Diaries of Signalman W H L Woodgate spanning November 1941 to October 1945 - Part 10

FRI 11/9/42

AN.EXTRA.QUIET.DAY.AND.FURFS.OF N.G.NOT.TOO.HOT

SAME.TALE.AS.HERE.WHAT.ARE.OUR.WINDY.Y.s.DOING?

HAD.A.BIG.TEA.TONIGHT.UNCOMFORTABLY.FULL.HAD

A VERY.QUIET.P.M.& BET.SMITHY.3.BEER.RELEASED.PRIOR.29 DEC 42

SO.TO THE CLOSE.P.O.W.208

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAT 12/9/42

NO ENTRY TODAY VERY.QUIET.NOT.EVEN

ABLE.TO.INVENT.A.FURF.AND.P.O.W.209.OVER.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUN 13/9/12

MEAT.TODAY

MASS.A.M.SINCE.THE.POMS.HAVE.MOVED.INTO

THE.SQUARE.OUR.LITTLE.CHURCH.IS.VERY.HEAVILY

TAXED.& THERE.ARE.ABOUT.4 TIMES.AS.MANY.MEN

OUTSIDE.AS.WHAT.THERE.ARE.INSIDE.TODAY.

THERE.WAS.A.PILGIMAGE.TO.THE.A.I.F.CEMETRY

ONLY.A.SPECIFIED.NUMBER.FROM.EACH.UNIT

& AS.ONE.OF.THOSE.WHO.DREW.IN.HAD BAD

FEET.I.TOOK.HIS.PLACE.& WENT.I.WAS.FORTUNATE

IN.GETTING.A.PROGRAMME.OF.THE.EVENT.

A.VERY.IMPRESSIVE.CEREMONY.THE.TWO.ESCAPEES

ARE.NOT.YET.IN.THERE.TO.BENIDICTION.AT.7.30PM

& THEN.HOME.TO.SUPPER.I.GET.THAT.MUCH.FOOD

THAT.I.GIVE.SOME.AWAY.TO.TED.FOX.HE'S.IN.THE

OTHER.COOK.HOUSE.& THEY.ARE.NOT.SO.FORTUNATE

& SO.OUR 30TH.WEEK.IS.UP & 210.IS.OVER.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MON 14/9/42

CIG.ISSUE.TODAY

HAVE.GOT.THAT.FAT.THAT.HAVE.TO.DO

SOMETHING-ABOUT.IT.SO.HAVE.VOLUNTEERED

FOR.ANY.EXTRA.PM.JOBS.& THIS.PM

COLLECTED.A TRAILER.TO.BRING.HOME.THE

GREENS.& VEGS.I.BET.I.LOST.A.STONE

THE.SWEAT.POURED.OUT.OF.ME.THIS.AM.I

PLANTED.16.PAW.PAW.TREES.AROUND

OUR.GARDEN.WILL.PUT.IN.ANOTHER.BATCH

TOMORROW & SO ANOTHER.DAY.NEARER.HOME 211

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TUE 15/9/42

A.GE.MED.EXAM.TODAY.THE.OBJECTIVE.

BEING.TO.INSURE.THAT.NO.MAN.WHO.IS.NOT

100%.FIT.IS.SENT.ON.A.WORKING.PARTY.I.WAS

RULED OUT.ACY-PSYEASTS.OF.FACE.ONLY.ABOUT.10.FIT

MEN.IN.OUR.UNIT.& SO POW 212.OVER

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WED 16/9/4

ALL.UNFITS,TODAY,WERE.WEIGHED.& ALTHOUGH.I

LOOK.FAT.I.WEIGHED. 9st6lb ONE.STONE.DOWN.ON

NORMAL.WE.HAD.AN.ISSUE.OF.MUTTON.TODAY

AND.TIS.QUITE.A.CHANGE.FROM.THE.BEEF.ONLY.NOT.ENOUGH.

OVER.TO.CURS(?) CLASS.TONIGHT.WONDERFUL.LECTURER

& P.O.W 213 CLOSES

111

THUR 17/9/42

ON GUARD.AT.GATE.3. & as I write this

I am sitting in the shelter looking

at the Indian Guardhouse -

we work 1 hr on in 4 & I'm No 1 striker(?)

at 10/30 & finish @10/30 tomorrow we

had a feed of shank for dinner & so far

it was very nice. Yes. Young grey(?) 

