The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Tape 1 Side A: Disorganisation pulling out of Kranji during advance of Japanese on Singapore; position of 'A' Coy; leaving bogged truck; shock at seeing someone killed for first time; conflicting reports over Asherton's death; description of movements and fighting at Singapore; casualties; make up of company; arrival of Ron Merrett and formation of 'A' Company; reassignment 2nd officers; lack of fortifications at Singapore Island; no sign of relief; casualties; desperation; lot of work done on defences at Mersing - depressing to see Singapore unprepared.and inappropriate orders on trivial matters; stealing from men's packs. Side B: problems with training, lack of equipment; conflict with CO; morale and training in brigade and competence of officers; questions veracity of stories; confronts General Gordon Bennett about disorganisation and impact on men; four men missing; return of escaped men; later interpretation of charges of Japanese to save face; nearly drowned in friendly brawl; praise for men in company. Mentioned: Sergeant Stan Smith; Bill Gaden (N348812); Ron Merrett (NX35002); Charles Wagner (NX29683). Tape 2 Side A: retreat to Singapore - lists men of 19th & 20th Battalions; soot from buring oil wells; regroup at Racecourse village; story of Heath and motorbike; ambush of Japanese patrol on bicycles.
A transcript of this recording may be available. For further information please contact the Sound section.
Part 1 of NX34885 Frank Gaven as a Lieutenant, 2/20 Battalion and prisoner of the Japanese, 1941-45, interviewed by Don Wall
Part 2 of NX34885 Frank Gaven as a Lieutenant, 2/20 Battalion and prisoner of the Japanese, 1941-45, interviewed by Don Wall
Part 3 of NX34885 Frank Gaven as a Lieutenant, 2/20 Battalion and prisoner of the Japanese, 1941-45, interviewed by Don Wall
In June 1944 was working in stainless steel foundry in Japan; living conditions in Japan; summer 1944 - conditions had improved a little; news of Thai-Burma railway passed on from British survivors se
Talks of 'Merrett force' Singapore and Japanese invasion; 2/18 Battalion over-run; discussion about official diary written in Changi; rumour regarding Asherton ambush; formation of A force in Changi;
(Smith known as Pierce in service) Sonkurai, British camp, warning about condition of men before marching in; offer of rice to Australians from British POWs; feels that the British troops were let dow
Talks about events before fall of Singapore; crossing Kranji River; attacked by Japanese plane; swim across river; carrying wounded Australian asked British Brigadier to take the wounded man in his ca
Talks of fall of Malaya and Singapore / Endua River; quotes from diary written at time of events; building Thai-Burma Railway; transported to Naoetsu POW camp in Japan A transcript of this recording
Experiences as a medical orderly on the Thai-Burma railway and other POW camps; describes illnesses, caring for sick men, conditions at camps and ancedotes; stories about John Quigley (medical assista