KYROS, Jack George
Prisoners-of-War (POWs),
Accession Number 002300
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 5
Total Reels
- Lily Tan (Mrs) [R1] & Jesley Chua Chee Huan [R2-5]
Interviewer
- 02:20:47
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 5
Metadata
- 21 Mar 2000
Recording Date
- 00:29:57
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee's biography. Enlisted as a volunteer soldier. Came to Singapore at the start of Japanese invasion. Shocked that the British surrendered. Life as a prisoner-of-war (POW). His experiences at various POWs camps. Comradeship among POWs. Cholera outbreaks in camp. Interviewee contracted malaria. End of war. Beaten by Japanese as an Australian POW. Experiences as POW.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 5
Metadata
- 18 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family background. Why interviewee joined army at 19. His journey from Australia to Singapore. Lost 30% of his battalion within the first 3 days here. He was with the non-combatant company. No co-ordination amongst the navy, airforce and army under the British. Felt that they surrender before time. Felt that they were looked down upon by the British. Felt ashamed as a POW. His analysis of the Australians. Their surrender. March to Selarang Barracks. Interviewee was one of the 55 gone to Johore Bahru to build the memorial. Later sent to build railway in Thailand.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 5
Metadata
- 18 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:31:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Stopped at various places in Thailand en route his work camp in Thailand. Many contacted tropical ulcers. How it was treated. Cholera vaccination was sufficient for only half the troop. Living conditions in Thailand. Returned to Singapore upon completion of railway. Stayed at Sime Road Camp for 3 months. Black-marketing there. How he got to work in the kitchen in Changi. The Americans in Sime Road Camp were from Java. How they kept their Thai camp free from cholera. Description of Selarang camp. Interviewee was later taken to help clear the swamp areas in Changi. Food in Changi.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 5
Metadata
- 18 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:30:28
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Elaboration on the food they had in Changi. Had boils after taking corn. Concert parties were very popular in Changi prison. Description of Syonan Jinja. Planted termites in the shrine. How he felt towards the Japanese. How he cut his finger in Thailand. How the Japanese punished him by putting him in a box. Importance of friendship. How they brought coconuts, chicken, goat and pig into the Changi camp. How they managed to cook a bull in Thailand.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 5
Metadata
- 18 Feb 2002
Recording Date
- 00:18:56
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he was punished by the Japanese. Debates and arguments kept them alive in the camp. He stole salt from the Japanese cookhouse in Thailand to treat ulcers. Incident where a soldier risked his life to save a friend. Informant has a strong will to live. How the war affected him. What he did upon his return to Australia. Sikh and Korean guards in their prison. Why he was positive about his war experience.
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