& carpet (?) shanks weighing about 2lb

each. The day is very (?). And 

this is a (?) job we when not on

post (?) or read & so the day

draws on at 8pm it rains & (?) 

on again & I am sheltered in (?) as I

write this (?).  The Indians have just 

been picked up & so P.O.W 214 closes

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FRI 18/9/42

TEN THIRTY.&THATS THE.FINISH.OF.THE.GUARD.IT.WAS

ONE.OF.THE.COLDEST.NIGHTS.I.HAVE.EXPERIENCED

SINCE.I.CAME.HERE.LATE.LAST.NIGHTS.BED.TIME.STORY

THE.SIGS.WERE.POSTED.AS.INFANTRY.IN.THE.GARDENS.

& WERE.TOLD.THAT.THE.HILL.MUST.BE.HELD.TILL.THE

LAST.MAN.FELL.& TO GET.DUG.IN.THEY.COMMENCED

DIGGING & WERE.PULLED.UP.WITH.A."DON'T.DIG.THERE

THEY.ARE.VALUABLE.PLANTS!SHELLS.& HELLS.BELLS & SING (?)

THAT.THE.PORK & THE.BUTTER.??

THE.CHANGING.OF.THE.GUARD.HERE.IS.TO.BE.A.CEREMONIOUS

TURN. & THE.INSTRUCTIONS.COVER. 4SHEETS & "20100" WORDS

MORE.PRISONERS.ARR.FROM.TIMOR.TODAY.MEET.AN.R.AAF

F.O.MACALLISTER.KNOWS.SMITHY & FRANK.SPOONER & CO.

TWO.BLOKES.RUN.THE.GAUNTLET.FOR.THEIVING.ONE

TO.HOSPITAL "NEW GUINEA" & STALIN.GRAD HAVE GONE

NOT.MUCH.ELSE & SO POW 215 OVER

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAT 19/9/42

A.VERY.QUIET.DAY.NOT.MUCH.DOING

A.CRICKET.MATCH.TOMORROW.ENG.V.AUS

POMS.HAVE.NOT.WON YET.BUT.& SO POW 216 FINISH

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUN 20/9/42

TODAY.AM.TO.MASS.OUR.PADRE.DOES.NOT.TAKE.TOO

KINDLY.TO.THE.PROPOSED.COMPULSORY.CHURCH.PARADE

THE.POWERS.THAT.BE.STILL.CONTINUE.ON.THE.SAME

LINES.? VOLUNTEER.FOR.A.TRAILER.PARTY.TO.PUSH

OUR.LIMBLESS.MATES.OWN.TO.THE.CRICKET

MATCH & @ 13.30 WE PUSH OFF FROM.THE.TRAILER.PARK

AND.PICK.UP.OUR.FARES.AT.THE.CON.DEPOT.THERE

ARE.14.ALL.TOLD & THE.ONLY HOPE.THEY.HAVE.OF

GETTING.OUT.IS.WHEN.WE.PUSH.THEM.ON.THE

TRAILERS.COMING. "HOME" WE.INSPECT THE CEMETRY AIF

THE.POMS.WON.BY.ONE.RUN.& POW 217 OF THE 31ST WEEK.

112

MON 21/9/42

AFTER.OUR.CRICKET.PUSH.WE.RCD.THE

VERY.HEARTY.CONGRATS.FROM.ONE.OF.OUR

OFFICERS.BEN.BARNETT.TO.BE.PRECISE.YES

IT'S.VERY.NICE.TO.THINK.THAT.ONE.IS.FIT

ENOUGH.TO.BE.THE.PUSHER.WHEN.ONE.COULD

VERY.EASILY.HAVE.BEEN.A.RIDER!.BUT..i.WONDER

IF.THE.SAME.GENTS.EVER.THINK.THAT.SUCH

A.GESTURE.BY.THEM.WOULD.DO.MORE.TO.REGAIN

THEIR.LOST.PRESTIGE.THAN.ANYTHING.ELSE.THEY

COULD.THINK.P?.TODAY.I.PUSHED.A.TRAILER

LOAD.OF.WOOD.&.DAMN.NEAR.BUSTED.6.OF.US.ON

A.TRAILER.UP.HILL.WITH.A.TON.OF.WOOD?

