Diaries of Signalman W H L Woodgate spanning November 1941 to October 1945 - Part 6

[*FRI 8/5/42*]

Not much to write of today we work on
the job again & get in with a pretty good lot

No Buying today & in consequence a lot of

the lads have no smokes we have two

issues of stew today one xxx a pork stew

for lunch & an m & v stew for dinner. The

electric light was put on today & it is

all right being able to write at night lights

go off about 10 pm. The sheds go on apace &

I do not think we will be on the job here

very long. We were given quite a lot of
spuds today in short the food ? looks
rather good So will close PoW 82. -
[*SAT 9/5/42*]
Today I am on hut guard and have a pretty
good "donga". I have my leg treated at the
R.A.P. & sleep most of the day. Also have
a hell of a head ache. & do some washing
I have the old towel white at last
Today at breakfast we were issued with a 1/4 slice
of pineapple. It was very nice & quite a suffice
Amount. puts me in mind of Breakfast at
the "LANDS OFFICE". Must get back there as soon
as we hit Aus. Plenty of tucker here now. Stew
twice a day & out first batch of bread goes in
to the oven today. Hope its better than the
scones. Although they were not too bad. Met
a chap from W.A. Also here today so suppose we
will talk a fair bit of shop. Tomorrow I am
going to try & get on the truck if I go out

on the job May also get a chance to buy a
few delicacies. Some of the lads came in with
bread 24 c & cigars it all depends what
kind of a party you get out with. Well

there is not much to do tonight but wish for PoW 83. hut
[*SUN 10/5/42*]
Doesn't make much diff to these chaps what day
it is they work just the same and this am before
Sunup we were on our way out to the old G.B.D.
to bring in stuff to build the sheds with. There
is a fair bit of the old joint pulled down. We
worked there till 10 & then back. I feell like a piece
of boiled rag. have a hell of a cold. looks like one
gets everything in a heap here what with tinia
on the crutch & festers on the legs & a cold well? I just
chucked it so far & this pm am having a lie down
I feel buggered. hear we may have another job to go to
& that we are to get more tucker we are certainly
getting plenty rice But don't want it & so PoW 84 close
31
12TH WEEK
 

[*MON 11/5/42*]
If there is anything about on this
place to cop I'll cop it I've only got
 a dose of Beri Beri a cold festered legs

a head ache sore throat and 5 ring worms
round my crutch. Hell is there anything
else for a bloke. to get & some
mug says the war is over for us. Like hell
well Im not out today as per above & am
to go on guard tonight might get sent back
to changhi if this keep up. I have spent
the day drawing a plan of a new house and
I'll build it too. Concrete brick. spare time on
the back of that block in "Murphy St" ? Well we
were supposed to have a holiday today but
the lads are out on the job again today but
it has now turned into a half holiday there
is not much news today. Tonight the Sarge brought
in 4 bottle tiger for the officers tonight. They are asking
for more work well there to have a chapter bust

And I go on gd at 10pm we have Electlight and PWD 85 Ends 2200
[*TUE 12/5/42*]
And today I spend in camp again guard
till 8 pm we were able to buy bread from
a passing baker. They carry the bread in
Baskets on their heads over here & how the
load stops up there beats me. We paid
10c a small loaf which is about 6" long by 2x3 it
is rather nice bread but of course any bread
would taste nice to the lads here some of
them have not had any for months I
have been rather lucky having had quite a lot
of good things as per further back. I have 8
packets of cigarettes $2 bought & 1 past issue
cigs are short here and we would smoke
the flag pole stone is necessary? I have
ordered a paw paw for tomorrow hope
Im successful Id also like a tin or so
of jam it would go well on the bread We rcd
another 8 days rations today looks as though
we are here for a while well if the
tucker (although vilely cooked) keeps up we
can take it. Quite a little bit of trouble
here tonight something must have
occurred One old boong came in for
his car today a nice little ford &
a bit knocked about but still in
good order M.O.L. we have a Rolls Royce
here but I sooner have the little Vaux

