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| - Dark Side of the Sun - George Palmer's Journey From Prince Edward Island to Hong Kong and the Omine Camp in WWII His Story Chronology Capt. Wilson Interview Dr. Gingras Interview |
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| JANUARY A new year is born and what has it to offer in store for us, just the usual duties for us with rice and cabbage soup three times. Sir Walter Scott said "The world is a stage and everyone is an actor and we must all play our role but we must be on someone elses part now. Lets hope for the best and take it like true British soldiers. Japs made quite a fuss yesterday as it is also a New Year for them and they are all one year older now. If they are born in Dec. 1943, when 1944 comes, they are two years older, so this is the 14th year of Showa, as the years of each Emperor's reign is called after him. So they welcome the New Year with loud yells of Bangi or as we would say in our country, hurrah. Cold night, but no snow there was about 1/4 of an inch of ice on a pool of water outside the hut this morning. I think this is the date that Momma and Papa were married, what funny things come to one's mind. Dull, looks like rain, not so cold when it rains. Raining hard and we had roll call inside barracks, not so bad as standing out in rain. Hear that British have bombed Channel Islands. Cold, looks like snow. No news of any kind. Cold, had a light fall of snow about 1/8th inch, more on mountains. Time goes slowly, maybe this year will end and we will still be here. Dull and cloudy, notice traces of snow on mountains. Have had sweet potatoes for three days, much better than cabbage soup. They still grow vegetables through most of the year. This is Elmer Scott's birthday. I wonder what he is doing. Very fine. Japs are making news reels, taking pictures of us in bath or showers and the Xmas dinner. Very fine. Didn't work very hard today. Air was good and jack hammer worked fine. When air is good we don't have to work hard. Now for the good news. Some Red Cross parcels came in today, about 104 boxes from the Canadian Red Cross. I hope there is some mail as it is now 27 months since I heard from home. Nice and fine. I heard some Japs talking and from what I could make out, not being good in Japanese, that there is something going on in Burma and they mentioned 60,000 men in a sad tone, so maybe they are getting the worst of it down there, I hope so anyway. Also hear that the Russians have driven the Germans 35 miles beyond the Polish border. Cooler today, nice and clear. Just rice and cabbage soup for supper. We spilled our soup down in mine so all we had was just plain rice. Not much like Sunday, just down in old mine and work. Reported that there is mail in camp, will they give it to us or not? Japs gave out some of the comfort parcels, 356 in all. I didn't get any, one fellow 5 parcels, contained various things, soup, towels, razor blades, chewing gum and sweaters, socks, summer underwear, shirts, one blanket, camp shoes, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, pipes, handkerchiefs, tooth brush, powder. We couldn't see any date or postage stamp to find out how long they have been coming, but about two years I guess. Some parcels came here to men in other camps. Lovely and fine. One year ago yesterday since leaving Hong Kong. At that time, we were wishing for the ships to be torpedoed and end it all. Some prayed, others cursed, happen what may we are still alive, most of us anyway - or partly alive I should say. Fine again, nice weather for air raids. Just had our evening meal, rice and turnip soup. Didn't get our parcels yet. A year ago I was somewhere in the East China Sea in Jap prison ship Latua Maru. Fine and still hoping for the war to end, but I'm not beaten yet for I would stay here the rest of my life rather than lose the war. We have the day off, change shift also. Not too cold, it rained last night. Had to do P.T. this morning just the same. Some more parcels came in, I've had no luck yet. One fellow got 7 parcels. It's just one year ago that we landed at Nagasaki port, landed in evening, then marched through the city to station; boarded train about 11 p.m. Arrived at this camp one year ago. Were given Red Cross food today. I got piece of cheese, about 1 inch square, 1 ounce of tea and sugar, two biscuits, half bar of soap, half bar of chocolate, two oz. of butter. Weather clear, just in from mine, didn't have a bad night. Had a few raisins and prunes in our rice today. Very fine morning, rain this p.m. Had a tin