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

August. 
23^rd. SAT.  

Day. off. Mail to Mum. Gordon.

Ern. Went for Walk around. K.L.

with Tom, saw Chinese Dentist at 

work, & Chinese Snake Medicine

Maker with Live Cobras. Went to 

"B. B. Park & "Cabaret" then to

"Easten Hotel" Met. "Slap. Happy"

"Lollipop" & Rosie. E.H. Hostesses.

24^th SUN

Day of Rest. as usual after

we finished work. Went for a walk

to ".B.B. Park" Watched the Malay

Dancing for a while then came back

to camp.

25^th Mon

Rifle Inspection at 1400hrs. "S.A" at

1415 hrs, rest of day free.

Letter from France (23). Reply sent. 

August.

26^th Tues

Mick comes back, to get 7 days. C.B

14/- fine. Made doughs.

27^th Wed

Just a. day. Nil to do or write

about. Iced coffee at Slim's  X

28^th Thurs

Bigger Units move out to battle

Stations. Bread Indent down.

So we get a night off from Work

Went to see "Third finger Left

Hand". at "ODEon" & "Neautral -

Port" at "Pavillion".

29^th Fri

Arose at 0630 hrs. Breakfast at

0700 hrs. Debugged all beds, &

then went to Bakehouse to

Unpack Dough Machine. New yeast

"DriBarm" ("hycanders"). Gillespie. (Scotland)

Mail from Jean & Mum.

August.

29th FRI.

Mail sent to Mum. Jean.

France & Allan. Heard that 2/29^th

was in Singapore.

Went to "ODEON" to see "They

"Drive at Night" then went to

"B.B." Park Cabaret" Night off.

30^th SAT

Arose at 1010 hrs. Just mooned around

& read all day. Wrote to Paddy.

31^st Sun

Usual day of Rest. Played 500 &

Euchre till 2430 hrs.

Visit by English W.O.1^st C. at 2300 hr

to fall out the Guard. (What. Guard?)

Mail from Allan to say he is

at "KATong" Singapore".

Mail from France (23) & Mum.

Mail to Mum & Allan.

X

September.

1^st  Mon

Parade at 1600hrs. Full. Battle Kit

Respirator Practice. March for 15 mins

Went for Walk to Pudu. at night

Played cards for 3hrs & lost $3

2^nd Tues

Knocked off at 1000hrs, went to Pudu

in afternoon had look over Govt.

Printing Works.

Letter to France. & to Bern.

3^rd. Wed

Pay $10. Looks like a bit of fun in

Camp. 8 A.W.Ls at 020 2000 hrs.

Boss will be on the Warpath.

Bread Indent down 1600 lbs a day, since

the troops went to Johore. Barhu.

now baking for English, Army. who have

taken over Sigs & 18^th, 19^th, 20^th. Batt.

Barracks. 2nd Year of War over.

Now into the Third. So What?

September.

4^th Thurs.

Night off. Letter from Kitty. Went

to "Cathay" to see "Lady Hamilton" then

to Pavillion to see "Great American Broadcast"

5^th Fri.

Drive to H.Q. Letter from Allan,

Stamps $2. back to Camp. Mail in;

Letter from France;(24) papers from Mum

& Gordon.

Letters sent to France, Kitty, Allan.

went to "ODEON" to see "Philadelphia

Story".

6^th SAT

Went to "B.B." Stadium" & saw

Boxing. Saturday. Night, ended up in "B.B."

7^th Sun

Started wk on Doughs. Went to

"Capitol" & Saw "South of Suez"

Weight 11 st. 4lbs at "B.B" Park.

Chinese. weigh very light 80 - 95 lbs.

September.

8^th.  Mon

Letter from Mum.

Played 500 till 2200hrs.

9^th  Tues

Parade at 1530 hrs. Respirator

Drill, bit of a nuisance in the heat.

Dance at Venning. Rd. Hall.

Planter's Daughter.

10^th  WED.

Went to Mr. Thompsons at KLANg

Had a look over the Mosque &

Sultan's Palace, & Graves. Went

after a "Moosang" (Wild Cat) at

night, they are very much like a

big Possum, Smell of Musk, &

the Chinese use them for "OBat"

(Medicine) & to eat. back to camp

at 0030 hrs Thursday. "14 Slingahs"

Letters to France & Mum. X

11^th Thurs

Day off. Played 500 at night

September

12^th  Fri

Letter. from Syd. Letter to Syd.

Plans for House started, just to fill

in the time. Played 500 till 2100hrs

13^th SAT.

Finished doughs at 0445 hrs.

Drawing all afternoon. Cards at night

Doughs at 0020 hrs.  X

14^th Sun

Usual day of Rest, after work is

finished. Saw "Affectionley Yours"

at "ODEON". Wrote to France.

15^th Mon

Mail from Mum. & France.(25)

Issued with Towel & Singlet.

Comforts yesterday. Tobacco, Cigs. Laces

Blades, Biscuits. Black out for

4 days.

Trying to Cost out the house.

Wrote Mac"

September

16^th  Tues

Letters to Mum & France

Leave, out in the Blackout.

