Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX37385 Private Francis Prosser, 2/29th Australian Infantry Battalion, 1941-1946 - Part 4

Sat 26^th
Boxing day did a few light duties
during the morning, and went to the
A.I.F. concert in the afternoon very
solumn music but good mostly
sacred songs and symphony music
Sun 27^th
Sunday an odd job or two with
a Church service, went to see a
base ball game played between the
Aussies & the Yanks who are Pows
off the cruiser Houston sunk
the same time as the Perth, surviver
from both ship were brought over
here from Java with a lot of Duch
& Javanese prisoners, the game was
a drawn game, more Aussies arrived
back in Changi camp today, they
must be nearly all back now, I think
things are beginning to move now and
hope we are not P.O.W. much longer. 
Mon 28^th
Getting near New year don’t wish
to spend another in this darn country
did nothing all day. Went to A.I.F.
concert tonight and saw a pantomime
Cinderella and very good too. Glad xx
concert party are doing good work
Tues 29^th
Just lounged about today no
work, every one seems a bit
brighter, as we have heard a
bit good oil, and are hoping that
it is the goods. anyway it is
about time something happened

Wed 30^th
nearly all the Ct. I.F. are
back in Changi now as they have
been returning each day since we
have arrived, was peeling vegetables
today.
Thurs 31^st
New Year Eve this is the second
we have spent away from home, but
hope to spend the next one with
you all. Tojo presented us with a
bottle of brandy ten men for a
bottle, it sure had a bit of a
kick in it we had a bit of a
celebration in the barrack square and
was up to see the old year out,
but hope never to spend any more
like this one.
Jan Fri 1^st
New years day started off
peeling vegetables but went and saw
the yanks and Aussies play base
ball in the afternoon just a day.
Sat 2^nd
Was on a couple of fatigues today
refuse pit digging in the morning
& work fatigue in the afternoon.
Sun 3^rd
Mess orderly today also on a fatigue
this afternoon carting soil from the
barrack square which stopped me
from seeing the big game of baseball
between the Yanks & Aussies again
Mon 4^th
Kitchen fatigue this morning, went
to see baseball game which seems to
be the rage here now, this afternoon
Tues 5^th
Was on wood party this morning
and just lounged about after dinner
Wed 6^th
Was on a bit of gardening today 

Thurs 7^th
Was on Changi gaol party today
went to the gaol, from there we
went to a road and filled in a few
holes Japs were fairly easy & had
an easy day, first time out of the
wire since coming back to Changi
Friday 8^th
Just a day of keeping out of the
way, no fatigues and trying to keep
out of sight so as not to get any.
Sat 9^th
Went over to the A.G.H. ground
this afternoon & saw a good Aust rules
football match, no duties today
Sun 10^th
Peeling vegetables this morning
went to see baseball game
in afternoon.
Mon 11^th
Had a easy day today no
duties just lounging around.
Tues 12^th
Some more boys arrived back
to Changi from working party
in Singapore. Some Aussies arrived
today from Java 2/40^th Btn taken prisoner
in Timor and to my surprise I met 4
chaps I knew who were in A. Coy 2/7^th Don Coy
Wed 13^th
Was on vegetable peeling today, and
had an easy day after.
Thur 14^th
Was on wireing party today pulling
down part of the wire, that we put
up to keep us in early in the piece
they are wireing the garden in and
making the perimeter smaller.

Friday 15^th
Was on a I.F.A. garden party today outside
the wire digging up the soil making fresh
gardens, fairly easy day, 11 months
a prisoner of war today.
Sat 16^th
Did a bit of drill today getting ready
for a Brigade parade on the 26th
seems strange doing drill in P.O.W. Camp
Sunday 17^th
Played cards in morning and salt
water party in afternoon.
Mon 18^th
Did drill this morning, and a small
job this afternoon.
Tues 19^th
Many Happy returns for your Birthday
hope to be home for your next. More
drill today & a few odd jobs.
Wed 20^th
Drill this morning, lounging about
the rest of the day.
Thur 21^st
This drill is getting too consistent
be glad when it is finished, its for
some Brigade stunt on the 26th so the
sooner its over the better I’ll take it
Frid 22^nd
More drill today & few odd jobs
Sat 23^rd
A couple of hours of drill and
a good soap no work.
Sun 24^th
The whole Battalion with the
26^th & 30^th went through our paces for
the great day. Tues when the whole Brigade
struts their stuff for what reason
I don’t know as yet. But it is
drawing nearer each day.

