Diaries of Signalman W H L Woodgate spanning November 1941 to October 1945 - Part 7
[*FRI 5/6/42*]
AND TODAY WAS JUST AS MUCH AS
ANY OTHER I HAD TEETH FIXED IN AM AND PM WENT TO
THE GARDEN & GATHERED SPINACH HOPE IT ACTS
LIKE IT DOES ON POPEYE MY WEIGHT TODAY WAS (1.29)
LBS THE LIGHTEST I HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME LATER PM
I WAS OVER AT THE DUMP THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE BURNING
THE SURPLUS CLOTHES & ALL THE UNCLAIMED RUBBISH
& OTHER THINGS ITS A DAMN SHAME TO SEE ALL THIS STUF
BEING WASTED I RESCUED (1) SWEATER (2) ODD SOCKS (1) PAIR LONG
SOCKS (1) SINGLET (2) OLD MONEY BELTS (1) PAIR PYJAMAS (1) PAIR SHORTS
(2) HANDERCHIEFS HAVE A FULL KIT NOW & WHAT WITH THE
TYPEWRITER & ELECTRIC DRILL I HAVE A HELL OF A PACK
BUT ILL GET IT THERE WHEREVER WE GO & AND I'LL GET THEM HOME
HAVE DREAMED I WAS HOME 3 NIGHTS IN SUCCESSION WE HEAR
TODAY THAT PLANES WERE SIGHTED OVER "COFTS HARBOUR REMEMBER
WHEN WE LAST CAME CAME THRO THERE ON OUR WAY BACK FROM
BRISBANE? THE ROADSIDE FEED & GOOD TIME IS SOMETHING
TO LOOK BACK ON BUT THE NEXT TRIP WILL BE BETTER IF WE CAN
KEEP THESE OTHER GENTS FROM OUR LAND FROM WHERE I SIT
I CAN SEE A CHURCH WHICH THE R C 'S ARE ERECTING IT IS
ABOUT HALF FINISHED & AND WE MAY NOT BE HERE FOR THE FINISH
WHICH IS MOST UNFORTUNATE WE HAD OUR RATION INCREASED BY
ANOTHER 2 OZS OF RICE TODAY & OUR MEALS ARE RATHER GOOD
THERE IS ALSO SOME STORY ABOUT BEING PAID & AND THAT GOES IN TO
THE COOK HOUSE AS EXTRA RATIONS WE HAVE A FAIR IDEA
WHERE MOST OF IT GOES OR WILL GO ? WELL THAT LOOKS ABOUT
ALL THE NEWS AVAILABLE FOR TODAY & AND SO THE SUN SETS ON POW 110
[*SAT 6/6/42*]
AND AS THE DAY DRAWS TO A CLOSE I AM SITTING HERE ON
MY BALCONYWINDOW "IN MY BIRTHDAY SUIT" WRITING THIS UP
HAVE JUST HAD A SHOWER & FEEL VERY FINE ANE FRESH THIS CAPER
OF RUNNING ABOUT NAKED WILL TAKE A BIT OF GETTING OUT OF
BE A BIT OF A JOKE IF A MAN SUDDENLY LEAVES THE BATH & HEADS
DOWN THE STREET ONE HOT DAY THIS AM I WENT OUT TO THE
CEMETARY WE ARE BUILDING IT MAKING PATHS ETC THERE ARE
36 GRAVES OF OUR MATES THERE MEN WHO HAVE DIED OF VARIOUS
CAUSES SINCE WE CAME IN HERE IT IS A VERY SECLUDED LITTLE
PLOT BETWEEN THE RAILWAY & THE ROAD WHICH RUNS DOWN
THROUGH THE CHANGI CAMP TO THE BEACH THE ENGLISH PART
IS ABOUT 1 MILE FURTHER ON DOWN & THEY HAVE IT IN
A BEAUTIFUL CONDITION THERE WERE 6 OF US IN THE
PARTY & ONE IS THE DOPE OF THE UNIT ONE DIGBY BY NAME
HE WAS STANDING LEANING ON THE SPADE AS USUAL
& WAS IN FRONT OF ME I LET GO A SHOVEL OF GRAVEL & MOST
OF IT WENT IN HIS BOOT & TOOK WITH IT A "SINGA" AND
HELL HE FLEW ABOUT 40FT IN THE AIR BUT HE DIDNT
WORK ANY HARDER HAD A GO AT HALF SOLING BOOTS PM
(51)
[*SAT 6/6/41*]
AND DIDNT MAKE TOO GOOD A JOB OF THEM EITHER
WHAT WITH TACKS THAT ARE BURNED LONGNAILS
A BOONG HAMMER & REPOSSESSED RUBBER & LEATHER
THE RESULT IS BETTER IMAGINED THAN STATED
WE EARWIGGED ON A BIT OF INFORMATION TODAY
THERE WAS A TALK ON AT DIV & WE HEARD THE GLAD NEWS
THAT THE FOOD RESERVE IS TO BE USED UP FROM NOW
ON UNTIL WE LEAVE WE'LL HAVE A JOB AS WE HAVE
A RESERVE FOR 700 MEN FOR 3 WEEKS & THERE IS ONLY
ABOUT 160 OF US HERE NOW SO WE'LL BE BUSY ANYWAY
IT LOOKS LIKE A FEW GOOD FEEDS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE
I.LL BET A 100 TO 1 SOME OF OUR OFFICERS PUT ON WEIGHT
& SO'LL SOME OF US WELL TEA IS ON SO pow 111 SHUTS DOWN
[*SUN 7/6/42*]
When I wrote on the [[iqua?]] I ask the
powers that be to learn one thing
"CONTACT" But up to date I have only
met up with it in one or two units
and they are happy units to be
in. But that'll keep. Today marked
two more episodes which not
only leave an opening for unscrupulousness
but become a breeding
ground for distrust by the men & doubt
& loss of what little confidence they
had left. First the question of the cash
given us by the J A C $50.000. Quite a
tidy little sum works out about
$2 per man that is allowing that those
who are away (their cash be held in trust
till caught up with. Well instead of handing
(52)
[*Sun 7/6/42*]
the money out & letting us use it how & when
we liked we have to sign an aquittance [[?}}
and the money is to be paid into
the canteen fund. And we have
to take goods to the value. Now
(3) points arise (1) A sum of approx $48000
was paid into a canteen fund some
months back & all we've seen for it is
about 4 tins pineapple & some tins
of tomatoe soup. Which were issued
to us free (we were supposed to have
issued about 12 different articles) Also
there has been purchased a few vegetables
but not to any great amount the rest of
the dough still remains in ? And more
than half the lads have left here. Some
we will not see till after the war
(2) All of a once a canteen opens up
on a cash basis ? is where does this
money come from & who is running
the show.is it a propriatry turnround ?