Wrote to France, about plans, waiting

her to O.K. it, spend each afternoon on them

17^th  Wed

Went out after Souveniers in Blackout.

Got 3. Saw ."City in Darkness"

18^th  Thurs

Night off. Went to See "Pinnochio" at

"Pavillion" & "Maryland" at the "Capitol"

Met Mrs. King again.

19^th Fri.

Mail from France (26) & Ern. "Lucky CHarm"

Mail sent to France. Beautiful Silks

Saw "Pride & Predujice". "ODEON"

20^th  SAT

Wrote to Ern.

Quiet evening at Camp, playing

500; walk over for Iced Coffee at 2200 hrs.

September

21^st Sun

Started 3^rd Wk on Doughs.

Usual day of Rest. Over for coffee

Bed at 2000 hrs.

22^nd Mon

No Mail. papers only, for Unit

S.A. at 1400 hrs.

23^rd Tues

Went for walk all afternoon, seen first

Rabbits since leaving home, 7 white ones.

Went to Dance at Venning Rd. Just

back in time to start on doughs.

5 doughs per man. hycander. Yeast

24^th  Wed.

Wrote to France. Walk thru Indian  X

Village, & Thru Tamil Church.
25^th Thurs

500 Tournement. won by Tom.

26^th Fri

Letter from Allan. now at "Segamat."

Saw. "City for Conquest". at the "Capitol"

September.

26^th  Fri

No Mail today still being held

up somewhere. Wrote to Allan.

27^th  SAT

Wrote to France. Now have 11 men in

Hospital. Loving Greetings, & Congrats, wish we

were together on this special occasion, all my best

28^th wishes for a speedy Reunion, My thoughts are  Sun.
with you 

Saw. "Great. Lie" at the ODEon"  X

Started 4^th wk on Doughs. XXXX XXX.

29^th  Mon

Mail arrives from France (27), Mum, Aud,

Vi, Vic, Jean & Arthur. Snaps from Jean

spent Afternoon Writing, quite a good

way to spend the day.

30^th  Tues

Mail to France, Mum, Aud, Vi,

Vic, Jean & Arthur, seem to be getting

quite a list to write to every 

week or so.

October.
1^st.  Wed.

Pay $23. Boss went to Malacca

Looks like a good night to be in Camp.

Things look Black for the Red. Caps.

Comforts issued : Tobacco, Cigs, Papers.

Soap, Toothpaste, Shaving Stick.

Red Caps lose.
2^nd. Thurs.
50.cts for Xmas Funds, to be paid fortnightly
B.B Park Cabaret. Eastern. Cabaret.
New Hotel; Corner, Hotel; Kobe Hotel;

World, Hotel; Out of Bounds for Week
till things quieten down. 
3^rd FRI.
Saw "Shining Victory" at ODEON,.

M.P's. are on their toes, lot of trouble

4^th SAT

Visit to Mr King's place, Two nice Kids.

Reported Mr Eades to go back to

"Aussie", Met Headmaster of V. Instate,

house-servants, ^_

October.

5^th. Sun
[*38

    50 
1900*]
Usual day of Rest. 5^th wk on Doughs.
Wrote to France, I'm a bit crook on her. X
6^th   Mon
Mail from France. (28) & Mum.
Wrote Father letter to France. Didn't O.K. Plans
S.A. Inspection, waste of time on Yours Truly.

7^th Tues.

Dough Machine started at 0130 hrs
20 - 1½ bag Doughs. Cpl. Jones. Pte Deuj, Bowe

Dance at Venning Rd. Hall.

8^th Wed.

Just another day. Near on started to
go wild, one stop & think.
9^th Thurs.
Letter from Allan. ₤6-0-0 sent

home. Went to "Pavillion" to see

"Blood & Sand." _↓38 bags into Dough

10^th FRI

No Mail. Reinforcements Arrive, 4 of
1900 Lge^↓- 7600lb.

October

10^th FRI.

Our own who where sick came back

Night off. Saw "Flight Command" at

"ODEON" & " Rebecca" at 'Capitol"

[* RUTH

HUSSEY*]
also saw a Chinese Torch light

Procession, Wrote Allan

Two Shifts started in Bakehouse

1 Cpl, & 1 Pte, on each Dough Shift

11^th. SAT

Day off: Start on Doughs at 1800 hrs.

6^th Wk. Last night for a while.
Letter from Syd & Fred McIntosh
Wrote to Syd, telling him to keep out of A.I.F.

12^th  SUN

Wrote to Fred. Working on Second

Shift in Bakehouse, sooner be on doughs

13^th Mon

Letter from France (29) & Mum. X
Unit to get Fortnights holiday

at end of Month going to Rest Camp

at P. Dickson.

OCTober.
13^th  Mon

Two Brick ovens to be built.

S.A. Inspection. at 01400 hrs.

14^th  Tues

Night Off went to "Cathay" to

see "Long Voyage Home" & to the

"Pavillion" to see "Cowboy  & the

Blonde" 4. Papers. today, Preston Post.

15^th  Wed.

