Diaries of Signalman W H L Woodgate spanning November 1941 to October 1945 - Part 9

MON 6/67/42

The Bona job finished much

to everyones satisfaction we

each had a few easy jobs & today

we got one. We were lucky

enough to click the ration

the cranky hands & heads

party. And I was in a very light

job - crowd. We stopped for about

an hour before starting work I'd

about a ton of goods & then out do the

ford wks.  Whilst waiting a woman

came last & gave us 6 tins pineapple 2  lb

biscuits, 20 Bananas & 1 Pineapple and which

was divided up at dinner time and

was a welcome addition to rice

and veg stew.  We saw today the

result of yesterday's executions - heads

have been placed on stands at

various points.  I saw one at a corner

in Bukit Lima, and there was room

for more.  I don't know wha their

owners of the heads were up to - but they

certainly copped it.  Our market here

is finished the bongos are not now

allowed in.  They started to

[?] the [?] we kicked

 

and so P.O.W. /41 is over

 

Tue 7/42

a holiday and everyone is resting

and the arguments & banter are

thrown all round the hut.  One 

chap is looking for someone to have

a game of "fallies" with. Others are playing

various games of cards & I'm on the broad

of my back writing this hope you can

read it.  Its rumoured that we are getting

paid today.  And I must get my soap issue

when I can raise the energy to get up

we have been here over a fortnight &

I have enjoyed work for the first time

in my life.  And now for a game of

bridge.  Which didn't mature & I went to

sleep. We got paid $1.60.  I had a word

with one of our Leints. "Stewart".  Re our

20c per day ex Changi for the 20 days

previous br coming here.  Also re

the money $1 we paid into the mess

at Changi, and for which we recd

one one half tin fish.  And he

assured me that we had had

a whole tin. Now I wonder did we?

no one else here has seen it.

But of course as I have said before

that is what we get all along the

line in this show.  The boys are now

playing 2 up & some dopes are broke

already.  So close  P.O.W./42

 

92

 

WED 8/7/42

Best days rest for a while two

days off in "concussion".  There's a

lot of activity here today. AA

& AF practice [?].  The boys on

the jump for a while over 120

altogether.  I'll bet we hear a

few. FURFIES BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER HAD

AN HOURS SLEEP THIS AM & 2 HRS PM & AM REFRESHED

NOT MUCH TO WRITE ABOUT ONE HAS TO GO OUT

FOR MATERIAL - HERE WE GET SOME NEWS WE

HEAR FORM "FURFS" THAT ROMMELL IS SURROUNDED &

THAT THERE HAS BEEN A 5 POINT LANDING IN JAVA

THINK SOMEONE MUST HAVE READ THE "TIMES" & THEN

SET V.P.A. NEWS REEL OF HIS OWN PRAPS?  AND SO TO

WAIT NOW THE MARKET & A BOTTLE OF SAWYER SAUCE & TEA TIME

WE ARE VRY SHORT IN SALT HERE & THIS SAUCE IS

THE NEAREST WE CAN GET SO WILL CLOSE P.O.W. 143.  BUT NOT

QUITE THE EPISODE OF THE POM INTERPRETORH AS JUST

COME IN IT APPEARS THE POM & THE GUARD GOT

ARGUING ABOUT THE WAR TILL THE GUARD DONE HIS 

HIS BLOCK ONE OF OUR OFFICERS CHIPPED IN & GOT

A SLAP IN THE FACE. THE GUARD. RUSHED. THE POM. WITH AI &

AXE. THE POM. HOPPED. BACK. OUR OFFCR. TOLD . HIM

TO STAND. TO ATTENTION. HE KEPT. RUNNING & SO. WAS

BOOKED. FOR REFUSING. A LAWFUL. COMMAND. FULL

STORIES. BOTH & BOYS WHO. SAW. EPISODE. THE POM

& IF. POSS. THE OFFICER. CONCERNED. ATTENTION. & THE REFLECT

ANYTHING BUT A PRETTY. PICTURE. AND. TEND.

TO. STILL. WIDEN. THE . CONFIDENCE. BREACH.

BETWEEN. MEN & OFFICERS. AND. SO . TO . THE. MARKET

BUT. ALTHO. EARLY. WAS NOT. EARLY. ENOUGH & 143 IS OFF.

____________________________________________________________

AFTER THE TURN YESTY. PRIVATE FLYNN. OF. THE 

MANCHESTER. LEFT. FOR. HIS. UNIT & WHAT. HE. THINKS. OF .OUR

OFFICERS. IS. SURE. A TRIBUTE. I HAVE. THE. WHOLE. STORY

ANOTHER. DAYS. REST. TODAY & WE. HEAR. RUSSIANS. BEING PUSHED.

AT. KHARKOV. YANK. FLEET. IS ON. THE. MOVE. DOING. OK. LIBYA

AND THINGS. ARE. MOVING. TOWARDS. HERE. WHICH. IS. A . DAMN

GOOD.JOB. IF. TRUE. A. RARE. TURN. TODAY.A. MALAYAN. FUNERAL. WENT

PAST. SURELY. A. STRANGE. CUSTOM. WHEN THE ANTICS. COULD. BE

SEEN. THRO. THE SMOKE. OF. THE. CAR. THEY. WERE. FUNNY.

A. WOMAN KICKED ABOUT BADLY

AND AS THE PEN IS DRY I CLOSE POW 144

_________________________________________________________

TODAY TO THE FORD WORKS WHERE

WE SWEAT & SWEAT & SWEAT FOR

THE WHOLE OF P.O.W. 145

93

MON  13/7/42

 

AM HAVING TODAY ON SPINAL EXCERSIZE & ITS [?]

SOME PLEASURE BELEIVE ME. HAVE A BIT OF SORE

THROAT & GOT A NO DUTIES OUT OF IT [SINGF?] I HAVE

BEEN HERE I HAVE BEEN OUT TO GET AS FIR AS POSS

BUT HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF SET BACKS DO NOT THINK

THIS RICE IS A VERY GOOD TRAINING DIET. IF ANYONE

HAD EVER TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE LIVING ON RICE

& STEW I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT ONE HELL OF A JOKE

BUT THERE IT IS.  THE JOKE IS ONE ME.  SAW A COCONUT

COME TO THE QUICKEST FINISH "YESTY" THAT HAVE EVER

SEEN & FORGOT TO PUT IT IN LAST NIGHT. I WAS JUST WHAT

IS ALWAYS EXPECTED A DISPLAY OF SAVAGE TEMPER WE WEAR

A DAY FOR THE TIME THE "HOUSE' ON WHEELS &

ALSO WE ARE GETTING - A BIT LIGHT ON THE RATIONS

AND THERE IS NO PURCHASEABLE STUFF COMING IN THERE WILL 

SOON BE A NOTICABLE FALLING OFF IN THE WORK  & IN CONSEQUENCE A

FEW MORE SLAPPED FACES TO CATCH UP I HAVE BECOME WELL SEASONED

TO THE SLEEPING OF THE BOARDS & SHOULD BE PLENTY TOUGH FOR

ANYTHING OCCURRING LATER ON AND TONIGHT THE TOPIC FOR

TOM BILL & SELF TURNS TO "PIGGIE" & IT DOESNT MEAN PORK.

NO MEAT AGAIN TOMORROW & ON ALL THIS P.O.W. 148 IS CLOSED.

__________________________________________________________________

TUE  14/7/42

THE LATEST IS WE HAVE TO LEARN OUR NUMBERS & BE ABLE TO TO SPEAK THEM IN JAPANESE MINE IS 862 WHICH TRANSLATED

MEANS SOMETHING LIKE THIS. HUTCH I.E. YARHOO 100.ROKO.6.