or is it being run on the funds paid in
by the boys if the former. Why cautenance
a sale by some when others were prevented
53
if the latter. why the charge at
all? (3) Is this money in (1) being used
to pull this canteen out of the soup
as we are leaving soon & someone
looks like being saddled with
a load of goods. And in conclusion
of that I ask why buy good to eat
when the G.O.C's orders are to commence
to use up all reserves. Our reserve is
for 700 men for 15 days there are 100 men
here now. We couldn't eat it all
if we wanted to. So as a matter
of fact our meals these last few
days have been lighter than usual.
Which brings me on to todays turn.
We usually go to mess at 6.15 pm
tonight we line up as usual & imagine
our consternation when we are told
we must wait until 6.30 pm to start
our tea. We sent for the orderly officer
who informs us in his best"ego" that
the sergeants and officer can have their
meals when they wish. But we!
must wait till 6.30 And they wonder
why we lost this fight Gen Tojo done.
54
[*SUN 7/6/42*]
But he did not come up to our
3 Generals & staff not by a hell
of a long way. Ours our Gen. INEFFICIENCY
General INCOMPETENCE & LEIUT.GEN EGO"
And so much as an outline of
our great big 8th DIV ROT
Today was the quietest I have put
in since I came here I did not go out
except to see the photo's. Bill got a
lot of his but I did not see any
of my stuff at all. The breakfast
today was a light load of porridge
dinner plain boiled rice & milk —
"tea" rice with greens & a rice & peanut
meal pudding nice but light.
I spent most of the day tailoring
took up a pair of pants mended
& sewed a pair of shorts & a pair of
socks. Have all the clothes ready now
I have had two smokes today &
can see no sign of getting any
tomorrow so will be off all together
soon. I tried today to collect a few from
some whom I have given quite a few
55
[*SUN 7/6/42*]
at various times. But the results
were negative. Once more
we learn of the onside fellowship.
I did not go to mass this am had
a sick parade instead and as the
mass was held in a different place it
was too far away from the R.A.P.
There are quite a few over at vespers
& Rosary tonight. From the sound of
the news tonight it looks like the
turn of the tide. That is if it is
true which I doubt. & So P O W 112 & THE 16TH WEEK CLOSES
[*MON 8/6/42*]
Today we were again at the cemetery
and we turfed one of the mounds. We put
out slabs of a tennis court and barrow it
about 200 yds. The afternoon was [[?]]. tonight
for tea we were issued with 1 tin sardines
to 4 men, they are large tins holding 8 fish
and we "are supposed" to get 1 tin each or
its equivalent. This was extra to a rather
good issue and I scored a couple of extra
and am full as a "goog" Then I copped a trailer
party. My friend across the road is again
playing "Rendezvous" Altogether things are quiet
here TOO QUIET? And so I'll close a slow P.O.W. 113
56
[*TUE 9/6/42*]
Made a bet with SYME-HARRIS toDAY
THAT Japan will be still fighting 12 months
from today £1 IS THE BET. And not much
ELSE DOING. WE WERE ISSUED WITH SPARE CLOTHES
TODAY ALSO BADGES WHICH VERY FEW OF US HAD. WE ARE
A VERY POOR REPLICA OF THE SMART & DAPPY ARMY THAT LEFT
AUST LOADED UP WITH ABOUT 4 TIMES TOO MUCH STUFF AND
NOT ENOUGH "HIGH NOUS". BUT IT WAS GOOD WHILE IT
LASTED & I SUPPOSE SOME OF THE "HIGHER UPS" HAD IT BETTER
WE HAD A RATHER LIGHT DINNER TODAY BUT TEA
WAS NOT TOO BAD. HAD A GO AFTER A FEW COCONUTS
TONIGHT. BUT NO LUCK. THERE ARE TOO MANY DAMN ANTS
ON THE TREES FOR MINE & THE "MOSIS" CHEW HELL OUT
OF ONE ON TOP OF THAT. NOTHING WOULD SUIT
OUR CROWD BETTER THAN TO BOOK A MAN
FOR TAKING THEM EVEN THOUGH WE WILL NOT BE HERE
MUCH LONGER. WE HEAR TONIGHT THAT THE MIDWAY ISLAND
HAS BEEN RETAKEN. NO OTHER NEWS & SO P.O.W 114 IS OVER.
