Diary of Bernard Henry McCabe
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
Coy 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 worked ½ day too
wet - fruit & Custard for tea - Flints up to 30cts
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 Oct 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 - more men put
in the area. was given Pkt of "Pirates" off visitor
also a box of matches. - got new Pork Pie Hat - also
change of pants.
Sunday NOV 1st Matches 30cts a box - Fish for Breakfast
- work at Shrine - lot of Jap troops waiting
also nurses. Church parade & inspection
Monday Nov 2nd Work - Blue at home with flu
News fair - beleive 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 Rules Birthday
- eggs in ration
Wednesday Nov 4th On Shrine - not many on
job now. news seems good to us. - Trengrave
left this camp for Bukit 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 inhome 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 abed for Lenl K. - afternoon off
good concert on by A.BATT. - ADMIRAL DARLAN
taken prisoner of war.
Wednesday Nov 11 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 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 Onan
Algiers in large numbers - all heads went to CHANGI
Friday 13th worked on our own oven ½ day -
Fish for breakfast - Liver & Bacon & baked
vegs for tea. - Rumour rice in pay - French Fleet
coming over to us - missed church
Saturday 14th Nov Finishing our own oven -
stew for tea - went & had 40cts 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 the day off - up to 30th again
to-morrow - notified pay from Nov 2nd to be
O.R. 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 on 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 afternoon
- took pants to tailor - result Cup Tote
AMOUNIS. VELOCITY. BEALIVRE - My two led all the way.
Thursday 19Nov All "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 Sloane also one for
Lt Vincent - 54 men went back to Changi
the 3A.S.C boys attached to 2/4 M.G's - N. Seringea
lost his watch - beleived stolen-
Friday 20Nov 66-15 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 Cooks leaky - news
seems really 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 &
May 5
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 3-3- & to
Changi - all boys looked well -mcamped
in 2/12 building good quarters - bathroom
to myself - found out from 2/3 MG that
MONDAY NOV 28
BILL STEPHENS - FRED ANNERSLEY -passed through
5 weeks back as advance party - met a lot
of old fates
Tuesday Nov 24 On 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 Nov25 Up to DIVVY H.Q. making map of area
afternoon with Lt Marshall around perimeters
bought 3 flints 10cts
Thursday Nov 26th Manning on timber - afternoon
on traverses 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 Dutch string band very
good.
Sat Nov28 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 Brien"
Sunday Nov 29 Popes 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 Con Depot saw Harry Mackins.
Monday Nov 30 Ags Birthday - hope Im there for
your next Ag - got more flints - trailer party
for rations - sweet spuds - canteen prices high
no pay yet. - another lecture on the "Perth" got
Black Jacks Speech to rewrite.
Tues DEC1st Round camp - Russian news good
lecture on Return to Messing by Lt Bobbie (good)
Arthur & Snow went to see Blue
Wednesday Dec 2nd 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 DEC5th Rain all day - getting E.Lon this
house - had another look at Concert.- F. Bryant
back at R.A.A. from Hosp. - Jap count nightly
Sunday DEC 6th Too wet fore mass - beleive Russia
making wonderful progress - Washout Wilson
gone to Hospital with bad nose - Concert Con
Depot - lights out 10-oclock - boil busted
Monday DEC 7th Raining like H. most of day
on the spine - drew a ticket to see play
Blackout declared on - listened to finish of
Lt Carricks lecture on Timor
Tuesday Dec8 12 mths Anniversary of
Jap invasion - sent to Sth Con 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 Stomach on 2/1 [[party?]] in Timor
Thursday Dec 10th Nonies birthday - still
plenty 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 good play at Con Depot
Lot of toys being made for kids interned in gaol
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 @ $1. - Rain very heavy - Got hair shaved
Sunday Dec 13 Mass - Ration party - some boys gone to
gaol to work the day - Ryan went to (HOSPITAL) APPEND
saw Jack Elliott - mail for Poms at Changi gaol
I wish it was ours -
Monday Dec 14 Scrounging - afternoon looking for
lighters - get one - opened my tin of Bully B - dinner
B-awful -
Tuesday DEC 15th Rain all day - got a couple of souvenirs
& a lighter - Snow went under operation. - Japs still
counting of a night. Scrim swopped a Dtch pack.
Wednesday Dec16th Havercroft changed his pack also Neil
Campbell- I got Aviators Kit bag for mine also shirt
& 2 pair pyjamas for raincoat.
