Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 16

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
AWM2022.6.45
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

DECEMEER 12th Month-1942 S TUESDAY 342-23 off again at daylight, with smen left to havee on turctin Obbaind I truck by teppy off Burnian persingers. My furt are ba tste. there mere are not as fit as they thank thiys awaid s0 to ar done in raind anothe eiver by natue ceft we caught a harn, they completing aloont 24 miles. alang men have no footar. and life was mberety at one poind kingfervers, gien obrorge markns, black fartails, white canes eto Weighed myself gator shaight. 10 shr 9 lles. Hatwes are haristing e Differnel byn of Indran, trrles alabe, Afgharnetans, myy new be ne DECEMEER 1942—31 Days Arrived 9WEDNESDAYISB-22 THAR BU2A hase night at 2000 li. This place is sow a and Horpital yare marter are naw as abaging camp small village but large harlway yards and buildings. Wal arane food not good cantun. mchionng off are now paid by paps a lurlh of man is loamed to huspital for feod. wich under of malmitiction. One care thin ame a live sheliton. but magor aaber of 2/2 Pav captine with so00 other A1F in Java. 1500 came here. They were on their way was ho lingabere, but wire dimibed gave with NG & Dii haks ut Mc Cawley, Brig. Gupfor Jahor Habl Whibe Ker, My huet as sertale
November 30 47 Fanwary today. whi aant Bo Cle onth 27 1s0 Iasked S to sut oe French camb al falt for Deass on Chistas bunstmanig and was would ss shipt late as, a my toasers the slists leven though it in e might ixp mght 6o bele day all the pennamient workep wee travs. 404. 20 that ofig orm hd has been hlfin and ias. As a rmlt I ole a note to Btaburo through the bow asking for he trander poe Theer Bluy earse and Letters from tham and W. toons nly 2 had yurs med 13le the rshalls 44 sw pters well Hum doing well at erog Suck ber and the Pankes call Swan? M Bl0 De a das November 2 6 D
DECEMEER 12th Month- 1942? 12 SATURDAY:346-19 up before dayighd pactd up andi& of hs leady he move at 0845. the usual mire uip of ardus D to 25 hils cam alving a road which is nilve go the new arlesoy Westly Paw la ands asime anabe Very daisly ough Eembankmuch rasgu eng constucted in rectuons out about 22 hilos new paps anfs he tleding gathin of ls for bul bai is awfure brude, dristy, shrren in bbive 2 hills mles from envilication such as it is in throw park acroded little equipent DECEMBER 1942-31 Days 13ESUNDAY 347-18 Further 22 withouut unto 11 qr camp Der in inwuith Hleve NAGAtO for. S lef month ar e Capt Haler a of 2/3 Mr Res beg weet be Haven of 1920. Capt Wirning J. Kinwo) outh Abut, Levenal RAAE. tll from allstabe, Major offecier from Colls a bryn etna Natures are camp alangnse in a the creek. Have now the shock of this Leace and am bisoning to sinbe
DECEMEERS 12th Month-1942. 14MONDAY 348-17. Birth King George VI., 1895 Muushed 808201. Food is good but so far we have no cantien. Collectel 148 R for changing into Jap meny tes 400 R goods for Cantine. Have great filly ingethig men ben gut hthirs to carry water pollect full and datle misdy ant to the W8 Men are tan badly lan and dity w bodl bed 324 mnen large than the other camp th abs 717 man to au 498 DECEMBER) 1942—31 Days, I5 TUESDAY 349-16 table p 2 40 Cluurch wathress lar fitd Egh Frank nt a wit uffof kih aeco S.SB. at fava and Advar knews is tey sard a PDW in Java & geting as uber O nathe. Was frightend by slephant as I imetigated the cck along delightful brook for Li Had ssupply disbund ho ti by Dr. Cart ent