00=10.NEE=2. AND ALL EXCEPT ABOUT 6 OF OUR MOB GET

THE DAY OFF. WAS SORRY TO WAKE UP TODAY. WAS HOME WITH THE

WHOLE FAMILY EVEN HAD MY DISCHARGE AND WAS HAVING ONE HELL OF

A TIME. AD & GWEN MOTOR CARS & PLANES. BOATS & TRAINS & MANY GOOD FRIENDS

MUST HAVE BEEN OUR TOPIC OF LAST NIGHT. THAT. STIRRED DREAMS. U R OR

PRAPS. TWAS SOMETHING GREATER TELLING ME WE WOULD BE

SUCCESSFUL IN OUR VENTURES.  WELL TWO OF US HAVE JUST CLIPPED

EACH OTHERS HAIR. AFF AND SURE LOOKD HANDSOME PAIR

FEEL. VERY COOL. IN THE "HAID" AND SO The day

GOES ON UNTIL SUCH TIME AS SOME ONE IN 

SOME SHPERE OF ADMINISTRATION TURNS

ON THE USUAL INCOPETANT BRAINLESS TURN TODAYS

EXTRA SPECIAL WAS PUT ON BY SGT MJR.

OF THE 2/4TH MACHINE GUNNERS WHO'S BEST TODAY WAS 

TO SEND OUT LIGHT DUTY MEN TO LOAD RICE. HE WAS

PUT ON THE MAT BY LEINT MICKEY MOUSE BUT GOT OUT OF

IT PERSONALLY IN THIN HIM & HIS ILK ARE A MENACE

 

TO THE ARMY & TO HIS COUNTRY INSO MUCH AS HIS

ACTION MAY LEAD TO THE PAYING OF A FULL PENSION TO

MORE THAN ONE MAN OF THAT PARTY OF P.O.W. TO - 149

CIGARETTE ISSUE TODAY 1 PKT.

95

 

WED 15/7/42

SPENT THE whole of the day writing up

poetry, some of which is good &

some doggerel.  Fred Weeks had and

Pat Ryan both met with accidents

today.  Fred had his arm broken

& Pat his leg crushed beats me that

any of us even come back from

the scrap handling.  Its like riding

a surf board.  To ride on top of the

loads & the drivers?  The pineapples

etc (that we have had on orders for

5 days.) arrived today.  And after the usual

bungling - were issued out as ordered I got 2 PINES 2 CAKES

& 30 LA MALLACCA which is a type of Brown sugar and

only diff to our own is that this stuff [?]

the brown BOONG tasted smell.  And so I come

to the close of P.O.W. DAY 150 ON A HAIRCUT

_________________________________________________________

THUR 16/7/42

RED 80C CHANGE &

 

ANOTHER DAY AT HOME & OF ALL THE PAST TIMES

COULD FIND I MUST SELECT SIG. WORK TO DO & I HOPE I

AN NOT WORKING IN VAIN THE BOYS ARE ALL VERY

PLEASED HARRY "GOT ONE IN THE PUSS & THEY ARE

HOME EARLY FOR A CHANGE. I ORDERED MY GOODS

AND FRUIT FROM NO/6 COYS SGTS. LAST NIGHT & GOT THE

THINGS TONIGHT. THESE TWO CHAPS ARE 100 UP ON OUR

ICOMPETANT BIRDS HAVE THE MAKING OF A GOOD

PAID OF "RICE BALLS" HERE SO MUST HOP IN EARLY & GET

EM COOKED NO NEWS IN TONIGHT & IT HAS BEEN A VERY

QUIET DAY ALL ROUND SO 151 SUN IS SETTING & SO AM I.

____________________________________________________________________

FRI 17/7/42

THE WRONG MOB GOT CAUGHT. MY LUCK HOLDS

A FEW OF THE LADS WENT BACK TO CHANGI TODAY

BET THEY FIND A BIG DIFFERENCE NOW WE HEAR THE OTHER

FORCE WENT TO BONEO WOULDN'T MIND BEING WITH THEM I

HAVE SPENT THE DAY ON THE MAP AUS 2000 ML CEYLON 1600 & HARRY'S

BOYS ARE HOME EARLY G.O.C. HERE TODAY EXPECT LEAVE

HERE SOON HAD A GREAT RAT HUNT WITH A FOXY DOG HERE

TODAY THE FOXY WOULD MAKE A GREAT RABBITER AT HOME

AND HE STIRRED UP MANY MEMORIES WE WERE TOLD TODAY

THAT ALL A.I.F. WILL BE TAKEN OFF THE ISLAND & NOT TO

EXPECT ANYTHING DOING FOR THIS YEAR AND THAT OUR

PEOPLE AT HOME DO NOT YET KNOW OUR POSITION ROBINSON HAD

HIS FOOT CRUSHED TODAY BUT ONLY RLD BRUISE & SO

THE DAY DRAW TO A CLOSE AND WE ARE ONE

MORE DAY NEARER HOME & 152 IS OVER.

 

96

SAT 18/7/42

[?] TODAY AND A VERY GOOD SOB WE HAD MET

ONE WAGNER TODAY & HAD QUITE AN "EARO"

SESSION. WE ALSO HEAR THAT LL OFF THE ISLAND

WITHIN 3 WEEKS. I MAY GET AWAY A BIT SOONER

WITH AN OUNCE OF LUCK. WE MAY GET THERE?

THE NEWS HEAR SEEMS TO HAVE DIED A VERY SUDDEN DEATH

AND NOTHING GETS IN WE REC. AN EXTRA DOLLAR

TODAY FROM THE CHANGI MOB ALSO HEARD THAT A

LOT OF OUR OFFICERS ARE OFF TO JAPAN SOON NOT

MUCH TO PUT IN TODAY BUT A LOT BUILDING UP

SO UNITL TOMORROW & I CLOSE P.O.W. 153

____________________________________________________-

DREAMS & HERE FOR THE 22ND WEEK

WE LEAVE HERE AS USUAL OUT FOR THE JOB BUT

SHE ISN'T THERE & WE GET SENT HOME AGAIN ALL EXCEPT

HURRY'S MOB. THEY HAVE THEIR DAY ON TUESDAY

SO WILL TRY & TURN THE DAY TO SOME GOOD USE

& MAYBE A BIT OF COURSING RATS OR BUGS BUT WILL WRITE

THE UP LATER PAY BOOKS IN TODAY? THE SYONAN TIMES TODAY

STATES THAT A SHIP CONTAINING 1000 AUST. P.O.W'S SUNK BY

AN AMERICAN NAVAL ACTION HOPE TAG POOR DEVILS GOT SAVED

WELL AND HERES THE WAY TO RUN A FUNERAL. BRASS BANK & ALL

& AS THEY GO PAST THE JAPS GIVE THEM A TOOT WITH

A TOOTER & THE DIGS GIVE THEM A TUNE ON A

MOUTN ORGAN TAKEN BY AND LARGE HAS BEEN A VERY

SLOW DAY & NOW AT SUNDOWN I CLOSE ANOTHER DAY P.O.W. 154

____________________________________________________________________

WE STARTED OFF THE DAY RATHER WELL. I COPPED H.H. MOB

BUT WE ONLY HAD TO GET ONE LOAD BEFORE DINNER &

EVERYTHING WENT WELL TILL THE SARGE LOST

THE SHOVEL THEN THE FUN STARTED H.H.

