Diary of John William Cardwell Wyett, 1942 - Part 5

MARDI - 28 Avril, 1942            118-247          MARTES-28 de Abril de 1942

TUESDAY-April 28th, 1942

Feel weak but not so ill as before.

Had an early visit from Ken B & Col SUMMONS.

While DREVERMAN was here discussing yeast

Brig RICHARDS D.D.S.T fre M.C. arrived " talked

yeast. I asked him to press for potatoes

for yeast centre. I am to attend

a conference on yeast at 1530 hrs a Fmtg

week, 8 May, at Base Sub Depot.

Brig MAXWELL popped in for a chat. He

looks much better.

Phil HEAD is a little improved. He gave 

me a huge slice of his pineapple - kind

soul. Extraordinary how nice it was.

THOMPSON gave me an air pillow

today after a broad hint.

SHEARING is down as a suspected beri-

beri & I gave him some yeast.

 

MERCREDI - 29 Avril, 1942    119-246    MERCOLES-29 de Abril de 1942

WEDNESDAY-April 29th, 1942

Today is the Emperor's birthday. I am feeling better

though weak. DREVERMAN paid his

usual visit. Things are most satisfactory 

with the yeast centre.

I spent the day in bed. G.O.C. brought back 

6 small apple & date turnovers presented to

him at the hospital & gave them to HEAD & 

me. Decent of him to do so.

At night Alex T produced a tine of condensed

milk which I made into choc malted c

a little Horlicks & cocoa. Alex, Phil, Harry & I

shared this delicious treat & also a tin of

camp-pie which Alex produced. Felt very 

much refreshed after such a feed.

I gave Gil & Joe VINCENT a bottle of yeast

each today.

Managed to get a decent greatcoat out of

some brought in today.

JEUDI - 30 Avril, 1942            120-245      JEUVES-30 de Abril de 1942

Full Moon                      THURSDAY-April 30th, 1942

Feeling much better today. The little extra 

food is having its effect.

Chas ATKINSON came in this morning with

a HEMMI slide-rule which I had

mentioned having been with my gear. Very

pleased to recover this.

I heard from MAY that there had been an

issue of sweet-potatoes. This annoyed me

as we have been urgently requiring these for

yeast production. I asked Herb GELDARD to

take the matter up with Q to find out 

details.

MEMORANDUM

 

VENDREDI - 1 Mai, 1942            121-244      VIERNES-1 de Mayo de 1942

FRIDAY-May 1st, 1941

 

Visited yeast centre this morning. Things

are going well, but still rather disorganised.

Feel fairly fit though weak, and spent

afternoon in bed.

Fitted a new washer to an old primus

stove I brought from last building &

made a pricker for it.

At night, Phil, Harry, Alex & I went

up to roof via the rope ladder which

Phil & I made this afternoon.

I cooked omelettes with some eggs which

Harry had bought & we all had a 

egg flip with condensed milk & some

brandy produced by Alex.

This proved a welcome change & provided

me with some very necessary extra food.

Bed 2330 & slept well.

 

SAMEDI - 2 Mai, 1942            122-243     SABADO-2 de Mayo de 1942

SATURDAY-May 2nd, 1942

I am not sure whether Dad's birthday 

is today or was yesterday. Hope he is 

well.

Today I feel fairly well & had a 

normal motion which cheered me no

end.

Visited yeast centre & filed key to fit

lock of store-room which is being 

fitted with stand for casks.

Afternoon spent mostly in bed. 

 

DIMANCE - 3 Mai, 1942            123-242     DOMINGO-3 de Mayo de 1942

SUNDAY-May 3rd, 1942

Another cricket match with 11 2nd Civ

today resulted in a further A.I.F. success.

Phil & I visited beach this morning

& had a swim. I feel better for

the outing and quite happy to rest

up for the afternoon.

DREVERMANN called in at teatime with

news that the yeast had blown

the cover off the barrel. Tinggi MAXWELL

called in for a chat at the same time.

Bill is up to his usual tactics,

complaining now about the sugar we are

using. As this is <6% of the issue

I am not worrying.

Tonight is very still & hot & reminds 

me of my first arrival in MALAYA 12 months

ago. 

JEUDI - 14 Mai, 1942            134-231     JEUVES - 14 de Mayo de 1942

THURSDAY-May 14th, 1942

Party of 3000 left for Spore this morning

in MT for embarkation. I think

they will probably go northwards.

Brig VARLEY is in charge.

