Diary Major John Kevin Lloyd - 14 Aug - 3 Nov 1945 - Manila - Jan 1946 - Part 7

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

Page 1 / 10

ReY MI yarme with WCanlen until lake. would not get to sleep unhil ob the from the bugs. I fell rather tired but went sut with a small part to eather cuthigs fym the village. I was surprised at it size a subb be platation on the aput is been happed the Pap nar a large tincn st ppark in the rubbn nibucus, frangapaire and exi abound. 10 men ye came from 75 hils ane said that only sick men remained there new ax Iropical ruits I have eaten are cocoannit, pawpaws rambaltang mangos mangoshlens, banaas, lines purapply guava small willn wane E TOESOAV M said frent, hed aciy t tue more men died seem dysurtry Bambos is use for many pop sppark, hafters, stays, floor, walls it in wuulkings, water ar food containers, beovins, swat barm fire blowers, bet chamber ladely furm tire cylinder contas agarinal tubes, fencing, lying bang, basness, wahe ducts, guttering, scoops WEONESOAY 19 ine sunsers lately, are beautiful. Iwlight truges until after 2100t ale Capt Taham wirihe he for a mial. He is from the 7000 force from T Banguoh. They have last 3 to dead. Alro an amurcan offien suern Ms Po bra tmth by neme lnditions at all much the samd at all comp along this line, I find P.T. very biring, wore so than before. THURSDAY MAYLS ment io nas, ane receive a communion. Offent them as nanet I hope efficacion as the te are praying for me, as I am celtainly faring very well, a compet with many others I played bridge Lodsy with a frend Watien who can hardly walk from themnatie arthutir devilop frem a fall. there is a hund Rossib here who attended lew aie in our was at Nawtharn as quest of lapt lmhungs Hes face was familior a wan as I sen him Bessack, rngn and unetind returnie to camp today. EBLOAY MAY21 arma last night worth a Dubch Endaw t in Java etunatio. Am eading all the somt by Rackel Feld ative the bult arountt the Prastin hurder case in laris andd the laying of the ateanbie kable by in Field Hild a spot mu inthis for the workers- Buppin by shoh 4 railway warker, Honber worken & Dubch. Whett's broadeast were 5ro0yde sumy sact barrow raws ant bg of was v from the county for the week and spock. Two more dred. Iwas dors IUKPAYMAYE heaves now mumben 125, (41A/E, 108EF, 1OS4, 73 WE). Helfor ho sat a lange foct frid Discovered that Lummarn is Engaged to Peggy Mulcatry Panned heavely ment of the day. Hheard that Moulmen had been bowb 2 day ago. SiveaX MAYE Went to ters He at og0r has and tape again at 0910. am reading Witham Gilons Wild barea a very of the Kus Rwalution and wih bifore and afterwards. Discharged as from today. Prepand to go back Father Garry is sick facbably dysent A aayer MONOAY. MAY 24 Raining very heavely and there is no ward of my being marched out. har kept yre in all day. Played bridge with Graham, naler and oddrs were put Smith (Wsa navy). Most of the coffle and fovd out of action by the wet am reading wase whers the Mlrtay Thorigh of the Powers stamlatid by, Finanson. His grading of the Red ar or the best in Emope and of fafer mich as sya per will istred a lovina of Rosarin for puence stalys ar very wartening. athearded the burial of the body of Ebrand in of an cooks TUESDAY MAY 25 lap quarters caught in live just at dark hild excrtement for t5 minute Discovend a few glawe wirks Tumons recountd hes ceptie at the attack on 1oit Mergayeen in lyria, and how be was moved by plane from alippo to athern and there B salonilia, Junorlavia, Anthria, Bavaria, France me seviera (about 1 wen feam jurng and him back to Paleshine by boat when we firme the I wends in lyne by interning serve 30 a offieers. He was under tr Sundarmes all the while pooly fed, willl hiited otherbi FONESD 4726 thill ramsing you 3 day now wote a litter card to arrey but I do nst anticipate it will reach none. Was able to purchase sone eggs again ding w Canby guat company thann Denand Mc Carley Sarriater, Brrsbane. Turt ohrs tha banks andd bruidge are not standing up to rhi THURSDAY MAYE7 gound with Hosshe abvut ofe hronaing tyi, Maghn, Wilting ton am still m and Dary, Arkers, Handaryde Thil as FRIDA N728 set out at 1120 with barken truch carrying goods for 3 105 &108 hild camps they caneund in Jap soap. drums, and about 15J in ho 25 thels camp aust drive tuck beake desier and we furtded ocamp there for the night away to beng a muchanrie baitr The gap was son slept in the back of the safety from Bunmese over ight SATUADRYMAV29 in fell treasuly and terrts ovn wek waited about until meliy Laily to but so the attap roofa shilled the stuff wits a wirt anded by me lunk to ther satr from their staff work and iet the staff on We prstd on in the s0 bey arc again and sittle in td to 74 buts last the turch as sunke wayl The hrs MAY3O truck was available lucka temere at o are left at 75 pils camp, 144A15 and 80 in unfit for lare diving on both sides of our men oat 26 t dying like ply fromg bhalug, as many as 15 in ane day. The e
JONOAY. MATS Lept 75 at 1000 his after loaking under the supervision of sevinal earning gaps. They have absolutely no consideration for us thes y is entuly supificial and then good fillsnshp is a very thin veriou. They gave my no self at any bng and not fook us interest in prsurng the goods from the carn vut actual hindered me. We were bogged sevial him on an awful road, we pilled out by hactors slephant or oan surcs and reaibd 95 wilo ip in time for the eveniy uniel, I slept in the truck in a story TUFSDAY SON so prison & at 95 kils cemp on antimateria work to do miceoscope wark all day yound with bapt Draver and other Dirten offi The Jap private here in charge lied one man Walloce, to a true for 24uems without food wat ir slothin ohn than teaners. He rape 2M almost strenglee him after the worst goiing I have eer expeninen I arrived at 108 camp jisst amnad of dayaromo and the i wten goods and sorted out my bit for the nigh WEONESD Lettle in out dured my bit all dy tanyg. This camp is well nots the gu jungle. Men are cermpor there is plent of miry ane little varret the diet men are doing only road work, 60 70 of them are sick and weak Thnde in but there heve no prerp casys for 3 days new water is sence I am releiving sconsince officer. Preaintation of cagars HURSON king and Nagaterns left this invening. I inspected the area. It is rather well in by guigly cirroded and rough but we can still be comfortable one more lase of inpectid chan occincs be and hss bay-mater are giauntned. Had a new wirill t mate and my h repaired, nawent, and igaind. EBLOAYTUNN foote 443 mn to 100 bilo camp to pict up Drilns Keam. all and it is Met Major Rebertion, Ald Ic h wil t thuch with him. He is feam 2/2 1d bey, and was resered in gave Bought 6egg there It was a furse day I injourd the walk and would like so do it often. There are at the 100 wllo. 800 Dubch 400 Amuicane & 330 A1F. Wark in the earling is almust at a standsbilf SATURDAY TUN3 attended the burise of the body of Hevenson lastnight Carelin 2/49 ount doner with chalere during the night and was been mane nto is leyed man bostork & Houre. SUNOAY IUNC ap mare opecter took pickner of our weiking party parade Deballed to take another ration carrying parly 00 95 bits chip but ran s a porppenment he mn ar in lown spt tan ever bif Tarhoe is awful in its consiquenees. Photographus spot funeral smuch ple, turko men off to work. Iwve cusi quite often un to 105 TnI N04) Toots party of 500 to 95 hll camp for rations. Barrie bath 47 bags of an bean and salf. Road is in a deplauable condition. We soon trm covered in mud and wet to the skin! Our book were thon folling pieces. Imuself was not very distressed pap book were moving in to Thenburayal with their baggage on band muchs. They were almost exhausted and many ged to be in a state of ime, in the evening the faps announcer that a buidge between 30-75 hilos has been, washed away and we are now cut off from base. There will be no work for 7 da and we will have only / nations. Troop are pleaser to have to rest. TUESOAY JUNE am reading and so hetorig by Vanghan Willimms a pawerforl inditement of the Teange 1 1 fanily errty to my old po of Jaf Tuste in errly tire nights after her arre bridge. The RC now say the The Jungle ar ae is very beautiful It remmbles sen of te birtbui WEDNEEDAY JUNS. took another party to the 95 hils camp for taken and back 26 bags of ruce, 20 of beans & 4 of ract. Bought a haveosfull 44 white engay for our bad RAP patients the tup is exhanghing. It his some 14-15 miles and exhemily slippe all te way saw a dier on the tark on the previous bup life is haid ho maintain under these conditions suly 468 men cout Lobbar & to wake the bup put of 1900 oven an all y ther fou condition and many of these blough a for meatdr he de fom exhanstion. an eliptand wleapi juu vilud the samp a few days ago. THUBSOATIUNW Had another day in camp. Recuree an aute-chatern injection &thisd nince siving in Buirne EROAI rade camp agt to replai Henee wh ill 423 Dubn arrived to work here for 10 days under hbol von CULIK.I apent most of the day settling them in It is a bright sunn day the first sive we wachid here. Heard for certain that uargan Gibion, MAnien, WAln and Hackney are alivy and same 30 bilos further on. also 2/29 under send are all there also. The prarched feery sowhic we Bampny a most gflay experinee. have died of chalure already. Assistea at the burine of anignn body. SATUREAL TUN12 Took a party of 200 men to 102 bito dump and truught back 50 bags in 2 trips. Japs arei advvying the wa had slephand is showing sugn of an early dissotution. SUUONI TUVB out again with 200 men to carry lations from 101 bits dimp 10hils drint tom more mn accived hea75 hils can 3offeers. Rex is not too well. Bernadan is almost dead. The sube Japs do nothing phelp. Ulvers are on the ieuase a as awht and the cer A ot
MONDAY TUN 14 tundrees of min ed and dyvinty. Miny ar not much me than shilitons. These unewvilyed ruthlees barbarians as through the suck mn very day stew and send out some hundreds to wait, from 1400 h went out with soo nun to carly from 101kdu to 104 simpt tut a fa I doctor who was full of the usual neninc of gop powy Lonsin and proposande Heart that a lpe WDsvle bee is toward Daris fallin in law I myself am feeling quite fer, but if I whould go heven as man fit men ele sudding I want thiny to know that I loved bid to the end that she is the forel which keeps me alive and detumin to win through so that we way renew the happy life we bad tosethn and iy to te living over again with our young anes. If I weule de I with so so with of the thought that they are reason 6 provided for and that as I hree to hve a good life, & way find a place in heaven to wait there for them. et teeng ant cocthing gut mene heiting to me that dyal that H mnth anr that the casnalhi were 20 A1F, Japs. Youne with Opl A Dovale. He must be 55 Mas Schilden t hirt an we infort boy evnenated from tha Exst and landed from the neady an dding Enilan feviss Glover Tanley a mey ustful. Weater ane has soiss gamatihs, then admiet, has eern billad THUREDAY TUALI Took ration party to 101 hilodum turice. Mt Warch Luent Sun10 avy tall young naval officer Law carnalt tist from inlo camp containing 11 narkes of decd members of 2/29. Thams has last his brother in Law. Davi West went into the RAf itpaim, in the I am really deprested at the sudding with sevele atition of thes men then state of health is deplorable. that happiry, the faps shoull be punishe swery for auytold suffering they are impriing on then parsoner a ace of barbanars would brat in with more common sense of the want in to waits for them. FBIDAY TUNIS. my douthday and I telt that sarrey are the children atten 20 me.I hope they have some party in my benou. Lov sn part ont again Devilsful vome son of tiv an to but early aching all over and with fhishd far. 247FU19 not so bad this I am thes Pap nee thu den l deathy newt aiv farce in on month. Oly 5 at r th in coeried today. De ti he
sup to th Philippir 1946 ay fiest atiguinegit on the Wat bin buber of the Duntarah of 1 are hd bn dilled Luber ERIOAY AUG 24 1945 my cold is very heavy. Pood is not quite is plentiful. Red bross reprerentative said he would have to reduce expendition as he had already spent much were than he was allowed net M Karegsen &r Dane attarbee to a tirm of builders wno consrypcted the godowns. Amn reading Captain Horatio Horublewa by C. T. Forester. SAEURDAY AUG 25 all fiend officees not employed were maved during a tifie im to the Oriental Hotel in Bangnok. This betel is, in the tiver bank and we can see much of we dwer, life. The stayf is completely PoW, over 100 cooks, batwen, etc, some 250 officers iindudind all anshalians arrived at the godown harn wando HOLAk just as we were leaving. More than 100 Anshabians followed hs into the quental, as they were wasned out of the godown before they could settle in. Met a white women for the first hint 5½ years -Aladame KAEMER ? she is trench and has been at large throughout the war. 1A70 AU9 26 stept will on a matteess and bid, but the jissquitses were bad despise my ner. I am now gevting wn to, tables, chans, cupboards, mat on the floor, hane-baxins, waths etc and all of us are considerably unteristed in our reffictias in large nrors, I must confesswas rather shothed at my guterl appearance and law-bonce shoulders. The laps were i there for the period of the war and the Bank building nixt door was their Kempee 46. Thais are monery fundin by riber pront in fiom dispesse arear Heare, that the two anciaf ehi cauias which were in Eydiny, are on then way to asi with aid for youre PON? but are they for in? Resovered my dign p of whore and papers from onr unsugiound cache at kanbuse through Hbal Ramsay and atyed and took out my hes matheess afver dinner was called to allied 110 with fother officers. We received orders, io an a largn officers so all sharland, to hase with us a jap officers, to pioceed to and tensure that all jap guary were i into y and to convolt is south ber ridignment was to PETCHAOURI perncutar. Aua27 preted up a tak officer by truch just after ud set off on onr hip The great draw-budge berors i CAADPASA wa Tanen found in at NAKON PAREH warned and we wsrned by ferry. wany natives wending there way aldry the w then baskes of produce for the maracks. We dopferd the necessary of my party, busign peopt tere and proceeded with Hanll of the Hereston, UsN, and Ahe heths. That interpreter, the cerysky is very flat, consisting of we helds acrenut palms arce orcheet. all hallway ludges are suasend. We cevesed by fivey the river at RATABUK and breakfasted in a chinise cape, much to the internal of the local people. approaching CHaDA we pasnd through fild waiked by a special type, the 140(HCNa() people who have sett Both sixys dreas in litere there as well as cxenten in the nrth.