of sardins between four men, about 1 sardine per man. Not much in more than two years, hope it won't be very much longer. Nice and fine. Didn't get much sleep today, had to clean the windows inside and out. Had a can of meat roll between 6 men for supper. Nice and fine. A civilian visited this camp today, must be mine official. Fairly cold last night. I was hungry this morning as some dirty lousy thief stole my rice I had for the mine; worked all night nothing to eat. Many of the mens legs are swollen up and faces; also severe cramps in stomach. We are in bad spot. Light frost this a.m. One of the boys passed out on parade and when they pick him up, the Jap guard commander hit them and Sgt. Sheppard hit him back and in the end, Sheppard was bayoneted in the arm, almost got it in the chest; is in the guard house for 20 days, his arm must pain him terrible. Last day of January, next January if I'm alive I hope to be free. This is our day off, but they keep running us around and no fire in the room or heat of any kind. FEBRUARY Bright sun, but wind is cold. Many of the men have severe cramps and diarrhea. Had mussels for a few days and they are spoiled so that may be the cause. Sleet in a.m., turned to snow in p.m. Snowed about four inches. Deep slush with cotton sneakers on, feet are cold and wet. Snow gone this p.m. Walking through mud up to our ankles. No roads in this country, just paths and trails. Still have cramps, body swollen with Berri Berri. Hell on earth. Very cold this a.m. Like November back home, but they still plant their garden. Funny place this Japan. Rain again and muddy as the dickens. There was a large parcel brought here today from the American Red Cross. Overcoats marked on it. Sun out this a.m. but dull in p.m. Still have cramps and diarrhea. About a month since we had any bread. Sgt. Major Caldwell of the W.G. got beat up today, they hit him over the head with a big piece of wood and raised a big . Everything as usual. Cold and windy. Still have cramps, wish they would give us something for them, its for the want of bread, all we get is rice 3 times a day. I got a comfort parcel today, I think it was from Mamma, they take all the paper away, but I caught a glimpse of the address and I think it was Papa's writing; I jot down the articles so when I get back I'll know who sent it. 1 pair of blue-striped breadcloth pyjamas, 1 large bath towel, 1 kaki shirt, 1 pair sismans scampers, black, 3 pairs socks, 2 prs sun glasses, 1 razor everready, 20 blades, 1 mending kit, tooth brush and powder, shaving soap and brush, 3 combs and me with my hair all cut off, ha, ha, 2 suits of summer underwear, 1 woolen pullover sweater, 2 sun hats, 3 bars sunlight soaps, 3 of carbolic, 3 pks chicklets, 1 pk spearmint gum, I guess that is the lot, my but I'm glad, everything just comes in right, especially the shoes and socks, my feet are sore from walking over rocks with thin rubber soled sneakers, hadn't any socks just pieces of old rags that I wrapped around my feet. Fine today. Still looking over my parcel. Poor mom, how she must worry. I'm sorry to have caused her so much trouble, God bless her. The only articles missing was 9 pks gum, 4 handkerchiefs, 1 pencil, 1 box shoe polish, 2 pks razor blades, so I was lucky after all. Japs gave us rest of Red Cross parcel and 30 lbs more rice as it is the anniversary of their empire. The first Emperor on throne in 2604. Nice sunshiny day. I'm working on surface the last two days, nicer than down in that old coal mine in dust and dirt. Still on surface, very cold day, snow flurries. We wouldn't mind if we had thick woolen socks and leather boots. Fine today. Jap children must be tough, go around with wooden clogs, no socks, bare feet and shaved hair off. Fine in morning, snow flurries in evening. Our day off. Japs call it Sunday if it comes every 6,8, or 12 days it is Sunday just the same. 12 of us will be given more rice because we know how to use a jack hammer. I go down in mine at 10 o'clock tonight. We have received very severe orders about tobacco & matches in the mine. I believe we are going to work in the coal soon, as there is more prisoners coming here. Snowed about three inches this a.m. but not cold. It has snowed again, more snow this year than last. I see a lot up on the mountains. 