Diaries of Signalman W H L Woodgate spanning November 1941 to October 1945 - Part 12

[*TUE 22/6/43*]
[*2ND DAY*]
A working party today & do we
cop it. We walk back to the
last camp & carry back a load
I had 5 big shovels. we started @ 10 am
back at 3 p then back again @ 4 pm
this time I copped a coil of wire
and arrd back flat. We here today.
that 4 of our sigs were killed at
Moulamien. in a British air raid
hope old Stan is OK. Dick Hunter & I do
a bit of house keeping while I was out
today Dick bought 20 Mangoes. & cooked one
in some browned rice. It was good. We
had a bit of meat & made a stew. P.OW 485
[*WED 23/6/43*]
[*3rd DAY*]
A day in camp & up till Dinner
Ive rested now to shave wash
socks etc & we move tomorrow
There has been a dead Yak
in the next hut & its on the
nose. over in the jungle there
is a burnt boong (only half burnt)
An experience Big doings on the
islands etc & furfs good GOON has
been emptied & the race is on
The ripe mangoes were beautiful
have found a way to ripen hot water 486
[*THUR 24/6/43*]
(4TH DAY) — 9 KILOS — 2nd stop on return—
Had another whack of fever
last night & @ same time tonight
its hell. We moved in from
Konkoyta to 9 KILOS out not a bad marck
but I walk too fast many boongs
lie starving & dying on the road
and we have a fresh Cholera case
This is another Jap Army Camp
holds about 2 Divs but the jungle
has all but got it back we still eat
rice & more rice & had some Mangoes 487
[*FRI 25/6/43*]
(5TH.DAY)
After pulling down the tents today
we are told we are not going
on. So up again & I rest most
of the day We finished our Bananas
today but are Still eating OK. Dick
& I design a bungalo. Fever still on
last night some of our chaps worked all night
on the yak carts and rice was taken out
to them @ 1 am. This old priest is a marvel
he still goes on.
489
[*151*] 

[*SAT 26/6/43*]
(6 Day
YAK. CAMP)
This Am.10/30 we moved out
every man and at the time of
writing (3pm Sun) a great number have
not yet arrd in camp. we were within
3 Kilos of camp when Officer turned back
All but the very sick men & stretcher
Bearers to bring in Nip gear Yak carts
& our own sick & gear I was up till 2 am
fixing up a feed & bedding down all
the Tramoto party as they came in
the road is one muddy quagmire
from start to finish and the distance
15 Kilos. never was such a superhuman
& inhuman effort put up. Cholera patients
on stretchers & dys men who could hardly
walk all out on the mud all night.
and so I close Hell day. 489.  4 more CHOL . 2 Die
[*SUN 27/6/43*]
(14 KILOS) (7 Day) of retreat) KARRUMPIT.
To bed at 2.15 am & about 3 hrs sleep. Another
cholera case thro the night & Dave
Tasker a Sig is taken to hosp this
am with same. the party still slowly
dribbles in. We get a bit of sun today &
dry up a bit also a wash first good one
for 4 days. We are shifting into a big camp
back about 1 kilo I bought some bananas
12 @ 1$ & gather some greens & P.OW 490 WK 70
[*MON 28/6/43*]
8TH DAY
Classified re the rupture & no. lifting
the fever not to bad we get some
more goola & more rice & so have
plenty of tucker (RICE) carry a few
bamboos in Pm & meet Leut Aren. We also
move into a tent & the Sigs put it up & as
soon as up in Dash the R.A.E. & POW 491
[*TUE 29/6/43*]
(9TH DAY)
We get classified this morning & a
good many of us go back to Canbury
Im in it acct rupture 3 issues maleria
I got thro a Dollars worth of goola Melacca
in two meals. Should live well there
if we get there. not much to Chron 492
[*WED 30/6/43*]
—10TH.DAY—
Very quiet put pack on. N.D. & to lie
Down all day issue goola. A plane over
here today furfs tomorrow. 1 Chol Death
the whole force warned to move
no other news & P.OW 493
[*152*] 
 