DECEMEER! 12th MonthISAZ! 16 WEDNESDATUSSONS ood is improving Kill 2o4 beash darly Green vegetableas cm in for the first hi dig ir an isme, and we cannot eat all our rice Tenp take to have the brach head and the sange berrs. Hides ar bling tared to wa dove for the cother camp. We whitfilld shed b Japs. 8 ma as and giving hunslup 219 P04 under Myor O Been aried wthout warning and I lith in in laid resary i Capt Healy harty ever anght DECEMBER 1942-31 Days 1 428 went ont on M.S. Planr Cabnshwas Dinner saw the Lerethern leves this mannng am kept buing mait if I feel day on ad how furble all ts could be den s and haw pasibion val remitting of 1 Myg Officer if fried. bobil ats4 Whelan of awd last might Jap sentin hks us made a though abit
DECEMEER 12th Month—1942 18 FRIDAY, 352-13. DECEMBER 1942-31 Days) 19 SATURDAY)353-12 Litbling down. Hospital I Kitchen beeng built Hmn went to man & Tinshnes dure hespibal Base Lubrmbhe an clabn last vsary tea ishs the cholera Hill very eating ar nat aral
DECEMEER 12th Month- 1942 Mo Padre 20 SUNDAYSSAII lans the prechet is veryd I am loasing hope. beba ll masen for anthe Many men arnot than amon intillect So bl wrtie a iland for another abe playre we a coud fund the 8 Dir that diphant pich eog weich weul io lift. Discoundd with Ewart a delightfue wreck about 400 yds west of i caresh. De a little 1I there and bathed. Htarled Jap lrason again & read peayer book DECEMEER 1942-31 DaysII 21 MONDAYI3SS-1O oft tore and chinged exhan Base br died a l35 3Dut max what 52 Dut n ber Riand Luratan
arct Qme mough day, main points were vrit by thist absant Pison, & intonnation hut the appointment with Stalsap Wicckes is at Hoohns on onday. By soh I spoke to0 so? At 2200 lus. the noaws shmiked, and did we have prur 1. oJo hnh happentl for about a quarter hons, and ben the balloon went up and the st - + came down. We all anngalid mandes onr ahalter, and, so fr as I was concened, I was commiced we were for it. Hearing them comsing down, the woosh and roar of the bombs, and the hss of the icendianes, I couldnt aee how hey could mis. Ion, after he better pait loy hwre homs, we were still all preint & the lamackes standing, though here were fires all around & a comple o incundianes were in he camp. B3B) a plane came down all about is, and our books cnune of he s but wive P. K. Arman a two odw his were called out to a thand to women a children, but they had been taken to hospital before he lads got hee. Got to bed beten 01002 0200 when? toobill matches on the ontride pitch were cundilly camalled by the Vntine firir Janch 28 fer year of offending the civriliams. We phaved fact and was guite pust fich an the wen p camp agaie ? Bill tnt went along to take puvices ar 152.3 and 317, and mearing the senning, mut its occupants loaded with puronal fbelongings, making for 520, the near. i ix. Sub camp 523 had belen flathued by a pear miss luckely without catmaltis, and with wery little loss of gear. It srow the wisadm o staldy's order that all expandence must keip ready- pacled a o If niisant belongings in ease I) distnction of camps by fin, S. bogs to be taken into Shiltin when aladn pounds Hould kisowns Daslefball, and sidd a very good wgh a ready but concet of angmented 528. Willh chatrs is excellent. Vrote two letter to Rad, one to dus, cardo to y/um i Dad 2 o2 ncipt to B.R.S. S/ and Stuidents Help for parcels of Manch 87h and March Bt. 421 respectively. bust hoight Bill trunst leat me in the prot gaine on my new chus. Goard— Wetchs advance thes at miding . Chicked paruls tis monning and left with Annam for Stalag at a litte affe pr 130hs. Bid H was with us on his way o Brishor and Alt us at rapestasse. Theut If damage to thonses on wither side of the Dine, maniter in thet Fellow area] Flee. W ight was at Salaa when we amwill, and soon a Wewards RiAdman & Fony andeed, and we all wentiin to Stalsant Wekke and go down to Comen. The whole dnow took about hed houn, and sevrenyghing was disinered. ofau pondts of witeon pure - O Iupormbility for and contral of milte a rudical paruls, se, to bi. of. Do. pigson on O him for met N. e. wen in lages Cehant) to din lasted up by Staloan ( Jo linth in mimones of im pendint Hranfer . O0. except Annan. 