[*WED 10/6/42*]
YESTERDAY WAS SMOKE ISSUE & TODAY NO SMOKES. ITS
QUEER WHEN ONE HAS THE SMOKES THEY ARE SMOKED
& WHEN THEY ARE OFF THEY ARE OFF. ONLY THE HABIT REMAINS
NOW TODAY. QUITE A LOAD OF CANTEEN GOODS CAME IN
TODAY AND NOW THE "MESSERS" THAT BE ARE TALKING OF
GIVING US CHITS TO ENABLE US TO BUY WHATEVER WE WANT. AS A
WORTHLESS BLOODY LOT OF INCOPETANT BUNGLERS I'LL BACK
[*WED 10/6/42*]
THIS DIV COMMAND AGAINST ANYTHING
IN THE WORLD. BUT WHY RANT. ONE CAN'T
GET AT THEM AS ONE WOULD LIKE. THEY'RE TOO
WELL HIDDEN BUY MILITARY REGS. THANK GOD
THE WAR WON'T LAST AS LONG AS THIS MEMORY
ATTENDED A LECTURE ON REPATRIATION TODAY & ALTHO
I HEARD A FEW INTERESTING FACTS I ALSO LISTENED
TO A LOT OF "FROGSH.." ABOUT THE DIGGER SPIRIT?!
ANYWAY I GOT ON THE RIGHT TRACK FOR BIZ DETAIL.
WE HAD ANOTHER YEAST PARADE TODAY. WE ARE
NOW BEING ISSUED WITH 5 OZS OF YEAST PER DAY TO
TRY AND COUNTERACT BERRI BERRI ^CAUSED THRO LACK OF VIT B1
QUITE A LOT OF OUR CHAPS HAVE GONE DOWN WITH
IT. WELL LOOKS LIKE P.O.W.115 IS FINISHED.
[*WED THURS 10/6/42 11/6/42*]
AND WONDER OF WONDERS THEY HAVE DECIDED TO
PAY US $3 PER MONTH $1 OF WHICH GOES INTO XXX MESS FUND
AND THE $2 IN CASH. I WAS OUTSIDE TODAY & BOUGHT 3 PKTS
OF BOONGSONE OF WHICH IS FINISHED. I WENT OVER TO THE
HOSPITAL THIS PM & GOT RID OF A LOT OVER THERE. SOME OF THE
MARELLA BOYS ARE IN THERE. THE PRICE OF THE BOONGS IS DOWN TO
35c NOW. SOME GOT THEM FROM ONE BOONG FOR 30c.ILL TRY
HIM NEXT TIME. ALL YESTERDAY LAST NIGHT & TODAY WERE AS HOT
AS HELL & TONIGHT WE HAD A STORM. THE PLACE IS NOW VERY
COOL. I HEARD TODAY THAT THERE HAD BEEN A PARADE OF AUSTRALIAN
THRO TOKIO. QUITE A POSSIBILITY 3000 OF OUR LADS WENT SOMEWHERE.
58
[*THUR 11/6/42*]
AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN TO THERE. OUR SHIFT FROM
HERE HAS BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY. I HAVE AN IDEA
THAT THE NAVAL POSITION MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO
DO WITH IT. IF ALL WE HEAR IS TRUE THAT MAY BE THE
CASE. THE R.C. CHURCH OPPOSITE IS NOW COMPLETED & MASS
IS TO BE CELEBRATED TOMORROW @ 0830. HAD A VARIATION
OF FEEDS TODAY. 1ST A DRINK & A FEED OF COCONUT THEN SOME
QUARBERS FOLLOWED BY WILD PASSION FRUIT & THIS PM
SOME MALAYAN PLUMS. THESE PLUMS HAVE THE SEED OUTSIDE
THE FRUIT. THERE ARE TWO KINDS. WHEN RIPE ONE SPECIES
HAS YELLOW FRUIT & THE OTHER HAS RED FRUIT. BOTH ARE
LIKE ALL OTHER MALAYAN FRUIT VERY COARSE & VERY
SWEET. WE HEAR NOW THAT A BIG AREAL FIGHT TOOK PLACE
OVER NORTHERN AUST & ALSO THAT A BIG NAVAL BATTLE IS IN
PROGRESS. IF WE HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS AS WE ARE SUPPOSED
TO IN THE OTHERS WELL IT'LL LOOK GOOD & SO I CLOSE POW 116 ANOTHER DAY NEARER HOME
[*FRI 12/6/428]
TODAY MARKED THE OFFICIAL PAY DAY NOTICE (WITH A RIDER)
WE ARE TO BE PAID AT THE RATE OF 10c PER DAY & WILL BE PAID
EVERY 10 DAYS 80c WE GET $3 PER MONTH ONE DOLLAR OF
THAT IS TO BE PAID INTO THE CANTEEN FUNDS SPEND ANY OF
OUR $2 ON THE BLACK MARKET OR PLAY "2 UP" THE WHOLE OF THE
$3 WILL BE PAID INTO THE MESS FUNDS AND WE ARE FIGHTING
AGAINST DICTATORSHIP?? SO WE WILL HAVE TO BE GOOD LITTLE
BOYS & SPEND OUT MONEY IN THE CANTEEN. LIKE HELL.
