Wallet 5 of 5 - Diary of Francis Russell James Day, volume 2 of 2, 1943-1945, Part 1
V.X.39518
F.R.Day.
1st Field Bakery
A.I.F.
No. 2. Aus. Convalescent. Depot
Changi.
5th year of War.
1944.
Drawing - see original document
|
Building 167. Offs. 42 O.Rs 247 |
| Total 289 |
FR Day
72 Thackeray Rd.
Reservoir N.19
Melbourne
Victoria
Australia.
SEPTEMBER
17th. Fri.
Smoking Area cartoon - see original document
R.O. from I.J.A. that no smoking, expect
in specially appointed places, not allowed to
smoke on your beds, or in quarters.
Y.M.C.A. Musical, Popular Recordings
Sept 18th. Sat.
I.J.A. have issued a card equivalent to
our. F.200 for checking of clothing. I don't
know how many more of these inspections we
are going to get, nothing ever comes of them.
Sund. 19th. Sept.
Big working Party goes each day from the
Camp to work on Fighter Strip, supposed to
be just anti-malarial clearing; not too many
fit men in the Camp now. Band Recital
on Square a 2015 hrs.
Monday 20th. Sept.
Played Bridge in Evening. Pay $1.20¢
Tuesday 21st. Sept.
Over to see Frank. Weather very nice &
the Birds extra good.
Wednesday 22nd.
Still on Brooms & Brushes. A.I.F. Concert
at 2015 hrs. "Let's have a Murder?" just a
show, by Slim-De Grey & Ted Druitt.
Thursday. 23rd.
A.R.P. Blackout Trials 2025-2130;.
Sirens. etc. Watch fixed by J. OLMEYER.
Friday 24th.
Just another day. Bridge of Evening
Saturday 25th
Stroll over to Canteen. Made 2 sets of
Stripes for Alec & Bruce.
Sunday 26th.
Church Parade a 1900 hrs. Blackout on
for 3 days. Talk of Japanese being Evacuated.
Monday 27th. SEPT.
Smoking allowed here drawing - see original document
Chap from English Lines says he was
with Allan in May 1942 on the Main-Land,
am trying to contact him to find
out a bit more.
Tuesday 28th.
M.I.R drawing - see original document
How the Years roll on, hoped to be Home
for this Anniversary, well there's still the
next one.
Wednesday. 29th.
End of A.R.P. Trials. Talk of a
Broadcast by I.J.A. of A.I.F. Concert
Party to Australia.
Thursday. 30th.
Over to see Wally. Watched Basket-Ball
for a while, much played in Camp now.
Asked to fill Tooth-brushes for the Red
Cross, (not so good)
OCTOBER
Friday 1st.
50 O.R's back from Blankang Mati
still quite a few out there, some rare
tales of what they had to do.
Saturday 2nd.
Extracts from letter made into a
screed & read on Parade, some very
interesting news from Aussie in it all.
Sunday 3rd.
Canteen prices keep going up, soon be
unable to purchase anything from there,
maybe it is good if the Rumours about
Pay being cut out comes right.
Church Parade; Concert by A.I.F. in
Y.M.C.A. Hut at 2015 hrs.
Monday 4th.
Over to see Prosser. Pay $1.20¢.
Talk of Pay recuction next Pay.
Tuesday. 5th.
Stroll around Camp in evening. Lot of
troops from G.& W. Area over the Camp
today.
Wednesday 6th.
Still on making Broom, etc, Playing
Bridge of Evenings. Walk over to Sigs.
Thursday. 7th
Prices of Canteen are terrible. Ovals of
Herrings, $2.85¢, Bananas 17¢ lb. Peanuts 56¢.
Tomatoes 80¢ lb. Biscuits 80¢ lb.
Shaving sticks $5, Soap Lux 85¢.
Sugar 80¢ lb, Coffee 56¢. lb. Bread 40¢
2 lb. Loaf. Coconuts 19¢. Tobacco 30¢ oz.
Friday 8th.
Day off for Leveling Party; Wood is a big
item in Camp & the Boy's from the Drome
bring in a bit when they knock off.
OCTOBER.
Saturday 9th
A.I.F Concert at 2015 hrs; A Play by Ken
Morrison (Allin) Time of Your Life, a fair
show.
