Diary of Bernard Henry McCabe
that the Red Cross had landed comforts
from the two ships carrying the Diplomats
- holiday for all but Bukit Timah crowd
Raid on France
Saturday Aug 22 Some of the boys up as far as
Yew Lee Village quarry - Some plain stuff
from a Mal - Jim Sparkles went back to Changi
yesterday -
Sunday Aug 23 - Drivers picked out for Bukit Timah
-Screed from Black Jack saying 8th Divvy forgotten
Brazil entered war-. 12 cigs issued Lancers
Monday Aug 24th Parties all brought into main
gang - two camps going back to Changi -
very short of timber - filled in papers of Nationality
etc for Japs . Timber came in
Tuesday Aug 25th Looks like bed making is on
its last legs - fresh sausages came in - paid
$1-25 two schools of 2 up next door to us
Wednesday Aug 26th Any only left in on beds -
Snow up for Church Parade - some more to go back
to Changi (Gibbs) - Duke of Kent killed - sea battle Sth
administration to change here on the 1st.
Thursday Aug 27th Gallagher Telfer driving truck
to gather [[?]] as they were given 20$ - saw 11 heads
tossed - went for ride through shrine roads - saw
a colony of monkeys all sizes
Friday Aug 28 Mass delousing day in room
saw mouths & throats prevalent in camp
also tinea and [[Crag?]] scale - Washout & Blue
not on sick parade. George Gwynne in Hosp
malaria -
Saturday Aug 29th Last day of beds - rice grinder
made -got couple of soles for my light heavies
& made 20 cents out of lighter - notified to go to work
& news good
Sunday Aug 30 Went to work near Shrine -
Jap guard preparing to leave us - gave officers a show
at Burkit Timah - got boots properly fixed 20 cts
Monday Aug 31st Got Flints from B.C - went out
on Job at no 2 Camp worked half day - Sports
meeting - Teach champion athletes - A Batt
S
Tuesday Sep 1st Went to Burkit Timah half day
Big Jap parade from 4 - 7 looked like change
over. concert at night good - Saw Blue G & Telfer
Wednesday Sep 2nd Work at Pom Camp - got
½ way there & returned home - no work - our
Camp Comforts handed out 11 caramels 6 other
lollies - 1lb Jam each - with concentrated soups
& meal pans in kitchen - Japs wanted to give 3$
for lighter - 2 up game been stopped 2 nights -
notified no work tomorrow also that theres
increase in wages - Privates 12½ NON WORKING 17½ W
Lance Jacks and other stripers 19½ - 29½ Pippers 40$
a month G.O.C. 300$ a mth - they say weve completed
our punishment period for fighting against Nippon
& are now to be given a good time as his guests.
well heres hoping - news seems brighter.
Thursday Sep 3. Soups tried out for breakfast - good
Saw Jack Elder & Clarkey at Burkit Timah - home
all day standing by - got 12 cigs
Friday Sept 4th Work at B.T. - porridge for B. and
crib - believe position in Changi to be 19,000 in
Barrack Square buildings - sleeping in 8 hour
shifts - one tap for water - latrines to be dug -
this for not signing a parade agreement
4 men shot at Changi - 2 for trying to escape
12 weeks back. - driven home by Bluey Gallagher
no pay as yet. - news still bright in Solomons
Saturday Sept 5th Lazy day - got some more poems
heard that a major was shot at Changi. No pay
Sunday Sept 6th No work - standing by - guard
coming from Bukit Timah - buying Comm
in - Shackelton of M.G passed out TEMP 127
taken to Changi Cemetery - hear that crowd was
released after 74 hours without food - still
no pay - got some sugar - all 2/6 to work to-morrow
sold a lighter $1 to a Jap.
Monday Sept 7 Work. all room went - heard
full report of Changi incident - Seikh slapped
down by Gordon Highlander & tossed over fence.
saw Les O'Connell, Peter Pell
Tuesday Sept 8th Snowy home with bad eyes
also Arthur - news exceptionally good - worked
on concrete - short shift - got paid $1 - no
reason given for shortage - broke tooth off
plate - most of the boys done their cash in 2up
tucker still [[top?]] hole - officers using our kitchen
for meals - hear a ship left Melbourne on the
15th Aug with mail & gifts.
Wednesday Sept 9 Day at home A & 29 others on job
½ a day - Buying Corn collecting - notified no work
until further notice - as they were opening the
Victory Tower.
Thursday Sept 10th Lazy day - visited Don George
saw a roast tea & vegs at B. Btln - parade and
told that we had two parades a day while not
working. - Elimination boxing tourney
Friday Sept 11th No work yet - notified we could go
to B.T. with boxers - saw Jap wrestling & some
good fights put up - all got prizes.
