Wallet 3 of 5 - Diary of Francis Russell James Day, volume 1 of 2, 1941-1943, Part 17

APRIL
1^st   Thurs.
Just another day, nothing very much happens now
in the camp. I often think of Tom & where he may be.
2^nd   FRI. 
Aftificial limb factory started at Depot, at
the rate they're going the 35^th man will get
his in about 1947. Just finished reading "The
Citadel;" a good book to read especially if one
is getting on, & developing a swollen head.
3^rd.  Sat.
Very wet, no work; Had a very peculiar dream
had a nice Home & the woman who was in it
was Jean & not France & then France was there
with the two kids, must be going Tropical.
4^th  Sun.
Bound a book, to put into Libray for Fraser.
Still working on plans of House, I only hope
that I can get these plans into reality when
I get home. France is worth all this, I
don't think I gave her a fair go before.
APRIL
5^th.  Mon.
Classification this morning, I don't know why
the Col, wants to see some of us on it, ever
since I came to Con, he's been saying the same
thing to me. Told today I can see Allan's
mail if I desire to, I said of course, &
now I wonder if I should or not being private
correspondence, have to square off with my
self by saying maybe I should so has I
know how Jean stands, & I will know what to write
6^th  Tues.
Fraser making bread out of Rice Flour.
he comes over every night to see me.
7^th  Wed
Ivan & Fraser over in evening. Pay 70¢.
Pat. Cullen is doing the plans of my house
up for me, much to my pleasure. X
8^th.  Thurs
Fraser, Jack, "Cookie", "Darky", Danny, Pinochio
over this evening "Staffy" came over early

APRIL
9^th  FRI.
Swing a popular music every Thurs night at
Education Centre. Haven't been able to sleep
To good last few nights (over-active brain)?
thinking a lot of France & the Kids & how
they will have changed when I get back.
3,000 A.I.F. to leave in next 10 days.
10^th  Sat.
Went over to Forestry to see the Boys
for a while; make some Yeast for something
to do, would try & make some Bread only, there's
no facilities here to do so.
11^th.  Sun
I'm getting very weary of being here, away
from France & the kids, there nothing to do but
read & that's not the best for the eyes here,
there is a terrific amount of eye cases here
& seem to be on the increase. Only letter
for Allan was from Mum just much the
same has my own. 
APRIL
12^th.  Mon.
Demonstration by Maj. Bucknell on unarmed
defense, the Major Lost his arm here, & has
since learned how to protect himself against

2-armed men: Over to see the boys who
are going away on the "F" Force.
13^th.  Tues.
A.I.F. Concert night for us, in 3 Act -Comedy, 
quite good show & a change. X
14^th  Wed
Down to the supply for a while in afternoon
All bar "Danny" 'Darky" Boss & Wally to go
on "F" Force.
15^th.  Thurs
Pay 70¢. Returned Limbless Soldiers of
Malaya Association formed today. They've
got all the Unit bar Boss, Wally & xxx now
off "F" force.  X
16^th  FRI
Saw Brigade Concert with Ivor & Fraser.

APRIL
17^th Sat.
Go over to see the boys every day now, may
go away anytime.
18^th   Sun
First of "F" force moved out at 0430 hrs
in pouring rain, buillding struck by lightning no
damage done.
19^th Mon
Ivor, Tex, & "Pinnochio" over to see me last
night, they left this morning at 0430 hrs.
20^th Tues
Over to see "Mac" & Co has they move out
tomorrow morning at 0430 hrs soon be the
only one left, playing Bridge again, still
working on plans of house.  X
21^st  Wed
Pat finished plan, now on elevation of house.
Over to Forestry to see Boys over there.
Lights & Water off for a few days.
Another force being formed to go away.
APRIL
22^nd  Thurs
Meeting of A.L.S. in L.M. Things are very quiet
in the Camp, now that the Forces are being
cleared out. G Force is now being formed. X
23^rd.  FRI.
Just a day not much to do just Brooms
& a trip to the Canteen. Pay 70¢.
24^th.  Sat.
Stroll around part of Camp Area & then to
Supply. Lights still off.
25^th  Sun
ANZAC Day  & Easter Sunday. Attended
Dawn Service at Sunrise 0730 hrs. (Japan
Time) Services all day in Camp. Went to
Forestry Unit to see Travers, Jack, Jack
who are leaving in Morning. 1930 hrs
ANZAC Service on Con. Depot Padang,
all A.I.F. (Except Darties) attended.
26^th.  Mon.
Just a day, built some steps with "C.P."