I WAS OUT TO THE GARDEN THIS AM & STRUCK THE FIRST
SNAG SINCE WE HAVE BEEN GOING THERE. A VERY YOUNG
LEIUT AND AFTER A FEW WORDS HE SEEMED TO IMAGINE I WAS
GOING TO STICK A PIN IN HIS EGO BAG. NOT ME. I DONT WANT
TO BE BLOWN TO HELL YET & IF HIS BAG EVER GETS PUNCTURED
THE WHOLE BLOODY ROYAL 8TH WILL GO UP. A REAL TYPICAL
8TH LEIUT. COULDN'T EVEN GET A FEW PASSION FRUIT. I'LL BET
59
FRI 12/6/42
1 QUID HIS BAD WILL BUST WHEN HE GETS THE HON
MENTION OUT OF THIS WHEN ITS WRITTEN. WELL SO
MUCH FOR THAT. NOW THAT THE PAY IS ON THE WAY
I COULD SELL ALL THE SMOKES I COULD GET "ON TICK"
TILL TOMORROS "PRAPS"? AS IT STANDS NOW I HAVE ONLY
ABOUT ENOUGH FOR BILLY & SELF TILL TOMORROW IF I CAN GET OUT.
WE HEAR TODAY THAT WE HAVE HAD A BIT OF A SET BACK IN LIBYA.
THE POMS HAVE ANOTHER FURF THAT THE YANKS WILL HAVE US OUT OF THIS
IN 6 WEEKS. ONE OF THESE DAYS THEY'LL HIT IT RIGHT. PRAPS? & WE
WILL BE SO SURPRISED WE WONT JUST GO? MET FRANK McKENZIE TODAY.
HE HAS HAD HIS ARM BROKEN BY A WORK PARTY GUARD WHO HIT
HIM WITH A PICK HANDLE. ALSO A BIT OF A RUMOR THAT WE MOVE
MONDAY. TONIGHT FOR DINNER WE HAD A REAL CRUMPET AND I'M
ALSO ANOTHER ¼ TIN OF FISH
APPENDING THE RECIPE. THIS LITTLE MONK WE HAVE HERE CAUSES A
BIT OF FUN. TODAY WE LET HIM OFF THE CHAIN & DIDN'T HE
GO TO TOWN. JUST LIKE WE WILL WHEN WE GET OUT OF HERE?!
WAS ABLE TO FINISH A STORY I WAS READING IN THE AUST JOURNAL
AT HOME TODAY. I PICKED UP A VERY BATTERED COPY OF DECEMBER'S
JOURNAL AND NOTICED THE DATE WAS DECEMBER. IT ALSO CONTAINED
A STORY "POINTING THE BOX". BY WILLM HATFIELD & AS EVENTS
HAVE TURNED OUT HE WAS RIGHT. MUST LEAVE ROOM FOR THE
CRUMPET RECIPE. SO WILL CLOSE. P.O.W. 117 ON A FULL BELLY & VERY [[?]]
60
[*SAT 13/6/42*]
[[AND?]] THE GREAT DAY DAWNED AT LAST. PAY DAY
AND WE COLLECTED A WHOLE TWO DOLLARS AND
JAPANESE AT THAT. I BOUGHT SOME SMOKES THIS A.M.
ENOUGH TO DO TILL MONDAY WHEN I'LL PROBABLY
BE ABLE TO GET A SUPPLY AGAIN. TODAY WE NOTICE
A FAIR BIT OF ACTIVITY IN THE PLACE BUT THE NEWS
WE GET HERE DOES NOT PAINT TOO GOOD A PICTURE & IT
LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE HERE FOR DONKEY'S AGES YET.
OUR CANTEEN IS OFFICIALLY OPEN NOW & WE CAN
BUT QUITE A LOT OF THINGS BUT PRICES ARE A BIT
HOT. A TIN OF FISH 85c BOONG CIGS @ 35c MINE TODAY
COST 30c. ABOUT THE ONLY ITEM OF INTEREST TODAY IS THAT
ONE OF THE GLUTTONS GOT CROOK LAST NIGHT & THAT ONE OF
OUR SIGS FAILED TO COME IN OFF THE SALT WATER PARTY TODAY>
HE MAY HAVE GONE TO THE CAMPONG AFTER SMOKES &
GOT PICKED UP BY THE GUARD. I PUT IN WITH ANOTHER CHAP
& WE GOT A BOTTLE OF SOYER BEAN SAUCE & IT TASTES GOOD.
