Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 1










1942—30 Days APRIL.
9 THURSDAY 99-266
Visited Capt Brown. Very sick.
Argyells & S.H ✓
Sherwood Forresters. ✓
Rumours not good.
Brown very sick, sweating, unwell,
thin, white, I nearly fainted
Argyells all 2 year men, met
CO Hyslop. Capt Gordon. Col
Stewart got away on destroyer.
Forresters left this day for Sing
Met Capt Coxon, their adjt.
Major Had 8 Thompson 8 Div
secured many wallets from
kit store.
[[?]] Aug 1943
Seagar, Lt Croselle (F) Capt. Readman, Maj.
[[?]] (F), (R) (Sub)
Major Pallandri, Capt Stephenson Wright
PS Capt Achmed
1 PET F 52 FOOD
Geprüft
24
Stalag IVA
[*PRO6003*]
1942—30 Days APRIL
12 SUNDAY 102-263Mass 0830. TableSee Capt Lloyd re Dysentry.Go with salt party
2
Visited sea with salt water
party. Saw large 15" gun
destroyed. Pleasant walk
through plantations. Plenty
of cocoanuts and dry wood.
Saw 2 destroyers & 1 supply
ship steam out. Had serious
Yarn with Brig. Rain as
usual very heavy. Bridge
with Durriman, Throple &
Bowring - Square. Managed one
recital. Too wet for Devotions.
Rosary every night.
1942—30 Days APRIL
13 MONDAY 103-262c.c. Officers Mess 1830 hrs (?)See Lloyd re DysentrySumner re picketsCC Arrange gardeners.QM Experiment with saltQM [[diff?]] 1 of 5. yardsman. May helpQM re Off Mess.West " " $300 - 400C.O. Tea, Off Mess money.Gaharr re mess on corner to.CO. Latrine - maggots
N ✓ N ✓ N ✓ N x
2/13, low, 2/26, 2/10 high 2/18 Sigs KEL
Missing. one every
week with
[[Volty?]] 11 of GH
Very constipated & tired. Linen bath.
Div concert, Bet Bert 25-1 $ that Germany
not beaten 30 tho. Philtippine & Burma news bad
APRIL 4th Month—1942
14 TUESDAY 104-261Return Library book.Inspection 12 00 hrsGardiner & Bowrings bet of $1AM re salt experiment, men awayDysentry
CO cf Tea, mess money, latrines, flys,salt waterBook for McGregorCpl Kennedy.Lecture 17 30 by ChaplainDebate 1930 " [[Drelh?]BatheCO RGM re N.C.O.sQM Extra men on wood.Wlz. Brick wall
1942—30Days APRIL
15 WEDNESDAY 105-260Div Field OfficerArrange Piano recital.Mass 0830 TableBridge - Owen & Fleming
Move tomorrow.
Bn xx 5 . 34
HQ 6 . 89
A 4 . 83
B 3 . 65
C 4 80
D 4 77
26Bn fall in 0750 Love Bh 0820 NAAFI Club of 0800 hrsto DAQMGMCO & 20 RS next coyat 0810 at gate.
off baggage on Bn noticeboard at0730 hrsRationsBreakfast 0700 hrs
Prepared to move to Adam Park.
C.O. says he prefers Brad Hart
Jan 5th - Hoping to go to Stalag on Wednesday. I arranged the dental visit to 404 for to-day and
we set off for the station at 0715 hrs., jolly cold (only zero) and still snowing, and
eventually marched from Dabandorf station to the camp in a brisk fall. Everyone there
quite well and happy except Eric C. who had something special in head-colds. Told me that for previous
fortnight he hadn't held a comt.card at Bridge, so had made a New Year resolution to play no more, and
was engaged in making his fortune at Solo by making successful bids of Moazire. Auman suggests I should ask
for official status as Senior Camp M.O. to handle medical supplies through Red +, and also such medical
correspondence as concerns us. Good scheme, should it be approved. Applied for permission to visit Stalag in a.m.
on my return, and learned that Stabsarzt Wicke had already given instructions for me to visit him on Friday.
Jan. 6th - Slept in, played basketball, and ran Sick-parade, during which German Sanitater
Unteroffizier arranged a parade of about 20 men for ticking-off, at Stalag's instructions
It appears that the list had been compiled of fellows who had come on sick-parade and
had got "work" repeatedly, and the suspicion is that they were trying to "swing the lead". In the first place I
had an objection to having a Corporal sent down to do things like that over me, and not a Medical Officer,
and, in the second place, on checking through the list there were, at the most, only one or two cases who
could be suspected of not being genuine, and they were doubtful suspects at that. I had the "ticking-off"
wiped out, but I rather think that the matter is one of the things that the Stabsarzt wishes to discuss
on Friday. I should like to talk it over, at all events. We have mislaid our old sick-reports from [[Keske?]]
but if they can be found they would be very valuable references.