WENT THE BASH & HANDED OUT A SPLIT EAR

ONE STITCH WAS PUT IN WE GET FAIRLEY DEFINITE THAT MOST OF

US GO BACK TO CHANGI & 11AM NO IT IT IM SLIPPING

ALTHO IT MAY BE BETTER TO STAY HERE & GET AMONG SOME OF

THE OTHER BOYS WHO ARE STILL OUT ON THE JOB.  AM WAY I THIN

I'LL LEAVE IT TO LUCK. I FINISHED UP BY HAVING A FULL DAY ON THE

BANJO & CANT SAY THAT HARD WORK AG2 TO F.S. WITH ME.

WE HEAR TODAY THAT TURKEY HAS COME IN WITH US

ALSO THAT THE GERMANS IN ODDESSA HAVE SURRENDED

AND A HELL OF A LOT MORE TRIPE. THAT MAKES

ME WONDER WHAT REEPS THIS WAS GOING & ME IN P.O.W. 155

_______________________________________________________________

TUE 21/7/41

TODAY CONTAINS EVEN LESS THAN OTHERS

EXCEPT THAT WE WORKED LIKE HELL ALL

DAY ON THE PICK & SHOVEL. TURKEY

TAKES SEBASTAPOOL WE ADVANCE 30 MILE LIBYA

ALL LOOKS GOOD & P.O.W. 156 DRAWS TO CLOSE

97

 

WED 22/7/42

GOT A CRAK IN THE ARM YESTY & ITS GOOD

ENOUGH FOR A DAY HOME TODAY GIVE

ME TIME FOR A SHAVE & A BIT OF WASHING

ETC.  WELL I COULD BE VERY HAPPILY OCCPD AT

HOME TODAY & WHEN ONE THINKS IT IS ONLY 16HRS

AWAY SURE MAKES ONE IMPATIENT AND SO THE DAY

GOES SLOWLY ON NO NEWS TODAY HURRIES MOB HOME FIRST AFTER

ONE HECTIC DAY THE ARM OK AND SO 157 OVER.

____________________________________________________________________

CIGS TODAY 1 PKT

 WELL. WOULDN'T IT?  HERE I DO & SEND MYSELF

TO WORK & I AM ON LIGHT DUTY LUCKILY WE GOT A DAY

OFF HURRY HAS BEEN PUT THRD THE MILL & LIKE

HIS MATE IS PROBABLY VERY SICK TODAY. THIS AM FOR BREAK

I.H. RICE. PINE. C.NUT.SUGAR. & GOOLA AND BELEIVE ME

TIS AS GOOD AS STAKE & AIG? I THINK THIS JOB IS JUST

ABOUT FINISHED & WHETHER WE ARE BACK TO CHANGI OR OVER

SEAS. I DO NOT KNOW BUT AM PRETTY SURE WE ARE CLOSE TO

A MOVE WOULD LIKE TO STAY CLOSE ABOUT HERE FOR A WHILE

TO SEE THE CHANGE AND SO THE DAY GOES ON SLEEPY & LAUGH

AND ON THE WHOLE A GOOD DAY & A FULL PKT CIS.

AN THE NEWS FRANCE DECLARED WAS ON ENGLAND WHICH

IF TRUE IS A DAMN GOOD JOB & SO TO CLOSE 158 - I -NEARER HOME

___________________________________________________________________

FRI 25/7/42

NEARLY MY LAST DAY IN SINGAPORE ON ACCT. AND

WE READ IN TIMES TODAY ABOUT 2ND

IRON BAR FRONT QUITE A LOT OF TALK AND

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF SAME HAD NOT ALREADY OPENED

& IF IT HAS THIS WAS WON'T LAST TOO LONG. WE CARRIED

CHASSIS TODAY TO THE WHARF & I RATHER LIKE THE GAME 

WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH TENIERYN

THE FORK & ONE FELLOW IN DESPERATION TIPPED A BOTTLE OF

SAWYER SAUCE OVER HIS NOB. WELL HE JUMPED IN THE

AIR. TURNED A FEW KATHERINE WHEELS & THEN DASHED OUT

TO THE LATRINES FOR THE BOTTLE OF PHENYLE. IT WAS

SURE A FUNNY TURN.  I HAVE JUST RCD MY DATE ORDER

& AM SURE GOING TO TOWN ON THEM ITS LIKE A DAY

IN LUBRAM AS A KID & A 1/- WITH DATES ANZ'S O TO THE

CLOSE OF THE 159TH DAY A P.O.W.

__________________________________________________________

SAT 25/7/42

TODAY INSTEAD OF STAYING HOME - I WENT OUT & HAD A 

VERY ENJOYABLE DAY A REAL TOUR OF THE ISLAND

CARTING TIMBERS TO THE WEST COAST ROAD

PASIR PANGANG. I SAW QUITE A LOT OF SMALL

BOATS BUT THINK THEM OUT OF DATE

THOUSANDS OF GRAVES SEEN & HOME TO A GOOD

TEA AFTER ANOTHER SLAVE DAY "160"

98

 

SUN 26/7/42

LAST NIGHT WE WERE TOLD THAT TODAY WOULD

BE A HOLIDAY. REVELLE AT 8000 & A WHOLE DAYS

REST. IMAGING THE HOSTILITY WHEN WHILST AT

BREAKFAST THE "SEARG'S" COME ROUND TO DETAIL SOME

MEN FOR DUTY.  I WAS AGIN FORTUNATE & SO WAS

BILL & WE ARE HOME AGAIN FOR THE DAY. EVERY NIGHT

& UP TO DEPARTURE OF A MORN'G WE HAD IN OUR

ORDER FOR GOODS WHEN THE "SARGE" WHO TAKE THE

ORDER CALLED OUT FOR ORDERS THIS A.M. ONE WAG WHO HAD

DRAWN "THE CROW" CALLED BACK. YES YER B...... PUT ON

YER BOOTS & GO OUR & DO A BIT OF 'SHOVELLIN' THE 

BOYS WHO DREW "OUT" COP A FAIR BIT OF BANTER FROM

THE MOB WHO ARE HOME OR SO AFTER A LITTLE BIT

OF SQUARING UP WE SETTLE DOWN TO A BIT OF DELOUSING

THE BUGS HERE ARE PRETTY HEAVY FROM WHERE

I AM LYING I GET A GOOD VIEW OF THE ROAD AND IT

IS HARDLY CREDITABLE THE NUMBER OF BIKES THAT ARE

USED HERE.  EVERY BOONG ONE SEES SEEMS TO OWN A BIKE OR

A BISUNESS.  TRICYCLE. THESE TRIKES ARE BUILT WITH

TWO HEAVY WHEELS IN FRONT & THE LOADS THEY CARRY ARE

ENORMOUS. THE SPEED IS NOT SO HOT. BUT AS THE

OLD BOONG IS NEVER IN A HURRY WELL THE SPEED

DOES NOT MATTER. BOOKS. CARDS. YARNS. & WAS

STORIES. WILE AWAY THE HRS. DAYS & WEEKS. OF TIME. WE

ARE HERE HAVING THE WORK TO GO OUR TO US A GOOD

BREAK & WE DO SEE SOME OF THE CITY WHICH BRINGS ME

BACK TO THE PLACE. I MUST SAY THAT THIS CITY IS

STARTING TO LOOK MUCH CLEANER NOW THAN WHEN

THE ENGLISH HAD IT. THE HYGENE SIDE HAS

STILL A LOT TO COME UP. SAW A TURN TODAY. SOME

BOONGS & A WOMAN & THE BOONGS GOT BASHED WITH A STICK

AN THE BOYS WHO WENT OUT CAME BACK AT 1000 & HAVE

THE DAY OFF ALSO AND SLOWLY BUT JUST AS SURELY THE

DAY DRAWS TO A CLOSE AND ALL ARE FULL OF BELLY & ON THE

WHOLE VERY CONTENTED AND ALTHOUGH AMONG THE 300 HERE

THERE IS NOT ONE WHO IS NOT "HOME".  THERE IS NO STRIFE OF

DISCONTENT.  IN FACE ONE COULD ALMOST SAY WE ARE VERY

CONTENTED WITH OUR LOT AND COLLECTIVLY VERY HAPPY

ALTHOUGH  I COULD BE MUCH HAPPIER BACK THERE WITH YOU

ALL SPECIALLY AID & BID AND ON THESE HAPPY THOUGHTS - I WILL

BRING TO A CLOSE SUDNAY THE 161ST DAY - 23RD WEEK.