AS A MATTER OF FACT ANY THING DOES NOW ALTHOUGH GENERALLY
SPEAKING THE CLASS A& QUANTITY OF THE FOOD HAS GONE UP
A GOOD DEAL BUT I'LL BE VERY GLAD WHEN I CAN GET ME
OUTSIDE A BIG ROAST PORK DINNER AT HOME & BE ABLE
TO USE A KNIFE & FORK AGAIN. HAVEN'T USED EITHER
FOR 4 MONTHS NOW. THE TIME HERE HAS CERTAINLY
GONE FAST. THERE'S A CLASSICAL MUSICAL TURN ON
OVER THE ROAD TONIGHT AND TIS GOOD & P.O.W.118
61
[*SUN 14/6/42 17TH WEEK*]
AND IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE QUIETEST SUNDAYS
SINCE WE CAME HERE. QUITE A CONTRAST TO THE
17TH SUNDAY BACK WHEN THE BAG BURST. I SPENT MOST
OF THE DAY ON THE BUNK. WE HEAR TODAY THAT TWO OF
OUR CHAPS GREEN & NIELSEN WERE SHOT. THEY HAD BEEN
BOTH ALIVE and [[?]] IN HOSPITAL CHANGI TO OCT 1943
CAUGHT TRYING TO ESCAPE. ONE FELLOW GOT MALARIA. THEY
PUT INTO SHORE TO GET TREATMENT. GOT CAUGHT.
ONE ISN'T IN THE RACE TO GET AWAY FROM HERE YET EITHER
BY LAND OR SEA. HAVE HAD A BIG FEED OF COCONUT TODAY.
WE GOT A FEW DOWN & ROASTED SOME OF THE NUT. IT TASTES
VERY MUCH LIKE BACON. AM GOING TO THE CANTEEN LATER
TO BUY A TIN OF APRICOTS. I WENT OVER TO BENEDICTION
INSTEAD & AM VERY GLAD. IT WAS A VERY IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
THE LITTLE CHURCH WE HAVE BUILT WAS BLESSED & DEDICATED
TO ST FRANCIS XAVIER WHO DURING HIS LIFE ACTUALLY
PREACHED ROUND THESE PARTS. IT WAS A UNIQUE CEREMONY
AS IT WAS A CHRISTIAN CHURCH BUILT & DEDICATED IN A NON
CHRISTIAN PRISON CAMP & AS WAS POINTED OUT BY THE
OFFICIATING PRIEST WE ARE DOING MUCH BETTER FROM
EVERY POINT OF VIEW NOW THAN WHEN WE FIRST CAME
IN HEAR. ALL THESE BLESSINGS & CONCESSIONS TEND TO
GIVE ONE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK TO WHAT I HAD BEFORE
I CAME IN HERE AND WILL NOT DO ME ANY HARM. WE WILL
GO BACK TO A DIFFERENT AUSTRALIA TO WHAT WE LEFT.
I AM NOW LOOKING AT ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS
I HAVE EVER SEEN AND AS THE GLORIOUS GOLDS & COLORS FADE
I WILL CLOSE P.O.W. 119 & WATCH THE
DAY GIVE WAY TO ANOTHER NIGHT NEARER
HOME.
62
[*MON 15/6/42*]
[[?]] TODAY I AM PUT ON THE GARDEN PARTY AS
A PERMANENT JOB AND THERETO HANGS A TALE.
CIGARETTES ARE SHORT & I AM MORE OR LESS IN LUCK
WITH THE OUTSIDE MARKET. TODAY I HAD QUITE A BIT
OF FUN WITH THE LOOT IN CHARGE OF THE FLAG & IN
CHARGE OF THE PARTY. HE IS KNOWN AS D.C.I. WHICH SAME
ADJECTIVES ARE NOT PRINTABLE IN THE BEST CIRCLES.
WHEN WE GET OUT OUR GATE WE ARE FORMED UP IN
THREES & MARCH ABOUT HALF A MILE TO WHERE WE TURN
OF & GO THRO THE UNDERGROWTH TO THE GARDEN.
WHERE WE TURN OFF WE HAVE TO MARCH IN SINGLE
FILE FROM THE ROAD AS THE PATH IS VERY NARROW. WELL
I STOPPED AS D.C.I. WAS IN FRONT. BUT HE HAD A WEATHER
EYE ON ME & HE STOPPED TOO. AS SOON AS HE DID I OPENED
UP A CRACKER OF A WALK & WENT PAST MEN UP THAT
HILL AS IF THEY WERE STANDING STILL. D.C.I. FOLLOWED
BUT THE FURTHER WE WENT THE FURTHER HE
GOT LEFT & WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER WHICH
WOULD PUT ME OUT OF SIGHT HE WAS ABOUT 60
OUT OF THE 100 BEHIND ME. I WAS NOW CLEAR & ONLY
ONE MAN LEFT IN FRONT. NOW HELL FOR LEATHER
ACROSS THE FLAT & CAUGHT UP (BUT LIKE A DAMN FOOL
DIDN'T PASS) THE BLOKE IN FRONT. HE WAS A NEW
ONE TO ME & I DIDN'T THINK HE WAS ON THE
BUY. WELL WE HIT THE BOONG HUT WITH HIM
A YARD IN FRONT. THE FIRST THING HE SAID
63
WAS ANY SMOKES CHARLIE? & CHARLIE HANDS [[?]]
TWO CARTONS OF BOONGS AT $3 PER.
