Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 7
SEPTEMBER 9th Month-1942
13 SUNDAY 256-109
Mass & HC at 0830. Late Ch. Pdes
cancelled because of possible
Jap. inspection. How completely
are we their slaves and how
long is this to last. Paid
for period 1 - 10 Sep - gives me
R524A57 on hand after paying
all debts. Two vultures hovered
over me whilst I was sun -
bathing. Quite a number of
swifts flew over this evening
headed south. They are probably
migrating to warmer climes.
Natives carry their wares into
TAVOY every [morning] - Sunday
in[[?]] Rain start[ed] again
this morning after short bomb
1942-30 Days SEPTEMBER
14 MONDAY 257-108
Still raining like hell for
about 9 days now almost
continuously. Visited other
camp. Read "FIRE BELOW" by
Dornford Yates. Japs commence
checking of prisoners prepared
to take over. I sang unannounced
at the concert in one of the
huts tonight. Favourably
received.
There is a very beautiful [[?claron]]
bird about at present. It is a bright
green with a bronze head and when
it takes the air like a Martin
Swallow the upper side of the
wings shows a beautiful bronze
and green. The tail has a [[?]]
December
29
Most unaccountable thing in my life
occurred last night - dozed fitfully on & off
and did not get to sleep till 6 a.m.. Slept
in in consequence. Thought queer things -
various ways in which it might happen that I
might get about £10,000 sterling, get it home,
invest it to bring in about £600 'per annum'
to allow me to take Glad and the kids to
Melbourne to repeat the last few years of my
course - grand thoughts, but no good for
sleep.
Keith Lawrence received a packet of 13
letters to.day, thrilled to bits.
Played enjoyable night's poker and
won a few marks.
Roger Elletson set sines of hands for
M.S v. E.W. Played with Ron Stewart, and,
with luck, did well. Very interesting hands
December
30
Last night a R.A.F. sergeant got in between
inside & outside wires of his compound to
scrounge wood, was caught by searchlight,
put up his hands, put them down again,
was shot through neck, shot again &
killed.
Better night's sleep but not quite up to
scratch.
Was cook to.day. Got up late and
started in on peeling & mashing spuds,
did not get out of pyjamas all day.
Further rumours of Russian advances, and
calls on German civilians to send furs &
woollens to troops at front. Rumours of
Romanian capitulation, and hosts of others.
[*3*]
October
28
Nov. 14, 42
Still quite cold but snow almost gone. Things
seem to be cracking along in N.Africa, may be the
beginning of big things. Had game of Rugger in afternoon
and managed to score a try. Still sadly out of
condition. Three letters from Muriel Bromley, Devonport
re sick men in Stalag, but can't answer them until
I get official letter forms - Paid R.M. 36 to.day.
[*3*]
Nov. 15. - Sunday
Bill Hurst came to.day, but could not see him
as I was busy amputating a J.S. left index which
had been injured in the [[?nt]] in '40 - L/Cpl Heaney
of A.&S.H..
401 played us football here this afternoon, but Re[[?ner]]
did not come over. Sent him my regards etc..
Finished Nos 2-6 of my skits for concerts.
Wrote letter to Glad, and two cards to Mum & Dad also.
[*2*]
Nov 16
Two letters - one from Mum & Dad one from Ines, dated
Aug 11 and 9. In Mum's they're all well, Mr Ryan of "[[Fair??]]"
died of a heart attack, and Mrs Liddy has died, too. Glad
was taking the kids down for a change, John's had quite a few
colds. Ines was full of news - worried about Ron, hadn't
heard from him for some time - Mim Beckett (Fitgerald)
expecting her second baby. Good to get news, pleasant
otherwise
October
29
Nov. 17 '42
Young Stalsarzt came to.day, checked over most of
men who were booked for him yesterday - didn't bother
about the ones for specialists at 728, 719, etc., said
could do them himself - I'm all for it.
Things seem to be cracking along very nicely in
N.Africa, thank you.
Heaney, my finger ampn. is running a bit of a
temp with pain and swelling of thenar eminence.