NEWS.FURFS.NOT.TO.HAND.TODAY.&.STILL.NO

PAY.&.SO.NOW.FOR.A.READ.&.POW 218.OVER

TUE 22/9/42

PAY.&.CANT.WE.DO.WITH.IT.THE.PAY.IS.A.BIT

BEHIND.TIME.THE.AMOUNT.RCD.TODAY.IS.THAT

FOR.THE.PERIOD.IST.TO.10^TH.I.WENT.TO.THE

EYE.SPCLT.FIND.THERE.ARE.TWO.SPOTS.ON.THE.LEFT

&.AM.NOW.ON.OIL.PILLS.YEAST & EYE.OIL.& P.O.W.219.IS.OVER

WED 23/9/42

HAD.MY.FIRST.SWIM.TODAY.& ITS.A.GOOD.BEACH.NOW

WHERE.WE.SWIM.SEE.QUITE.A.LOT.OF.TROOPS.ABOUT.

TODAY.NO.NEWS.TO.THE.CIVIC.LESSON.TONIGHT

TONIGHT.IS.ONE.OF.THOSE.FULL.MOON.NIGHTS.THAT.ONE.READS

ABOUT.WE.SPEND.MOST.OF.THE NIGHT.ON.THE.LAWSES.POW 220.

THU 24/9/42

WE.ARE.TOLD.THAT.WE.ARE.SHIFTING.OUR.OR'S

TIS.A.DAMN.PITY.THEY.WOULD.LET.US.SETTLE.IN

ONE.PLACE.FOR.A.WHILE.THIS.DAY.ALTHOUGH.STARTING

RATHER.PROS.FINISHED.RATHER.DRAMATICALLY.WE.HAD.BEEN

RECOUNTING.STORIES.OF.HOME.AND.ONE.OF.MINE.BROUGHT.A

MEMORY.TO.TWO.CHAPS.ONE.FROM.COBRAM.& ONE.FROM.NATHALIA

HAMILTON & JIM.MATHEWS.AND.THEN.WE.TALKED.OF.HOME

& VARIOUS.ONES.TILL.LONG.AFTER.L.O.& THE.MEMORIES

DUG.UP.ARE.TOO.MANY.FOR.HERE & SO POW 221. ENDS

FRI 25/9/42

THE.LAST.DAY.IN.THESE.QUARTERS.& HORSE.PLAY

SEEMS.TO.BE.THE.ORDER.OF.THE.DAY.WE.PACK.ALL

OUR.GEAR.&.I.SPEND.MOST.OF.THE.DAY.

GETTING.PIPES & FITTINGS.READY.FOR.THE.NEW

QUARTERS.& SO.POW 222.OVER

SAT 26/9/42

WE.SHIFT.INTO.OUR.NEW.QUARTERS.&.AM.THE.PLUMBER

FOR.THE.FITTING.UP.OF.THE.SHOWERS.ETC.

NEARLY.HAD.A.FIGHT.WITH.A.CORP & SO

THE.DAY.CLOSES.& POW 223.IS.OVER.113

SUN 27/9/42

PLUMBIN.TILL.3.30PM & THEN.TO.A.FOOTBALL

MATCH & PLAY.AGAIN & WE.WIN.4.7 - 3.3

WE.ONLY.PLAY.3 QRS.20 15.MIN.& 10 10.& WITH

THE.OLD.MURCURY.AT.95.ITS.QUITE.LONG.ENDING

& HOME.TO.TEN.THE.BEST.WE.HAVE.HAD.UP.TO.DATE.ABOUT

HALF.LB.MEAT.PER.MAN.& THEN.TO.BENIDICTION.

& SO POW.OF.THE.(22ND.WEEK & DAY 224.IS.CLOSED

MON 28/9/42

AFTER.A.VERY.RESTLESS.NIGHT.WE.ARE

BACK.ON.OUR.PLUMBING.& ITS.A.HELL.OF.A

JOB.I.AM.LUCKY.IN.HAVING.A.GOOD

MATE.&.WE.GT.THRU.QUITE.A.BIT.OF.WORK.

ILL.HAVE.A.HOLE.DAY.OFF.AFTER.I.CUT.OUT

I.FORGOT.TO.RECORD.AN.ISSURE.OF.ROBACCO.YESTERDAY

&.ALSO.PAY.70 CENTS? & P.OW 225. IS.OVER.

