Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 6

August
31

Quiet day, up late and loafed most of the time.

 

[*1P*] September 

1

Received a 1939 edition of Tidy's "Synopsis of Medicine"
to.day - library's improving by leaps and bounds.
Spent most of the evening sorting my letters and collecting
data for young Geneva, through Confidence Man, an average 
of time taken by letters to reach us from home.

Three years ago Germany attacked Poland.

November 

7

Sunday, Dec. 13, 42

A day of settling in, scrubbing of floors, cleaning of rooms,
rearrangement of their personnel, haggling for larger stoves
in M.I.Room and our bunk, arranging for shelf space in
both, and a dozen and one other details. A Coys, L/Cpl
who did not get on well with compatriots was told by
Sgt Mackay he would have to join them in their room
and leave his English pals. This was an old-standing
arrangement and not an order of "Muscles", but the
fellow complained of victimisation, threatened "Muscles"
and refused to obey both him and the S.M. He
shifted eventually when told to by the [[Germs?]]. 

The Sanitater showed up well by turning up

with a few instruments to help us out. He did it "off

his own bat", which is something the one at [[S?]]

would never have done - read James Hilton's book

"Random Harvest", and found it excellent,

[*1*]  Dec 14

Gave Sanitater list of names of men whose papers I need
in a hurry, and another of instruments [[ditto?]]. Stanway
went to [[Stalag?]] and got a lot of bulk an [[Oberstalsarzt?]] 
looked us over, could not give us a bigger M.I. Room but
was helpful in other ways - Card from [[Gillies?]] Catholic Mass
[[Fribourg?]] of Nov 26 - "La Augina [[?]]
presto. Augura ottima salute & notizia di sue eugini. Sta

bene. Dominico prigioniero Bombay (India) [[?]]
[[reserva noticia?]]. [[Affetiosi?]] in [[Signe?]]- [[Maria Adolfino Manfredi?]]

November

[*2*] 8

Dec 15 - 42
Today was distinguished by arrival of two letters, one
from Glad and one from Ines, dated 1 Sept and 12 [[?]]
Glad's was very short but good, they're all well which
is a grand comfort. Ines's was longer but contained
old news. Our late Kommandant visited us and
Max M.'s son is 2 yrs old — Paid R.M. 36 to-day or yesterday.
Dec 16^th
David is two years old and I'll bet he's a loving
kid, older now than Mark was when I left, and most
probably speaking, too. I'm missing the best years with
Glad and the kids, all because I didn't have a chance
to run. A Stalsfeldwebel from 404, apparently
Sanitater, came in today, decent old chap, who
told me that on the breaking up of the camp after
X.Mass he'll probably come here with 9 of our medical
personnel. Should be enough for 3-4 in the M.I. Room
and one each to the principal working [[?]].
Our Kommandant-elect called in this day and
seems to be very good - an Oberleutnant.
[*1*] Dec_17^th
Note from unclaimed parcels office saying that
mine on List 18 had been sent me ^on 26 Aug. Must have been one
of two I received 30 Aug or 1 Sept - though neither had
any indication of whence it came.
 

September 

12
Hewitt let us get up late this morning., and I
was opening an axillary abscess in the Revier when
in walked the old Kommandant and Capt. Dommels.
They were both astonished that there were only five
patients in.
Rest of day uneventful except that I learned on
good authority that two of my old standing, and
what I thought to be genuine cases, checked and
passed by 119, are having their complaints
aggravated and maintained by another. If I can
prove it I'll "shop" the three of them — It's hard
enough to keep men in camp for treatment which
the need without having the criminally foolish
mess up the whole show — "criminally" because
they may do themselves permanent and serious
harm.
Heard from Eric to-day that on their way to
hospital consultation some time ago some of his men
met some RAF lads on a station —
"Gosh, are you RAF?" asks a lad
"Yes! are you English? Where were you taken?"
"In Crete" — And the rejoinder is worth quids -
"Where's Crete?" !!!
 

6
Sunday
September
13
Fr. Scarborough arrived at 9.45 - Mass & Communion.
Had pleasure in ticking off the three lads mentioned
yesterday, and played bridge most of the afternoon.
Reasonable sick parade in evening, an hour more 

of Bridge, then wrote letters — two to Glad
one to Ron Worthy, and another to M^rs Bromley-Davenport
of the Invalid Comforts Section of the B.R.C., & a
let xxx ^card to Mum & Dad and another to the
Australian Pay Master in London re family allowances
rates of pay, Income Tax, docking of pay of prisoners,
my credit, and whether allowances are made
for kit lost in action.
Asked Ron for a shaving-brush and a couple
of combs.
Up till the present I've retained a pair of
the pyjamas I bought at Worth's 2 years ago.
They're in excellent condition still, and I gave
them to Sgt. Stanway who has none. I have
two other pairs.