Wonder if he's getting a fascial space infection!!
Nov. 18
Stalsarzt Wicks supposed to visit us to.day, didn't
turn up, not unusual. 4 weeks' supply of food-parcels
and fags came in, together with a lot of clothing.
Announced to.night that all ingoing & outgoing
mail would suffer no hold up till Dec 9 at least
and that that already held up would be delivered.
Heaney much better. Stalag O.ked my sketches.
Nov 19
Nothing to report.
Nov. 20
Stalsarzt Wicke came in p.m. Had a look round, and
listened v. sympathetically to all requests. [[?ing]] requirements
to go through O.H. To see him at Stalag shortly - O.Ked invalid
food storage in M.H. Room, British M.Os? to meet monthly at Stalag.
SEPTEMBER 9th Month-1942
19 SUNDAY 262-103
Did some more digging to get
fit. Pay for period 11 - 15 Sep received
Sold dressing gown for R5 5 A5 B.
_______________________________
warn them. He was immediately
threatened by Jap officer. Men
were blindfolded just off the
road, marched about 100 yds
to an old shed, said cheerio
to each other and were shot
by 16 Japs. All died immediately.
Brig guarded by two sentries
watched but could not even
say a word to them.
Jap xbed off [[?]] 10 tins of
pineapple juice to winning team
1942-30 Days SEPTEMBER
20 SUNDAY 263-102
Late Mass. 22 objectors to attending
Ch Pdes. I visited hospital and
watched soccer and Australian
Rules football matches. Yarned
with Dutch Med Off - Major
NEILSSON. who has spent 17 years
in the East Indies. His wife and
two children [[?int?ned]] in L[[?]].
He carried on conversation in
Dutch, German and English. The
[[?]] turned traitor on the
Dutch. Brig showed me where
8 men who were shot for trying
to escape were executed. They were
first kept in Savoy Gaol. Brig
saw them being brought out
by truck and called out to
SEPTEMBER 9th Month-1942
21 MONDAY 264-101
Last day of work on the new road.
Orders and counterorders about
this cessation. I am now quite
browned all over from sun-bathing.
My acne shows out occasionally.
I seem to be cured of my old
habit of taking medicine for
constipation. I have not used
purgatives for months past now
and am never troubled with my
imaginary complaint. I find
difficulty in putting in to words
what it is that keeps me from
despair and but it is Nancy and
our eventual reunion that
means everything to me. Without
her I would not care much
what happened. Then come the youngsters
1942-30 Days SEPTEMBER
22 TUESDAY 265-100
Received orders to be ready to
leave tomorrow for Rangoon.
No work. Made the necessary
arrangements concerning suitably
cooked food for carrying, distribution
of library books, cashing of camp
currency, collection of gear,
refunding contributions to
kitchen levy, buying up all
available tobacco & food etc.
We were lined up after lunch
counted by the Japs and
complimented for our quarters
and conduct. Saw an elephant
on the road outside.
Stamp - see original document
Stamp - see original document
SEPTEMBER 9th Month-1942
25 FRIDAY 268-97
Fine day and no work.
Played J Coy a soccer match and lost
one goal to nil. Spent ¾ hr after dinner
on top of bank tower watching the
sun set. View is magnificent. I can
see a panorama of 320° with mountains
all around. The ground could be
described as a basin 20-30 miles across
Eastwards lies the long strip of [[?pade]],
on the far edge 2 miles away [[?]] was
finishing lazily from a dozen native
houses standing above the edge of
the rice at irregular intervals. Beyond
are the foothills covered with jungle
which from here and in the
gathering twilight appear just
like a gum forest. In the backyard
the deep blue mountain tower
magestically above the clouds. North
1942-30 Days SEPTEMBER
26 SATURDAY 269-96
and west lies the broad expanse of the
awesome looking strangely deserted.
and with the blue mountains beyond.
The twilight lasts nearly an hour. All
the clouds and sky showed a riot
of changing colours from deep pink
and pastel brown to light green.
