大象传媒

Chapter 6 - Singapore

We had originally been told that the Middle East was our destination. Everything was coloured for desert warfare, and here we were on our way to the Malayan jungle. Howbeit, let us return to the lecture on the enemy whilst only a few days out.. It would appear that we had little to worry about. The Japs were poorly armed, a high percentage wore glasses, and they were also very small in stature, so it was not likely they would be good shots. It began to sound very heartening, and our worries diminished . The convoy made a detour, sailing past Sumatra and Java, and eventually docked at Singapore on 30th January. We were then taken to the RAOC camp called Marlborough. Again, one recalls the stupidity of some of the troops. Whilst awaiting transport there were several Chinese on the dockside selling tins of pineapple. We had been warned not to purchase this sort of thing as it was impossible to know what was in the tins, but I do know that several were down with dysentery next day. We were in tents, but otherwise there was very little time to take much in. After a meal it was soon time to get some sleep. Early next morning after breakfast we were told that we would be going to the docks to clear many of the goods from the go-downs, or warehouses, due to the heavy bombing that took place during the day-time. We had not been there long when they came over. They numbered 27 bombers in flights of nine. There was a burst of machine gun fire from one of the planes which we didn鈥檛 take much notice of until suddenly the whole dock area was ablaze. There was no cover, and our whole party finished up in the spirit cage, where all the spirits were held by Customs. We learnt later that this was their system.. Once the machine gun fired every plane dropped its bombs at the same time. It was pretty scary and frightening: there were several casualties, and in my opinion ours was a useless operation 鈥� there was nowhere to take anything. We did take a few bottles back with us for medicinal purposes!

The next day we heard that the bombing was so bad that the Americans had taken some of the population on board and sailed off to Java 鈥� they did not like it at all! We never saw any of our equipment again. Meanwhile when we got back to camp we were informed that the causeway had been blown up during the evening. The last of the convoy was approaching Singapore on the Empress of Asia, an old tub if ever there was one. This had been torpedoed and many had to be taken out of the water in a bad state. The Division appeared to be an unlucky one from the start.

The next day a party was required to go to the naval dockyard to try and retrieve some of the stores. I managed to get on this. I had heard about this marvellous place, and here was a chance to see it at first hand. It was an amazing sight 鈥� the place was vast, and here were about 12 of us in complete charge. It had been evacuated, and not a soul was there. We went into what had been the mess hall, and found food left on the plates 鈥� it was as if they had suddenly disappeared without trace.. Later we came across a few other soldiers who had been sent to make sure that all the spirits were disposed of. I shall not forget that sight and smell as it was washed down the malarial drains. It was just impossible even to think of saving anything of value: there were so many things and whatever we took back with us would be of little use. It was beyond comprehension to see the amount of equipment left behind. There were crates lying there just as they had arrived from England, and all the machinery was intact. It must have been a godsend to the Japanese when they took the island. Another building was beyond belief. There in all their array were uniforms for high ranking officers, complete with swords for ceremonial visits I should think, a great amount of silverware, a large collection of watches 鈥� in fact it looked like something from Aladdin鈥檚 cave. However time was passing. I realised that we could not possibly take any of the heavy items, so the next call was to the go-downs which appeared to contain the food, it being thought that a little extra would be a welcome addition to our diet. I thought I had seen everything, but in amazement I stood and looked at the stores. Each was packed to the roof with cases of tins of everything you could mention. We quickly loaded our transport with several cases and made back to camp. On reporting to the officer what had transpired and showing him what had been salvaged, he naturally exploded, but after explaining in detail the reason for not attempting to retrieve specific items for the workshops, he finally agreed, after taking a few crates of tinned food 鈥� after all they could do with something extra.