_________________________________________________________________

MON 27/7/42

AND FROM WHAT WE HEAR - THE SHOW IS ON AGAIN. UP

NORTH & THINGS LOOK GOOD. SHANGHAI AND CANTON. ALSO BOYS IN

GERMAN ARMY.  RUSSIA STILL PUSHING & WE ARE AT IT IN BURMA.

15 BOATS DOWN 150 MEN GO BACK TO CHANGI TOMORROW

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IM IN IT OR NOT YET. WE HAD A

RATHER GOOD DAY TODAY & ARE HOME EARLY HAD A DREAD

LAST NIGHT WAS IN A PLANE WITH MOTHER & GOT HOME IS IT AN

OMEN & SO TO THE END OF 162 P.O.W.

99

TUE 27/7/42

AND IM FOR CHANGI & WE ARE ALL PACKED UP &

READY TO GO & AS I WROTE THE JOURNEY IN I'LL TRY

TO WRITE IT BACK BILL BYSELF & A NEW COBBER VERN WELLS

ARE GOING BACK WITH 147 OTHERS.  FIND UP AS USUAL & TO

USUAL BREAKFAST WE HAVING PACKED SITE AROUND THE

HUT & YARN ABOUT EVERYTHING - MONEY. MEAN RELATIONS.

& DOGS. I RECOUNTED OLD LADY & SOME OF THE HAPPY MEMS & SO WE

WAIT TILL DINNER WHICH IS NOW ON AND WAS THE NICEST

IVE TASTED SINCE I CAME HERE .  WELL LOADED WITH SPLIT PEA

AND A MEATY MEAT BONE BOILED IN IT AND SO BACK TO OUR

REST SPOTS AGAIN BELLY FULL & CONTENTED WITH VERY TO TALK

OF AEROPLANES & WAIT OUT CONVOY THE TALK RUNS IN MANY

CHANNELS BUT ALWAYS BACK TO HOME & WHAT WE ARE GOING

TO DO WHEN WE GET THERE.  WE RELATE DREMS BOTH DAY &

NIGHT DREAMS & DOES'NT HOME COME IT TO THEM SOME

AND SO AT LAST WE DEPART 30 MEN TO A TRUCK. WE

DULY ARR. AT CHANGI. AND FIND THAT OUR OLD DIGS ARE

OCCUPIED BY SOME POMS & DIGGERS WHO WERE CAPTURED

WHILST TRYING TO GET AWAY PRIOR TO THE SURRENDER SO

WE GET DOWN TO BIZ BILL SAM BOURKE & SELF ARE IN

THE COOK HOUSE & WE HAVE TO WORK LIKE BLAZES

TO GET THINGS SET UP BY NIGHT & SO ENDS P.O.W. 163

_________________________________________________________________

WED 29/7/42

I WILL NOT PUT IN VERY MUCH TONIGHT AS

IT HAS BEEN A RATHER HEAVY DAY AND ALSO I

AM GOING TO THE PLAY "THE DOVER ROAD" 

WHICH IS BEING PLAYED OVER AT THE POMMIES

THERE ARE ABOUT 30 GOING FROM SIGS & POW 164 OVER

_________________________________________________________________

THUR  30/7/42

TO THE PLAY IWENT WITH ABOUT 199 OTHER DIGGERS

WE LEFT HERE AT 6PM & ARRD ABOUT 6.30 AND WERE SEATED

ABOUT 6.35PM, AND THEN IN THE FLASH OF A SECOND WE

WERE BACK HOM IN SOME CITY THEATRE LISTNING TO

THE OVERTURE.  THE MUSIC WAS BEAUTIFUL & UP TO IT

NOT EVEN BETTER THAN SOME AT HOME. THE  PLAY

OPENED AND THE BOYS WERE STILL FOR A FEW MINS

& WERE SILENT AND APPRECIATIVE FOR THE REST OF THE

PLAY  IT WAS MARVELLOUSLY DONE EVERY ARTIST PLAYED

PERFECTLY & THE LIGHTING (ELECTRIC) & THE COSTUMES &

FITTINGS LEFT NOTHING TO BE DESIRED. THERE WERE

TWO CHAPS WHO PLAYED THE PART OF WOMEN EUSTASIA &

ANN & I WOULD DEFY ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO TELL THAT

THEY WERE NOT WOMEN EUSTASIA LOOKED "A REAL NICE

BUNCH OF CUDDLE. ABOUT 28 & ANN LOOKED ABOUT

26 IMAGINE OUR SURPRISE WHEN AT THE CONCLUSION 

OF THE SHOW - WE WERE TOLD THAT "ANN" WAS A

MARRIED MAN WITH 3 NIPS & "EUSTASIA" HAD 3 LADS

HERE WITH HIM P.O.W.'S THE RECEPTION WAS GREAT

AND THE PLAYERS JUST AS PLEASED WITH THEIR

100

THUR 30/7/42

AUDIENCE.  AS WHAT THE AUDIENCE WAS

WITH THEM. IT WAS A WONDERFUL SHOW

& ALSO IT DONE SOMETHING TO ALL WHO

SAW IT. SOMETHING - NOTHING ELSE SHORT

OF GOING HOME COULD HAVE DONE THEN

AT 9PM WE FORMED UP & HEADED HOMEWARD.

SINGING ALL KINDS OF SONGS AS WE CAME

& WATCHING THE FLIGHT OF MILLIONS OF FIRE

FLIES WHICH IN ITSELF IS AN INSPIRING SPECTACLE

SO TO THE DOINGS OF THE DAY WE WERE RATHER

BUSY AGAIN TODAY MAKING PASTIES ETC & PUT ON A

VERY GOOD LUNCH - SOUP, STEW, RICE & A FLAPJACK &

FOR DINNER WE HAD STEW RICE & A MEAT PASTRY

WE GET TWO ISSUES OF MEAT PER WEEK. I HAVE JUST

ABOUT GOT THE COOKHOUSE SHIPSHAPE & HAVE BUILT

MYSELF A BED A DOOR FITTED ON A WINDOW SILL

& A TABLE & SKEETER NET UP I MET A CHAP

TODAY DES ANDERSON I WAS HIS AUNTIE WHO

TOOK HOME CHAPTER 4 & SOME LETTERS

TO YOU ALL HERE IS A LECTURE ON HERE. TONIGHT

LOST THE TWO BIG SHIPS WE KNOW & SO I COME TO

THE END OF P.O.W. 165 ANOTHER DAY NEARER HOME

___________________________________________________________

FRI 31/7/42

TODAY I PUT THE WATER ON TO THE COOKHOUSE

MADE A SHOWER ROOM WHICH I SUPPOSE WILL

BE USED & ABUSED I CONVERTED ONE OF THE

OLD COOKHOUSE & ITS NOT TOO BAD & ALSO SAVES

ME CARRYING BUCKETS OF WATER 100 YDS OUR

MEN LEFT HERE TODAY FOR CONCENTRATION. PRIOR

TO BEING DRAFTED TO JAPAN. THERE IS NOT MUCH

TO REPORT OF THE GEN. DOINGS OF HE DAY HEAV

MET SOME ENG. AIRMEN, ARMY & NAVY MEN & HAVE

HEARD SOME REMARKABLE STORIES. NO DOUBT WE GOT A

PROPER HIDING HERE I WILL ENDEAVOR TO GET

SOME OF THEIR STORIES INTO TYPE BEFORE I LOOSE GITH

OF THEM & SO WILL CLOSE P.O.W. 166 NEWS ABOUT SAME.