26 more comfort parcels in today. Arley Enright got one. Mail was given out today, I didn't get any but Violet Enright mentioned that Mamma had got a letter from me when I was in camp in Hong Kong. Dull day. Some more Red Cross clothes came in today from American Red Cross. Light snow fall, but all gone by noon. Snow again about 1/2 inch. Japs are giving us leather boots that came here about a year ago, not enough to go around. I was unlucky, didn't get any. Not much going on. Many of the boys sick, can't eat the rice we are turning against the darn stuff, just force it down. Cars ran off the track last night, it's a miracle no one was killed. Got a letter from Momma at last and she had one from us, she got mine on August 28th, 1942 and wrote me on Sept. 1st, 1942, received it today, Feb 27th, 1944. This is the first letter in 3 years. I was in Nfld. when I got the last letter. This is the letter, has been censored, some crossed out. Dear Lance. Paspebiac East, Sept. 1st, 1942. We were all overjoyed on receiving word on Friday evening Aug. 28th. that you were alive and well and being well treated, your letter came to Montreal and Stewart called me on the phone and told me, I could hardly believe it. Papa, Grandma, Jackie and all the rest are well, have had a wonderful summer, very dry, not much rain - xxx your loving mother. The letter was typed, I don't understand how it went to Montreal. Some more parcels came in today, but mine has been the nicest so far, everything was just right. Nice day, sun very bright. Rumours about a naval battle in Pacific, Japs seem to have lost quite a few ships for the first time, it took place near the Caroline Islands. A stone from a blast went right through one fellow's ear, lucky it didn't hit him in the head. Nice and fine. Have a severe cold in head, water runs from my nose and eyes. Mail in today, I got five letters, 2 from Momma, 1 from Irene, 1 from Betty Shannon and 1 from Harry and Edith, all mailed around the last of August, 1942. Everyone was well at that time. Betty sent me 6 snaps and a nice long letter, most of the letters are very short. Mamma looks good, also Meda Cram looks good but thin. I find Betty so tall, taller than Meda, and the children look great. It makes a fellow feel good to see his own people, I feel 100 percent better tonight, work will be light for me tonight, so glad all were alive and well at that time. MARCH Nice and fine, I went to sleep on a bench in the camp grounds, the sun was really hot. Very fine. We go to work at 2 p.m. today, they say it's a 15 day shift, too long. I have read my letters over and over a dozen times. Every one is going around exchanging news. So poor Harriet Chatterton died, more mail in today. I may get one at a later date. Nice and fine. We are working in a very dangerous place now. I'm afraid someone is going to get hurt or buried alive. This is Winnie Scott's birthday must be 30 years old, I think. This is Stewart's birthday, I wish him luck and good health for myself, I'm sick as a dog, but have to go in mine just the same. I have diarrhea, have had it for a month now, I'm getting weaker every day, hope they finish the war this year. A year today since we started working in mine. Lot of fellows with pneumonia, it is from being so weak, the least thing pulls us down. Rain today. Had a cavein, two men hurt; one his foot broken, the other one badly but no broken bones. We braced up the roof today, didn't drill any holes. Time is terribly long, we are on a 15-day shift, its too long without a break. Get so tired but can't do anything about it, so lets wait a little longer. Cold and windy. One third of month gone. Blowing hard, this is the windy month. Supposed to have attacked Guam, don't know if landings were made or not. Not much like Sunday back home, the only way I can tell its Sunday is by this diary. Ten boxes of American Red Cross came today, but I don't suppose we will get any. Finer today. They conducted a search yesterday, unexcepectedly and found a lot of stuff, diaries, compasses, even 45 boxes ammunition, took all our kit bags, now we have our clothes on the floor in a pile, gets worse daily. Expect a new lot of prisoners in any day. I feel a little better today. Feeling a little better again today, but can't eat, appetite so bad. Nice and fine. Supposed to be a riot in town, a Korean was killed, not enough to eat, the cause. Were caught with some maps someone found them in the dust box, now they have us in the guard room. Still in guard room and have been standing up all this time, getting tired. Got out today, stood up all that time, didn't think it possible. My legs are swollen. Nice day. Down in mine again, my legs are swollen. Strong wind today, but not cold. Hugh Lim has been released from guard house, but they have two more in there now. Nice and fine. Not much going on. The 2 men still in guard