Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 2

October
14
Playing bridge, pontoon and reading
most of time. Stayed at Osjek from
1000 till 1400 hrs and chatted to one 
man in Italian. At 1500 hrs. passed
into Hungary - beautiful country well
cultivated, soldiers & railway officials in
comic-opera uniforms - inhabitants not
very friendly. Reached Tees at 1800 hrs, 
and remained 3 hrs., now walking 
encyclopeodia of sidings & rolling -stock
of almost every country in Emofel.
Bloody cold at night - one turn, all
turn.
October 
19-42
Quiet day - a few letters came into camp
Eric received 7, but I was out of luck. Swapped
the rubber -soled shoes I bought in Athens for D.220
for a pair of old brogues - they're a bit tight, but
they may be of some use.

October
15
Awoke to find we had gone a good 
distance - still in Hungary. Walk
during evening. Told we would reach 
Vienna to-morrow night.
4      October
20-42
Woke to find four letters for me, three from
Glad and one from Mum. That from Mum was 
written on 19 June and was very cheerful - she had

just received 7 letters from me - Told me Nico was 
taken in Gondar on 27 Nov.41, had had a letter 
from him written in Bombay on '9 Feb- he'd heard
from Zia Celestina about me, so my letter to her from
Athens must have got through. The Tsaisani are still 
O.K . . Glad's were written 10^th & 30^th July & 16^th Aug.
She and the kids are grand, Mark is at Kindergarten
and loves it, Phil Thomas & Evelyn Pearson are married, 
Glad has seen Bernard Gillett & Lindsay M. - M^rs M. is home
with her baby - no maid, Glad had her first Royal 
Routine, the Quinlans have a daughter, The Phelans lost
their first child - Jack Costello in the bag - Julie in Adelaide
Reg shifted on - Bernard is giving Glad the ₤6 he owes 
me, the blighter - it's ₤15 !! D^r Minc still doing well, &
Glad loves me still
1/2 hr. Rugby practice to.night.
 

APRIL 4th Month—1942
30 THURSDAY 120-245
0ff Class 1430.
(Dry lecture 1515. "Org of duties to
duty parties. Duties of DO. 0 Sgts left"
if 0 vicinities.)
Padang. HQ VA ^A & HQ, Confinement
might  [[BVC?]] information 
Sgt Mess.
Haircit 1030
Castle 3 & done swapback
Roy Rossiter

Gave lecture to Off Class. Visited
the store with all officers. It will
be a week to sail up.
Bridge won $2.75 but boys are
now picking up. Full moon
Visited Sgt Mill. Cricket match
GOC inspected Gd monthly

1942 - 31 Days     MAY
1 May  FRIDAY   121 -244
Off Class 1915
Gardeners
Barber shop/ Vorstand √
Reveal oral night.
Work Party
Hose tops to be recounted
McKibhaun
Rash kept me awake until
0200 hrs 2 May head and racking

agony. Went for short walks
to ease pain
Ramsay went to comdr 18Bn
and Stunger to Bde Major 22
Bde a few days ago.

MAY 5th Month - 1942
2  SATURDAY 122-243
Off class 1430
BVC unfinished night
Arrival to Forresters
Listerner re Guard Herrar √
    "   re Blinds
Off class. Took things easy
for sake of rash. Rained heavily 
about 300 hrs. Padre produced
portable gramophone and an
organ. Bridge Bert, Bruce, Bill
lost $2.25. Full moon.
Visited GBD. News dull and
conflicting. Food has been
good since Monday last. Japs 

are building up our supplies of
rice to 6 weeks.

1942- 31 Days      MAY
5 TUESDAY 125- 240
Co Off Class 1430 & 1900
Co [[??]]
[[?]] action 1715
[[?]] loaves
Inspections
CC Officer for leaps Guardian
CC Re Bank of Nation
Kit store 1100
Milk for Lloyd
[[?]]
Regenerators.
Unit moved out in brlliant
moonlight at 0715hrs.  [[?]]
bye to officers. Re-organisation [[?]]
his  HQ & 2 coys under [[?]]
Heve Laher, Luminer, Crothers, [[?]]
Heinz Thesble Division.
 

MAY  5th Month- 1942
6 WEDNESDAY  126-239
Off class 1915 [[?]]
Tennison
F Offs
Divisions tell [[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]] organisation says
[[?]] location room barber
[[?]] filed officer barricade
[[?]] saw Merrett Andrius
[[?]], Stinger, Wright, Kipping
[[?]]. Bridge post 50
 1942-30 Days   JUNE
I0 WEDNESDAY, 161-204
News of new camp definite.
CO & Adjs inspected it. Avondale
1500. Overis of "A" Bn died
and was buried with [[?]] funeral.