Jan 7th - Nothing of any note happened this day, except the arrival of the seventh
anniversary of Glad's and my wedding. Seven years, and over two of them
spent apart.
Jan 8th - Price came with me to.day on a visit to Stalag, where I had been summoned to see
Stabsarzt Wick. He was not there, and it came out that the reason for my presence
was to see Eric Cooper receive a parcel of over 3000 artificial teeth from the BRC
enough, as he said, to put the men in III D on their feet dentally. He, Seward, and I signed the receipt.
I could not see the Stabsarzt but his assistant gave me authority to get some extra gear on Monday at
the Sanitaatspark, and my application for permission to buy art materials seems doomed to failure - I'll
know on Monday - I got confirmation that we may keep only R.M.30 in our personal possession, the rest
must be put to our individual credits, mine already standing at something over R.M.200. Saw Lanshon
at Stalag, he's been shifted to Naukőllen, and Robert has been sent out to Litchterfeld, each being replaced
at HQ by the French M.O. originally at the Kommando.
[*2P*]
Jan 9th - Had a walk out with the Sanitater unteroffizier to.day and passed
520. He had to go in on business, and I was able to see the others for a
few seconds. Things quite comfortably settled in there, and the camp appears
to be almost an exact counterpart of ours, though the barrack-rooms are half the size.
Rumours flying about lately that Tripoli has fallen, and that the Russians are doing well.
Hope it's true. The Sanitaters and our room won our first round in the inter-room basket-ball
4.0. - Received 2 book parcels from the Students'-Aid people at Geneva - Wheeler's "Operation
Surgery", a French-English pocket-dictionary, and a German-English dictionary. That made
two of the latter, so I handed my other one on two a N.C.O.
Jan. 10th (Sunday) - Lay in bed & read most of the morning and in afternoon served Mass for
Fr. Scarborough - Confession & Communion. A tin of "Three Nuns" from him again -
[*7*] that make about the sixth, jolly good of him. He's a cheerful optimistic lad.
Borrowed from him a book of Ronald Knox's "Caliban in Grub St." and another "The Catholic Centre" by
F.I. Watkin. Received a copy of the B.M.J. from Stalag through Jimmy Ellis the other day, also - the
second. Wrote two letters to Glad to-night, and one to Mum & Dad, and cards to Ines, the in-laws, John S.,
and Ron. Played the British Army pattern of solo whist for the 2nd time to-night with S.M. Howland
Sgt. Jones, & Jock Livingstone - won pf: 40. Rumour of a boxing-match with 520 in about one month's
time. — 10° below zero this morning, and 6° below at 1700 hrs.. We're coming on. They'll be
busy surfing at home.
Jan. 11th - Up early again to.day, to Stalag with Sgt. Jones, Jock L. and Sanitater. Paid in RM.400
making my credits up to R.M.652 (652), while the Sgt. paid in R.M.420, and arranged
to accept only such pays as I shall need, the rest to be credited. From Stalag we went along to the
Sanitaatspark, but were able to collect only a little of our stuff, as the rest had been sent on to a German Res. They
in Teltow. Home by tram and bus, and on the latter we were lucky to remain, as the conductor said that
trains & trams were O.K. for Gefangeners, but buses were not. However he let us stay on. Got home very
nicely tired, and hungry. Played Solo to.night and won a goodish swag of R.Ms, almost enough to pay
for the art-material which I was informed on our return was waiting for me at Stalag. It runs to
RM. 19.17. - At Stalag to-day Sanitater collected all our old Lazarett and Rivier papers.
Jan. 12th - This getting up early is becoming serious - did it again, this time went with Price and a [[potie?]]
Collected and paid for materials - a medium-sized board, small sheets of paper suitable for
pencil or water. colour, a large roll for w. colour (heavy stuff), 5 thin note books, a packet of
paper-clips, a few drawing nibs, and a box of water-colours. They gave me two brushes as well but they were for
type suitable for brushing-down a table, and hardly paint-brushes I asked for. I left them there and they
are to be changed. On to Stabsarzt Wicke who said he would take steps towards arranging the handling
of medical supplies, parcels, & correspondence to be placed in the care of the M.Os. of Kommandos & Lazaretts - I
suggested Fosy to be placed in charged, as senior Major. He agreed eventually, his objection being that Lazaretts
were not a part of Stalag, but only attached. He agreed, however, that for the purpose of medical supplies, we should
all be considered together. Won another good lot of R.Ms. to-night at Solo. - Anniversary of parent's wedding
APRIL 4th Month-1942
18 SATURDAY 108-257Bde Concert?InspectionCC Bde Concert. Evan LingInspection 1200 hrsConference 1415[[?ing]] at night.
648 A.IF. in hospital, dysentry
declining & malaria increasing.
Heavy rain as usual. Saw Ned
Condon. News not good. Burma
Philippines about gone and
France coming in against us.