Mon 25^th
More drill & no work tomorrow
the big Parade.
Tues 26^th
Today we had the 27^th Brigade
parade, celebrating Aust day it was
a big turnout lasted for an hr and half
very spectacular I must say, but
I hope that is the end of the drilling
Wed 29^th
Was on wood trailer party
today, also paid 80 cents, listened
to lecture on A I F in Timor.
Thurs 28^th
Was on I.J.A. garden party doing
a bit of road making through veg gardens
made by P.O.Ws. quite a few acres of
vegetables growing wrote small letter
to you hope you receive it.
Friday 29^th
Day of rest nothing to do, as
we received an injection for
dysentry, lot of sickness
owing to lack of vitamins
Sat 30^th
Was on I.J.A. garden party
once again not a hard day.
Sunday 31^st
End of another month nearly
12 months a P.O.W. rained all day
was to have debugged our quarters
but rain cancelled it bugs bad.
Mon Feb. 1^st
Xxx Went on salt water party
a good easy fatigue to be on
nothing else to do all day.
Went to see A.I.F. boys in a series
of fights

Tues 2^nd
No fatigues listened in to a
good lecture this afternoon.
Wed 3^rd Saw more boxing bouts.
Was on I.J.A. Garden party
fair day.
Thurs. 4^th
Had another needle today arm
a bit sore, no fatigues.
Frid 5^th
Another day of rest did a bit
of washing, slept in afternoon.
Sat 6^th
Was on rice grinding all day today
a bit strenuous, especially on three rice
meals per day.
Sun 7^th
Was on I.J.A. garden party this
morning, Don Coy paid pilgrimage to
A.I.F. Cemetery this afternoon, looks
quite nice, vast improvement since I
was working on it some months ago.
Mon 8^th
Had day of leisure no jobs.
Tues 9^th
Was on I.JA. garden party rained
all day never did much work.
Wed 10^th
Received another needle today
was on wood trailer party this morning
Still raining cats and dogs.
Thurs 11^th
Went on I.J.A. Parade, arrived
there but it was postponed, weather very
wet.
Friday 12^th
Was on I.JA. garden party
feel very crook pains in the stomach
sat down all day. I.J.A. parade was
held today took movies of same.

Mon 15th Sat. 13^th
On I.J A  garden party, tummy
very crook Doc says bad attack
of indigestion & to lay off rice, that’s
all we get so I’ve got to starve evidently
Sun 14^th
Just another day. 3 feeds of rice
and a place to sleep fed up with it
all, the old belly not so good.
Mon 15^th
One year today since capitulation
hope we don’t have to put up with another
like it, was on I.J.A. garden party was
on the road with one of the Officers he
never let up on me all day.
Tues 16^th
Don Coy duties today was on B./H
Hygiene fatigue, also received another
needle today that makes it 4 in 3 wks.
Wed 17^th
Was on grass cutting fatigue today
easy day, volunteered for permanent
garden party start in morning
Thur 18^th
started on new job today put in full
day tummy still giving me trouble.
Friday 19^th
Was on I J A garden party today
easy day, went to lecture tonight
Sat 20^th
I J A garden party once
again, went to lecture tonight, good
Sun 21^st
Was garden party today
wrote a letter card to you
hope you receive same.