I'LL TAKE FOUR CARTONS CHARLIE. BUT CHARLIE
THE BOONG ONLY GRINNED . SOLLY JOE NO
BLOODY ?※∅ MORE LEFT. I ADDED TO CHARLIE'S
ADJECTIVES & TO HIS ANCESTORS TOO BUT EXTRACTED
A PROMISE OF SOME TOMOLLOW? OH HELL AFTER
I WON THE BUYERS RACE SKITTLED D.C.I. I LOST
THE BLOODY PRIZE. LOST PROFIT OF $2 & HAD A
SMOKELESS DAY. YES WOULDN'T IT? IT DID
I CAME BACK & GOT CALLED ALL KINDS OF THINGS
BY THE LADS. NOW FOR ANOTHER ONE BRICK (WHO COMES
FROM WAY UP QUEENSLAND. GOT A BRAIN WAVE.
THERE IS OFTEN A FEW FAGS BOUGHT ON THE SALT
WATER PARTY WHICH GOES OUT DAILY. WELL BRICK
LOOKS ME UP & SUGGESTS WE VOLUNTEER AS AN
EXTRA PAIR ON THE WATER PARTY (TWO MEN CARRY
ON 5 GAL DRUM ON A POLE). HE WENT TO THE
C.S.M. & VOLUNTEER'S. BUT WHETHER BY ACCIDENT
OR DESIGN WE WERE PUT ON A WATER PARTY
ALL RIGHT CARRYING THE DAMN STUFF FROM
THE TAP TO THE COOK HOUSE. 100 BLOODY GALS
OF IT. SO MUCH FOR HIS STRATEGY. THE DUMB ?
BY THIS TIME IT WAS 4 PM (1600 HRS.) AND I WAS
FEELING RATHER PECKISH ONLY HAD 9 PIECES OF SPECIAL
64
FRIED RICE MEAT ETC FOR DINNER (THE NORMAL
ISSUE WAS 5 PIECES BUT I GOT A BACK UP) & THOUGHT
IF AS I COULDN'T SMOKE BUT COULD EAT I'D BUY
ME A TIN OF APRICOTS AT THE CANTEEN.
WELL I WENT TO THE CANTEEN & WHEN I GOT
THERE WAS INFORMED OF TWO THINGS. THERE WAS
NO TINNED FRUIT (POLITELY) & THAT THE B (v)
CANTEEN DIDN'T OPEN TILL 6.30 P. (NOT POLITELY) I
SAID I SUPPOSE YOU MEAN 1830 YER DUMB ? (VERY IMPOLITELY)
AND NOW I FEEL LIKE THE PRIZE DOG AT THE
SHOW WHO WATCHED THE MONG AMONG THE
CROWD & WISHED HE COULD CHANGE.
I HEARD TODAY THAT A SUB GOT INTO TORANTA HARBOR
& SUNK 3 SHIPS, ONE OF WHICH BLOCKED THE HARBOR.
THE REST OF THE NEWS DOESN'T SOUND TOO GOOD TO ME.
WHEN ITS GOOD WE HEAR A FAIR BIT OF DETAIL. WHEN
ITS NOT SO GOOD WE DON'T HEAR VERY MUCH.
THE HOPERS LEAGUE HERE HAS LOST A HELL OF A LOT OF
FOLLOWERS AFTER A HEATED ARGUMENT TODAY. ONE BLOKE (GETTING
FED UP) SAID TO THE BLOKE HE WAS ARGUING WITH I'LL
FIGHT YER IF YER LIKE TO SEE WHETHER WE ARE
GOING HOME OR NOT. AND NOW HERE COMES BILL
BRYCE WITH A FULL PACKET OF BOONG CIGS &
A GRIN RIGHT ACROSS HIS [[CHIB?]] & NOW I'M SMOKING
GOOD MATE BILL & SO P.O.W 120 ENDS ON A HAPPY NOTE
(LATER) TIS A DULL EVENING GREY SKIES LIGHT RAIN A FEW BIRDS TWITTER
A BIT OF THUNDER TIME TO PICK UP THE NETS LOAD THE BUS &
GET HOME TO A GOOD TEA. A DRINK & OH HELL WHATS UP?
65
[*TUE 16/6/42*]
AND TODAY A HEAP HAPPENS. FIRST WE HEAD
OUT ON THE GARDEN PARTY AND GET BLOCKED &
SENT HOME AGAIN. THE ONLY REASON I HAD ANY
REGRETS WAS THAT I WAS AFTER AN ISSUE OF
CIGARETTES & SLIPPED AGAIN. WE ALSO SENT A
TRAILER PARTY OUT TO THE VILLAGE & THEY BOUGHT
CIGS A PLENTY AT 20c A CARTON WHICH IS VASTLY CHEAPER
THAN I CAN BUY THEM. LIKE A MUG I DIDN'T SEND ANY
CASH OUT THAT WAY BEING T CONFIDENT THAT I COULD
GET MINE OFF OUR OWN BOONG. ANYWAY TODAY THERE
WAS AN ISSUE WILD WOODBINE. THESE ENG. WOODBINES
ARE A MUCH BETTER JOB THAN OUR OLD WOODBINES AND
ARE A HUNDRED UP ON LONDONS. THIS AFTERNOON
I WENT TO A LECTURE 1942 IN WHICH WE WERE GIVEN
AN INSIGHT INTO THE RISE OF THE BRITISH AIR FORCE
& THE USE OF THE RADIO SOUND LOCATOR. ALSO SOMETHING
ABOUT THE CAPACITY OF THE BOMBS WHICH ENG. IS
USING OVER GERMANY. IM GLAD I'M ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
ALSO HEARD TODAY THAT YANKS LAND IN JAVA? IF
THAT IS SO PROBLY ACCTS FOR OUR ACTIVITY HERE. WE WERE
TOLD TODAY TO GET TEED UP FOR AN OVERSEAS PARTY OF
1500 MEN. I'LL BE VERY SORRY TO LEAVE HERE AS THINGS
ARE JUST STARTING TO GET VERY COMFORTABLE & I HAVE
A GOOD KIT TOGETHER AGAIN. I GOT TWO MORE PAIRS
OF SOCKS TODAY. ONE PAIR STILL HAD THE PRICE ON 5/6.