Thereshure, the short whate stiiked apirt of the wamendeing the most eth ent thele 1o 11 of he d t f Natam and cutstanding characteristic of the drens. at PETCHABURI station we dined these wiith the 4A1tereapier and 1 Bertish iscapee. We meal we discovend 00 Pousrcenl arived from the south and on completely weskeen-including te first grapes & have been here then way ont to the camp, 16 hilos with. I hook ran nch in THURSDAT AUG3O our struck and acrived at the cant er the early afterroon Tueet Dandr toaught a mater taunct at dayteriate and went donen the PETCHANR I was in process of bariing over command of the caup to bakt Iriver to the gulf of Siam, The river is lined with homy shop wight. EsA, and I payred on the vecessary ordery. Then Itbal Hegaen woad building youd mnsele peatiling buts and wamen and children I arivee with 15 other off to take over ard and tobnd handle all sort o craft some heavily taden, as shilfully an the to repead the sider t him and ther insured, that the gape thesery men. The gill is vey shallow and is covered with fishing hape undeestood thei changed staters. This complited my sext task and in oclarionce places a few bushy are giowing 10mill onld was by live the parallrtishs I retulned to PETCHABR and contaih sea. dhugged up the MEKLOAC ver, also liled with harer and daiae Balteet isd who was in hine-hiding will covered o the tar of a bitter clase than on the other river, and also will shopb Balblett bad droppee by payarbul in day. and bad brought wt fanary stuictures of bameos, gust wt a seaffolding for drying him 4 officers and 20ks ineluding a that wedreal studel from fhishing nets. The crews of the many fishing Loulans were a washington, they had their heditent in the bills, but he ark capt serva vicwon mytorns and several boats fly the Thar flag Herant had advance He in the towen for a fire days twet several Red while, blue, whild ed rppos Wemn and children ur thais including the vice-govener and goe WATANAROM colninande of t sunall samp on ladin with sugn care, cowbancet, ho nh aililar Disbret and his aferal leason officer bapt sorran of the & lood tapioca rook fish etc and men with banenar Thar airfarce. There I baint of another wertly parly in the aria, sampar laden wit sold ply up and dowen both ris at drapf MnAALEN of E meyp who had ceny duer intnouy to Rioyt the swall hain was s bony late and we couse not connet Barthett fasi RADBURI. I got them together in the Thar officir that t Here, an Emasion with Banghck, so we spert the night with ave eate Baillett came out ho the camp where he received a with his son James and daughter wiolet. h ovation from the Pous assembled to bean the news. We 01007 A44 Preturned to CRTCHARA1 for the night, and slepton harketh ads Departed from MEKLONg by teain at 0800l. Te by He with Hanill, Letty, Waught, and packed with asiates, men woer &children. The first half of the WUEGORYAV. ory was theough nus flass covere wth atap tt off at dayate by truck for Barketts tudient, Law many 1acd parrs. At TACHIN we, quifted the frarg, cosak the taron puat beeiving afood fiom beushelder along the roag. Severae a oi by bery and caught another hain rittled conlil up to hourchalder atted and on the road giving something to each perest a felds and achards and gradrally the paases, the was to the lase-ont lanched off the iury I there & woot a buycle richshe to Ha We great megam. I ad Tibesmarth of the houen cam over I bulss of alled acrost in Watoen Rd and made my report dy gy experises wae w5 pad heler and there winds up a very cought teach over the bit very ane 207ts for te Richsha Rebberd to, the Quent rar the tllas hoshe as we were innsbanty bodge or the enqurebete t& the irrequin Hotie feeling rather sick from the golting in out the hide out was amaying. He had clealed I diepping ship ay which loo blong by ord wide, had senthuched several but for the 5000d tha SATURDAY. SEYL fand ceap. 10w who were arssting him hal shoild an Plarns are, bury walvaling. There t <26 an wthto indu of ig subna wortary lepty sevolver, bezonty dovment of a pationa ing sharg and yesterday and thewand ammution and guad bas igup is stapped peoding a change of progiantie to tahorpital and inteded a be hen had his wlele operating and ne all will be disappointed if we as not go to end bad electue lihd lason from his portable gunaton. He was careys brother a I tnt came in by mosqitie to tak gething some mar patubion i a that ary comp off but he wanld not go. Tweree of us sert letters ond youth hon fai charp mean and the matun we aloyal to a man I They should reach hav within a day by an iaye. There is sampled all woil If good ad an obtains o coll with anyus a still no leave. but wany are dripting, but iofficial c ifthe sram Sen the afturioon Raillett aet ont wall a Visitors an corning in and out all the to their guarshause, the tood is quity good, the leps wrthas woaded t and his wtreless and w arrived back in com nt all nest ofter dait whten hes cam no tho kunng thdy nypt we ofit and, we are bung showend with againth and cigars trow BEOOA✓ 4ua2d psted gap noter Many officirs went to a my watch and collection satleth just plase a bel diing his mence it carp and there wire there apso, siveral anded & dariee at the intenin oritude, or tarachwhshs w the sheip neat the camp Leveal is officers came offinto the garny the obliery jstarid hove csucoa esose cip whit an that the tlu been here for seveal weeks. Al Dich De Vogel from the have left a few hav late with 24 P0W include 8 stbeher case she fap camp cande was still unable to eeclise his changes stabr went to two reason in the Catledial at 0620 40820 lm. At and backed by me, He Col finally made him withdar his guards. i Hanghish attended. Priest said there
guest anrass the never from he bshel look mere of us upstuam mostly chirror. The per t ar Ferich insuay, the terris th fon a sampan served by a wctor boat. The rever teams with same there is a Dishich, and they have great school for with ceept of all sorts, carryinly all ssives of goods. We visited Watcerie boys and girls. a bant daw aged the Cathedial in 13. The and climbed half way, up a great chedi from wherce we ad woen do not vrn hat in church and many o wet wear a five view of the city. In the evening, all aushation officers gaks shves. a chair of girls and young mon sang in taten at the for the dining room to week Gicup Capt sell of the HAAF and recend dass dit ofh trass rs Gassorin, Fench Cbaye d'apfaires. major Buifard of the anshalian iission. This latter I leoguin a nfand of it if indochie, ms Lorgenion, in the SSt. They gave us first hand informatish of anst berly frer the mosuateil of the Fench apasi, I believe that a Buhat again, and 7 End gane we were and for vews. Plars then very rlban des hs to giveve body gind many stere of food and Division is c by air bent furstcable to Vaney. clothing and tobacce for ex 134s Law a real beggar witthon WEONESHT SEE3 foes and inoving on his sead, Dave thapson cal in por a fer look over comment of the hotel from Lbat Laidner blark who is minietes, Hobbs, Cxtemnnng, Hence Hamilton, Murchion and I thin to stand by for evacatiert. Had a buisylday pushing on with several changes There. which I thighh are necessary, mssin tanho hth seck te, clear MONOHSEPS contract for chinise boys, filling in of her said herebes and removre of am still feeling rither sick, and cannot face food. The who save-bays from mide the hotel, reducing the number if or management of this splace is presenting wany difficulties. The ex. useless and so on am feeling namal again. I shalf are not working unlees almoxt forled to do is, and if TURSDAY SELE is stme bisitation in employing thinee woys. the place was lef teceived visit from M Gerrard, as william both t bots and dirty by the faps and little deffert has but wade to clean Lady resuntaters stalf, and Tp- Capt Hill, all wembers dood is still seeved in a guene and we are stillmng di iman to intertained them with a little reflishment. Hander over hich ae now tather greaty from bash of hat washing wat Banrs FRIDAT SEEI Chanine boys ren a bucantien ane ceain, papers, ca in terewed visit by Lady downbbather, General Thason, and others, the nou have a pano, book and wasgagines, wlies segule of good Lady is charming and reminded me romnewhat of kaney, Wen truit service to the did the other Hamal camps, we were a for a walk out with a teslay boy, visited the magnificint ofort to write our first air mane either, recuationed at office bylding, bought stamp for Ann and John als the homer t in, we are ubuassed with toberco and soap, water is un lift in Chinatelon, all shap are wwill stockd are the aten are in avaulable in the taps, electiie light comes on every night about 190 every corner, had coffee in a chirrise cafe and enjoyed myself and in general theng's are not too bad. Nevertheliss ue all are immeriaely. The food there man is very good and I am inticlt much bnsetel, Between 1000 2000 ex MMc flew out today, bu may crthibed. The hotil itself is cllane and the staffi ave austiations have to woncile enisly io a delar phap working more smoothly, we are almest inlassed with gipt weeks whiel we find very galling, as we all wieuld have of tobalis and forly gear, from the rex cross, Playel is letd to go to tndid in the afbetnon& w Rasnnessers car was at an IHearsin, td valance pap bay fo Lewrt with Lbot Vargete drsplias cand thagbe Daly abd Jacobs and twant for a tow. W Sang Vitent tr Ms. Binine Hespital AATURDAL SEI dove through the City and alol keay any any to the maguif trited Father thorin, at the tunch tssien concerning tats at I sheare Hall a pretine of which apparion some of the that camps in Langhck area. Obtained purission to me his waiting ran nates Next we visited. the s00 in Luget thit. all anmal sum to b to do a little study of Fench. Apter Lunch, drive to the bed Moss Holfortal iilignon including all pyther bears beoped and long part of which has been batuere over by ex PW medical staft ave wwhere armed beack mankins that are chabed to has just inside the goe We have 150 sick exPws Dret there w Verkmann, a Penvese, Hadam Luger I enclosure how there we dovy through thich of every pretertiont trnch, M Ensteod wife of Lwedish Cenasl, 2 Ruisian girls ave a Danish and wden buding to nat Po. whee we saw an endmen stalue wowen. At Gerrard due has siller, Lady M stafl also called. Walked a recliing buddhe say 160 feet tong and 10 fulhish, the shunes buils back to alles He caught bus sane vilitin Admi He en wnte, far our the remains of flnge bing hundreds of buddhi an anatrin there the first batch ofanshalian ex PM who have come in, to you rchool f and wck glatter, quik figures if then and bisk and a an NP ogganiration with Cary and Weilly contral Banghak magnifisions timpte with gold bndither, ti carpst for kneeting ieti a bapt timpron. Ht and miss alemouits, Greeks drove us to te inher dooer and winow stuaded with wither of fint all will and will camp to view a concerl. The cluckic least failed to come on asi are covered with extared bily or punting or mather I peare and the at 1900 his but the show went on and it was a pleasure to in rook ar wulliand with muld colouna grazed tiles, hom there seal white women on the stage, wit also aed Hbblets frieng and we drove to the thatteria drew-budge and thin on hane. Nos of t Uparrow who is to be wamatie in a few days time. public builting are better then anything we here at hane SUAOAT SEEG home tliin houp (ghubo o arried by arr Mars at 0820hes. Had liffen with t ard Madary tugon of the TUESDAY SEPA if i have is in fathern Rd Tierh legation. Their hunperd ttall fert belions are have accustan head acde. A then delightfie to go into a real born and to eat for the first
for Dryedes justaran wente at lane, cocktails, wasbe panet or and be flew me back to Hanglash with stores and passangers inrcloding trunch chap hetabel in the teungs thuth ant giten anguton in te thefarie neone Hhendes for Banghesh, the mond spictallene were on thenitaten officers and oR for Laigon and British heassn officers attaehed to the Rog is roast good, potatie paties bat water criss and babed bashn then a batter like sweel, frid ad wal and firge ban with hrep was the month of the Lalween with its large islands and with stace of ternon in the water doe finall back in the edrnge, whach wf noulnen in the distance, and the numusus great teldng which time the thise pople hope to be cvacucted sven the French are his tongel Phamese countyside. I arrived back 6 hours after laving, apter having hovelled friendly be the Teamise becauge if the war in 1941 and are witdrawing 1900 miles. Ricked up a huch with tap deiver and was deopped at the doer. dlmost all of the legation lon Viribed during the Evening by Brigly John Lloye, chief of the anshralign al banbed building, inclut one of the ustial gapain thit Pereira who is an Endean, nst a dalaaAPW and kapt tere tanghnde orl ws staff. I was a theill to mut ten pfered above and doking took, they Iars to the Nakom Kann Cs /againsand, hear of mudelal fuenty. He saw dames in 1945 and said the Theabel. It is a weader stitutire, built in the same tris as our thinks imp aboked firre. Ypewers was thhen prsoner at sobrilk. Newbiy is missing from with resteresses faus, micephors,et but without pas to the seal. The somer and rrollard from Rabant, "G de& Weebly & blu Newrham were ocheha conitin of dosen iatiment, all Wisteen, and the musie haken prrsoner on tirmer, Havy Gunn is on the AHPWI staff and on his was restraind for the Eart. On the stage a play deputing a young ambr to Lingature Received a either dabed today from dred Here! Than who asped to the governiship of Kanledri, the dabe Governors dangltin WEANESO are another woman nost male paits are played by wowt then a quiet day are writer letters to Narriy 4 4 4th Went to the were the dress which was haditiense usibil the thein becslutie, the odean THURbDAY SEPI3 most unustl paid being; the paring. Between act, there were rvuge visited Devtal Officer at Red & Hespital (Public subpatient iterns in front of the curtain, two goungstes making wil, a gue singuysd binedirg) and the Pastlen Lushberk where I saw therr siabes and a studio ibnover imploying a new band. a Hanse aboud whhs and holses used for obtaining serums. Bought a pair of show came so nit alongsede me anld explained, the story of the plas in brokin with the aid of Mr Weitzmann from Venna. Enalish at a bhinie cafe afterwards I saw a chinin sichtshe and ERIDAY SEL 14 sougetir whining away willeet the quist gamblee with chenice cads. th tisited tperts bleet, and inspected post. Harped wrt at shirior wioth cond if a mall bhil about the seize of a giblet be PW He as avacuation offe-all nationalities, vie alony arm to which is attached ts pigs to lighter othe but st major rreade HC.H. of the Docsehs. The body of the instrument is held on ae leg by the other foot rester SATURDAT SEI above the trice: shathe diring the afteroon in Ferich with theee prients. tered into tathen House annixe. the main building MONDAY SEELO a palatiol open-are residence in which we have our Offic guta queet day in the botel. Visited in the afternoon to Generae tvan. ness. The awore is residential and be office - a woogen hill 7 and Div. about 829,000 IR troops have adressed is. It was a d left & of cenall is adjaient. General W.S11MM. called and TUESOAY SELN pleasure ho see the man who was priched out of Burna boy the tap move to the DoW msWa andiome 22 1 Barrilash early 1942 and who came back with such a puunch in 1944-45 a good road berdired by Degns. file in rooy with John Quich. Went with ted Srt lettled in to new quar ar rue fields about 30 sicoda atan Quich at night in a geet to the thar Offters Chile at the is of The thais have a balf dozen small or old platre of Commandant largen. The blub is very modeen, a plaf rooped from N3 Wenaned Woodler and shulding set in a park, open on three sidee and consinting of a large ane is anshation crey them and a loal of ex PWs to RANAOOW. It was a mure darm floar surrounded by a raised verandal on 3sider and a booded the rece fields show ond in a delightful fashion and, the be orebastia was as good as most band bears l coo stage on the other a dark gleen carpet out of which hasd rarhges of mountaint to in austiala and played will knower inclodies. Between darrees, und 10o but io go over Extends girly diissed as male and firnale pretmd anrcient Lamise dane Iroon feeling pleatutly covl. The first right of the tutien occar The bingen of the bands are hipl eideapart and bent for bach and the lla li up the coast for same distance and then ors armis are moved about like giauful twaying Crambes, the hns bulf Littarty, plying so haw over the wex at cise timse that we mus te Aunt to be bandred out wost of the hs and the flet are rst f ete the coast lane Renven cime ight and as we flew over in the biels the body is not mon Laneborrs they darse thice fulds we could see a great pasode nid the city. we othe row of t ut the costurnes are williant. The thai offeig were the fave I could see eerything chart cidly a gueatn fit all reeins and ieluded many of high ranl ther wile dawarte like stenburred many camps much tranport. a scathered city with the ndes most bast durked in white tee jacket. her gusies bouses ne the wharves, avout a dozen ship lay at arliborin his addition there was a thick spibubling of Br the broad muddy strear. We made a sate tanding at the Ratvon aupont officers from everywhere, tencals thmm and eerarrs hane I had a look round, the drawn is liftered with all soch of planes include allt ane danced with a thar girl who is an instiuctor a a few 15 649? There ware doyens of E473 Spitfurs, Bofighter hurricams, and Callege. The spoke good renglish and explained thed anosquitoes. The shp is covered with perforhd mital shill about 6 f1 6y 2 thar couples have a new foum of modin ballroom dirrein with a foundation of tarred felt. I met another H hieut, writ by name, not tarch each other at from the ancient dances. The
