Account of escape by Norman Patrick Higham - Part 3

17
tired & some of the chaps spent the night just
walking around.
Monday 23 The next day was spent just
wandering around & some of the chaps did their
utmost to try & cable home but this was impossible
so we had to be content & wait. (Found gun)
At last our number came & into
a small lorry we got, which had some seats first in we were
at last off - These bus trips over the mountains
were to be taken in easy stages. Our first stop
was only 15 miles away & we had to debus &
receive another number. This place had be a
large rubber plantation. The big porcelein tubs
that had once been used to treat the rubber was
now used a baths for the boys & it was at this
place that we we able to have a first real good
wash, shave & to xxx wash whatever clothing we
were able. To enable us to wash our shorts we had
to borrow a sarong, & so pass it from one to another.
All the food that we had carried with
us had to be pooled with everyone elses food
was rather short, & stews were the one big dish.
As we had no eating utensils we had to wait
for the tins to be thrown away, so that we could
then line up & collect our share. The rubber cups that
are used for collecting rubber from the trees were used
for drinking water & very weak tea. Colonels, Majors
Captains & all ranks were all in the same boat
& had to line up & collect their share the same as
every private. Sometimes they boiled rice & mixed
a couple of tins of fruit for a dessert, so we used
 

18 to put the stew in first & the dessert in on top
Some were more fortunate & had two tins. Thurs 26
(Saw Chinese guerillas) Our stay at this place lasted
(girl - 16- 18F)
2 days, then our turn came to hop off for our
next stop. As I have previously stated we were

to do these trips in easy stages lorries were scarce

but news came through that we were to be pushed

on fast as possible. Bad luck once again we had

been given an old broken down bus very small holding

about 22. Only a few had seats the rest of us had to sit

down on the floor & what a journey every now & again

we had to stop for water hole in radiator & all

the others vans who had a later number than us

had ben passing us one after another. Just our

luck. Well we travelled all that day & about 

2. AM next morning we finally reached the last stage

of our bus trip.

Frid. 27 The Dutch were our friends in need never

will we be able to thank them enough for what they

had done. When we debussed we found ourselves outside

the jail & in this place we slept on the floor. For two

nights the Dutch fed us as though we were kings.

Sunday, 1^st March. Our next trip was by train

this was to bring us with 15 miles of Parlang Harbour

This time we slept in a school room once again on

the hard cement floor. Our stay lasted two nights 

and a 2 days. We had not brought our rifles with us.

so the Colonel in Charge tried  to issue every man with 

some sort of weapon because word had come through

that the Japs were already North & South of the island

& approx 60 miles away from our present position

my shoulder and I will sing (?) you to sleep. But

speaking of verandahs - be very careful of the 

verandah rails because I would be very sad if you

fell off the verandah.

This letter has taken quite awhile to write

because all my pals have been talking and having

a cup of tea.

I am tired tonight because I did not sleep

too well last night, so this years letter is going to be

very short. 

Poor Arfie is along way away from me

and must be feeling very very sorry tonight

Well I will go 'bedies' now Chickaboo

and I will send you a lot of big kisses on Friday

week.

Cheers.

Daddie

NPH

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

R.A.A.F. Station

426063

Lac. DILLON H.N.

Group 971

6/0 A.F.P.R071

Townsville

Dear Chickaboo, 

I have just heard that you

have been out to Curra. Did you see

the Baa Lambs and the moo cows and 

gee gees?

And Dib and Darb have gone 

to Ipswich. Oh well. What is the name

of your Doll; you have never told me?

Is she a good Dollie? I hope she does

not cry or bite

I hope you have not

eaten too many mulberries and made

yourself ill.

Have got any new story books?

Oh well never mind mummie will get

you some. Did you get the chocolate that

mummie sent you?

night night Chickaboo

Daddie

x Big kiss and big big hug.
NPH