IT HAS RAINED CONSTANTLY SINCE MIDDAY & STILL AT IT.
GOOD NIGHT FOR SLEEP WHICH REMIND ME THIS LAST 3 NIGHTS
I HAVE DREAMED I WAS HOME & TODAY WE ARE TO GET READY
FOR OVERSEAS. I WONDER IS IT AN OMEN. ANYWAY LETS CLOSE P.O.W. D
121 ON THAT.
66
[*WED 17/6/42*]
SAW ONE OF THE FUNNIEST THINGS OUT LAST
NIGHT. MUSTER PARADE IS 9 PM & THE DRESS IS
OPTIONAL. OUR MARKER LAST NIGHT WAS IN HIS
BIRTHDAY SUIT. DINKUM THIS PLACE IS WELL ON
THE WAY TO BECOMING A NUDIST CAMP & IM NO
EXCEPTION. IF WE ARE OUT AT ALL & RAIN STARTS
OFF COMES THE PANTS & AWAY WE GO LIKE HELL
FOR SHELTER. WHY WE RUN FOR COVER I DON'T KNOW
BUT WE DO. WE COULD NOT GO OUTSIDE THE
SENTRY AGAIN THIS AM. SOMETHING DOING.
TWO OF OUR CHAPS GOT BACK FROM THE SERANGKOON
ROAD. THEY ARE GETTING HELL IN THERE. ONE FELLOW CARRIES
A PICK HANDLE MARK ACROSS HIS BACK & A LOT OF THEM
HAVE BEEN BELTED UP. WE HAVE AGAIN BEEN WARNED FOR
AN OVERSEAS PARTY. WHERE IS OUR NAVY. HOPE IT GETS ON
THE JOB QUICKLY. MY DREAMS OF THE LAST FORTNIGHTS
MAY COME TRUE YET. I WENT TO THE CANTEEN TONIGHT
& BOUGHT SOME PEANUTS @ 25c PER LB & 1 TIN OF APRICOTS
@ 65c. MY MEMORY GOES BACK TO THE OLD KOONY EVERY TIME
I THINK OF OR SEE APRICOTS & THIM TWO LEGGED BIRDS?
JUST LOOKED UP & OUT THE WINDOW & THER ARE
4 MORE NUDISTS GETTING HOME IN THE RAIN. MET A
CHAP A LOOT OUT OF THE QUEENSLAND RAILWAYS TODAY.
WE PALLED UP & INTEND TO LOOK EACH OTHER UP WHEN
WE GET BACK?? WE ARE GETTING A BIT OF A MUSICAL
TREAT FROM MY FRIEND ON THE PIANO OVER THE
GULLY. HE IS ASSISTED BY A VOCAL CHORUS. FROM THE
CONCERT PARTY. ALSO ASSISTED BY A VIOLIN. WHILE ALL
AROUND MY THE LADS ARE PLAYING CARDS SLEEPING
READING & ALL ARE VERY QUIET. A SORT OF UNKNOWN
EXPECTANCY HANGS OVER ALL. WE KNOW THAT THE
KNOW THAT THE EMBARKATION ROLLS ARE IN & THAT
WE WILL SOON BE ON OUR WAY TO? THE HOPERS ARGUE
HOME & THE NO HOPERS SAY BULSH. I SAY LET ME GET
TO JAVA SUMMATRA BURMA FR IND.CHINA & THEN?
OR HOME. WELL ITS GETTING DARK & SUPPER WILL SOON
BE ON & WHILE I THINK OF IT WE HAD A GRAND TEA
TONIGHT. PLATE RICE PLATE STEW & GREENS & A
BIG PINEAPPLE & PUDDING PASTY & P O W 122 IS OVER.
WONDER IF AID SPEC & CO GET ANY BUNNIES LATELY &
HOW YOU ALL ARE TONIGHT
67
[*THUR 18/6/42
[*123*]
MUCH HAPPENS IN SO LITTLE TIME IN THIS
WAR THAT IT IS HARD SOMETIMES TO
KEEP UP WITH THEM. TODAY A M SPENT
VERY QUIETLY OUT OF SIGHT. BUT THE PM WELL
FIRST UP WE ARE NOTIFIED FOR AN OVERSEAS PARTY &
I'M IN IT & AM VERY SORRY TO BE GOING. SECONDLY THE
CANTEEN HAS OPENED ITS HEAR & WE WERE ABLE TO GET
TINS OF CONDENSED MILK @ 15c CIGS @ 20c PINEAPPLES @10c
WITH REF TO THE MILK THE ONLY JOKE WAS WE WERE
ONLY ABLE TO GET 1 TIN BETWEEN 2 MEN. I GOT THE
MILK & STRAIGHT AWAY HAD A FEED OF RICE & MILK
OR SHOULD I SAY MILK & RICE. I HAVE HAD A VERY BUSY AFTERNOON
MAKING UP A TRIAL PACK FULL AS GOOGS & HOPE THAT I DON'T HAVE
TO CARRY THEM TOO FAR. HAVE NOT GOT THE LOAD QUITE
RIGHT YET BUT HAVE ALL DAY TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER GO.