TUES 29/9/42

VERY.QUITE.STILL.PLUMBING.& TO.THE.EYE.SPECLST

WE.HAVE.A.SCEARCH.SCARE.LATE TONIGHT.& ALSO.TOLD

THAT.A.SEARCH.& INSPECTION.OF.GEAR.WILL.BE

MADE.TOMORROW.ALSO.INFORMED.THAT.HODOO PALSARE

IN.SINGAPORE.FOR.US.ANY.GOOD.& SO POW.226.OFF 

WED 30/9/42

THE.END.OF.ANOTHER.MONTH.& ANOTHER.NEARER.HOME

THE.INSPECTION.MADE.TODAY.AND.ALL.OK.WE.

SPENT.HALF.THE.AM.PUTTING.OUR.STUFF.OUT.&.

HRS.PUTTING.IT.BACK.BET.TED.FOX.12.POTS.TO.12.MILKS

WE.ARE.POWS.AT.XMAS.&.ILL.MAKE.ANOTHER.BET.WITH

MYSELF.THAT.SOMEONE.GETS.HURT.HERE.BEFORE.LONG.

TOO.MUCH.HORSE PLAY.IN.TOO.SMALL.A.PLACE.I.PUT.MY

TYPEWRITER.IN.TO.THE.ORDERLY.ROOM.FOR.USE.WHILE

IM.NOT.USING.IT.&.P.O.W.227.FINISHEDS AT.CIVICS.CLASS

THUR 1/10/42

TODAY.FLUES.TO.THE.COOK.HOUSE.WE.START.A.BIT.OF.JYM.WORK.

WITH.A.COUPLE.OF.STICKS.ALSO.SELECT.A.VOLLEY.BALL.TEAM

FURFS.GOOD.MEALS.GOOD.AND.ALL.HAPPY.GET.A.GOOD.VIEW

OF.THE.GOAL.FROM.HERE.SOME.OF.THE.BOYS.ARE.PLAYING

CARDS.& SMELL.SPOILS.THE.PLAY.& ANOTHER.DAY.NEARER.HOME.POW 228

"33 WEEK"

SUN 4/10/42

FRI.&.SAT.HAVE.PASSED.AND.NOTHING.DOING.TO.RECORD.LAST

NIGHT.I.ATTENDED.A.I.F.CONCERT.NT.A.BAD.SHOW.AT.ALL

TODAY.ON.A.TRAILER.TO.ARTILLERY.SQUARE.FOR.RATIONS

.GOT.WET.TO.THE.SKIN.AM.GOING.TO.HOSP.MAY.PLAY

FOOTBALL.THIS.PM.PAPER.IS.GETTING.SCARCE.HERE

SO.WILL.WRITE.UP.EVERY.3.DAYS.FROM.NOW.ON.POW 231. 114

THUR 8/10/42

AND.SO.WE.COME.TO.THURSDAY.WITHOUT

MUCH.DOING.WE.COULD.SEE.LOADS.OF.COMFITS

GOING.INTO.THE.DEPOT.EVERYDAY. &. AS.WE

EXPECTED.TODAY.BROUGHT.US.TO.THE.TRAILER.

PARTY.TO.BRING.THEM.IN.HERE.WE.WERE.UP.@ 7:30

BREAK.&.ON.THE.ROAD.@.8:30NOW.THAT.PART

IS.ALWAYS.DONE.BY.THE.MEN.WE.PICK.UP.THE

OFFICERS.AT.THE.PARK& FROM.THEN.ON.THE."INC"

SETS.IN.WE.FINISH.UP.TAKEN.2 1/4.HRS.TO.GO.2.MILES

1.DOWN.HILL &.UP A.LEVEL.THE.USUAL.A.I.F.TECHNIQUE.