Sat Sept 12th No work - to Adam Park Camp to
Baseball match against Japs.- got beat - visited
M.Gs there - Fin & Tony Davidson only Collie
Boys left - Les K & Joe Lynch at work no spell
for them-Signed papers not to escape
Sunday Sept 13 Mass - learning morse code
each to send & receive 4 words per minute
I dont think Ill make the grade. Still
no work. 269 of 2/30 gone to 'No 5' Camp - Roast
mutton baked vegs stew & date slice tea
Monday Sept 14 Work again at Victory tower -
Shifted quarters - Paid 90cts Bonus cut out -
Buying Comm back - big issue 12 cigs- lecture
by the Judge - out of cigars.
Tuesday Sept 15 Worked ½ day - too wet - A.S.C told
they were to be shifted to Bukit Timah on Thursday
Roast Mutton & baked pumpkin & boiled potatoes
Memories of home & the same feed came back.
Wednesday Sept 16 Raining very heavy early
on road to work & sent back to stand by.
braid a day on the spine. Jap parade
Thursday Sept 17 Still working on Victory tower
road - saw Cinpith, Dixon, Rickey, Spencer on road to
work - passengers on exchange boat visited Shrine
notified on mat for smoking on Jap parade by
Capt Gwynne - A.S.C moved to Bukit Timah camp
Friday Sept 18 Didnt go to work - too wet - shifted in
to A.S.C House with M.Gs & some 1/92 leaving 5 officers
to 2 lavs 2 baths & 2 rooms - on mat got 5 hours extra
duty. Rain all day - Baked dinner - G.O.C came &
had a yarn to us
Saturday Sept 19th Work - told to be in to-morrow
on stoves -
Sunday Sept 20 Making a bed for Lilley - got some Veg's
& some Dripping - another roast dinner -
Monday Sept 21st Wedding Anniversary - on oven for
M.G XX good concert on.
Tuesday Sept 22 Still on oven - heard that Timor
prisoners were brought to Changi - bought some
apricots from canteen 24 cts ½lb - news fair
Wednesday Sept 23 Still on oven - lads home ½ day
rations up- vegs plentiful - news the same
Thursday Sept 24 Rain - boys never went to
work - oven nearly finished - psaid 90 cts -
got 25 cts for cigarettes - making bed for Bob Uren
Jap took dice & box from boys
Friday Sept 25th Day off-went to mass - finished
M.G. oven & Bob Urens bed - got some dripping
from meal.
Saturday Sept 26th Pulled our own oven down
and put new bottom in it - repatriates at
Shrine from Sydney said comforts aboard for
us also mail.
Sunday Sept 27th Still on our oven - boys
worked ½ day - Japs on manourvres
news brighter. Report from Changi of JAVA PRIS
Monday Sept 28 Out to work - late start.
B. Commission in - Tobacco getting lighter in weight
Baked tea.
Tuesday Sept 29th In camp again on Artillery
oven - good crowd to work for & stew for dinner
Wednesday Sept 30 On oven - trials for fights
Blue Lee represents us in light weights - good
camp concert - news good - 1¼/- on sugar & ½/- on
maize meal first of comforts off last repatriate
ship.
Thursday Oct 1st Boys home half day - split peas
in - tasted some good yeast RADA. - baked tea.
Friday Oct 2nd Blue went to No5 camp with
boxers - but got beat - we won other 4 scraps
no work for the boys - still on oven - 1lb sugar
issued each
Saturday Oct 3rd Still on oven - no cigarette
issue - lot of Red Cross goods in camp - M&V
Con Milk-Cocoa-Biscuits-Tobacco-Cigarettes
Sunday Oct 4th Last day on oven - only 5 of 2/6th at work
issue of 12 cigs from red Cross - no pay - starting
on another oven at C.D.S
Monday Oct 5th Started on C.D.S oven - good dinner their -
still no pay - boxing at 4 camp - Blue went across
Tuesday Oct 6th Heard trouble at 4 Camp re scrounging
ament & petrol - boys at home for the day.
paid $1 - our comforts in store. - Parade for G.O.C
Wednesday Oct 7th Sold Cigs - heard 4 camp going to
Changi on Thursday through bust up - still on
oven - eating extra well at C.D.S - fights off - our
camp champs - letter from B. Graham saying
Bell & Payne may be repatriated back home -
got 55 more Cigs
Thursday Oct 8th Still on oven - boys at home - finished
oven - fights on - Jap Lieut to Commandant present
No 4 Camp went back to Changi - Frog racing in
progress - 2 up stopped.