November 

13
Dec 25^th, Friday
Christmas Day
Very cold this morning, no snow but a white
hoar frost and fog. Scotland beat Wales 9-2 at
football in morning, and then in afternoon, while
Ireland were doing the same to England 4-1, who
should come in at the gate but Fr. Scarborough.
He was surprised at not being expected, and I don't
know how the mix-up took place, but we went
across to the Hall and he commenced Confessions
while waiting for the football to end. Mass [[?]]
commencing at some time after 4 p.m., which,
with Confession & Communion, just made the day
what it should have been. He came across to our
[[?]] afterwards and had Christmas dinner with us
and left at 6 o'clock - hardly what would have
happened at [[Steakin?]]. Dance and Cabaret in
evening.
Hope this will be the last X-Mass away from home.
Persuaded myself that I was giving presents to Glad &
kids by giving Feldwebel toys for his wife, and him
& Sanitater chocolates for their kids. 
November 

14

Dec. 26^th
Christmas spirit still in the air — Scotland put
it over Ireland, 5-0, to their great delight. It was
a good game, not so one-sided as indicated, with
a lot of barracking and excitement.
Was told by the S.M. that I was to play tomorrow
for M.I.Ops against privates - It'll be some match.
Another dance & cabaret to-night, for the last three
nights the lights have been left on late the place has
been a bedlam and the Germ's must think the boys
are all mad.
Dec 27^th - Sunday
Mass & Communion at 10 a.m., Father Scarborough
stayed to lunch and offered to come back should I need
his attentions after the match. Nearly did too, though I
felt better after getting rid of half my lunch. The Ref.
was conveniently blind throughout the match which
finished up a combination of 3-4 codes, 2 also a draw.
Wrote a letter to Glad this evening, and cards to  

Ron and M^r Troy - asked the latter about changes since
April 41 in our rates of pay, family allowances, deductions
for German pay, Income Tax, claims for kit, etc..
Was paid R.M. 36

AUGUST 8th Month-1942

30 SUNDAY 242-123
Mass & H.C. at 0830 hrs. Still
raining and Ch Pdes [[?]]
voluntary. C of E pde held in
[[?]] near here. Weather
fined about midday and all
our wet clothes dried off easily.
Made a bed for myself with
an axe and a hammer. I stayed
in my quarters rather than go
to the concert. Move to Y.E. is
delayed for some time. Pulled
out of bed at 2300 hrs by Jap
officer to supply 10 men to
help him with his car. Found
phosphorescent fungi under our
hut. Bed very comfortable,
but I feel sunburnt after
sun bath.
 

1942-31 Days August

31 MONDAY 243-122
More rain in
the morning. I visited other
camp and spoke to Brig. Anderson
Shaw, Griffin, Richards and
Campbell. Shaw returned with
statement that the cost of repair
would be R^s 10 which I cannot
afford. Sunbathed in the afternoon
[[?]] a little Jap and found
paths under our hut. Game of
[[?]] at night until midnight.
At present I have about R25.

which is what I borrowed a
month ago and received as a
gift. I never tire of watching
the clouds tumbling about
the mountain range. Had
a closer view of Budda standing
opposite our camp.

SEPTEMBER 9th Month-1942

1 September TUESDAY 244-121
Out to drome
with 148. Got oil, axe handle
and waggon. Studied Jap. Heard
that [[?]] to VE put off
indefinitely and that some
P O W may come back from
there owing to food shortage.
[[Montmein?]] camp apparently
is not to be used. Work
on drome is petering out and
soon we will have no pay
and short rations. Plane
landed. I can hear our
band at Savoy School.
Men put in 4 [[?]] to [[?]]
fund for purchase of food.
Officers put in 8 [[?]] and
bought onions, split peas, yams
eggs, fish.

1942-30 Days SEPTEMBER

2 WEDNESDAY 243-120
Rained during
night and drum full in the
morning. Visited other camp to
collect pay, etc. Orderly room
on Rutledge, Maxwell & Langley
for stealing ground rice. Fined
them 16 days Jap pay. Made
table and placed cloth and
flowers on it. 300 POW - Vic Pl-
marched out to drome today.
Sent message to O'Brien.
Rumours of Russian situation
improved. Saw a pagoda
almost on the highest point
on the mountains. Everdell
states that I left bare on the
night 13-14 Feb. Played
bridge.

August 

17
Up at 4.30, whole camp and barracks vacated
by about 5.30, ready for their disinfection. The
single window in each room left unsealed yesterday,
and the doors were closed after the team had
lighter their "candles" and at about 8 a.m., the first
truck-loads went off to the "delouser". The last of
us got back between 2.30 and 3.0 p.m., and
loafed and slept until the barracks were sufficiently
aired for occupation. They still smelled of the stuff
and it was more than heavy on eyes, nose, and
throat  — Blankets were all put out on the grass
to air, and, by night-time, it was not too bad.
For the last couple of weeks there has been in
camp each day an old chap, 73 years of age, putting
in a spot of extra work during his holidays from his
regular job - he's been scything the grass, and
making a fair job of it. Poor old b—r. Hope
Dad has better luck when he reaches his years.
 

