Secret Diary of Sheila Allan, 1941-45 (selected entries)
8-Dec-41
Cameron Highlands, Malaya
...[T]oday marked the beginning of the 'Malayan War'! ...I had met Dad, feeling strong and wholesome in spirit after my morning excursion to be confronted by his grim face as he announced the news that Singapore was bombed this morning by the Japanese and that this meant we are now at war with Japan. ...Death! War! Only then did I begin to realise what it meant...Before me, I imagined deaths and suffering - all caught in the web of war. And what is war? - a fight for freedom or power? A battle for one's right to peaceful living. War has reared its ugly head here to shatter our peace and we must fight to keep our Peace.
14-Dec-41
Sungei Luas, Kampar,
Lower Perak, Malaya
We left Renglet this morning...after leaving the hills, we saw several lorries of volunteers passing by. We recognized some of our friends from the mines. I wondered where they were going - perhaps to K.L. [Kuala Lumpur] or maybe to Singapore. Nearing Kampar, I heard a most peculiar sound - an unearthly wail which seemed to echo through the air, again and again. That was the first time I heard what Dad called the 'Alert'. ...We had to stop and take cover among the bushes along the road but only for a few minutes. The air was again startled by another sound - the 'All Clear'. I think I prefer this noise to the first one! In Kampar...I saw for the first time, soldiers who appeared tired, unshaven, with their uniforms covered with mud and blood. ...Dad spoke to them and they gave him the latest news of the war - it was not good - the Japs are coming down from the North and the civilians are leaving their homes as the Japs advance. ...A few cars roared by - mud-splashed! Then we heard that Ipoh was just bombed and these people were getting out.
1-Jan-42
Petaling,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaya
Dad received a note ordering Mum and me to be ready to leave today. The Company was evacuating the women and children and paying their passage to Australia. I didn't want to go but Dad insisted. Mum, at the last moment, broke down and refused point-blank to leave him. Without realising it she was the means of making me stay too.
12 -Jan-42
Petaling,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaya
... [W]e left Petaling for Singapore yesterday. Our stop for the night was Malacca and on our way there nothing much happened. We passed rubber plantations and saw our soldiers camped there. They waved to us, made the victory sign and were very cheerful. ...After tiffin [lunch] we rested in our room when suddenly I heard tramp, tramp, tramp of marching feet! Rushed to the window, looked out onto the narrow street. What I saw made me feel cold, for below in the street, the Punjabs, guns and vicious looking knives, were marching four abreast...it looked as if they were preparing for a land fight.
19-Jan-42
Rex Hotel, Singapore
We reached the shelter just in time as the first bomb was dropped. We flung ourselves flat on the floor and whizz-shiss-ss-ss, crr-crr-rump, crash came the bombs one after another. I heard the whisting of each of them as they hurtled down from the sky and waiting for the rest - the explosion - to follow. The building rocked beneath us. An orange flame from a bursting bomb flashed in a downward streak as it passed an open window. Screams of human fear and pain penetrated through the sound of the crashing force of the bombs. Smoke and acrid smell assailed us through cracked and open windows. We made our way through the debris of plaster, splinters, broken furniture and dead bodies - poor souls, they hadn't reached the shelter in time. ...Beach Road was closed to us so we decided to go through North Bridge Road. We came upon the dead and dying. Many were badly injured. ...[I]t was awful seeing them lying around uncovered with blood that was still warm and from some, the blood seemed to flow steadily on, making a pool of red. In fact, crimson seemed to be the dominant colour. No matter where we looked our eyes rested on dead bodies, dying people - men, women and children and so many of them with horrific injuries. My stomach gave a lurch as I stumbled across an old woman. She was dying. Blood oozed from her head and mouth. One leg was doubled under her; her innards were laid open in the sunlight and flies were already feasting on them. One of her arms was missing.
15-Feb-42
Amber Mansions, Singapore
The shelling is getting from bad to worse. It goes on all day and night. We would see billows of smoke rising from the bombed city of Singapore. Now and again flames would shoot high into the sky - from the oil tanks, I guess. ...Last night our soldier friends came to tell us that the Japs are advancing and we are retreating! Bad news all round. 10.30 p.m. Surrender! The Fall of Singapore...We have surrendered to the Japs. It happened at 8.30 p.m. ...The firing has ceased. The night air was no longer shattered by the bursting bombs and shells. In fact, the silence is quite frightening. For the first time in weeks, there was no throbbing drone of the planes; no sirens; no guns. I found this silence from the artillery fire more threatening and unnerving to say the least.