well not much today so closing down
32
P.O.W. D86

[*WED 13/5/42*]
[[?]] tho wonder if it will end up as
[[lucky?]] as usual I am peeling carrots
& spuds!? (yes real ones) today in
the cook house and their are
a lot of specks over which we
also cook & mash & boil the carrots
and have them with two issues of stew
for dinner & have bread & am now [[?]]
full I can hardly move. I bet I've put
on a stone since I came here we get
more & more of our own natural food
every day except milk & we miss that
a fair bit. Although Bill & I have had
2 tins since we arrived but are out
now. So the breakfasts will be rather dry
affairs from now on specially if the pineapple
runs and which it may do if anything starts up
and as a rough guess Ill say something will start
between now & end of next month. We  are having
very hospitable treatment from the Japanese
here they act more like Allies than victors
From now on I am going to chronicle a few episodes
that occurred during the fight here. I get them
from various ones & although they will not be
written in sequence yet they will be very

interesting from a story point. When I get
back. I'll start off with what is probably
one of the last episodes I was in 10^th Coy AGF

at the time it occurred but have heard it
from at least a hundred different ones & they
All tell the same tale. & although last in
worthy of No/1 position.
It was the Sunday after the invasion &
the C.O. of the Sigs held a church parade
An observation balloon was up
at Jahore Barn & planes were overhead A
few minutes later more were over &
they had eggs. then came shells ?No/1
And I think that will As for No/1. No/2 in a few days things
are still looking rather busy here & we got
another 8 days work. I wonder if this work
has been asked for? Or if it is an order? PoW 87 OVER
33
 

[*THUR 15/5/42*]
Still having an at home have not seen the
Japanese Doctor yet. And am still on guard
We have discovered some cod liver oil
somewhere & the Dr has made it up I had
a dose tonight its not bad either. Made
some of tomorrows breakfast & also next
days by buying 2 pineapples @ 6c each & also bought
me a loaf of bread its rather good when one has
the money to buy it and a hell of a lot have not got
it but its mostly their own fault or lack
of initiative as can be read here Ive had only
1 Dollar on many an occasion but the cash
in camp is running very low now & it will
not be long before we are all on the outer
I have ordered & paid for my paw paws [[s?]]
hope I get them only wish I was eating them in
Aussie instead of this rotten joint well Ive got a
hell of a headache tonight so will close PoW 88.
[*FRI 15/5/41.*]
Well thats another guard night nearer
home? How much nearer? And the job &
the war still go on. We hear today that
all the civilian internees in Changi
Jail are being released & sent back to
their respective jobs? Saw the pineapple kid
today but the pines are up to 10c for today so
he went along buy at 10 today & they would be
20 tomorrow & so on he'll come back & the
price will be right by tonight. Went to the Dr
again today but all he done was looked &
told me to get the "apc" if I had any pain?
[[?]]! must try & buy some fish today & heres
No/2
We are spld with fresh meat & pork yesterday about
60lb pork came in and it was made into one stew
20 of the lads carefully pooled their issue & we
found that there was not 19 ounces of meat &
bone in the lot Every man complained
of the same thing. We know what happened
The pork went up "And so the 8th Div Spirit
carries on and will probably continue on
until the "denoument". In Australia
was unable to get any paw paw but got some
Bananas 3c Each. bought 2 loaves bread
plain, 1 milk loaf and spread the Bananas

on the bread it was beautiful got a
packet of cigars. A dose of A.P.C. am off the
rice the belly is "full & P.W.D89 closes.Highly contented
34
 

[*SAT 16/5/42*]
Am hut orderly today and have finished
the Innkeeping of the place & as the sun
rises over the prison walls I am sitting

on my bunk writing this I can hear
the lads hammering away at the
stables which are just on finished now.
Yesterday we were given 32 tins of milk to
160 men which should last us 3 or 4 days at
a fair strength but I'll be able to say how
it pans out as the days go knowing what I do

I'd say now white water for us & nearly
neat milk for the "others". Any way we'll see

I feel sorry for the poor cows here who have
no money they are working hard and the food
although plenty comes it is just plain
bloody awful as for the cooks. I didn't believe
they were ever nearer to a cook than on
the mess parades. One fellow has been trying
to make bread for the past week and the
results up to last night are "just pathetic".
And the ovens are good. One job that needs a big
clean up in this army is the food question &
I think it'll be cleaned up when we get home.
And now as there is not much doing i will close
on a note of a full belly. Toast & Dripping & tea for Supper. PoWD90
[*SUN 17/5/41*]
Sunday of the 13th week as p.o.w. and it held
a few surprises firstly. We are given a half holiday
& secondly it is made into a "gala day":
About 4 pm we went round to get the pineapple
usually 1 a man and imagine our great joy
when we are told that we are to take round
80 bottles of beer and 160 pkts cigs. Now can you
beat that? As I have previously stated the treatment
we receive is wonderful but this caps the lot
We are p.O.Ws.? And how. We are living in a
Gaol the gates are all open, we supply our
own guards we wander in & out when we
wish and we can buy anything we wish
today I bought sauce, fish, pineapple, bananas

