Diaries of John Kevin Lloyd - Part 11

[*3*]
December
25
Christmas day dawned cold but no snow. Up to
sing Carols again at about 7 then tumbled into bed
again and finally up at about nine. During day
visited the lads in their various barracks and
admired the decorations which very good & very
ingenious, made out of all sorts of this & that. Saw
Corp Sullivan & S/M. Grant, latter of whom gave me two
tins of tobacco for Percy [[S?]] and me, then showed me
wooden attache case one of his lads is making for
me - very good. Carols in the morning at the
Reviere, presents to Padre Berry & Webb there, then
back to barrack where officers had prepared X-Mas
dinner for batmen & F.A.A. I was one of waiters &
they did themselves proud. X-Mas Red + parcels
were excellent. In afternoon we had damned good
tea at one long table with officers from Riviere and
a dinner at night which would have done justice
to many civvie tables - sardines on toast, beef pudding,
roast pork, roast potatoes & peas, X-Mas Pud & choc sauce,
cheese & biscuits, coffee & beer. Father Christmas came
in after loyal toast (Padre McConchie) and gave out gifts
from X-Mas tree. Some of speeches were very good.
Buffet supper later - too full to move. Wrote to
Glad, Mum Dad & Ines & Boxshalls. Thinking a
hell of a lot of them to-day, especially of Glad & kids
would give anything to be with ^them just to see them
again. I bet I'll be a much better hubby &
daddy when I get the chance again. Hughes-Stanton's
menus (very good) were raffled. I missed out.
[*Brisk fall of snow in p.m. - ground covered in half-hour.*]

December
26
Slept in, cold as blazes, plenty of snow
about, got up at about 1 p.m., together
with many others, and went into hut
30 in our compound, where the lads
turned on quite a good 2-3 hour
concert, but rather too smutty for my
tastes. As we were short of fuel, our
own hut was like the inside of a
frigidaire, for which reason the mock
trial, in which I was to be the
accused, Dr John Manton, was postponed
from this evening until to-morrow.

August
13
Two of the lads pushed off last night, and the
Kommandant remarked that judging by the size of
the hole they left in the wire, they must have departed
in a Tank. Authorities seem to have smelt a rat
last night, judging by the care with which they
checked the roll-call, and questions are being asked
amongst the men as to the nature of the source of their
information.
Played Bridge again to-day, and we had a
win to make up for our last defeat. Kommandant
came in during the day, told me that my letter to Rana
had been held up, but that Stalag informed him that
I could be supplied a uniform by them.
August
14
Nothing of note - news that delousing is to take place
on Monday during fumigation of barracks. S/M. Woodfine
beat me two games of Chess this afternoon
Having hell of a job to get drugs and supplies,
short of practically everything, and there seems to be even
more red-tape in the local forces than there is in ours.
Same difficulty exists regarding arranging for dental
treatment, and maybe it's partly due to the Saintater.
He's a nice chap, obliging and willing, but has a total
lack of "push".

FEBRUARY 2nd Month—1942
23 MONDAY Tuesday 54-311
A Soviet Anniversary Day. I hope
they smash thru' the German
lines just to celebrate. Williams
who was convicted of thieving at Tavoy
has disappeared. It is thought that he
went out to rob a Burman and was
killed or injured. Had supper with
"Bender" and Weir. Weighed myself
at 68 kilo grams = 150 lbs (1 lb =
453 grams). Started to read "Englands
Hour" - by Vera Brittain, being
experiences in England after declaration
of war and including the blitzkrieg
on London. Obtained a branch of wild
fruit the colour of orange-red from
some "flame" trees. They are very bright
1942—28 Days FEBRUARY
24 TUESDAY Wednesday 55-310
Williams returned to camp stating
that he had been set upon by 4
Burmese whilst collecting wood and
had been robbed of Rs 800 and
taken off to their village. This
story is being investigated and 5
Burmans are here now. Jap Lt Col
Nagatomo visited us with Brig
Varley and 5 other P.O.W. officers. The
Jap sentries are blitzing us again
for all sorts of reasons. Men late
on pde who were working late
were slapped, men cannot pass the
sentry incorrectly dressed or smoking,
men must stand up to every Jap
soldier etc. I have now only Rs 1.40
and find it hard to match some
of the others buying eggs, onion & tomatoes

