Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 13

MARCH  3rd Month-1942

31 TUESDAY 90-275
Appeal for books.
Check Officers - Admin Pde
Light Out
Use of kitchens
[[?]] [[Derrxxxxx?]] to Guards
Tables etc for Common Room
Wagstaff re Yeast
Tree of [[?]] cut down
Not enough xxx xxx
Xxxx park
Extra urinal
xxx Private xxxx
Officer list wanted by xxxx
xxx parish x

xxxxx xx tea xxxx
W.O. xxxxx xxx
xxxxxxx
 

1942-30 Days  APRIL

1 April WEDNESDAY 91-274
Sanitary         10     4                     14
R A P.               2     4     2                8
Barber              1     1      1                 3
Wood ch          1     1      1                 3
Runners         3Pln        1Pde.        4
[[?]]                    2            4                6
[[Batmen]]       2     2     3                7
CSM                   1      1      1                3
CQMS                1      1      1                3
Baker                 -      1                        1
Kit [[?]]               -    32                     32
[[?]]                     -      6                       6
Jap H Q             -      2                       2
Water[[?]]          -      1                        1
[[?]]                      -     -     16 ²             16 ²
Jap [[?]]              -      -     1                 1
[[?]]                      -      -     1                 1

APRIL  4th Month-1942

2 THURSDAY 92-273

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1942-30 Days APRIL

3 FRIDAY 93-292

Good Friday

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November 29
Further news that typhus broke
out amongst staff of disinfection
plant and that four or five are
infected. Germans apparently not
yet convinced.
Later to-day all public meetings
Church & theatre staff and
communication between compounds
cut down to a minimum
Photo taken by German of several
groups from barracks. We are to
have more during week - Aussie
officers etc..
Internat^l. Repat Commission
ran through cases - Hughes-Stanton,
Phelan, & Hewlett passed.
 

November 30
Mass in batmen's end of barrack
this morning. Served for Fr. Berry.
S.Maj. xxx Greet & Cpl. Sullivan came
across in afternoon as soon as
medical inspection of men in their
hut allowed them, and took
about 300 pls. off me and
Percy McDonald. Glorious crimson
sunset to-day after see a queer
"marcel-wave"  effect of fleecy cloud
completely covering sky in morning
changing to a perfect straight edge
from N.W. to S.E., all cloud confined
to south.
A typhus case died to-day.

[*1, 1P*]
September
24
McG.H. warned to be ready to move
with P.O.Ws.
1942
Grand start to-day — Received my
first parcel from Glad and a letter from
M^r Troy. Parcel sent on 19^th Feb. contained
roll-neck pullover, 3 prs. socks, 2 prs. u.pants,
2 singlets, 2 of my silk sports shirts, 3 hanks,
1 pr. slippers, 1 facewasher, one of my old ties,
1 cake soap, 2 tins [[Gibbs?]] tooth powder, 2 t.brushes,
razor, 2 pkts blades, 1 shaving-brush, 1 nail brush,
1 comb, [[Hassif?]], choc. & gum. The underofficer
took my tie to Kommandant on grounds that
it was civvie wear, but if I can't keep it, I'll
try to get it and burn it - can't let Gerries have it.
Grand to get a parcel from Glad. She's a darling.
M^r Troy's letter was more or less general. Best
wishes from him & M^rs Troy.
350 Greatcoats, etc. from Stalag, & 32 new
men from Falkensee. Crowd of Subs waiting on
line outside to go somewhere, threw them French
cigarettes, and four pairs of my older socks.

[*4  1  S1*]
September
25

I took over Secretary & Pres. of Mess
1942
Nothing startling to-day.
Won against S.M. Woodfire at chess for the
first time.
In the last few days, 50-odd men came
to us from Falkensee, which now contains no
British prisoners, the other 10 or so having gone
to another camp.
 

OCTOBER  10th Month-1942
17 SATURDAY 290-75
Only 10 men from B Bn on W.P.
Reveille is now at crack of
dawn 0800 hrs Jap time and
breakfast at 0815 hrs. Yarned
with Major ^J Harris who comd
2/4^R M.T [[?]]. He is an Ivanhoe
man. general manager of Overseas
Motors. His unit was raised to
be part of the B.E.F. in Malaya.
Someone had been talking to
him about my being transferred
out of my unit and he seemed
interested at my unjust
treatment. Played contract
bridge all the afternoon.
Rumours of heavy fighting in N G
and Solomons.
 

1942-31 Days    OCTOBER

18 SUNDAY 291-74
Mass & H.C. Usual muster pde.

Officers piqued C&VP Bns' areas

whilst they were checked by

the Japs. 1000 men prepare to

move to Montmein. Walked

2-3 miles with Major Cameron

and discussed possibilities of

sheep farming in the West on

a 1/4 million acres - The usual

size lease. Two men caught by

Japs outside the wire in the 

middle of the night. Told

they would be shot. Taken to

local goal.