& bread. Also some cigars. And a fruit called
ROMELO'S which taste something like lemons
And are delicious. With the rice. At present
10.25 pm I am sitting in the workshop on a cane
seat. I am going to have supper in a few mins
Well this is naturally rather condenced and
will elaborate the day later. I am much fitter today

and what a day? & off go the lights & P.O.W. 91 ends
35
 

[*MON 18/5/41*]
And we are all safely over our beer &
are still looking at one another like
a lot of startled turkey's & still wondering
if we dreamed it or not. One very funny
episode occurred I was on guard
when the call came for volunteers to
go for the rations. As I wanted to try
myself out I went with them imagine
my surprise when I was handed the box
of beer to bring back. I nearly fell
over. Anyway when I came back to
to guardroom one of the lads who
had been asleep awoke. Sat up yawned
& said "Hell I dreamt I was having a
beaut drink of beer. Well I said "You
damn soon will. We just brought
in 80 bottles, and he said "Bulsh".
I put a handle in a plate today
it will make an ideal frying
pan. If we had something to fry.
And as we go back to Changi Wednesday
we may get something to fry. No one
here relishes the idea. of going back and
the other mob are rather sorry to lose us
too. We have got on very well here
today. We got a bit of a handout in
the way of torches soap etc there is
a room there full of goods taken from
looters & the Japanese were examining it
of course we bib in & get a bit of a hand
out. Well p.o.w. day 92 closes on a happy note
36
 

[*TUE 19/5/42
93*]
Tuesday and we have to be back
by the 21ST? It is pm and tis raining
like blazes & lightning flashing &
thunder crashing continuously puts
one in mind of the night of blitz
and the boys are rather happy they
look like getting another half
holiday out of it. A short distance
away I can hear a train whistle
which brought my up to this and to
double line writing. I will try to give
a description of our camp which is in
the Johore .GENERAL. PRISON. Will start at the
main entrance & come up. First one enters
through the main entrance which
comprises of one big solid iron door &
thro a gate made of iron bars 1"
thick then into the main yard on
the left hand side as one comes in
there is the guard room which we use
on the other side are gaolers room &
rifle & arms room on the thro the gate &
into yard on left side are admin
offices([[Dhobie?]], KITCHEN CLOTHING. & GEN. STORE. ROOMS
on right side are photographers room, workshop.
& general shops & garage. Then further
up the hill (14 steps up) are the prison
accommodation blocks.A-80 cells B-80 CELLS
then on left hand side PUN & GRILL CELLS.
whilst up another 15 steps is the condemned
block & gallows there are 4 cells in the
condemned block & you go up 18 steps &
if you are unlucky you come out up
a ramp (on a board) it is a rather gruesome
place. I feel like a whisky after each
visit all the equipment is still there
Then on through a wall the top of which
is set with broken glass, one comes past
the female block into the hospital
which is in a  kind of heavy wire cage
And contains a wonderful dispensary
Mine think a bit of experimenting has
been done there. The place is fitted with
elect light water & sewerage (septic tank)

the tank was blocked till today & when
they released the block it blew all
over the shop "PHooH" it was SMIFTER.
37

and to continue this Tuesday
is a day of big things at last. That
of which I wrote last Friday has come
to pass. I refer to the "PORK" when thieves
fall out honest men etc? Well one
chap the baker? MICK BOURKE. hs has a string
of outs with the other cooks & has let the
cat out of the bag & told the boys about
the chaps being used by the cooks. I
will say this in old micks favor he was
not too happy about it all along & has
only done that which I expected him to do
And now for the big splash. The milk
given us has also come in for a bit

of a watering according to evidence
instead of 6 tins being mixed only
four have been used & the other 2
went the way of all good things. Well
as I have previously written this
is the predominating spirit right
through the peice & tis to be hoped that
before this div again goes to work it
will be sifted. (FINE 4Y. AND THE. TOP. OF. THE.
TREE. PRUNED.? Anyway there is an enquiry
tonight & so P.O.W. day 93 is closed
[*WED 20/5/42*]
Today I am orderly which lasted
till 9 pm & I was ordered to get ready