FEBRUARY 2nd Month—1942
25 WEDNESDAY Thursday 56-309
A holiday today and the Padre is
conducting his usual ch service.
I am trying not to despair
altogether by praying and thinking
of the great joy which will be
mine when I have my wife and
family once again. How the young
ones must be changing daily and
will I know them and they me.
Went down the creek with 9 other
officers and had a swim. Attended
the usual concert in the evening.
It is impossible to wash clothes
clean without soap. This is most
marked in the rags which men
use to cover sores from the flys
I am extremely lucky to be free from
infected cuts. A razor like leaf cut
1942—28 Days FEBRUARY
26 THURSDAY Friday 57-308
my hand the other day without any ill
effect. The CO has gone
to Thanbuzayat with Williams who
has turned out to be a Catholic.
I should have ₤700 owing to me by
the army by 31 July next. I wonder
will I get it all. Japs have definitly
tightened up disciplinary measures
because we made such a poor
showing before Nagatomo. "Japan
Times & Advertiser", "Home Life"
Vol 4, No 3, and "Tokyo Nichi Nichi"
have been supplied - 8 months old -
and I should get some back copies
after the war. They are printed in

English. Had a delightful swim
with Atyeo, Called over to Jap
quarter for interview by M.P. Cpl
concerning Williams. Yarned to
Fitzsimmons, Hikkey, Workman & Hesse

October
18
Travelled most of night, woke nearing
Chemnitz - rations low, fags nil, spirits
down, Germans get soup, we get cool ersatz
coffee. Crossed Elbe, ? heading towards
Dresden. Passed through Riesa, then
Hohlfurt - V. cold, 8^th day in train,
rations no better.
Oct. 24 '42
To local Sportsplatz for scratch Rugby game
but French had booked ground unknown to us, so
we repaired to open ground alongside & had [[services?]]
etc.. I was "done" in about 5 mins.. Eric told
that he is returning temporarily to 520 on Thursday
29^th - bit of a bugger, will be lonely without him.
Collected Summary of Evidence, Eric witnessed it,
accused had nothing to say.
3 Oct 25 '42
Mass General Absolution and Communion, and a promise 
of more "Three Nuns" from Father Scarborough, not to mention
his loan to-day of Windisch's "The New Photo School". In the
afternoon all the men assembled in the hall, and I told
them of last night's enquiry and explained to them the
penalties of transgression. Wrote letter to-night to Glad,
card to Mum & Dad and card to Editor of Camp re my
parcel announced in Unclaimed Parcels List No 18.
October
19
Another cold rainy day - things
anyhow - then Lo! at Brieg - two
large bowls of hot soup each, with three
for those who could make it, & coffee.
things much better. Only 90km to go!!
Whole afternoon at Oppeln and
reached Lamsdorf at 2000 hrs., but all
turned in for night - the 10^th of the
trip, and still living, with only six
or so chances of a walk throughout

Oct 26^th '42
Approached the Old Man re seeing Stabsarzt Wiecks
about visits & checking of light workers, and about forms
for official letters - non committal reply. In the
afternoon the old bugger sent practically all the
light & non-workers off to Falkensee to be checked over
by the German Army without letting me know, but
the results on the whole were in my favour, which
is the third time he has slipped. He returned to me
my letter of the 18^th to Glad because I had said that
the reason for lack of her letters was at this end -
no spare to replace it either.
News of a big British push in the desert.