Friday Oct 9th Had a look at 29th oven bottom
burnt out - looks like another job in camp
boys have a day off - Frog racing outside our
mansion about 300 present - Concert by
"B" Battalion - very clever show-
Saturday Oct 10th Back to C.D.S to make trays
Jam tarts & meat pie - sent Cigars & papers to
boys at Changi - men standing by - had to go to
work - Big night at the frogs - Finished C.D.S.
oven. Piano at Canteen - G.O.C. playing it
Sunday Oct 11th Finished at C.D.S - started on 29th
oven. this was our 3rd baked dinner
running - the Canteen with piano their.
& Coffee at 3cts a cup - made us feel like
back in Peace times - Boys home
Monday Oct 12th Up on 29th Oven for the day -
Frog Racing under Electric light - Jap Parade
Baked Tea.
Tuesday Oct 13 Still on 29th oven - boys at home
called out after dinner - finished oven
late - Concert at "B" Battalion. Baked Tea
Wednesday Oct 14 Called to work at break
fast time- easy day - Baked Tea. - Frog
Racing on - Concert at A. Battn. rumour
we go to No 5 CAMP - I hope its wrong -
trying for flints - found out - shift has
been put off.
Thursday Oct 15 Fights cancelled - heavy
rain -boys didnt go to work -finished today
at 29th -got flint from Jack Wallwork G.O.S
Friday Oct 16 Given the day in camp - went
down to Artillery made a trang for them - had
a good lunch. - good tea - frog racing.
big crowd at canteen.
Saturday Oct 17 Out at Shrine on tarring
road- Tassy Haynes scalded - baked tea
Sunday Oct 18 Rain prevented work - had
a good day on spine - had 50 cent lunch
at Canteen.
Monday Oct 19 Work in Concrete Party -
easy day - Jap nurses visited Shrine -
poor type of style - baked tea. Basket Ball
now in full swing
Tuesday Oct 20 Still on concrete party. S. African
boots given out a pair to every man - Concert
at "B" BTLN. Snow contacted Ted Keating
Wednesday Oct 21 Wet morning going to work
returned home 11 o'clock - back to Shrine 1-30
Snow received letter from Big Ted saw Fauntelroy
Easy Parade - notified stay in - building a stage
for Concerts
Thursday Oct 22 On Road - told two days off -
Pork Pie hats & clothing in H.Q. - Concert by
"B". BTLN - very good
Friday Oct 23 Boys had day at basket ball
I had day on spine - frog racing held up
sent watch for repair.
Saturday Oct 24 Started building a stage for
concert party - issued with a singlet & hat
boys home still. No pay
Sunday Oct 25 2nd Anniversary of formation
of unit - on stage - lads workload ½ day too
wet - Fruit & Custard for tea - Flints up to 30cnts
no pay yet.
Monday Oct 26th On making Screen wings - went
for timber to Shrine - but after 49 mile ride
got none - at Bukit Panjang for a while. Pay $1
Cig papers gone up to 10cts a pkt - news good
Tuesday Oct 27th On stage - Blue went for timber
Boxing on in this camp - we won the 5 bouts
Les O'Connell & band came over with boxers
good turnout
Wednesday 28th Got screens painted & stage
down - Concert on - nothing flash.
Thursday Oct 29 Heard M.Gs who missed boat
at Fremantle - were out at Changi - taken at
Java - out on shrine but didnt do much
2nd concert better
Friday Oct 30 Day at home - Football match arranged
between W.A. & Vic 6-17 - 9-11 on Air Force Padang
Saturday Oct 31st Work at Shrine - made men put
in shocker. was given Pkt of "Pirates" off visitor
also a box matches. - got new Pork Pie Hat - also
change of pants.
Sunday Nov 1st Matches 30cts a box - Fish for Break
fast - work at Shrine - lot of Jap troops waiting
also nurses. Church parade & inspection
Monday Nov 2nd Work - Blue at home with flu
News fair - believe Bill Rickey & mob at No1
Adam Park
Tuesday Nov 3rd Day off - Concert by "B" BATT
very good - Melb Cup result - High Road
Velocity Lucrative - I think its Rubes Birth
day - eggs in ration
Wednesday Nov 4th On Shrine - not many on
job now. - news seems good to us. - Trengrange
left this camp for Burkit Timah - no pay yet
Skeletons found at Maindai Quarry 4 M.Gs
among them - Black out
Thursday Nov 5th A day on "Chunkal" - rain
set in home early - broke globe in room
- Blackout still on
Friday Nov 6th Day home - went to church
also went for wood - baked some potato
for dinner -read Biography of Edgar
Wallace. - news good
Saturday Nov 7 Stayed home to fix C.D.S
oven - census taken of clothing - Paid $1
four days overdue - news seeming very good
in Libya - another 12 mths & then perhaps
freedom. - Berns 13. birthday
Sunday Nov 8 Still in on oven - Bully Beef
stew for breakfast - good - news good in
Egypt.