Mon 22^nd
Was I J A garden party once
again are now permanent for that
job so will be doing same for quite
a while I hope as you know what you
are to do from day to day.
Tues 23^rd
Was on the garden again went to
lecture on the Ghurka very good
Wed 24^th
Garden party this morning, half
day off so had a test for dysentry
This afternoon went A.I.F. concert party.
Thurs 25^th
on the garden again, got paid this
evening and went to lecture on Greece & Crete.
Frid 26^th
Garden again, lecture this evening
on crime, some of these lectures very
interesting
Sat 27^th
Garden party, Im getting sick of writing
it down but that is all I do these days
still you know what you have to do
from day to day, so nothing new happens
Sun 28^th
Worked this morning, afternoon off 
so had a bit of a nap Listened in to lecture
by seaman who was captured by German
raider, was very interesting.
Mon March, 1^st
Was on I.J.A garden party, listened
to lecture this evening on the North
west frontier of India very good.
Tues 2^nd
Was I.J.A garden party, fair
day.

Wed 3^rd
I.J.A garden party lecture
this evening
Thurs 4^th
Garden party fair day
Fri 5^th
IJA garden party easy day
listened in to lecture this evening
Sat 6^th
The same as previous day
Sun 7^th
Garden party this morning, listened
to lecture this afternoon from Gurka Officer
of the German raider, who pulled in to
Singapore a few days ago, apparently
that there is some mail in for us
or Im hoping it is true, just dying to hear
from you and to know all is well.
Mon 8^th
Was on garden party again,
and very pleasant news greeted me,
as I am told there is a letter for me, so
Im just dying to get my hands on it.
Tues 9^th
IJA garden party, all day
played baseball they evening thoroughly
enjoyed it
Wed 10^th
Garden this morning, did
some washing this afternoon
Thur 11^th
Out on I.J.A. garden rained
nearly all day.
Frid 12^th
Went out to garden but it was
raining and we came back to camp
Peter got a letter from Vera but
never told me much, still waiting
to get one from you.

Sat 13^th
Well its Maries birthday today
3 yrs she must be a big girl now.
Went I J A garden, this evening went to 
A.I.F.  concert. A.I.F. went away
Sun 14^th
I J A garden this morning
played cards this afternoon.
Mon 15^th
Was on IJA garden party
today, not feeling the best
tummy playing up with me, went
A.I.F. concert tonight.
Tues 16^th
Went on sick parade put on light
duties for a day or two not so well
AIF lads went away.
Wed 17^th
Still in camp with stomach
trouble, played baseball this
afternoon some A.I.F went away.
Thur 18^th
still a sick stomach rice does
not agree with me wish it was corn
More troops went away.
Friday 19^th
Nothing doing still on light duties
tummy still giving me trouble.
troops went away
Sat 20^th
Still no work, played baseball with
the old buffers got beat by 2 runs.
Sun 21^st
just lounging about the camp
went to church this evening.
Mon 22^nd
Few letters came in to the unit
but none for me as yet, waiting
patiently for one from you and to
know all is well with you all

Tues 23^rd
still potering about the camp stomach
not getting any better.
Wed 24^th
still have stomach trouble, also
eyes giving one trouble not working
Mail came in but none for me
Thur 25^th
Getting no better, camp getting very
monotonous sooner be out on garden job
Frid 26^th
Much about the same as previous
day.
Sat 27^th
went to see eye specialist today
eyes very bad, should have glasses
more mail came in, still none for me
went to A.I.F. concert tonight very good
Sun 28^th
500 A.I.F. went away the morning
seems like we will be the next to go.
Mon 29^th
just another day in camp, went
to lecture tonight fairly good
Tues 30^th
Stomach and eyes giving me
trouble all through lack of vitamins
still haven't got a letter, they have
been coming in small batches.
Wed 31^st
Today I got a letter from you
After waiting all these days for it
knowing it was coming it is 23
days since I was told there was a
letter for me Glad to know all is well.
Thurs 1^st April
still crook with the stomach
and eyes have to go for eye test
tonight at 8 ocl wish it was
all over fed up with the whole business.

