Diary of John William Cardwell Wyett, 1942 - Part 12

WEDNESDAY—September 30th, 1942
I had a talk with Webly & WHARTON this
morning & found a good a natural amphitheatre.
The IJA carried out an inspection of all
quarters this afternoon as notified three days
ago. It was somewhat cursory.
Tonight was the opening concert for the AIF party
in their new theatre. Col HOLMES & Lt Col
HARRIS came to dinner which was a very good
meal indeed (bully, dried fruit & custard)
The concert was a good show in spite of 
four of the party going sick. Ga HEATH attended.
We had cocoa with milk & sugar & a
slice of bread & bully for supper. So ended a
good evening.

MEMORANDUM
14   2/3 Reo MT, 2/2 Pm det a 2/3 MG det left by (ship?) 

THURSDAY—October 1st, 1942
We held a meeting of sports reps this morning. A list
of disabled men for repatriation has been handed
to IJA & they will be medically examined by
him tomorrow. 

FRIDAY—October 2nd, 1942
I had an interview with the Sikh guard
comd today to try & reduce the number
of incidents. He was captured at JITRA,
In the afternoon I listened to a lecture
on drug traffic at 11 Div of MAUOR.
SATURDAY—October 3rd, 1942
The usual gp comds conf at which the main
item was a complaint by Chas K about a squeaky
box.
I attended a class in MALAY at the education
centre this afternoon. Michael MAVOR is instructing.
The preparation of dingle dell is proceeding
satisfactorily.
We have had rather a drastic cut in rations
— meat 1½ ozs each per week, Salt & Sugar both cut.
This may be bloody-mindedness or may be due
to the fact that Red X stores have arrived.
It may also mean that the Jap is getting
a knock somewhere.
Examination of repatriates was concluded
today & 80% were passed by the Jap 
medical offrs. 

SUNDAY—October 4th, 1942
A sticky morning after a very hot night.
My pillow was wet through this morning.
The temp is at 80°F but one perspires
freely — humidity must be nearly 100%.
Rain started late and the atmosphere
became much more pleasant.
MONDAY—October 5th, 1942

TUESDAY—October 6th, 1942
All the morning was taken up by an area conf
followed by all padres. In the afternoon I
went to the hosp with B.J. & saw a few offs
incl Brig MAXWELL.
In the evening we attended a concert at the
Cam Depot. This was given by the wives in
a competition held by the YMCA who presented
certificates bearing the promise of a suitable trophy to
be forwarded on return to Aust. It was a very
good show. A few hooligans shouted "sit down"
"you're late" etc when we walked in. BJ's opening
remarks left no doubt about his attitude towards
such gross indiscipline & he told them that any
further incidents would result in the closing of the
entertainment.
I missed my Malay lesson today.
One parcel addressed to Capt WRIGHT 2/10 Fd Amb
arrived today through the Red X, presumably
from friends in S. Africa. 52 arrived all told
for all POW in the Far East. (Incl HONG KONG)
There was one other for AIF which had been opened.
WEDNESDAY—October 7th, 1942
The night was much cooler with rain towards morning
& I feel much better for a decent rest. I spent the
morning seeing offrs at the Cm depot. 

THURSDAY—October 8th, 1942
I went fairly early to the hospital where I saw
Lee S & a few others incl Les BROWN who looks
very well but has to have a cystoscopic examination
DICKENS called around with a sheet of metal
which he as to cast. I went to 11 Div to
get the use of a lathe but theirs is broken.
WHARTON nearly had an accident when the
ground gave way beneath him & he fell
into a hole. I saw Reg BRIGAND about
this & then went to say cheerio to Maurice
RUSSELL who is off with 1800 of the JAVA
party in the morning.
Capt EXCEL will do the turning job for DICKENS
& is pleased to help.
Maurice told me of 188 AIF who arrived from
JAVA this morning & are quartered at FAIREY
post outside the wire as there is no
space within. 300 Americans and about
20 DUTCH Lt Cols came on the same ship.
I had a yarn with some of our lads
who had the impression that our casualties
were very much higher than they were.
Apparently the army minister broadcast a
doleful picture after the fall of SPORE.
600 arrived in CHANGI tonight from ADAM PK. their
work being finished (Maj TRACEY'S party). One of
our runners collided with a YMCA rep tonight on
his bike & died an hour later in hosp from a
fractured skull — bad luck & a very decent chap. Robby in trouble
with CRAVEN over Red X stores. He produced some whisky & we had
a pleasant night. Curly objected to the war — I suspect the influence of his Col
FRIDAY—October 9th, 1942
Maurice RUSSSELL & 1800 of JAVA party left by boat
today incl 500 engrs, 80 of which were A.I.F. 

