Thrale history

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65.—THE OPERATING THEATRE, "F" FORCE HOSPITAL, SIAM. There was no space or light inside the hospital, and all operations were done in the open on a bamboo platform. This picture shows Major Fagan scraping a tropical ulcer with an ordinary tablespoon, which was the only instrument available. This surgeon has since been "decorated" for his good work. He was one of the few men there who knew the secret of scraping these ulcers successfully, and many men previous to his coming had lost limbs through these eating sores. Because of his knowledge, and a table-spoon, many men are to-day walking who would otherwise have been crippled for life. (Painted with Japanese leather blacking on back of music score and yellow from medicine).

66.—ANOTHER PAL.He died two hours after I completed this sketch. Cholera, (Ten-minute pencil drawing on notepaper),

66a.—THE AUSSIE WHO DID NOT WANT TO DIE. He put up a magnificent fight against malnutrition, but died two days later. (Pencilon Jap notepaper)

67.—A DYSENTERY PATIENT. (Pencil on wrapping-paper).

68.—HE CAME FROM JAVA. The richest man in camp, who was engaged in Black Market deals with the natives. He had nothing to do with white prisoners. (Red pencil on rice paper).

WE ARE GETTING OUT OF THIS HELL, AND ARE BEING HUSTLED TO SINGAPORE.

69.—THE REST CAMP AND CONVALESCENT DEPOT, SINGAPORE. I am back and away from the horrors of Siam. I have again met the Jap othcer in charge of the aerodrome here who was an Oxford man. He was genuinely horrified when told of our sufferings in Siam and said he had no knowledge of it. believed him, for this officer did all he could to make life easier for us-he was the exception to the rule. Our fellow prisoners in Singapore welcomed us back with open arms, and sacrificed their ration to give us a fighting chance. The memory of Siam was always with us, and always will be, and although for a month life was comparatively pleasant, the memory of the thousands left behind remains a vivid scar on our souls. (Painted with dye from trees, clay, and black from shoe polish).

70.—TREES OUTSIDE THE CONVALESCENT DEPOT, SINGAPORE. This spot was the beloved Mecca of all the music lovers among us, for it was here we were allowed to listen to a number of gramophone recitals of classical music. Life was breaking on our minds as something to fight for, but only for a short spell!!?

71.—SPRITES OF FANTASY. Whilst at this rest camp, entertainment was the order of the day for the returned survivors, and I wondered whether the Japs were trying to put something on the right side of the book against defeat and possible reprisals. We were going to stage an exhibition of handicrafts, and this was my idea for a mural. The creative instincts of us all were being re-born, such is the quick reaction of released souls. My