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Captivity:- March 1942
Sunday 1st.
Leaving tonight for other camp, at Palembang in Sumatra. Sailed during the night. Spent miserable night on board in rain. Sailed next morning at dawn across straits and then 56 miles up river (Moesi, Musi), through swamps and dense jungle banks to Palembang. Crocodiles in river.
Monday 2nd.
Billeted in school (Mulo School). Food better. Ships scuttled in harbour and most of oil tanks burning. Quite a big town, but now alas in ruins and with plenty of food we hope.
Tuesday 3rd.
Japs treating us better here. Pork and milk now, but no tea as yet. Working getting place tidy and in order. Staying where RAF must have been.
Wednesday 4th.
Still surviving and now prepared for at least 2 years imprisonment. How I long to get back again to Tarbert. No news of outside world and no books, but have an accordion.
Thursday 5th.
Outbreak of dysentery has broken out due to bad water and poor feeding. Climate very warm owing to being inland. Thunder and rain.
Friday 6th.
Questioned by Intelligence Officers today, but divulged nothing. Col. taken away for refusing to speak, with hands tied. Issued with soap today and not before time.
Saturday 7th.
Dreamt of home during the night and what a rude awakening it was to see my surroundings in the morning. Diet now – breakfast biscuit, dinner rice, tea more rice.
Sunday 8th.
Now in possession of a fine beard but, must shave it off, as unhealthy in this climate. The life of a prisoner of war is monotonous and boring, but still must stick it.
Memo
Prepared for at least 2 years prisoner routine. Hope people at home were informed missing and no more. I know how anxious they must be on my account.
Monday 9th.
Medical treatment now much better, but still a lot to be desired. Now allowed to play netball in space outside, about 1 acre. Issued with packet of cigarettes – a birthday present!
Tuesday 10th.
Birthday!! Great celebration here today on the occasion of the fall of Java. Bands and people waving Jap flags, parade town all day and giving special cheer when outside our camp. A treacherous crowd!!
Wednesday 11th.
Very warm now with sun overhead at midday. We must be just slightly south of equator, (Palembang, 2° 59’South 104° 45’ East). In same room with boy from Nelson, N.Z., who knew Uncle Willie. The Piruri (HMNZS Puriri) was taken over by Admiralty but, he heard she was sunk by a mine. He did not know if Uncle Willie was on board at the time, or not.
Thursday12th.
Another 140 arrived from Banka tonight in thunderstorm. So my other pals should be with this new crowd. Dutch left today for other camp.
Friday 13th.
Rice, rice, rice - if I ever survive on it the age of miracles is not yet past. One meal does not suffice till the next one. In addition, the stone floor – our bed, seems to get harder every night- never again will I grumble at home.
Saturday 14th.
Playing netball today and had a good game- the exercise does us good. All the officers are with us and get the same treatment as the ranks from the Japs, who do not conform to the Geneva agreement.
Sunday 15th.
Had church service today and it was greatly enjoyed by all present. A Jap General of the Imperial Staff visited us today, so hope we get more food and shifted to larger and more comfortable quarters.
Memo
I am now able to count my ribs and almost every bone in my body juts out – only a month’s difference!
Monday 16th.
We manage to get a little news from R.C. priests from lads who have been in hospital. Started class in Malay to keep brain active. Playing basketball in the afternoon.
Tuesday 17th.
Officers here (Mulo School) include Comdr.Reid (Capt.Philip Reid), Col. Hill & 4 Lt.Col.s, in all over 50 officers. Detailed as working party for tomorrow with 200, about 100 miles north on road repairs, etc, for 14 days. Another batch arrived from Banka last night.
Wednesday 18th.
Exactly one month prisoner today. Still at Palembang. Children giving us food and bananas. Chinese (?Japanese) or, Dutch money alright here, but we are not allowed to trade, yet with a good sentry it goes on.
Thursday 19th.
All our Singapore dollars now useless. As yet, still waiting to go on this working party. We are trying to get some credit system in operation with Jap Government – we can’t survive on rice.
Friday 20th.
Met a Glasgow fellow called McGee, when we arrived here, so are now the best of pals – a very decent fellow. Other 10 soldiers arrived today – they were treacherously given up by Malays.
Saturday 21st.
The mosquito menace becoming worse- sorry for those who catch malaria as it won’t be on rice they will fight against it. Had issue of tobacco. Reported Darwin has been captured and Rangoon retaken.
Sunday 22nd.
Camping at Kampong, about 50 miles from Palembang. Delightful journey up country through rubber plantations, jungle and padi fields, along a twisting highway. Sleeping under canvas. Scenery great.
Memo
The complete absence of news of war keeps us guessing and paves the way for the wildest rumours. Natives robbed by the Japs live entirely on the country. Malays starving with no food, or money.
Monday 23rd.
Working during morning in jungle building road. Never did I dream I would be a navvy at the equator. Mosquitoes abound in their thousands here and very warm.
Tuesday 24th.
Shifted today, further north about 50 miles – crossed two rivers - work hard in the heat. Dutch blown up pipeline every 100 yards along the road. Bathing in muddy river at night.
Wednesday 25th.
Still at ferry today and did no work. Great day, bathing in river. Received bananas and pineapples from Japs - what a change. Roads in a bad state here and don’t we know it.
Thursday 26th.
Working today in boiling heat. Caught in thunderstorm and soaking through and marched about 10 miles back to camp in mud 6” deep.
Friday 27th.
At river making pontoons. Now feeling the strain of working on rice alone – it can’t be done. Large number of sick men in camp. Water always has to be boiled before drinking. Heat terrible.
Saturday 28th.
Repairing road through dense jungle. Snakes, scorpions, etc, not an uncommon sight to us. Japs in bad form today, so we suspect something amiss. Killed 12 scorpions outside tent.
Sunday 29th.
No day of rest for us, working all day in the blazing heat. Two men escaped during the night, heading in a northerly direction. I fear they won’t get far before being captured. Country round about mainly jungle and mangrove swamp.
Memo
Japs make us work from 6 till 10 and then 2 - 4. Work not hard, but the heat scarcely bearable.
Monday 30th.
Left ferry at dawn for camp No.1. Two men as yet not discovered as missing. On arrival there was great rami (panic?) – search party left during the night but their efforts were in vain. Hope the two lads manage to get through.
Tuesday 31st.
Struck camp at dawn and proceeded during daytime to Palembang. Arrived about 6 at night, in time for usual supper. Collected plenty bananas, 20 pkts tea and some coffee, so well off for a wee while.
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