3 2. Jury to rome to Stalag. Saw more witurne o damage in tillon on wall back from tram, lattern from Rad 2s Mcah, in Bnspelon, all will, mo news If socl throsell, Jant Collello a F.O. W. in dfaly. Letes from Ofnd & Genea (in ennan) giving me addre a E022, H0. o Jr - This well. Our obed at O33hos. for an raid alame prethg cold, Cs, and all, clear went at about Vearch 0330 thrs. Ruds Jaallightos, F. H. and plung ovepead but. Luckely mann gene of astinon was not aount is this time. Bw as many as a planes in lights at one tine, On all aued to ant out A. F miely except. the lastone who was litting off a little amole at nitabruls as he made anday west. I imntwally got inp at about 1500 hn/ and was wtill dead loed. Had a thick head all night almuost s than dwere recommint from ham sesnon Inprenid for anober wist a iomn fo ight, bout no bind coame f it. touch of Mide head all day. Hill of a wid his morning at about vooolig. which nh3 blew part of he nof of the casino but repairs were legun immediately, Gusty all day with occasional opates gfram. Stelspldwibel Cold up his aftenion that bnclo in comming up to monerw or next day for thime of your wukes - getting a won nady for noe as his punginy sill be k complete pmily again in hed, Spiteh or Polmnans Conne f Geunan wih Jhn Eegans Jus Gaungen Goaetune. Aapil Aprl tatli a eaned ander eseli an in esrd nt inpetine actontiti I had send for them. Spent most of Emoming repaiing some minor domanes to our matsin altar, and adding a pland at the Bback for the prayes. Had pety goodk gane of Bridg after lunch with Ball Mugst affainst two of the lads Jackson and find Vely cold and Shak again Aday Stanted cxlecting date for groaph of prauntige If sicdk in camp. A thad a lite hot to day lalling ne thet the from had snpuised Australia House patticulas dept, and that they had bren Bunt on. Hhe troped I had neceived them Which I have, and sentie this and Jor Trons lut wistes. ttohing cley much im portance. Gor my graphe up or the 5.. form 10. day. Loks or tre amned to dhay hith on mechames and apent trn of he attenon Kinher No male a ahaping lit wot for a pumnall indssal to and Later Eaclown
December 9 sayd in a gain all moning in a about mddag and Bawed D. porparing the evernings meal. To rnil Ho day which makes ration a lit. his Affairan anthontis an Seppingon malk a lit in cutting down Vintira. cam communications a pal dos not come tomonrow Well be Sev A few snor. Rakes this morning Ammversary of attack on Iidi Barais and my just day in the Had a constitutional with our takle math fiue chap. F. Bay Cale Sehil Comi -a likes him December 10 othing much to day ladns thist Robinson Hiddleson Chissill in trospital) transfened to g arters in chakel which is Benng fuched? altak nails fulfit, his Cahmal, onan to pnthe Dee piet and all in pts s 22 Allegid hat s H1as. viding. sank and was sunk by OComonn If sast coas of Ausralis D
DECEMEER 12th Month- 1942 26 SATURDAY 360-5 Boxing Day, Pub, Hol. all States 2h fiilrys exceptS.A. up as Wakman for me today bed the sipty in my pose today with white ant and ant eggs yarma with trant knight about the A1t in the cast Ferum & Brock Hook f An after tun Boods got the t Rn. 6 Dir did fest hoye shew then Truce tte7 Div did Lyria whis t was reforming Part of 9 Dir 2223 Bus took over tobent tumoner aradicate steady, but har fuagu against the nevy at M Libya & Russie and doubtful move, against Bunnn Took the saying of the resan from Healy Soday DECEMBER 1942-31 Days FEB SUNDAV361.4 10H Went any will aoad party sound he wark quit interstig t have to m w met of earh dae heads ion marry an t Extunal lou loth aad senhi abuut We hunthe astide an home the fap in about and oth guar Henris scaffold acting ant budge arent shaple dost the titit the woksabe Busll, ex24 An Lgt he liff about fawy still co and Liahm