SUADAY SEEIE MSDOAI SFP24 Dave West shaldevats left by anr for Lingsperi. Coth have had attended alass at the Capinelite Chapil at 8700 his. The priestn phalesion, the alter voy a that, white the congugation cansished of it bad news. All shops winly thense eldred. The Chinise do neary all that lay t 2ofs tspe al ans, dizer of the vurin in Ranhek, ss the whihe is serious. Lorl anopians awher chinse. There must be at least 19 min in the claisters. state that the eiess actvall hudsininate bere but the tamess will nevr admit it. The Runnaket stop gap catrt resigned a few MoDAY SEL17 days ago and has been replad by Dramet hiamn Washingha Consuldhe Held a cochbare party in the Meas to entertain Banghat curtion who have helped i the wst avout 150 attended nly on other dealled on the abromovits. He is h muck who feught tay the Rusnars offiean myself ne left after the crowd had departed. I dread geffr during the last war, got, sut of sifles before the Continuity took it over [Faines addder Betly and instered to te weless. thee w inIt avent to tuece lost hs ma dent to atal until forced austialians in tiarn, and a tobat of over 29,000 all nationalitues. out of there in 30 by Anti-Gumebee legistation, then te bantahtine TUESDOAY ISELE he Anssian. Cuter me furally to lear. M abiomovits ls, a resited thert Cherle after dinner and had a dunt with de toged, they baat repold. ges died. Yesterday I visifed the gak camp in ourt old a band coneers bnt Idid notstay, Deove to Oriental a pieture the cohip of the godowns. Here are collected all PW gap staffe. was on there but the round will no bad I did not stay, wok yestedy, also I was pesfced o a small Terman womat who is confind veryele rickibe wait to alliance Francaise passing in tonbe the to ber bause under thei guards pending internment by the thar called on tiisty of Eedmathian. of the low down typs of bar and perhaps sonithing else, at the RESOAL SEPES alliance the ladits of Barighah were giving a dany to ORS. At the phibe conteryus, talled on tas thintorn is quite svval old ex-on frend nadaine nillic, wthe gagenin a an amaminitit gorgunon and he new. Met Rise, who is a/19 anst ward boy, socated at imit of greenvablle-diers to evable me to charge Der HD. Bueens Rn 1Br) is in Palace alongride. Met boe (a inI have a wad heat -rash all over. chare and hut Hooletan, both mary from abig. Several if ESOAY SEP19 nusy who were with uo at legamt tne sialacea, were billed of met sthunt Thampson BWEAt who is taking and by an to tingaper tanatio or wubhind Hanal ereahed, Called on the longungn and oday all the a whom he can ind-19 atpresent. Tohe wainal the zeytons out on the tahr road, atrestd up the prisht seat to dute are Wk9966, Dubch 286, aust 519, U3A294, Wrdian 555, others 5. tota ai. har bad to be lifteddont if not for kelnen in ver 11625. The head here is extremily hund. one is perspring all day WEONESDAY SEI 26 tten that bong bad bean wounded by trullet. He tineneed bit long iesquitoes eat are alive even through clothing, expenally Tthe at Chanbar Firieet a good many of We men from sin various W 29.238 camps from day to say, and they alll ruin pleased to see me. I am went to dinver at the horne of the Tivedish Consol, n Ensted argining to believe that some of their flattery may be sincipe trut his wife. te & nme rullet, seiting to the Ferch mision tthr Gents John Carly bookne aroung for intenbiry, fst to the Birtish Legation (ife an abribration) boe Swentien a Hol Lickwan of 7 Div. Heard sae were we wuet a lewan Docboy? a Pesion land vislet herr where street fighting going on just after dinver. father I staye with at wellng. Then we visited the convent if nata PWOAY BOl De run by te Arsalue mirs, visited, andrame to contait the 261 Anshalians who are THURSOAY SEE27 Taigu ustday ti the Bill Cansins has been cifed as a war crunna ed in the thar officers mess, called or taken ane that kuett oparter have reached, home visited Rix at t into knutson hosey if the lentrys bllow, that they are to be rhow Throughout the night wall an HHead Qunrters. The Dribeh are gradually taking over from in, the By fire and gienad have been making a lot afnise. The excitment in Chinatonen have almost petend ont and a few RArw1 people are erginning by They are finhting the thais nace arrived from autater but wit leave the work. Welfare hampal, camp contral of M Hl have atl BSATERGAY BEE23 passed ho other band, atoa Butih the fighting wtill continues tome of our MCs have been TRIDAY SEE 29 wounded so we are shipting, then quarters out if chinatonen. visited drime. Net wacter again tenbu who was bit on back with a grentde will die. SATURONY SEL29 BUNOAY SEP 2 ment to a dange at the Letarn Clerp. Host was a that tren mars at the Cormilite convert, Helfe M Enstead find was quite representative of all rection of the present Banghok popituby nome sich men ap 54/d peles benth gut who wss bo due of o fer after or at attennce traneai am reading tere thater-Pertes The Belmaster? Had a ariin at the Tort SUNOAY SARSO weell at sigafore, avas there excerted ty young Harris. Lighting tut bearey, Condon and Hennessy at tay. Had a delightful I died down but the chinise bar dulaild a 10 day giveee h swan dury the morning at the specks Club. John Carry and I as from tancrrew as a pictest against the robbin of severa book Missis Abiamovit and Rres to the naus. It was a real nate abvuse shop of $2000.000 tieats bf that petice show. Tome f the raw were, for honies. all were four firter oall ir bud I but on the babe and wo hem 1900hm dasher. the sockess were bay
on each of the thege raus we viewed. Drove there in a deadfull(s7 OCT) old huck as Johns car bishe daven before reachr us - When w Had a heitieday Mars at0by worked till 1130, went to refused to the tinch after me weeting, it was filled with i pi Rabbath have for liffn at the invitation, of the Kysers, met who had to be deopper at all sorts of camps before we disppor there Ramsar chrt, Henal, Carey, andesen, Lave, coose, timn & rl herr, Went back to the opfice ofer an han an there drove ontt the ladirs. Went and so the Jargenen for hea wroo kin tunder, the forgensins. an icurbe & gave a left to 2 Bubish muses whom I had wen Buggs. been at nass. Deove back in Jorgursen's moton tereytle to the nover Dct aant where I had dinner with Hix and bapt goe anguie a reged a cable from Varryy, my susnt communy ton all Endran MP friend of Rixs. Rebuned to hatel to disivr that weashe inspaliary are new in Barrgtel. There are lok of sights, duchnedner and brothel visiting, and several robbili are attlbuted o exp was gazethd a Brighdrer as from apr 42. MCADAYOCLS. thending by he more to the arradicure. When todays plarns go TESDAY OCT2 out were will be only 267 anshalians in Hharland. rebund a mored out of tatha Houge kiss and anto the thartand Hobe about half a wosk to the Lurgons. Went back to the belif ofyom there in a ing the other side y thes wad. It is staffed sampen loaded with seygar carres went out to the droine with entirely by Exc B.Ws and is a large old -Lashiand place which + fo baggage at 1ohs balled af RAPn1 inreute, debed on plying vry quite and placeful am wtill sheling a room with John visit to Ranghen ho have a Chirrise dinngr with Mr Ensteel, Mas Quich. Received an inection and was vacunated. Tuffering from Tulham and two sutely officers. Hod before at another shop and a bad attack of wdedestion furished the night at the Riocadus Hotie (Dutch), arrivd at WEDAESDAY OCT3 Quente at nlidnight. Vipitoy. Benchg. The walk fre the Tharland Hatel to the office WUESDAY OCLQ. peed deed in my ol room. Bugs thept me is duightful in the wrnng received another cable from Varrey took an unvien awake for 2 hours, Wint to another bed without a net and but still his were letters saw bpales OBrien, ther are an abed 1300 of us likt for wanation. Thadium imprid of anstalan. morquitoes helt me areake until 5500 b. Up at 1545 his and returned to droine on auciew tien Law plan load of sut Jark Wahmit pich from N. Patan thad a wrm and sunbath but puchley beat breain too writa Tinsbrr OCTE wirike the conted fower when a lat of plany were coming in as last Harry that set me Harreys two litters and the trunch if and going out. Catiel can speak to all heam within 20 mels snaps my first real news tion horne. anns growth has staggen radins. Iaigan is terrific but very definite. On plane came in mne. Had but frerrth night at houe with nothing to do but rea on ane Engire and bad to have the sheep cleared for anr vanys letter. How happy news from hame watves ae emagincy landing. Went into the dance at the allance hamane FRIDAY OCTS and revud with Rix and Carey and angani. WERRESDAT DCT 16 tought some dress matial with the ait of Miss Gorguen, to my widding annuusary, tmplared at 0800 his and toat off the appenioon was deiven on a nabtreeing been by 4 anitidt hew mintes Caber. Our three plane loads were the last of the faw the really maginticiint cilding of the Grand, Palare anrd dusbalian Dns wertly staff Ha? Circled over Ranguak and ith on the sterripge on the monnt This lather appards a grand Hanarama of Bangnop. Had a decirty in the Raranagesen Hopet. Wer then 30 wnles south, cucled over a plane which, wade a bort with cundusc Kamea news & tit to the Rasmssins forced landing on othe then out to we gulf until we righted Mataga at Robe Harn. The view of the coart and irlands was for denver my there a mss rient James, an Anshalian did maghitivent. Thee low over Endan and aleesing, saw Hube bross officer tirished the night with the angayenited hangssap in the distinc and can unto some bad squalls at at the redcadua statel at a davce given o Dubh offices. a day 1430 h we were ciching ov bingfore and the familiar lang a half. wacks brought back memories, handed on the civil an pat larres, net by sam 2 a SATURDAY V. which was wcded with all sot if up people and diivin out va kating to No5 deception camp. Srove up, from there to N6 camp and wel Harry yeum Hill feeling rathe sut. all the wut I have suffered hem and there. He has given me a room aleryside wps indigestion and a complity last appitite. Handed over Wk punsu this shapp officry, and I am very comfortable and being to Capt Barltipren of AAON1, pd goog-lye so de Vogilde stred apper. law the preture aten and had a dunb the foume has jurst bast news that his wife was hilled by the wip well with allayers burrth, Hunber-Ken and wuth from He fabout a year ago in prison. I was reatly repret to tear this beau he was so pand of her. Had F Sp & RAPNI officers to dinner, Clagire, Pierce, Adams, Neithern, Newell, Bloemfull ar a few other. went to be
Hughes I think us the warne & Adge Brarn, Terten teary & sevent. THURSOAY VCTI tent a cable to Varrey. Received a litter from Tay and diewfic dian there about 10 if a ibout on to the Dutch Clut to pay. Was resid with some clothing. Harry shored me armnst a dance. Harly + I drove the tws unter back to 4AGH bafter he cant which is divided into a He and 4 coys holden wright inhitarne o two endian juggle on sir frndtane about 1000 in all under carvas. He and nis bot collsh offcer tus and staw gre in existng buildings. Our honse TUESDAY OCT16 thartig ain bathing busie a day for the benefit of my ther. overlasks the sea and the cercise is detightful, Viriha by deli and ady mnthathen and shalled with the lupicins himself sike and upetide Eberten I am sufterin fromheatraih, He talled must nofially and uncouahiontly with the to of e sipl baas, band on an frond lavey. At night. Harry and I spent isif of the watd, ferryin from a reat on the ralling of the Bed bros Ht verandat. leand me hisca wrtis from the A6H to, a dame at the Taviews shid was duthgraphed several bay bst and had to pict up for wife fia doing the same. Law another ocganieed by the binit hntunes for PWs and was will and cary ber away picture show frm the frent caledi wame chrse and stalar attended by bath rixces. The girls were mostly service gurls. By watch the stu and are cand in the applarise. I am eating and anstalien. a bet and drinking a faw amount of yar, which I find I car take with just a slight exbiluct, effret Hany deuine me WEOAESDAY OCT) Packed up. Tert cable to Waney adviising embartation in the early appernsont to the 14 ACoH at it bats behoae. The bened re steilily a selectid ier has been alficed and serse nene waid were completed y th on the mertow, obtained san ta the apteron sightien is after the serunder. Jat cloting from the gid shere, bAN OET 12 and shepping in Lungaper with horters deany oarence OFR there bibl die two nurses of a very fine type. searl i Drove into tyat with Dure, Charles and abyea larked lthe years of age thes have yet itained, a yourthfulners aboue them which I find ao pleasant to cessociate with. We to ttaly - ns charce dade enquiries at Hombang & Ahaligtar Bank ar wead the amits fund at naluc ando the Offcin aur t0 viewed tingafor fiei the Loof of the Cathay, shep at Langs and Orchard Road and bad an ice-cleam a at hinsapore. dicid cap, dins wateril i bt wert in dear. Ahen are prababitine 1e for up f11 fer during guek 1 for n the 7oda reain. There is no ligier to be obtarced thackings. there was a faw amount of lunt and thina Eland Bank is now tath the public plans. It is bathay ete, are all KAEW slay. dlck-tennis every afternion with Harry. Unfarturatily my thin funhioning Kappes is very bad with heathast, aire and impetidgo (). We have a picture she in service inabibutioons. Had a farewell dinner, in Comy hoen to my and Big li every night and it is attended by more waldys, Chirieu and Endears the 6. about 100 fbree sad by arrabalians. Received letters from Narrey, John, Mary. Win Frank yeade was the quest if hienein. Intrequently, had quite a weet and say. Sancys litters mean a hmerdars dmnount wt night int the reens SATUROAY OB THURSDAY OCT 18 Drove into tingapere with Rex, barey and Herrie. Had a quite after up at 0500 huis, ready to embrrs. Terbunabel I did not Helped Harry to entertain two opfigials of Quantor an ways Tapp ar fallen. The eather sived in Wixon yt Hew arld knes the Chinners, Haw have to wore on the just left and was able to sper a pleasant hom a bins in the Mrs. Several of the Recept n graduall getting issues of clothing and bit which I need so badly Grink officy had not rebered up piom the night before Receive a bathle of bus darly flain tothat Datey's furd. mebike dnd I left for the ship in a jeep and Hearler SUNOAY OCTIE taking with us a goodly supply of wer ambartied in, the went to Mess and Holy Communion Harty and I rrited the two I CIRCASSIA about hoon. The is a 111,000 four convirbed troy cemetiens, the sites of which I knew, the spibed 15 wch gin & the new or calt fairodiae with it warry captind plany ship, very clear, and compsibable and I am starn entertained Bilg Leand to with a myer swain of the 350t waivated from 7Balnis dunner prebur and suppet Received walt an Act parcel was it toa there are abvnt 700 ix Pirson board, same 200 of the 2 anst You tomorious deapt for the wrton Bay thnt I withdrew as I wa antt Reclsp and abvent 70 civiliin, exintences. The ship las any buen, is a ltler disappointhent as I am wuishing to be at the iduitical spart were we had unbarked on the any way some. Tws Endran jugglns gave a performance on the firnt belibes dearn in ray 1942 Pulled ont at 1500 his accorder Dasi awnd he schidrite. There is plenty of shipping ever The the herlen, Haded wsith for the iparts Fo natacia, a H JarONOY OOLI about a1000 men lept on diaht. Thent all matning writing tho Wa 10C oot inf m lit. fill and are Who John and Mary. Went out with Harry, McCrae, Lave & Dan amerty of all oppery and I was apperbed DC of a be 69t0 Bd. otber deny for kinner bt there a soiset naper station!. tan into rough weather and went be bed ear

