.

Kind regards to Ronie Bob Seddon, also Marty &

Doc Rogers if you should see them.

Remember me to everybody out there. Hope to see

you soon.

Until then - good luck.

[[C?]].

P.S. Remember me to Pat in your next letter. 

 

FROM

21 Apr '42

Dear Cyril,

I am writing this and giving it to Sgt

Stanford in the R.A.P. in the hope that someone

may go back to Changi and be able to

deliver it to you

We are quartered in a long row of shops

on Bukit Timah Rd just north of rlwy Bridge

about 500y north of the Ford Works. Quarters are

quite good. We have water laid on and hope

to have electric light very soon. There is also a

canteen here where we can buy bread for

10 cents a small loaf, native biscuits & sweet

meats, matches, tinned pineapple (occasionally)

and coffee. Unfortunately prices are high and money

is running very low. I suggest you hang on

to as much money as you can, as it will

be valuable if you should come in on

a working party.

English & I are sharing a room with Andrew.

Blow Berry Sutton & Payne all of [[2/10?]] and  are very happy

(over) 

 

Work is very solid. Our job is to take the top off BT TIMAH
and build a memorial on top and a road up to it.
We are working two shifts ½ the men from 0900 -1400
other ½ 1400 - 1900, and the five hours spell work
is very solid.
Revielle is at 0715. Breakfast 0750

Move off at x0830 Return from job at 1430 and have

our midday meal. Then morning party rests for the day.

Afternoon party. Lunch 1230 move off at 1330. Return at 1930

Up to date we have got on well with Japanese officers

and soldiers, in spite of a few nasty types. Most of them

of are very decent and will share anything they have

with us.

From the hill we have a marvellous view of

practically the whole of the island and other islands to the 

south. We also look down onto the scene of your

"Waterloo". Have seen [[/6?]] on the job the but it is badly

knocked about.

Have seen nothing of Gray. Schneider or Brownie. Wish

I could see Brownie and take over my $10.

Would you send me my rubber sandals if an

opportunity occurs.

Hope everything is going well at Changi and you

and everybody else are OK. I have been & bit off colour

the last few days.

Regards from

[C?]]

[*Australian
War Memorial
PR86/174*]

 

12 SEPT (Wed.) - B'fast Rice, pears

½ tin milk, Packing ready to move.

What a mess. Are to broadcast

15 sec. message home, when rushed

away at 1100. Give Field Card,

packed our trucks, & into Kuching

Cup of tea, biscuits. Meet [[Andrew?]]

(McLeiden B'water.) Stroll down

to boat. Sub chaser SC468.

U.S.S Navy give us great time

Hamburgers, cheese, coffee.

Lose haversack by Visit US Baines.

Board U.SS Willoughby. Cafeteria

mess in evening. Supper. Bed.

Issue underclothes, toilet requisites.

See picture. "The Heavenly Body"

Wlm Powell & Hedy Lemarr. See Radar

at work. Nips wheeling gear out

of Kuching. "S.S. Wanganella" - hosp.

ship standing by Some (10) off by

Catalina. 

 

13 SEPT. (Thurs.) - Reveille 0630.
B'fast. Talk in dispensary. See
engine room. 1100 - lunch. More
Brit O.R's on board. To sleep on deck.
Weigh 144 lb. Gained 28 lb.
Excellent equip, radio, loud speaker
system. Chatting with the guys
Very good to us. Interesting.
Seen about 18 mths. service. Very
young. Meals restricted which
is good thing. Most fellows still
slightly "out of control". Squall
after evening "chow."
Baker G.C. on the job again
Leave Po Point 1800 while having chow.
Six motor boats accompany us.
[*Australian
War Memorial
PR 86/174*] 

 

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