DECEMBER 12th Month—1942
8 TUESDAY 342-23
off again at daylight, with
12 men left to travel on trucks
Obtained 3 trucks by tipping off
Burman passengers. My feet are
badly blistered. Three men are
not as fit as they think they
are and 50% are done in.
Crossed another river by native

craft and caught a train, thus
completing about 24 miles.
Many men have no footwear.
Bird life was interesting at one point,
kingfishers, green and bronze martins,
black fantails, white cranes, etc.
Weighed myself 10'9 stone straight.
10 stone 9 lbs. Natives are harvesting
rice. Different type of Indians, Turks,

Arabs, Afghanistans, may now be seen
 1942—31 Days DECEMBER
9 WEDNESDAY 343-22 THAN BUZAY
Arrived 
last night at 2000 hr. This place
is POW HQ and Hospital. Spare
quarters are used as staging camp.
Small village but large railway
yards and buildings. Water scarce,
food not good canteen now
functioning. Off are now paid by
Japs & bulk of money is loaned to
hospital for food. Much evidence
of malnutrition. One case skin &
bone - a live skeleton. Met Major
Maher of 2/2 Pioneers captured with
3000 other AIF in Java. 1500 came
here. They were on their way back
to Singapore, but were diverted to
Java with MG Bn & Div troops. Met
McCawley, Brig. Griffin Fisher, Hobbs
White, Kerr. My feet are [[?]] about
 

 

2
November
1
Nov. 30. 42
Stanway went to Stalag again today. As Fr. Scarborough
comes in a fortnight and then in another fortnight, his visit
nearest to Christmas will be on the 27th, so I asked Stanway
to seek permission for us to go to the French camp at Falkenberg
for Mass on Christmas Day. The Hauptmann's answer
was that it would be quite impossible
Slept late as Hewitt was washing my trousers, then wore
shorts even though it was as cold as one might expect after
a night of 6° below. Today all the permanent light
workers were transferred to 464, so that McVeigh, who
has been helping in the River and M.I. Room has gone
from us. As a result I wrote a note to Stabarzt [[?]]
through the boss asking for the transfer from [[?]] 128
of Bluey Pearce and George Shier.
Letters from Mum and Mrs Boxshall today, dated
July 7th & 28th; Mum had just received 13 letters and
the Boxshalls some others and they "swop". Everyone

is well. Mum doing well at croquet, [[?]] improving
and the Yanks call "Swan" the Black Duck beer.
Dec. 1-3
Little happening. On 3rd we woke to find the
ground covered with snow, and some still persisted
until evening.
 November
2
Dec 4 '42
Same old life, same old barbed-wire, same old
barracks
4
Dec 5
Still remains of Thursday's snow on the ground.
Match (football) arranged for tomorrow at Gushagen
Tomorrow has been cancelled, the reason given
this time being that the condition of the ground prevents

play - presumably too hard. Found that [[?]] one of
the lads here, ex-Grays & ex-K.D.4s, knew cousin
Tom of the Bays. Wrote letter & card to Glad, letter to
Ron, and card to John Stephan
Dec 6
Sunday, snow gone, washed away by the rain.
Altogether a pleasant day. Had quite a long yarn with
one of the lads next door - Public School chap who had
played Rugger for three counties. Comes from Nottingham,
A university graduate and a teacher. Arranged with
him to give me some art lessons - his specialty. He
borrowed for me a copy of "The Australian Soldier's Pocket
Book" which I'd never before seen and which contains
a lot of very interesting information about Australia
Dec 7
Quiet day, [[Stabant?]] was to come, but changed date to

Wednesday. Galvanised myself into action (We walked ten
miles laps of the square, about two miles.
 