Sunday 10th.
Troops move in & out of this Building
about every second day. Planning Kitchen
Furniture today. Often fill in time on
Plans of House; Recording Postphoned.
Monday. 11th.
Just another day, stroll over to Canteen &
around to A.G.H to see Prosser.
Tuesday 12th.
Rains every day, & puts off Parade in
morning & evenings.
Wednesday. 13th.
Food not so good this week, Play Bridge
of Evening.
Thursday 14th.
Drawing - see original document (OUT OF BOUNDS)
Day off from Brooms & Brushes, spend a
lot of Time planning Furniture, fills in the
Time. Y.M.C.A. Popular Recordings at
2015 hrs.
Friday 15th.
Drawing - see original document (SWILL WET - DRY)
Over to see Wally, stroll to Canteen.
Tobacco now 44¢ per ounce.
Filled 100th T-Brushe.
Saturday. 16th.
Planning still. Washing Day. Bridge of
Evening. Things very quiet in Camp.
Sunday 17th.
Day of Rest; Church Parade. A.I.F
Orchestra Recital.
Monday 18th.
I.J.A. Made Recording of A.I.F.
Concert Programme today 1530 hrs.
OCTOBER.
Tuesday 19th
Shortage of Tobacco, a lot of sore
heads in Camp. More than glad I don't
smoke. Some smoking Globe Cigarettes.
Wednesday. 20th.
Big rush on Canteen Tobacco in. Reports
of "H" Force to return to Reception Area.
Plenty of Air Activity now.
Thursday. 21st.
Made Broom 500 today. 120 Swats. 130
T-Brushes. 30 Scrubs; 70 Brushes.
Java Force that left from Reception. H.
returned.
Drawing - see original document (NO VISITORS ALLOWED BEFORE 1830 hrs or AFTER 2200hrs)
Friday 22nd.
Pay $1.20¢. (no Sign) Went to Canteen.
Sugar 85¢. Biscuits 90¢.
Saturday 23rd.
A.I.F. Concert 2015 hrs
Sunday. 24th
Church Parade: Y.M.C.A. Musicale
Played Bridge.
Monday 25th.
Drawing - see original document (NO HOT WATER BEFORE 0930hrs)
Stroll over to see Frank. Doing quite a
bit of Reading. A.R.P. Practice.
Tuesday. 26th.
Community Singing in Y.M.C.A. Hut.
Bridge Tournements on.
Wednesday 27th
Cup on. 5-2-1. Camp is a live with
Furpheys. Strolled over to see Wally.
Thursday. 28th
A.R.P. Practice; Orders out to dig slit
trenches. I.J.A. Order. Lots of Bets on.
Friday 29th.
R.O's are getting pretty well fool-proof
there were ways out of Trading offences, once
but now. No Hope at all.
OCTober
Saturday. 30th.
There is a lot of Talk about how & what
we are going to get for Xmas; They say
that the A.I.F Purchasing Officer has
approached the I.J.A. re the Buying
of Pork, etc, for Xmas & was refused
permission; & was told not to worry we
would be on Our own Rations by then.
Quite a few of the Boarded are hopeful
still of being Re-patriated by Xmas.
Sunday 31st.
Well so ends another Month in this
Country; I am getting very tired of being
shut up the way we are, for prisoners
I really think we don't do to bad, but the
restrictions on Writing & receiving mail
I think Is the worst. Church Parade
Popular Music: Moving Pictures.
Weight 8 st. 4lbs.
OCTOBER NOVEMBER.
1ST. Monday.
Play at "Little Theatre"; "Outward
Bound" by the Selerang Players.
C.U. Business Meetings at Y.M. Hut.
Tuesday 2nd.
"Lord Babs" at "Command Theatre" by
the "Changi Players'
Drawing - see original document (KEEP OUT Kitchen STAFF ONLY)
Wednesday 3rd
Played Bridge: Stroll over to see Wally.
Thursday 4th.
Things are not has good in the food line
now, They have built a new Oven here, &
haven't cooked a thing since; They can't be
told how to fire it & some claim to be
Bakers.
Friday 5th.
Some talk of an Issue of Tin food.
NOVEMBER.
