Account of escape by Norman Patrick Higham - Part 1

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2022.6.47
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Fron Sttalacca to Klusing affrise 100 mite f Sing apere. Saw a lot of equimen. Sarte day & night ending worshop, Tents o Cook Hous. Onl a Fen - Wexaways Bearford Hoan Out faas & hambing. Lcooible expeiince. Worked day anght digging tht trushs. A.1.P were up as far a Fharlond Bordr gradually Jushed dow to Nalacca Mirsing lasts land fate wr all ands of such sach as shuworks & nam salling vaxion peofles so as to make us give and posetioancy also creaded land noise to cause confurior. (sam of reading in paper dew Guina] Loud naises faig Liea indear traops & caused th to ritua t allowing i briak. through & to sevound Bulsh & Asssns. (C Blans) Swnch marffore used ond of daye infollaation me thads used by paps frond bus & breaking up in to small fartus surraneding traup & mowing down ith tomng ga of whih me audln have enough of alionork exkeptionally good - too good chmb trus cut dows branch exci/& 1 whilewash poinding in doidin of Axtilly bation o pital anno dur etc. of cloths hungand on long slichs all painting in the one duetion Lins at night to guide hombes in aixa in which Ordnance Score Headguarks & other such plan. In the and Headquarte couldn & befound Used to lide in Nalive quats but notines st Polm work soor told gass position & sunr enough anest hits on Dradging fap didn't hamb parwary or hodd. coming too fos & - hindr themselv- we blew up all bridges- only smell - any a couple of man roads leading to Engafore also only I railway line Toa Stoong to cold boyswure also beong mishad into amburd by natin soon thy wre pusing us all back onto the estand Sanday 7th Feb. fap sterted hearnst Anfilly sin ean hedrd bipt going all might &mosday faps canded or island not by the canserway - camenng I had him blown up i seveal flaw. Wll didnt have chance & pam eventually fust back to wlthe s mul of the cities wate foort - Bonbng was terrffir, shilling truch motters hear guns & deniffie mihti my. Couldn hold dit frid to make lo & shard att Farow hd who we had bun stationed Tap in contral of was suftly cutof and draning my near - Dega unable to be burnied left lying insseets.
un Lac DitoN, N.N. Graup 971 Luesday 14th Dec 6/0A.F.8.0.21 Towmville. Dear Chechaboo, Once move I have to write and wish you a very happy Binthday instead of saying it to you, hawever we will make up for it in the Senthidays of the future I have sent you a iocannt money bas which will intergu you for a while and some American evens, I am afraid that was all I could find that I thought you might tike Possibly inannmie will be able to get some chacolate for you and same il cream. Mammier Beinthday is in the 20th so I am sending you a bestal note for one pound to you will be able to buy munnce something for her Benthday and buy her and govnself a beg ty chaistate This Benthday and Chaistmas you will be in another new hame, one that I hope will be move permanent than ather you have been in and when I came home I will walh up and donen the recandat with you and if you are not too heavy I will carry you and you can put your head upon
426063 Lac. DILLON. H.N. Goup 971 Manday 154 R.A.A.&. Tawmmale Dear Chichabas, I have had an idea that you lave wanted to get mamie a present far mothers Day, so knoweing that you would not be able to got to the shop an your I have bought something for you to give to mam. own I have been told that you have been staopping at either Ventle as Dundanell I am not quite clas which though but I was told that you have a ting little baly land what do you give him to eat. aw you going to draw aspictuve of the wind will at Dundanned and send it to me? I would like to see what it looks like. when are you going to plant some little taces in the garden? I hape that your little wate can is still good and that you can thill wate the gandern with t Do you stall take the little hettens at the shop ? But I hope that the new sne, do not bite as seoatch you, and I hope that Btrey is a gread day. Be very caseful of mnakes bhuchabos and dan't go near them but ven away and tell sameanc. ane bit tee lin Bedie Bos Chechabos and a bit ling her Duddie WoDt for Daddie She thehor
B S 0000 BY AIR MAIL ON NCTWE SLRVICE PNR AYION Miss J.D. D.iln Geonge st Koing Gld 5
We made dow tema front where M King gave us a bit of a telling to regarding on escape & ended up with eany men for himself sueng that we had officially ber cold that wn would difinity not be examised we 22) all tola had equiffee ourselvs for the youngby collecting any kind of tim on the lasudy & filling them flo and wath lateer with wa an & the Go Daw flenly of tanned foods so we made sure that we had enongh to lost us until we rached Sumatoe which if we took the corve turning was only teo mles away. The launeh he had was appoa 20- 22 ft long. iI had an old Thomycroft engine & god alone knows just when it had last been used its sump was filled wit salt wate & its magreds was notall thee I Iur sure that you will have some ided of just the position we we all plane in te Anly that fi athe ting Ling being an Metanul Eng. sume we would not have had a glost of a chance of iscaping After marting for afpoce 8 hours M King managed to get the made sadid, so we started of to round up what pitral we could get from our own lorns & ather case that re left behind by that hed left much earlin for cn fare
426063 hac ICOW H.W. Juan 971 6/0 AFTO 71 twnwe To. Chickbag Wishing you a very happes 111 Benthday and a happy Limas and new gear From. Dad. E
On reaching the Beacor i turnea night pot the island of Bookine, whil had been bloying ffor days owing to the oll tanks beng beambed by the Geps. & after durning night we would be in the stoads &c. By the hime in e had for the strugs reachd the Beacon & stated ond tron in lossed back at Singafare & saw the wtate of the Citywa iad one mess of flam. The singafore that was so infrequable now fort a mess of neer while scetl just afer met and me condask a small boad with a lim of Tommus in & they asked us if we could take them in tow but we had a sailing skiff aheady in tow & at was yur I about all we could manage sung that the no Lor was very sick & with a regar we told then it was impossible be tone could not help admiing thi cousage + spar& Theorically out course was very plain but wihn we came to turn bight me wre defearty lenshilt missed and Fuor into the strart we spend some time going in & out of romian bay & inlets hoping to find this straid be & to no avarl & decided to anchod there until dewn I se if we could find our levengs Daw came & we lad a nother look Mondy 16 for ths Hart but saill an lunk was an& someore for sagg es tea we go back & shart again but we did not like the edea so coninued on
If and made and way bedween tho small islands of after consinung for a couple of hours came access a very smad fishing village wher ie staffed its make a ffiw inquiries & riplenst aur wate supply Lucky an found a chalay in into couldspeak a little English & from him we were given a map shoning Singafere & the mony numerans is land also the may to sumafon but not. the may ad insinded to go orignally still after tranelling affoan 250 300 mikes we eventually reach Sumaton One again me more on anr many a litle mae confident & headed for the ofer sea & we had travelled nomore then ar howr wher wn Sap plans o strangh may thought thes sighed thes would man the end either by bombs or machine guvs we had some nature dn wth us so a couple of the bay downed the & sload on top white I said a fiw prayers as I h staved the boar for te you sea but once again and luck wass in as thy passed on I suppose looking for bigged we continund or all bhed day just sn ing the have mecssityes such as a couple of avmy lusent & a couple of small tired sauregs indil we decided to make conp or an island called Aye Reggie. The notn mare any frindly but hee wo knd thet thy kept this women loskhed up. We beng I some dona fish from them, made aftime & bailed tl in a hursone hin in which we t tand & made a stme and of anyting wn could