[*TH/11 DAY.*]
[*1/7/43.*]
We cop an issue of Jap blankets
very lucky too. As one of mine had
8 holes burned in it last night
by some concrete headed dope
The sorting up is being done for
the march tomorrow 1 more Chol
death today R.A.E & There is mass today
@ 7.30pm. We had a Tin of herrings for lunch
plus the rice & stew Then coffee & later we
get our eggs & cig papers Ill be fighting fit in
a few days there is a big stew on for
tea. The mates of the deceased
R.AE. put up a cheap turn today.
Volunteers were called to get a funeral
pyrea ready for his cremation &
until they were were told off by Cpt Dobby
not a man stepped forward. Another
one, the buying commission is on
& until today the officer pockets
were empty today I had my attent
drawn to the following & was actually
dragged over to see. Fish Spuds meat
stew & veg bananas goola tins of coffee
cigarettes & whatnot. also biscuits ??
Sig Tasker. Died tonight. & P.OW 494 over
[*FRI 2/7/43*]
12TH.DAY ^__
This Am I helped at the burning of
the two boys. One fellow here he's the
lowest card in the pack, Ford. point
blank refused to assist. Last night we
bought cigaretts @ 12c per packet of RQ &
the’re rather good. We have eggs for break
Dinner & tea. I see two blokes eat about
½ bucket of pumpkin for tea. the most
of our chaps moved out today. And th
nips are dead anxious to push us on
also. And now to eggs.Supper & bed P.OW 495
[*SAT 3/7/43*]
^__ 13TH DAY ^__
Quite a little do on over. an issue
of money (Malayan Pay) looks like a big
do later on. We all march tomorrow.
I make a discovery of cigarette paper
out of the bamboo. Tis very hot here
no rain for 3 Days & roads local are all dry
And now to pack for the shift. We get a bit of
a laugh now & again All the whingers are
in one tent. One of the pumpkin kings has a
bellywake today. So now to bed & POW. 497 over
[*153*]

[*SUN 4/7/43*]
We leave Karrumpit & do a
7 KILO bolt to a half way camp where
we arr @ 2.30pm. We get set for the
night and are very glad of bed
hear all Ps O.W. are being moved
back still no rain lets pray it holds
off. News is all Pom & no one believes it
And So we having finished the (14TH DAY)
also close P.O.W 497 (45 SICK. LEFT. AT. [[ABO?]] ^__
[*MON 5/7/43*]
^__ arr TIAGALOON ^__ 15TH DAY
Today we move back 5K to our
base camp we find the lads all
at work FD on the railway LD on
the Jap area the food shows an improv
& we can purchase from Pom canteen
Doubt our stay will be very long
report of the 3 Escapees 2 Dead 1 captured. On
the road today I walked for a while
with Major Parry. & arrd in the Camp @ 3.45 pm
we put up our lean-to & down for
the night & POW 498 (15TH.DAY.)
[*TUE 6/7/43  16th DAY*]
499 Days & we are still Ps.O.W. Hell
when will it break?? 500. Tomorrow
lets hope it breaks happy. Not
much doing put in an order
for Goola & so the day closes
[*WED 7/7/43*]
17TH DAY
I make rice scoops today. We have
moved altogether backwards
44 KILOS. We had an inspection
& janger by the Japs today I think
a lot of us will go back to Canbury
had a drop of rain today & this humpy
leaves a lot desired & So POW 500
[*THUR 8/7/43*]
18TH DAY
A lot of traffic goes on up & down
the river here one can here the
motor launches going night & day.
Rained like hell last night & we copped
it. One Cholera case in last night also
Dick very tired to day and blames
the belly. and So POW 501 closes
[*FRI 9/7/43*]
19TH DAY
Peanuts in & Stewart is having a field day
I do a bit more work today. And spot
some bamboo for the bed A chap
Bagery. A Train mate died today
POW 502 
[* 2
  14 *]
[*154*]
 

[*SAT 10/7/43*]
– 20TH DAY –
Last night was the worst we
have had 3 men died. Badgery
collapsed suddenly and did not
regain consciousness Another died
suspected Typhus But worst of all
& nearest to home was Les Webster
from Springs he died from Cerebral Malaria
They are all lying together now
10 Yards away from where I am writing
God rest their Souls, And help the rest
of us. We are in a bad way; Five
fresh Cholera were taken over also
This am Dick & Spent making a bed so
I expect to shift very soon. And now
The talk has turned to the best way
of making damper & scones We got
another Janger for Dysentry this PM. and
up till 7 pm 5 men have died POW 503
[*SUN 11/7/43*]
- 21ST. DAY -
Very quiet today & bad belly pains a bit
of scours later took my last M & B hope to
God it does the job. We are in quarantine &
so the nips have the lads working on
the line which runs thro the side
of the camp our canteen is held
up acct quarantine & PO.W 504 - 72 wk
[*MON 12/7/43*]
- 22ND DAY -
Two more chaps died last night. "Kanga"
the wandir was one strong rumors float
round that the boongs from Malaya are
coming in to relieve us. Lets hope its true
& that we can get out of this. This camp
This camp is on top of a small hill one
has no trouble getting down on wet
days. but coming up is a series of spills.
from where I sit I can count 8 little
shacks made of bamboo sticks & ground
sheets & MUD. by the ton look down the
hill one sees just a quagmire the Cook
house is at the bottom. I have never been
so unwashed for years. The food this last five
days has improved very much & we should pull
out of our troubles here. We had another Cholera
injection last night. The name of the joint is
- TARGALOON - & so POW 505
[*155*]