Escort, Guard, pall bearers, body
wrapped in blanket on bullwagon
driven by Burman. Accompanied 
salt water party. Road lies through
rows of native houses, only foot path
width, many shops, children and
schools, food places out by Buasch
for our troops to gather. Fishermen
take buckets out in boat to get
at clean water. No ships in sight.
Rex Yalur spent day in bed.
 

Feb. 23^rd   - Main item of  importance was examination of light. workers for transfer from
camp. It was a farce. The M.O. was a young chap, two.pip Lildweal, and 
ran through 28 men in a matter of ten minutes which is a fair comment on 'length
and thoroughness of examination. I had to persuade him to pass two men who were definite cases
and two others, quite as clear-cut, he passed fit for work. I informed him that I would refer them 
to the Obesstalrazton on his next visit which may be to-morrow. Was told that I am to go to
Stalag in early a.m.- I think it will be to see Stalsarzt Wicke with Seward re medical
organisation. Barrack A practically complete.
Feb. 24^th - Away early to Stalag, saw Zonderfuhrer and made personal application for
Lt. Semilowngtis' transfer, then on to the main business with Seward - we spoke
with a Hauptmann Stiller re medical supplies and internal organisition being
in the hands of M.O's, and asked for meetings at least once a month. He agreed on all points, and I was
back in camp at 1130 in time to see Starsarzt Wiecke, to whom I presented the two rejects of yesterday,
Ward and Hunt, chronic lumbago and chronic gastritis. He was sympathetic as always, and asked
me to send through X.Ray results as soon as available. Hope he'll get something done this time. He also
agreed with my suggestion that outside latrine should be dried or filled in. Busy collecting condemned
timber from barrack. building to make odd bits of extra furniture. Received my first letter from Glad
for some months, dated Sept.17^th. Very cheery, kids pray for me every night, full of beans, Whooping contacts, &
they don't like Dorothy Champion & her injections. Nell improving - to do communal course later. Over 7 stone
Feb. 25^th. Shifted over to my room in Barrack A, Riner also. Bunch of lads busy sawing
bed-boards for [[?]] from 404, other blighters pinching them almost as fast as they're
made. Hewitt and I converting the room into a carpenter's shop with cupboard- making
etc. - certainly fills in the day. Enough Canadian Red & parcels arrived yestrday almost to do two weeks.
Good, that! Tremendous activity around camp, almost everyone busy knocking together boxes etc. from
discarded building- wood. Woodfine has taken over my old bunk, and Sgt. Jones & Hewitt are in with
him, the other three M. Orderlies being with Cpl. Lowe in the old M.I. Room in Barrack C - M.I. room
shifting to Barrack 4 in a.m. Father Scarborough has made written application for transfer here, in accord
with Zindufhrer's suggestion, which I handed on.
Feb. 26^th - 60 men arrived from 404, Dabendorf this afternoon, all in Barrack A, which will be
[*IP*] occupied by them & any further batches. Enough Cypriots arrived to make a full room
with our own, and they're here in A also. Appear to be quite a number of permanent sick
amongst this crowd, and due to short notice, Amnan was able to send me only sketchy notes. It's all a bit
complicated - why they should come here at all I don't know. Hewitt and I finished knocking together a 
table cupboard for food, with sliding doors, and we're quire proud of our first effort. Sgt.Stanway has
refused to give Sgt. Mackay new trousers for his old ones, in spite of holes in seat and prospective early shift.
Perhaps there maybe something to be said on his side, perhaps! Received a B.M.J from Stalag.

Feb. 27^th   - My room more like a carpenter's shop than ever. Hewitt put shelves in half of each

locker and Cooper, the [[tischler?]], together with Cordwell spent the afternoon in here

making my small kitchen-dining table and one easy- chair. They both look swell,

and the chair, first of a pair, should be just the thing when upholstered. On Wednesday 24^th

Stalsarzt Wiecke, in answer to my question, said it would not be necessary to submit for German M.O.'s 

approval any case I wished to send for consultation, and yet to.day the young M.O. of Tuesday came

in to check them over. I did not know what this proposed visit was for when told of it last night, so

most of the lads were not back from work - I'd have kept them in had I known. I passed about half 

of them. I seem to have mislaid yesterday's B.M.S..