Monday Nov9 Up to finish oven - got bunk
from Arthur at [[Elose?]] - had afternoon off.
Tuesday Nov 10 Started on our own oven -
made up a bed for Leni K - afternoon off
good concert on by A.BATT. - ADMIRAL DARLAN
taken prisoner of war.
Wednesday Nov 11th 32 to-day - supposed to go to
work - notified after breakfast. - Armistice
Day - Japs have given ½ hour off for service
at Shrine to our dead - men came back
from work till 1-30 - service held at here
both BATTS present
Thursday 12 Nov Started work at 30th went
out and got 2 drums at worksite - home
early - news that Yanks had entered Oran
Algeria in large numbers - allheads went to CHANGI
Friday 13th worked on our own oven ½ day
Fish for breakfast - Liver & Bacon & baked
vegs for tea - Rumour rise in pay - French Fleet
coming over to us - missed church
Saturday 14th Nov Finishing our own oven -
stew for tea - went & had 40 cts of biscuits &
coffee at canteen. - dreaming all night of home
Sunday 15th Nov Put in a couple of hours on our
oven & had the rest of day off - up to 30th again
to-morrow - notified pay from Nov 2nd to be
OK. 25cts N.C.O. 30 W.O 40cts. - Japs buying fountain
pens & watches was offered $7 for pen - $5 for
the watch - but nothing doing.
Monday 16th Nov Too WET for work - boys had a day
home - so did I. - our oven perfect - pay not in yet
rumour of a move to an island.
Tuesday 17th Nov Back at 30th oven - made a piano
key for G.O.C. - bought a couple of tickets in sweep
on Caulfield Cup drew Palfresco & Eurythmic - good
concert on - Pay in got $2-50 feel like a millionaire
Good news on Pacific front.
Wednesday 18th Nov Up at 30th. dont know whose
moving. so cant put oven into brick early after
noon - Took pants to tailor - result of Cup Tote
AMOUNIS. VELOCITY. BEAULIVRE - My two led all the way
Thursday 19 Nov Ace "A" Battalion going to River Valley
Rd bar us - lose our cookhouse - to go in with
artillery crowd - stayed in to make two beds
for Lt Col. Pond & Major Hoare also one for
Lt Vincent - 54 men went back to Changi
the 3 A.S.C boys attached to 1/4 M.Gs - N.Seringea
lost his watch - believed stolen.
Friday 20 Nov 6-15 Reveille - Big muster - all gear
out of house - Rain set in - all going away gear
wet - we came up to 29th House - dinner with
artillery also with them for all meals - lost
our own kitchen - issue of our 7th Pkt of Cigs
house comfortable but looks leaky - news
seems very good.
Saturday Nov 21st Ready for work - got to
trucks but sent back to camp - but it looks
like a day of fatigues cleaning house - 2/10
with Infantry crowd near canteen 2/6 &
2/12 together. - in 2/29 House. RYAN & OGILVIE
caught near fence - taken to Guard House £5 & 280
called to gether Jap muster parade - were told
we were moving to CHANGI - Canteen open
till midnight - car load of Cigars & tobacco
brought in by the YANK - sent off $3-50 worth of old
gear - lights on all night.
Sunday Nov 22 Breakfast at 7-15 - DINNER 10-30
Parade to Lt Kageyama who said goodbye to us
sold 3 bags rice for $31 - on trucks 3-30 & to
Changi - all boys looked well - camped
in 2/12 building good quarters - bathroom
to myself - found out from 2/3 MG that
[MONDAY Nov 28]
BILL STEPHENS - FREDANNESLEY -passed through
5 weeks back as advance party - met a lot
of old folks.
Tuesday Nov 24 Our working party with Bill Marshall
fell for a good job - good concerts on - handed
in another tin of comforts M & V. news still good
Wednesday Nov 25 Up to DIVVY H.Q. making map of area
afternoon with Lt Marshall around perimeter
bought 3 flints 10cts.