NO.WONDER.WE.LOST.HERE.WE.DULY.ARR.BACK.AT.1200.THE.26TH

ARRD.BACK.LAST.NIGHT,FROM.ADAM.PARK.TOO.MUCH.TO.DO.WITH

GDS.AND.NOW.UP.COMES.ANOTHER.RISING.IT.LOOKS.AS

THO.WE.ARE.GOING.TO.BE.JIBBED.ABOUT.WITH.OUR.ISSUE.AS

WE.ARE.WITH.EVERY.OTHER.THING.BUT.THINK.THIS.WILL

BRING.BIG.SHOW.DOWN.& SO.TO.CLOSE.POW 235

FRI 9/10/42

YES! 'TIS.ON'.THE.WHOLE.OF.THE.A.I.F.ARE.UP.AGAINST

THE.WAY.THE.RED.CROSS.ISSUE.IS.BEING.DISTRIBUTED

FROM THE "QUIET" TALK.I.WOULD.SAY.THINGS.WILL.GO

A.LONG.WAY.AT.2PM.TODAY.I.BOUGHT.INTO.THIS & HAVE

BEEN.RATHER.BUSY.EVER.SINCE.I.WOULD.NOT.BE.SUPRISED

IF.THIS.IS.NOT.HANDED.TO.THE.JAPS.& IF.IT.IS.LOOK.OUT

WE.ARE.FOR.THE.ORD.ROOM.@10:15.TOMORROW & POW 235

SAT 10/10/42

SAT & WE.ARE.TO.INTERVIEW. SIG CMDR. RE.MAKING.AN.INDIVIDUAL

ISSUE.OF.THE.RED.COSTS.GOODS.WE.HAVE.NO.CONFIDENCE.IN

ANY.PARTICIPANT.IN.THE.ISSUEING.OF.THE.GOODS.& AS.USUAL

WE.HAVE.FROM.PREV.EXPERIENCE.WHAT.WILL.HAPPEN.WE.HAD

THE.INTERVIEW.BUT.OUR.HANDS.ARE.MORE.OR.LESS.TIED.BY

MILITARY.DISCIPLIN. &.IT.NOW.LOOKS.AS.THOUGH.THE.I.J.A

WILL.BE.INVOLVED &.IF.THAT.HAPPENS .ON.ALL.TAKES.PROBABLE

ARE.TOLD.CURTAINS.TO.THE.A.I.F.COMMAND.HERE.&

AND.THIS.WILL.HAVE.ITS.COUNTERPART.AT.HOME.THE.INTERVIEW

WAS.GOING.WELL.TILL.TRUSWELL.CLOSED.UP.&.THAT.THREW

THE.WHOLE.WORKS.OUT.OF.GEAR.BUT.THE.POSITIONS.STILL

UNCLARIFIED &.THEREFORE.STILL.FLUID.THE.REQUESTS.MADE

WERE.THAT.THE.TOTAL.AMOUNT.AVAILABLE.TO.BE.THE

SUBJECT.OF.A.ROUTINE.ORDER & 2 THAT.THE.COCOA.MILK

SUGAR.&.BISCUITS.BE.ISSUED.INDIVIDUALLY.WE.WERE

TOLD.THAT.THE.AMOUNTS.SPECIFIED.WERE.BASED.ON.THE

ISSUE.ON.HAND.ON 7TH.INST.YET.14.TRUCKS.CAME.IN

&.WERE.SEEN.BY.THE.GUARDS.YESTERDAY.SO.DEVELOPMENTS.

SUN.11.9.42. QUIET.BUT.STILL.SETHY. PLAY

FOOTBALL.PM.&.WE.HAVE.A.WIN &.SO.POW.238

OF.34.WEEK.IS.OVER.       115

TUE 13.9.42

Last night we heard rumors that a working 

party was under way & today the rumor

became a fact. 40 from Sigs to a job

on river valley road & I am one of the 

40.  This is the third party I have been on

and today to the wash hut & wash ?

all the gear. "Wouldn't it, eh"? Just after I

had built for me a bugless bed but

the change is rather welcome. Although 

I would have liked to have finished

building my cobbers (?) which I have 

been and for some days, and so we haste

I tried to get over to Southern Area to 

see some of the boys off. The (?)

but can't get acct Diphtheria out there

400 cases looks a good place to be out of

?& now a good tea, cocoa @ 8:30pm & Pow 240 over to bed.

WED 14/10/42

Rev @6:30 in the dark ear packed for our 3rd getaway

and a meat breakfast?? We have our gear

taken over by trailer to the square and we 

march over light. I have lent my typewriter

to Captain Ben Barnett, the international 

cricketer who if we do not meet up again is to 

send it to home at Raglan I think his word is as good

as his hand and anyway I win both ways the

story will be worth more than $22 I bet. We get

to the square @ 8:30 and are now sitting about

waiting the ?shorts like the last day

we moved out. The weather is rather inclement

light (?) showers pass over and we

duck for shelter in the pom officers mess. There

are 700 in this (?) and there is a strong rumor that

we are a Japan party, it looks very like it

to me too. There are so few fit men in the

camp now that it has been a hard job to

fill the 35 required.  We carry with us for lunch

one meat & rice rissole.  We eventually arr

at our destination and what a place the

sloppiest slum in Singapore, in attap

huts like Serangoon. But the tucker looking

goods we have been eating ever since

we got here & cocoa? Heaps of it 1000

poms leave here tomorrow & they can not

carry all their issue with them & gear

tons of it.  The bugs here are positively

marvelous big as big & in millions aren't we

for it ? & so POW 241 closes with electric

light in the hut, bugs, mosquitos

mud & full belly.