Thursday DEC17 Big Jap parade - on fact from
9a.m until 12-30pm. - Washout got razor 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 moved out. no troops
arrived up to date. made lighter for Wally
Parnell. changed shirt for white pants
Sunday 20th Dec Beleive troops in Burma & Libya
campaign nearly on last legs. Dutch moved out
Monday 21st DEC Tom Russells crowd came into
camp 1300hrs- fitted for a mess jacket - went to dentist to get tooth on plate no luck-
Tuesday 22 DEC tried to jack up - put on 3
dry 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 A.S.C as they landed in
all 29/th back - saw Tom Green & 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 - Red + rations on last
legs - went to midnight mass - made bed for
Rob Uren $1.- Notified no parade Xmas day - Again
XMAS DAY
Friday Dec 25 Officers taking over duties -
Menu Breakfast Sugar Milk on Porridge - Prawns
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 R.A.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.
Sat 26 DEC Some more troops moved into
camp we are still in 2/12 building - I hope
we dont have to shift - some of 2/12 got word
from Woodlands crowd - going to concert
at theatre - skin taking some healing-
met some of the old cobbers - Mal Verco
Jack Coffey etc of 29th
Sunday 27 DEC Shark for Brekker 1 teaspoonful
kitchen now cooking for 302. - Cupsitt [[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 correct
food decidedly light on - more Stingray for
tea-
Tuesday 29 DEC Easy day - Flints gone up to 20cts each-
Provost Corps started again - got new recipe for cake
sheets of paper 5cts each for making Cigs - started on
design for crip - board. pay day 80cts
Wednesday 30Dec Porridge with a teaspoon of peanut crushed
up - boys jacking up - put Electric light on - also ciglighter
4 officials taken away by Japs for interrogation
Thursday 31stDEC Everybody making Aluminium souvenirs
an issue of some Brandy & Rum - very potent - told
we were to be got ready for fighting again - question
time some one asked what 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 basketball - 60
men to move over on square for intense training
Bert the Tailor going to eye Hospital - Engraved
[[?]] birds on shield
Saturday 2nd Jan Moved out of flat 5 downstairs
to No 3- better position - went to Pantomine but
came home early
Sunday 3rd Jan Split into sections cleaning 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.
Tues Jan 5th Got teak from R.EEs - made Rising Sun for
design.- had evening with Summers -Lecture by Major Robby
Wednesday Jan 6th Payday 80cts - sold cotton to Divvy
flints up to 25cts - got coat to sell for Bert - Medcraft
came Back with a ▬▬▬ from ▬▬▬ . Canteen alleged to
be broken into & 700 dollars & 2 cartons of Davios taken
Thursday Jan 7th Ludouirai of 2/12th killed by fall of [[mao or?]]
[[?]] - 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 Moggerup - Jenkins & Syme up in
area & did not see them.
Monday 11 Jan More troops came in from Tanglin -
new cooks went into cookhouse Allday & 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 & Jock
up in the area - alleged to be 600 a day going
up mainland
Thurs Jan14 Lecture on 1934 Cricket Tour of England by
Ben Barnett (interesting) also one on Gurkhas
Friday Jan 15 12 mths since 8th Divvy went into action
at Gemas -went to Hospital & met Stevo O'Carroll
also saw Don George - Tooth brushes up to $2-80 each
Sat Jan 16th Easy day - bought 15 flints 15cts each
making cigarette holder from piece of Rosewood
chair leg. - got board polished up for design - made
Rising Sun badge-paid 70cts docked Xmas & N Year day
Sun Jan 17th Expect film back from Con to-day-got
the thingummybob 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 Russians very pleasing.
Tuesday Jan 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 to morrow
for up country.
Thursday 21s 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 " Caldecott 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.J.R - Australia
day - big march past of 22 Brigade - great
sight on Barrack 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 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 Radio gram of 20 words home
also one message rom unit - Tom Russell
drew the lucky ally - visit from Snow, Chick
& Norm also another pie - still on gargles throat
easier. - tea egg custard cornflour & bananas
& sago.
Sat 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, Coconuts & pie.
Friday Feb 5th Saw Doug Waters gave him 40 cts
from Barney & Snowy Thomas - Bob Manko 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 3Cornets 4Sax
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 cracked
lips - dosent look like anyone coming
over - heard Keating & the lads were back
from "Blackamattic Island or Woodlands
Tuesday Feb 9 Paid 50cts - Went over to Pilgramage
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
tomorrow. - playing chess or rather learning
Thurs Feb 11 To go out this arvo. - raining heavy
Back in Barracks - Bed fill of bugs.
Friday 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 o'clock.
Sun Feb 14 12mths by day to Capitulation it seems
to have gone quick - news in Russia seems
good - young chap who Blue Lee boxed at No 5
got killed by a 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 MI.R
Tues Feb 16 To go for T.A.B needle & dental Inspection
- both cancelled - went to good concert by
22 Brigade; Rostov fallen
Wed Feb 17 Had Dental inspection - some men
notified to be ready for glass rod (Dysentry Test)
Kharkov fallen.