house. Very fine. My legs trouble me, are still swollen. Lovely weather, but we have to go down in mine, dirty place and work so hard and so little food. People back home wouldn't believe we eat so little. Very fine, they get some nice weather in Japan. Two Sgt.'s and one officer came here today, don't know what nationality. Lovely and fine. The new arrivals are from the Phillipine Is. They tell some terrible tales. In one camp of 50,000, about 27,000 died - 500 a day. Fine. These Americans are nice fellows, the officer is from Florida and one fellow from Montana, the others from California. Raining today, but not cold. Cold and dreary, not much happening. Still cold and damp. Nice and fine, not much going on. Very nice today; too nice for us to be in this darn old coal mine. APRIL Raining today. I almost had my leg broken, a large rock fell on it, but there happened to be a drill leaning against the wall and it saved me. Another rock landed on my head, hurt my neck, but we'll get through it. This is our day off, first day off for me in a month. At last day off I was in guard room. Nice and fine. Lovely weather, cherry trees will soon be in bloom. Weather just grand, hope it keeps this way for a long time. Read all my letters and looked at snaps again today. They freshen the mind of things more civilized or western. Rain again today. Monsoon season changes about this time. Still raining and lots of mud. This is Easter Sunday I think, but no eggs or candy for us. One of our band passed away today, Sterling McKinley. He was sick for a long time, I think it turned to T.B. He was so thin poor lad came from Broadlands, Quebec. Just out of mine, its a lovely day. Cherry trees are in bloom, some white, others pink and pretty to look at. Funeral for McKinley today. McKinley was only buried today, lovely day, so bright with cherry blooming. Nice and fine in morning, but rain in p.m. Rain again today. Rain but not cold. Lovely day, too nice to be a prisoner behind a high wall unable to get out and enjoy oneself. Nice and sunny. I slept out on a bench for two hours, got a little tan. Haven't had a day off yet this month, these long shifts are tiresome. Rain this morning. I got hurt last night, a stone from a dynamite blast hit me in the back, just on the shoulder blade, lucky it hit the shoulder or it would have gone in my lung, the boys had a hard time getting it out. The Major stitched it with sewing needle and thread dipped in iodine, he said I was very lucky - if it had missed that bone I would be in a bad fix, it pains me a lot, can hardly lay down I'm so stiff from it. Have two days off on account of my back. Not so sore today. This is Hitler's birthday. I wonder what he will say to his people this birthday. Also Aunt Bessie's birthday. I wish her all the luck in the world and may she see many more. Going down in mine, back a lot better. Another man died last night, W.B. Chenell, he is from Magdaline Is. Typhoid Fever the doctor thinks. Burial was today, another grave out on the hillside among the pines. No rain, but cloudy. Very quiet, no sign of release. Nice day. I wonder if we'll ever be free again or get out of this place alive. Lots of food for thought. Dull morning, heavy rain in p.m. Sgt. Bill Condin got badly hurt last night, broken arm, dislocated hip and bad cuts on head, leg might be broken. Lovely and fine today. My back is sore where that rock hit me the wound is infected. The barley and wheat they have sown in small plots, like our vegetable gardens at home, is all out in head. Raining today, wind south east most of the time now so we must be in the south east monsoon season as it is much warmer now. Wind is clearing up, also the rain. This is our first day off as its the Emperor's birthday. Japs are all drunk, they gave us a can of bully beef between two men and a can of vegetables between two men. That is Red Cross stuff. The Japs themselves gave us 1 egg and 1 orange and a bottle of beer between 4 men, not much chance of getting tight on that. This morning they chanted some kind of song or prayer for the Emperor and ended up with loud yells of banzi - banzi is like our hurrah. Hope I won't be here for the next birthday of the Emperor. We were weighed this morning, I weighed 62 killograms, that is about 136 lbs, not so bad on this . Lovely day, but so many are sick, two men have double pneumonia and four others have a temperature of 105 degrees. The H.O. thinks its influenza. Temperature of 105 isn't so bad in this place. MAY Grand day, couldn't be nicer. We have a chicken coop, also a pig pen so it looks as if