A falcon swooped upon a bat just
near me, missed, tried again and
won his prize. Over all a soothing
colour hangs everywhere. Life is still
or placid excepting for the shrill
drone of crickets. A mouth organ
sounded in one of the huts below.
When nature is like this, Nancy seems
near but yet sadly not here.
Sang 3 songs at No 2 hut concert
SEPTEMBER 9th Month-1942
27 SUNDAY 270-95
Mass & HC at 0830 hrs. Worked with
conscientious objectors for an hour.
Work cancelled. Soccer match H
v J was drawn one goal all. I
took two parties out for wood
and both parties had a swim
in a pond. Borrowed crop cut
saw from Burman house.
Returned it in the evening but
borrowed it immediately for
another day. Gathered some
beautiful orange-pink flowers
in the rain on the way
back. POW at the school are
doing very well from the
townsfolk as they work
about the village.
1942-30 Days SEPTEMBER
28 MONDAY 271-94
Mass & HC again. Bought 5 live
fish for 6 [[?annas]]. I now do
PT in the sun and quite naked.
It is better than a passive
sun bath especially as I do need
exercise. I feel fit but have
no stamina. The weather is
now hot and sultry with a
shower about every two days.
All the logs should be sawn up
today. Ordered to be ready to move
tomorrow. Packed up.
August
19
During the last few sick parades the light-workers
have been asking to be sent back to their jobs because
the toil allotted them in camp by the Kommandant
has been harder and longer than what they get
outside. To.day reached it's peak - most of them were
shovelling coal and coke, or digging - one case of
anaemia almost passed out, and others could not
get in for the treatment They are being kept in camp
for, and those with ulcers were showing up with dirt
and cold coal-dust impregnating their wounds and
dressings. Those working outside the wire were
allowed neither to come in for a drink nor to take
water with them. The guards were as "browned off"
as the men, partly for their sakes and partly for
their own. The Head-of-Camp took my poorest
across to the Kommandant, who went up in the air
and then calmed down!
[*8*] August [*8*]
20
During the morning I took Smith with me on a
round of inspection of the [[?Leichte-arbeiters]], and found
that, apart from two or three still working in the
coal-shed, the rest were all on light jobs, and even
the coal-heavers were very much better off. Had
a walk with Smith this afternoon, and watched
the local inhabitants having a dip in the dam
alongside the factory on which most of our parties
are working. Germies jubilant to.day apparently
about a division of our chaps landed at Dieppe
and, according to the local map, were pushed off
with 'heavy losses'. Best of all I received a bunch
of letters - Some from Glad and one from Eileen Noonan
dated between Oct 14th & Nov 8th of last year and all
addressed to Kokinia - Old news but acceptable,
delightful to get them, Glad telling me about herself
and the kids (Grand) Joan Cawley's daughter, and
Marge Bird's son! Three new snaps - Glad and David,
David & Mark, and Mark & John. She has been sending
me cigs. & books, etc., she's gorgeous, but I wish she
wouldn't as they don't get here. Dick Bird's been a great
help about the house - I'll remember it. A letter from
Fitz Brinnons who has gained another strip - now at the
Eire Legation, waiting to start for Lisbon - Geneva receipt form
for the corp, and request for medical information of a lad in
camp from "Invalid [[?]] Section, 14 Carlton House Tce, London S.W.I."
March 11th - Spent a lot of to.day shifting invalid food-, milk-, and medical - parcels accounts
my own little store, and rearranging them afterwards.
March 12th - Very little of interest. The Pard made himself another easy chair, and it's a really
streamlined job. The only thing wrong with it is that it suffers from duck's disease.
With all these chairs about I'll have to go into the upholstering business in earnest.
March 13th - Pard. and I "got stuck into" out plot of ground to.day, under [[?Huntt's]] expert supervision.
