Harry’s diaries highlight a personal account of endurance and survival at the mercy of the Imperial Japanese Army, told through over 600 days of handwritten entries. Here, we will tell the story of one prisoner’s journey as word spreads that the war in Europe has concluded—and the days leading up to the end of the Second World War. Every day between VE Day and VJ Day, Harry’s story will be told as it was written eighty years prior—in real time.
Harry's Story
Still raining hard but I guess we'll have to go to work for another wetting through. Had a miserable afternoon carrying heavy loads in the rain. One bright spot however was the heartening news that the Interpreter had given out that owing to our people at home being
Harry's Story
Went out to work on the big farm today, and, although it was pelting with rain we had to work until 11.15 and naturally got wet through. Another story of the Red+ and Interpreter was told on our return from the farm - it appears that one of his
Harry's Story
Have heard that one very big plane visited OSAKA and dropped one very big bomb (1,000 kilos) this was followed by many smaller bombers which dropped incendiaries and that the place suffered heavily by fire etc,. This may be why a small hate has been turned on against the
Harry's Story
Another 200 Red + parcels have been opened and the items for release extracted. About 1 1/2 tons of onions came into Camp so we should be in clover for the next few days provided the Japanese don't take too many of them out of the Camp. The
Harry's Story
There seems to be a bit of a mild hate on against Officers at the moment re: work.
Harry's Story
According to report 900 planes are supposed to have taken part in the big raids the other day which were mostly directed against aerodromes.
Harry's Story
The farm party had quite an interesting day. Breakfast and lunch, which they took with them were much bigger than the meals we have been getting as Camp workers. They paraded at 7 o/c, got to their destination by train soon after 8 o/c and hung about for
Harry's Story
An Alert during the night but the air activity now appears to have come to an end, so whatever the object of these raids was it appears to have been successfully completed. Work on the Big Farm commences tomorrow with 20 Officers going out; they will get the same size
Harry's Story
There seems to have been a series of raids all night long, all the lights were out and heavy crumps could be heard. All Clear went at 5.30 and at 6.15 the alarm sounded again and it sounds as if there's a devil of a lot
Harry's Story
We had to fall in at 1 o/c for a speech by the Commander. He pointed out that in the past we had been working for our health, but that in future we would have to work longer and harder in order to retain our health by working for
Harry's Story
Got a packet of American cigarettes (20) today. Breakfast was as small as ever this morning. Started on bread again today and with the small piece of fish issued with it made quite an excellent midday meal, the only fault being that it was very more-ish. Got 40 Japanese cigarettes.
Harry's Story
Officially, bread starts again tomorrow and is being issued for midday meal instead of morning. Had coffee with milk and sugar this morning, this is the last of the coffee. Our vegetable stew was very meagre, being practically clear soup and no vegetables. Got weighed today, 52 Kilos, a loss