大象传媒

At great risk to himself, my grandad, George Angus Brown of Garstang Lancashire, kept a diary as a Prisoner of War in Singapore. The original diary is available but in very poor condition as it was buried in the camp, if it had been found he would have been severely punished. The diary illustrates the time from initial capture 15th Feb 1942 until the end of 1942 with reference to a few other details in 1943 and 1945 and the day 鈥淚 became a man again鈥� - 15th August 1945.

As he only had one diary and no other paper to write on, and he had no idea of how long he would be a prisoner, he completed most pages for 1942, in this time he was primarily in Changi camp in Singapore working in the Ford works, which was where they stripped cars of engines, axles, bearings etc to be shipped back to Japan and used for weapon making. In March 1943, as part of what is now known as 鈥淒鈥� force he was transferred to other camps to work on the Burma 鈥� Siam railroad which on all accounts was even more back breaking than the first year.

On return to England he was described by his family as a 鈥渨alking skeleton鈥�, weighing approx 5 stone and this after being 鈥渂uilt up鈥� on the 3 month boat journey back from Singapore. He went back to work months later at Courtaulds factory in Preston where he worked until just before he died in 1970 of lung cancer. He fathered two more children on his return Peter 鈥� born 1952 and Sue 鈥攂orn 1954

Inside the cover reads Inspected at Camchanbune? By Nippon Soldiers

Here is the best translation we have been able to produce.

March 26th 1942 Prior to starting this diary quite a number of events have taken place which I will write from memory in my book.
February 3rd While passing through the Malacca straits to Singapore our convoy was very heavily attacked by waves of Jap bombers. The attack lasted all the morning with the loss of one ship, our ship was bombed fortunately enough did not sink. We lost 8 killed 20 wounded while the attack lasted everyone was quite cool and collected we eventually pulled into Singapore about midnight 3/2/42.
February 4th On the morning of 4th Feb we were told that our Co. was to be split up into a Rifle and transport ? as we were expecting an attack on the island. I was given a section of 10 men and put into a Rifle section and warned to stand by as we would be moving into position very soon.
February 5th Word came through that the Japs had landed a force over the causeway. We were naturally very excited at the prospect of getting at close quarters with them and looking forward to the order to move. Checking over our ammo, arms etc my Section had anti tank rifle, long gun? And 8 rifles.
February 6th The order to move into position, we arrived in the pitch black and took up our position in the jungle near luach? We were welcomed by heavy shell fire and air attacks and glad to say all safe and sound. Settled down and dug trenches, gun posts etc but what a night.

It seemed we would never live to see the dawn, however all was well. I think the noise was the worst. It just seemed as though they were chopping all around. However, our first day and night was quite an experience.
February 7th Orders to move our position. We left at 7pm it was quite dark. Last night was hell but after looking back it was nothing. As soon as we moved hell seemed to be let loose and if there was anything left alive in our old position it would be a miracle, another break for us.
February 8th Arrived at our new position and received quite a shock we found that we were on the beach at S of Island. Facing the mainland took up our position with anti tank rifle and ? guns, fully expecting an attack from small island facing us, however nothing happened apart from the damned shell fire which was making me very deaf and above all keeping me awake when I had a couple of hours to sleep.

I am glad to say my section were a great crowd of boys and vowed to take my orders what ever the cost a vow which was fully carried out as future experience will prove.
February 9th The day when all the world seemed mad. We were advanced to the front line to hold a sector, imagine at going up to what? It was all new, but everyone if we died? And after all we may live. So the adventure began we marched to our destination a crowd of enthusiastic men. Willing for anything.

Our arrival into position will live forever, as we were moving towards a house which was to be our headquarters we were met by much mortar fire, what a scatter, north, south east and west however we quickly B-, this kind of warfare we managed to crawl on hands and knees into position. I found a fairly good place and immediately got my men digging in a job that didn鈥檛 take up much time owing to the fact of everyone knowing it had to be done.

I am jotting the names of my 鈥渂lokes鈥� in their order, myself, Jeff Keen second in command, DVRS? Sewell, Hobbs, Birch, Stiman, T ? Hines, Foxley?, Green, Wren?
February 10th After a night of scares and plenty of noise, dawn broke and we looked for a bit of a rest but no, the devils started again with their touch mortars and then to crown it all the damned air planes started dropping their 鈥渆ggs鈥� and if having a little machine gun fire at our expense? that was what we were lacking air support.
Feb 11th Same as yesterday. I wonder what it would be like to have a sleep. I have grown quite a nice beard.
Feb 12th Nothing fresh, moving into another position, what a reception each move is worse than the last. I鈥檓 beginning to think that our time is drawing to a close, but funnily enough don鈥檛 feel afraid.

I have just had a narrow escape one dropped 30 yrds away knocked me out 鈥� blind for a while and slight scratch in leg otherwise ok. Not so for a few of others back in HQ, 3 killed 6 wounded.