August
18
Off to Stalag this morning with the store-man to
arrange about my coveted uniform, only to find, as
I half-expected, that the "uniform" is battle-dress
and nothing else. No word against battle-dress, it's
excellent, but I would like a regulation rig-out.
I satisfied myself with an exchange of my old jacket
for a new one, no new trousers being available
On the trip in I spoke to a Calabrese, and he was
pretty much fed up with things. Two French lasses
entered our carriage at Spandau West, both young,
one reasonably good-looking, and far from shy.
I may be doing her an injustice, but I think she is
of the same profession as most of the French girls now
in Germany. To speak to a lass again is too
damned something — wish I were home with Glad
again, God bless her. She's marvellous, and she loves
me still.
Sunday's louse -figures were 20 %, and I sent in 
a list of 26 to the Kommandant for punishment for
continued infestation. He proposes giving them a room
of their own.

SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1942
5 SATURDAY 248-117
Fine day with little
rain. I feel upset after witnessing
Wagstaffs bashing at the hands of
a Jap. Impotence and humiliation
dull ones outlook. A plane flew high
overhead. Major Cameron brought out
300 from Savoy. Was awake at about
0600 hrs and heard drums beating
This occurs every morning - altho
I rarely hear it. 6 or 7 beats at
intervals of about 3 secs, then the
tempo increases but the loudness
decreases until the sound dies
away. The priest of [[?]] probably
beats the drum to this Budda. Also
at odd intervals during the day
the attention of Budda is drawn
to his humble creature prostrate
before his image and long into the night.

 

[Page torn]
Very [[?]]
[[?]]
Alas [[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]] to [[?]]
[[?]] is because [[?]]
to sin. Will [[?]]
others standard [[?]]
[[??]]
only too [[?]]
pride, [[?]]
intolerance [[?]]

I have been [[?]]
to have [[?]]
all day [[?]]
alway [[?]]
The [[?]]

 

[Page behind torn page]

1942 -30 Days SEPTEMBER

12 SATURDAY 255-110

[[?]] so much

[[?]] today as usual Wagstaff

[[?]] again and officer [[?]]

[[?]] on [[?]] after [[?]]. New

[[?]] take over and [[?]][[?]]

[[?]][[?]][[?]][[?]]priest

[[rest of page illegible]]

[*2*] October 

26
Nov 8^th 42
Asked permission
to speak with Stalag M.O.
re storing of invalid foods, med
supplies, and collection of xx
notes for [[?]]
Had put my name down to go with football-team to 520
but discovered that Fr. Scarborough was coming, so pulled
out. Football team was stopped at last minute by phone call
from 520, genuine this time - bad weather.
Very good concert this evening, then wrote letter to Glad,
and card to John Stefain, and stayed up with Wundisch - 3 a.m.
Nov. 9^th
Slept v. late, visited during my rest by Kommandant,
who thought it quite a joke. Practically every working party
& 119 [[O.Ps?]] brought back news of continuation of bombing of
Italy and big Anglo-American landing in Algiers, together
with further advances in desert - coming from so many
sources it may be true - if old Man is liverish to-morrow it
probably is. Wrote to Seward re Report balls-up, an official letter.
From 8.50 to 9.20 p.m. we had first air-raid
alert in a long time. Sky completely overcast and nothing
came of it. Rained steadily later.
Nov. 10^th
Wrote a short sketch to put on at a future
concert, more or less a dramatisation of a joke - not
v. clean of course - will write a few more. The Stabarzt
came in, the Old Man kicked about the number of 
men off work (he's very quiet to-day) and the Arzt
sided with me - another win for our side. Sent a ?[[?]]
in to 119. Gerry papers confirm yesterday's news.
 

October

27

Nov. 11^th 42.

Armistice Day - ironic! and Hell busting loose
everywhere. Nothing new. Reports of reinforcements
reaching the Anglo-Americans in Algiers, etc.. All
seem to have started from Gib.. Gerries and Ites
are marching into unoccupied France.
Nov. 12^th
News of attacks, or impending attacks on Corsica
and Sardinia. Two days ago in an argument with
S/M. Woodfire I backed my opinion against his,
that our next move would be into South of France &
north of Italy and not up through Balkans. Seems
that I may be right. My ?appendix of two
nights ago turned out to be an acute inflammⁿ of
terminal 3" of ileum. - He was closed up and left,

T^o dipping subsequently - A few odd flakes of
snow to-day - almost cold enough for it.
Nov. 13^th (Frid.)
Gerries claim to have damaged the "Queen Elizabeth" and
rumours are coming in about landings in Corfu, and other
places. Gerries admit that they and the Ites are fighting on
the Egyptian - Lybian border.
First snow to-day, but not much

November 

19

Station of [[?]] present in [[?]] [[?]][[?]] quite

[[?]]

 

November

 20