for departure for Changi and I am
very pleased to be going lucky I got
All my cigarettes last night and they
get a bit of stuff as we go (home Break)
At 9.30 & depart at 10 am by truck we got to
Singapore & I buy Lollies 20c Bananas 20c & PAW P
15c also some Boong delasarine which
tastes rather insipid and when I get to
Changi I find there are only about
3000 left all the others have left for
destination unknown some say we
are going home some to Formosa or
some other prison xxx and I favor
the latter as the former is too good to
be true also the news confirms my
opinion. Anyway Im back and all the
other Rglen chaps are away & all that
I know & knew have left and so P.O.W. 94
closes rather lonely. And I wonder?
38
 

[*THUR 21/5/42*]
Today I spend packing & washing I
washed a kit bag pyjamas etc &
packed my [[?]] I have a torch each
for the three boys a typewriter for Bid & I
a bell for Gwens shop? & a me for mum
quite an issue? Anything thats that then I
had a look round for some of my old
mates & find that a post from Johnnie Stewart
I am the only one left and so I feel
rather lonely I feel good oh back here & hope
to be on the next boat for where???
Some are definite that we are all going home
& others not so sure HOPERS & NO HOPERS & POW 95 ENDS
Today I went over to the hospital

but first up I sold all the cigs & [[?]]
to a pommy chap who has left an
arm up the country somewhere
I have a few dollars again now 14 to
be correct. The pm visit to the
hospital was to see Stewart who
looks as fit as a fiddle, but only sick
fat fit. I learn over there that the
last lot of lads went to Saigon &
the all left here thinking Timor &
then Australia poor coots they must
have taken it hard. But of course
that is just what the heads here would
let them do instead of telling them
the truth & letting them take it
like men. Well thats another one?
no more news so close POW 96
39
 

[*SAT 23/5/42*]
Was a bit off this am and had a stroll
to the garden & picked a few greens
got a few delicacies & lay down
till lunch then over to hosp as Will
probably catch the next party out.
Will want to feel better. Nothing doing
over there so home Saw Stewy he is
all for Australia a real "hoper"
Home & to here I am on the party to ?
also here that the diggers are all
over Singapore & having a good
time. 30 of us & an officer Mr Conway are
on this party he's a good scout so it should
be a good turn hope I can take it & POW 97 ENDS
[*SUN 24/5/41.*]
The quack this Am says Im fit? & I wrote
Mack he doesn't seem to give a damn
what happens or when according to him
every man sick is a potential bludger
& bad swinger. PM the J.B. Boys got back
& I saw Dr Brennan. Was surprised to hear
that I was on the party. Made the Question & official

one after I had been told that all I had was
neurasthenia? Well I told his quacking nibs that
if the best he could do in the way of med advice
was to give insults we'd close it for the
present & I'll open it back in Aussie believe
me Anyway I had my win and Im not
on this party for Singapore heard a bit
of a furphy as regards the naval engagement
81 ships lost was a bad effort when 41 are
said to be naval vessels. And so
Sunday 98 of the 14th week draws to a close
& the mosquitoes are pretty bad on POW 98
40
 

[*MON 25/5/42*]
Today after an early breakfast of
rice porridge I went out the [[?]]

plat and we got a bit of sugar & some
coffee which is as black as soot

but smells rather good and we got
it rather cheap Stan Roc & I were
together for quite a while & he came home
for some smokes he also gave me a tin
of margarine & now for the bread?
Bill & I shifted our diggings today to
an upstairs room a balcony & have
table & wardrobe & have put a lock on
the robe. And as the daylight fades
I am sitting at the table writing this

I have just completed a rough outline
of the living side of the new house
and am now ready for the front Elevat
The home to Aust furphy was knocked
cold today by Maxwell the CO of
the 26^th And things are going
along smoothly again. I was
nearly believing it myself a

[[fun?]] time. I think the quack has
taken a tumble to himself & as the
light fades out I close P.OW 99
41
 