I know now I鈥檝e had mine don鈥檛 worry. Perhaps thinking of Betty and children and knowing that they are always praying for me keeps me up. In any case I must keep my nerve - if I go, how can I expect my own men to carry on, fine fellows that they are.
Feb 13th Again that damned trench mortar fire, also a sniper in the trees somewhere north of us 鈥� a bullet whistled between Fred Birch and I this morning. I鈥檓 given orders to fire at any movement I鈥檓 glad to note our Section officer keeps in touch with us as often as he can. I must keep his name ? Booker who has taken Adams place who has gone in with shell shock. Old Ted? Rickard? And ? also taken off with same.
Feb 14th The firing seems extra heavy today but I believe that we are holding out very well. I wonder how long we will have to wait before we are relieved there is some talk of Americans on the way they want to hurry up we are very tired. I have orders to take out a patrol tonight.
Feb 15th Back from patrol took Scovell. Birch, Hobbs, Stringer had narrow escape nearly walked into Jap lines didn鈥檛 know they were so close. They must be only 300yrds away. Had a good laugh over experience however, safe and sound and very little information to give.

Managed to have quite a good breakfast, hot tea and bacon. Quiet for an hour or so.
Feb 15th 14:00 hrs A runner has come up with startling news. We have to cease fire at 16:00hrs can鈥檛 make it out some say Jap is giving up can it be time?
Feb 15th 16:00hrs Have just been ordered to put up white flag on our position, used a towel in two rifles can鈥檛 put it up myself feel very upset. I think the silence after all the terrific din is very frightening. I鈥檓 afraid.

I broke down and cried as I have never done in my life before. Can鈥檛 imagine that we are Prisoners of War.

Have just learned that the water pipe line was captured and people in Singapore were without water and also badly hurt on account of air raids. It was the civilian population who gave in not the army. So have nothing to be ashamed of, the Jap General said it was the most stubborn opposition he had ever met when you realise that we had no air support it is a wonder we lived to tell the tale.

I am going to have a sleep. The first for 8 days apart from an odd hour here and there. What next?
Feb 16th

LOTS OF CROSSED OUT SECTIONS IN DIARY Slept from 8 o鈥檆lock last night to 9am we used our old trench, had a look in mirror my face looks like a fuzzy wuzzy. Of course I鈥檓 quite proud of my beard am going to have a good wash down and shave it seems very queer the silence. We are awaiting our orders from Japs. I feel very tired and wont rest after it all that is the reaction whilst all the trouble was on had no time to think of rest or food. Just been up to see section officers and received a very nice compliment during a very bad attack my section was the only one in position xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I took over Corporal Ramsdale鈥檚 remaining men, it seems I must have done something they liked.
At this time Scorell and Birch seem quite excited about it they are chaffing at the bit - so much for that. I believe we will be moved tomorrow.
Feb 17th We are to prepare for an 18 mile march to our prison Camp moving off at 10am it is now 8am. By jingo 18 miles and I feel half dead so does everyone else never mind will make it after all it could have been worse as it is I am physically well.
Feb 18th Arrived at Changi Prison Camp at 8pm. Last night just flopped down on grass and went fast asleep awoke 7am.

It seems this place was a military camp and Japs are allowing us to use it. I notice our ration lorry turned up with a few days rations I wonder what we will have to live on during our stay here?

At the moment I feel very tired and also have two beautiful big blisters on my feet.
Feb 18th 6pm We were able to go down to beach for a bathe this afternoon feel much better.
Feb 19th Our platoon have been placed in a hut and I must say we are very lucky owing to the fact of monsoon starting very shortly just taken stock of my belongings have one shirt and pair of pants, socks boots about 16oza tobacco 40 cigs also photograph of Betty and children which is main thing. I wonder how they are 鈥淕od鈥� bless them.

Its funny but they seem to be in mind all the time now. Perhaps during the hectic moments of previous weeks I didn鈥檛 think about them if I only had an old letter to read had none since leaving England.
20th Feb Starting to get organised to a new life. Blokes turning up who we thought were lost it is good to see them again.

Japs seem to be very friendly and give us cigarettes they don鈥檛 bother us at all. I understand rice is to be our chief food???
21st Feb From this date up to 25 March lots of things have taken place. I have had small attach of dysentery got over it. We are settled down to our daily routine of general duties such as collecting wood for cookhouse coconuts taking down wire and all on rice how I hate the damned stuff.
25th March Our wounded have all been brought up here and housed in Big buildings they are also filled with dysentery and malaria cases. Many are dying every day. I have been able to scrounge a pot of jam off native and use with rice how terrible it all is I鈥檓 sure if given the chance I would steal off any of natives that pass here with food stuff.
26th March/27th That completes all my previous experiences copied from book I used as a diary. I have been lucky enough to get on a ration detail into Singapore the Japs allowed us to go in their dump under guard for our rice, I managed to scrounge ? Bully beef, milk and jam and wonders of wonders some biscuits what a feed we had. I have 3 good pals 鈥淕inger鈥� Harvey, Fred Birch Johnny Clegg??? And we share out 50-50 my health is quite good so on to tomorrow Sat. I wonder what Betty and children are doing now. I hope she is not worried
Sat 28th March The usual details wood etc. it keeps our mind occupied, have been able to make a bed with groundsheet and a pane of wood. Fairly comfortable.

Have just come back from hospital after seeing Mr Adams he should be out in a day or so. Also dug fresh latrine pits what a life. Betty and children 鈥淕od Bless鈥�
Sun 29th March Thinking about Betty and children as usual feel very sorry for myself Sunday mainly.

I suppose they will be in church now. We have our church parade at 6pm.

My chief thoughts are roast beef, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, how wonderful that all seems, now what price a little?? Rice, Rice, Rice.

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