[*TUE 13/7/43*]
I spend the pm erecting tent in
the Cholera Isolation. not very much
doing & our Goola comes in and I promtly
boil & start to use it half spilt and
PO.W 506 23rd Day
[*WED 14/7/43*]
24TH DAY
Looks like I left out the Stewart
peanut episode spend most of the
day making stew scoops some
more of our Canteen orders have
come in more goola & soap etc. The
Poms have turned out champs they
bring the stuff about 25 miles to us only
for them we would be in a bad way
One more typhus death tonight 8 pm
The nips are at last showing a bit of
interest in us ? & P.O.W 507
[*THUR 15/7/43*]
25TH DAY
The workers go out at 2 pm today
nearly everyone is up off the floor now
The Cholera is abating a little bit there
is plenty of dys & Diahearor on. We have
two courses left to us. one is 10%
precaution & 90% Luck &.trust in God for the
rest and POW 508. over
[*FRI 16/7/43*]
A Very quiet day sore throat.
only thing to record sleep most
of the day and only 3 smokes
the food here is still slipping back
I brown all our rice and eat a few
grains also we make coffee from burnt
rice & to the close of POW 509 26TH DAY
[*SAT 17/7/43  27 DAY*]
Scotty Gould goes to Cholera & in
a bad way too. two in for the
last 24 hrs. Feel much better today
may go on LD tonight & then to work
which if is the case gives one a rather
good hook for a pension back home
No big news yet. it has rained all night & we
are as wet as shags 2 Chol Deaths today POW 510
[*SUN 18/7/43*]
- 28th DAY -
The nip Psychology cuts down the food to the men
in Camp to force them out to work not
many fell for it today. More Cholera yesty (3)
more boongs & coolies from Malaya passed
thro yesty. Still .N.D. Still no tents from Nips
POW 511
3 MONTHS. OUT.
FROM. CHANGI.
[*156*] 
 

[*MON 19/7/43*]
29TH. DAY
Easy till 10 am & then I give the job ago
but its no go & have a hell of a day these
nip tally clerks a wonders home & to
sick parade. & ND. for days two Choleras
died today one was Sig Sexton there
a about 40 odd in Chol Isolation & the tally is
growing daily. Johno gets philped on his
tally. was the only funny incident of the
day. & we worked till 8 pm & POW 512 closes
[*TUE 20/7/43*]
30th Day
Am very busy shifting our villa in Am
& pm is occupied making a hospital bed
for grizzly Charlie Albert. Bought 25c peanuts
and got an issue of goola so alls well
on POW 513 Also hear again re the Canbury
party. Three more Chol deaths last night
The nip Strategy of good meals for the
workers & light for the sick failed in a day
& so now we are all getting bigger & better
feeds & now just hear call for 3 men to come
& bring Yak to the cook house & POW 513 over
[*WED 21/7/43*]
31st Day
And again we move this moving is becoming
some joke. Every time a nip gets an idea we
all move round some how today we turned
out with all our gear packed and sat on
the bank whilst the place was sprayed
& limed and until the rain started we
then were seperated sick from fit and a
fence was put up between us. We had
rather good meals today & tea was a very
good yak stew. if he keeps this food up we'll all
be working or walking soon ? So to bed & POW 514
[*THUR 22/7/43*]
- 32nd day -
We are now two seperate camps in one
The tucker we hear is to be the same break
was not too bad Yak broth stew. All are busy
making disinfectant basins out of
bamboo These are placed about one
to every tent. And the little nips sees
they are supplied & kept topped up. & POW 515
[*FRI 23/7/43*]
- 33rd DAY -
Nothing of note except the food has slipped
again We are back to 3 plain rice
& Dry vegs meals for today
hundreds more boongs came
thro going north & POW 516
[*157*]