[*TUE 26/5/42*]
wrd today. After a rather good
breakfast I had the usual

garden parade. Today there was
talk of starting a Sergeants Mess
can you beat that. Our rice & more
rice and we have a Seargs & Officers
mess? Good old 8^th keep up the
come together spirit & win all the
fights?? pm over the hospital and
saw Stewy. There are some terrible
sights over there and they are as
thin as rakes beats me how those
who have lost limbs ever got thro
They didn't have our quack I'll bet
Went to a concert tonight & it
was a rather good [[Show?]]. too
there was one [[?]] turn a female [[?]]
have not heard a furfy all day
And as the home story has been
officially knocked will have
to wait for someone to invent

one It will be a pleasure to get
away again I think next time out
we stay out. looks like thursday off
and so a slow day P.O.W. 100. finishes
42
 

[*WED 27/5/42*]
And today like all others lately
goes very quickly went to a
lecture this pm but got called
out for stretcher bearers as
lot of the boys from the J.B. job
have contracted a type of Dingue
fever & are now in hospital. The
disease is somewhat similar to
what I had myself and probably tho
having had Dingue I showed a
different symptom & it turned out to
be "neurasthenia" what a bloody
snifter. More 8^th Div symbolism
And as things are quite & supper is
on Ill close P.O.W. 101 & go to bed
[*THUR 28/5/42*]
The morning opens dull & wet &
in the distance someone is playing
"Rendezvous" on a piano and as

the sound wafts across, my thoughts
fly back to a state school concert
in the Glen, where I last saw ^&heard that song

acted & played & sung. and Im brought
back to earth with the yell of salt
water party ¼ past 10 on the road followed
by a string of names mine among them
43
 

and away to the salt water we go. owing to
a shortage of salt (of which we require a lot)
we are forced to use sea water for our
cooking. it serves the purpose very well
and we have our salt ration augmented
threby. We duly arrived at the water front 2.MILE
(and after each one had a very private look
out across the bay toward home) and filled
our buckets. Then we split up a bit some
had a swim, some had a scrounge about. I
was walking past a coconut tree when "Wop"
comes a snifter big nut. We are not sposed
to take any nuts out of this area as it belongs
to the "poms" But that nut looked just too
good and I did NOT. bring it. On the town
we pass a big 15" gun which was blown up
and believe me she's one fine blow. The man
of the gun landed ½ a mile away allso
pieces of thos bronze weighing up to 1 cwt
are from ¼ to ¾ mile away. There was no
Boong down there to lay and go.
Buying was done. yesterday some Poms
pinched some tobacco off a boong &
of course it must belong to the Japs & the
Poms are in the clink doing 28 days.
This afternoon I copped another job
the ration can't we go about a mile
for the rations and only take our little
trailer. On the way we pass the POM cemetery
and it is a rather large one and looks
rather neat if not inviting. The rain
continued until late this pm and has

cleared off about an hr ago & it sure did
rain. I changed twice today.  and am now
in a towel I can still hear the chap on
the piano. The last tune he played was
"MEMORIES" And on MEMORIES. ILL. done POW 102
TODAYS. SPCL. OFFICERS. AFTERNOON. TEA 4PM & IVE SEEN. LADS
DOING PACK. DRILL & FINES. FOR. GETTING. FOOD WHEN. HUNGRY.
44
 

[*FRI 29/5/42*]
And today we have a rather quiet
time two more Johore boys went to

the hospital today with Coal fever
that makes the neat dozen must
ask the bloody dopey quack if they
have neuresthenia when I see him. The
camp seems to be at a standstill, sort
of gathering itself for something big? What &
when I do not know. but that atmosphere is

here with us all the time a kind of expectancy

which permeates everything one does
I went to see my pom friends today but
they were not home. I have 3 walls of the
house completed it is an interesting
job when one can see it taking shape.

It will be one great day when the place
itself gets started oun. I was trying to work
out building costs but it seemed that
cheap I gave it up anyway my estimate worked out to £229 ↑DEC 14TH 1945. 1942 PRICE £267 QUOTE so will someday see how
far out I was Well I have just put away
a grand tea and will close POW 103. ON. THAT.
[*SAT 30/5/41*]
Today the powers that be open a canteen & at
rather fancy prices. What a marvellous
reversal of form From pack Dull to
canteen should make a good story
our trailer also went out on a buying
parade today. The poms have been buying
for  6 weeks?? I went to confession
tonight and will go to mass in am
Nothing much doing today & the light
fades on POW 104.
45
 