__________________________________________________________

SAT 1/8/42

A DAY OF NO CONSEQUENCE HERE NOTHING DOING

SPENT LAST CENT ON SMOKES PAY DAY TUESDAY ATT

NAVAL LECTURE TONIGHT & SO P.O.W. 167 FINISHES

________________________________________________________

 

SUN 2/8/42

THE 24TH WEEK A P.O.W.

I WENT TO MASS TODAY OVER IN THE LITTLE CHURCH ACROSS

THE GULLY THERE ARE NOT MANY MEN LEFT NOW & THERE ARE

NO FURFIES KICKING ROUND EITHER. PLAYED MY FIRST GAME OF BRIDGE

ALSO & SPENT THE REST OF THE DAY IN THE COOKHOUSE. WE ARE

ON PRETTY LIGHT RATIONS AND WITH NOTHING TO WRITE OR TALK

OF I CLOSE. P.O.W. 168

101

MON 3/8/42

SO ANOTHER DAY OF NO IMPORT: IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE

THIS AM. TO THE SKIN SPECIALIST. HAVE SOME PIMPLES

ON THE FACE AND AM SHAVING THE 'MO' OFF TOMORROW

& IT HAS TAKEN 3 WEEKS TO GET TO THIS STAGE.

THE JAPAN DRAFT HAS NOT YET LEFT & THEY DONT LOOK

LIKE GOING FOR A WHILE EITHER NEWS NOT LOOKING

GOOD. THIS MONTH OR NEVER FOR 2ND FRONT & SO 169 IS OVER.

__________________________________________________________________

TUE 4/8/42

AND SO THE SUN SETS ON ANOTHER DAY

A VERY SLOW ONE AT THAT THE ONLY BRIGHT

SPOT BEING A CIGARETTE ISSUE. WENT TO THE

CONCERT TONIGHT BUT IT WAS VERY SLOW & P.O.W. 170 CLOSES.

__________________________________________________________________

WED 5/8/42

TIME MARCHES ON AND ANOTHER DAY GOES

WENT TO A SHIP BUILDING TALK TONIGHT. NOT

BAD. RAHTER DRY SCOTCH DELIVERED & P.O.W. 171

___________________________________________________________________

THUR 6/8/42

WE HEAR TODAY THAT TWO AIRMEN & SOME

OTHERS WHO GOT AWAY FROM HERE ARE BACK

AGAIN LEFT AUSSIE 4TH JULY. NEWS NOT TOO HOT!

LOOKS TO ME LIKE RUSSIAS LAST MILE POST AND OURS

MAY NOT BE FAR OFF IF 2ND FRONT NOT OPENED SOON 

I HAVE A DAY OFF TODAY & EVERY 3RD DAY AS LONG AS I STAY

IN THE COOKHOUSE WHICH I DONT THINK WILL BE VERY LONG. WE

WORK LONGER & HARDER THAN ANY OF THE REST & GET NOUGHT

FOR IT. WE WERE PAID TODAY $4.35 & P.O.W. 172 IS OVER.

___________________________________________________________________

FRI 7/8/42

NOT VERY EVENTFUL TILL EVENING WHEN HAD A 

TALK BY ONE OF THE P.O.W.'S ABOUT HOME. YANKS

SEEM TO BE DOING WELL MISSING IN MALAYA IS

NOT TOO HOT & GEN-NEWS NOT TOO GOOD. IF "MULGA" CAN

BE BELEIVED SOON:- DAMN SOON OR NEVER - P.O.W. 173

 

102

SAT 8/8/42

A VERY QUIET DAY BUT BUSY IN THE COOK

HOUSE. WE ARE BURNING GREEN RUBBER WOOD

& ITS THE LAST THING ON EARTH WE PUT A CHAP

ON TO CUT IT BUT HE'S THE BIGGEST BLUDGER IN

THE PLACE SO & ON THAT NOTE I CLOSE. P.O.W.174

__________________________________________________________

SUN 9/8/42

TODAY MARKS A RATHER STARTLING MILE

STONE IN MY LIFE.  I WENT TO MASS THIS AM

& THEY ARE STARTING A "NOVENA" WHICH IS

TO LAST A WEEK THERE ARE DEVOTIONS &

ROSARY EVERY NIGHT. I JOINED THE HOLY

NAME SOCIETY & ALL WHO JOINED HANDED IN THEIR

NAMES TO BE SOME DAY FORWARDED TO OUT

HOME PARISH & INCLUDED IN THOSE ROLLS.  I ALSO MET

A CHAP NAMED HOGAN WHO USED TO PLAY FOOTBALL

AGAINST ME "PRAPS" & HE & I ARE BOTH TO PLAY ON

WEDNSDAY. WE ARE PLAYING THE A.G.H. SO

WILL PROBABLY BE PLAYING AGAINST JACK STEWART

WE HEAR TONIGHT THAT THE YANKS HAVE TAKEN THE

SOLOMAN ISLANDS & THAT THE 'PACIFIC' OFFENSIVE IS

NOW ON LETS HOPE IT IS & SO P.O.W. 25TH WEEK 175

__________________________________________________________________

MON 10/8/42

YESTERDAY I HAD A DAY OFF & AM NOW

OUT OF THE COOK HOUSE FOR GOOD. THANK

GOODNESS. OH & I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT

ON SAT. NIGHT BILL FELL OUT OF BED.  HE

LANDED ON A CONCRETE FLOOR & THATS THE

FIRST TIME IVE SEEN SPARKS FLY OUT OF CONCRETE.

I THOUGHT HE LANDED ON A NEST OF FIRE FLIES

HE SAYS TODAY IT WAS NO JOKE. I RECKON IT WAS A BEAUT

AND NOW WITH A NEW UBE IN THE PEN I CONTINUE

THE "MULGA" TODAY LOOKS GOOD DOWN SOUTH THE POMS & (AUST

DESERTERS) HERE ARE ABOUT DUE TO MOVE TO JAPAN.

TOMORROW OVER TO THE ROSARY TONIGHT. NOTE THE

NOVENA STARTED YESTERDAY & SO DID THE OFFENSIVE

& THE TIDE TURNS OUR WASY 25 WEEKS AFTER CAPIT.

& NOW I THINK WILL CLOSE FOR P.O.W. 176

_____________________________________________________________

TUE 11/8/42

THE DAY STARTS WITH A KIT INSPECTION LOOKING FOR

MOTOR PARTS BUT NONE FOUND. NOTHING MUTCH

DOING FOR THE REST OF THE DAY & I

WENT TO THE CONCERT & ROSARY TONIGHT

THE SHOW WAS EXTRA & SO P.O.W. 177 NEARER HOME

_______________________________________________________

WED 12/8/42

PLAYED MY FIRST GAME OF FOOTBALL FOR MANY YEARS

TODAY & AM AS GOOD AS I EVER WAS ?  WE PLAYED THE

A.G.H. & THEY BEAT US BY ABOUT 12 GOALS. NO NEWS

OF ANY KIND TODAY & SO TO SUPPER & P.O.W. 178 IS OVER.