[*8    Sunday*]

September 6

Quiet morning, Padre Bill Hurst held C&E

church parade at 10.30, and we said a word or

two to him afterwards to pass the time of day. Had

almost a full afternoon's bridge and during the 

evening and afternoon I wrote letters (2) cards to Glad

and cards to Dad & Mum, Ines, Nell, Zia Celestina,

Luigi Palandin, and John Stefain.

The letters to Australia in the batch, and 

those in the last two have been sent air-mail,

and so will all those in the future

 

September 7

Nothing of note to-day except that our neighbour,

the Ack-Ack train, left us this evening.

March 19^th - Red.letter day, received a letter from in-laws and then from Glad written 14 Sept

[*4  1P*]  5^th & 31^st Oct, and 1^st Dec. respectively. M^rs Boxshall's was very cheery, will still going

but an "old men's depot", Ted's away in the A.I.F., and everybody is well - Nell now

7st. 2lbs, and much improved. In Glad's first letter the main points were that she has no maid, that Jack Castelle

Brian Simpson, Chris Thompson and others are P.O.W. in Japan and that [[?]] is buying the practice. That means

we can make fresh plans after the war, but I'm sorry in a way that we lose connection with the place we started in and

from which John & Mack were born. He's buying the house later - practice-price paying off mortgage, - In the second, [[?]]

with Byrons, who are having another baby, ? Busselton for X.Mass and John writing a few words. In third - Doris B

is back after 9/12 away - Yank boy-friend - Launi O.K.. The Bladens' 4^th child died of congenital heart, John is

sunburnt, and signed his name to letter. No whooping-cough for the lads. Grand to get these letters. Got three books of [[?]]

March 20^th - Locals are quite sure they're due for more air-raids & perhaps they're right. Nothing much

to report except that Bill Hurst has had a lovely Herpes Zoster of about 3-6 & [[?]]

post. roots for last few days & he's far from happy. Auman played Rugger to-day and

finished with quite a bad back - can hardly move.

March 21^st - Practically finished my chess-board, looking O.K too. Confession, Mass & Communion this

[*3, 1.P*] afternoon, received John Keegan's "A New German Grammar" from Student's Help people

and wrote letter to Glad, and cards to Mum & Dad  & in-laws.

March 22^nd - Quiet again. A Major expected to visit the place, and all the heads dashing about

like clucky hens - he didn't come, anyhow. Had to report two men to-night to the Germans.

Yesterday was monthly weighing-day, and three or four men refused to be weighed. This evening

they were ordered to the M.I. Room, two weighed without any dinner, one refused to obey the order I gave him, and the 

fourth refused to obey my order, given him by two medical orderlies, to attend the M.I. Room. The last two were 

there I had to "look."

 

March 23^rd - Heard to-day that sports-ground will be available every afternoon from

3.30 until 6.0 p.m. - good step forward. Heard also that a lot of bulk

had arrived a Grossbeeren siding for 517, 520, and 528, and Stanway, or his

henchmen, by some miracle produced a truck and had the stuff back here in quick time.

Jolly good work, and a crowd of chaps whizzed it into store at the double. A little over

an hour was left then of time in the store, but an issue was managed, a fairly good one, but

a number of ex-404 came in to me with Stanway, protested, then said they would do more about it.

Stanway resigned soon afterwards. I applied for and got permission to address the camp, told them what I

thought of those among them who made the Confidence - Man's job even more difficult than it already was,

and mentioned that I considered a minority of them bastards. Many agitating for Stanway's retention.
March 24^th - Quiet enough day. brightened by the arrival of two letters from home, one from Glad

[*2*] and one from Mum & Dad. Glad's was dated 2. Dec 41, therefore 15 months old, but 

was quite interesting, especially about Mack who, when Glad corrected him, used reply that

he would "tell my Daddy on you!" Glad reported, too, that Cogan's had sold out. Dad & Mum's letter had

no date but was written towards the end of last year with hopes of reaching me by Christmas. News was 

general, houses & hotel still well occupied, [[?]], including Capitani, well and employed, and M^r. Paul recovered 

from a serious heart attack. Meeting at 1900hrs in Casino, I had to chase out the laggards from barracks in person,

and reported one man for refusing to obey. Vote of confidence in Stanway earned by roughly 400 to 100, 30-odd not

knowing their mind well enough to be able to vote. Cypriotes to leave camp on 26^th. Sgt. Smith had volunteered

to take on the job if motion had been lost - routine would have been to report Stanway's resignation to Stalag, have

it accepted, get permission to appoint a successor, and propose the new man for Stalag's approval.