Thursday Nov 26th Morning on timber - afternoo0n
on traverse of area - Blue went to Hospital
- went to lecture on New Guinea by Major
Gunther (Dr) - sleeping well - rice light
Friday Nov 27 made bed ends for tailor - rest of
day free - lecture by Gunner Rodd on the
Perth - heard a Dutch string band very
good.
Saturday Nov 28 Got boots changed also got new shirt
at Ordnance. got 3 more flints - got pants altered
at Tailor also putting collar on shirt - went to
concert "Par Brian"
Sunday Nov 29 Pops Birthday - went to mass -
YANKS area playing Volley Ball - went to Hospital
saw Blue L.Payne Ding Dong Bell Andy Tooecy
Also met G. Lake & Bill Phillips - went to
sing song - on Depot saw Harry Mackins.
Monday Nov 30 Ags Birthday - hope Im there for
your next Ag - got 3 more flints - trailer party
for rations - sweet spuds - canteen prices high
no pay yet.- and hear lecture on the "Perth" - got
Black Jacks speech. to write
Tuesday Dec 1st Round camp - Russian news good
lecture on Return to Messing by Lt Dobbie(good)
Arthur & Snow went to see Blue.
Wednesday Dec2nd On trailer party - may see Capt
Elliot - I did & had a yarn - afternoon on back
got shirt finished by Bert - O.K -. Lecture on Timor
Thursday DEC 3 Making gates from Rubber trees
for entrances to camp - went visited Hosp.
Blue got stitches out - met a chap Frank Bryant
who knew Johnny - news still good - heard
Friday Dec 4th On Dump - Listened to a lecture on the
Life of a Ghurka - Blue came back from Hosp
Saturday Dec 5th Rain all day - getting E.L on this
house - had another look at Concert. F. Bryant
back at RAA. from Hosp. - Jap count nightly.
Sunday Dec 6th Too wet for mass - believe Russia
making wonderfull progress - Washout Wilson
gone to Hospital with bad nose - Concert Com
Depot - lights out 10-oclock - boil busted
Monday Dec 7th Raining like H. most of day
on the shrine - drew a ticket to see play
Blackout declared on - listened to finish of
Lt Carricks lecture on Timor
Tuesday Dec 8 12 mths Anniversary of
Jap invasion - sent to Sthn Area R.E
Workshops - met CpL DAVEY - A. Riedy
put under close arrest while on
guard letting thru' Black Marketers
Wednesday Dec 9 Arthur up in front of
Black Jack - case dismissed - heard
Eng Lt Stromach on 2/1 party in Timor
Thursday Dec 10th Nonies birthday - still
plenty of rain about - boil cleaned up - no
pay as yet. - pocket getting light - bought 2 eggs
30 cents equal to 3 days pay - one bad Len Payne
at Con Depot - sent a $1 to buy some flints -
last tin of Bully - saving for Xmas.
Friday Dec 11th Fine day - Jock K on mat for fighting
(7 days) - Jap count - saw a good play at Con Depot
Lot of toys being made for kids interned ingaol
shifting STORES nearer building -rice getting very
light on pay day 70cts
Sat Dec 12th LT NICHOLLS rejoined unit (WRONG) - A.I.F. Concert
bought 50 cigars a $1. Rain very heavy. Got hair shaved
off
Sunday Dec 13 Mass - Ration party - some boys gone to
gaol to work the day - Ryan went to (HOSPITAL) APPEND
saw Jack Elliot - mail for Poms at Changi gaol
I wish it was ours -
Monday Dec 14 Scrounging - afternoon looking for
lighters - got one - opened my tin of Bully B dinner
B-awful-
Tuesday Dec 15th Rain all day - got couple of souvenirs
& a lighter - Snow went under operation - Japs still
counting of a night. Scrim swopped a Dtch pack
Wednesday Dec16th Hawcroft changed his pack also Neil
Campbell - I got Aviators Kit bag for mine also shirt
& 2 pair of pyjamas for raincoat.
Thursday DEC17 Big Jap parade - on fast from
9a.m. until 12-30 pm. - Washout got rag on for a
water bottle - lecture on Libya by Major Hunt.
Friday Dec 18 Poor breakfast - porridge & small bottle
of milk - out of Gula Malacca - sent a bottle for
some petrol - but got none.
Saturday Dec 19 Heard 6000 men returning from
Singapore - Dutch to move to Southern area -
Had a good tea - looks like there getting rid of
rations before others move in.