[*SUN 31/5/42*]
[[?]]today is the 15th week as P.O.W.
we are quite used to it now and it
looks as though we are soon to be
away from here we still have an

news furfies and as usual they are
pearls. What got me tricked is how
this poor old war still goes on must be
a hell of a lot of men in the world judging by
the way they are still being killed off &
yet the war shows no sign of abating. I hear
today the Loco Eng drivers & motor boat drivers
are required. I'll take the engine & may see a
bit of the country with views ahead & it
will be a bit of an interest besides .Talking
of the canteens we are all set to go & with the
usual 8^TH Div Intellect they start a canteen. Had
this been done when the boys & the money was here
things would have different. Whats got me tricked
as yet is where the money comes from? was
it that cash which was paid in by the boys
And only $8000 used or what is it. The prices
are not too clever either. I have & can buy
cheaper on the "PAD" I will try for the trailer

party tomorrow. This party is the one which
goes out to a Village about 5 miles out

46
 

[*SUN 31/5/42*]
and makes purchases of Vegs etc for
the use of the camp kitchens. It

looks as though the food problem is going to
be rather acute here. But more to all this
when time is ripe & paper is plentiful &
I won't loose it. I am gathering some choice
pieces of poetry prose & doggrel and
some of them are beauts? I went to mass

this am & Holy Communion. First for years
This pm I had my first game of chess

and after a two hrs lesson put up
a rather fair effort. I rather like the
game. Tonight at 6pm we had the
heaviest shower I have ever seen one
could not see more than 50 yds
thro the mass of water & Bill & I got
swamped out. There was about two
inches of water in our "Balcony" we swepted
it out and the floor is dry now at 7.30 pm
I am still on the plan of the house and
have decided on a central bath room
with fan & sky light lighting, And it
looks good. Well I feel pretty good
too. Wonder how all are at home after our
15th week & at the close of P.O.W. 105
47
 

[*MON 1/6/42*]
Thought I WOULD. GET. THE. TRAILER. PARTY. TODAY
BUT SLIPPED A. BIT. BUT. HAD. ONE. OF. THE. CHAPS. BRING
ME. IN. SOME. SMOKES. WE. GET. THEM. AT. 25c HERE
WHICH. IS. BETTER. THAN. THEY. WERE. EVER. BOUGHT. ON
THE. PAD. I. OCCUPIED. THE MOST. OF. THE. DAY. ON. THE. DRAIN. BUT
NO. ONE. WORRIES. TOO. MUCH. ABOUT. IT. AS. WE. ARE. SOON. GETTING

OUT. OF. HERE. AND. I. AM. FINDING. MY. THOUGHTS. DRIFTING. BACK.
HOME. A. LOT. LATELY. WE. HAD. A. LOOK. AT. SOME. OF. THE. LATEST.
PAPERS. LAST. NIGHT. & THE. NIPPON. HAS. ABOUT. AS. MUCH. TIME.
FOR. CHURCHILL. AS. WE. HAVE. BUT. WE. DO. KNOW. THAT. THERE
WAS. A. BATTLE. IN. THE. CORAL. SEA. &. THAT. WE. GOT. ANOTH
LACING. IN. BURMA. & THAT. THE. YANKS. HAV.E LOST. ALL

THE. PACIFIC ISLANDS & I. WILL VENTURE TO. SAY. WE. ARE
WELL & TRULY. IN. THE SOUP. BUT.? TODAY. PARTICULARS
WERE. TAKEN. OF. TRADE. QUALIFICATIONS. LOOKS. LIKE. WE
ARE. GOING. TO. BE. USED. WHERE. WE. BELONG. WELL. IT,LL MEAN
A. BIT. OF. A. CHANGE. & THAT. WILL. BE. AN. ADVANTAGE. IF. I.
GET. BACK. ON. THE. RAILWAYS. IT. WAS. NOT. BARGAINING FOR. THIS
KIND. OF. THING. WHEN. I. LEFT. THE. VIC. RLYS. FOR. THE. ARMY. BUT.
SUCH. IS. FATE. WHAT. SORT. OF. A. WEEK-END DID YOU. HAVE. AT. HOME.
BETTER. FEEDS. THAN. I. DID. ILL. BET.. I. MISS. THE. FOX. SHOOTING
HERE. THIS. WINTER. & THEY. HAVE. DECLARED. CLOSE. SEASON.
ON. OTHER. GAME. THERE. WAS. A. CONCERT. GIVEN.
TONIGHT. TO. THE G.O.C. BUT. I. DONT. YET. KNOW
WHAT. THE. IDEA. WAS. THE. FURFS. FOR. THE. NIGHT
ARE. NOT. IN. YET. SO. HAVEN'T. ANY. NEWS. IN. ALL
ITS. BEEN. A. VERY QUITE DAYS SO P.O.W. 106 CLOSES
48
 

