YOUNG, Keith William @ Young, Billy
Prisoners-of-War (POWs),
Accession Number 002773
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 5
Total Reels
- Christopher Philip Mackenzie Ashton
Interviewer
- 02:41:37
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 5
Metadata
- 4 Aug 2003
Recording Date
- 00:31:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Born in Tasmania in 1925. Had little schooling but read a lot. Circumstances leading to his joining the army at age 15. Allocated to the 2nd 29th Battalion.
Arrival in Singapore by ship. Based at training camp in Tampoi. How they mistook Japanese bombers to be their planes. His experiences fighting during the Battle of Singapore. Description of Bukit Timah as troops marched through. Recalled being wounded and his "lucky" choice of St.Patrick's Hospital. Recollections of casualties and death among fellow soldiers. Humourous encounter with British Forest Battalion. Recalled having worked in Changi Airfield. Felt 120,000 strong Australian soldiers were badly misused by both Australian and British Generals.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 5
Metadata
- 4 Aug 2003
Recording Date
- 00:34:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Shift of St. Patrick's Hospital to Selarang Barracks. His initial response to rice. Recalled working at Thomson Road. His return to Changi and his allocation to the "B" Force destined to go to Borneo. Felt administration at Changi and Borneo were "brilliant". Recounted test matches held between Australians and British Prisoners-of-war(POWs).
Considered concert held at Changi "first class". Importance of commending the tenacity and organization of people at Changi. Regular activities at Changi Barracks. Considered POWs in Changi fortunate compared with Borneo and Burma Railway. Spoke on food smuggled into Changi. An anecdote with the Japanese. Opined on locals he met. An episode with the Little Sisters of the Poor.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 5
Metadata
- 4 Aug 2003
Recording Date
- 00:30:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Sights that greeted him at Sandakan upon his arrival. Atrocities witnessed whilst at camp. Clandestine radio parts were kept separately so they go unnoticed. Exampled on how news snippets were passed through songs.
His journey to Borneo in July 1942. Living conditions at Selarang Barracks. Viewed that Japanese were elated in the early days of victory and were generous with prisoners-of-war (POWs). Spoke on the different moods amongst young and older POWs. Incidents that took place during the ship journey to Borneo. Elaborated on camp life at Borneo. Punishment meted out to POWs. His attempted escape and subsequent experiences in a Japanese court.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 5
Metadata
- 4 Aug 2003
Recording Date
- 00:32:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Reason for his return to Outram Jail. His prison experiences. Detailed on the treatment of scabies amongst prisoners. Described average prisoner as being "skin and bones". How items were hid in cells. His optimism of surviving the war. Changing of cells amongst prisoners. Instances which affirmed the war was over. His transfer to Changi Prison. Spoke of his cellmates. Reflected Prisoners-of-war (POWs)' mood upon freedom. How water was smuggled into the cell. Why his birthday in 1944 was special. Narrated a humourous incident concerning Japanese guards. Peculiarity in the Japanese system. Recollections of a good Japanese Captain. Recalled a ceremony before the execution of a Japanese General.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 5
Metadata
- 4 Aug 2003
Recording Date
- 00:32:06
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Mood amongst Australian Prisoners-of-war (POWs); why some felt sense of "dishonour". Opined on Australian bushmen's ability to survive. Considered himself spiritual rather than religious. How other prisoners benefited from strong religious beliefs. Recalled "meat" incident whilst in prison with Muslim inmate. Camaraderie amongst POWs. Recalled traumatic experience during killing of rickshaw rider. Heroic acts witnessed.
Spoke of fellow inmate who kept up his spirit in spite of bad physical condition. Recited poem about him. His leveling experiences on bridge by the Singapore River. How he viewed the Japanese after the war. Lessons drawn from the war. Purpose of his book "Return of the Dark Ages". Listed stories written by other POWs.
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