Feb. 28^th - Sunday. Ran sick.parade early so that there would be no hitch to the visit

[*4*] of boxing-team and supporters to 520. Piped down to 520 (1230hrs) by

"Happett" Smith (A.LS.H.) and saw a good contest in which 520's longer 

Training, greater experience, and in my opinion, greater ability, gave them a victory 10-4, which

would have been 9-5, as I am convinced that one of our men, "Blondie" Naylor, had a clear-cut

win. Big proportion of K.O's. Padre Bill Hunt visited both 520 & 528, and reports from Neale and 

Jimmy Ellis stated respectively that Bill and Eric Cooper, and Bill, Eric, and [[Quinan?]] would be

coming to 528 in morning with bulk of remainder of 404. Wrote letters in evening to Glad and

Mum & Dad, and cards to Ines & in-laws.

March 1^st - Lorry and trailer blew in in mid-morning, complete with Hunt, Cooper, &

Aunan, all three, plus a few sick & sanitaters, and bags of stuff, including milk,

invalid-food, malt, and medical parcels, arm-chairs, writing-desk, and

dental gear. Quite a job getting it stowed, and our room looks like a second-hand shop at the 
end. 96 men from 404 blew in later after delousing and the bulk of them were housed in

our barrack, A. Quite a big family. Guardsman Cpl. Miles appears likely to go balder than ever

after his harassing to-day as Barrack-chef. Had a lovely night commencing at 2150hrs.-air.raid alarm

went and everybody but Reiner,patients, me and three Med.Orderlies, went into shelters. Then, for about 2hrs, the muck 

went up and down and Berlin got a plastering. Some seemed damned close - I felt "windy" at times, and a few things

came off shelves, otherwise O.K.. Some lovely fires all round horizon when we went to bed at 1a.m. or therabouts.

March 2^nd- A dud incendiary was found outside cook-house door this morning,
possibly dropped by one of
the several planes skippig about in the searchlights and one of the boys said came down in

flames. Rail, auto, and train communications pretty much disorganised in the capital, and lads

coming in from work bring back stories of damage and casualties from all directions. The guard of K20. 3 who has

given the lads trouble in the past was stated to have been particularly unpleasant 
to-day. The lads, my guests, suggested 

a rearrangement of furniture, with the result that we have much more room now. The little "kitchen-table" and cabinet

are just the thing, seat 4 comfortably, and are great space-savers. Report that 428, Readman's camp, was hit last

night, with men killed - three numbers given, 6, 16, & 60. Report very insistent and, unluckily, there maybe

something in it.

JUNE  6th Month- 1942.
I3 SATURDAY 164-20I
Rained nearly all night but
clear this morning. Doubtful sick
men seen early by RMO and about
20 marched out to [[?]] under
an Officer & Jap sentry to do full
days work. Martin referred to go
and was put in guard house.
A tin of milk to 6 men for breakfast.
Jap [[Coma?]] would have put the above
men in local goal but our 
message to them in the field
was fortunately too late. Handed
over duties to "C" Bn. Had first 
lesson in chess. Rumours of raids on
Rangoon. Perone, Cologne & naval

engagement off China & Midway island.
Still speculate about our release
1942 -30 Days   JUNE
14 SUNDAY 165-200
Mass at 1000 hrs in tent. French
Missionary Order but priest seems
to be half Burman. Brought his
own altar boy. The [[?]] salesman
is a catholic. about 100 men only.
Rained until mid afternoon. Tried 
to cancel salt water party and
we handpicked men. First game
of chess. Church Pde 1830, tea, and
nightman all clashed. Jap ship
still in bay. Dysentery about the same 
for some days. Down to $1 and 1 R.

Salt water party was [[?]] of doubtful
characters, appealed to but 3 men
still took food. Comdr R Quirk
that Bn Comdrs would act as
Coy Comdr for Orderly Room.
 

August
1
Aug-Sep- Work slackened off it to

first batch of incapacitated
repats. left by hospital - ship (Italian)
? to Salonika with Alf Slater Rick Carter
Jamieson, and Gray, Padres McConchie
& Hiddleston. Les Reddy took notes.
Medical officers moved in from Con.
Camp. More escapes from hospital
with easy treatment of those recaptured.
Officers moved to Q2 and formed Mess
there. Evening supper ++
Heavy air raid at [[?]] especially
in early Sept - much damage
Regular mail to 26^th G.H.
1942 Put the Camp through louse- inspection to-day - high
percentage of infestation.
 August
2
1941
Ines's birthday.
Feast of S^r Alphonsus Lignon
 1942 Sunday
Quite busy to-day. Lice-inspection on patients 
in Revier,Talked to a parade of whole  camp on
dangers of lice and precautions to be taken, and
told them that, though I might overlook a mild
degree if infestation on 2^nd inspection,  anyone offending
on 3^rd would be reported to Kommandant.
Spent rest of day checking over Barrack roles
with Barrack S.Ms., and then worked out the
statistics at night. Found that 39.35.% of men
in camp were infested - Some figure!
Noticed a recurrence of the oedema of ankles
which I had at 119,  must get going on
Vitamins again. They cleared it up the last time.
 