 

103

THUR 13/8/42

FEEL AS TIRED AS THE PROVERBIAL DOG THIS AM

& AM GIVING THE OLD BED A BIT OF A SHOCK & READ A BIT

AND STUDY THE MAP A BIT & DO A BIT OF DESIGNING

NOT MUCH ELSE TO DO SO THEY DAY WEARS ON TO LUNCH

& IT LOOKS RATHER GOOD. MAY DO A BIT "MORE" PRACTICE

AFTER LUNCH AM A BIT SLOW AGAIN. BUT HAD A FEW

HRS. SHUT EYE INSTEAD P. WHEN I AWAKENED I WENT OVER &

BOUGHT $1 WORTH OF TOBACCO 2½ OX. & IT LOOKS ENOUGH

TO LAST ME A MONTH IT IS A DUTCH BREW & SMOKES RATHER

GOOD. ALSO BOUGHT A COCONUT & THAT BRINGS ME TO OUR TEA.

TONIGHT "TOMATO SOUP, GREENS, SWEET SPUDS & RICE & NOW

SWEETS.  A BIG SLICE OF PLUM PUD. WITH PEANUTS THRO IT. ALSO COCONUT

& RAISINS A PASTY CONTAINING SWEET POTATO & A BISCUIT

HOWS THAT ITS "THE FIRST MEAL THAT BEAT ME HERE & P.O.W. 179 CLOSES

_______________________________________________________________________

FRI 14/8/42

TWO MARCHES ON AND ALTHOUGH EACH DAY IS ONE NEARER

HOME THERE APPEARS TO BE STILL MANY MORE TO GO AND

TOMORROW IS "OVER 6 MONTHS UP". TO MASS THIS AM THEN TO

SKIN SPEC WITH THIS RASH ON MY FACE TONIGHT TO

A CONCERT OVER AF 11TH IND. DIV.A.BN. SEXY & SO END P.O.W.180

_______________________________________________________________

SAT 15/8/42

I GIVE RUSSIA ABOUT ANOTHER 9 WEEKS IF 2ND

FRONT NOT OPENED. AS FOR THE YANKS 8 DAYS NOW ON

ONE JOB & HAVENT GOT IT YET. GRANTED THE FIRST

WILL BE THE HARDEST. AND TODAY MAKES US 6 MONTHS

P.O.W.'S LONGER?? I JUST FINISHED GRATING & ROASTING

1/4 COCONUT FOR MY DINNER TONIGHT BUT IT LOOKED SO

NICE I BOGGED IN & ATE ABOUT HALF OF IT NOW. NOTHING MUCH

DOING - ABOUT HERE WE WENT OUT FOR A LOAD OF WOOD

THIS PM GOT WET & SO I CLOSE P.O.W. 181 & MY FIRST 6 MONTHS OVER

_____________________________________________________________________

SUN 16/5/42

AND TODAY MARKS THE PASSING OF THE "POMS". THEY LEFT

TODAY FOR JAPAN.  I MADE 4 FRIENDS WHILE THEY WERE

HERE AND HAVE MADE A BET WITH FRED RUDKIN THAT

I'D BE HOME BEFORE HIMN. 1 C/S OF ENG. BEER TO A BOTTLE

CASE OF AUST. WINE (1 DOX EACH) ALSO HEARD TODAY THAT

OUR CARDS GOT HOME ALSO THAT WE GO OFF THER RICE & ON

TO OUR OWN FOOD FOR A MONTH ALSO THAT SHIPS ARE RUND

BETWEEN HERE & STH AFRICE AND THAT WE WILL BE ABLE

TO GET LETTERS & PARCELS FROM HOME WHICH IS NOUGH

SAID.  I HAVE AQUIRED A NEW SPRING BED & AFTER BURNING

THE BUGS OUT I HAVE MADE IT UP & TRIED IT OUT &

ITS THE GOODS. LADS HAVE A DOOR OFF A WORDROBE PLACED ON

TOP & THAT DOES ME FOR A TABLE HAVE ALSO AQUIRED A LANTERN

& KERO & OIL FOR SAME SO WILL HAVE A BIT OF COMFORT HERE OF

AN EVENING. ALSO FOR THE FIRST TIME I HAVE A BOOK & AM NOW

IN THE RUNNING FOR SWAPPING - SO HOPE NO WORKING PARTIES

TURN UP. WENT OVER TO THE SQUARE TO "DEPART" THE 3 POMS & THE PLACE

HERE IS LONELY & QUIET WITHOUT THEM. SO WILL CLOSE P.O.W. 182

104 OF THE 26TH WEEK IS OVER

MON 17/8/42

TODAY WE HEAR GEN. GOOD NEWS INCLUDING

THE STORY THAT WE WILL GET NEWS FROM

HOME ALSO PARCELS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

WELL OUR "NOVENA" DID NOT GO FOR NOTHING - & IM GLAD

I WENT.  AS OFTEN AS I COULD WAS OUT ON SALT WATER

PARTY TODAY & SEE ONE OF OUR MINES LYING ON

THE SAND NOT MUCH NEWS IN PARTIC. OUR MEALS ARE

RATHER GOOD HERE NOW & EVERYONE SEEMS CONTENTED. WE ARE

HAVING QUITE A CARD TOURNAMENT & P.O.W 183

_______________________________________________________________________

TUE 18/8/42

GO JUMP IN THE LAKE TWICE YER. B...... & SO THE REPARTEER

GOES ON NOTHING DOING & ALL IS QUIET TOO DAMN QUIET. I 

HAVE A PERM FATIGUE IN THE GARDEN & THAT OCCUPIES THE

AM FOR ME C/- THE PM IS "DONGER" WILL PUT IN MOST OF THIS PM

DESIGNING ME A NEW BOAT. 16 FOOTER. GEORGE GRIFFITHS & HIS[?]

THE NO.1 SECT. COOKS GOT TOSSED OUR BLOKES HAVE BEEN PUTTING [?]

TOO GOOD A TURN & CAUSED A BIT OF STRIFE SO NO. [?] IS GOING TO

CLEAN THE CUPBOARD UP & TRY A FEW NEW COOKS QUITE A BIT

OF THE COMFORTS HAVE BEEN STOLEN.  SO P.O.W. 184 OVER.

______________________________________________________________________

WED 19/8/42

NEW C.O.C. CALLACHAN (COMMONLY CALLED

"BLACK JACK") HAS TAKEN UP THE JOB WITH A.

VENGEANCE.  FIRST ORDER MUST SALUTE OFFICERS AT

ALL TIMES (QUOTE STANDING ORDER OCT 1941) THIS

IS OUT OF ORDER. HELL. BUT THIS PLACE IS BOILING OVER

AT THE MOMENT WHAT WITH A MIN. PENALTY FOR THIS

THAT & THE OTHER & NEW ORDERS & FINES OF JAP. MONEY

SALUTING & WHAT NOT THINGS ARE "UPTA" & DISSAFECTION RUNS HIGH.

TIS EASY TO BY ARGUMENTS ANYWHERE HERE ON ANYTHING AT ALL

WE ARE GETTING FRESH FISH TODAY & HAVING IT FRIED FOR

DINNER TONIGHT. WHAT NO A PIECE OF MURRY COD???

