Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 12

[*2*]

October 

24

Nov. 4^th '42

Up at an ungodly hour 5.45 a.m. to go with

three lads and Price (dolmecher) to Reserve Lazarett 108 
but Old Man stopped me for a while until it was 
pointed out to him that it was on the Stabsarzt's 
instructions - won his "bet" - it was a sebaceous 
cyst. Both he and the physician there were most 
courteous.

Got back to find two letters from John Stefani. Not

in army yet - has sent letters & parcels - wonders

if I've had them.
[*IP-1*] 

Nov 5^th '42

Guy Fawkes Day, not quite the sort we were used to as 
kids, but not so bad at that, as I received a clothing-parcel 
from Glad, dated last June - pyjamas, socks, one of my 
old woollen sports shirts, an open front pull-over, a hanky,

tooth-brush & Gibbs soap, choc. & Wrigleys, and a natty 
little gadget like a Chinese-puzzle. I could make nothing 
of until I looked at the packing slip. Then I found out that 
it was a scarf. Note from Steward, Head Confidence-Man for 
Stalag, telling me to bring cases to 119 on 7th to submit 
to Mixed Commission on Repatriation. Pretty short notice,

half the lads affected have been in hospital, with notes 
taken there and several have X.Rays taken at various places, 
none on hand, and all needed to back up their claims.

October

25

Nov. 6th '42

Sanitater has done practically S.F.A. about X.Rays

taken of chaps here, and which have not been sent us. 
Worked all day and all night on histories of 9 chaps I'm 
taking tomorrow, and spoke to the Kommandant who 
yanked Sanitater back from Russian camp and told him 
to get cracking. Asked hospitals concerned to send X.Rays 
to 119 in morning.

Nov. 7^th '42

Off early with the lads for 119 and a young posten who 
was scared stiff of doing anything wrong - the Old Man has 
the wind up them and no mistake. Tried not to put us in 
same train compartment as French or Russian P.O.W. and 
nearly got us in late as result. Wanted me to march in road 
with men, too - I did so on way back as he was horribly 
scared of getting into trouble. Commission consisted of two

Swiss and a German. Senior Swiss was a cultured old chap 
spoke very good English - regretted that he could not 
consider my cases as they should have had X.Rays, etc. and 
been O.K.ed by a German M.O. first. He understood the 
difficulty of doing anything in two days, but told us to 
come back next time. They meet every 6/12. Readman 
from 401 was there too and was in same boat. I was presenting

myself, too, for shift to Italy. Parties from other camps were late 
Hospital had been warned 2/12 ago so someone let us down 
badly. X.Rays I had asked for had not arrived.

Went home and had short game of Rugger in P.M.

We have retaken Mersa Matruh, so things are moving. 
Detailed news of desert and Pacific.

September

16

Ordinary - rained like hell yesterday

evening, and it's cooler to.day - winter can't

be far away. S/M. Woodfine took me down

three times at chess - I'll beat the blighter

yet.

The Old Man's at his terror-tactics

again - trying to cut down issue of soap to

one cake a month and chocolate on much

the same scale - Stanway's spitting on his

hands.

Smith got another parcel from home!

September

17

Only points of interest to-day were that

Kommandant told me my transport application

had been turned down and that I am

now under the rule that only two out of the

three pays per month shall be received.

At present I am in credit 108 M.

October

22 28 & 29, '42

Nothing of interest.

Oct.30

Eric told to-day that he would be leaving in the

morning at 0700 hrs. for 520. It will be lonely without 
him. He's a very decent chap & easy to get on with.

Oct 31

Eric left at 0700 according to plan but I was awakened 
only when the Old Man came in at 8.50. He was asking 
whether it was necessary for the Sanitater to go to the Path 
Institute each day as he claimed - I tried to let the 
blighter down lightly by saying he had to take specimens 
there about 3 times a week but even that was an exaggeration 

The Old Man sympathised with me on my bad back and gave 
me alot of good advice. When Corporal Taylor came back 
from helping Eric with his bags it was to tell me he had 
gone, not to 520, but to 404, where Bill Hunt & Annan are.

The Old Man cancelled the football trip to 520.

2. Nov. 1

Bill Hunt came & reported that Eric is well installed

and already organising a Bridge four. I was in bed and 
did not see him. The Old Man stopped our game of 
Rugby for this afternoon on the pretext that the ground was 
engaged all day.

Judged 8 contests (one of 3 judges) at the boxing last 
night - quite good.

Wrote to Glad & Boxshalls.

October

23

Nov 2^nd, '42

Only thing of interest was a visit to Falkensee Camp

with 11 of the lads to see the young German doctor, to 
arrange permanent light work for one and consultations 
for others, etc. One lad with a tumour on the left 
cheek, he thought had a sebaceous cyst, but as it 
was covered by what appeared to be pear or orange, 
I did not agree, without making a diagnosis. He said 
he'd remove it and invited me to attend.