we are going in for farming in a big way. Six men have pneumonia, no better. Lovely weather, south wind just like August back home. We get an orange for supper again today. Nice day. We had soup made with ferns, the young ferns when they are from 6" to 1 ft. tall, it makes a very putrid meal. Still lovely and fine with west wind, nice and balmy. If we were only free. Rain today and strong wind. Had an orange each for supper. Nice and fine. Roof is very bad where we work, hope no one gets hurt. We get two cigarettes each today. Wonderful weather, warm breeze from the south east. This is our day off. Have the opportunity to write home. I wrote to Grandma 40 words. Lovely and warm, about 60 degrees F. Rained hard all day. Japs brought two pigs here about 5 weeks old. I guess it is going to be a farm, have also 50 white leghorns about 5 or 6 weeks old. Going to work at 10 o'clock tonight. We have soup made with bean sprouts, the sprouts are about 3" long. They are hard people to starve Reported there is an epedemic of flu in Europe and America. I hope it isn't true. I got a new pair of tabbies today. We got an apple today and had an orange yesterday, tomorrow we get an egg, so it looks a little better for us lately, maybe the war is nearly over. Very hot, can't sleep. Sun so hot it shines right on my bed. Not so hot today, just right for sleeping. Had another orange and egg today. I hope they keep it up, it's a big help. Very fine day. Maurice D'avignon got his leg broken in two places today. We have today off. When the Japanese men have their day off, the women take over and go down the mine and work, they are certainly patriotic and trying to win the war. Our Shoti Joe has been called up by the army. Little cooler today about 70 above. We got an orange again today. I shined my shoes, just like at home, helps to pass the time away. Cigarettes are very scarce, some of the men pay 1 yen for a cigarette and they work for 20 sen per day so they work five days for one cigarette. Large 4 engined planes just passed over here. Very fine day. Go to work at 2 p.m. Same old routine day in and day out. Raining hard and foggy. Blair Coull had his finger broken today. 48 Red Cross parcels come in today. Still raining. Fleas are terrible bad, worse down on the first floor than upstairs. Had clams for supper last night, long ones called razor clams. Fine today, but very hot. Dull and rain again. I still have diarrhea. Wish I could get news from home. May get some more letters soon. Nice and fine today. Two types of bombers passed here today. We got two needles tonight. I am sick today from the reaction of the needles, freezing to death. We got some more Red Cross food today, it takes very little to help. We have a guitar, mandolin, ukelele and harmonica, so we have lots of music. Very quiet, nothing going on at all. Time so long, can see no end. Fine weather, many planes overhead; a new type that I haven't seen before, its a two-engined bomber, very fast. Lot more mail in tonight. 500 letters, one fellow got 32, I didn't get any. Raining this a.m. but nice and bright this p.m. Japs think war will end after the election in U.S.A. in November. They believe the Democrats will loose the election and the Republicans will make peace. I imagine they are wrong. Very fine. We are working in the coal now and get so dirty, just like Koreans. Most of the workers are Koreans, they work in the coal. Very hot day. One man hurt, a large rock hit him in the head. Japs brought in about 10 lbs butter, we are fed much better lately. Had a narrow escape today, roof of mine collapsed and I was buried up my legs are all skinned and my back is terribly sore, all bruised. Someone must be praying for me. This is our day off. My back is very sore; we also got another needle for tetanus. I also got 4 letters, 2 from Mamma, 1 from Stewart, and one from Robbie Ross. One of Mamma's was dated Jan 19th, 1943 and one May 4th, 1943. Stewart's was August 31st, 1942. Robbies Feb. 14th, 1943, so three of the letters were from 1943, just a little over a year old. Stewart's letter was by air mail, almost two years getting here; fast plane. Lovely day. Go to work at 10 p.m. This is last day of May, hope we are free this time next year. JUNE First day of June, weather terribly hot, near 100 degrees in the shade. Heat is terrible in day time, night are nice. Fleas are worse in hot weather and mosquitos are getting bad. Nips are mad about something. Hot again today, but a light breeze cools it down somewhat. Japs have moved the office out of this building to an adjoining building. Heavy