Then something happened which could have been the turning point of my career. They required a volunteer to report to Fort Canning . This building overlooked the harbour. It appeared that records needed to be compiled of all personnel who had recently landed, including our own division. Much against my will I was the volunteer! The next day I was picked up by a jeep and taken to the fort. I was introduced to the corporal in charge and after he had informed me what was required, I was taken to a large room filled with desks. At each sat a member of the Ghurka regiment. I was to supervise the completion of the forms showing the particulars of each member of the forces who had landed. It was one of the most pleasant duties I performed in the service. They were such a jolly crowd, continually smiling whilst working and so polite. For myself there was a mess and the food was much better than at the base, although I was taken back each evening until my duties finished. During my time at the fort I had become very friendly with the corporal in charge. He had actually lived in my part of London and he was keen to know how bad the bombing had been. One day he came over to me and said how well I had taken to the work, and that he had spoken to his CO, asking for me to be transferred to his unit with promotion. He also hinted that things were not going so well and that his unit would probably be taken off the island with all the important documents, so I must not take too long in making my decision. If I had had any sense I would not have hesitated, but I had the feeling I had come through so much with my friends that I should stick it out with them. If only I had known! Anyhow I foolishly said I would remain with my unit, and he was disappointed. Within the next few days I was relieved of my duties in the friendliest way. I did miss the Ghurkas. There is one thing that stands out in my mind. When pay day arrived, as soon as they had a break there was one mad rush to the post office to send the money home to their families. It was a privilege to meet such soldiers. They suffered badly at the hands of the Japanese, and I wonder how many of those I came to know eventually returned to their home land.

Chapter 7 - action

We were now into February, and things were not looking too good. It was known that the causeway had been blown up in the hope of stopping the Japanese invasion, but the general had made a mess of that: the damage could be made good in no time. It began to appear that those responsible for the defence of this strategic island had not foreseen the ability of the Japs to overcome the opposition. It was deemed impossible for them to carry their offensive through the jungles of Malaya, but they did so very speedily. It was about now that we realised that something was afoot. We were informed that although we were not classed as infantry, every man was needed to make a stand, for the enemy had landed on the island. We were then told to pack our kitbags, taking only essentials with us, label them and hand them into storage for return when the hostilities were over. This we did, and that was the last we saw of them.

I remember vividly going into action. We were advancing in single file along the road when a shell hit. It exploded right behind one of the unit and made a huge hole in his back. Naturally we had never seen anything like this 鈥� blood was gushing from the wound and there were no medical units around. I did suggest that we stuff a towel into his back to stop the flow of blood. We made him as comfortable as possible, but then had to continue our advance. I do not know to this day what happened to him, but I do now think he would have made it.. We were now passing through a rubber plantation, but could not advance much further, due to the fact that our artillery were dropping their shells short and we were liable to be hit, so we spent the night there. We had not eaten for some hours, and I do not know why I was called upon to help with the hard rations to enable the rest of the unit to eat. We did manage, but it was a rather uncomfortable meal under the conditions prevailing. Next day we began to advance to just below the wireless station, where we dug trenches. The enemy were just across the valley, firing their mortars at us and they were very good at this. We reckoned they could hit a sixpence from any distance. During the evening we were approached by a senior NCO asking for volunteers to form a defence on the flank, which was wide open. Again I was a volunteer. There were about a dozen of us, and as we took up our position it was getting very dark. It was also pointed out that we had a platoon of a certain regiment behind us should we be attacked. That was a pleasant thought. It was pretty grim; not a sound, impossible to see anything, but we knew they were about. Then suddenly, as it began to get light, there was a heavy burst of gunfire from the trees. During the night they had climbed them and fastened themselves into position so that they could fire without falling. As they did so we were told to fall back to the unit, defending our rear.. Some hope 鈥� the unit had disappeared during the night. I remember one NCO taking a Bren gun with him and firing into the tree. He managed to get one from below - I think he actually cut him in half, for he could not move away from the hail of bullets. We escaped with a few casualties.