Pay $10. Quiet day in Camp

paid by W.O.2. Kevin Brown.
16^th  Thurs.

Saw "Tin Pan Alley" at the

"Capitol". Couple of Dances, Supper, & Camp

17^th  FRI.

Mail from George. & Ern.

"Saw Chinese, Girl's, Circus" at Pudu.
18^th SAT
Back onto Doughs at 2000 hrs.

Drew plans for new Ovens. R.E's plans no good 

October.

19^th  Sun

Day of Rest. (as usual)
De-bug Beds & wash-out hut.
20^th  Mon

Letters from France (30) & Mum.  X

21^st Tues

Night. off. Went to Mr & Mrs Thompson's

at Khang.  Trip to Pt. Sweetenham

Bonzer day out. back to camp at

0030 hrs. Wed. Saw Boys with "Ging" getting

fish - Big detention Camp.
22^nd  Wed.

Day off. Letter from Allan, then I 
Went to K.L. in afternoon with Tom,

Respirator. Parade. (missed out.).

Wrote to Allan. Comforts. Issued.

23^rd.  Thurs.

Went on Swim Parade, Learning to

swim with "Kas's" Help. hope to improve

played off in Table Tennis first

Heats. to play 4cp. Frost Tomorrow.
Won against, K. Williams.

October.

24^th  Fri
Not very much mail today, no

letters for me, tossed at table-tennis.
Wrote, to Mum & Vi.

Rang Allan. Out; so spoke to "Binny"

who in the Hell "Binny" is remains

to be found out. Call cost $1.

Rang from "Pudu" Police Station
at 1840. hrs. Turn with Sword & Sabre

25^th  SAT

Went for trip in Truck.  Put in

application for leave to Segamat

on the 31^st for 3 days.

Sick men back.  Went to "ODEON"

& saw "Edison" the Man".
26^th Sun.

On 2^nd shift of Doughs. finish at
0630 hrs.  Usual day of Rest. 
Played 500, Allan. Rang me up
at 2130 hrs. from ""Segamat," talk

for 20 mins.

OCTOBER.

27^th Mon.
Letter from Mum & Audrey.

Petrol. Ovens taken out of
Bake house, They were a flop.

Wrote to Mum & Audrey.

28^th  Tues

Audrey's 21^st Birthday. X

Day Off. Went to  "ODEON' with

Tom to see. "The Waggons Roll at Night"

then to "Cathay" to see. "The Lone Wolf
"Keeps a Date.".
29^th  Wed
Pay $40. Went to Station to see

about train for Segamat on Friday.

Fare. $.3.75_^c. leaves 0900 hrs Friday.

30^th.  Thurs.
Went to K.L. in night & saw

"Devil's Pipeline", at the "Capitol"

Back in camp at 2000. hrs, early for
Tom & I to come in. (Good Earth Studio

yesterday

November.

31^st Fri.

Went on leave to Segamat to see

Allan. left 0900 hrs & arrived at

1325 hrs. met Tom, Allan, Doug.

and the 2/29^th Sigs. Went to Segamat
Cafe for tea, & then to the pictures

Back to Camp at 2000 hrs.

1^st. Sat

Revillie at 0600 hrs. Band plays at

0605 hrs. Battalion Parade on Padang

Met Luit Sheldon, Tea at Segamat
Cafe. Good time with Sigs. Wally Sarkies.

2^nd  Sun

Went on leave with Allan to

Mallacca, by A.A.S. Truck. visited

the 2/26, 10 A.G.H., Con Depot,

A.S.C. Supply Personal, Petrol
Park, looked Mallacca. over, saw

Major Blaskett at the Red Shield
Hut, got stranded at 1900 hrs.

November

2^nd  Sun.

Major. Blaskett gave us a lift

back to Segamat Club, in the 

Mobile Canteen ,"Wee Miss Melbourne."

3^rd. Mon.

Rev. at 0615 hrs. Allan on duty at

Sig. Office. spent Morning looking

around the camp. Dinner then

caught train back to K.L. at 1318

hrs,. back at 1745 hrs, in Camp by 

1830 hrs, Mrs Aktins lent Wireless
Set to Unit. Congrats to Lloyd

4^th Tues

Heard finish of Melb Cup on Set.

Sgt Boreham was promoted to Luit

on Monday.

Met Mr Eades at 10^th A.G.H. when

in Malacca. & Bill Quirk on the

Way home. These Parades for
S.A. Inspections are keeping regular

November

4^th Tues

Mail from . Mum. France (31) & Jean.

Wish I could write back, but   X
feel it better not to at present

Saw "Meet John Doe: at the "ODeon"

5^th Wed.

Went to " ODEON" & saw Dr Kildare's

Strange Case." Drinks on Tin-mine Engineer
6^th Thurs
Drew design for Unit. Xmas Card

price to be worked out on Quantity

Had to get 167 copies of 6 snaps

$8.35¢.

Saw "The Great Dictator"..'Cathay'

7^th  Fri.
Took bad with cold, weak & useless,

had to have night off.

Xmas Cards to cost 10¢ each.
Lot $32.50 (325.) Ready in 10 days.

so the Manager says.