[*SAT 24/7/43*]
- 34TH DAY -
This "am" the river is up about
8 feet on yesty's mark. Terry
O'Brien died 3 am today. blood
poisoning after Chol. treatment
(Record the hands in the rice, some
of our fellows are lower in
Statis than the boongs) & today I
have two jangers my bottle got broken
latest order is that we must not
go to the river and we call on the
cooks for all water. We sure will be
popular Weak dried Spud & M. Extract stew
for dinner. To give a description of this
place. We are on the top of a pair
shaped hill/ 105 paces long by 65-80 wide
Diagram - see original
& we are about 600 strong. the filth &
squallor of the place indiscribable at
present the rats are everywhere & up todate
3 deaths from typhus. The tents are Japanese
except where we have our own villas. & POW 517
[*SUN 25/7/43*]
- 35TH. DAY - 74 week
Money is running out & Smoke fuds
are in the running. about 5 on to me
since breakfast. but ? I was out a few days
ago myself, We had another chol death
today . Up to date we have lost a bigger
% of men than we did during action
And the day turns out to be one of
much doings. Firstly we are again put
on two meals a day & secondly 70 men
are picked out to go to canbury. I was
on the list but was pulled off
as there were others worse off than
me. hope to be on the next lot
[*MON 26/7/43*]
- 36TH DAY -
I assisted the Canbury mob down to the
barge 7 men who were to assist right
thro are turned back. Have caught
a beaut cold. Major Parry was on the
lot that went south & that marks
the finish of Parry’s Pedestrians a sorry
looking crew now Thousands of
boongs from Malaya have gone up
about us and more come thro
every day. We are still on two meals
and so POW 519
[*158*] 
 

[*TUE 27/7/43*]
37TH DAY. - 520
The temp is about 110 in Shade & two
blokes have a fight. One Eng sgt makes
some very caustic remarks re the
hosp Volunteer orderlies meals. And
we sit in the humpy & talk houses
all the lads are talking of building
homes & I see one big boom when they
get back. 3 more Cholera's burnt today
The greatest barbaric action up to date
is the giving of 1 full meal rice & stew
for breakfast no dinner & half ration
for tea. But more to that later.? POW 520
[*WED 28/7/43*]
And the meal position becomes [*(38)*]
really. inhuman. we get half ration
at 7:30 am & another half ration @
7.30 pm. But this war won’t last forever
We vacate our two man villa today &
Dick has to do the work I’m flat out with
a fever. This is the fourth dose of the thing
We move into a tent and a good mob are
in here. Ford is at last caught out on his
doubling up in the meal parade. Ive mentd
him before as the glutton pig of the unit
but he'll make good copy with no kick –
I see the Dr & he puts me back on that
damn quinine & so P.OW 521
[*THUR 29/7/43*]
A good nights sleep Dick's BEX.POWDER [*(39)*]
YESTY worked wonders & he'll get a case
of the best every XMas while Im in the Glen
The meals still "Barbary" But, we
have enough to Short circuit our
little "Boy friend". another Janger today
no startling news & P.OW 522.
[*FRI 30/7/43*]
40th Day
Today negotiations for pay complete
and the money in the camp Also
canteen hut started. Fever still on
meals improve but still on 2 not
much to do & P.O.W. 523
[*SAT 31/7/43*]
41ST. DAY
Great events. We get paid. Men
$3 & N.C.Os $3.50 & so on up the line.
The incident of the day was a good
fight between to idiots & the nips
hopped in & both got bashed the
Doc also copped a couple but the
MAN. in him. cowed them back P.OW 524
[*159*]