March 25^th - Stabsfeldwebel told us this morning that M.O.s in Stalag were all to be shifted soon from their present positions, but did not know whether it was to be on  [[?stalag]] shift or a change-over with 

men M.O.s of another Stalag. If it's to be a change in this Stalag only I shall apply for a shift to an 

Oflag, as I don't want to go back to hospital, and I don't fancy any other Camp as a substitute to this one. I shall

have to enquire of Stabsarzt Wiecke for particulars. If the men would only pull together, obey and help their N.P.O.s, 

stop suspicion, jealousies, squabbling & selfishness, the Camp would be v. good. As it is, it is impossible to enforce

discipline amongst ourselves without recourse to punishment of offenders by Germans, which one is loth to do. The

only thing which will cure these chaps is about 3-6 months of strict British Army routine. Another example,

- only one man (ex-404) volunteered to help Stanway, Jimmy, Jack Morris & Peter Keith to handle 600 food parcels!

Went in and said goodbye to the Cypriotes this evening, they leave in the morning.

March 26^th - Cyps. away early this morning, had good game of basketball later on, and, in evening, 

"Stabbie" told me that 8 of our 16 recognised Sanitaters had to be transferred out

of Stalag. Aussie Smith, of course, was one, four others volunteered, and German and

I picked three others, rotten job, but it had to be done. At least the authorities gave us the chance

to make our own arrangements. The list is to be in by midday to-morrow.

[*Chupathie*]

OCTOBER 10th Month-1942

23 FRIDAY 296-69

Weary but better. Jap 

conducted surprise count.

Natives are having a feast

tonight at the temple

at the gate. I had fried

kidney, potatoes and egg

coffee and a banana

for tea tonight extra to

[[?]] [[?]]. Trouble over 

disappearing of [[t?pantries]]

and [[trunks?]]. Jap tore one in

half to cover loss from his

superiors. Several men drunk

tonight. Drunken songs heard

at midnight. Rosary as usual. 

Great win of bridge over

Meahan & Blair.

 

1942-31 Ddays OCTOBER

24 SATURDAY 297-68

Clearing of grounds going on 

as usual. Letters A.I.F. Discovered

spelling of "chupathie" and

story of the "Dunsterforce" in

book by Ern. Raymond "The

old tree blossomed." Now down

to 20R^s. Rumours of conference 

of Bn & Chinese Generals on capture

of Burma. A mad joy races threw

me when I think of the 

prospect of an early release. 

Concert and CO spoke against 

growing drunkedness at night.

Full moon and lovely evening.

[*4*] August

7

Wrote four more letters this morning, to Glad, to Mum & Dad, 

to Ines, and a card to Red Cross asking for Nico's address.

Spent the afternoon playing a few games of chess with

S.M. Woodfine of the Welsh, awfully decent chap, who gave 

me my first tips a couple of days ago, only a beginner

himself. Meant to play again in evening, but had no time.

Looked over results of men who had been to dental 

treatment to-day - some had had extractions by English

corporal dental-mechanic, others fillings by German

gefreiter, who must be a dentist. Dentures seem to be an

impossibility due partly to scarcity of materials and

partly to the terrific prices, which the men cannot raise.

We'll have to approach the Red Cross to see whether they 

can get us the materials from the English Government.

Did some more anatomy, up to P. 20 of Head & Neck 

now.

 

August

8

Nothing to report but the holding of another louse- inspection

with much improved results & the news that there are to be 

both Catholic and C. of E. Church Parades to-morrow.

[*3*] [Red pencil markings, see original document] December

19

Red.letter.day - First letters from home, sent

across thru' good offices of

T.S.M. Street. This morning Jim Henshall S[[?]]

batman and mine stayed in bed after faring

a bad night thru' flu, otitis, etc., though

rather improved this morning. Nipped across

to 35-38 Compound then went to the Reviere 

to visit Fr. Berry and Webb, and amongst

other things groused to them about lack of

letters etc. - Stethoscope is excellent passport.

After carol-practice and lunch was 

playing bridge when a S.Sgt. or S.M. came 
in, enquired for me, and handed me an 

envelope -  I nearly hit the roof & messed

up the hand I was playing horribly!! Two

letters in it from Glad, one from Mum & Dad, 

glorious snap of David - everyone's fine, including

Hazel. They first got news of June through British

broadcast of names of English Officers on June 30

 - only 18 days after official news that I was missing 

Lindsay Male was 2/7. - Indescribable relief to get

home news, 9 Jul on top of world. Don't give damn 

for anyone!

 

[*2*] December

20

Wrote another letter to Glad and one to

 Dad and Mum, telling them all about

receipt of letters - two were dated, Mum's

31 July, one of Glad's 20 Aug, other without

date. Another look around with

 Capt. Hutt, saw Fr. Berry again should be

out soon, and popped in on Alan King.

Glad mentioned that Bernard G., Frank W., 

Owen H., Phil T., all got out, and that 

Reg. W. is quite well. Nance has a son

and [[?]] is on the way. and that the 2/7

is still going under Lindsay Neale. Jock

received more cards from home to-day

and everything is O.K..

Played poker in evening and won

10MKs.