Frid 2^nd
Still back in camp not feeling the best
went to lecture tonight.
Sat 3^rd
Went out on I.J.A. garden party as billy
as Im still light duties went to
lecture tonight
Sunday 4^th
Billy boy again but only
half day. Played baseball in afternoon
went to church tonight.
Mon 5^th
Billy boy once again, quite an easy
job and back in camp early.
Tues 6^th
same as previous day, still not
feeling the best. Went to 18th Div concert
Wed 7^th
Early this morning woke up with
terrible pains had a bad night never
went on the billy today. Got paid 80 cents today
Thurs 8^th
Still in trouble with the stomach
so never went out on the billy boiling
Friday 9^th
Just the same as yesterday
Sat 10^th
Went on sick parade M.O.
sent me over to the A.G.H so arrived
at the hospital this afternoon, all the
boys are going away from the Island
so Im going to miss the draught worse luck
Sun 11^th
Had a good overall by the M.O.
and am now on light diets such as
sago and other meats, no rice no biscuits
Mon 12^th
Still on the diets with numerous
tablets and medicines weighed
myself today, so about 9st, 1lb.

Tues 13^th
Still at A.G.H and on Light diets
Wed 14^th
still with stomach trouble,
went to see a good play, I killed the count
Thur 15^th
Expect to have a test tube
Friday 16^th
Havent had tube as gut feeling
bit better.
Sat 17^th
Diet seems to be doing me good
Sun 18^th
Few of the boys came over this
afternoon to say goodbye as they are
going away Tues, made a man a bit
down in the dumps not going with
them, had test tube this morning
Mon 19^th
Went to see eye specialist today
eyes not so good, have to have
another test tube, last one was not
a success don’t fancy it at all.
Tues 20^th
Played cards all day tonight
saw some movies shown by an English
officer who took them all whilst
travelling around, some Geelong,
Lorne, and New Zealand.
Wed 21^st
Still it A.G.H feeling much better
Thur 22^nd
had test tube today hope this
one is a success. Pretty good today.

Frid 23^rd
Good Friday today hope we are
home for the next. Most of the boys have left
Sat 24^th
Just another day at the A.G.H.
Sun 25^th
Anzac day. I believe there was a
dawns service over at the camp lines
lots of Pows going away probably be in the
next
Mon 26^th
Went to Eye specialist today
got to see him weeks time 
Tues 27^th
another day at A.G.H. played cards
Wed 28^th
Played cards most of day
Thurs 29^th
Probably going out next week.
Friday 30^th
Lounged around today went to
A.I.F. concert tonight very good.
Sat. 1^st May
May Day and still a P.O.W. wish
they would hurry up and finish things
Sun 2^nd
Still in A.G.H.
Mon 3^rd
Eyes very bad
Tues 4^th
just the same
Wed 5^th
Nothing of note
Thurs 6^th
Played cards all day
[*Frid 7^th
Eyes very very bad
hardly see what
Im writing*]

Sat 8^th
Just lounging around, who
went to a concert tonight
Sun 9^th
Mothers Day once again, time
does fly M O said as soon as my eyes
are OK he will discharge me from A.G.H.
Mon 10^th
still at A.G.H.
Tues 11^th
just another day saw eye spec
today, have to see him another weeks time
Wed 12^th
Likely to be transported to eye
ward.
Thur 13^th
Transferred to eye ward.
Friday 14^th
Played cards all day
Sat 15^th
Eyes fairly bad today
Sun 16^th
Played crib most of day
Mon 17^th
lounged about went to concert
tonight good show
Tues 18^th
Saw eye specialist today
said eyes are improving and could
go back to unit
Wed 19^th
Still at A.G.H.
Thurs 20^th
No sign of being discharged
Friday 21^st
Eyes coming good had a
read today.

Sat 22^nd
still at A.G.H. read all day
Sun 23^rd
Day of reading once again
Mon 24^th
lounging about still
Tues 25^th
Another day of reading & cards
Wed 26^th
Had a game of Bridge and crib
tonight went to a play. He came Back in
6 acts very well set up to
Thurs 27^th
just another day.
Frid 28^th
Discharged from Hospital so am
now back with what is left of the unit
might be about 50 of the 29^th left.
Sat 29^th
Didn’t take long to give me duties
did a couple of trailer party’s this afternoon
Sun 30^th
Out on I.J.A. garden party this
morning Kit inspection this afternoon
Mon 31^st
Was on CSMs party today digging
a pit for refuge. 
Tues 1^st June
Was on trailer party today went to A.I.F.
concert tonight very good
Wed 2^nd
Went out on I.J.A. garden party
today, finished day on the road job
cutting grass and burning off fair job
Thur 3^rd
Was on CSM party digging
refuge pit
Frid 4^th
Same job as yesterday