[*1/8/43 SUN*]
200  - 42. DAY - Retreat. "75 WEEK".
The "boongs" bring us in some good news
wisely all ours. Musso is out & the bears
go ahead "look out Toj" "soon come now."  [“Tojo”]
This news is still good amurment I
noted the same story on 31/5/43 – Bernie
Mahoney died @ 3 am today. another
man murdered. And so the holicaust
goes on lets hope the tide turns soon we
rcd a supply of eggs in today & have
ordered ½ Doz tis a very wet day & the poor
wretches out working in it look like
wet chooks & about as happy & P.OW 525
[*MON 2/8/43*]
- 43rd Day -
Still raining like fun the river is up
about 12 feet but out to work again
go the chaps. This line to here is to be
finished in 10 days ? I spend the day
desining a camping tucker box. Bluey
Tayer fell over a bridge tonight no
reports Yet. Dick not too good. & So P.O.W. 526
[*TUE 3/8/43*]
- 44th Day -
Have been eating peanuts since 4 pm
yesty & still going strong. & @ 5 pm
The actg. R.S.M goes sick & chucks
me the lot hell everything’s happening
Sick Parade 9 pm 90 men required by the nips
from the sick lines for work things are
only middling & Pow 527
[*WED 4/8/43*]
- 45th Day -
90 Men out of sick lines can you
beat that? Am as busy as a flea
all day. Len Morrison Sigs first
Chol case died yesty @ Karumput
wor the river washed the officers out
and so the day goes rather fast for
everyone they shifted on thier own PoW 528
[*THUR 5/8/43*]
46th Day
Revelle! & Cpl Woodgate ? is the first scream
I hear & have been hearing it all
damn day. Am C.S M for the day
& its no criterion. Its worse than
out at work. We sent $3 out today
for some tinned fish & the joker comes back
with a tale that his mate has moved
off. So looks like we do the "doe"
Hell of a mess on early mess. We buy
some dry fish @ 10 pm & POW 529 over
[*160*]

[*FRI 6/8/43*]
47th Day
Slept like a log. and have had a
good feed today. We bought some dried
fish last night all soyer beans and
grauted some onions had. boiled fish
fish soup & soyer & onion soup. with
Rice & it was good. we have grilled fish
for tea with more beans & So POW 530
[*SAT 7/8/43*]
48th Day
Very quiet generally. & nothing to
record the canteen gets BM Goods
& thereto hangs a tale but ? & so POW 531
[*MON 89/8/43*]
49th Day 8/8/43 & P.O.W 532  76^th Week
50th Day 9/8/43
We had a remarkable turn today
the Poms from the Ja Slaughter Yard
gave the hospital two legs of yak
it was too much for them & so they gave
to the (4) units one leg:? 25 Steaks were cut
and only luckilly the fact was discoverd
The nip in the Slaughter yard woke up
to the fact that the two legs had gone
off. And After the poms said they had
given it to the Aust hosp the nip sent them
over to get it back. They took it back &
when he saw it He say OKee OKee, take back
& we eventually got our Stew & So P.O.W 534
[*TUE 10/8/43*]
51 60th Day
We were put out on parade
this am & the nips came along & picked
men out at random didnt matter
how ill they were the Dr fought hard all
the way & succeeded in getting a few
released. I was out on a cremation
party this am we have now burned
close on 40 men since we came to this
camp 3 died last night & today. I was
up until 3 am cooking yak & am as tired
as blazes Dicks moans re the goola are
blaze beyond descrbn for some days Ive
been on the outer & have nipped hell
out of him. spcly in goola Brown Sugar &
everything else that comes & when I done
[[?]] he gives ??? I give up, One point is that
of the two goola Spoons.
P.O.W 535
[*161*]

[*WED 11/8/43*]
Very quiet today most of the lads sent
out by the nips. Are back in again
I have a good sleep in Pm & POW 535
[*12/8/43 THUR*]
This morning we are again out in
the cutting & Cpt Muriama himself
does the picking out Some hits with
the stick & some terrible cases sent to
work & others ordered for tomorrow.
Speedy a bloke that buzzes about like a
blowfly sells a pair of shorts for 5 bucks
We get three meals today the dinner @ 2 pm
consists of gruel rice only. The. pm. I
spent bargaining with boongs. Looks rather
comical to see officers carrying rice P.O W 536
[*FRI 13/8/43*]
Again duty boy & Actg RSM? for this
camp its not a bad job today
as there are no officers left in to
keep screaming @ one. The men
have to work till after midnight
tonight. We cook some bones for Soup
but its on the nose. & P.O.W 537
[*SAT 14/8/43*]
The boys got in @ 3 am. Wonderfull hrs
thats what we are up @ here.
The Stew was all eaten & no one
is ill yet. We are put off meat
again because Muriama says
it causes Berri Berri ??? The Asiatic mind
again. Not many furfs etc & POW 538
[*SUN 15/8/43*]
Today we dug a grave for a
chol death. Leiut Dobby of Engeeos
died today. At about 2 pm we
got word of the trip to Tarso
but again I miss out 150 names
handed in & only 80 go – Am putting
on weight again. But old Dick is Still
skinny & another "S" - & So P.O.W 539
[*MON 16/8/43*]
Waiting for something to break. We
C.S.M's ? are to stand-by on camp to "T" up
the 200 who move 2 Kilos Tomorrow. the mob
for Tarso have left, Sampson nearly died on
the way to the barge.
[*162*]

