Thrale history

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Island was impregnable, and learned her mistake. All the prisoners not working on aerodrome construction were sent to various camps to dig tunnels and gun emplacements in the hillsides. The main job at AdamPark was funk holes and mine pits. There was a curious loosening of the moral rigour, for we were allowed to look for foods to bring back to the camp to supplement the evening meal. All kinds of things were scrounged, and our bags usually consisted of snakes, frogs, roots, weeds, and sometimes fruit. Snake, if nicely selected and cooked, can be very appealing to a starch-filled tummy. (In Indian ink on manuscript paper).

92a.—SAME CAMP-UNFINISHED SKETCH.

93.—LIVING QUARTERS, ADAM PARK CAMP,SINGAPORE. Owing to the pressure of space here, a platform was erected four feet from the floor to allow an extra tier of sleepers.The space allowed each man was the width of his shoulders. Like in all our quarters in the Far East lice were our constant irritant, and beyond burning down our only shelters there was no remedy. (Red pencil and black wash obtained from Jap boot blacking).

94.—WARRANT OFFICERS QUARTERS, ADAM PARK.The majority of Officers were quartered in The proximity the main camp in Singapore, in close proximity to the very sick men. Adam Park boasted only two Officers, consequently squads were placed in charge of Warrant Officers, who, in this capacity, supervised only. through the window can be seen an erection which the Japs affirmed was a secret weapon. We never know for the erection was demolished before the Japanese capitulation. (Red pencil and black blacking).

95.—JAPANESE VOLUNTEER FORCE. Japanese civilians, who were recruited from the civilian population in Singapore. The Japanese were now up against it, and every fighting man was needed for the front line, and so these men were brought in to guard the prisoners. Theydid duty for a week at a time, were men of good education, and had not reduced to bestiality by the discipline of the Imperial Japanese Army. They spoke English well, and the prisoners got on well with them. (Blue from flower blossom).

96.—THE PUNK HOLES OF SINGAPORE. The whole island was honeycombed with these tunnels, which were really air raid shelters. The party with whom I toiled were nearly all professional miners, and my puny efforts at tunnelling were a matter of ribald comment. The Japanese, stromng in superstitition, daily srinkled salt in these mines to keep away evil spirits—the Jap shown on the right one day forgot to perform this rite, and on that day the roof caved in and nearly killed him. We worked in these holes for ten days after V.J. Day. The Jap Commander stated he had not made peace.

That was my last picture as a prisoner of war. The repatriation ship is in harbour and in a few hours I shall leave behind this bad dream—all around me is delirious joy—what lies ahead? Surely this nightmare will be a part of me for ever and ever.

97.—OMEGA. The return home. This shows the repatriation ships in Singapore. I drew this aboard the H.M.T. ALMANZORA in charcoal.