 

DECEMBER 12th Month—1942
12 SATURDAY 346-19
up before daylight and packed up
and 1/2 of us ready to move at
0845. the usual mix up of orders
& Jap control occurred. Drove out
to 25 kilo camp along a road
which is servicing the new
railway. Mostly P.O.W. labour
and some Arabic. Very dusty
& rough. Embankment & bridge
being constructed in sections out
about 26 kilos now. Japs supervise
everywhere including gathering of
bamboo for bush Camp is
awful. Crude, dusty, stuck in
between 2 hills, miles from
civilisation such as it is in these
parts, crowded, little equipment.
1942—131 Days DECEMBER
13 SUNDAY 347-18
Further 221 under Eward arrived
without warning. Now organised
into 11 groups with 4 Depts &
Camp Duties. 3 Dublin officers
were cruelly shot this morning.
Lt Col NAGATOMO went away for 1
months and left orders for them
to be shot - the swine. Capt Haley
of 2/3 MT Res Coy went to Haven for
2 months 1920. Capt Winning I knew
in Melb. T. Club. several RAAF
officers from all states, Major
Kiernan from Coles - a buyer -
Natives are camp alongside us
near the creek. Have now
got over the shock of this
place and am beginning to
think we can be comfortable
 

 

DECEMBERS 12th Month—1942.
14 MONDAY 348-17.
Birth King George VI., 1895
[[Finished?]] BORZOI. Food is good
but so far we have no canteen.
Collected 148 Rs for changing
into Jap money Added 400 Rs
of goods for Canteen. Have great
difficulty in getting men from
Light Duties to carry water,
collect fuel and take midday
meal to the W.P. Men are
slipping badly, lazy and dirty
W.P. today numbered 324. much
larger than the other camp
with its 717 men to our 498.
 1942—31 Days DECEMBER
15 TUESDAY 349-16
Holiday. Time table put
back one hour. Church Pde
held by Chaplain Mathieson
a Methodist. Met Sgt Frank
Knight & Lieut [[?]] of
S.S.B. who were from mid-east
and were captured in Java.
They said Adrian Knowles is
a P.O.W. in Java & acting as
interpreter. Poor Lottie. Was
frightened by elephant as I
investigated the creek alongside
our camp - a delightful brook.
Sent all men out for wood &
upset the Japs. Had supper
with Kiernan & listened to
concert organised by [[?]]
 

 

DECEMBER 12th Month—1942
16 WEDNESDAY 350-15
Food is improving. Kill 3 or 4
beasts daily. Green vegetables
come in for the first time, tea
is an issue, and we cannot eat
all our rice. Groups take it in
train to have the beasts head
and the soup bones. Hides are
being tanned to make boots.
[[Landshaw?]] arrive for the other
camp. We receive our first
share of canteen goods, fish,
soap & chintagah. Whitfield
shot by Japs for escaping and
giving himself up. 219 POWs
under Major O'Brien arrived
without warning and I filled
him in. Said rosary with
Capt Healys party - every night.
 1942—31 Days DECEMBER
17 18 THURSDAY FRIDAY 351-14
428 went out on W.P. Planned
Christmas Dinner. Saw the
Senthun Crosss this morning.
I am kept busy most of the
day on admin work. I feel
how feeble all this worrying
is and how I could be doing
something of positive value
if freed. Met Flying Officer
Whelan of Coburg at Rosary
last night. Jap sentry (an R.C.)
made a fuss on tenko as he
thought he was being called a
baby. Jap Sgt chastised him
later.
 

 

DECEMBER 12th Month—1942
18 FRIDAY 352-13.
 1942—31 Days DECEMBER
19 SATURDAY 353-12
Settling down. Hospital
moved. Kitchen being built
near well. 4 men went to
hospital. Christmas dinner [[?]]
went in to Base. Submitted
last of messing and clothing
requirements. Said rosary.
creek is teeming with small
fish. There are several recent
graves in the scrub behind
the camp, natives who died of
cholera or were shot. Mornings
and evenings here are beautiful
Still very dry. I am not
eating anything but issue
rations excepting coffee. Several
cases of scabies.
 