[*THUR 19/8/43*]
TUE. 17.8.43  541[[?]] [[?]] [[?]]
Thur 19/8/43 This am I meet young
Jack Houlihan - from [[?]]ra
this last two days we have gone
to the Pom [[?]]en for our canteen
supplies. Have had some good meals
onions tinned & dried fish fried [[?]]
brown Sugar & [[??]] close of POW 543
[*FRI 20/8/43*]
To the pom canteen today sold
the Parker Pen & Pencil for $42 not
much doing & so POW 544
[*TUE 24/8/43*]
65TH DAY
Today is one of calamity I had
returned from Pom Canteen & put my
cash on the bed two minutes later
it had gone. and suspect one "S"
and so much for POW 548 
[*THUR 26/8/43*]
67TH DAY
There is a movement on some
move for Tarso rest camp & some
for Concoyta again no sign of
the cash yet. made sick Parade tonight
and as we were going on, Kirk fell off
the second span of nip bridge about
15 ft drop rcd broken pelvis & POW 550
[*FRI 26/8/43*]
68TH DAY
The blitz re my cash is on about
5 blokes being interviewed by Capt
Curlewis no nett results & POW 551
[*WED 1/9/43*]
- 73rd day -
The boys from here who were luckey
enough to click the Tarso trip were
luckier than they new as there
is appearently no more to go. This am
went to the barges and McLeod & self
bought a bottle of "Low" and that accts
for the bad writing believe me its
hot Stuff. Am going again in few mins
but no more low & So Pow.556
[*163*]

[*SAT 4/9/43*]
To the groans & snores of sick
& dying boongs. I am lying near 
a boong hut. We are on the
road back to Conoyta
which we left full of hope just
about 10 weeks ago and are
at present camped in the dirtiest
pest & fly ridden place possible
great strides have been made by
[[nips?]] with the line & rails Should
be thro in a few days. the walk in
yesterday was not too bad we
come 15 Kilos. 10c one cries the boong &
the boys fly out. to get robbed
We rest here today & move on tomorrow
have had a rather good day. thanks
to Bananas etc [[?]] [[?]] [[(boong) ?]]
canteen about 50 yds away (in the
bush where nips can buy 50c worth of chicken
(made from yolk) & [[? ?]] too bad. We
cook eggs for tea & hard boil some
for the track tomorrow & POW 559
[*SUN 5/9/43*]
On the road @ 9.15 am today (AND
WHAT.A.ROAD. Up to our hocks in mud
& water from the start. We Arr at
GRAN CRV ? @ 7.30 pm 10 KILOS of hell & mud
water & hills. The place is hardly
recognizable. the [[?]] are in here &
this shows where discipline counts
they are nicely bedded down & the
place is clean & comfortable the
meals are a revelation after
what we have had. Beef tea
baked pumpkin Stew plenty of meat
etc no bashings are the order of
this camp. I sleep in with the Sgts
and they are very decent chaps. We
have a good meal a cup of
coffee a good chat & to bed for POW 560. 80^TH weeK
[*MON 6/9/43*]
We depart from the best camp since
we have been up here and move
off into more mud & slush it rains
off & on but we are used to it now
We arrive Koncoyta & keep on going
and on to Lower Tiamonta where the
[*166*] original camped for months when we
first came up we thought this 
 