Saturday 6th.
Party for Blakang mati to replace those
sent back recently. Bread being making
by Wally to sell to Group 20¢ 1¼ lb. ∧Pay $1.30¢
Sunday. 7th
Melbourne Cup run on "They're Off, in
Con Depot Mess last night. Winner 35 to 1.
Padre Usher new Padre at Con.
Monday 8th.
Went to S.A. Library in morning.
CHangi Burea in Evening. "Cattle Industry
in Australia".
Tuesday. 9th.
Still on Plans. Brushes. Brooms.. A.I.F.
Concert 2030 hrs. Very good show.
Wednesday 10th.
Lecture on H.M.A.S. Perth by C.P.O.
Moore.
Thursday 11th.
Armistice Day. Pork Issue by I.J.A
4. ozs per Man, nice change for us.
after 12 Months to get a bit of meat
Friday 12th.
Lectures at A.I.F. Theatre, "Off the
Beaten Track." at 2015 hrs. Exibition
of Unit Honour Rolls by Tom Rogan
in Y.M.C.A. Hut a 1500 hrs.
Saturday. 13th.
Stroll about in Evening.
Drawing - see original document (OUT OF BOUNDS OFFICERS ONLY)
Sunday 14th.
Service on Square. By British & A.I.F.
Chaplains. Changi Choir. Doug Peart.
Monday. 15th.
Lecture on Building Trade in Aus.
by Lt. Stronagh at Y.M.C.A. Hut
CHangi. Union.
NOVEMBER
Drawing - see original document (EDUCATION CENTRE)
Tuesday 16th.
Sing-Song in Y.M.C.A. Over to
see Wally in Evening.
Wednesday 17th.
Still working on Plans, more in the
Furnishings. Got a book on Timber
Prices June 1941. costing out House.
Thursday 18th.
All Dogs to be registered by 1800 hrs
today & must wear their I. Disks.
Ducks also to be registered. Young,
2 months, & Laying. Popular Recordings.
Friday 19th.
All Limbless on Spine exercises (not on bed).
Col. says we are developing Curvature.
Saturday. 20th.
Drawing - see original document (LATRINES CLOSED 14-4-43)
Sunday. 21st.
They have put on Evening Parade
again & there is quite a bit of Moan.
Cutting out Jig-Saws with Bill &
Charles for Kiddies.
Monday. 22nd.
Attended I.J.A. Recording for ∧1430 hrs &
Broadcast to Australia; probably a
bit of propaganda. Went to Little
Tuesday 23rd.
A.I.F. Concert "See for Yourself.
Wednesday 24th.
Had to report to Q.M. for new Shorts, bit
of a turn-up. Doing 1hr P.T. every morning
Thursday. 25th.
Blackout Precautions by. A.J.A. from
1600 hrs to 2000 hrs (Why Then).
NOVEMBER.
Friday 26th.
Lecture by Liet Baggot on Experience
in the A.A.F. rather Interesting.
Saturday. 27th.
Inspection by I.J.A. for Man-power.
bit of a ramp what went on here, of
course quite a right idea. to b.
Sunday 28th.
Drawing - see original document (ORDERLY ROOM)
Working on House; finding out a lot of
things & prices from various ones. reports
of Forces being back. A.R.P. Blackouts.
Monday 29th.
Trying hard to work out Roof. seem to
have got it right.
Tuesday 30th.
Lots of reports of the Force in Singapore
(Wednesday 31st) "H" Force.
Talk by Ivor Hanger on "I was an Immigrant"
DECEMBER.
Wednesday 1st.
Pay $1.20. Talk by "Ivor Hanger " I was
an Immigrant".
Drawing - see original document (NIGHT URINALS ONLY)
Thursday 2nd.
200 More men to go on 'Drome job & in
Gardens. Col. Holmes has to go to "Drome
on account of making appeal by letter to
Mr Switzer. Red Cross Rep in Singapore
Friday 3rd.
A.I.F. Concert: Had to dig Worms to
feed Ducks; once a week.
Saturday. 4th.
Just Lazing about. Issue is 1/3 Soy Beans
now 2/3 Rice; Classical Music.
Sunday 5th.
Party for Drome to go from here.
Some more sick in from Blakang mati
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