Bridge with Bruce. Bill. Doc. won
25 cents. Discussed poultry farming
Constipation ended after 20 days.
1942—30 days APRIL
19 SUNDAY 109-256Hobbies exhibition. 1400 hrsat Education Centre.Mass 0830.Inspection 1200LadderOfficer lectureD Coy [[?]] ad barber shopCross & GunnerSupper22 Bde woodxxx
Mass at 0830. Platforms disappeared
later. found in 22 Bde H.Q. Went
to evening Devotions. GOC afterwards
Yarned with Mr Wilborn of GBD.
Director of Geological Survey, owns
farm in Kenya, Tokio bombed.
Bad heat rash. Several visits to [[lolabrim..?]]
[*1*]
December
1
Orders came through from Germans, that
because of typhus, all hair was to be
removed from body, and all compounds
isolated. Scenes in our barrack were
funny in extreme, people in various
attitudes and stages of nudity scraping
away at themselves and one another -
wonderful language floating about, found
that best method of attacking most inaccessible
parts was to squat over mirror. Very cold
to.day again, but good weather.
S/Sgt. gave me list of our lads in
camps.
First time to.day I've been
without my moustache for 12 yrs.
Feels queer I don't know myself. Can't
go home to Glad & the Kids like this
Wrote to Glad to.day's post
December
2
Finish of dehairing to.day. We
certainly do look comical. All
have our hair off and two or
three have even removed eyebrows.
Father Bury to hospital with 'flu'.
Bridge still the order of the day.
Variety of headdress to cover bald
pates infinite.
Selwyn spoke to Swiss M.O. on
Commission who reported first batch
of repatriates still in France through
balls-up in no. to be exchanged, and
no steps yet in hand to repatriate
protected personnel. Things in
Switzerland poor, especially food &
petrol.
[*6*]
August
23
Played an interesting game of chess against
S.M. Woodfire this morning, lost of course, but it was good.
After lunch the regular four played Bridge from a little
after 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. with about 3/4 hr. break. We
were well towelled up.
Wrote two letters to Glad, and cards to Mum & Dad,
the in-laws, and the Birds, all air-mail, and
returned to Geneva the signed receipt-form for my cap.
August
24
Quiet day again. Don't know how the gefangeners
of '14-'18 stuck four years of this life without going dippy
Our living conditions must be infinitely better than theirs were
but it's bloody awful for all that. Don't know what I would
not give to be with Glad again
Arranged to do some work on German with Ellis.
APRIL 4th Month—1942
24 FRIDAY 114-251Have D Coy given our chairs.C.C. Latrines being used by B Coy.C.C Use correct long.CC Lawns.[[?]] were a filling at u.CC Div barracks. Div [[?]]Col Andersons lecture. Friday 1900Water cart inspection.[[?]]Breakfast [[Sunday?]] 0930.[[?]] " 1030[[?]] " A.g.H. Div. M Rs HR.63"[[?]]" Offrs go on Sunday.
Easy Day. Col Andersons lecture
on [[?]]. CO does not appear to
like 2/19 Bn
1942-30 Days APRIL
Initial HOUD D & HQ.
25 SATURDAY 115-250
Anzac Day, Pub. Hol. all StatesDans [[?]] 0715
Mass at 0830.
Lunch social 1st A I F
Stand by for [[?]] W.P.Inspection 1200CO barrack rooms & [[?]] 39 & 5CO [[?]] at night. [[?]] [[?]]
Unit sent poor attendance to Dawn
Service CO wrathful Attended
Mass, went to Confession and
Holy Communion. Early day andxx rash improving. CO obtained
Ham, and sauce. I obtained salt.
Bridge with But. Jock. Dreverman,
Won 50c. Walk in moonlight.
Saw high pile of kit bags.
APRIL 4th Month-1942
26 SUNDAY 116-249
Bank fast Mondays 0930 hrsClassical [[?]] 1115 108 only
8 Div v 11 Ind Div cricket7 Officers go to [[?]] classInspection 1200
" water cart.
CO Rec night. library
[[?]] B Coy re RC Ch PdeJerry
Barbers shop
[[?]] unfit
81 at Mass. Went to H.C. Cricket
match between 8 Div & 11 Ind Div.
iry day. Arranging barbers shop.
Rash still vanishing. Rain stopped
Devotions. Bridge Huxtable, Owen and
West. Lost 50c.
1942-30 Days APRIL
27 MONDAY 117-248
xx Div Concert party 27 Bde √inspect water cart √60
CC Mass night [[?]] have 7 less.CC Untidy lines - Sunday - except "C".28 Clear in line[[Infantry?]] report?CC Service Court B.V.A. Championships
D.May60 Hairdressers material yet?Unusual only hairdressers & nurses in gear[[?]] re hairdresser
[[?]] DaviesCO Road responsibility[[?]]Notice to ward.C. H. Chef positionMirrors
Last Steward

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