Papers relating to the service of Cyril John Watson, 1941-1945 - Part 11

SEPTEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 27th
O.W.P. Civilians working again.
Only 4 trucks on line. Got 1 lb.
sugar 30c Rope for salt 15c. Boongs
sneaking us food now & then. Ted B.
 given [[Allsopps?]].

Monday 28th
O.W.P again.
Evidently boongs stopped bringing
food, Indians start canteen, but
no good. Talk of row between big
shots. Money running out.
Tuesday 29th
Rest today for Keith & I. Vern out.
Boiled nets &c in morn. Slept
in afternoon. Vern arrives back
in truck – Back gave way while
picking. In to bed & rest.
Wednesday 30th
O.W.P. Keith & I on the job. Amazed
at attitude of several officers. No
need to be miserable. [[?]] Happy
very much so with “Turah-rah-
boom-deeay.” Like school kid.
Vern doing alright.
OCTOBER 1942
Thursday 1st
O.W.P. Did good days work. Sgt says
strip ready in two weeks. Gave 
us ‘drome plans.
Friday 2nd
Charge Drome party. Guard used to
be on Wood party.
Saturday 3rd
O.W.P. On my own today. Good day.
Bought Brinjals bananas, salt.
Brit. Internees on Island we can
see. 

OCTOBER 1942
SUNDAY 4th
Communion. Day off
J. Major Suga inspects & gives
adress. Being treated better than pris.
in Allied hands(?) Made Curry
with Fish Brinjal. Beautiful.
Fruit peanuts. Snr. Offrs. dine in
Sand. with J.
Monday 5th
I/C Drome party No. 1 (Basher Saitan i/c)
Good day. Drew plan house. Show.
Offrs. last night evidently had
plenty drink. Shepherd Has great profile
Okahara says stir finished middle night
Tuesday 6th
O.W.P. Good day. Fairly cool & cloudy.
Bought Brinjals, beans & bananas.
Talk of being paid salary, &
segregation of offrs. Hear internees
on P. Bahada being moved.
Steam roller bogged.
Wednesday 7th
O.W.P. Another rather cool day.
Days very easy. Starting late this
roll call. Are left to ourselves.
Pay today. We got 10c for all work.
days, & $1 credit at canteen to be
paid back.
OCTOBER 1942
Thursday 8th
O.W.P. On my own today. Shifted
line over, very easy day. Pay
for Sept. $1.50. No news of salary
Big rush at lunch for market.
Big curry for tea. Good
Friday 9th
Day rest. Boiled mosq. net & bit
of frying. Slept in afternoon.
Tea – fried rice & brinjal, chips, turtle
eggs.
Saturday 10th
I/c Drome party. No. 6. Fair day. 4 lads
get smack on tail in afternoon.
Keith buys plenty Brinjals & beans.
Good tea - fried fish & chips.
Notes
Were enlarged round [[?]]
[[ticas?]] and hospital being
built. 

OCTOBER 1942
Sunday 11th
O.W.P. Good day. Rumors floating
round again. Guards moving us.
Heard ship with Brit. prisoners sunk
Boys sleep out from bugs. Now in
latrines.
Monday 12th
O.W.P.
Only work till 4 pm today.
Guards packing up. Another curry
tiffin, beautiful. Brinjal, bean, fish
Tuesday 13th
O.W.P.
Only work till 12. 3 days holidays
from tomorrow. Something doing
here with Guards. Big tea -
rissole, beans, spinach, potato.
Vern off the rice.
Wednesday 14th
Holiday today. Begin to change
rooms to bunks. Do room in
one day, 8 bunks 2 beds, Henry
moody. "Call me M.H." Heavy
rain in night. Another change
of Guards.
Syndicate financial difficulties
are usually amusing & afford
plenty of enjoyment.
OCTOBER 1942
Thursday 15th
Bunks good. Finishing touches most
of day. News - control of men being
taken over by J. Eventually segregation
Tea - nasi goreng, chips, corn
Friday 16th
Keith & Vern do breakfast. Turtle
egg omlitte & coffee. Wash clothes.
No roll calls for day or so. Stew for
tea, these are excellent.
Buy 1lb tea $1.65.
Saturday 17th
Small working parties again today.
About 150. Nothing to do. Seems
great shortage of guards here.
Why? Another stew for tea. Coffee
before bed. Had haircut & pedicure.
Notes
Guards seem to have left here,
something going on, I think & I hope.
Hoshijima taking control of camp.
Boundy has charge road Building
party. Drome apparently forgotten.
Talk of classes in Japanese.

