1. 30th November, 1942 So, I thought I’d write a journal about the goings-on as a prisoner of war. I have been extremely privileged to stumble upon some paper, and it is highly unlikely that I will be able to get this letter to anyone, given the security of the Japanese guards. Firstly, I was captured as part of the Australian A-Force (which is largely made up from the Australian 22nd Brigade), from Singapore on May the 15th, 1942. We were in Changi, which is in Singapore, when we were captured (as I awoke) and sent off to Burma. There were 3,000 other men under Brigadier Varley at the time. We arrived in Burma, very scared and very unsure of what was to come. Other forces have arrived since, but we were the first. Anyway, as we arrived, we ere
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14th April, 1943 The rice we are provided with is finally coming to some use. For the last year we have trying to figure out how to cook the stuff; wasting incredible amounts in the process. We finally have the technique, but the rice isn’t very filling, especially considering the amount we are given, and the work we have to do to cook it, after all of the work on the railway. Furthermore, I have heard shocking rumours about other camps; that the conditions are even worse than here. Many people have been referring to the railway as “Death Railway”, which is an understatement, to say the least.
6. 8th June, 1943 It is with great regrets that I should have to write that Frederick Arnold has passed away. He fought against the Japanese who put him through hell, much worse than the experiences he wrote about that surrounded him. Fred also fought bravely against the nasty foot infection that claimed his life after a 4-day battle. He was not just another of the 260,000 prisoners of war that worked on the railway nor just another of the 12,000 Australians, but he was a valued individual whose courage was not to be ignored. Roughly one-third of other prisoners-of-war have died recently, but none have pained me more than
14th April, 1943 The rice we are provided with is finally coming to some use. For the last year we have trying to figure out how to cook the stuff; wasting incredible amounts in the process. We finally have the technique, but the rice isn’t very filling, especially considering the amount we are given, and the work we have to do to cook it, after all of the work on the railway. Furthermore, I have heard shocking rumours about other camps; that the conditions are even worse than here. Many people have been referring to the railway as “Death Railway”, which is an understatement, to say the least.
6. 8th June, 1943 It is with great regrets that I should have to write that Frederick Arnold has passed away. He fought against the Japanese who put him through hell, much worse than the experiences he wrote about that surrounded him. Fred also fought bravely against the nasty foot infection that claimed his life after a 4-day battle. He was not just another of the 260,000 prisoners of war that worked on the railway nor just another of the 12,000 Australians, but he was a valued individual whose courage was not to be ignored. Roughly one-third of other prisoners-of-war have died recently, but none have pained me more than