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
Told on Roll Call that the cigarettes would be returned at 9 o/c but that no smoking was allowed before then. Got a raisin loaf and coffee for midday meal. The balance of Red + parcels were started on this afternoon for extracting the same items as before, I understand
Harry's Story
Had another pleasant day on the farm. It appears that one of the Dutch Other Ranks was caught lighting a cigarette from a home made electric lighter. He got such a beating up as to render him unconscious, and, in order to prove that he was so, they tried live
Harry's Story
A Notice has now been put in the Officers Hut to, ostensibly, explain why Officers should work. It reads :- OFFICERS DAILY LESSONS For promoting health and an increase of food production, farming and cattle keeping shall be put in operation as follows: - 1. 0800 start working 2. 1000
Harry's Story
Had another fairly pleasant day on the Big Farm. Present rumours are Churchill and Eden have resigned and that Atlee and another have taken over. Also that all British leave this Camp by 15th June - and, that there appears to be a bit of bother between the Allies, in
Harry's Story
An Alarm during the night. The Japanese Orderly NCO was too tired to get up this morning to take Roll Call.
Harry's Story
Had quite a good day out on the big farm and was greeted with the following fantastic rumour on our return: All PoWs had to be at harbour concentrations by 15 June and that all Red + had to be eaten up by 11 June.
Harry's Story
Yasume day. It is simply amazing that we never get a clear day of rest. There is room inspection at 9 o/c and inoculation commences at 10 o/c. Roll Call was dispensed with this morning but only when on our way to fall in. No Roll Call tonight
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.