THERE IS A PARADE ON TODAY FOR THE "J" OFFICER IN

CHARGE OF PRISONERS OF WAR .  I AM NOT ON IT

FORTUNATELY TRAILER PARTIES HAVE BEEN BUSY THIS 

AM & MORE PM. BRINGING IN COMFORT SUPPLIES

THE TWO MEN CAUGHT FOR THE THEFT OF THE SUPPLIES

WERE GIVEN $5 PAY CASH FINE 28 DAYS CLINK £5 PAY BOOK

RATHER DEAR TINS OF JAM? THE LADS GOT BACK FROM THE

INTERVIEW LATE & SOUR & SO WE COME ANOTHER DAY NEARER HOME P.O.W.185

________________________________________________________________________

THUR  20/8/42

WE ARE NOW REAPING THE BENEFIT OF OUR GARDENING WORK

OF SOME MONTHS AGO. WE ARE NOW USING SWEET POTATOES

& THEY ARE RATHER GOOD. WE ARE HAVING BAKED POTS & FISH

AS SOON AS THE FISH COMES IN. IT DID NOT TURN UP YESTERDAY.

I'D LIKE TO RIDE A FERRY NEARLY STARTED A SCRAP WE RCD. OUR ISSUE OF

LOLLIES & CARAMELS TONIGHT ALSO HAVE HAD OUR JAM ISSUED OUR MEALS

ARE WHAT ONE COULD CLAL VERY GOOD. NO FISH TODAY.SO I SPENT THE PM

DESIGNING A BOAT TO CATCH SOME DAY & NOW P.O.W. 186 OVER.

105

FRI 20/8/42

TODAY IS VERY QUIET WE RCE. AN ISSUE OF SPC

CARIMALS YETERDAY. SENT US BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN

RED CROSS & BELIEVE ME THEY'RE THE "GOODS" & ARE VERY

RICH IN VITS AND AS SLOW AS IT HAS BEEN P.O.W. 187 CLOSES.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SAT 21/8/42

A NICE BIG BOILED DUCK EGG FOR BREAKFAST & A BIG

PLATE OF RICE PORRIDGE & MILK & ALL ARE HAPPY

TO THE GARDEN PATCH IN AM & AGAIN PM WE HAD THE

RED CROSS ISSUE OF SOUP AT LUNCH & IT IS GOOD. TOO

WE HEAR. TODAY THAT THE AUST. RED CROSS IS SENDING MED.SPLIES.

COMFORTS. FOOD ETC. HOPE THEY SEND A LETTER FROM HOME & A

PARCEL OR TWO WHAT COULD I DO WITH A POUND OF CHOCOLATE

NOW?? WE ARE HAVING OUR FORMAL DINNER TOMORROW NIGHT

& WILL TYPE UP A FEW SOUVENIER MENU'S TOMORROW AM. &

WILL HAVE PINEAPPLE FOR BREAKFAST. SO LOOKS GOOD TO ME

DINNER IS TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST 6 MTHS. P.O.W. 188 IS OVER

__________________________________________________________________________________

SUN 23/8/42

AND THE DAY OF THE DINNER HAS ARRIVED ALL THE MORNING

OLD SCOTTY, BILL BRYCE & KEN CARLESS HAVE BEEN WORKING LIKE

HELL. MAKING PASTIES, STEWS ETC. THERE IS PLENTY OF JAM

IN & PLENTY OF EVERYTHING SO ANTICIPATION RUNS HIGH

THE MEN WHO WERE UP COUNTRY LIFTING MINES - ARRD BACK

LAST NIGHT. THEY HAD SOME EXCITING TIMES TRUCK TIPPED OVER & A

MINE THEY WERE LIFTING EXPLODED KILLING 3 AUSSIES & 6 BOONGS

AND SO WE MOVE ONTO THE DINNER.  which I think should

be explained a bit.  Now as to who

started the idea we are a bit hazy on

But the cooks took it up and everything

was got going and by 5pm today all was

in readiness.  At 5.30pm we took al

the eats to the mess hut, as it is some

distance from the cook house.

The tables (starting cloths & all) were laid

and just before the time to "go over"

the 6pm who by the way is a bit of a 

diplomat had the officers down to

have a look.  Well they were absolutely 

astounded.  Well the menu's were

on the table and after a few words

by some of the Seargents - we set to

[?] and to the [?] & blew out & still

have all the rest of the things

here under my hat (not shirt). Life in

a pow camp hasn't been too bad

up to date after all & I hope it keeps the

same way & so [?] sing song & close of P.O.W. 189

& so is the 27th week

106

 

MON 24/8/42

TODAY LIKE MANY OTHERS VERY SLOW. WE

COMMENCED P.T. TODAY & GAMES ARE

ALSO IN THE RUNNING AS A LEADER TO HEAVIER

STUFF. THE FACE IS RATHER BAD TODAY & SO ENDS P.O.W. 190

____________________________________________________________________

TUE 25/8/42

HAD ONE HELL OF A NIGHT LAST NIGHT. FACE

DAMNED NEAR BURNT OFF THESE ROTTEN

SKIN AFLICTIONS WE GET ARE HELL ABOUT 300

EVERY DAY ARE UP TO THE SPECIALIST AND IF

LOT OF CURES ARE AFFECTED "RICE BALLS" SEEM

TO HOLD PRIDE OF PLACE & ONE CHAP DIED FROM

THEM LAST SATURDAY. I HAD TO KNOCK THE P.T. BACK

TODAY WAS DOWN FOR SALT WATER & ONE CHAP

JOHNNIE GRAY GOT CAUGHT WITH TWO COCONUTS

BUT MORE TO THAT LATER. CIGARETTE ISSUE 

TODAY & SO WE CLOSE ANOTHER DAY NEARER HOME P.O.W 191

_____________________________________________________________________

WED 26/8/42

A FIVER & 28 DAYS WAS WHAT GRAY GOT FOR THE

TWO COCONUTS. AND DISCIPLIN IS COMING INTO THE A.I.F.

FROM ?DIRECTION. THE FACE STILL CROOK THE "FURFIES"

TODAY MAKE IT LOOK LIKE "HOW MUCH LONGER WILL

THIS FARCE HOLD OUT CAN HEAR THE SOUND OF

HAMMERS. TWO OF OUR CHAPS ARE BUILDING A 

DUCK HOUSE FOR OUR DUCKS?  ALSO HEAR THAT ALL

THE WORKING PARTIES ARE COMING BACK TO CAMP

AND ANOTHER P.O.W. DAY CLOSES 192 IS OVER.

_____________________________________________________________

THUR  27/8/42

LAST NIGHT I ATTENDED THE FIRST OF THE CIVIC

LECTURES. EVEN THE LECTURER HIMSELF SMELLS

A BIG CHANGE IN AUST. POLITICS. TODAY WAS

SLOW AS USUAL. WE HEAR OF A FEW LIVELY TIMES

IN THE S.   [?] CHAPS CAME BACK FROM WORKING

PARTIES TODAY. THE UNIT GROWS BIGGER EVERY

DAY. NO CHANGE MUCH IN MY FACE ITS STILL PRETTY

SORE & MUCH SWOLLEN I SHIFTED UPSTAIRS WERE

IT IS MUCH COOLER & SO WILL CLOSE P.O.W. 193  ANNIV.

