McCabe, Bernard Henry (Private, b.1903 - d.1950)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of WX7858 Private Bernard Henry McCabe, 2/6 Field Company, Second Australian Imperial Force, Malaya and Singapore, 1942-1944.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one diary of Private Bernard Henry McCabe, housed in a brown leather cover and containing original pencil. This diary contains entries dated between 15 February 1942 and March 1944, and was written while Private McCabe was a prisoner of war of the Japanese. In his diary, Private McCabe writes about surrendering to the Japanese at Singapore, settling into routines at Changi Prisoner of War Camp, food rations, attending concerts, hearing rumours of the war, prices of supplies, a kitchen strike, attending a friend’s funeral, listening to debates, seeing a cricket match between English and Australian prisoners, the availability of cigarettes, having yeast dietary supplements, being on work parties, parades, playing card games, moving quarters to Adam Park Camp, making roads and other infrastructure, making furniture, learning Morse code, receiving issues of supplies from the Australian Red Cross Society, frog racing, commemorating Armistice Day, moving back to Changi, visiting friends in hospital, breaking his toe while playing baseball, receiving mail from home, attending educational lectures, large groups of prisoners leaving Changi for other camps, repairing camp tools, and having ulcers on his feet and legs. Private McCabe then goes on to write about making preparations for air raids, feeling very ill, having problems with his eyesight, welcoming friends returning from work forces, being on guard duty, gardening, doing work on hospital hygiene, quality and quantity of food, and being in hospital with beri-beri and malaria.

Private Bernard Henry McCabe enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 13 August 1940. He embarked for overseas service on 30 May 1941, and served with 2/6 Field Company in Malaya. Private McCabe was taken as a prisoner of war on 15 February 1942, when Singapore fell to the Japanese. He was interned at Changi Prisoner of War Camp in Singapore, and struggled with various illnesses during his time of captivity. Private McCabe was released from Changi in September 1945, and was discharged on 21 February 1946.

• Wallet 1 of 1 - Diary of Private Bernard Henry McCabe 15 February 1942 - March 1944 - Japanese Prisoner of War Malaya Singapore Changi