MONDAY MAY 17

Yarned with McCauley until late. Could not get to sleep until 0600

hrs from the bugs. I feel rather tired but went out with a small party

to gather cuttings from the village. I was surprised at its size, a rubber

plantation on the outskirt is being tapped. The Japs have a large truck

park in the rubber, hibiscus, frangapani and exora abound. 10 men

came in from 75 kilo and said that only sick men remained there now.

Tropical fruits I have eaten are cocoanut, pawpaws, rambattan, mangos, mangosteens, bananas, limes, pineapples, guava, small yellow mangosteen?

jack fruit, small red acidy?

TUESDAY MAY 18

Two more men died from dysentry. Bamboo is used for many purposes

posts, rafters, stays, floor, walls etc in buildings, water or food containers, brooms, 

swab basins, fire blowers, bed chamber, ladels, furniture, cylinder containers, 
urinal tubes, fencing, tying bands, baskets, water ducts, guttering, scoops.

WEDNESDAY MAY 19

The sunsets lately are beautiful. Twilight lingers until after 2100 hrs.

A Capt. Graham visited here for a meal. He is from the 7000 force from

Bangkok. They have lost 3% dead. Also an American officer from No 5 POW

branch. Smith by name. Conditions at are much the same at all camps

along this line. I find P.T very tiring, more so than before.

THURSDAY MAY 20

Went to Mass and received H Communion. Offered them as usual

for my beloved ones. I hope my prayers are as efficacious as those

∧I hope who are praying for me, as I am certainly faring very well as

compared with many others. I played bridge today with a friend

Watson who can hardly walk from rheumatoid arthritis developed

from a fall. There is a Lieut Rossiter here who attended a few

dances in our Mess at Hawthorn as guest of Capt Cummings.

His face was familiar as soon as I saw him. Bostock, Stringer,

and Mullins returned to camp today.