_________________________________________________________

FRI 28/8/42

ITS A LONG LOOK BACK FROM HERE IN SINGA

TO 18YRS AGO IN NATHALIA BUT THATS WHERE

MY THOUGHTS ARE TODAY. THE NEWS WE HEAR IS

GOOD & LOOKS LLIKE GEN. "MOVE IS ON. NEW PARADE TIME

START FROM TODAY. NOTHING OF INPTNCE. SO P.O.W.194 OVER

ALSO M.L.D.6570

_______________________________________________________

SAT 29/8/42

AS USUAL ANOTHER DAY ON WHICH NOTHING

HAPPENS.  THE FACE STILL IN SAME CONDITION

TED. FOX & 4 OTHERS CAME BACK TODAY. HAVE NEWS

OF MORGAN & CO. WHO SEEMS TO BE DOING OK - ALSO HEAR

THE PETROL STORY & SO TO THE END OF P.O.W. 195

_______________________________________________________

SUN 30/8/42

[?] WITH A FACE LIKE A FOOTBALL & OVER TO MASS

& HOLD COMMUNION. SUNDAY BREAKFASTS ARE NOT AT

9.30AM WHICH IS A GOOD IDEA. THERE IS A SWARM OF

MALAYAN ROCK BEES HANDING ON A RUBER TREE

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW BUT THINK THEY CAN STAY THERE

FOR MINE I'VE HAD ALL THE FUN. I WANT OUT OF THESE

AND NOT TO THE CLOSE OF THE 28TH WEEK & POW DAY 196 ANOTHER NEARER HOME.

_________________________________________________________________

MON 31/8/42

TODAY ALSO VERY QUET JOKE (1) AL ON SICK PARADE THIS AM

& ALL N.D. TO THE "SPCLST" & TRY OUT A NEW DOPE. DO

A. SALT WATER PARADE. PM & GET  1 APPLE, 1 CARROT

BUNCH OF ONIONS. BEECH COMBING. PARADE TOMORROW

WERE ASKED YESTY. SIGN. PAROLE REFUSED. P.O.W. 190 OVER.

________________________________________________________

TUE 1/9/42

REVELLIE AT 7A.M. BREAK 7.30 CHECK PARADE @ 9.30 & WE LEFT.

THE PARADE GROUND AT 12.00 WE HEAR SOME GOOD FURFS.

TODAY SOUTH LOOKS GOOD.  RUSSIA. HOLDING ALL FRONTS & PUSHING

BACK ON THEIRS. NO CIGS IN TODAY & ONLY [?] EACH AVAILABLE

TOMORROW. NO PAY & WE WE BLOCK BACK FROM THE SALT WATER PARADE

THESE BLOCKS ALWAYS OCCUR FOLLOWING REVERSES ? I GIVE US ANOTHER

TWO MONTHS HERE IF NOT SHIFTED IN MEANTIME. POW 198 CLOSES.

_________________________________________________________

WED

2/9/42

AND it's fallen thick & heavy our Co. was out

to command @ the am today and was told that as

one event not gin the parole we would e

put into a concentration camp and at

midday we rcve notice to move to the square

[?] A.I.F. occupy one building  which in[?]

times held 120 men 1900 are here ow & 17,000 Poms

we are in as square or rectangular  282yds by 174

rather tight?  We sorted to shift at 2p & for

the next 4 hrs. there was a continuous flow

of men till 6pm when we had all to be in

what sights every vehicle was pressed who

service & what couldn't be carried was

[?] the [?]  & all and so we arrived

I am sleeping out in the open with all the rest

of the [?]. It hasn't rained yet and as for

mosquitoes, well a conference tonight. Our [?]

will not let us sign & in civilian countries this

question use asked 4 men shot for trying to escape

& P.O.W. 199 is over what a day?

108

 

THUR 3/9/42

Our first day in concentration camp

and we are getting down to rock bottom

[?] story of the day (1) All our officers

are camped on the ground close by the

building and all floors are full.  Some

water came from above and one of the

officers. Hey is there an N.C.O. up there ? Yes came

the [dresuv?] Well don't this anymore of that

water down !  Repeated up top. A. VOICE tell

[?] it aint water its piss.  And so far

thats as far as they have got with us 300

[isveation?]cases where marched in on us

today.  [?] etc. We are having a big

combined concert here sorting [?] its

good. We are now threatened no food

till we sign so thats that and is the

time enough [?] for a few days! P.O.W. 200

FRI 4/9/42

Today is one which will do down in

history.  We sign up on our honour not

to attempt to escape under any

circus what else could we do then

our tucker was cut off and close

contact in these quarters is not too [?]

a so at 7.30 pm we signed under orders from

Colonel Holmes O/C Malayan Command & also from 

our own O/C.  It rained today & we all

stripped off & had a wash.  The smell of

the latrines is pretty high but even with

the stink & the rain everyone is in good

spirits I am on guard till 6am tomorrow

our duties are to prevent anyone escaping

we are posted in front of the Japanese

guard house where there and at least 180 men

J & Indian? & so P.O.W. 201 comes to a close

On guard at 6am & talk with the C.O. [?]

Barracks.  It is rather a revelation to our

officers.  The stuff that is really in this [?]

& he had to admit that half or more of his

tenants are there through the tactlessness

of officers & N.C.O.'S A rather decent admission

will they have come together a bit now &

I hope they remain so. As was expected

we move out of the square back to

our barracks today & we are in a "new"

house. there has been quite a bit of -

109

SAT 5/9/42

reshuffling as it is desired to [?] the

Barrack square cleared of men for a 

few weeks. The latrines are being

filled in & the place cleaned as we

move out.  The acreage by the way is

about 10 rather small? [?] there is an

romance in this somewhere props but

up to date I fail to see it. A bit of ROMANY. but

Anyway we are out & P.O.W. 202 is out

___________________________________________

THE 29TH WEEK - TODAY

SUN 6/9/42

MORE OR LESS SETTLED DOWN & MORE OR LESS CONTENTED

TODAY. WE SHIFTED THE SPARE CLOTHING FROM THE SQUARE TO

HOUSE SO WE DONE TWO TRAILER LOADS 5 CHAPS SMART

FELLOWS FLOATED & ARE FOR IT HEAR TODAY A GREASY STORY

BUTTER IN THE MESS. NOW FOR COCONUT BUTTER & P.O.W. 203 ENDS

_______________________________________________________

MON  7/9/42

(LATE PARADE)

AND BACK TO USUAL AS USUAL & WE GET PAID AS USUAL ONLY WE

ARE A BIT BEHIND IT & GET PAID 80 CENTS TODAY. I STRAIGHT AWAY

HAD A BUST 1 PINE, 3 BANANAS, 19C ALSO PAID , 10C FOR MY MENU.

NEWS RATHER GOOD AS USUAL. EVERYTHING TODAY CIGS SOAP. PAY

AND AN OPEN SEASON IS OFFICALLY DECLARED AND CONGRATS & POW 205 IS OVER

___________________________________________________________

 

TUES 10/9/42

FACE BACK FIRES. A BIT. TOO CLOSE TO THE FID.

YESTERDAY. TODAY. 1 PLANT. A BED OF BEANS THEY

ARE LIKE OUT INDIA RUNNER THE GARDEN GEN .L.Y. LOOKING

GOOD THE KITCHENS NOW 3 COME INTO FULL SWING.

TOMORROW TODAY WE PUSHED OUT DOZEN WATER

CARTS OVER TO ORDNANCE COY. DISTANT. ABOUT ONE MILE

LONGEST. PUSH I'VE EVERY HELPED IN FURFS.? TODAY SHOW NO

MOVEMENT AT ALL LOOKS LIKE XMAS DINNER HERE?

NOT MUCH DOING. OUR WOOD HAS BEEN RATIONED & WE

ARE ALLOWED 3LB PER DAY PER MAN AND SO NOW TO

THE CLOSE OF P.O.W. 207 ANOTHER NEARER AUSSIE

 

110