SATURDAY—October 10th, 1942
SUNDAY—October 11th, 1942
I woke fairly early after a decent night & attended
early morning communion. After breakfast I saw
Ken B who gave me some celluloid. It was
unfortunately a bit blotchy but should be useful.
Last night there were 15 Japs in the ord area
going through the houses & placing a small box in
each room while they were there. This performance
was repeated outside Gen HEATH's house. It must
have been a detector of some kind, although what
they were after I cannot imagine.
During the afternoon we had some pleasant music
from records borrowed by PEACH & played on
Padre JONES portable.
I went to the Cm Depot church parade & had
tea & a yarn with Col WEBSTER afterwards. Quite
a spirited argument on religion took place in
the mess on my return. 

MONDAY—October 12th, 1942
I took the usual staff conference this afternoon
as comd was busy.
This evening 1200 AI.F. arrived from JAVA
mostly 2/2 Pnr Bn & 2/3 MG units a the bulk of
2/3 Res MT who left SPORE before the capitulation.
I walked over to FAIREY Point with comd
about 1800 hrs to see them. KIERNAN was
there, now a major. He was a raw subaltern
when he was rushed away from my gas school
at ROSEBERY.
WOOLDRIDGE (Capt) was there & had dengue
which will prevent him from travelling. We
shall be able to deal with him for his
action in boarding the EMPIRE STAR with Tommy
guns.
Lt. Col BLACK (comd 2/3 Res MT & promoted CAASC in JAVA)
& Lt. Col WILLIAMS comd 2/2 Pnrs came to dinner
& went with comd to AIF concert party which
changed programme tonight. Ga HEATH could
not attend on account of having dysentery.
I went with Rob for a stroll & we
all had supper (proved by Alex T) of beans
& spaghetti. I was hungry & enjoyed it
immensely, also the cocoa with milk & sugar.
TUESDAY—October 13th, 1942
The usual conf was postponed until afternoon as
300 tps (part of 1000 workng party) left for SPORE before
breakfast. This meant an early start for me
as I wanted to see the tps. This is the
first party to leave CHANGI since BJ took over. 

WEDNESDAY—October 14th, 1942
The second part (700) of the party of 1000 for SPORE
left this morning. I was again on the square
to look over the tps. before breakfast.
Later this morning I went with Glen HILL to the
vicinity of the 15" gun where wood-parties were
carting in wood on a rig truck.
We heard today that 2700 tps were sent away
from River Valley Rd camp by train yesterday
& this morning. 500 ^were marched on board a ship
but were marched back again at night. This
may or may not be significant.
Aust tps in this camp are to be segregated
& it would appear that Br tps are being
sent away first. The Jap appears to be
using every availability to send POW northwards.
The 1200 JAVA personnel all left this morning
we think by ship.
THURSDAY—October 15th, 1942
I left early with Clem HILL for RE wkshops
where we saw Capt. EXCELL about the
peep-bo going thence to see MANSFIELD &
on to SUTHERLAND at 18Div. Clem is
going to do some fresh drawings.
In the afternoon I had a busy time
at the hosp fixing up for the transfer
of Hedley's pet. I then saw CRAVEN
about a box & went on to see Col HOLMES.