MARCH 3rd Month—1942
1 March SUNDAY Monday 60-305
Still extremely dry. A dry season
here means a really dry time.
There has been no decent shower
since we came here. Rumours of
trouble with the Siamese at the
other end of this railway are rife.
Last night several of our planes were over
Thanbuzayat. One plane circled the depot
for an hour, dropped flares near the
hospital but dropped its bombs up
north between 1-3 kilos. The remainder
dropped their bomb loads in 3 lots
on the coast somewhere and shook
the huts. The Japs gave no opposition.
The previous day our planes conducted
a daylight raid coming over us first
and then dropping their bombs on the
coast again. Many Jap sailors &
1942—31 Days MARCH
2 MONDAY Tuesday 61-304
(cont)
soldiers still wearing life belts passed
the hospital. Williams, the Sgt who
escaped with Mull and the Sgt who
was caught trading have been sentenced
to terms of imprisonment and hard
labour by the Japs. This is an amazing
change of policy. Apparently international
conventions are being observed.
I am now learning the names of a
few stars from Capt D.H. Bernard's
chart. I want to be able to point
them out to Nancy and the young
ones. CO returned from base
and brought 45 Rs each of our
back pay. Gave 5 Rs to Knight.
There is very little to buy at
present, oil and beans.

1943
Jan. 1^st - And so starts 1943, a little snow on the ground and quite cold. Day 
was uneventful except for a couple of games of football, and the issuing to
[*II*] the camp of Christmas cards to be sent home in time for Christmas 1942.
About half the camp was lucky enough to receive new battle-dress trousers - I was one, got a
pair of size 14s, big enough in the waist and tail (designed for 6'1") but a trifle long in the back.
Cpl. Heaney shortened them for me. They're the first pair I've had since getting the originals at VIIIB
in Oct-Nov of '41.
Jan 2^nd - Uneventful, considerably more snow to-day, had a game of basketball in afternoon and
enjoyed it. Probably hot as hades at home with bags of bathing & surfing, and light till after
[*I*] 9 p.m. instead of till 4 p.m. as here. Printed letter-form to send home with comprehensive
list of what our people may not send caused a lot of merriment in camp, especially the last item of the
issue, potatoes!! The compiler must have a sense of humour himself. A German paper of the end of
the year published a plan of the world with red dots indicating the location of each Allied ship sunk. There
will by be no need for shipping in some spaces, as a road could be built over the piled-up hulks, especially
from northern South America to Louisiana, and across the Atlantic. The eastern coast of the Med. has been
pushed westwards many miles in the same way, too.
Jan 3^rd - John is six years old to-day, that's his third successive birthday I've missed - what a
change he will show to my eyes when I shall see him again! Strong wind blew throughout
the night with thin driving snow and there was quite a layer of it this morning. We
woke to discover that the camp was without water, as the power had failed to the pump which supplies us.
I did not expect to be lacking water in a German winter. The boys made shift to supply their needs by
melting snow. Deficiency was put right at about mid-day. Chef's [[skeet?]] still causing considerable fluttering
locally. First day of top-boots & long woolies.
Jan 4^th - Quiet again. It appears that Reichsfuhrer has cut down allowance to Stalag for running
its camps, which means a general cutting-down of camp-staff. R.S.M. Howland visited
Kommandant & mentioned his application for transfer to W.O's camp and when the
Oberlieutenant 'phoned Stalag about it, the latter were much surprised to learn that there were any W.Os.
here at all - they are gone from all other camps. Appears likely that R.S.M. Howland & S.Ms Woodfine
& Makin will leave us soon. I'll be sorry to lose the former, he's a very sound chap. Spent
most of morning helping shovel snow from basketball court, & had a good game in afternoon.