Thursday Feb 18 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 O1
had X.Ray & saw foot through screen second joint
cracked - also had photo which showed up the break.
Sat Feb 20th On back all day Major Mairn said
he'd put it in plaster Rick Mackey not to
good. unit sent 30cts over. viewed an
appendix operation - supper of stew and
chips 5cts 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 oz
Mon Feb 22 Egg for breakfast - swelling not
down enough in toe for plaster - Scrim
came over said room was shifted around
Mackey 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 Mackey on the
improve. sent sweater over for sale.
Thursday Feb 25 got leg iron on for walking
seems to throw all weight on break. - met
chap named Payne of 2/16th BATT who used to
work in Collie. - Potato cake & gravy from
Pom [[?ack?]] 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.
Mon Mch 1st Given job on scalding coppers
Diptheria, Dysentry Mth Disease taking
a hold of Camp - had-egg for tea
Tue Mch 2nd Bert Allday rushed over to A.G.H
for appendix operation. - Scrim & Hawcroft
on Guard - had egg for dinner -
Wed Mch 3rd Arthur & Jenkos birthdays - got paid
20cts - Flints at 10cts sent Jersey up with medcraft
Jap convoy alleged to be sighted near N. Guinea
Thurs Mch 4th Swopped jobs with Ryan on water picket
not so much walking - rumour theres mail at the
Gaol - also that 2500 A.I F are to be moved up
country
Friday Mch 5 Given 40cts by unit - rumour of
complete annihilation of Jap convoy in
Bismark Sea - Dug Medcraft came back from
the Gaol & said they were sorting 12 bags for AIF
before they get moved off.
Sat Mch 6th AJAX Shaving saloon open 10cts for 2 shaves
& a Haircut for 3 mths. got some petrol from W. Parnell
Went to A.I.F. Concert good show.
Sun Mch 7th Quiet day - Les Kemp to go North -
Put flint in Lighter - ARTHUR gone to Con Depot
Mon Mch 8th Charlie Graham up sorting letters
brought word back two for me - Oil fdor cooking
very scarce - Eggs up to 17cts each - no eatables
in canteen - good reports of Russian
situation.
Tues Mch 9th Got some Petrol from Wally.Stan
Warren over-heard we were leaving
Wed Mch 10th Mail came into Engineers
Ags letter arrived - was I excited -
very pleased to know all were well
some of other letters state that Sgt Sam
Harridon was spoken to in Perth
letter dated 29th June - some as late as
October 2nd.
Thurs Mch 11 We seem to have been lucky
no more mail until the party who are going
away has been sorted & censored - went
to lecture on Drug Traffic in Singapore by
Lt Mavor. very interesting. - visit from
Rod Ross
Fri Mch 12 Les to leave Sunday for up North -
got double dose of T.A.B. - got some Chess
problems.
Sat Mch 13 Got lighter fixed up - Finlay Flannigan
Rod Ross came to say goodbye - some men got
home leaving here in APRIL.
Sun Mch 14 First Party of 640 left for North
rumour Pay 9/6 a day in one letter - Father
married sons fiancee - wife adopted 2 mths old
baby in others - also one parcel every 3 mths
Tea 6/11 lb - Butter 4/6
Mon Mch 15 On Jap picket - second crowd
ready to leave & being vaccinated again -
Paid 65cts
Tuesday Mch 16 3rd party left - saw Tom Davidson
(rest of 2/6th moved in - to building 2/10th in our old
house Wednesday)
Wed Mch 17 Sold 2 flints - St Pats day - things are
very quiet. - heard Darwin had another raid
but think it is a Furphy - 3 weeks to go with plaster
2/10 shifted
Thurs Mch 18th Losing weight - down to 9st - rice
seems scarce - word 3 nurses had reached home
also - that Tobacco had increased 400% to growers
Friday Mch19 Poms have started up North - news of more
men reaching home safely since Capitulation
Sat Mch 20 Cookhouse separating - Snow Jewell
to go as clerk in Orderly Room.- Bugs getting
in to plaster on leg.
Sun Mch 21 Trailer Parties getting more consistent
2 a day - more letters in.
Mon Mch 22 we hear the pubs close at 6 pm in the
West also a medal struck for Singapore campaign
Went to concert
Tues Mch 23 Taken off water point - caretaker
up at workshops - still news of boys getting
home - rumour 9th Divvy home.