THE TYPEWRITER & DRILL ARE MY BIGGEST PROBLEM BUT I AM
HANGING ON TO THEM EVEN IF WE ARE SHIPWRECKED. I HAVE
6 PAIRS SOCKS 7 HANKS 2 SING & U PANTS 3 PAIR SHORTS 1 PR LONG 2 PAIR SHOES
1 PAIR BOOTS 3 BLANKETS & SUNDRY OTHER THINGS & BEFORE THIS
STOUCH IS OVER MAY NEED THE LOT. WE HAVE AN ADDITION TO
OUR COY TODAY. ANOTHER MONKEY HAS ATT HERSELF. A REAL
OLD GRANMA VERY PATHETIC TOO. THERE IS A CONCERT ON OVER AT
THE 18TH. THE FEMALE IMPERSONATER HAS JUST SUNG & FROM THE CLAPPING
PUT ON A GOOD ACT & SO WILL CLOSE. P.O.W.1.2.3. A VERY INT. DAY WHEN
PUT INTO DETAIL
68
[*FRI 19/6/42*]
124 AND STILL MORE REMARKABLE THINGS
OCCUR. FIRST I WAS OVER AT THE CLOTHING
DEPOT TODAY & WAS TOLD I COULD GET A DRESS
UNIFORM IF I WISHED. SECONDLY BU FAR THE
BIGGEST SURPRISE YET. WE ARE GIVEN LETTER
CARDS TO WRITE HOME. WE ARE ONLY ALLOWED
6 LINES. MUST WRITE IN BLOCK LETTERS
ONLY. CANNOT SAY TOO MUCH & ARE ALLOWED
FAMILY AFFAIRS ONLY. TODAY I have occupied
trying to pack all my goods & [[?]]
into as small a space as possible. I
haven't got over much but I'm damned
if I can get it into less than PACK HAVERSACK
& KITBAG & Blankets & ground sheet have still
to go in but I have a feeling it won't be
needed just yet. Saw a funny turn
here today. I was holding our little
monkey & Digby the drun started
to tease him. Well he flew off my arm
smacked Dig a couple across the teeth &
then bit him. Saw some soldiers learning to
drive today & after their exhibition ther is
a chance for you yet Doll? The meals
here today are a bit light & No 2 Cook
house has us on the Run & P.O.W. 124 OVER
THE SQUIB GOES TO CHURCH & THEN SOME?
69
[*SAT 26/6/42*]
TIS AM BUT BEFORE I LOSE THE LAUGH I MUST
CHRONICLE THE MOST AMUSING THING I HAVE
SEEN SINCE I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY. I SPOKE A
DAY OR SO AGO OF A NEW MONKEY THAT HAS ATTCHD
ITSELF TO US. WELL THIS MORNING SHE CAME OVER
TO MICK BOURKES BUNK & PINCHED & ATE TWO OF MICKS EGGS.
HE PAID 10c EACH FOR THOSE GOOGS. WELL MICK ARRIVES ON
THE SCENE JUST IN TIME TO SEE THE MONK FINISHING OFF No 2
EGG. THE NEXT THING HELL BROKE LOOSE. THE LINGO
WAS MARVELLOUS. MICK COULDN'T GET ANYTHING TO CHUCK
TILL HE FOUND HE HAD RAVED HIS BOOTS OFF & THEN BANG
BIFF WHIZ WENT LEFT BOOT & MISSED. THE RIGHT FOLLOWED
BUT MICK PASSED IT IN MID AIR. THE MONK SHOWED FIGHT
FOR A SECOND BUT ONLY FOR A SEC. THE LOOK IN MICK'S
EYE WAS TOO MUCH FOR HER. BY THIS TIME THE BOOT
HAD CAUGHT UP & AGAIN ARMED WITH THE RIGHT BOOT
& SWEEPING UP THE LEFT EN ROUTE & REINFORCED
WITH THE LOOK MICK WENT IN AGAIN. DOWN THE
BANK OVER THE CREEK WENT MONK & MICK. i DONT
KNOW HOW MANY LEFT HANDED SHOTS HE HAD BUT HE
THREW IN REAL ARMY PRECISION LEFT RIGHT. BUT
THE MONK WAS TOO GOOD EVEN IF SHE IS A GRANMA
AND DISAPPEARED OVER THE HILL A GOOD 3 FEET IN
THE LEAD. THE HILL WAS MICKS UNDOING. TRAINING
ON RICE IS NOT TO BE ADVISED. HE THREW IN THE CHASE
AND CAME BACK A VERY ANNOYED MAN AND THE MONK
CAME BACK ABOUT 100 YARDS BEHIND AT THE TIME
70
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