[*3 2P*] I think we have one of the pick allotments as its on the south side of the air.raid shelters
and gets good sun, and is reasonably protected from wind. Had an hour's work
flattening the football pitch at 3p.m., and threw a Rugger ball about for another hour or so afterwards
Wrote a card to Glad, another to Mum & Dad, and a letter to Ron, in which I explained to him that he
may be able to get cap, gloves, etc., to me through Mr Troy & the Red Cross. Received to.day also a B.M.J.
and, from the Student's Help people, a batch of notes on a Gunman course, to be taken in conjunction with
lessons from "A New Gunman Grammar" by John Kugan, which did not arrive. The report of the A.I.F. Paymasters
letter which I sent to "Camp" was returned, to be sent in duplicate.
March 14th - Padre away early to do his Sunday round of [[?]] and [[?]] and at 10.30
we had a scratch Rugger match. It was quite good fun, but very scrappy, and "pulled" the
muscles in my left calf again, not badly, but enough to make it uncomfortable, and it's really
a pity what my ears and cheeks felt like after being sandwiched between a couple of oscillating bottoms in the middle
of the back row. 520 came down in afternoon to play in football and Eric & Neale came with the Padre.
It was a good game, in which 520 were much better and deserved their win of 3-1. According to prisoners arrangement
with Stalsarzt Wicke, I transferred 24 milk parcels to Capt Neale, who needed them, though our [[?Untenoffizier?]]
was a bit doubtful as to whether it should be allowed.
March 15th. - Padre, Stanway, and one of the lads went to.day to the funeral of Sam Spencer and
eight R.A.F. who died on the raid of the 1st March. When he came back Bill told us
that all our permanent sick are still at Falkensee, fifty-odd in all, without M.O., or
orderlies, of food or medical supplies, altogether a bit of a mess, so later a went to [[?Stalsfeldenbel?]] with
request that he phone Stalag for permission to send to Falkensee Ruman, an orderly, and supplies. He told
me then that he had seen Stalsarzt Wicke in the morning, and had learned that Stalsarzt had passed over
30 of the sick as fit for work, and that all but six of the whole group were to return shortly either to 520 or
to 528!! Our own [[?]] returned for Stalag, too, where he was told that Stalsarzt Wicke had no right to
order the distribution of milk parcels, and that, so far as Stalag (Hauptmann Steller) was concerned, all medical
parcels, food, milk, or supplies, are still the concern of the Confidence. Man! What a bloody mess!!
March 16th - Nothing much of interest, except that, when I asked the [[?Feldwebel?]] for an [[?Untenoffizer?]]
to accompany me to the medical parcels room, he told me that I would soon be shifting
from this camp, not to Res. Laz 128, as Doc. Annan would probably go there, but to another
camp. Came as a bit of a blow because on no account do I want to leave this crowd. I know them all now
and am quite comfortable. I would not object so much if it meant a change with Stevenson-Wright at
517, as he is very browned off and gets on well with neither Seward nor the [[?]].
Mark's fourth birthday to.day. What a big lad he must be now.
March 17th - Swiss Red Cross Representative came to.day and everything was discussed with him that was
of interest, especially the shooting of Sam Spencer, and repatriation of medical personnel, the
latter of which is still not on the cards. Received two letters from Glad to.day
dated Oct. 14th and Nov. 15th. First said John & Mark at Kindergarten & David a handfull - found him in
bath behind her one day, and he fully dressed to go out. Second told of O'Halloran's still born 2nd. son, and Joe
in army - Mark first at his school race for 3 yr. olds (the other boy fell over), and John second in his race in a
strong field. David, at moment of writing, was soaking wet under the hose. Glad rejoices in her [[?skin]] for good
and I rejoice in her two letters - St. Patrick's Day.
To see Stalsarzt Wicke, [[?]] referred on grounds that I had no appointment.
March 18th - Nothing much of interest except that I asked the Stalsfeldwebel to phone Stalag
to make an appointment for me with Stalsarzt Wicke to discuss the question of
my transfer from this camp. He came back with the information that an interview
was unnecessary, as I was not to be transferred. Glad that that is cleared up, or , rather, I hope
it's cleared up. Busy making a chess-board with 2½" squares, large enough to take
the chessmen John sent to me.
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