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Nov. 3^rd

Good day for mail - One from Glad, one from Mum

two from Ines and two from in-laws, dated Dec 18

Nov.27^th, Nov. 23^rd & June 22, Dec 3^rd & some time after 
Nell's leaving St.John's. All well - Doris Buckwith's 
father, Mr. Johnston, dead a week before Glad wrote, 
God rest him, and Mr Connaughton recovered from a 
serious illness and a snap of Glad & kids (36 mm
contact) taken at picnic in Kings Park by Women's 
Guild for men of unit. Quite good but does not flatter 
any of them. Other letters contain good cheering, 
general news, and very welcome. Nell apparently 
much better. Practically all letters speak of 
parcels sent. Stabsarzt yesterday told me he'd dig up 
missing X.Rays if Sanitater would give him list. Prepared 
it and gave it to Sanitater this morning, but he messed it up.

August 

21

1 a.m. German N.C.O. came into Barrack and

turned everyone out, some thought it was time to get up 
and were fully dressed when they came on parade, most 
were half asleep. Roll was called and two men Gayler 
and Murphy found to be missing. Kommandant was 
there and later supervised the mending of the hole in the 
wire through which they had bolted (opposite my window. 
Stayed in bed all day to.day with a bad back, then 
learned later that two more men walked off from a 
working-party, when one straight into an A.A. post, though 
the other is still at large.

This evening one of the N.C.Os came in to me and

showed me a letter from his brother telling him that

his wife had gone off leaving his four children, one an 
invalid, who are now in the care of his mother and 
brother-in-law. Ghastly! Poor blighter! Thank God 
I'm the last one it will happen to. Glad is sweet, and 
loves the kids and me. I think I should be off my

head in his position, but he's pretty steady, and is

taking it on the chin. Wish I could help him.

I think it was to-day that I paid 50M. in

advance for set of Spalteholz in German.

August

22

Nothing much doing to-day, checked over the lads who 
had lice or eggs last week, and found that quite a few of 
the old offenders had made no effort to get rid of their 
eggs, one had actually hatched out a body-louse from 
an inspected egg, and one a 'crab' from an egg which 
had been attached to the remains of his public hair. Some 
of these fellows are absolutely hopeless. Kommandant 
has not taken any action so far against the men 
reported last week. 

MARCH 3rd Month-1942

19 THURSDAY Friday 78-287

Settling in to new camp. Built

on two levels, the upper mostly 

for officers, the lower for men

Butchers, store, canteen toolshed

& RAP. Extremely dusty but the

river is splendid for swimming &

washing. So far Major Green has 804

Block / 440, Ramsay 20317. Days

are very hot, nights very cold. The

jungle is on fire across the river

and the bursting bamboo sounds

just like a battle. I forgot to

note yesterday the sheer faces

of rock which go to make up

mountains on the route out. I

am acting as 2IC for a few days.

1942-31 Days  MARCH

20 FRIDAY Saturday 79-286

More settling in and I waited

in vain for more men to

come. Had a delightful swim

in the deep water and later

bathed in the shallow in the

brilliant moonlight. Some

of the officers here are Conden

West, [[Durrabrill?]], Moore, Hellyer,

Cameron, Harris & Son, Thomas

[[?]]argil, Concannon. Days are

very hot and nights are cool.

I am are taking full advantage

of the river to swim and

wash. Front fence is 10 feet

high made of platted bamboo

& rope. There are no side or back

fences

August

11

Up at reasonable hour, did my work, and

then began a game of chess with Green, one of the men. 
I've just begun to learn and find it extremely

interesting, though much too difficult for my intellect. 
Game was so absorbing that at 3 o'clock my orderly, 
Smith, came in to tell me that Hewitt was still 
waiting to give me lunch, and that the guard 
he had arranged for had been waiting since 2 o'clock 
to take us on our walk! Just like me!

Had our walk past the local 'drome, and found

it quite hot.

August

12

No news. Browned off with this existence, as usual.

Don't know how the lads taken from France feel and

hate to think of the Old Contemptible POW's of the

last "do" and what their state of mind must have

been after four years. Maybe I'll know when I've

finished my sentence. Wonder whether the German

High Command has read the clauses in the Convention 
relating to Medical P.O.W.

Had a game of bridge with Howland, Ellis and

Gowrie, and Gowrie & I got it in the neck for a

change. Received a frame for my second photo of

Glad and David, and it suits them very well. How

much longer must I be satisfied with photos.