FRIDAY MAY 21

Yarned last night with a Dutch Judge from Java & Sumatra. Am

reading "All this and heaven too" by Rachel Field, a true story built

around the Praslin murder case in Paris and the laying of the Atlantic cable by Cyrus Field. Held a sports meeting in the evening for the workers - [[?Buffin, Ryoshoke]]
R.AP. railway workers, Honbu workers & Dutch. Pickett's broadcast were very witty
75 & 100 yds, siamese sack, and barrow races and a tug of war were the events. I "was down
from the country for the week end sports". Two men died.
SATURDAY MAY 22
Graves now number 125. (41 AIF, 10 BEF, 1 USA, 73 NEI). Helped to eat a large Jack
fruit. Discovered that Simmons is Engaged to Peggy Mulcahy. Rained
heavily most of the day. Heard that Moulmein had been bombed 2 days ago.
 SUNDAY MAY 23 

Went to Mass & HC at 0800hrs and Mass again at 0930. Am reading William

Gibsons "Wild Career" a story of the Russian Revolution and [[? weeks]]

before and afterwards. Discharged as from today. Prepared to go back

Father Garry is sick probably dysentery.

 

MONDAY MAY 24 

Raining very heavily and there is no word of my being marched

out. Rain kept me in all day. Played bridge with Graham, Lalor and

Smith (USA Navy). Most of the coffee and food vendors were put

out of action by the wet. Am reading Max Werners "The Military Strength

of the Powers" translated by Finlayson. His grading of the Red Army

as the best in Europe and of Japan's might as on a par with

Italy's is very heartening.  Finished a Novena of Rosaries for peace.

Attended the burial of the body of Stroud, one of our cooks.

TUESDAY MAY 25

Jap quarters caught on fire just at dark. Mild excitement for 15 minutes.

Discovered a few glow worms. Simmons recounted his capture at the attack on Fort

Marjayain in Syria and how he was moved by plane from Aleppo to Athens and 

then to Salonika, Jugoslavia, Austria, Bavaria, France, the Riviera (about 1 week

train journey) and then back to Palestine by boat when we found the Fr

hands in Syria by interning some 30 Fr officers. He was under Fr Gendarmes all the

while. poorly fed, well treated otherwise.

WEDNESDAY MAY 26 

Still raining for 3 days now. Wrote a letter card to Nanncy but I do

not anticipate it will reach home. Was able to purchase some eggs again.

Am finding McCauley great company. Thomas Desmond McCauley

Barrister, Brisbane. Rumours that banks and bridge are not standing up to rain.

THURSDAY MAY 27

Yarned with Rossiter about 2/2 Pioneers in Syria, (Meagher, Wellington,

Daley, Aiken & Handasyde. Still raining and I am still here.

FRIDAY MAY 28

Let out at 11.30 with Canteen truck carrying goods for 30, 60,

105 & 108 kilo camp. They crammed in Jap soap. drums and about 10 Japs.

Truck broke down and we pulled in to 35 kilo camp. Aust driver went

away to bring a mechanic and I had to camp there for the night.

Slept in the back of the truck. The Jap was concerned about my

safety from Burmese over night.

SATURDAY MAY 29

Waited about until mid afternoon. Rain fell heavily and [[?]] over

the attap roof and over the goods. themselves failed to keep it out.

The rain Aided by some Burmese & shifted the stuff into a hut

I was soaked from early morning.  Then there was a mad rush to

get the stuff on to another vehicle. Their staff work and

organisation is beyond comprehension. We pushed on in the

pouring rain to 75 kilo. unloaded once again and settled in for 

the night. The line is now hard to 62 kilo but the [[?bank]] is sinking everywhere.

SUNDAY MAY 30

Ready to move at 0900 hrs but no truck was available. Sick men

and men unfit for rail work are left at 75 kilo camp. 144 AIF and 80

Dutch, under Col Coats. The Burmese, living on both sides of our men,

are dying like flys from Cholera, as many as 15 in one day. Three

of our men at 60 kilo camp have died of cholera.

 

 

MONDAY MAY 31

Left 75 at 1000 hrs after loading under the supervision of several

screaming Japs. They have absolutely no consideration for us,

their courtesy is entirely superficial and their good fellowship is

a very thin veneer. They gave me no help at any time, and not only

took no interest in preserving the goods from the rain but actually

hindered me. We were bogged several hours on an awful road, were

pulled out by tractors, elephant & other trucks and reached 95 kilo

camp in time for the evening meal. I slept in the truck in a store yard.

TUESDAY JUN 1

50 prisoners are at 95 kilo camp on antimalaria work 6 do

microscope work all day. Yarned with Capt Drower and other Dutch officers

The Jap private here in charge tied one man, Wallace, to a tree for

24 hours, without food, water or clothing other than trousers. The rope

around his neck almost strangled him. After the worst journey I have

ever experienced I arrived at 105 camp just ahead of Nagatomo and the

Brig. I unloaded the canteen goods and sorted out my kit for the

night.

WEDNESDAY JUN 2

Settled in and dryed my kit all day long. This camp is well into the

virgin jungle. Men are cramped, there is plenty of mud, and little variety in

the diet. men are doing only road work. 60% of them are sick and weak.

3 have died of cholera but there have been no fresh cases for 3 days now, water

is scarce. I am relieving economic officer. Presentation of cigars.

THURSDAY JUN 3

Brig and Nagatomo left this morning. I inspected the area. It is rather 

muddy, well hemmed in by jungle, crowded and rough, but we can

still be comfortable. One more case of suspected cholera occurred.

and he and his bay-mates are quarintined. Had a new wristlet

watch strap made and my boots repaired, hair cut and yarned.

FRIDAY JUN 4

Took 443 men to 100 kilo camp to pick up rice, onions, beans,

salt, fish and chilies. Met Major Robertson, old Xaverian and

had lunch with him. He is from 2/2 Fd Coy. and was "rescued" in

Java. Bought 6 eggs there. It was a fine day. I enjoyed the walk

and would like to do it often. There are at the 100 kilo. 800 Dutch

400 American & 330 A.I.F. Work on the railway is almost at a standstill.

SATURDAY JUN 5

Attended the burial of the body of Hevinson last night. Cornelius  2/29

went down with cholera during the night and has been moved

into isolation. Played bridge with Kiernan, Bostock & Howie.

SUNDAY JUN 6

Jap movie operators took picture of our working party parade.

Detailed to take another ration carrying party to 95 kilo camp but rain

caused a postponement. The men are in lower spirit than ever before

Diarrhoea is awful in its consequences. Photographers 'shot' funeral,

church pde, tenko, men off to work. Fever cases quite often run to 105°

 

MONDAY JUN 7

Took party of 500 to 95 kilo camp for rations. Carried back 47 bags of

rice, beans and salt. Road is in a deplorable condition. We soon became

covered in mud and wet to the skin. Our boots were soon falling to

pieces. I myself was not very distressed. Jap troops were moving on to

c with their baggage in hand trucks. They were almost exhausted

and many seemed to be in a state of coma, in the evening, the Japs

announced that a bridge between 30 - 75 kilo has been washed away and

we are now cut off from base. There will be no work for 7 days and

we will have only ½ rations. Troops are pleased to have a rest.

TUESDAY JUN 8

Am reading "And so Victoria" by Vaughan Wilkins, a powerful inditement

of the George I - IV family. Reverted to my old programme, of Jap history

and bridge. The RCs now say the rosary every fine night after tenko.

The Jungle around is very beautiful. It resembles some of the best bush

WEDNESDAY JUN 9

Took another party to the 95 kilo camp for rations and carrying

back 26 bags of rice, 20 of beans, & 4 of salt. Bought a haversack full of

white sugar for our bad RAP patients. The trip is [[?most]]

exhausting. It is some 14-15 miles and extremely slippery all the

way. I saw a deer on the track on the previous trip. Life is

hard to maintain under these conditions. Only 468 men could

be obtained to make the trip out of 1900. Oxen are all in

poor condition and many of those brought here for meat die

from exhaustion. An elephant collapsed ∧and died just outside the

camp a few days ago.

THURSDAY JUN 10

Had another day in camp. Received an anti-cholera injection

my third since arriving in Burma.

FRIDAY JUN 11

Made Camp. Adjt to replace Hence who is now ill  422

Dutch arrived to work here for 10 days under Lt Col von GULIK. I

spent most of the day settling them in. It is a bright sunny

day, the first since we reached here. Heard for certain that Morgan,

Gibson, McQueen, [[?McGlenn]] and Hackney are alive and some 30

kilos further on. Also 2/29 under Pond are all there also. They

marched from somewhere near Bampong a most gruelling experience. 13

have died of cholera already. assisted at the burial of another body.

SATURDAY JUN 12

Took a party of 200 men to 102 kilo dump and brought back 50 

bags in 2 trips. Japs are now cordroying the road. The dead elephant

is showing signs of an early dissolution.

SUNDAY JUN 13

Out again with 200 men to carry rations from 101 kilo dump to

104 kilo dump. Some more men arrived from 75 kilo camp. with

3 officers. Rex is not too well. Bernadan is almost dead. The sickness

is awful and the Japs do nothing to help. Ulcers are on the increase and

many are as large as ears. Malaria [[?stretcher cases]] have to go out to [[?Bampong]]

 

 

 

MONDAY JUN 14.

Hundreds of men have diarrhoea and dysentry. Many are not much more

than skeletons. These uncivilised ruthless barbarians go through the sick

men every day now and send out some hundreds to work from 1400 hrs

Went out with 200 men to carry rice from 101 K dump. Met a Jap

doctor who was full of the usual nonsense of Jap power, honour and

propaganda. Heard that a Cpl McDonald here is Howards Davis' father in law.

I myself am feeling quite fit but if I should go down as many fit men do

quite suddenly I want Nancy to know that I loved her to the end, that 

she is the force that keeps me alive and determined to win through so

that we may renew the happy life we had together and enjoy to the full

living our again with our young ones. If I should die I will do so with

the thought that they are reasonably well provided for and that, as I tried

to live a good life, I may find a place in heaven to wait there for them.

TUESDAY JUN 15

[[?  ?]] in camp serving and cooking - quite 

nerve-racking for me. Heard

that --uzayat  t was bombed recently and that the casualties were 20 A.I.F.

80 Burmese and some Japs. Yarned with Cpl McDonald. He must be 55 yrs

DAY JU

old, [[?]] educated, has 5 children. the oldest being 32 years and was

a member of 105 Transport Coy evacuated from Mid East and landed in

Java with 2000 otters from the Orcades. Am reading Sinclair Lewis's

"Elmer Gantry".

WEDNESDAY JUN 16

Had another day in camp and much more restful. Greater Asia has

arrived May 30 issue, Yamamoto, their Admiral has been killed.

THURSDAY JUN 17

Took ration party to 101 kilo dump twice. Met Yank Lieut

SCHMID - a very tall young naval officer. Saw casualty list from

127 kilo camp containing 11 names of dec'd members of 2/29. Thomas

has lost his brother-in-law. Dave West went into the RAP

suddenly with severe ∧internal pain. in the I am really depressed at the

condition of these men. Their state of health is deplorable.

Whatever happens, the Japs should be punished severely for

the untold suffering they are imposing on their prisoners, a

race of barbarians would treat us with more common sense

if they want us to work for them.

FRIDAY JUN 18

My birthday and I felt that Nancy and the children attended

Mass for me. I hope they have some party in my honour. Took

the ration party out again. Developed some sort of fever and

went to bed early aching all over and with flushed face.

SATURDAY JUN 19

Illness is not so bad this morning. I am throwing it off. Jap seem

to be easing up in their demands for labourers. Have [heard of] two deaths

in the newly arrived force in one month. Only 5 at rotary this night.

SUNDAY JUN 20

Fever came on in earnest today. Developed temperature of 103°, back, legs

& head ached and I felt very weak. Perspired freely at night. After 2

[[?  ?  ?]]

 

13

 

 

 

Trip up to the Philippines 1946

My first assignment on the War Crimcs

[[?]] of the D[[?]] of Pris of War

[[?]], Army Head Qr Melbourne

 

FRIDAY AUG 24 1945

My cold is very heavy. Food is not quite so plentiful. Red

Cross representative said he would have to reduce expenditure

as he had already spent much more than he was allowed.

Met Mr Rasmussen a Dane attached to a firm of builders who

constructed the godowns. Am reading Captain Horatio Hornblower

by C. S. Forester.