Sat 5^th
Was on I.J.A. garden party
on the water pump all day
Sun 6^th
CSM party went with trailer
for load of wood
Mon 7^th
Was on I.J.A. garden party
Tues 8^th
went down to the cookhouse
washing dishes and what not.
Wed 9^th
Still at kitchen helped to
make douvers and hash.
Thurs 10^th
Same as yesterday
Friday 11^th
Nothing different.
Sat 12^th
Still in kitchen good job
Sun 13^th
still on the douvers & hash
Mon 14^th
Still at kitchen signs of berry
berry in right leg.
Tues 15^th
Leg swollen and with aches
& pains still in kitchen
Wed 16^th
Leg still giving me much
pain but day off so giving it
a rest. Hope I don’t go to A.G.H. again
Thurs 17^th
Still in cookhouse leg still
swells up fairly big as day goes
on
Frid 18^th
Went on sick parade this morning
MO said it is not Berry Berry [[?]]
much easier Went A.I.F. concert tonight
very good show.
Sat 19^th
Leg still puffs up and still
very sore -
Sun 20^th
Still manage to hang on cookhouse
job it will do me till the end of
the war.
Mon 21^st
Having another day off so will
give leg a rest, had haircut this morn
Tues 22^nd
Leg still swells up still at Cookhouse
Wed 23^rd
Still in cookhouse but afraid will
have to see MO about leg getting bit
worried
Thurs 24^th
just another day
Frid 25^th
Went to see MO so have to
go over to G H this afternoon
Sat 26^th
Taking tablets & medicine feel
very gooey
Sun 27^th
still on the same treatment
Mon 28^th
Still same treatment
Tues 29^th
Same.
Wed 30^th
Same
[*Thurs 1^st July
MO said a couple
more days &
be OK
at [[?]]*] 

Frid 2^nd

Foot seems to be gone down

discharged from A.G.H. back kitchen

Sat 3^rd

Saw unit M.O. gave me 2 days

no duties foot swollen this morning.

Sun 4^th

Foot swells up a bit but not

so as before not sore.

Mon 5^th

Still ploding along at cookhouse

trying to hold this job.

Tues 6^th

Foot still swells up but does not

ache so much.

Wed. 7^th

Still plodding along.

Thurs 8^th

Still down in cookhouse

Frid 9^th

Foot still swells but not

near as much as previously.

Sat 10^th

Just another day.

Sun 11^th

F force may be back by [[?]]

so will see the boys once again.

Mon 12^th

Just living from day to day waiting

for something to happen.

Tues 13^th

Another day in the P.O.W camp

Changi.

Wed 14^th

Still living in hopes for 

something to happen

Thur 15^th

Another day nearer home maybe.

Frid 16^th Anniversary for being in 

the A.I.F. 3 yrs today.

Went over to Palladum and

saw 4 act play Love Laughs very good

Sat 17^th

Waiting for something to happen

went to A.I.F. concert tonight.

Sun 18^th

Managed to get the day over

Mon 19^th

Having a day off today first

for over a fortnight

Tues 20^th

Weather report seems excelent

puts new life into a man.

Wed 21^st

Still strutting my stuff at the

cookhouse.

Thur 22^nd

Working long hrs in kitchen

went over to a concert tonight given by

the Poms.

Frid 23^rd

Just another day still waiting

for something to happen.

Sat 24^th

Nothing of note happens.

Sun 25^th

Just another day of graft, went

xxx to church this evening.

Mon 26^th

Still plodding along.

Tues 27^th

My day off today did bit 

of washing and odd jobs for myself.

Wed 28^th

Plodding along in kitchen

Thur 29^th

Left Bathurst 2 years ago today

Just another day.