[*TUE 2/6/42*]
TODAY. WE. HEAR. THAT. MEXICO. IS. IN. SUBS. IN SYD
& GOODNESS. KNOWS. WHAT. COLOGNE. & CANTERBURY. ARE
IN. THE. RACING. ALSO. 11. HAS. BEEN. A. VERY. QUIET
DAY AND THE SUN GOES DOWN ONA  VERY QUIET
& TRANQUIL. CAMP. I. FINISHED. READING. A. BOOK. TODAY
THE. FIRST. I. haVE READ. Since I. have BeeN. HERE. AND
I. AM. ON. THE. HOUSE. PLAN. AGAIN. TONIGHT. THERE. IS. NO
CONCERT. TONIGHT. & SOME. OF. THE. UNITS. HAVE. BEEN WARNED
TO. GET. READY. TO .MOVE? & WHERE. I. HOPE. THE. GO. HOMERS. ARE
RIGHT. IT. WOULD. BE. JUST. TOO. GOOD. TO. BE. TRUE. THO
ANYWAY. WE. ARE. GOING. TO. DO. SOMETHING. SO. WHY. WORRY
WE. HAD. A .GRAND TEA TONIGHT. SOUP & RICE. A SIX. INCH. TWO X TWO
PASTY. A. PUDDING. & A. SLICE. of. BREAD. I. hAVE. hAD. TO LET. THE
BELT of. THE. PANTS. OUT. A .HOLE. & KEEP. THE. BREAD FOR. SUPPER
TONIGHT. I. DONE. A. BIT. OF. A. DEAL. TWO. PKTS. OF. BOONG CIGS
& A. TIN. OF. FISH. FOR A. PAIR. OF. SHOES. & THEY. ARE. BEAUTIES
HOPE. THEY. LAST. TILL. I. GET. HOME. THEY. ARE. OF. THE. BEST. ENG
BOX. CALF. & I. FEEL. LIKE. A. MILLIONAIRE. IN. THEM. HAVE. JUST. HAD
A. LOOK. IN. THE. PAY. BOOK. & HAVE. OVER ₤20. NOT. A. BAD. LITTLE. HOLIDAY

CHECK. THE. CONCERT. LAST. NIGHT. WAS. FOLLOWED. BY. A. FAREWELL
DINNER. TO. OUR. DIV. HEADS. SO. SOMETHING. LOOKS. DEFINITE. & SOON

HOPE. YOU. FOLK. AT. HOME. KNOW. OF. OUR. POSITION. BY. THIS. WONDER. IF. JACK &
MICK. ARE. STILL. GOING. STRONG? & WHERE. THERE. ARE. SOME
GREAT. ARGUMENTS. HERE. ABOUT THE MEALS. WE. HAVE. TWO. COOK HOUSES
& SOMETIMES. 1 GETS. A. BETTER. DEAL. THAN 2 & THEN. THE. HOWL
SETS. UP. LUCKILY. I. AM. IN No1. SO AM. CONTENTED & ON. THAT. NOTE. WILL
CLOSE. No P.O.W. 107.
49
 