116

 

THUR 15/10/42

Which makes our 8th month

in P.O.W, camp & we're still at Singa.  Today we left the camp

at 9.30 am & by truck to the

wharves. Travelling by ferry to Blakangmatie Island we saw 

plenty of sunken ships in the

Straits and plenty of evidence

of the scrap that was.  We had 

a very easy day making a 

sports ground with KOREAN troops

we also saw some Japanese "women".

Came back at 4.15 pm in two small

launches & back to BUGS & P.O.W 242 over

FRI 16/10/42

Two remarkable coincidences last

night one was I met up with

Gus Currie(?) & the other the bugs

carried me out of the hut.

"OH, HELLLL"  what a bug  gar of a night

Today we again went to the 

wharves & starting work @ 10/45

lumped 100 bags of rice till 1200

& from two to 3pm unloaded (?)  

& bludged  till 2pm & then home

we had a search coming in?

we had a good breakfast & a good tea

but dinner is just "PLAIN RICE" & so 

POW. 243 is over

SAT 17/10 & Sun 18th have passed & our

35th week is finished & today MON 19/20/42 

is closing & we have had

two extra slow days. YESTY, we

worked at the Bottle Yard. We

really sat down all day & only 

done 5" (?) in the PM. We had

a drink of hot water to which

had then added condensed milk

one man who did not come and was

missing & we had to wait until 9pm

what a day.  Today we went out to the 

job and worked till 12 then marched

half over Singapore& back to camp at

2pm & home for the day.     One chap

handed over to J.A. today & another

? up. We rcd boots & hat 

if required & P.O.W. 244 is over 

117

--------------------------------------------------------------

TUE 20/10/42

A.FAIRLY.HEAVY.DAY.A.FEW.PIRATES. & ALL.SWEET

AT.BUCKA.TIMAHY (Blakangmatie) WHARVES.NO.SCAPS.& SO

HOME.JOHNNY.GOT.A.FRIGHT.WITH.A.BOTTLE

OF.MILK & SO P.OW 247 CLOSES.WITH.TIRED.FEET

ACCT.NEW.BOOTS.RED.CROSS.ISSUE. 

WED 21/10/42

HOME.TODAY.ACCT.SORE.THROAT.SEEM.TO

COP.EVERYTHING.IN.THIS.HOLE. WE.PLAY

CARDS.MOST.OF.THE.DAY.& CART.WOOD

FROM.THE.VALLEY.ROAD.CAMP. TO.THE.DR. & ANOTHER

DAY.AT.HOME.TOMORROW. THROAT.VERY.CROOK

NOT.MUCH.TO.RECORD & SO.NOW.TO.CLOSE. P.OW

248 NO.FURFIES.ABOUT.HERE.& SO.ON.

THUR 22/10/42

ANOTHER.DAY.IN. & SLEEP.ALL.DAY.MORE.TROOPS

MOVE.IN.TODAY.FROM.THE.VALLEY.RD.  TEA.WAS

RATHER.GOOD.TONIGHT. THE.LADS.HAVE.A.LATE

DAY. & SO.NOW. TO.THE.END. P.OW 249

FRI 23/10/42

TODAY.TO.THE.HOSPITAL & JUST.IN.TIME.FOR.THE.MED.EXAM

THERE & CLICK.A.CHANGI.THEY.ARE.BUNGING.THEM.BACK.

LIKE.FLIES SO.MAY.GO.TOMORRROW. & P.OW 250 OVER

SAT 24/10/42

AM.ORDERED.TO.CHANGI.TODAY.BUT.ORDER.LATER

CANCELLED.ACCT.NO.ROOM.IN.TRUCK. SO.UNPACK 

& WAIT.FOR.TOMORROW. BUCK'S.16TH.BIRTHDAY.