Sunday Dec 20th Dutch [[?]] out. no troops
arrived up to date. Made lighter for Wally
Parnell. changed shirt for white pants
Sunday 20th Dec Believe troops in Burma & Libya
campaign nearly on last legs. Dutch moved out
Monday 21st Dec Tom Russells crowd came into
camp at 1300 hrs - fitted for a mess jacket - went
to dentist to get tooth on plate no luck-
Tuesday 22 Dec 2/12 Tried to jack up - put on 3
day rice meals - went to Quiz hour Con Depot
visited the War Artist Murray Griffins
Exhibition also Borehole magazine - picked
to run in 100 yds Changi Championship Xmas day.
Wednesday 23 Dec met a few of A.S.C as they landed in
all 29/th back - saw Tom Grech & Tooner Simmonds
of 2/4 M.G. - Bob Uren wants new bed - Judge wants
wire - Capt Gwynne a bed.
Thursday Dec 24 Xmas Eve - meat is cut out
from rations - we get enough fish for one
good meal in 3 days - had - rations on last
legs - went to midnight mass - made bed for
Bob Uren $1 - Notified no parades Xmas day - Ryan
Xmas DAY
Friday Dec 25 Officers taking over duties -
Menu Breakfast Sugar - Milk on Porridge - Prawns
cocoa
Dinner Bully Beef & Meat & Veg Curry & Rice
Chip Potatoes & Guava Pie - Tea
Tea Meat & Pumpkin Pie - Plum Pudding
& Date sauce Jelly & Pineapple Pie Tea
Supper Meat Pie & Cocoa
[ Each meal better than the other Roll on Peace]
Kelly Smith rejoined unit - running this
afternoon dont expect any success - later
just got pipped in 100yds: was invited
to RA.A for tea & did I blow out - couldnt
eat supper - went to bed very uncomfortable
in stomach - bought another flint
concert in front of building - good
Saturday 26 DEC Some more troops moved into
camp we are still in 2/12 building - I hope
we dont have to shift - some of the 2/12 got word
from Woodlands crowd - going to concert
at theatre - shin taking some healing -
met some of the old cobbers - Mal Verco
Jack Coffey etc of 29th
Sunday 27 DEC Shark for brekker / teaspoonful
kitchen now cooking for 302. - Cupsilt & party
moved in from Adam Park - visited Hospital
saw Con Morgan met Les kemp & Joe Lynch
also Finlay of Mug Gummans
Monday 28 DEC Heard Burma move is coming
food decidedly light on - more stingray for
tea-
Tuesday 29 DEC Easy day - Flints gone up to 20 cts each -
Provost Corps started again - got new recipe for cake
sheets of paper 5 cts each for making cigs - started on
design for crib-board - pay day 80cts
Wednesday 30 DEC Porridge with a teaspoon of Peanut crushed
up - boys jacking up - part Electric light on - also ciglighter
4 officers taken away by Japs for interrogation
Thursday 31st DEC Everybody making Aluminium souvenirs
an issue of sorts Brandy & Rum - very potent - told
we were to be got ready for fighting again - question
time some one asked - what will we do for officers
- Concerts on all round camp - suppose Collie is just
the same - all went a bit silly at midnight.
Friday 1st Jan 1943 The day off - got a few more flints
20cents each - meals a bit better - made a fruit
cake (dates) Yanks came up for basket ball - 60
men to move over on square for intense training
Bert the Tailor going to eye hospital - Engraved
the two birds on shield
Saturday 2nd Jan Moved out of flat 5 downstairs
to No3 - better position. went to Pantomine but
came home early.
Sunday 3rd Jan Splitinto sections - aleaving up
rest of day on back - Yanks up for B.B & Back
Monday Jan 4 Still on dump with Lt Marshall
- went to Hospital saw Jack Elder - Groomey & Bert
got ticket for Concert - met Brigadier Blackburn VC
at concert - seems a very decent stick.
Tuesday Jan 5th Got teak from R.Es - made Rising Sun for
design. - had evening with Summers - Lecture by Major Rob
Wednesday Jan 6th Pay day 80cts - sold cotton to [[Drivy?]]
flints up to 25cts - got out to sell for Bart - Medcraft
came back with a ------ from ------ . Canteen alleged to
be broken into & 7000 [[oclass?]] & 2 cartons of Davio's taken
Thursday Jan 7th Ludowici of 2/12th killed by fall of [[maoor?]]
[[?]] - Snowy the cobbler went to Hospital - got some tobacco
from Canteen 2 Dutchmen shot outside wire - Got some
news first hand.