[*WED 3/6/42*]
TODAY. ALSO VERY. QUIET. I. WAS. ON. THE. TRAILER
PARTY. TODAY. BU.T WE. DID. NOT. GET. OUT. WAITED
TILL 1200 & THEN. CAME. HOME. TO. LUNCH. I. WENT
OVER. TO SEE. STEWY. THIS. PM & SOLD 3 10c PKTS. BOONGS
1. TIN. BULLY. FOR. 10/- NOTE. & THE. JOKER. I. SOLD. THEM
TO. DONE. ALL. THE. PUSHING. FROM. THIS. ON. IM. GOING
FLAT. OUT. ON. THE. MAKE. I. CASHED. THE 10/- FOR 2$ & BOUGHT
MYSELF. A. 50c PKT. OF DATES. THEY. ARE. DEAR. BUT. NICE. THERE
IS. A. VERY. DEFINITE. MOVE. NOW. ALL. THE. VOLUNTEER. FORCES. WHO. WERE
ATT. TO. OUR. UNIT. HAVE. TO. BE. BACK. TO. THEIR. OWN. MOB
BY. TONIGHT. I. ONLY. HOPE. WE. GO. SOUTH. THERE. ARE. SOME
STORIES. GOING ROUND. THE. CAMP THAT. WE. GO. TO. TIMOR
WHERE. THE. OTHER. MOB. HAVE. MADE. AN. ADVANCE. CAMP
THEN. WHEN. ALL. JAPANESE. PRISONERS. ARE. THERE. WE
GO. ON. TO. NORTHERN. CAMP. IN. WA. WHERE. WE. STAY. FOR
ONE. MONTH. & THEN. ON. HOME. TO OUR. VARI. STATES
THERE. IS. QUITE. A. BIT. OF EVIDENCE. FOR. AND. AGAINST
BUT. I'LL DEAL. WITH. THAT. AT. A. LATER. DATE &
WHEN. I. HAVE. MORE. LIGHT. & SO. P.O.W. 108. CLOSES
 

[*THU 4/6/42*]
WE. WENT. OUT. TO. GET. COCONUTS. THIS. AM. BUT. ALL. WE. GOT
WAS. A. HELL. OF. A. FRIGHT. STAN. WENT. UP. THE. TREE. AND
GOT. STUCK. HE. GOT. A. SCARE. BECAUSE. HE. COULDNT. GET. UP. OR
DOWN & I goT. A. SCARE. BECAUSE. I. COULDN'T. GET. HIM. DOWN
WE. WERE. BOTH. IN. A. LATHER. OF. SWEAT. & THE. MOSQUITOES
CHEWED. HELL. OUT. OF. BOTH. OF. US. I. MET. LES. CHANDLER. OVER. AT
THE. TREE. THAT. MAKES. 3. OF US HERE. NOW. HE. JACK. STEWART & I
THIS. PM. WE. WENT. OUT. FOR. SALT. WATER. 3. BLOKES. BROKE. OFF &
TORE. ACROSS. THE. CAPONG. FOR. A. BUY. & RAN. INTO. NIPPON
& DIDN'T. THE. COME. BACK.? I. SCORED. A. FEED. OF. COCONUT
BUT. COULD. NOT. BUY. ANY. CIGARETTES. MAY. MAKE. IT. TOMORROW
I. CHANGED. MY. HOUSE. PLAN. A. LITTLE. MADE. IT. MORE. COMPACT. & CHEAPER

IT. KEEPS. ME. BUSY. AND. IS. GIVING. ME. SOME. EXPERIENCE. IN. COSTING
CONSTRUCTION. IF. THE. NEWS. WE. HEAR. IS. ANY. CRITERION. THERE. SEEMS
TO. BE. COMING. A. DEFINITE. CHANGE. IN. THE. WAR. TUESDAY. IS.
FREELY. MENTIONED. AS. OUR. DAY. OF. DEPARTURE. FROM. HERE
WE. SHALL. SEE? & HOPE. FOR. A. RELEASE. BY. SOME. MEANS. BEFORE. IT. OCCURS
MY MATE. BILL BRYCE. IS. WRITING. UP. THE. HISTORY. OF. THE. MOB. HE
WAS. WITH. WE. HAVE. A. MONKEY. HERE. WITH. US. AND. THE. LADS. HAVE
HIM. OVERFED. AND. SPOILED. SMITHY. SAYS. HE'S. GOING. TO. TAKE HIM
BACK. TO. AUST. SMITHY. IS. A. HOPER. ARENT. WE. ALL & POW 109. IS. OVER
EXCEPT. FOR. THE. SUPPER. A. MUG. OF. TEA. &. A. BISCUIT. THAT
IS. AS. HARD. OR. HARDER. THAN. THE. HOBS. OF. HELL. I. SOAKED

IT. IN. TEA. HAMMERED. IT. WITH. A. RULER. & THEN. CANT. CHEW. IT
50
OH. FOR. HOME & SOME. OF. THOSE. LITTLE. SHORTS
THEY'LL BE. MORE. THAN. FAVOURITE. WHEN. I. WRITE. P.O.W THE LAST.