rain showers. Not much going on. Very muddy. There is a General of all prison camps coming here tomorrow. Haven't been asleep yet. Inspected by a Jap General today, a man of about 45 years. Very hot day. One fellow has been out to another building with T.B. If the war doesn't end soon, we will all have it. Another fellow with a broken leg has menengitis, but is a little better today. Working in coal now and we came out of mine like negroes. This is Uncle Allan's birthday, must be 44 years old. Lovely day. Wheat is all ripe. This is pay day for us. We were vaccinated in six places today. Weather is hot, but we don't mind it very much now. Nice and warm again today. Hail storm with thunder and lightning. Biggest hail stones I ever saw. Lovely and fine. Soup has been bad lately, we will get bread if they can get yeast. Nice and warm, some of the fellows are out boxing, we have a pair of gloves. 7 or 8 were caught gambling and put in guard room, then got a terrible beating. Lovely date, bright sunshine. Nice and fine. Fine again. Tomorrow is our day off, then go on morning shift. The fleas are awful. Lovely day. We had fun today boxing, some of the boys are too rough, they have black eyes and swollen noses. The camp commander gives prizes of cigarettes to the winners. We have tea in the canteen now and vitamin pills. We are have a contest tonight. This is squash season, so we'll have a lot of squash from now on. Lovely day. About two days ago we had an air raid alarm and had to go down in mine in our bare feet, I only had my pyjamas on, could hardly walk next day, Heard that it was a real raid, looks like its true. Grand weather. The raid the other day was real. Fukoka was raided twice in the evening and again in the morning. Very fine. Had shrimp for supper, they are so rotten they just smell like a dead Chinaman. We must be tough. Very hot and mosquitoes are bad, but would be worse if it rained now. Hardly any rain and this should be the rainy season. They are supposed to have lost most of their rice crops, looks bad; but they raise three in crops a year and the fruit crop is bad also. Maybe on account of no rain. Heat is bad, but we don't mind it as it is so hot in the mine. Carried a Korean out, passed out where we work, badly mangled, blood coming out of his eyes, ears and nose. We got 6 small caramels today, supposed to have come from the Chinese Red Cross. Something is supposed to have happened in the west on the 6th of this month, hope it's true. Very hot and the mosquitoes are bad. Rain last night and heavy wind - a hurricane from the south east. Rain again today and getting very hot and clammy. Nice and clear today. Japs are making big changes in the working parties, we are all mixed up now, English all mixed up with us. This is our day off. Go on night shift next. Had a boxing bout today. Strong wind from the south, so hot we couldn't sleep last night. Getting ready for work. JULY Dull, looks like rain anytime. Raining all day. One of the Japs who runs the cars got mad at one of the Koreans and hit him over the head with a big stick and as far as I could make out he was dead, poor fellows, they are treated like animals or worse Rain and wind, but we had to do P.T. just the same. Rain showers and air raid alarm. I heard the planes but couldn't see them. Heavy rain, this is the rainy season, late coming this year. We had potatoes in our soup today. Cloudy today. This is Meda's birthday, I sincerely hope she is well and that I may be home for her next birthday. I joined the army July 6, 1940 so its 4 years today, seems a long time ago. This is our day off, very quiet, no roll call even. Had to go down and sleep in the mine as Yanks were bombing the island. I don't mind if they keep up the bombing. We got more mail yesterday, I got 3, one from Mamma, 1 from Gram and 1 from the Prime Minister. They were written on Oct. 20, 1943, not so long ago. One fellow got one written on Jan. 25, 1944. Awful hot. We hear that many places were bombed by more than 200 planes and only 2 were shot down. One had a woman reporter on board as the Japs say. Weather hot. Japs gave us some soap today, we certainly needed it. Very hot with light breeze from the south east. Heat continues, but there is a light breeze which helps. Very bad news this morning, two of our men were killed in mine by falling rock, they were crushed to death instantly. One fellow, Charles Fitzpatrick who was badly wounded in Hong Kong and Ralph Campbell from Campbellton, N.B. His mother is Leitha McRae from my home town in Hopetown, Que. A cousin of my fathers, they