Thrale history

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11.—"THE MOUSTACHE EXTRAORDINARY" This hirsute marvel belonged to a British Officer attached to the Gurkhas. It appeared to enrage the Japs, who ordered the owner to cut it. He sadly trimmed it. Blue from crushed petals.

12.—TRANSPORT WITHIN THE PRISON CAMPS. P.O.W.s hauling rice ration into Changi Camp. Showing also a bombed R.C. Church on right, and one of the sikhs who went over to the enemy, and who were used as our guards. (Pencil drawing)

13.—MERCHANT SEAMAN P.O.W. A German from Hamburg, captured with crew of a United States ship. (Red and black pencil).

14.—FLAME OF THE FOREST TREES. In the background on top of the hill is the site used by the Royal Artillery for their intricate range-finding instruments. Red from crushed petals of the flame trees.

15.—A JAPANESE GUARD. This man demanded a picture, and on completion he signed it. He later brought it back to me for safe keeping because of the presence in the camp of the "Kempi" (Japanese Secret Police) and I noticed he had crossed out his name—how these men were scared of higher-level officials! (Green from grass and black pencil).

16.—THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, CHANGI, SINGAPORE. A converted storehouse. This was the Church of Padre Stallard, Chaplain Beds and Herts. All equipment was made by P.O.W.s. (Wash from crushed pencil lead).

17.—PAINTING OF A DUTCH P.O.W. I painted this whilst isolated with diphtheria in Changi Hospital. I wondered how medical folk back home would re-act to aspirin as the only drug to combat this scourge—in some hospitals the dispensary contained just aspirin. But—some of us lived. These paints were smuggled in to me by a Padre. The white background from sediment of medicine. (Note how it is now flaking off).

18.—THE MOSQUE, SINGAPORE. Converted into C. of E, by P.O.W.s in the 18th Division area. This, I believe to be the only mosque in the world ever used by the Church of England. Paints were lent by a Dutch boy from Java, since died.

19.—INSIDE THE MOSQUE.No. 18. All the furniture and fittings were made by limbless and sick P.O.W.s, most of them were Gunners. Prisoners held most of their meetings here, and the place was called "The Prisoners' University." Religious houses were the only places allowed by our irreligious hosts to be used for lectures. (Pencil drawing—wash made from crushed pencil lead).

20.—ROBERTS HOSPITAL, CHANGI, SINGAPORE. The ambulance shown was devoid of engines. On the right is the wireless transmitting pylon I believe some messages were sent home from here—there was a whisper it was "Radio Shonan." In that mystic "peace time" this was a barracks—considered to be the best in the Far East. My coloured crayons were at work here, reminding me of a boyhood passion for these creative sticks.