16-Feb-42
Amber Mansions,Singapore
The Japs are still marching in, on foot and riding on tanks. From our balcony window we saw them yelling, singing and shouting their truimph. ...I felt fear as I've heard about the Japanese brutality and the atrocities they had done in Shanghai and elsewhere. ...Dad decided to go into town. I went with him. Wepassed the Rex, saw a whole group of people drinking themselves silly to drown their despair at the news of the surrender. There were ruins all over the place. The sight of Japanese soldiers partrolling the streets kept many indoors. ... We heard Sir Shenton Thomas [Governor of Singapore] speak. The Japanese soldiers were standing beside him as he spoke, telling the population of Singapore to stay off the streets and to be calm; European civilians were to go to Raffles Hotel for registration. We passed streams of our boys. They showed us the 'V' sign.
17-Feb-42
Amber Mansions, Singapore
I saw our soldiers going on their way to the concentration camp at Changi. Waved to them. They shouted back 'Keep your chins up' - 'It won't be long' we heard someone else say. ...Now the soldiers are out of the way, the civilians are going to be rounded up next...Military police everywhere - orders given that we must bow from the waist whenever we see them! ...Internment began for most of the Europeans today - Europeans mean 'married to one' - 'children of such union' - or if you profess to be a 'British subject'! ...We found our way to the Central Police Station - had to pass Jap sentries posted along the bridge. They were beating Chinese women and men who wanted to cross it.
8-Mar-42
Changi Prison, Singapore
We walk to Changi Gaol (approximately 8 miles away) - only the very sick, the very old and the very young are allowed to be taken in lorries. ...Left Katong Camp in the true 'British spirit' - singing along the hot, dusty road...At last, here we are...[t]he iron gates clanged shut as we trooped through. Inside, there are rows and rows and iron stairs to the cells - imagine 9' x 12' cell with a concrete slab in the middle - that's our bed and who's the lucky one to get to sleep on it? ...For toilet purposes there is this Chinese lavatory or 'squatters' at one end. The walls are high and above the slab a tiny window with bars across - could be about 10' above the slab. You wouldn't want to be claustrophobic here or you'd go raving mad!
19-Mar-42
Changi Prison, Singapore
There are now over three hundred women and children in our camp. The men have been cooking our meals for a week but now a kitchen has been built and we do our own cooking for the whole camp. ...The men still come to help with the heavier tasks but we are not allowed to talk to them - the Jap sentries always accompany them. One of the things we have to learn is to bow to the Japs whenever we see them. Heaven help us if we forget - a clout on the head, a bayonet threateningly thrust in front of you or even a kick on the backside that could send you sprawling onto your face...
26-May-42
Changi Prison, Singapore
We now have Church Service every Sunday and confession once a month for the Catholics but a Jap sentry is always on guard.
30-May-42
Changi Prison, Singapore
Changi School in operation in the dining room - now called the Schoolroom.
19-Jun-42
Changi Prison, Singapore
French, shorthand, Dutch and Spanish classes have been started. Also girls' club - Changi Club where we have dancing, cooking, first-aid and netball. The concerts are getting better. We now have a piano.
4-Feb-43
Changi Prison, Singapore
Even since we first landed in internment we've thought that things have to get worse before they start to get better. Have we accepted that fact? - I would think so as we seem to make the best of things - especially the children - there's the schoolroom where we can learn and study (that does while away part of the time!) There's the Rose Garden where we play and spend time entertaining in the Carpenter's Shop. ...Somehow we manage to keep up a high standard of health, conduct, education and some measure of happiness.
3-May-43
Changi Prison, Singapore
Sometimes I look up at the sky ... how I wish I am up there looking down and seeing women and children sleeping every which way and I ponder what is to become of us - how much longer can we stand being here and with each other. Already there are cracks in our community. Starvation, dysentery, beri-beri and malaria - just about everything is slowly taking its toll on our integrity especially when we see our loved ones slowly fading away.
11-Oct-43
Changi Prison, Singapore
Yesterday's episode is now being referred to as the 'Double Tenth' - the day the Japanese Kemp-Tai [sic] (Secret Military Police) descended on Civilian Internment Camp. They were sure they would find a spy ring, transmitters etc. with the idea that we were going to sabotage the Island of Singapore. The result - 28 men were taken away and a couple of women. Even the Bishop of Singapore was included. They were taken away to be questioned and tortured I guess. We don't know exactly what is to become of them.
19-Oct-43
Changi Prison, Singapore
Since the 'Double Tenth' we've had the Nips doing their rounds at all hours of the night. ...Last night heard strange noises - sounded like tanks or heavy machinery moving.
27-Dec-43
Changi Prison, Singapore
A door banged - someone yelled excitedly. 'Listen - a bomb!' Then Mrs K came in and said quite seriously, 'Singapore is up in flames!' A babble of voices - 'Yes, yes! The Americans have dropped bombs just now.' Could it be true? Guess we wanted to believe that it's true. Rumours of repatriation again going round.
