The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
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 sent to Japan; factory manager concern for tired POW workers; Australians preferred for furnace teams; removal of officers August 1944; Christmas 1944 service, Redcross supplies; brutality of Japanese guards 'Fishface' and 'Gummy'; beatings by Japanese civilian overseers; summer 1945 - anticipating invasion of Japan; food shortages for Japanese civilians; not expected to survive coming winter; Mentioned: Ron Merrett (NX35002); Theo M Lee (NX57412), Stan Slater (NX26674)
A transcript of this recording may be available. For further information please contact the Sound section.
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 repo
Talks of early capture by Japanese of Frank Hole (NX33524), Merv Alchin (NX31444) and Donaldson (?) in Malaya; about Charlie Moses; encounter with cobra; [unidentified 3rd person - meeting of brother
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
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 of being transported to Japan on the Rakuyu Maru, overcrowding, men and conditions on ship; disentry and malaria; McGregor throwing Japanese overboard; bombing of surrounding tankers; panic on b