will be buried this afternoon. Sgt. D'Avignon will be the padre for Fitzpatrick and Major Robertson for Campbell. One is Catholic, other Protestant. Nice and fine. The two lads that were killed have been laid to rest out on the hillside among the pines. Fitzpatrick's brother was killed in Hong Kong. Very sad that one of them couldn't have lived through this mess. Very hot. No air raids lately. Have mosquito nets, now gives some protection from the mosquitos. Our day off, but have to clean up as there is an inspection soon. Still hot. No signs of release from here, would like to know how its going. Off again today, some medical bloke here. We keep going all the time, air or fire drill. Fine breeze from south east. Rain last night and today. We only got out of mine at 5 o'clock, wires were crossed and couldn't get signals through. Rain again today from south east. Nice and warm, just right. Nice again, same wind from south east. Hope we are released soon from here. There was a Japanese Naval Officer here today. So hot last night, couldn't sleep. More mail in yesterday. I didn't get any. Nips all drunk last night. Still very hot, not much going on. Our day off, not so hot today as we have rain showers. There was a R.C. priest or Cardinal here today, he was either french of italian, its nice to see a white man, especially a free man, but some day we'll be free. Had air raid alarm, had to stay in mine for 3 hours. Awful hot, can't sleep or rest, just sweating. Hot and clammy, Mosquitoes are bad in this kind of weather. AUGUST Terrific heat, can hardly stand it. Hot as ever. Not working in coal now so we aren't so dirty. Still hot. We have squash soup most of the time now. Heat awful, hope it cools off soon. Heat bad, also mosquitos. Our day off, but so hot can hardly rest. Food scarce, no meat, fish or veg. Hot, but light breeze from south east. Hot in a.m. but heavy rain in afternoon. Cooler on account of rain. Japan supposed to have had 52 hour air raid, also a change in Government. Getting a little cooler, strong wind from south east. Very nice day, but we are tired and just came out of mine at 12 o'clock, then there was an air raid and we had to go right down again. We have a goose, pigs, chickens and rabbits now. Not quite so hot today. This is Grandma's birthday, she must be 64 years old, hope she is happy and well and not worrying. Going on small rations starting today so we will be hungry more often now. Guess it won't last long now. Very hot. We get very little food now, not half enough. Our day off, not a bad day, things must be going our way now I guess. Hot again today and one section has to work 3 extra hours each day on air raid shelters, but we don't mind the work if they only bomb more. Still hot. Man by name of Small fell and broke his ribs. Mair Coull has appendicitis, not operated on yet. Hot day. Our turn to work on air raid shelter, went in about 5 ft., it will take quite a while. Rained hard, didn't work on air raid shelter. Not so hot. Just got out of mine, a raid was on and we had to go back. 11 large, four engine bombers, they fought for awhile over here, but none came down, then in the night they came back again so we had to go down again, we don't mind it. We didn't see the planes, just heard them. Nice and fine. Reported that 60 planes raided this island, came from China. Fine, another air raid, we were in mine, had to wait. Fine day. SEPTEMBER After a long layoff I again take up my pen. Reached Sig. Line. Landed Sept 15th. Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill confer at Fairbanks, Alaska. Landed on September 12th. Rumours of peace in Europe. 135 British arrived at this camp on Oct. 12th. Royal Artillery 22nd. Regt. some engineers, also some of the 2 Batt. Loyals, and 1 Gordon Highland and 5 Aussies, all taken prisoners at Singapore, but came here from Korea. Americans raided this place on 11, 12, 25th. Yanks supposed to have landed at Layte Is. P.I. on Oct 21st. Tokyo bombed on 24 and 25 by Lancaster planes from the Marianas. Tokyo bombed every day lately. Germans supposed to have pushed us back due to bad weather, foggy and couldn't use the air craft. NOVEMBER & DECEMBER Weather terrible cold and we are not allowed to wear our clothes. We pull old straw rice bags over our bodies when we get a chance to save our lives. Recieve a Red Cross parcel for Xmas, its a God send. A long time of slow murder. This man in charge is trying his utmost to kill us all. This has been the most trying time of my life, I have missed a lot of writing because if caught it would be certain murder. |