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This story was submitted to the People's War web site by Sutton Coldfield Library on behalf of Benjamin Gee and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the sites terms and conditions.

My last 48 hours on the Island
Forming some kind of last line of defence along railway embankment, feeling pretty browned off, being Ordnance Personnel had no fighting experience,not afraid, just simply didn’t know what to expect, just told ‘if you come face to face with the enemy, make sure you fire first and hit your target'.
However, nearing nightfall on the second day, to our relief we were told to make our way to the docks, we were on our own, try to make our own exit, the Best of British Luck.
Luck was certainly with me, as it seemed the next thing I was doing was climbing down a steel ladder, then finding myself with what you might call an over-packed pleasure boat. Moving off into the Indian Ocean and certainly the unknown, ordered strictly ‘No Smoking and complete silence’.
Looking back at the Island, an unbelievable sight, the warehouses, obviously full with rubber, on fire as far as the eye could see.

Engine failure
Day break found us about 100 yards off some island, the tug had stopped, some engine failure, it was suggested we would be safer on the island as repair work could take up to 2 hours. Most of us took this advice, I have photos of us taking a swim with the tug in the background and on the island with a group of Islanders. There is also a photo of me on the island with one of my pals, Private Hopkins, a journalist. He was never without his camera.

Sumatra
On the move once again until surprise, surprise, found ourselves sailing up some large River, then told it was Sumatra. The journey continued until the depth of water was the tug’s limit. Jumping off the tug and climbing the bank found ourselves at a small Rubber Station, Sawah-Luento. Another unbelievable sight, an area approximately the size of a Tennis Court were rows of large white-tiled baths, filled with sparkling water all for our use. I’m sure it must be the Army’s first nudist camp, it’s difficult to explain the feeling. After a good soak, washed our clothes. Local people gave us refreshments to see us on our way.

Returning to River, waiting for us was a large flat Pontoon pulled by a motor boat. Order to all personnel ‘No- repeat No dangling legs over side.’ Reaching end of River transferred to open lorries, then a long and rough ride to Pedang and hopefully freedom. Not so, our ‘Jap’ friends had left their calling cards, all craft out of action.

Luck again, the local Authority had been able to contact a Merchant Vessel on its way to Ceylon (Sri Lanka today) and it agreed to return to collect passengers. It docked about 3am, we boarded and were told ‘get your heads down’, but something more interesting seemed to be taking place. Sure enough a bullock was brought on board, poor sod, our meat ration for the next 2 days.

Ceylon
After 7 days arrived Ceylon. We all thought naturally we would go ashore. No such luck- our appearance might upset the civilians! Bull!!
An Officer went ashore to arrange rations for our next 7 days to Bombay. To keep us in a good mood - trays of thick slices of bread, butter and jam. WAA! that taste.

To Bombay
Our journey did not lack surprises as being carried aboard was about ten sides of beef, hung on the deck where we slept. Next morning the crew cut it all up and placed it in large oil drums with ice. Three days out what remained went overboard, not fit to eat. It turned out the stupid Officer had ordered 5 days meat and 2 days tin rations, not the other way round!
Finally, however, arrived at Bombay and transported to Transit Camp. Our first call, the Canteen, there large containers of piping hot Beef Stew, marvelous! Then showed our sleeping quarters and given a free voucher to cable home. Relief as my Mom had received a cable to say I was missing.
A very happy ending thank God and an experience I will never forget.

My unit in Kuala Lumpur was ‘Z’ Advanced Ordnance Work Shops. Many were killed or taken prisoner and I have visited their graves twice.

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