SATURDAY AUG 25

All field officers not employed were moved during a terrific

rain storm to the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. This hotel is on

the river bank and we can see much of the river life. The staff is

completely P O W, over 100 cooks, batmen, etc. Some 250 officers

including all Australians arrived at the godown from NAKON

NOYAK just as we were leaving. More than 100 Australians followed

us into the Oriental, as they were washed out of the godown before

they could settle in. Met a white woman for the first time

in 3½ years - Madame KAEMER? She is French and has been at large

throughout the war.

SUNDAY AUG 26

Slept well on a mattress and bed, but the mosquitoes were

bad despite my net. I am now getting used to tables, chairs,

cupboards, mats on the floor, hand-basins, baths, etc and

all of us are considerably interested in our reflections in large

mirrors. I must confess I was rather shocked at my general

appearance and raw-boned shoulders. The Japs were in here

for the period of the war and the Bank building next door

was their Kempei HQ. Thais are moving furniture by river, probably

returning from disputed areas. Heard that the two aircraft

carriers which were in Sydney are on their way to Asia with

aid for some P O Ws, but are they for us? Recovered my diary,

map of Johou and papers from my underground cache at Kanburi

through Lt Col Ramsay and a tyro and took out my papers

from my mattress. After dinner I was called to Allied HQ with 7

other officers. We received orders to act as liaison officers to all

camps in Thailand, to take with us a Jap officers, to proceed to

named camps and to ensure that all Jap guards were withdrawn

immediately and to contact parachutists with wireless in those

areas. My assignment was to PETCHABURI about 150 miles south

down the peninsula.

MONDAY AUG 27

I picked up a Jap officer by truck just after midnight and

set off on our trip. The great draw-bridge across the CHAOPAYA was

smashed and we crossed by ferry. Dawn found us at NAKON PATOM

with many natives wending their way along the road with

their baskets of produce for the markets. We dropped the necessary

people there and I proceeded with the rest of my party. Ensign

Hamill of the Heuston, USN. and Pte Letts - Thai interpreter. The

country is very flat consisting of rice fields, acre nut palms and

orchards. All railway bridges are smashed. We crossed by ferry the river at

RAJABURI and breakfasted in a chinese cafe, much to the interest

of the local people. Approaching PETCHABURI we passed through fields

worked by a special type, the LAOCHUNG(?) people who have settled

there as well as CHUNGMAI in the north. Both sexes dress in blue

 

 

 

homespun, the short white striped skirt of the women being the most

outstanding characteristic of the dress. At PETCHABURI station we

discovered some 400 POWs recently arrived from the south and on

their way out to the camp, 16 kilos south. I took some sick in

our truck and arrived at the camp in the early afternoon. Lieut Davidson

was in process of handing over command of the camp to Capt

Wright, USA and I passed on the necessary orders. The Lt Col H[[?]]

arrived with 13 other officers to take over command and so I had

to report the orders to him and then ensured that the Japs thought

understood their changed status. This completed my next task

was to find the parachutists. I returned to PETCHABURI and contacted

Major Bartlett USA who was in semi-hiding well covered by the Thais.

Bartlett had dropped by parachute in May and had brought with

him 4 officers and 2 ORs including a Thai medical student from

Washington, they had their hide-out in the hills but he and Capt

L'Herant had had advance HQs in the town for a few days. I met several

Thais including the vice-governor and Col WATANAROM commander of the 5

Military District and his special liason officer Capt SONTORN of the

Thai airforce. Then I learnt of another wireless party in the area 

Capt MACKLEN of E. Group who had come down unknown to

Bartlett from RAJABURI. I got them together in the Thai Officers Club

and later Bartlett came out to the camp where he received a 

tremendous ovation from the P O Ws assembled to hear the news. We

returned to PETCHABURI for the night, and slept in Bartletts advance

HQ with Hamill, Selby, Wright and others.

TUESDAY AUG 28

Set off at daybreak by truck for Bartlett's hideout. Saw many

priests receiving food from householders along the road. Several

householders stand out on the road giving something to each priest as

he passes. The road to the hide-out branched off the main

road 7 miles north of the town, ran over 3 kilos of mud across the

padi fields and then winds up a very rough track over the hills

The 22 kilos took 5 hours as we were constantly bogged or the engine petered

out. The hide out was amazing. He had cleared a dropping ship 440 yds

long by 100 yds wide, had constructed several huts for the 50 odd Thais

and 8 escaped P O Ws who were assisting him, had stocked an

armoury with hundreds of M.Gs, sub MGs, mortars, rifles, revolvers, bazoukas

and thousands of rounds of ammunition and grenades, had equipped

a hospital and mended a broken leg, had his wireless operator, and

had electric light laid on from his 3 portable generators. He was

getting some measure of protection from a Thai army company

in camp near-by and the natives were loyal to a man. I

sampled all sorts of good food and obtained a colt with ammo as

a gift of the USA army. In the afternoon, Bartlett set out with a

loaded truck including his wireless and we arrived back in camp

just after dark. Macklen had come in also during the day. My job was

finished.

WEDNESDAY AUG 29

Bartletts first plane arrived during the morning and loaded on

the strip near the camp. Several US officers came off into the camp

including Lt Col CRAWFORD, Major JOHNSON, Capts White and Short. The

plane left a few hours later with 24 P O Ws including 8 stretcher cases.

The Jap Camp Comdr was still unable to realise his changed status

and backed by me, the Col finally made him withdraw his guards. 

 

Letts and I returned to the Officer Club, the guests of Watanaron and

dined with the 4 A I F escapees and 1 British escapee. The meal was

completely western - including the first grapes I have seen here.

THURSDAY AUG 30

Caught a motor launch at daybreak and went down the PETCHAIURA

river to the gulf of Siam. The river is lined with houses, shops,

boat building yards, mussel pickling huts, and women and children

handle all sorts of craft, some heavily laden, as skilfully as the men. The gulf is very shallow and is covered with fishing traps

and in occasional places a few bushes are growing 10 miles out to sea. Chugged up the MEKLONG river, also lined with houses and

shops but of a better class than on the other river, and also with

many structures of bamboo, just like a scaffolding for drying

fishing nets. The crews of the many fishing tonkans wear a 

sienna brown uniform and several boats fly the Thai flag of

red, white, blue, white, red stripes. Women and children with

small sampans laden with sugar cane, coconuts, [[?]] nuts

bananas, cooked foods, tapioca roots, fish etc and men with

sampan laden with salt file up and down both rivers. At MEKLONG the small train was 8 hours late and we could not connect

with Bangkok, so we spent the night with Mr Kerr, an Eurasian

with his son James and daughter Violet.

FRIDAY AUG 31

Departed from MEKLONG by train at 0800 hrs. The train was

packed with Asiatic men women & children. The first half of the

journey was through mud flats covering with atap fern and

salt pans. At TACHIN we quitted the train, crossed the river

by ferry and caught another train, this time through rice

fields and orchards and gradually more settled country up to

the great megram. From there I took a bicycle rickshaw to HQ

in Lathorn Rd and made my report. My only expenses were 4.50

rail & ferry and 20 Tcs for the rickshaw. Returned to the Overclose

Hotel feeling rather sick from the jolting in the MTs, the irregular

and rich foods.

SATURDAY SEP 1

Planes are busy evacuating. There were 28700 P O Ws still in

Thailand yesterday morning. Movement of Australian and Dutch

is stopped pending a change of programme for our evacuation.

We all will be disappointed if we do not go to India. John

Careys brother A Fl Lieut came in by mosquito to take John

off but he would not go. Several of us sent letters out with him.

They should reach home within 4 days by air mail. There is

still no leave, but many are drifting out unofficially.

Visitors are coming in and out all the time. The Japs withdrew

to their guardhouse. The food is quite good. I cannot manage all

of it and we are living showered with cigarettes and cigars. Recovered

my watch and collection of Jap notes. Many officers went to a

dance at the internment camp and there were there also, several

officers just arrived from outside or parachutists who have

been here for several weeks. Met Dick De Vogel from the Sports Club 

Camp.

SUNDAY SEP 2

Went to two  Masses in the Cathedral at 0630 & 0830 hrs. Not well

attended. Priest said there were only 3000 Catholics in Bangkok.

 

mostly Chinese. The priest are French Missionary, the Nuns the

same, there is a Bishop, and they have great schools for both

boys and girls. A bomb damaged the Cathedral in 43. The

women do not wear hats in church and many do not wear

shoes. A choir of girls and young men sang in Latin at the

second Mass. Met after Mass Mr Gassoun, French Charge d'Affaire

Mr Bononfant of the Bank of Indo-Chine, Miss Jorgenson and

the postmaster of the French Mission. I believe that a British

Military Mission is to arrive today and many stores of food and

clothing and tobacco for ex P O Ws. Law a real beggar without

toes and moving on his seat. Dave Thompson came in for a few

minutes, Hobbs, Clemming Hence, Hamilton, Murchison are others 

here.

MONDAY SEP 3

Am still feeling rather sick and cannot face food. The

management of this place is presenting many difficulties. The ex PW

staff are not working unless almost forced to do so and there

is some hesitation in employing Chinese boys. The place was left very

dirty by the Japs and little effort has been made to clean it.

Food is still served in a queue and we are still using our dixies

which are now rather greasy from lack of hot washing water.

Chinese boys run a bar & canteen and ^sell ice cream, papers come in daily we now have a piano, books and magazines, wireless, regular

truck service to HQ and the other Bangkok camps, we were allowed

to write our first air-mail letter, recreational apparatus is coming

in, we are embarassed with tobacco and soap, water is usually

available in the taps, electric light comes on every night about 1900

and in general things are not too bad. Nevertheless we all are

much unsettled. Between 1000-2000 PWs flew out today, but

we Australians have to reconcile ourselves to a delay of perhaps

weeks, which we find very galling. As we all would have

liked to go to India. In the afternoon Mr Rasmussen's car was at our

disposal and Meagher, Daly and Jacobs and I went for a tour. We

drove through the city and along Klong Ong Ang to the magnificent

Throne Hall a picture of which appears on some of the Thai bank

notes. Next we visited the zoo in Dusit Park. All animals seem to be

indigenous including alligators, pythons, bears, leopards and long

armed black monkeys, that are chained to trees just inside the zoo

enclosure. From there we drove through streets of very pretentious

and modern buildings to Wat Po, where we saw an enormous statue of

a reclining buddha say 160 feet long and 40 feet high, the shrines built

over the remains of former kings, hundreds of Buddhas, an anatomy

school, tree and rock grottos, queer figures of men and beasts and a

magnificent temple with gold buddhas, red carpets for kneeling, massive doors and windows studded with mother of pearl, all walls and

pillars are covered with coloured tiles or paintings or mother of pearl and the roofs are brilliant with multi-coloured glazed tiles. From there

we drove to the shattered draw-bridge and then on home. Most of the

public buildings are better than anything we have at home.

Some Indian troops (ghurkas?) arrived by air.

TUESDAY SEP 4

Still fell bilious and have a constant head-ache. A Chinese living

 

just across the river from the hotel took nine of us upstream

in a sampan towed by a motor boat. The river teams with

craft of all sorts, carrying all kinds of goods. We visited Watarun

and climbed half way up a great chidi from where we had

a fine view of the city. In the evening all Australian officers gathered

in the dining room to meet Group Capt Bell of the RAAF and

Major Burford of the Australian Mission. This latter I recognised as

being from the S.S.B. They gave us first hand information of Aust.

and we were avid for news. Planes were very busy again, and 7 Ind

Division is coming in by air. Sent first cable to Nancy.

WEDNESDAY SEP 5

Took over command of the hotel from Lt Col Lardner Clark who is

to stand by for evacuation. Had a busy day pushing on with several changes 
which I think are necessary, assessing contract with Tech Loon, cleaning 
contract for Chinese boys, filling in of air raid trenches and removal of 
sand-bags from inside the hotel, reducing the number of ORs who are 

useless and so on. Am feeling normal again.