Jan. 29^th - Mass & Communion. All quiet. A Swiss, reporting to the Protecting Power, and a
German major came here about things at 528 and interviewed S.M. Dobson, Stanway,
and myself, and all our points were brought up. It appears that lack of incoming mail
is due to a breakdown on the Spanish railways of some month's duration, which they're finding great difficulty
in making good. The major scotches the idea that Eric Cooper is coming back here, says that the rumour
had been heard at Stalag, but neither Stabsarzt Wicke nor the Stalag dental officer knows of any order for
his eventual return. It appears that Stanway has complained officially about medical orderly, Smith's, refusal 
to work for men in camp. He appear to be quite vindictive about it, and, I think, is outside his province in

butting in, but he'll get nowhere. Bridge this afternoon evening messed up by various interruptions

Jan. 30^th - Mass & Communion. Big party day in Germany, Goering & Goebbels to speak over air at

1100 and 1600 hrs. On both occasions speeches were interrupted by air-raid warnings for
single planes over capital. The one in the afternoon, which broke up our bridge again, was
a cracker as the plane swept across the northern sky from west to east chased by A.A., then a little later, 
across the east from N.E. to S.W. again chased by dozens of bursts. The lads were out, cheering like hell,
and betting on whether he'd be hit, but most of the shots were miles behind and he eventually disappeared

after swinging across the southern sky. Fr. Scarborough is tickled pink. He's seen an R.A.F. plane in action

at last. It appears that another plane broke up a third speech at 0900 hrs., must be most annoying for the
speakers. Conjecture as to whether they'll be over tonight. Had a few words with another M.O. yesterday
afternoon. Speaks same language as Father Goody.
[*2*]

Jan. 31^st (Sunday) - Mass & Communion at 0830 to-day as Fr. Scarborough was billed to go to Dabendorf,
which he did at about 1100 hrs. Had sick-parade at midday to allow the lads to see the
football match between 520 and 528. Not long before it started, Bill Hunt, whose day
here it was, and Eric Cooper arrived from Dabendorf and it was quite good to have a chat with them. I
was not with them for long, having to go out to see the match, and even so, I forgot to ask the location of
401's new camp, which Fr. S wanted to know. We did learn, however, that they are somewhere near Grumman 
at Lager 428. The match was jolly good, played on a pitch half of which was a bog, and ended 2-2.
Received first letters to write for three weeks, one letter & one card, which I wrote respectively to Glad & the Kids.
Fr. S. and I still do an hour or so of Italian daily.

Feb. 1^st - Quiet enough, passed the day reffing a basket-ball match, doing some Italian, and
playing a few rubbers of bridge in the p.m. - Have been lucky enough at it, as S.M. Howland

and I usually manage to win by a few hundred. They're bound to run against us soon,
the cards, that is. Did my first hour's German for some months this evening - hope to keep it up.
Mass & Communion in morning. Russians still advancing on most fronts, especially s-centre & Caucasus,
though still held at Stalingrad, and our chaps have taken [[?]] near the Tunisian border. Germans had
advanced 8 miles in a panzer. drive in Tunisia in an attempt to open a way for Rommel. Considerable
fighting about Guadalcanal where we claim success, and where the Japs claim to have sunk two battleships
and two cruisers for the loss of a few planes. - Eric is quite certain that he is to return here as
soon as we return to Teltow.
Feb. 2^nd - Confession, Mass, & Communion. Reffed another match in afternoon, did Italian,
and generally spent the day as any other day. Was syringing ears in M.I. Room
at about 1900 hrs. when a "yellow" alarm was given, then all the lights went out and then
528 lads were ordered into the shelter. Everyone was shoving about in the dark, when, suddenly, all the
lights came on again, windows and shutters, previously opened, were closed, outside camp-lights, showing
switched on, and everybody left wondering what it was all about. Sanitater unteroffizer told
me to-day that about 150 of our men and 2 med. orderlies are to return to Teltow at the end of the
week.
Feb. 3^rd - 4^th - Mass and Communion each morning, Oberstabsarzt Prison visited us
to-day. On the 3rd there arrived two fag parcels for me at Teltow, & until
I go back there I shall not know from whom they are.