APRIL
27^th.  TUES.
Very wet & cool. Over to Canteen in afternoon,
drop in on Wally now & then at other
Con Depot, only 2 of us left now.
28^th.  WED.
Still working on Home, doing the specifications,
otherwise just a day.   X
29^th  Thurs.
A.I.F. Concert, a very good show, Concert
been off because of no lights. Classificaton
for all Convalescents. (I'm B.3 no Duties)
Lot of Troop movements on at present.
30^th.  FRI.
Well so ends another month & we don't
seem to be any nearer Home than this
time last year. Still just has many -
Furpheys about has ever, the news we got
is always good (of course). Lot of Talk
of Exchange being on. (Woke up by this
Middle East news of exchange in Cairo).
MAY
1^st.  SAT.
Big clean up day around Con Depot all at
work cleaning up. Over to see "Wally" at other
Con. Building.   X
2^nd. Sun.
Opening of Y.M.C.A Hut by Col. Gallegher
A.I.F. Concert Orchestra gave Musical
Recital. Another force to go away this
week; 250 to go back to A.G.H. from Con
Depots. English & Dutch Troops now in "Our
Area" Japanese in Southern Area.
3r^d.  Mon.
Went for a stroll around the Square, paid
a visit to "Smokey Joe's" for Coffee.
4^th.  Tues
Just another day had a go at making a
Sweet Potato Pie. Stroll again in the
evening around the Camp.
5^th.  Wed.
First of Force left his morning at 0400 hrs

MAY
8^th  Thurs.
All I have done for the last couple of
days is shake hands & say Good-bye to the
chaps that I know who are going away
soon won't know any one at all in the
Camp.
7^th.  FRI.
Still saying farewell to Boys who are going
away Force Postphoned till Saturday morning.
Lots of talk about what may happen to us

that are left.
8^th.  Sat.
"H" Force left at 0400 hrs. "I" Force now being
formed, looks like only cripples will be left
after this. Fraser still comes over of a 
night, maybe on next force, then I'll be on
my own.
9^th  Sun
Recital by A.I.F. orchestra in Y.M.C.H
Hut at 2000 hrs. Church. Parade.
MAY
10^th  Mon.
Went over to open Air Cinema on Square
for a couple of hours. "I" Force formed.
"J" Force now being formed:
11^th. Tues.
"Fraser" on draft for "J" Force. Lots of talk
that it is the advance part for A.G.H. to
Sumatra. "I" Force Postphoned. (Officers) X.
12^th.  Wed.
Just a day, camp is very Dead, go for a
walk every day just for the exercise.
13th  Thurs
Went to the Cinema at 2030 hrs. New O.C. of
Con Building Lt. Macgarry. News very good.
14^th FRI.
Stroll around Camp. Over to see Wally.
15^th.  Sat
"J" Force told to move out at 1300 hrs. Saw

Fraser off, gave him all my extra gear,
seeing his was stolen. Phyll's Birthday.

MAY
16t^h.  Sun.
Learning to play Chess, I don't think I will
be very enthusiastic about the game.
"I" Force been postphoned again.
A.I.F Orchestra recitat in Y.M.C.A.
Hut at 2030 hrs.
17^th.  Mon.
Boss left on "I" Force this morning; only
two of Unit left now: Measured up for a 
"Tinny". Went to Palladium Theatre over at
A.G.H. very good show.
18^th  Tues.
Just another day, stroll over to square.
19^th  Wed
Pay $1.20¢. Went to A.I.F. Concert in
evening.
20^th.  Thurs.
Parade of all P.O.W's ordered by I.J.A on
the square at 1600 hrs. (Check-up) Went
over to Dutch Canteen for Coffee & "Doovers" in Evening
MAY
21^st  FRI.
Things are very quiet in the Camp now, place seems
to be deserted, hard to realize there are 5'000 odd
Troops in the Area. I.J.A. Inspection of Limbless
at 1800 hrs.
22^nd.  Sat.
Been repairing Balinese Carving for 2 days, it's
a tedious type of job. Over to Dutch Canteen
with Arthur.
23^rd  Sun
Church Parade at 1900 hrs. Do my washing of a
Sunday.
24^th  Mon.
Work on Brooms; Classification; In Library with
Charlie, may work in to job there.
25^th.  Tues
Coffee & "Doovers" at night. Arthur over pretty
often of an Evening. Dream a lot lately
26^th  Wed
Too wet for work, just lay & read.