 

VENDREDI - 15 Mai, 1942       135-230     VIERNES - 15 de Mayo de 1942

FRIDAY-May 15th, 1942

(Scottish Whitsun Quarter Day)

 

 

SAMEDI - 16 Mai, 1942            136-229     SABADO - 16 de Mayo de 1942

SATURDAY-May 16th, 1942

 

 

 

 

DIMANCHE - 17 Mai, 1942            137-228     DOMINGO - 17 de Mayo de 1942

SUNDAY-May 17th, 1942

Alex T, Phil H, Harry J & MAY have

moved to new quarters in a neighbouring

house leaving much more room here.

I have arranged blinds from the 

eaves as a shade against the sun

and my position is consequently

much cooler.

The acquisition of a table & chair

& a fairly decent light has made

me much more comfortable.

 

LUNDI - 18 Mai, 1942            138-227     LUNES - 18 de Mayo de 1942

MONDAY-May 18th, 1942

 

 

MARDI - 19 Mai, 1942            139-226     MARTES - 19 de Mayo de 1942

TUESDAY-May 19th, 1942

 

Went across to hosp to see Capt WOODRUFF

re net & its use.

Saw Lee STAHLE who needs cheering up.

He gets dizzy turns & seems worried.

The weather remains close with little

breeze & no rain. We have had

no rain now for nearly 3 weeks.

MERCREDI - 20 Mai, 1942            140-225     MERCOLES - 20 de Mayo de 1942

WEDNESDAY-May 20th, 1942

Took over a Kitchen for carrying out

small yeast experiments and fitted 

out a room for microscopy

Retired early to bed as I have

been rather tired lately.

 

JEUDI - 21 Mai, 1942            141-224     JEUVES - 21 de Mayo de 1942

THURSDAY-May 21st, 1942

 

Feel better for a good nights rest

& paid a visit to waterfront during the

morning.

Yeast centre in afternoon and long

yarn about QUETTA & tactics with

GOC. in evening.

Brig MAXWELL called in.

 

VENDREDI - 22 Mai, 1942       142-223     VERNES - 22 de Mayo de 1942

FRIDAY-May 22nd, 1942

 

Went to Malaya Comd this morning with

Tinggi MAXWELL & Hugo HUGHES, meet.

Lt Col GIBLIN, nephew of old W.W.G. of Hobart.

Saw Chang DUKIE and then went to

hospital & saw Lee STAHLE who was 

much brighter today.

Rested after lunch, DREVERMANN calling

round and staying for tea. Went

with him to yeast centre.

Called in at on Harry & Phil this

evening & had some cocoanut. Don't

think I shall bother them much

in future as they seem keener on

their own show. Alex's influence,

doubtless, but consider they might

have been more decent that their

attitude would indicate. Expected

this from Alex & am not surprised

at the rather supine JESSUP; Phil is

slightly weaker than I should have

liked - Con tipped this ages ago.

Brig MAXWELL'S opinion of Harry seems

quite justified.

 

SAMEDI - 23 Mai, 1942            143-222     SABADO - 23 de Mayo de 1942

SATURDAY-May 23rd, 1942

No particular activity today. Went in

evening to Brig MAXWELL having some

tea with Mike HUNT en route.

Brig TAYLOR was with Brig M discussing

rather sensational story brought back by

working-party rep from SPORE.

I took over my rat canteen issue tin

of pineapple which we shared for

supper.

Brig TAYLOR rather too outspoken today

during his lecture on operations on the

island.

Tent arrived today.

DIMANCH - 24 Mai, 1942            144-221     DOMINGO - 24 de Mayo de 1942

SUNDAY-May 24th, 1942

WHIT SUNDAY

Passing out parade today prevented any

other activity. I attended the church

parade, later - in the morning dur at the

new church just completed. It is quite 

a good job.

In afternoon I went with Phil H to 

the hospital, seeing John GURNEY and

Lee STAHLE for a few minutes. We

then went with WOODRUFF to LINK RD

where we met Tom M & Ken B. with COOKE

whom I had not seen since leaving 

K-L.

The lecture of Capt ALWYN had been

cancelled so we proceeded to SSUF

lines & had a long yarn with FOX

who is interesting but "itidapa"

Spread out tent.

 

LUNDI - 25 Mai, 1942            145-220     LUNES - 25 de Mayo de 1942

MONDAY-May 25th, 1942

WHIT MONDAY

Uneventful kind of day. Heavy rain

last night resulted in a cloudy day so

cancelled plans to visit net.

Spent morning at yeast centre & afternoon in

office. Felt rather flat today.

Browne tells me that my lectures to

the offrs cadre went rather well.

Expecting needle expert tomorrow.