[*MON 6/9/43*]
our destination but were disappointed
& have to go on another 5 Kilos
to Upper T. we arr in camp at
8/30 pm 21 kilos up for the day. What a
day. The hut we are in is about 100M
long half is occupied by boongs
& half by us. The latrines are very
close  too close for nostril comfort
We get a meal of rice & fish Soup & POW 561
[*TUE 7/9/43*]
Miso 8/30 am & had only half eaten
it when we get pulled out for a
barge porterage party & I get caught
up in it we had to carry gear etc
Well it was one heell of a job. 5 return
trips for the day 1½ miles each way 15 miles up
& loads up to 100 lbs. On one occasion I had
a nip on one end. & ?. The fit camp men arr
tonight. Also our canteen goods which
came by barge. I am looking down our hut
towards the Boong end and am looking
at the wildest looking boong Ive seen
he looks like one of those Golly Wogg
dolls the kids have at home. The boongs
gamble squabble & fight & we settle to sleep POW 562
[*WED 8/9/43*]
Revelle 7.40. Tanko 7:50 Miso 8am & Then
a nip run thro, was lucky enough
to miss out & have the day in camp
Sold the canteen biscuits this pm @
5 for 10c & make a nett profit of 15c
5 tins the other companies sold at
the rate of 4 for 10c & did not keep
any for the men at work some
of our in campers missed out
& some of the workers missed
out. finish sales @ 10 pm & P.O.W. 563 over
[*THUR 9/9/43*]
Today we had a “janger” Maleria
& Cholera test & needles. The food
is not too good. still fish etc
& so PO.W 564
[*SUN 13/9/43*]
Finish @ 2.45 am Campo - BOONGS COME
Made a bet of a Dinner with
[*3PO*] Bob Wren today that the line
will be here in 1 month
This is the 81^ST week of POW & Day 567
He who speaks no English says
good-bye & me hopes of home
go with him – [[Charmer ?]] Goes 6lb.
[*167*]

[*WED 15/9/43*]
Have been working all the week
& like it Am in a good crew &
today we worked a contract 250
baskets for the day.PM. only we
finished at 6.45 pm after breaking
two shovells. I cut up me long
pants yesterday & made a G.String
out of one leg & patches out of
the other and have an extra
pair of shorts. Am going to
bank my spare cash $60 with
Col Pond now that both Dick
& I go out to work. I have spent
$50 in about 3 weeks & damned
if I know where it has gone
we hear today that the nips
have landed in Broom &
that Italy has surrendered
Some of our chaps have spent
the last few days building
our new domicile. We have
been given an issue of 70
cigs & a tin of milk to 7
I have had 3 tins lately & feel
pretty good my left Eye
has gone off again & P.O.W 570
[*SUN 19/9/43*]
Ben Barnett has been up to Niki &
Back & has brought a month or more
pay & some good “info”. The old “Daig” has
given up the ghost & we go back to
Changi in about one month. I have
had a week on the line & the rupture
gave out again yesterday also had
an issue of Shivers etc last night Am
having a day in today & picked a good
one it has rained for 3 days but
concistently all day today. I think Dick
has dropped his bundle he wont et &
can only grizzle about his belly have
bought him milk etc but he won’t pull
out of it. We are still in the boong
hut & our own are near complete
[*168*]
 

[*SUN 19/9/43*]
The railroad is now only about
12 – 15 Kilos behind us & about 29
km in front from Burma. By the
looks of things fact more mem are
being needed on the Burma side a
lot have gone thro to there. Some of
our chaps from Niki are at a rest camp
in Burma & two more Sigs have
died up there. We have a bit of
sickness here one chap has pnuemonia
I hear the third English pugulist has
got out and is ready for fight etc
Some of the boys have gone thro on
a working party today & the nip is in
looking for them, we have some fun
now & again. Its rather funny to see
the boong overseers belting the boongs
out of a day, they get at them with
a stick .& believe me those boongs go
They still use the yaks carts here
but they can only pull the cart
& very little in it They sink
nearly to their bellies in the black
slimy mud.& so to end P.O W 574. 82 weeks
[*FRI 24/9/43*]
Shifted to new huts on 21/9/41
Today I have another chance at
writing up. Have a positive ST
malaria slide & yesterday got a
dose of the shivers & the Nip sent
me “campo speedo”  On tuesday last
he told us 22 days to Changi ??
Wednesday night the canteen was
robbed & about $80 was stolen. Dick is
in Hospital & in a bad State
also we lost another man last tuesday
Cpl Chitty died of dysentry. Today after
departure of working party they put on
a Blitz & took 4 med orderlies & 6 others
out to work. The work on the job is
not to bad lately yesterday we
downed the contract system on the
cutting & made a good job by
filling with logs & all the rubbish about
“Oh yea” a hell of a good job. The canteen
rep returned bu barge today after
a very Stormy trip vindictive
bashings seemed to be the order
POW 579
[*169*]