12-Mar-44
Changi Prison, Singapore
Roll Call - rumour of Armistice being signed and could be announced at Roll Call! Two nights ago drone of planes woke the Camp. There was a buzz of excitement as we tried to figure out what all this meant.
7-May-44
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
New Camp! Left Changi Prison about 1/2 past 2 this afternoon - in 7 lorries - men helped with luggage...A lovely, cool ride but not long enough. Fresh air - green, green everywhere - everything looks so normal!
9-Nov-44
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
On Sunday there were sounds of AA and saw planes overhead = around 9.45 a.m. heard a siren - did we have a raid, I wonder.
25-Dec-44
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Xmas Day! ... a different Xmas to the ones we had in Changi. Here - it's fresh and green - open spaces instead of being confined by grey walls! Another Xmas, another year - wonder where we will be next year!
11-Jan-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
'Air-citement' morning - 'big and small birds and pop-guns too'. This show went on for several days. Dud shell found in Men's Camp.
27-Jan-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Plenty of 'air activity'. Yesterday ordered into trenches afternoon.
30-Jan-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
About 1,000 internees arriving from Singapore and upcountry because of bombing - possibly the harbour and Naval Base. Air raids daily - Cathay, Capitol and another building on fire a/c of Chinese Communists.
1-Feb-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
'Excellent show' from above - batches of 4; 4; 10; 19; 6 and 3 - lovely lot of 'eggs' dropped - came from somewhere SW and NE. 87 altogether from 1/2 past 10 to 20 to 2 - last two batches a little N. The 19th had no 'eggs' and 3 opposite direction. Fire and smoke - seems like a 'good day's hunting'. A shrapnel found in Hut 12 garden (?) - missed hitting several people. ...Rumours abound - (?) about 2,000 internees coming and huts being built for them with POWs helping - also internees from India and that we are to go to Hong Kong or Japan!
24-Feb-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
A large 'flock' (between 120 and 130) of silver plumaged birds dropped enormous 'eggs' at five places at least - dark mass of smoke rising in a huge column, higher and higher like a great moving snow-capped mountain... it was a grand sight - action at last! Seems like war has come back to Singapore - maybe the Nips (I hope) are getting what's due to them!
11-Aug-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Heard one of the POWs singing 'The war is over!'
19-Aug-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
CONFIRMED at last - all over. Deo Gratias!
20-Aug-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Heard Church bells. PEACE! Saw our planes - a lovely sight and flying low. ...Roll Call - Yamato spoke - said in charge - to behave - keep what we think in our hearts - when he goes can do as we like! Chinese sending in eggs, butter, milk. Chinese living just outside killed two pigs and threw them into the Camp to us.
24-Aug-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Sir Shenton Thomas last heard in Mukden (?) war at end but negotiations still going on - try if possible not to create trouble by celebrations, singing of patriotic songs and wearing badges. ...Read circular about Emperor's speech - said he declared war on 14th December 1941 in their interest - millions have died by the new invention of bomb - the Atomic Bombs - needed two to end the war - one completely wiped out one island...Emperor also said to be united now - thousands killed - had said to fight to the last but that over now - obey the enemy that is defeat and surrender - no suicides, killing, raping, looting, Hari-Kari [sic].
2-Sept-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Everybody excited - 1,000 Australian paratroopers supposed to land today - also today the signing of peace in Tokyo Bay on board the battleship 'Missouri' at about 10.30 a.m.
3-Sept-45
Sime Road Camp, Singapore
Hoisting of Union Jack today.
12-Sept-45
Municipal Building, Singapore
This morning, most of the Camp turned out to witness the Victory Parade - it was the formal surrender by the Japanese officers to Lord Mountbatten on the steps of the Municipal Offices. The padang was packed with (looked like the whole population of Singapore was there) people. Planes, flying boats, transport planes, fighter planes and bombers (you name it, anything that flies) flew low and zoomed here, there. The army, navy were assembled on the Padang together with the band - the marines did look smart in their 'whites'. What a lovely sight - we cheered and we clapped and we hugged each other and cried and laughed and then cried again! The atmosphere was unreal. Those who were specially invited were in the Municipal Building. I was on one of the balconies with the others. The POWs were there too. Lord Louie arrived in great style - how we cheered and waved our hands. ... Seven Nip Officials then arrived - the Chinese roared their anger and wanted to rush at them but were kept at bay by the MPs. After the ceremony was over - they came out again and were taken away. The Flag (our beloved flag) was hoisted while the band gloriously and thrillingly played 'God save the King' followed by French, Dutch, Chinese and American anthems. Heard speeches - had photos taken. We cheered and danced and cheered ourselves hoarse. There was dancing in the streets - we were mad, gloriously madly happy - Time stood still as we let our hair down - for a moment we forgot those 3 1/2 years as we went into a frenzy of dancing, singing - we are FREE, FREE, FREE! AT LAST! ^^^
