Diary of John William Cardwell Wyett, 1942 - Part 11

THURSDAY - September 10th 9 10, 1942
I spent the morning with Mike HUNT & in the
afternoon went with BJ to visit Lt Col FRITH
who is mer comd 3 CORPS.
After tea we attended a gathering at
which BJ presented certificates to the winner
of a literary competition organised by
Leslie GREENER. Kark GUNTHER read
his essay on "The Last Day" & Lieut CHALMERS
read a short story "The Bell Tolled Once".
Both were very good, as were some
short poems.
I called in to see Chas K on the way
home.
IA notification was received today from IJA
saying that they may consider at some
future date the question of repatriation of
non-combatant and disabled personnel
& asking for a roll of names.
FRIDAY - September 11th, 1942
I spent the morning in the office.

SUNDAY - September 13th, 1942
There is to be a pilgrimage to the A.I.F. cemetery
this afternoon & I spent the morning making
arrangements in conjunction with four ex-servicemen
of the last war whose idea it
all is. They proved very good types
& the parade was very successful. A very
fine wreath of green leaves surrounding a 
cross in red flowers was laid by comd AIF
& the parade marched past BJ on our 
return.
I took a stroll with Rob after dinner.
The deep thump, thump, thump of the 
temple drum calling the faithful to prayer
came to us with startling distinctness
from the thickly clustered rubber and cocoanut
trees in the distant ^ grove. Over the still warm air
came the high-pitched call of the muezzin.
There was no moon, and we walked
by the thin, suffused radiance of the
millions of stars which pricked the

velvety blackness of the sky.
Half turning to pass a remark to my
companion who was a little behind
me I saw a light. We called
at 11 Div before returning home. And so
to bed.

MONDAY- September 14th, 1942
Dotu pffr today. Worked in office most of the 
day drawing up SO for guards & setting out a 
standard drill. Sgt DICKENS reported progress.
I had a quiet read after dinner, everyone being
out. On the return of the others
someone started a Great Public School
controversy, Comd, Phil H, Glynn W, Mac & I
taking part. The argument waxed
hot & provocative and proved most
amusing - it was still unfinished at
midnight when we adjourned to bed.
Altogether a most amusing evening.
TUESDAY- September 15th, 1942
GPS argument continued at breakfast, Alex T
adding new blood.
Heavy rain started after breakfast & comd will
have a wet trip to M.C.
I had a slight sore throat & felt very weary
after lunch so had a rest during the afternoon.
SHERIDAN came in about 1750 & told me 
that MANSFIELD had sent a message to say that
the accurate watch was not available.
Rob came in after tea & later produced
some stout which Glynn W, Curly & I shared with
him,
I find Curly knows Mrs HUNGERFORD & ^ Mrs ANL.

WEDNESDAY- September 16th, 1942
I paid a visit to ord this morning, DICK having 
a good idea for a pivot using a ball bearing
MACULEY has rectal ulcers & is going to
hospital for examination / ? amotic dys.)
Gen HEATH gave the first of a series of three
lectures on ERITREAN campaign today.
Two tommies were returned blind from
SPORE today - diet deficiency. I must
buy some palm oil next pay to get
the necessary vit A.
THURSDAY- September 17th, 1942
I spent most of the morning extracting notes from
a report submitted by Bruce A a his return from
MEKSING.
In the afternoon I went to MC to see about breaks
[[?]] Jap party A. Had sweet coffee with
Pomg DUKE. I then found GUDGEON in his
new quarters on top of the hill & was asked
to dine & see SA play on Saturday next.
Comd went with Gen HEATH to dine with 
18 Div & to the premiere of "I killed the Count"
produced by 18 Div. I believe it is very good.
Heavy & continuous rain commenced after dinner
& I retired early, reading for a while in bed.
A message arriving tomorrow from JAVA, 300 to
be quartered by A.I.F.

FRIDAY- September 18th, 1942
Rain continued most of the night which was
cool & pleasant. Still raining today.
Lt Col LEGGETT arrived about 11.30 in a car
with JAMES. Lieut GORDON was the only 2/40^th
offr present who was a Tasmanian. 10 offrs & 
15 ORs arrived together all from TIMOR
originally having been in BATAVIA for some months.
They told of a very good  show put up by
the PERTH & HUSTON (U.S.) who ran into 40
Jap ships in SUNDS strs, sinking 14 before
being skittled. PERTH had 2 round of amm
left for starboard guns when she capsized
after taking 4 torpedoes.
These chaps have a poor opinion of the 
DUTCH who, although 100, 000 strong at JAVA
. left all the fighting to 3000 Br & Aust tps,
capitulating when JAP threatened to bomb 
the towns.
Maj STEVENS who I last saw acting as DADMJ
at ROSEBERY was in the party.
I took my usual stroll after tea before
returning. A half-moon made the night very
bright.
. Since broken down somewhat. Only 15, 000 DUTCH tps
were left in JAVA & they fought quite well
in spots. General direction & control was
poor.
SATURDAY- September 19th, 1942
The usual morning conference this morning, reps of
a party on BLAKANG MATI arriving whilst it was in
progress. (Maj OKEY) I have put Lieut HODGE on
work with the borehole augers.
After lunch I went with SCHULTE to the concert party
who are doing a splendid job with their new 
theatre.
I went to dinner with GUDGEON at the MALAY Regt
& afterwards to an orchestral concert with by
SA at Changi theatre. 21 in the orchestra
& a choir of 36. The fare was very 
good. They started with a redering of "God SAve
the King" by orchestra & choir which was very
well done. Two Elizabethean Madrigals followed
"Invitation to the Waltz" by Weber, "Enigmatic Variations"
by Elgar and various selections from Schubert,
Greig, Bethoven & Strauss. The whole
show was very well done & most enjoyable
We played "Slippery Arm" until 2315, drank 
soup & I returned home per bicycle,
meeting noone enroute.