GOOD.LUCK.BUCK & MANY.HAPPY.RETURNS.I.WISH.I.WAS.HOME

FOR.IT.STILL.WILL.KEEP.THE.CELEBRATIONS.FOR.THE.NEXT. WHENI'LL

BE.THERE.THE.FOOR.OVER.HERE.IS.NOT.TOO.GOOD.BUT.THE

SMELLS?? ARE.PRETTY.HIGH & THEY MAKE UP FOR IT.

THE WEATHER.HERE.AT.PRES.IS.RATHER.GOOD. COOL.NIGHTS &

NICE DAYS,NOT.TOO.HOT.NOT.MUCH.HERE. & SO P.OW 251 OVER

 SUN 25/10/42

HARRY'S.16TH & M.H.R.BUCK! COME. &.GET.IT.YELLS.THE.POMMY

COOKS.&.LETS.AT.ER.BEFORE.THEM.BLEEDIN.AUSSIES

GET.IT.COMES.A.CALL.FROM.THE.WARD.DINNER.IS

ON & IM.STILL.HERE.ALOT.MORE.OF.OUR.LADS.CAME.IN.TODAY

AS.THERE.ARE.ONLY.TWO.FOR.CHANGI.DO.NOT.EXPECT.GO.TODAY

WONDER.IS.RON.IN.NAVY.YET? AIR.RAID.SIREN.TODAY.WE.HOPE.ON

& SO.OUR.36TH WEEK & POW 252 ARE OVER.

MON 26/10/42

TODAY.I.FORWARDED.A.REQUEST.TO.C/O.OF

CAMP.TO.FORWARD.MY.COMFORTS.ISSUE.

NOT.MUCH.DOING.FOOD.STILL.CROOK

BRIDGE.ALL.DAY & SO POW 253. 1. NEARERHOME

OVER

118

 TUE 27.10.42 & 254 OVER.LEAF.

WED 28/10/42

Reply to my comforts? Today offended mega time

scurrilous & a damn scandal.  The meals today

just plain bloody terrible.  And they have

the temerity &  say the R. Cross stuff is in??

No furfs no nothing here & the strong man

acct of the (?)  Yes he ca(?) of meal for

180 men. our tea? 7 P.OW 255 over.

THUR 29/10/42

Very quiet, dogs, dags & Bayonnets? A few

head to Changi today & I miss again

the (?) & the kind the feet (?) And

bridge till we are bridge blind. No News.

Pen dry & P.O.W 256 over.

SAT 31/10/42

Fri 30th 257 over and Saty 31st nearly

SOLOMANS. NOT.TOO.GOOD. Teeth "yanked" out

still here & more men came in to

the camp today who? yet meals

bit better today & we are paid 80 

hear  bill & cost are point here  & some

of those who had gone back "Joke" & Pow 258 out

SUN 1/11/42

November 1st and am having a very

quiet day. Smokes are rather hard to 

get here and meals are still

"?" Today marks our 37th week &

only 7 to Xmas. Well! will we be home?

(?) occupation here to SYDNAY

TIMES & cards & LIGHTNINGS MESS RUN 7 POW 259 over

MON 2/11/42

MY? TOTAL.PAY.BEARS.RESULTS.THIS.AM.LT.WALKER

OF ARMY CAME OVER & PAID SOME OF US 20C

I.DID.NOT.GET.ANY & RAISED.THE ? WHY.I.TOLD

HIM.THAT.I.AM.MORE.INTERESTED.IN.THE.MALADAY

THAN THE 20C NOW? EYE & BACK-VERY.SORE.TODAY

OUGHT.TO.SHAKE.UP.THE.CHANGI.TURN & TODAYS.SPECIAL.IS.THE

STORY OF BLEES, ESCAPE FROM BUKITTMAH CAMP. ALSO.HATFIELD, TRACEY (?) WAS THE C/O (VIDE .P.E.LAW.) & MONDAY DRAWS TO A VERY.SLOW.CLOSE. & POW 260 IS OVER

TUE 3/11/42

MISSED.A.CHANGI.TODAY. & WENT."TO.TOWN"ABOUT.IT

BUT.WAS.FORTUNATE.AS.OUR.ISSUE.OF.FUNDS.CAME.IN

& I.GOT.TINS.M&V SOME.SUGAR & COCOA.WE.HANDED

OUT.ISSUE.OF.SOUP & TURNIPS.INTO. KITCHEN.BUT.6.OTHERS

KEPT.THEIRS.SUCH.IS.THE.COMMARDAIER.A.I.F.

MYERS TO HOSP ACUTE APPENDIX & POW 261 FINISH

119