[*MON 27/9/43*]
Feel “OK” today out to the job
with the mess, about 2 Kilos
We still have our thief with us
two tins of milk have gone off
one yesty & one today. The Colonel
said yesty that if caught he
will be dealt with by him & then handed
over to us & what ?. Cannot fathom what
our official reaction is to be when we
come good the officers are accepting all
overtures & luxuries food etc from our
friends while at the same time the men
are being bashed. Looks a bit to me like
the dog proverb. Fell asleep at that
Juncture & wet all the page with
Sweat & woke up rotten. The yaks arrd
yesterday & today see the two best
being led away to the boong camp
We had fish stew for dinner
The job here is going ahead fast but
a lot to be done yet expect about
20 days to finish & So P.O.W. 582
[SUN 3/10/43*]
And the line goes on apace
The meals on the track have
improved so 1 pint stew “yak” &
plenty of rice. Capt Barnett goes to
Niki again on 6^th for more pay
I am in again with this bloody malaria
& this time in the legs & head. The
work records are conveniently
lost again & so pay has to be made
up on head entries ? The canteen
has an audit today. The weather
here now except for a few inconvenient
showers is perfect & most of the
local skin troubles are clearing
up. Had an innings with Ben re
my pay & rcd satisfaction ?? & so POW 588
84^TH WEEK
[*MON 4/10/43*]
Todays Special is the issue of the
fish. To No/1 Coy of 76 men 10 tins are availbl
to the officers 1 tin to 2 men ? I buy no
more from our so called canteen its
been too long a convenience supplied
by the many for the few. Another spcl
was Happy Jack’s - “Grouse Yak” you turned out
to be & P.OW 589
[*170*]
 

[*TUE 5/10/43*]
Things very quiet the weather is
beautiful just like a spring day
at home. The sick are all reacting
to the sun & a month of this &
praps more eggs & good food & every one
will be OK. We are having a great time
with the “chats” there are thousands of them
in & on everything one touches & P.O.W 590
[*WED 6/10/43*]
Ben Barnett left for Niki today to
bring back our pay. The job here is
quickly finishing & the teams are on
a late night tonight I am going to
work tomorrow if these leg pains
will let me get there. “L” force went
thro. today all medical to attend
to the Boongs. The meals here are just
plain muck again & no yak in sight
Takamisha has a go with the QM. & POW 591
[*THUR 7/10/43*]
Today was a gala day ? after lunch we
were marched back to camp to
listen to a jazz Band & twas a
rather good turn too. Back to the job
& early finish @ 8 pm & POW 592
[* SUN 10/10/43*]
The big filling is finished 88 yds long
20 ft high 16 ft wide & all by hand. We were
working yesterday on No/2 work that is
going over & filling up our previous Jobs
which have been trampled down by
elephants & washed away by rain. The
jobs are very easy & no speedo. I am in today
& do more muck about work than on
the job & get no pay for it. Yesterday morning
Dick Hunter discovered he had lost all his
money $10. May just have well have
run it out with me holding out -
didn’t pay ? There is pay here $3.25 Self
This day started quetly enough but
at 11Am to the Campo & got $1 meat
& put on a stew. We had some
chooks & the orderlies let them out
we were put on a job & given marj for
the chunklers ? Yes. they got it ??
& So POW. 595 of 85^TH WK
[*171*]

[*FRI 15/10/43*]
The Rails were laid thro
here today 75.^S 1^M. Stan M.
was within 100 Yds of me
but missed him. Rail laying
very up to date. We finished
widening cutting. Argument
tonight poundage of rails
have 50c bet with Freemam
meet a railway man who
doesn’t know whether weight
is per foot or yard not JX
[*SAT 16/10/43*]
Today wrote to Stan. We work in
the Quarry cracking rocks & Stacking
them. A few days ago we were given
5½ pkts cigs & some “BUMF” as a presento’  602
not much to report & POW 601
[*SUN 17/10/43*]
Again to the Quarry & its a good job
wxcept that the splinters rattle the
shins a bit, the Boongs are now
mettling the line & putting in the
Base ballast  And the night closes
with a concert in the Hospital
& the singers get bashed & So POW 602 WK 86
[*MON 18/10/43*]
Today we set off to Niki to carry gear
it is a 12 KILO march & along the line
all the way. our dinner is sent out
along the track to meet us. What a
joke the line is complete trains run
past us & we carry along the line
too funny for words  POW 603
[*FRI 22/10/43*]
Every day we have carried from
Niki we have had our meals
up there & they have been grand
fresh vegs & plenty of meat today
was our last run We walked up
loaded the train rode back
with the load to Koncoyta
unloaded & reloaded & walked back to
camp the news sounds good & a yak
stew is on for tea have had a
very lazy day. walked 20 Kilos for 30 mins
work & So POW 607  2 pkt cigs per man
hear Plugger Briggs is dead
[*172*]