H.N. Dillon

 

From Malacca to Kluang approx. 100 miles from
Singapore. Saw a lot of equipment. -
Work day & night erecting workshop, tents &.
Cook House. Only a few  - Wirraways. Beauforts. Hurricanes
Our first bombing. Terrible experience.
Worked day & night digging Slit trenches.
A.I.F. were up as far a Thailand Bordr. gradually
pushed down to Malacca. Mersing last stand
Japs used all kinds of tricks such as fireworks &
calling various peoples names so as to make us give our position away
also created loud noise to cause confusion. (Same as
reading in paper New Guinea) Loud noises frightened
indian troops & caused them to retreat allowing a break.
through & to surround British & Aussies.. (.No Planes).
Trench warfare used out of date information

methods used by Japs . proved best breaking up into small

parties surrounding troops & mowing down with tommy

gun of which we didn't have enough of.

Native 5th column work exceptionally good - too good

climb trees cut down branchs except 1 - whitewash

pointing in direction of Artillery batteries, petrol, ammo dumps

etc. or Cloths hung out on long sticks all pointing in

the one direction. Fires at night to guide bombers in 

area in which Ordnance Store Headquarters & other such

places. In the end Headquarters could'nt be found

Used to hide in Native quarters but natives 5th columns

work soon told Japs position & sure enough direct
hits on Headquarters.

Japs didnt bomb railway or roads.

coming too fast - hinder themselves - We blew up

all bridges - only small - only a couple of main

roads leading to Singapore also only 1 railway line.

Too strong to hold boys were also

being mislead into ambush by natives. soon they were

pushing us all back onto the island.

Sunday 7th Feb. Japs started heaviest

Artillery fire ever heard kept going all night & next day

Japs landed on island not by the causeway - causeway

had been blown up in several places. Still didn't

have chance & were eventually. push back to within 5 miles

of the cities water front - Bombing was terriffic, shelling

trench mortars heavy guns & terriffic numbers of

men. Couldnt hold but tried to make last stand at

Farrer Rd where we had been stationed.

Japs in control of water supply: cut off

end drawing very near - Dead unable to be burried left

lying in streets. -

 

Back of envelope - see original document

 

426063 
Lac. DILLON, H.N.
Group 971,                                                                                      

C/o A.F.P.0.71

Townsville.

Tuesday , 14th. Dec.

Dear Chickaboo,

Once more I have to write and 

wish you a very happy Birthday instead of saying

it to you, however we will make up for it in the 

Birthdays of the future.

I have sent you a coconut money 

box which will intrigue you for awhile and some 

American coins, I am afraid that was all I could 

find that I thought you might like. Possibly Mummie

will be able to get some chocolate for you and some 

ice-cream. 