Change of room to 8 bunks & 2 beds
a great success. Size 18' sq.
OCTOBER 1942
SUNDAY 18TH
Another $1.00 credit at Canteen. No sign
of salary.
Roll call again. Service in morning
Keith takes charge. Work parties
again. Reading. Vern & I make
table. Notice - Sports meeting at
drome on Nov. 3. Consider it all bluff
Monday 19th
Quiet day resting again. F. Andrews
back from hospital. Reading
"The World Crisis". Will probably lose
condition put on while working if
this loafing continues.
Tuesday 20th
Quiet day again. Keith does egg &
chips & coffee for B'fast. Days
becoming very monotonous. First
roll check for several days Maj. Owen
has bad leg in hospital. Vern does
block over sheets being wet.
Wednesday 21st
Boiled sheets and clothes. Seemed
to cook all day - rissoles for lunch.
Keith does hash for tea. Men
boxing tonight. Maj. Owen looks
better. Reading "Marriage Manual"
News - light Cruiser in Sand. harbour
Rumour - Offs & 500 men going to Tokyo
by 29th inst. Also reading - "The Current
of War".
OCTOBER 1942
Thursday 22nd
No work parties today. All men
return from Sand. Say working
in town. J want return of [[?]]
for 6 & 12 mths. Sing song in evening
Spilt hot tea down stomach.
Friday 23rd
Work parties again. 300-400 men.
Great upset to Officers when W.P is
ordered by Force. Capt. Cook hedges & [[?]]
party will not go.

Saturday 24th
Jim Flett's birthday. tea Curry tiffin.
Another O.W.P ordered. Decide to
take action. - Force seems disinterested
O.C. when approached says he is
not interested. - Position ludicrous.
Notes
Protest to Hoshijima thro' Cook. This
situation will have repercussions
No confidence in Force - they interested
in ones [[?]] only. McLean says
"out in 8 weeks" correct. Hope this
right. Something funny has
changed situation.

Men have boxing at night
near big tree.
OCTOBER 1942
Sunday 25th
O.W.P.
Levelling strip. No work to do. Work i/c
Maj Owen. Very few guards. Officer
missing at end of day. Search. Ride
home in truck. 8 Snr Off. to go to
Kuching in 10 days.
Monday 26th
O.W.P.
Couple of guards today. Nearly belted
in tail with rifle. Rain. Finish early.
No water. Rain gives beautiful shower
Lecture - Surgery. Chior practice.
Plane over today.
Tuesday 27th
Rain during night. No work parties.
Snr. Offs. leave, told in morning.
Lt. Cols Walsh, Shepherd, Hay. Wakeman, Fraser,
[[?]], Lawler, Capt Owen, Mr Wilson (Red X.)
Maj. B. presented axe. Syndicate broke.
Quiz in evening & singing.
Wednesday 28th
No work today. Fitted axehead.
Fighter over in morning. Synd.
out of money. Reading most
of day. Roll call after lights
out.
OCTOBER 1942
Thursday 29th
Move parties again. Cadets arrive.
Quiz in afternoon, I did well;
Picture party goes in at night.
Last G. curry until money arrives.
Friday 30th
Young guards take out W. parties.
[[?]] lines saw Jonah & boys.
Vern & I inland build fireplace
but change ideas. Some chaps
[[morning?]] blind. "Sand. [[Ausse?]]" published.
Saturday 31st.
Mothers birthday
I/c drome party. Turfing edge of strip
Plane lands for first time. Very
easy day. Guards never interfered
Concert. Doherty looks very ill.
Notes
One of the nightwalkers. There
are many suffering from malnutrition.
Hope money comes
soon. J news of big losses by A
in naval battle in Sol. Is.
If a man believed all he reads