THURSDAY SEP 6

Received visit from Mrs Gerrard, Miss Williams - both Lt-Cols and

Gp Capt Hill, all members of Lady Mountbattens staff, and

entertained them with a little refreshment. Handed over command to

Ramsay

FRIDAY SEP 7

Received visit by Lady Mountbatten, General Thomson and others. The

good lady is charming and reminded me somewhat of Nancy. Went

for a walk out with a Malay boy, visited the magnificent post

office building, bought stamps for Ann and John, saw the teeming

life in Chinatown, all shops are well stocked and theatres are on

every corner, had coffee in a chinese cafe and enjoyed myself

immensely. The food here now is very good and I am much

more contented. The hotel itself is cleaner and the staff is

working more smoothly. We are almost embarassed with gifts

of tobacco and toilet gear from the red cross. Played bridge

with Lt Col Pargeter, Schmidt & Hearson. Received balance of Jap pay for Aug. Visited THAIM HUA Chinese Hospital

SATURDAY SEP 8

Visited Father Chorin [[?Procenc]]e at the French Mission concerning Mass at 
camps in Bangkok area. Obtained permission to use his waiting room 
to do a little study of French. After lunch, drove to the Red Cross Hospital 
part of which has been taken over by ex P W medical staff and where 
we have 150 sick ex P Ws. Met there Mrs Vertsmann, a Viennese, Madam  Surgon 
French, Mrs Ensford wife of Swedish Consul, 2 Russian girls and a Danish 

woman. Mrs Gerrard and Miss Miller, Lady Ms staff also called. Walked 
back to Allied HQ, caught bus home visiting Admin HQ en route. Saw 

there the first batch of Australian ex PWs who have come in to join an MP organisation with Carey and West to control Bangkok under 
a Capt Simpson. Mrs and Miss Abromovits, Greeks, drove us to the intern 
camp to view a concert. The electric light failed to come on as usual 
at 1900 hrs but the show went on and it was a pleasure to see 
real white women on the stage. Met also Fred Hibberds friend Miss 
Sparrow who is to be evacuated in a few days time.

SUNDAY SEP 9

Mass at 0830 hrs. Had Tiffin with M and Madame Surgon of the

French legation. Their temporary home is in Latham Rd and it was

delightful to go into a real home and to eat for the first time

 

for 3 1/2 years just as one would at home, cocktails, roasted peanuts and

chip potatoes in the lounge, fish and oyster "au gratin" in large shells

roast goose, potato paties, mince meat, water cress and baked banana,

then a batter-like sweet, fruit and water and finger bowl with

slice of lemon in the water and finally back in the lounge, black coffee

These people hope to be evacuated soon. The French are no longer

friendly to the Siamese because of the war in 1941 and are withdrawing

almost all of the legation. Saw several bombed buildings including

one of the usual Japanese brothels. Pereira who is an Indian, not a Malay as 
stated above and Ching took three us to the Nakon Kasim (Lebanese)

Theatre. It is a wooden structure built on the same lines as our theatre complete 
with usherettes, fans, microphones, etc but without pads to the seat. The 
orchestra consisted of some dozen instruments, all Western, and the music was 
restrained - for the Earl. One the stage, a play depicting a young ambitious 
Thai who aspired to the governship of Kanburi, the late-governors daughter 
and another woman. Most male parts are played by women. The men 
wore the dress which was traditional until the recent revolution, the 
most unusual part being the 

framing. Between acts, there were several 
items in front of the curtains, two youngsters making love, a girl singing 
and a studio manager employing a new band. A Siamese wood merchant 
came to sit alongside me and explained the story of the plot in broken 
English. At a Chinese cafe afterwards I saw a chinese orchestra and 
songsters whining away whilst the guests gambled with chinese cards. The 

chinese violin consists of a small barrel, about the size of a goblet with 
a long arm to which is attached two sprigs to tighten the two strings. 
The body of the instrument is held on one leg by the other foot resting

above the line. Chatted during the afternoon in French with three priests.

MONDAY SEP 10

Had a quiet day in the hotel. Visited in the afternoon by General Evans

7 Ind Div. About 8 - 9000 UK troops have already left & of course all U.S.A troops.

TUESDAY SEP 11

Drove the the DON MUANG aerdrome. 22 kilos  north of Bangkok along

a good road, bordered by klongs filed with beautiful red water lilies

and rice fields. About 30 Decodas were taking off loads of U.K. ex PWs

The Thais have a half dozen small or old planes. Met a young pilot

from NSW named Woodley, and his Australian crew and flew with

them and a load of ex PWs to RANGOON. It was a marvellous experience. 
The rice fields show out in a delightful fashion and the jungle looks like 
a dark green carpet out of which rise ranges of mountains. We had to 
climb to just under 10,000 feet to go over the clouds and were soon 
feeling pleasantly cool. The first sight of the Indian ocean was a thrill and 
we flew up the coast for some distance and then crossed the Gulf of 
Sittang, flying so low over the sea at one time that we must have skimmed the 

water. The coast below Rangoon came in sight as we flew over more

 rice fields we could see a great pagoda near the city. We flew low if the city area

and I could see everything, many camps, much transport, a scattered city, with the 

business houses near the wharves. About a dozen ships lay at anchor in 

the broad muddy stream. We made a safe landing at the Rangoon airport

and I had a look around. The drone is littered with all sorts of plans including 

a few US C 47s. There were dozens of C47s. Spitfires, Bofighters, hurricanes, and 
mosquitoes. The strip is covered with perforated metal sheet about 6 ft by 2 ft 
with a foundation of tarred felt. I met another Fl Lieut, Smith by name

 

and he flew me back to Bangkok, with stores and passengers including French officers and ORs from Saigon and British Liason officers attached to the Frogies and some Ghurkas for Bangkok. The most spectacular view on the return trip was the mouth of the Lalween with its large islands and with Moulmein in the distance, and the numerous great klongs which line the Siamese countryside. I arrived back 6 hours after leaving, after having travelled 900m miles. Picked up a truck with Jap driver and was dropped off at the door. Visited during the morning by Brigdr John Lloyd, chief of the Australian RAPWI and Capt Ken Loughnan on his staff. I was a thrill to meet Ken again and hear of mutual friends. He saw Nancy in 1943 and said she looked fine. Spowers was taken prisoner at Tobruk, Newbury is missing from Timor and Mollard from Rabaul, G de V Westley & Clive Newnham were taken prisoners on Timor. Harry Gunn is on the RAPWI staff and on his way to Singapore. Received a letter date today from Fred Hore.

WEDNESDAY SEP 12

A quiet day and wrote 2 letters to Nancy 4 x 4A. Went to the Odeon.

THURSDAY SEP 13

Visited dental Officer at Red+ Hospital (Public Outpatients

building) and the Pasteur Institute where I saw their snakes

and horses reared for obtaining serums. Bought a pair of shoes 

with the aid of Mrs Weitzmann from Vienna.

FRIDAY SEP 14

Visited Sports Club and inspected pool. Started work at

Ex PW HQ as Evacuation Officer- all nationalities, vice

Major Meade H.C.H. of the Dorsets.

SATURDAY SEP 15

Moved into Lathou House annexe. The main building is

a palatial open-air residence in which we have our Officers

Mess. The annexe is residential and the office - a wooden hut-

is adjacent. General W. SLIMM called and addressed us. It was a

pleasure to see the man who was pushed out of Burma by the Japs

early 1942 and who came back with such a punch in 1944-45.

Settled in to new quarters - in room with John Quick. Went with

Quick at night in a "Jeep" to the Thai Officers Club at the invitation

of Commandant Largon. The Club is very modern, a flat roofed

building, set in a park. Open on three sides and consisting of a large

dance floor surrounded by a raised verandah on 3 sides and a hooded

stage on the other. The orchestra was as good as most bands heard

in Australia and played well known melodies. Between dances,

girls dressed as male and female performed ancient Siamese dances.

The finger of the hands are kept wide apart and bent back and the

arms are moved about like graceful sawing branches. The knees seem

to be banded out most of the time, and the feet are not pointed.

Sometimes they dance on the heels. The body is not moved very much.

The costumes are brilliant. The Thai officers were there in plenty.

All services are included may of high rank Thai civilians were for the

most part dressed in white dinner jacket. Chinese were excluded.

In addition there was a thick sprinkling of Br, Dutch and US

officers from everywhere, General Slim and Evans were present.

Met and danced with a Thai girl who is an instructor at the Teachers

College. She spoke good English and explained the dance. Some

Thai couples have a new form of modern ballroom dancing adapted

from the ancient dances. They do not touch each other at all.

 

SUNDAY SEP 16

Attended Mass at the Carmelite Chapel at 0700 hrs. The priest was
Italian, the altar boy a Thai, whilst the congregation consisted of 4

lay ^Thai nuns, 3 of us, 2 or 3 Europeans, several Eurasians,  dozens of Thais and 
a few Chinese. There must be at least 19 nuns in the cloisters.

MONDAY SEP 17

Held a cocktail party in the Mess to entertain Bangkok civilians

who have helped PWs in the past. About 150 attended. Only one other

officer and myself were left after the crowd had departed. I read Jeffrey

Farnelll's "Admirable Betty" and listened to the wireless. There were 4636

Australians in Siam, and a total of over 29000 all nationalities.

TUESDAY SEP 15

Visited Sports Club after dinner and had a dance with de Vogel. They had 
a band concert but I did not stay. drove to Oriental. A picture show

was on there but the sound was so bad I did not stay. Took a 

bicycle rickshaw back to Alliance Francaise passing en route three

of the low down types of bar and perhaps something else. At the

Alliance, the ladies of Bangkok were giving a dance to ORs. Met

several old ex-PW friends, Madame Millie, Mdle Jorgensen & Miss Abromowitch. Obtained another suite of green battle-dress to enable me to change daily because I have a bad heat rash all over.

WEDNESDAY SEP 19

Met Fl Lieut Thompson R N Z A F who is taking out by air to Singapore

today all the NZs whom he can find - 19 at present. Total evacuations

to date are UK 9966, Dutch 286, Aust 519, USA 294, Indian 555, others 5, total 
11625. The heat here is extremely humid. One is perspiring all day 

long. Mosquitoes eat one alive even through clothing. especially

in the evening.

THURSDAY SEP 20. 

Went to dinner at the home of the Swedish Consul, Mr Ensfedt

Met his wife, Mr & Mrs Millet, secretary to the French Mission, Mr & Mrs Gentry 
(wife an Australian) , Col Swinton, & Col Lechman of 7 Div. Heard some street 
fighting going on after dinner.

FRIDAY SEP 21

Visited aerdrome to contact the 261 Australians who arrived from

Saigon yesterday. Lunched in the Thai Officers Mess. Called on a

Dave, Mr Knutson to see if the Gentrys know that they are to be evacuated

tomorrow. Throughout the night, small arms fire and grenades

have been making a lot of noise. The excitement in Chinatown is great

They are fighting the Thais. Mail arrived from Australia but none for me.

SATURDAY SEP 22

The fighting still continues. Some of our MPs have been

grounded, so we are shifting our quarters out of Chinatown.

Jenkins who was hit on back with a grenade will die.

SUNDAY SEP 23

Mass at the Carmelite Convent. Helped Mrs Ensteadt find

some sick men at 54 Fd Amb for afternoon at Alliance Francaise.

Had a swim at the Sports Club. French girl who used to dive so

well at Singapore was there, escorted by young Harris. Fighting has

died down, but the Chinese have declared a 10-day general strike

as from tomorrow as a protest against the robbery of several

Chinese shops of 2,000,000 treats by Thai police, soldiers during

the melee. Curfew on all Service men from 1900 hrs.

 

MONDAY SEP 24

Dave West & Col Coates left by aur for Singapore. Both have had 

bad news.  All shops run by Chinese closed. The Chinese do nearly all

business in Bangkok, so the strike is serious. Local Europeans

state that the Chinese actually predominate here but the Siamese

will never admit it. The Bunyaket, stop-gap cabinet resigned a few

days ago and has been replaced by Pramet from Washington Consulate

Called on the Abromovits. He is a Greek who fought for the Russians

during the last was, got out of Tiblis before the Communists took it over

in 21, went to Greece, lost his money, went to Italy until forced

out of there n 36 by Anti-Semetic legislation, then to Constantinople

and finally to Siam. Mrs Abromovits is a white Russian. Curfew

lifted. Jenkins died. Yesterday I visited the Jap camp in our old

camp at the godowns. Here are collected all PW Jap staffs.

Yesterday also I was pestered by a small German woman who is confined

to her house under Thai guards pending internment by the Thais. Called on Ministry of Education.