 

DECEMBER 12th Month—1942
20 SUNDAY 354-11
No padre and no
Mass. The prospect is very dull.
I am loosing hope. Perhaps we
will be prisoners for another
12 months. Many men are not
much better than animals
and with no intellect. Do I
have to help control [[?]]
now almost naked - for another
12 months. Fate played me a  cruel
luck when I joined the 8 Div.
Watched an elephant pick up

on his tusks logs which would
take 30 men to lift. Discovered
with Ewart a delightful
creek about 400 yds west of our
camp. Did a little P T there
and bathed. Started Jap lesson
again & read prayer book
 1942—31 Days DECEMBER
21 MONDAY 355-1O
C O & 130 arrived there completed
the move of the whole force.
Force organised back at base
and all permanent  duties are
changed. One man died of
exhaustion upon arrival at
Base. Lieut Staples of No 2 Bn
died & Watchorn is seriously
ill. 3 5 Burmans shot yesterday
3 Dutchmen who escaped 6 weeks
ago were caught and will be
shot. - Griffin was told that
152 Dutch died of dysentry at
[[Monte?]] and 800 are to come
here. Handed over command.
Beautiful moonlight nights.
Southern Cross visible.
 

 

March 27th - Quiet enough day, main points were visit by [[?]] Pierson, & information that
the appointment with Stalsarszt Wicke is at 1400 hrs. on Monday. By goh I spoke
too soon! At 2200 hrs the sirens shrieked, and did we have fun!! 1. Nothing happened for
about a quarter hour, and then the balloon went up and the sh-t came down. We all snuggled inside our
shelter, and, so far as I was concerned, I was convinced we were "for it". Hearing them coming down, the swoosh
and roar of the bombs, and the hiss of the incendiaries, I couldn't see how they could miss. However, after the
better part of two hours we were still all present & the barracks standing, though there were fires all around & a
couple of incendiaries were in the camp. Bits of a plane came down all about us, and our books came off the shelf
but we're O.K. A man a two orderlies were called out to attend to women & children, but they had been taken to
hospital before the lads got there. Got to bed between 0100 & 0200 hrs.. Whew!!
March 28. - Football matches on the outside pitch were sensibly cancelled by the Unterofficer
[*7*] for fear of offending the civilians. We showed tact and was quite justified, as the
men in camp agree. Bill Hunt went along to take services at 520 &517, and,
nearing the former, met its occupants loaded with personal belongings, making for 529, the near.by
ex. Sub camp - 520 had been flattened by a near-miss luckily without casualties, and with very
little loss of gear. It show the wisdom of Stalag's order that all [[?]] must kept ready-packed a
bag of necessary belongings in case destruction of camps by fire, etc., bags to be taken into shelters when
alarm sounds. Played vigorous basketball, and had a very good rough & ready first concert of
augmented 528. Welsh choir is excellent. Wrote two letters to Glad, one to [[?]], cards to Mum & Dad, & Ron,
receipts to B.R.S.S. and Student's Help for parcels of March 8th and March 13th & 21st respectively.
Last night Bill Hunt beat me in the first game on my new chess-board. - Watches advance 1.hr. at midnight - Summer time
March 29th - Checked parcels this morning, and left with Annan for Stalag at a little after
[*2*] 1130 hrs. Bill Hunt was with us on his way to Brisdorf and left us at Papestrasse. Plenty
of damage to homes on either side of the line, mainly in the Tilton area. Steve. Wright
was at Stalag when we arrived, and soon afterwards Reddman & Fosy arrived, and we all went on to
Stalsarzt Wieke and got down to business. The whole show took about two hours, and everything was discussed.
Main points of interest were - 1 Responsibility for and control of milk & medical parcels, etc,, to be M.O's pigeon completely
2 time for next X.Ray of men in lagers (chest) to be looked up by  Stalsarzt 3 No truth in rumour of impending transfer of
M.Os. except Annan. 4 2nd Dentist to come to Stalag. Saw more evidence of damage in Tilton on walk back from tram.
Letters from Glad 25 Dec 42, in Busselton, all well, no news of Jack Throsell, Jack Costello a P.O.W. in Italy. Letter from
Red & Geneva (in German) giving me address & P.O.W. No. of Nico - he's well.
March 30th - Out of bed at 0130 hrs. for air-raid alarm, pretty cold, too, and all-clear went at about
0330 hrs.. Plenty of searchlights, A.A. and planes overhead, but luckily main scene of action
was not around us this time. Saw as many as 4 planes in lights at one time, but all seemed to
get out of it nicely, except the last one, who was letting off a little smoke at intervals as he made away west.
I eventually got up at about 1500 hrs. and was still dead tired. Had a thick head all night, almost as though
I was recovering from a heavy session. Prepared for another visitation to-night, but nothing came of it.
March 31st - Touch of thick head all day. Hell of a wind his morning at about 0800 hrs. which
blew part of the roof off the casino, but repairs were begun immediately. Gusty all
day with occasional spatters rain. [[?]] told us this afternoon that Eric Cooper
in coming up to-morrow or next day for three or four weeks - getting a room ready for use as his surgery.
Will be a complete family again in here. Started on Pitman's course of German with John Kugan's
"New German Grammar."
April 1st - April Fool's Day - the usual number of lads came in before lunch enquiring as to whether
I had send sent for them. Spent most of morning repairing some minor damages to our
makeshift altar, and adding a stand at the back for the prayers. Had pretty good
game of Bridge after lunch with Bill Hunt against two of the lads, Jackson and Kidd. Very cold and
bleak again all day. Started collecting data for graph of percentage of sick in camp.
April 2nd - Had a letter from Mr Troy to-day telling me that the he had enquired at
[*1*] Australia House re pay particulars, etc., and that they had been sent on. He hoped
I had received them, which I have, and sent me this and Mrs Troy's best
wishes. Nothing else much of importance. Got my graph up on the M.I. Room wall to-day.
Looks O.K..
April 3rd - Eric P. arrived to-day with two mechanics, and spent most of the afternoon
shaping bits of timber to make a framework for a small missal-stand
for Father Scarborough.
 