It was during this action, prior to our retreat, that one of my friends and I noticed quite a few huge bungalows at our rear. We decided to take a look during a lull, partly because one of our unit was suffering from dysentery, and I was hoping to find something to help him in the way of medical supplies. It was a beautiful place. The breakfast room was just as the occupants had left it, with food still on the table - they had evacuated in a hurry. The other rooms were magnificent. The wardrobes held so many clothes of all descriptions. There was one keepsake I did take from the bedroom. It was a very small jade elephant, explicit in every detail. I thought the way things were going there was a good chance that someone else would take this lucky charm as I called it. It brought me luck I am sure, although on one occasion I did lose it for some time whilst in action. More of that later. I must have been mad at the time, but I thought perhaps if my pal could lie down on something soft it might help. No-one else was bothering, let alone the officer in charge, so between us we pulled a mattress of one of the beds, dragged it onto the grass under a shady tree, and put him on it. He could not believe it, but his smile and thanks were good enough for us. This of course was going on under heavy mortar fire.

We went back later, and I asked my friend, who was an electrician, to test the electricity to see if it was still on. It was, and he made the connection. I then decided a cup of tea might help my sick pal, and we could do with one as well. The kettle soon boiled, and using tinned milk we had a good cuppa, which I think helped our friend. Just at that moment the officer鈥檚 batman arrived and asked what we were doing. I told him and he reported back to his CO. On his return he said the officer would like a cup as well. I thought not likely! Fortunately or not, the mortar attack became so intense that all thoughts of tea disappeared, thank goodness. To this day I can still see that scene, in the middle of mortar shelling my friend lying on the mattress drinking tea under a shady tree. For years after the war we communicated with each other and this was always mentioned 鈥� he was appreciative to the end.

Things were getting rough now and considering they all had bad eyesight they were doing very well. We were pinned down in trenches near the wireless station. We could see the huge clouds of smoke over the town. There was no air cover 鈥� the air force had left, as had the navy. I do not think the powers that be had any idea what was happening, least of all the rank and file. It was here on the morning of 15th February that I became a casualty. We could hear this shell coming towards us. There was an immediate rush for the trench but as usual I was just too late. By the time I got there it was full so I was more or less lying on top of the men, and when it exploded my arm was caught in the blast. There was a field ambulance passing and I was taken to the local Chinese hospital, Ting Tock Seng I think, but only after a rather scary ride being machine gunned by low flying aircraft. It was a small hospital run by the RAMC. I remember quite well being helped in past the mortuary, which was stacked with bodies from floor to ceiling 鈥� there was no time to deal with these, mostly civilians killed in air attacks. I was put on to a bed , but when they tried to undo my boot laces to take my boots off it was impossible. For a whole week now we had been unable to shave or have a wash, let alone sleep. They had to cut through the laces eventually, and though they made me as comfortable as possible, I still had not eaten properly for days. I was hoping for something here, but I was unable to get anything except a drink. I had left my small pack behind, so did not have a thing with me.

It was early afternoon when a medical orderly came to me with bad news. The fighting was to stop at four o鈥檆lock that afternoon 鈥� we had surrendered to the Japs, and everyone had to evacuate the hospital immediately after that, since it was required for their own casualties. I said 鈥淏ut I have not even got a pair of boots 鈥� you had to remove mine forcibly鈥� 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry鈥� he replied, 鈥渂ut there is nothing I can do.鈥� I asked where we were going, and he told me all walking casualties were to be taken to Singapore, to the Victoria Hall. I eventually arrived, and was taken to a very large room completely filled with wounded, all lying on the floor with just a blanket. The medical staff were trying their best, but there was very little in the way of supplies. In the meantime my arm was recovering. After a few days I was told that I would be discharged and taken to Changi, where all prisoners were being held. I was not feeling too good about things in general. I had no boots and no shaving gear. All that I owned was what I stood up in. Meanwhile I had become friendly with another soldier in the same predicament as myself. After thinking things over I decided that the only place I was likely to obtain any footwear was the mortuary, so I went to look. There were several bodies in the room and I was able to get a pair that fitted. I did try and make things as dignified as possible under the circumstances, but there was no alternative 鈥� I needed the boots.

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