TUESDAY SEP 25

Chinatown is quiete .The strike continues. Called on Miss

Jorgenson and her neice, Met Rex who is 2/IC Aust. Guard Coy located at

7 Div HQ. Queens Bn (Br) is in Palau alongside. Met Lt Col (Miss)

Chase and Lieut Hoolihan, both nurses from Katong. Several of the 

nurses who were with us at Legamet and Malacca were killed off

Sumatra or butchered. Hannah escaped. Called on the Jorgensens and

the Zeyton's out on the Pakeram road. Finished up the night looking

for Kiernan in very heavy rain. Car had to be lifted out of hole.

WEDNESDAY SEP 26

Heard that Pong had been wounded by bullet. He financed PWs

at Chanbai. Meet a good many of the men from our various

camps from day to day and they all seem pleased to see me. I am

beginning to believe that some of their flattery may be sincere.

John Carey took me for an outing, first to the British Legation

were we meta Simon Dooboy? a Persian and Violet Kerr whose

father I stayed with at Meblong. Then we visited the convent of Mata

Dei run by the Ursuline nuns.

THURSDAY SEP 27

Heard the Bill Cousins has been cited as a war criminal in

Japan and that Rivett & Carter have reached home. Visited Rex at MP

Head Quarters. The Dutch are gradually taking over from us, the Br

have almost petered out and a few RAPWI people are beginning to

learn the work. Welfare. transport, camp control of this HQ have all

passed to other hands, RAPWI or Dutch

FRIDAY SEP 28

Visited drome. Met Maclen again.

SATURDAY SEP 29

Went to a dance at the Silom Club. Host was a Thai. Crowd

was quite representative of all sections of the present Bangkok population

Am reading Gene Stratton-Porter's The Beemaster".

SUNDAY SEP 30

Met Carey Condon and Hennessy at Mass. Had a delightful

swim during the morning at the Sports Club. John Carey and I

took Misses Abramovits and Kris to the races. It was a real national

show. Some of the races were for ponies. All were four furlong

dashes. The jockeys were barefooted. I bet on the tote and won

 

on each of the three races we viewed. Drove there in a dreadfully 

old truck as John's car broke down before reaching us. When we

returned to the truck after the meeting it was filled with ex PWs

who had to be dropped at all sorts of camps before we dropped

the ladies. Went out to the Jorgensens for tea with Ken Smith,

Dawson & Briggs.

MONDAY OCT 1

Received a cable from Nancy, my second communication. All

Australians are now in Bangkok. There are lots of fights, drunkedness

and brothel visiting, and several robberies are attributed to ex PWs.

TUESDAY OCT 2

Moved out of Saffron House Mess and into the Thailand Hotel

about half a mile along the other side of the road. It is staffed

entirely by ex PWs and is a large old-fashioned place which I find

very quite and peaceful. Am still sharing a room with John

Quick. Received a injection and was vaccinated. Suffering from

a bad attack of indigestion.

WEDNESDAY OCT 3

Visited Bencha. The walk from the Thailand Hotel to the office

is delightful in the morning. Received another cable from Nancy

but still no more letters. Saw Charles O'Brien. There are only about

1300 of us left for evacuation. Stadium emptied of Australians

but Jack Watmuff fresh from N. Patom

THURSDAY OCT 4

At last Harry has sent me Nancy's two letters and the bunch of

snaps my first real news from home. Anne's growth has staggered

me. Had my fourth night at home with nothing to do but read

Nancys letters. How happy news from home makes one.

FRIDAY OCT 5

Bought some dress material with the aid of Miss Jorgensen. In

the afternoon was driven on a sightseeing tour by Mrs Ensfedt.

Saw the really magnificent buildings of the Grand Palace and

further on the temple on the mount! This latter affords a grand

panorama of Bangkok. Had a drink in the Rayanagosen Hotel. Went

for dinner. Met there a Miss (Lieut) James, an Australian Red

Cross officer. Finished the night with the Surgons & Ensfedts

at the Trocadera Hotel at a dance given by Dutch officers. A day

and a half.

SATURDAY OCT 6

Still feeling rather sick. All this week I have suffered from

indigestion and a complete lack of appetite. Handed over UK passport

to Capt Barker- Simpson of RAPWI. Said good-bye to de Vogel & de Boer,

the former has just had news that his wife was killed by the Nips

about a year ago in prison. I was really upset to hear this because

he was so fond of her. Had E Gp & RAPWI officers to dinner, Chague,

Pierce, Adams, Northunn, Newell, Bloomfield and a few others. Went

straight to bed.

 

SUNDAY OCT 7

Had a hectic day. Mass at 0700 hrs, worked till 1130, went to

Rabbatts home for tiffin at the invitation of the Kysers, met

there Ramsay OBrien, Hena Carey, Anderson, Lowe, Toose, Simon & Violet

Kerr. Went back to the office for an hour and then drove out to

the Jorgensens . En route I gave a lift to 2 British nurses whom I had

seen at Mass. Drove back in Jorgensen's motor tricycle to the

Abromovits where I had dinner with Rex and Capt Joe Angami an

Indian MP friend of Rex's. Returned to hotel to discover that McEachern

was gazetted a Brigadier as from 1 Apr 42.

MONDAY OCT 8

Standing by to move to the aerodrome. When todays planes go

out there will be only 267 Australians in Thailand. Returned a

book to the Surgons. Went back to the hotel from there in a

sampan loaded with sugar cane. Went out to the drome with

baggage at 1400 hrs. Called at RAPWI en route. Returned on flying

visit to Bangkok to have a Chinese dinner with Mrs Ensfedt, Miss

Fulham and two Dutch officers. Had coffee at another shop and

finished the night at the Trocadero Hotel (Dutch). Arrived at

Oriental at midnight.

TUESDAY OCT 9

Took an unoccupied bed in my old room. Brigs kept me

awake for 2 hours. Went to another bed without a net and

mosquitoes kept me awake until 0500 hrs. Up at 0545 hrs and

returned to drome on air-crew truck. Saw planes loads off,

Had a swim and sunbath but prickly heat became too irritating

Visited the control tower when a lot of planes were coming in

and going out. Control can speak to all plans within 20 miles

radius. Jargon is terrific but very definite. One plane came in

on one engine and had to have the strip cleared for an

emergency landing. Went into the dance at the Alliance Francaise

and returned with Rex and Carey and Anjani.

WEDNESDAY OCT 10

My wedding anniversary. Emplaned at 0800 hrs and took off a

few minutes later. Our three plane loads were the last of the

Australian PWs, mostly staff HQs. Circled over Bangkok and

then 30 miles south circled over a plane which made a

forced landing on 9th, then out to the gulf until we sighted

Malaya at Kota Baru. The view of the coast and islands was

magnificent. Flew low over [[?Candan }} and [[?Musing]], saw Bukit

Longkap in the distance and ran into some bad squalls. At

1430 hrs we were circling over Singapore and the familiar long

marks brought back memories. Landed on the civil airport

which was crowded with all sorts of planes. Met by some 2 and

up people and driven out via Katong to No 5 Reception

camp. Drove up from there to No 6 Camp and met Harry Gerner

who commands there. He has given me a room alongside

the staff officers and I am very comfortable and being

well looked after. Saw the picture show and had a drink

with Majors Coutts, Hunter-Kerr and Smith from HQ

 

THURSDAY OCT 11

Sent a cable to Nancy. Received a letter from Fay and drew £10

pay. Was issued with some clothing. Harry showed me around

his camp which is divided into a HQ and 4 coys holding

about 1000 in all under canvas. HQ, Red Cross Hut, coolstores,

officers Mess and stores are in existing buildings. Our house

overlooks the sea and the breeze is delightful. Visited by Admiral

and Lady Mountbatten and chatted with the Supremo himself.

He talked most naturally and unemotionally with the troops

from a seat on the railing of the Red Cross Hut verandah.

Autographed several pay books and had to pick up his wife

and carry her away from doing the same. Saw another

picture show from the front balcony. Many Chinese and Malays

watch the show and are loud in their applause. I am eating

a lot and drinking a fair amount of beer, which I find I can

take with just a slight [[? exhilarating]] effect. Harry drove me

in the early afternoon to the 14AGH at St Pat's School. The building

has been altered and several new wards were completed by the

Japs after the surrender.

FRIDAY OCT 12

Drove into Singapore with Dave, Charles and Abyro. Posted letter

to Italy - no charge. Made enquiries at Hongkong & Shanghai Bank and

located the American Fund at Malacca and the Officers Mess

at Singapore. Priced caps, dress material etc but everything very

dear. Prices are prohibitive £4 for cap, £11 for dressing gown, £3 for silk

stockings. There was a fair amount of fruit and vegetables for sale.

Play deck-tennis every afternoon with Harry. Unfortunately my skin

is very bad with heat rash, acne and impetiago (?). We have a picture show

every night and it is attended by more Malays, Chinese and Indians than

by Australians. Received letters from Nancy, John, Mary, Win, Frank, Yiddie

and Fay. Nancys letters mean a tremendous amount to me.

SATURDAY OCT 13

Drove into Singapore with Rex, Carey and Hence. Had a quite afternoon

Helped Harry to entertain two officials of Quantas 

air-ways, Tapp and

Allen. The latter lived in Wrixon St, Kew and knew the Chinners. Have

been gradually getting issues of clothing and kit which I need so badly.

Receive a bottle of beer daily from Father Daley's fund.

SUNDAY OCT 14

Went to Mass and Holy Communion. Harry and I visited the two PW

cemeteries, the sites of which I knew, the spiked 15 inch gun & the new

aerodrome with its many captured planes. Entertained Brig Leond to

dinner, pictures and supper. Received half an ACF parcel. Was listed to go

on tomorrows draft for the Morton Bay but I withdrew as I was out of

my turn. It's a bitter disappointment as I am bursting to be on

my way home. Two Indian jugglers gave a performance on the front

lawn.

MONDAY OCT 15

About a 1000 men left on draft. Spent all morning writing to Nancy,

Ann, John and Mary. Went out with Harry, McCrae, Lane & Davis

to 9 Ind Bde Officers Mess for Dinner. Met there a Dorset Major

 

Hughes I think was the name & Bdgr Brain, Sisters Meany & Moule.

From there about 10 of us went on to the Dutch Club for

a dance. Harry & I drove the two sisters back to 14AGH before

midnight. Entertained by two Indian jugglers on our front lawn.

TUESDAY OCT 16

Started sun bathing twice a day for the benefit of my skin

am suffering from heat rash, acne and impetigo (?) Entertained

by Sikh brass band on our front lawn. At night Harry

loaned me his car and I spent most of the night ferrying

sisters from the AGH to a dance at the Seaview. This was

organised by the Civil Inturnies for PWs and was well

attended by both sexes. The girls were mostly service girls, Br

and Australian.

WEDNESDAY OCT 17

Packed up. Sent cable to Nancy advising embarkation

on the morrow, obtained some more sterling & selected more

clothing from the Ord store. Spent the afternoon sightseeing 

and shopping in Singapore with Sisters Meany & Moule.

These both are two nurses of a very fine type. Nearly 40

years of age they have yet retained a youthfulness about

them which I find so pleasant to associate with. We

viewed Singapore from the roof of the Cathay, shopped

at Tangs and Orchard Road and had an ice-cream at

the YMCA room. There is no liquor to be obtained in

the public places. The China Inland Bank is now

a service institutions. Had a farewell dinner in Camp

6, about 100 officers sat down to Mess and Brig LLoyd

was the guest of honour. Subsequently had quite a merry

night in the Mess.

THURSDAY OCT 18

Up at 0500 hrs ready to embus. Fortunately I did not

have to move on the first lift and was able to spend

a pleasant hour or two in the Mess. Several of the Reception

Group officers had not sobered up from the night before.

McCrae and I left for the ship in a jeep and trailer

taking with us a goodly supply of beer. Embarked on the

CIRCASSIA about noon. She is a 11000 ton converted troop-ship,
 very clean and comfortable and I am sharing a cabin

with a Major Swain of the SSUF evacuated from Borneo

There are about 70 civilians, ex-internies. The ship lay

at the identical spot were we had embarked on the

Celebes Marie in May 1942. Pulled out at 1500 hrs according

to schedule. There is plenty of shipping everywhere around

the harbour. Headed north for the straits of Malacca. As the

Sunda Strait are still mine-infested. The O C troops called

a meeting of all officers and I was appointed O C of a boat

station. Ran into rough weather and went to bed early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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