Friday Jan 8th Big Funeral parade - I went to Hosp - took
32 reels of cotton to DIV. saw Doug Waters who said that
Jack Syme & E. Jenkins were with him - and that
Joe Speak & Tony Lethlean were at Java still -
Japs in area at lights out - got a buck out of cotton
Saturday Jan 9th Got Tom Russell a Dutch Haversack -
Scrim & Hawcroft on a day off - sold Coat shirt 3 Bucks
to Gwynne (Capt) got 40cts peanut toffee - Concert
in our house - 12 mths since I had a pay -
argument about cooks - Deputation to Major
Sunday Jan 10th Went to mass - met one of 2/3 MGs
Middleton of Noggerup - Jenkins & Syme up in
area. did not see them.
Monday 11 Jan More troops came in from Tanglin -
new cooks went in to cookhouse all day & Wilson
- took film to AG.H. - left $1 with Bert for flints -
saw Con Morgan - got tin Polimalt $1 - made bed
for Brian Walton 2/4 M.Gs.
Tuesday 12 Jan A couple of Victorians with us from
Syria & Sthn Area - in office - got some petrol from
Bill Marshall.
Wednesday 13 Jan 29 months since joining up - meals
definitely on the improve. Doug Jenky & Jack
up in the area - alleged to be 600 a day going
up mainland-
Thursday Jan 14 Lecture on 1934 Cricket Tour of England by
Ben Barnett (interesting) also one on Gurkhas
Friday Jan 15 12 months since 8th Divvy went into action
at Germans - went to hospital & met Stan O'Carroll
also saw Don George - Toothbrushes up to $2-80 each
Sat Jan 16th Easy day - bought 15 flints 15cts each
making cigarette holder from a piece of Rosewood
chair bag - got board polished up for design m- made
Rising Sun badge - paid 70cts docked Xmas NYear day
Sun Jan 17th Expect fil back from Con to-day - got
the thingummybol in working order & had a session
- Con didnt turn up.
Monday Jan 18th Played in soccer match - getting a bad
throat - listened to lecture on Abyssinia -
Snow got pinched running two up game - news
re Russia very pleasing.
Tuesday Nov 19th Heard Don McDonald was in 2/3
from Bassendean - feel as if Im getting the flu.
& a good sore throat.
Wednesday 20th Jan The day off no duties - notified
that our names were being broadcast to Aussie
100 a day - messages may be sent later - Don McDonald
came up this arvo - looks well - they leave tomorrow
for up country.
Thursday 21st Jan Medcraft under arrest - myself accused
of having knowledge of the whereabouts of a wireless
went to hear Radio Version of "Journeys End" by Lilley &
his "Coldecott Hill" Hoboes
Friday 22 Jan Visited Hospital - saw Doug Waters
- heard lecture by Bob Skeine on his
solo tour of India England & U.S.A. very
amusing & interesting - Medcraft let go
free.
Saturday 23 Jan Confined to Barracks from
9-30 - 1-0 pm. while place is inspected by Royalty
Not to be seen - so custom has it.
Throat still very sore - to get needle
this afternoon for Dysentry - Put new
[23] Flint in lighter
Sunday Jan 24 Throat worse - no Jap
parade - arm stiff from needle -
Monday Jan 25th All Malayan money to be
changed into Japanese - throat still bad
big cooking competition on -
Tuesday Jan 26th Ordered into M.I.R - Australia
say - big march past of 22n Brigade - great
sight on Barracks Sq
Wed Jan 27th Sent to A.G.H (13th) for opinion on
throat - saw "Jack & Beanstalk" play by Poms a real
good show - tucker similar to unit.
Thurs Jan 28 Saw major Farmer - who is a W.A. man
& said nothing effected in throat - he knows
McCall & Smith.- Doug Waters goes out to-day
egg for breakfast - Pay came down with Tom
Russell - also pie from the boys - some (80cts)
top up Coconut & Peanuts from Jenk -
Moved from O1 to O3
Friday Jan 29 Egg for breakfast - heard we were
able to send radiogram of 20 words home
also one message from unit - Tom Russell
drew the lucky ally - visit from Snowy, Chick
& Norm also another pie - still on gargles throat
easier.- tea egg custard cornflour & bananas
& sago
Saturday Jan 30 Scrim & Jenk visited me - throat still
chronic - boys sent pie & pasty very nice - egg
for Breakfast Jennings sent tobacco -
Sunday Jan 31 Snow & Bonnie came over in rain
also H.RYAN. Throat easier mouth worse
Monday Feb 1st Euchre tournament on - won 1st
round. got beat in Final
Tues Feb 2nd Mouth still bad off Aspirin gargle
eggs ceased for brekker - back on jungle stew.