[*2P*] 
Feb. 5^th - Spent most of the day in the city at Stalag and the Saintaatspark, where the shed
used for packing orders has been burnt down. The Sub M.O. from down the road,
Neale, & I, made the trip, conveyed by the Sanitater Unteroffizer and went
into the country attached to the Military Medical Academy where the famous dead of the German
army are buried - saw, amongst others, the graves of Manfred von Richthofen, Udet and Mőlders.
That of the first-named is covered by a large marble slab, with behind it, another large
rectangular slab with carved on it, the single word "Richthofen" - very simple but very
impressive. Looked, without luck, for the grave of Werner Voss. The conductress on the home-bound
train was a Danish girl, very cheery, quite young. Had no work at home. Mass in morning, Communion
Jimmy Ellis tells me the cigarette-parcels are of 200 & 400, the former probably from A.R.C.S..
Feb. 6^th - Barracks C. & D. finished at Teltow, and about 260 of the lads shifted back
there. The place here seems deserted with no one sleeping in the passages. Played
Bridge most of the afternoon, and the S.M. and I were right in luck and won
by 3400. During the afternoon someone in the boiler-house, where the only cooking-stove is, kept
on yelling every ½ minute "M & V burning!" and we laughed and said "Ha, ha, some poor
bugger is out of luck!" The cream of the joke was when the lad popped his head in on us and told
us it was ours! - Hewitt had been called away, but no damage was done. Mass and Communion
in morning, Italian & German in evening. News of the war is still good - Ruskies doing well
and the lads in Africa are pushing on - Had occasion to remonstrate with our Confidence Man on his
tendency to ride the high horse with others, and to butt in on medical matters.

MARCH 3rd Month—1942
7 SATURDAY Sunday 66-299
Mass and H.C. again at 0730 hrs.
I am reading Warwick Deepinng's
"The Woman at the door" the story
of John Luce 45 year old who rents
a lonely bower and shelters a
neighbours wife who has killed her
husband. I feel quite well again.
Many small bus loads of natives
went out along the road, I heard
they are conscripted labour from
Moulmein. Word has come from
Base of a further bombing within
hearing distance yesterday. It never
rains but it pours; for a fortnight
now I have lived on rations. Today
we acquired eggs, tomatoes, onions,
& tin of milk and a rice cake. I had
supper to celebrate and dreamt heavily
 1942—31 Days MARCH
8 SUNDAY Monday 67-298
The natives are blasting just near the
camp. Many women and children
work among the men. I obtained
some yeast and will keep it going.
Did sixty laps of the pool today
without effort My daily PT
must be doing me a lot of good.
Won 1.25 at bridge yesterday and
50 today. We obtained a tripe
yesterday and ate what was left
over today. The Burmese working
women bring all their children
on to the job with them and
they play about all day long.
They are lovely to watch - just the
same the world over. Our men
are finishing their daily tasks
rather early now.

MARCH 3rd Month—1942
9 MONDAY Tuesday 68-297
Only 219 men stepped out for work
today. Japs demanded another 150
and got 56. Capt Trevellyan
returned from his tour of the
camps. It would appear that POWs
are being grouped with their
own countrymen. Swam another 60
laps of the pool. Major O'Brien
gave me for 5 cents a new pair
of tropical shorts and I was able
therefore to give away 2 pairs of
my most patched shorts. Had
my shoes patched up again. I
heard the nightingale again unexpectedly.
Read the Jap account of the
capture of Java in the Tokio Nichi
Nichi. May 2^nd & 3^rd 1942. Yarned
with
1942—31 Days MARCH
10 TUESDAY Wednesday 69-296
Americans and British, about 200
all told, march out to their
new camp at 35 kilos. Their baggage
was transported by truck. I am
forced to work under my net as
otherwise the flys pester me very
much. Received some parcels
and 7 bananas which are very
welcome. Started to read
Warwick Deepings "Bxxxess of the
Woods". The setting and plot remind
me forceably of Jeffrey Farnol's
works. Dutch Priest arrived
today - a Capusian. He wears
a brown habit, is young and
cheerful. Father VRANVERGEEST is
his name. Yarned with him and
his Dutch confreres until bedtime