 

December
9
Stayed in again all morning, up at
about midday and started in on
preparing the evening's meal. No parcel
to-day which makes ration a bit thin.
Apparently authorities are stopping our
mail a bit in cutting down intra-camp
communications. If a parcel
does not come to-morrow we'll be
shot.
A few snow flakes this morning.
Anniversary of attack on Sidi Barrani
and my first day in the desert.
Had a constitutional with our table-mate
Padre Kestill-Cornish - a jolly fine chap. Fr. Berry
likes him a lot.
 December
10
Nothing much to-day. Padres Hirst
Robinson, Hiddleston & Berry (he's still
in hospital) transferred to quarters in
chapel which is being furnished -
altar rails, pulpit, two. manual organ
and all. No further developments
in [[?]]
Alleged that HMAS "Sydney"
sank and was sunk by "Comonn"
off east coast of Australia.
 

 

DECEMBER 12th Month—1942
26 SATURDAY 360-5
Boxing Day, Pub, Hol. all States
except S.A.
Thomas finishes up as batman
for me today. Fed the fish in my
pool today with white ant and
ant eggs. Yarned with Frank
Knight about the AIF in the east
[[?]] & Brock took 7 Bn after Greg
Woods got the 6 Bn. 6 Div did
first Libya show then Greece &
crete. 7 Div did Syria whilst
6 was reforming. Part of 9 Div
22, 23 & 24 Bns took over Tobruk.
Rumours indicate steady but
slow progress against the
enemy at N.G. Libya, & Russia and
doubtful movea against [[?]]
Took the saying of the rosary
from Healy today.
 1942—31 Days DECEMBER
27 SUNDAY 361-4
I
Went out with railroad
party. Found the work quite
interesting. Men have to move
1.4 cubic metres of earth daily
Many are now reduced to
loin cloth and hat. Extremely
abrupt mountains stand sentinels
astride our path. We run the
show, the Japs sit about and
guard. Many natives work on
flimsy scaffolding sinking pile
bridges assisted by elephants
Staples lost his head with me in
the kitchen when I inspected
the cooks stew. Yarned with a Sgt
Bennett, ex 24 Bn AIF Pay Sgt. When
he left about Jan 42 [[?]] was
still C.O. and fighting hard [[?]]
 

 

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Loretta CorbettLoretta Corbett
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