MAY
27^th.  Thurs.
Things very quiet in the Camp no one
to go & see. Popular Music by Y.M.C.A. on
Amplifion at Y.M.C.A. Hut. 2000-2200 hrs
28^th  FRI.
Kit Inspection at 0930 hrs.
29^th  Sat.
Classification of leg Cases to go back to A.G.H.
Stroll about Camp. Frank Prosser over to see me.
30^th.  Sun.
Weather very hot at present time not much rain
Music by A.I.F. Orchestra in Y.M.C.A. Hut.
31^st  Mon
Things are very quiet in the Camp, all men
that are left have to work at something
most of the work at Con is done by the
Convalescents. The Japs never worry us at all.
Personally I think we are in the best place as
far has the war is concerned. Saw the
A.I.F. Concert, one of the funniest shows I've seen
JUNE
1^st  Tues
Things are very dead now, all Charlie &
I can find to do is read, & "Bash" the
ears off each other. Over to "Smoky Joe's"
Cabaret.
2^nd  Wed
Just another day, doing quite a lot of
reading at the present.
3^rd.  Thurs.
Strolled over to the Engineers with Charlie
Programme by Y.M.C.A. of Popular Music
4^th  FRI.
Quite a few Japanese about the last day
or so, they seem to be after information
as they all seem to understand our language
5^th.  Sat.
Pay $1.30¢. Went to see "He came back"
at Palladium. A.G.H. Area, now known
has CHANGI Hospital. Saw Don, & Co.
Took Books over to Arthur.

JUNE
6^th  Sun.
Strolled over to Engineers & Sigs with
Charlie; Got my watch oiled I was a bit
worried about it, the way it was playing
up lately; just needed oil.
7^th  Mon.
Messing about with plans of House still
I wish I was Home with my Mate so has
we could work it all out together; I'm
sure she knows a few more bright ideas
to go into it.
8^th  Tues.
Went to "Smokey Joe's" for Supper, a few
Guest Artists from the A.I.F. Concert Party
there.
9^th.  Wed
Don, Peter, & the Boys were over from the
A.G.H. went with them to "Smoky's"
Talking with "Appy Arry" for a while
very interesting on Circus life.
JUNE
10^th.  Thurs.
Still give Charlie a hand in the Library.
We have a few services here now; Shave every
2nd day for 15¢ a month. Clothes washed &
pressed at various prices. Coffee & "Doovers" @
5¢ by 2 of the boys.
11^th.  FRI.
Went for a walk over to see "Wally"
Sat & yarned at Y.M.C.A. Hut for an
hour or two.
12^th.  Sat.
Went for stroll in evening & then to
"Smoky Joe's" Cabaret; good turn there on
Saturday nights.
13^th.  Sun.
Visit to A.G.H in afternoon, saw all the

crowd I used to know. Church Parade.
14t^h.  Mon.
Stroll around Camp in evening. Classification
in morning. Try-on of "Tinny"

NO VISITORS

AFTER - 1730

UNLESS WEARING

A - SHIRT.

page 9 is a repeat of page 10

 

15^th Tues

Just another day. Over to Smoky Joe's in

evening.

16^th Wed.

Exibition by War Artist in Con, Depot Hall

Very good work on the Campaign. Boys

from A.G.H. over often now that the

Guards are taken off of N^o 4 Gate.

17^th Thurs.

Visit to A.I.F. Convert at 2030 hrs, fairly 

good show, 

18^th FRI.

Lecture on Battle for Britian, "Peter"

over from A.G.H. 50 Orderlies on Draft

19^th Sat

Went to A.I.F. Concert for last night.

best night of them all (Hot & Sweet)

20^th Sun.

Stroll over to the "Sigs" then to the "Officers Club"

for Coffee & "Doovers" Drew plan of Block. 

JUNE 

21^st Mon.

Classification Parade at 1000 hrs. Visit to

Palladium to see Midsummer Follies, at 1900 hrs

back 2230 hrs.

22^nd Tues.

Worth seeing are "Dutchy" Holland; Gil Mitchell.

& Jack Greenwood's Band from last nights show.

Frank & Arthur over this evening, went to 
"Smoky Joe's" for Coffee. 
23^rd Wed.

Just another day; doing a lot to plans of House.

Went to "Smoky's" to see Cabaret Show..

24^th Thurs

Try out of Tin-leg this morning at 1030 hrs.

not so good. Went over to see Wally at other 

Con; then saw Pat. Evening spent trying

"Tinny" out

25^th Fri.

Sir Julian Taylor, here to inspect our

legs; "Our Mannequin Parade."