would get very depressed. If Aust.
knew facts could not maintain
peace & order. - [[?]].
NOVEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 1st
No work.
Communion. Guards mucking
about. G.K for lunch. Reading,
sewing V, haircut. Pony guard
taking over camp. Quiz.
Monday 2nd
No work. pouring with rain. Draw
Titts sweep. Lecture by McLean
on Java. Chopping wood. Start for
'drome in afternoon. Too much water.
Radio Play "3 little pigs" after lights
out. Ticked off. Plane leaves
Tuesday 3rd
Melb. Cup day. Before Flem for play.
Sports at 'drome in morning. Good
prizes. Big cup in afternoon. Very
funny. B.D (W. [[P?]]) win. Boys clean
up $80. Choir practice in evening.
Wednesday 4th
Drome party. Rain all night.
Track out very wet. Have said
I would go out every day. Turfing
edges. New guard good, no
interference. Choir practice.
NOVEMBER 1942
Thursday 5th
'drome today. Track out flooded. Boys
swimming. Good day. $1 credit at
Canteen. News today from good source
[[(W'?)]]
Friday 6th
Drome party. Concert in evening
Leave 'drome at 4. Stage put up.
Hoshi at concert. Our choir very
good. Sing God save The King."
Saturday 7th
Drome again. Change of guard in
morn. Keith's man gives him $2 & cigs.
Salad for tea by the boys. Boxing
in evening but finished by rain.
Notes
Still very hard up. No sign of
salary yet. Keith & I doing drome
permanently. Flem. in charge.
Things going more quietly here.
Guards very friendly lately.

NOVEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 8th
No work today. Communion.
Cooked 2 GKs today. Quiz in
afternoon. Stew for tea.
[[?]] of chapel in evening.
Very nice work under circs.
Monday 9th
Rain again in evening. No work in
morn. Early lunch & off i/c drome.
Buy fish & eggs. Big fried tea.
Boxing then choir practice.
Tuesday 10th
More rain in night. Morning free
Out at 1800 hrs. [[Skirt?]] swamp.
Men will not play game. Home
thro' water. Fried egg &c for tea.
Lecture by Forsyth - "Colonial Service".
Wednesday 11th
No rain at night.
Drome party. Bugler blows "Last Post"
on the job. Church service at night.
Officers form choir. Good gathering.
NOVEMBER 1942
Thursday 12th  Plane down
Drome party. Officers party out today.
Told us "Tangko" in morn. Much
disatisfaction. Flem. very weak, &
hedges a lot. Talk with [[?]] reps.
Quiz in evening. Quit overseer job.
Friday 13th
O.D.P. Very easy day. Water fights &c.
Plane takes off & comes down again
Vern. doing well at Agric. Good buys.
Fried fresh fish & chips for tea.
Received pay $1.50. K.G.M. $1.80.
Saturday 14th
O.D.P. Flem tells us such Offrs to
receive $1.00. Good day, prawns
for lunch. Guards change.
Choir practice for chapel. Flem
has taken charge of force, but
Notes
procrastinates to much. If we
keep at him, may do well. Says
Lieuts. are only serving apprenticeship.
Offrs. have no confidence in
him. News at present very good.
[[Africa?]] seems assured & we hope soon   

NOVEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 15TH
Rain in night. Good sleep. Communion
0900. Washing, pedicure, Fry G.K
for lunch. [[?]]. Choir practice.
& rice for tea. Evensong.
Monday 16th
O.D.P. All men on feet" to be
out of camp on some work.
To be paid 3 cents - Offrs. 6 cents per d.
Do not go. Very little work being
done on 'drome. Guards dis-interested.
Tuesday 17th
O.D.P. 'drome parties are becoming
wrought." Reading &c while
supposed to be working. Black
boots badly split. Choir practise
Bad night with irritated rice-balls
Wednesday 18th
Day off. Boiled sheets, towels &c.
De-bugged & cleaned room.
cooked G.K and stew. Choir sings
at hospital. Henry has head
shaved.
NOVEMBER 1942
Thursday 19th
O.D.P. Usual day. K.G.M & I
working on Quiz to hold in
evening. Capts v Lieuts. who won?
I was scorer.
Friday 20th
O.D.P.  Usual day. Slept at
lunch time. Working at my
Quiz.
Saturday 21st 
O.D.P.

Plane takes off, comes back & takes off.
again.
Notes
W. has been operating and results
are very satisfactory particularly
in M.E. Flem. is making fool
of himself. Believes men more
readily than officers. Dissatisfaction
re money & W.P's. 

NOVEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 22nd
Day of rest. Communion 0900. Washing
working out Quiz most of day.
Have no money now. Meeting to
find feelings re pay. Evensong.
G.K. for supper.
Monday 23rd
No work in morn. Half finish Quiz.
O.D.P in afternoon. Guards half
[[agreeing?]]. Easy work. Boxing after
Tangko. Maj. Owen's day.
Tuesday 24th
O.D.P. Another very easy day. K.G.M
In with sore ribs. Spent most
of the day talking to Vern. Lecture
in evening by Capt. Mills on
"Surgery."  J. & I [[?]]. 1 sleepers.
Wednesday 25th
O.D.P. Rain in morning. Out
late. Vern & I spent day on
[[music?]] & also orderlies. Got.
40c for [[?/-]] piece.
NOVEMBER 1942
Thursday 26th
O.D.P.
Party increased for Big [[?]] Plane
takes off & comes back later. Great
talk with Flem. at 'drome & again
after Tangko. Crazy whist tournament.
Friday 27th  Plane leaves.
O.D.P. K.G.A and today. Party still
50. Good day. Hoshi at market
guard to not like him. Simpson
(guard) holds forth [[?]]
Concert rehearsal. 
Saturday 28th
O.D.P. Late getting away. Change
guards. Boys all over place.
Counted by guard. Concert
in evening. Have been saving
bit news lately and is O.K.
Notes
This week Offrs decide to keep play
seperate. Some bad feeling
Flem. not doing very good job
in my opinion. Is needing too
much other [[old ?]] 

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 29th
Washing, haircut, pedicure &c.
Rehearsal of our play takes up
nearly all day. Will be good, I think.
Evensong.
Monday 30th
O.D.P. Usual day, very little
work done. Days very pleasant.
Boys learning lines for play.
Boxing. Jim Fletts £2. in pool.
DECEMBER
Tuesday 1st
Holiday today. Millner & [[B?]] to
'drome. Washed room. Reading
"Hatters Castle". Rehearsal again
Another inspection tomorrow.
Wednesday 2nd
O.D.P. in afternoon. Kit inspection
by Hoshijima & others. Boots &
money. Secure routine job.
Easy afternoon. Usually have
discussion or talk by someone.
Filling in time usefully.
DECEMBER 1942
Thursday 3rd  Rain.
On 'drome party, but don't move
out as it is raining. Finish
Quiz, reading "Hatters Castle" &c.
Cut down, shirt to coat, more
rain in night. Scavenger Hunt.
Fun with [[?]].
Friday 4th
O.D.P. Rain has washed big
gaps in edge of strip. Boil billy
several times. Choir practice.
Vern gets $1.00. In money again.
Saturday 5th
On 'drome party, but raining.
Do not go. Quiz. Mending shirt.
Washing. Heavy rain. After Tangko
cook a few. Concert is washout.
Hoshi comes out, has to walk from
main road, & goes mad.
Notes
Parties have to go out in all weather
Diet has improved slightly but
is unreliable. Situation also 
is very encouraging & we hope
this won't last much longer.
"Boots" & Brig. Taylor broadcast on
wireless,