Lecture on Timor by Capt Maddren of 2/40th Tassie Unit
Wed Feb 3rd Looks as if Im in for another couple of
days. Visit from Arthur & brought some pie
Thurs Feb 4th Norm & Bobbie came over with some
bananas, Coconut & pie.
Friday Feb 5th Saw Doug Waters gave him 40cts
from Barney & Snowy Thomas - Bob Monks brought
a couple of Rissoles from Snow - turned back
from play - late. - may be here over weekend
Sat Feb 6th Went to Play "Badgers Green" very
good - no visitors. mouth very sore still
Sunday Feb 7 Ryan'O came over - Neil Campbell
& Tom Booker came in to Hosp. - Went to Concert
of Jack Greenwood & his Nitwits - an excellent
show & a great Dance Band of 3 Cornets 4 Sax
Drums. Zylophone - Bass Banjo Piano Accord
& a Trombone all experts - mouth improving
visit from Bert Galbraith with a Malayan $1
Monday Feb 8th Mouth good only for cracked
lips - dosant look like anyone coming
over - heard Keating & the lads were back
from "Blackamattic Island on Woodlands
Tuesday Feb 9 Paid 50cts - Went over to Pilgrimage
to Cemetery very nice ceremony - 12 mths since
Japs landed on Island
Wednesday Feb 10th Raining like blazes - would
have been discharged only for rain - looks like it
to morrow. - playing chess or rather learning
Thurs Feb 11 To go out this arvo. - raining heavy
Back in Barracks - Bed full of bugs -
Fri Feb 12 Very early parade to have a photo
taken of 15000 prisoners - I was let off - Doctor
gave light duties - tucker an improvement on
Hospital - put new flint in lighter. Parade
for Photo cancelled until Tomorrow - Put big toe
out of joint playing Base Ball
Sat Feb 13 Parade on again at 12 o'clock - boys
landed back at 5-40 starving had dinner
then tea again at 6' oclock
Sun Feb 14 12 months by day to Capitulation it seems
to have gone quick - news in Russia seems
good - young chap who Blue Lee boxed at No5
got killed with tree puller.
Mon Feb 15 12 months by date of our turning it in
well we remember it - Toe very sore - learning
Chess - Tobacco very scarce - Bill Marshall in MB.R
Tues Feb 16 To go for T.A.B needle & Dental Inspection
- both cancelled - went to good concert by
22nd Brigade. Rostov Fallen
Wed Feb 17 Had Dental inspection - some men
notified to be ready for glass rod (Dysentry Test)
Kharkov fallen
Thursday Feb18 Bill Marshall out of M.I.R - Chick
got glass rod - news still good. - Payday but I
had none to collect.
Friday Feb 19 Detailed to go M.I.R with toe. Doc
thinks its broken - went in Major said to go to
A.G.H. for X Ray & treatment - came over & put in )1
had X.Ray & saw foot through screen second joint
cracked - also had photo which showed up Crack.
Sat Feb 20th On back all day Major MCairn said
he'd put it in plaster Rick Mackay not to
good. unit sent 30cts over. Viewed an
appendix operation - supper of stew and
chips 5 cts at Pom Kitchen
Sunday Feb 21 Toe not going down any -
Charlie Graham over on visit - Cards for
home issued so filled one in - news that
some of the cables had reached home
- Tobacco in 20cts an oz
Mon Feb 22 Egg for breakfast - swelling not
down enough in toe for plaster - Scrim
came over said room was shifted around
Mackay on the improve - one of M.G boys
pretty low with Dysentry - much talk
of a Hospital Ship or Red Cross on its way
I hope so for some of these poor devils in heres
sake - had Date Roll & Banana Sauce for 5cts
supper from Poms
Tues Feb 23 (Got foot in plaster [24th Feb] - feels very awkward)
Went to see Admirable Dighton by different
cast of players - good - got another oz of tobacco
Wed 24 Feb Hughie Copeland came over with
some pasties - very nice - Rick Mackay on the
improve. Sent sweater over for sale
Thursday Feb 25 Got leg iron on for walking -
seems to throw all weight on back. - met
chap named Payne of 2/16th BATT who used to
work in Collie - Potato cake & gravy from
Pom Snack Bar 5cts. Snow took Malayan $1
Friday Feb 26 Left Hospital - paid 80cts. before I left
Scrim came over (50cts for sweater) 80cts for $1)
Sat Feb 27 Put on light duties (-6 weeks) excused
early parade - exchanged pants - sold Emu &
Kangaroo souvenir for $1-50.
Sunday Feb 28 Off all parades bar Jap - Lecture by
survivor off --- brought in here 20th January
bought 4 eggs 60cts
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