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

Japanese writing - see original document
 

 

S. 575d.

D. 288A.

(Revised-January, 1931)

Strike out as necessary

TELEGRAM.

PHONOGRAM.

POSTGRAM.
 
O.H.M.S.
Admiralty.

No.

Office Stamp or Date.

Office of Origin and

Service instructions

Indication of

Priority............................

Code................................

No. of Groups or

Words in Text................

Signature and Rank of Officer authorising and

Originator's Special Instructions
TO

Lieut. C. J. Watson.

Anti Tank.

Changi Camp

FROM

[[?]]

Dear Cyril

Many thanks for my case which arrived a

few days ago.

Y did not receive your letter until yesterday

nearly one month old. [[Stabby?]] has evidently been

hanging on to these in spite of the fat 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.

[[W?]] 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

also from their

 

Time of Origin

Time of Receipt/Despatch

OPERATORS' NAMES (PHONOGRAMS ONLY)

Sender   Reader
 

S. 575d.

D. 288a.

(Revised-January, 1931.)

Strike of Origin and Service Instruction

TELEGRAM.

PHONEGRAM.

POSTGRAM.

O.H.M.S

ADMIRALTY

No.

Office Stamp or Date

Office of Origin and

Service Instruction

Indication of

Priority.............................

Code.................................

No. of Group or

Words in Text..............

Signature and Rank of Officer authorising and

Originator's Special Instructions.

TO

Lieut. C.J. Watson (2)

FROM

[[?]]

I have seen Rudolph - [[Maskisack?]] they are on a

job at the Ford Works.

[[Stabby?]] also said in his note that he forgot to

collect money from [[Machian?]], so I expect Jean

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 [[?]].

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 [[Rorie?]] was on the improve

 

Time of Origin

Time of Receipt/Despatch

OPERATOR'S NAMES (PHONOGRAM ONLY)

Sender    Reader
 

S. 575d.

D. 288a

(Revised-January.1931)

Strike out as necessary

TELEGRAM.

PHONOGRAM.

POSTGRAM.

O.H.M.S.

ADMIRALTY

No 

Office Stamp or Date

Office of Origin and

Service Instructions

Indication of 

Priority...................

Code.......................................................

No. of Groups 

or Words in Text........................

Signature and Rank of Office authorising and

Originator's Special Instructions

TO

Lieut. C. IJ. Watson

FROM

[[?]]

Did you receive any of your 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 I can manage

to stay together.

Sgt [[Morrison?]] was on [[Juong?]] Rd a few days

ago and says that there are a few bodies covered

with earth in the trenches, about 10 yds from your

[[?]] He could not identify them but probably [[Tangny?]] 

& Sgt [[Kealy?]] 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.

 

Time of Origin

Time of Receipt/Despatch

(over)

OPERATOR'S NAMES (PHONOGRAMS ONLY)

Sender    Reader

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 offices 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 red

Malacca days.

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

for what you have done for me out there.

Kind regards to [[Rorrie?]] Bob [[Seddon?]], also [[Marty?]] &

Doc Rogers if you should see them.

Remember we to everybody out there. Hope to see

you soon.

Until then - good luck

[[C?]]

P.S. Remember me to Pat your next [[letter?]] 

S. 575d.

D. 288a

(Revised-January,1931.)

Strike out

as

necessary

TELEGRAM

PHONOGRAM

POSTAGRAM

O.H.M.S

ADMIRALTY

No

Office Stamp or Date

Office of Origin and

Service Instructions

Indication of

Priority .........................................

Code..............................................

No. of Group or

Words in Text..............................

Signature and Rank of Officer authorising and

Originator's Special Instructions.

To

 

FROM

21 [[?]] '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 stops

on [[B?][ [[T?]] Rd just north of [[?]] Bridge

about 500 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 our

a working party.

English I am sharing a room with Andrew.

Blow Benny Sutton & Payne all of [[who?]] and  are very happy

Time of Origin

Time of Receipt/Despatch

(over)

OPERATORS' NAMES (PHONOGRAM ONLY)

Sender     Reader
 

Work is very solid. Our is to take the top off [[?]] [[?]]
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 xxx work
is very solid.
Revielle is at 0715. Breakfast 0750

Move off at 0830 Return from job at 1430 and have

our midday meal. Their 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 any thing 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 [[?]] on the job the but it is badly

knocked about.

Have seen nothing of [[?]] [[Islanders?]] or [[Province?]] [[?]]

I could see Brownie and take over my $10.

Would you send we my rubber scandals 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

[[?]]

 

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

½ tin milk, Packing ready to move.

What a mess. All to broadcast

15 sec message home, when rushed

away at 1100. Give Field Card,

packed our trucks, & into [[?]]

cup of tea, biscuits. Meet [[?]]

(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.S.S. Willoughby. Cafeteria

mess in evening. Supper Bed.

Issue underclothes, toilet requisites.

See picture. "The Heavenly Body"

Wlm Power & Hedy Lemarr. See Radar

at work. Nips wheeling gear out

of [[?]]. "S.S Wangarella" - troop

ship standing by Some (10) off by

Catalina. 

13 SEPT (Thurs) - Reveille 0630.
B'fast Talk in dispensary. See
engine room. 1200-lunch. [[?]]
Brit OR's on board. To sleep on deck
Weigh 144lb Gained 28 lb.
Excellent equip, radio, land speaker
system.  Chattering with the guys
Very good to us. Interesting
[[?]] about 18 mths service. Very
young. Meals restricted which
is good thin. Most fellows still
sightly "out of control". Squall
after evening "chow."
Baker 46 on the Job again
Leave Po Paid 1800 while having chow
Six motor boats accompany us
Australian
War Memorial
PR 86/174