Mummies Birthday is on the 20th.

so I am sending you a Postal note for one pound, 

so you will be able to buy Mummie something for her

Birthday and buy her and yourself a 'big big' chocolate.

This Birthday and Christmas you 

will be in another new home, one that I hope will be 

more permanent than others you have been in and 

when I come home I will walk up and down the

verandah with you and if you are not too heavy I

will carry you and you can put your head upon

 

426063.

Lac. DILLON, H.N.

Group 971,                                                                                  

R.A.A.F.

Townsville.

Monday 3rd.

Dear Chickaboo,

I have had an idea that you have wanted

to get Mummie a present for Mother's Day, so knowing 

that you would not be able to got to the shops on your 

own I have bought something for you to give to mum.

I have been told that you have been 

stopping at either Venella or Dundonnell - I am not quite

clear which though - but I was told that you have a tiny

little baby lamb. - what do you give him to eat. 

Are you going to draw a picture of the 

wind mill at Dundonnell. and send it to me? I would

like to see what it looks like. 

When are you going to plant some little

trees in the garden? I hope that your little water can

is still good and that you can still water the garden

with it. 

Do you still like the little kittens at the 

shop? But I hope that the new ones do not bite or 

scratch you, - and I hope that Bluey is a good dog.

Be very careful of snakes Chickaboo and don't go

near them but run away and tell someone. 

Bidie Boo Chickaboo
Daddie WoWo

X one big big kiss  

and a big big hug                                       

for Daddies Chickaboo

xxx

 

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION
ON ACTIVE
SERVICE
Miss J. D. Dillon,

George st. 

Roma, Qld

 

5 

We made down towards the water

front where Mr King gave us a bit of a talking 

to regarding our escape & ended up with every 

men for himself seeing that we had officially

been told that we would definity not be evacuated

We had (22) all told had equipped

ourselves for the journey by collecting any kind

of tins on the Saturday & filling them plus as 

much bottles with water. & the Go Down had

plenty of tinned eatables foods so we made 

sure that we had enough to last us until we 

reached Sumatra which if we took the correct

turning was only 60 miles away. .  The launch

we had was approx 20-22 ft long it had an old

Thorny croft engine & god alone knows just when

it had last been used its sump was filled with

salt water & its magneto was not all there & 

I'm sure that you will have some idea of just

the position we were all placed in & only that 

Mr King having being a Mechanical Eng. Im

sure we would not have had a ghost of a 

chance of escaping. Afet After working for 

approx 8 hours Mr. King managed to get the 

motor started, so we started off to round

up what petrol we could get from our own

lorries & other cars that were left behind by 

civilans that had left much earlier for

Java or Sumatra

 

426063                                                                    

Lac. DILLON, H.N.                                                  

Group 971                                                                   

C/o AFPC 71                                                                

Townsville
To... Chickaboo

Wishing you 

a very happy

Birthday and 

a happy Xmas

and New year

From... Dad.
Hand drawn image - see original document

 

7

On reaching the Beacon we turned

right past the island of Bookine, which had been 

blazing for days owing to the oil tanks being 

bombed by the Japs. & after turning right we would

be in the straits. By the time we were had

reached the Beacon & started our turn for the straights we looked

back at Singapore & saw the whole of the city was

just one mass of flames. The Singapore that

was so impregnable now just a mass of ruins

While still just a few miles

out we overtook a small boat, that with a bunch

of Tommies in & they asked us if we could take 

them in tow but we had a sailing skiff already

in tow & it was just about all we could manage

seeing that the motor was very sick & with a regret

we told them it was impossible  but one

could not help admiring their courage & spirit.

Theorically our course was very 

plain but when we came to turn right we were

definity bushed & missed our turn into the straits

We spent some time going in & out of various 

bay & inlets hoping to find this strait but to 

no avail & decided to anchor there until dawn

& see if we could find our bearings. 

Monday 16 Dawn came & we had another look

for this strait but still our luck was out,

someone ju suggested we go back & start again

but we didnt like the idea so continued on

 

8 

and made our way between two small islands

& after continuing for a couple of hours came

across a vey small fishing village where we stopped

to make a few inquiries & replenish our water 

supply Luckly we found a Malayin who could speak

a little English & from him we were given a map

showing Singapore & the many numerous islands

also the way to Sumatra but not the way we 

intended to go originaly still after travelling approx

250 miles 300 miles we eventually reach Sumatra

Once again we went on our way a 

little more confident & headed for the open sea

& we had travelled no more than an hour when we

sighted 3 Jap planes & straight away thought that

this would mean the end either by bombs or machine

guns. I h we had some native dress with us so a

couple of the boy donned these & stood on top while

I said a few prayers with as I kept steered the boat

for the open sea but once again our luck was 

in as they passed over I suppose looking for bigger

fry. We continued on all that day just eating

the bare necessities such as a couple of army biscuits

& a couple of small tinned sauseges - until we

decided to make camp on an island called

Angur Reggie. The natives were very friendly but we

noticed that they kept their women locked up. We

bought some dried fish from them, made a fire

& boiled the billy on a kersone tin in which we

tryed tried & made a stew out of anything we could.

 


 

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