MARCH 3rd Month—1942

23 MONDAY Tuesday 82-283
The sun rose this morning
like a ball of fire and the
moon set about the same
time. Still no more troops
have come. The rosary is said
every night now near the stages.
Monkeys are plentiful about
here and can be seen from the
camp. I am now swimming 500-600
yds daily now. Went out of
camp and inspected the
railway workers. Played bridge
with Green, Rex & Trelwyn. Am
getting a few more acneous
pimples. Officers take it in turn
to carry up breakfast for all.
Also we now take our turn as
nightwatchmen.
1942—31 Day MARCH

24 TUESDAY Wednesday 83-282
Jap office, Lt Nighbo, arrived
yesterday. The Jap guards had
a great fight among themselves
and the night before last and
has to be smacked by their
officer. 48 men arrived from
Kanchanabury and 1 from Shamburyayat. 
Swam about 700-800 yds
Am eating many [[?]] now.
This food certainly stirs one
up - even sexually. No wonder
the monkeys at the zoo do
things publically which they 
should not do. Order, courter-order
"ad infinitum" concerning
our movement out of this
hut.

MARCH 3rd Month—1942
25 WEDNESDAY Thursday 84-281
A holiday with a late reveille
at 0830 hrs (0600 hrs Greenwich time)
The sun came up again absolutely
red. Heard that we leave here
by 5 May for 130 kilo camp and
work on to the August. Was
able to purchase 4 fish which
had been blown in the water
by a Jap grenade. Yarned later
at night about the districts

about our homes. Latest information

is that Anderson & Willmayer

have taken their men back to

12 [[?]] to lay rails and that
no more Australians are to come
but 2000 Burmese [[visited?]]
elephant [[camp?]] and bullock
wagon rest are activated just
on the fringe of our camp.
1942—31 Days MARCH

26 THURSDAY Friday 85-280

Out with WP of 8 & 270.
Wandered up ad down the

line. Bostock & Black are

ready to move back to Than

I sit alongside a jungle
stream as I write this - at 
Jap instructions are still 
being issued with bewilder
rapidity. The choir seems

to practice every night 
A bridge is being built
across the river and

it looks as if we

will have

huts over

there 

soon.

MARCH 3rd Month—1942

22 FRIDAY Saturday 86-279

I am now officially on the Shani
Katrasi and will not go out
on railway work. All other
officers unless sick have to go
our daily. I swam 700-800 yds,

sunbathed, drank a lot of 

coffee, as usual, read a
book on Burma, [[?]] &
Indo China by General
McNaughton entitled "The
Gentlemen in the 
Parlor", played 
bridge in candlelight
& yarned
to Rex

until

after 

midnight.

1942—31 Days MARCH

28 SATURDAY Sunday 87-278

The Burmese in these parts are
very poorly clad in comparison 

with those in the towns.

The women and children live in 

the common huts with men.
The afternoon heat is almost 

unbearable and very enervating.
I will have to grip myself
hard to keep from becoming 
very lazy. Acquired a table.

Stringer, Boucher and Philp arrived 
yesterday. Things abroad are

much the same as 10 days ago.
I win a little each time I play 
bridge lately. Nancy's and the 
childrens photo is straight in 
front of me now. Will they love

me when I return.

[*1*]
September 

4

Woke this morning to find that a letter had

arrived from Glad, dated June 12th but without a

snap. Scraps of new indicate that my letters are

not getting through very well, that Mick Connaughton
was doing Ken Cowden's practice for him while he recovered
from appendicectomy, and that Elsie Throssell was fading
away with worry about Jack, about whom no news had

been received. The kids were well except for John's being
at home with a bad cold. Glad is still sending
me parcels, bless her, I wish she wouldn't, but her 
letter appears a bit listless and dispirited - hope 
she's quite well. Can't be much fun looking
after three lads like them on one's own, wish I
were there to give a hand. She's probably having
as bad a time as any of us.
Eric put through his first batch of dental

cases to-day, eleven of them.

[*4*]

September 
5

Must be popular with the postal authorities
as I received two more letters from Glad, dated April 31
and May 21. The first was rather queer - it told
of hearing of my shift from VIII B to III D, mentioned
the return of Bobby McGibbin, Frank Wallace (promoted
Lt. Col), Stan O'Brien, that [[Mine?]] was doing very well,
& the kids were fine & David commencing to talk & 
that she loved me. All that was good, but in spite of
the fact that she could not mention the names of 
many of those who had returned because of lack of space,
she only wrote on one side of the page. I wonder if
there is anything worrying Glad, she's usually not so
absent-minded as that. The second letter starts by
saying that Glad had had no letter from me for four months, 
that she hoped I had received the snaps, and that the
kids were all sprouting, and that she would have a
photo taken of them. No more Poker, too expensive, Frank  
Frank Wallace's face and patella smashed in a motor-accident
and Glad bewailing the fact that Ralph Honner had reached
home a fortnight before, and that I had not. Frank G. was
on the air not long ago, means at least that he got there
from Salonika. Julie is in Adelaide, & Jean may go soon,
and John, Mark and David want a toy A.A. gun. Glad
forgot it was my birthday when she wrote my letter -
must be something on her mind. Letters from B.R.C. enquiring re
Gunner Edwards & Fusilier Williams.