JUNE  6th Month—1942
I7 WEDNESDAY 168-197
I had to visit the latrine twice
last night. Felt very weak when 
I awoke but recovered remarkably
before breakfast. Fine morning
with very little rain. Rumours
of relief of Tavoy prisoner by
mixed guerilla forces. CO very rude
unnecessarily. Quite recovered.
Football intensely interesting
to natives. Imari butted
into game & played the
whole field. Bill & Davey
are dead, shot by Japs & confined-
One man from each house has to 
work 10 days on [[?]] without
pay, bullock wagon 60-70 have
to be provided to women for Japs
all without pay.

1942 - 30 Days     JUNE
Birthday. Thinking of 
Nancy all day. Feel her close.
18  THURSDAY 169- 196
I/C WP to [[?]]. Rainy morning.
Smooth organisation. Mounds of 
gear all now moved. Natives carting
stone & breaking into smaller parts.
Burman wanted Japs to come but
now very sorry. Heard that 8 prisoners
^escaping from Savoy were shot. Jap had
good spy system, we have none.
Plenty of petrol? Still rumours of
exchange. Pay will soon be available
from 2 -10 June for WP's & essential
duties only. OOur new tool shop on 
return from [[drourne?]]. Fruit, rambutans
doliens, bananas, mangosteins, coconuts
much in evidence. Women graceful
in carrying things on their heads.
 Extraordinary weights. Ponies too small
for coaches. Carey lives at Tarwell

JUNE   6th Month- 1942

19 FRIDAY  170-195
Very wet morning and WP left in
quarters until 1200hrs. Mild
diarrhea again.
Pay arrived in 10 & 5 rupee bills.
Ledwidge died last night and
funeral at 1830 hrs. Visited boats, 
Laber & Buriton in hospital. Rumours
of Br advance across border into
Burma. Japs had flag raise on
padang. Very fit & fast. My 
2nd last rupee was confiscated
by Burrman police from native.
Medical & disinfectant supplies
almost negligible.

1942-30 Days    JUNE
20 SATURDAY 171-194
Fine day. I am well. Two more 
men died from Dysentry. Scott &
Darcy. British Bn. Visited new
camp with Murrett. Delightful
walk, parallel with the sea. Quite
an immense improvement on
school. Larger grounds, covers
with lawn, double-deck
quarters, airy, mess tables inside
adequate & private latrines.
spacious RAP, MIR, comd HQ, 
Guard room, kitchen, 2 deep 
and clean wells, fenced on
 side only, officers guard
in 2 storied brick house.
Plane about.

JUNE 6th Month— 1942.
2I SUNDAY 172-193
F^r SENDY a Karen priest of
French Missions said
Mass. I went to Confession & 
Holy Commn. Marched out to
new camp at 1015 hrs. Men 
carried own baggage. Parties
returned to school to clean
up. Natives showered workers
with food & cheroots. I was
lucky also. Saw first swarm 
of bees. Fitted in very easily.
Buried both bodies could not 
get Scott a Catholic Burial
in RC portion despite representations

of local secretary & ourselves
Band gave short recital. Am
quartered with Murrell, OBrien
Howard, Trelwyn & Bostock
Tooth aching. Plane about
again. Paid 1.80 for 2-10 June
1942-30 Days  JUNE
22 MONDAY 173-192
Awoke for 2 hours during night

Up early and 
breakfast on time. Out with
WP of 10 to 488. 300 forced
labour, 50 native prisoners
all working together. Seems part
of Jap plan to belittle us in eyes
of native peoples. Camp inspected
by Commd. "B" Bn best lines.
I was able to buy 3 biscuits
from native vendors on [[?]].
Native [[?]] gave me a drink
of "country beer" before a whiskey
Reported Pryde to C.O. First 
lesson in Continel Bridge
Severe tooth ache. Br troops 
most undisciplined & stopped
Japs insisting on more
interference in camp.