Wed Mch 24 More mail for 2/6th - I got one from
Mrs Stain - says she has seen Pat & invited her
to tea. - Lecture by Maj Wilde on Japan
Thur Mch 25 We hold a general Knowledge Quiz
more letters 2/10th
Fri Mch 26 Lecture by Bill Rule on Diamond
Drilling. Paid 75cts
Sat Mch 27 Some mail for 2/12th - word come
in 52 men to compose "E" force to leave tomorrow
Sun Mch 28 Keating - Jensen - Marshall & Chick
Clark leave with the party 7-20AM. - looks
like the sea - Rumour that 3000 are to
leave next week - also Divvy - more
mail in 2/4 MG's.-
Mon Mch 29 Heard D.Dong Bell pretty low
Syd Cupitt transferring to Garden group as
Fruit advisor - Billy Rule to take over his
station.
Tues Mch30 Big mail came in to house - all have
now received letter - 2 for Arthur - lecture on
Artillery.
Wed Mch 31 Lecture on Pacific Islands - broke so
am selling both shirts S.A. no luck with tabs. -
still no sign of shift.
Thurs April 1st 1000 JAVA PARTY left Sth Area
Got $2 for shirts. - so got some potatoes & tobacco
Friday April 2nd Went to concert - good show -
F. Arthur going over with Reidy - fixed Tom Russell
lighter with wick & spring - Richie came back t
unit
Sat April 3rd Bought 3 eggs going to have a blowout
with chip potatoes. one bad.
Sun April 4th Not many letters coming now - many
of the boys didnt receive one. Rick Mackey back in
Con Depot.
Mon April 5th Just another day. - although news
seems fair. QUIZ on between 1/10 & Officers won by
latter.
Tues April 6th Lecture on Filming Malayan Campaign
by (Japs) also Battle of Muar - News screed of
letters from home.
Wed April 7th To go to Hospital to day to get plaster
off - A.GH 3.30 - plaster taken off couldnt put
foot to ground - saw Con about film he still
has it. Paid 80cts
Thurs April 8th Nairin says break has mended
well - using crutches - foot certainly seems
strange - a big lump of flesh came away from
sole of foot on plaster
Friday April 9th Rumour has it that a big
move is on - 200 Engineers to go - looks as if
Ill miss out - 3500 all told.- foot very tender
Egg for brekker
Sat APRIL10th Major Nairin given me permission
to go back to unit to-day - so theres still a
chance. - good brew of yeast by Russell
Sun APRIL 11th Classed A1 by Doctor this morning -
Tom Russell was able to hear Jacks letters - more
mail at Gaol 20 bags - 24 letters for A.I.F
Mon APRIL 12 Foot starting to swell up - looks
bad - Ryan paid me 15cts from Sam Ogilvie
news alright in Tunis. 2/30 to go on trip-it must
be good- we are to know to-morrow night who
are the lucky ones.
Tues APRIL 13 Foot still sore & swollen-Ill have
to be very lucky to make the grade -(VX27142
GJ RAPSON).
Wed APRIL 14th Turned down by Dr-boys gone to get
needles - pay in - Tunis looks like falling
"E" FORCE arrived in Sarawak-
Thurs APRIL 15th More needles for boys this arvo
Poms & Java party moving from their area
5 o'clock in morning. Paid 55cts
Friday APRIL 16th Things quiet-boys supposed to
leave on Wed 21st
Sat 17th April Notified to stand by - on an
hours notice - 2 o'clock cooks told to get
4 meals rations ready - boys very excited
packing up - 12 o'clock P.M. some still
getting ready - Sunday 1 AM Reveille -
clouds coming up - boys given their
rations M&V Pie rissoles & Rice bread -
2 A.M Fall in& all goodbyes said. - lined
up on square 3AM Rain started & eventually
poured down in torrents soaking men and
packs & kept up till they left at 5-15A.M.
poor buggars I felt sorry for them.
Sunday 18th April The place is like a tomb -
changing quarters - I stayed where I was
28 of us left - 18 here and 10 in Hosp & Con Depot
Monday 19th April Went to Doctor - who sent
me over to A.G.H for opinion - get over in
ambulance & got some plaster on to strengthen
ankle & foot but had to walk home in rain
- no Jap parades for 5 nights
Tues 20th April Rumour another Force "G" to go
Foot holding well to gether but havn't
much power in it. - I get very tired
Power breakdown for about 4 days
Wed 21st April Picking the men to go-10 Eng
on it Len Opic-Apples-Fairclough from
2/6th Sugar ration cut right out
Thurs 22nd April Sent over to ADMS for
Examination - they want 5 more men
missed out - & Im rather pleased
about it
Friday 23April Good Friday went to
mass - G Force went for needles
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