Autographed Japanese fundoshi : Signalman J Easton, 8 Division Signals

Red cotton Japanese fundoshi, or loin cloth, with two self fabric ties across the top edge. The fundoshi bears the autographs, written in indelible pencil, of the surviving members of 8 Division Signals, who had been prisoners of war of the Japanese. It was signed shortly after their release from Japanese captivity in Singapore in 1945. At the top is written '8th DIV SIGS/A.I.F. - P.O.W./CHANGI - SINGAPORE/ 1942 - 1945/ 3 1/2 YRS P.O.W.'. The owner has written his name towards the lower edge of the fundoshi 'PEGUN. EASTON. CESSNOCK N.S.W'. The other 54 names have Australian town/state of origin information written beneath them, or sometimes a street address.

This Japanese fundoshi was pilfered, and then worn, by NX71211 Signalman James 'Jim' 'Pegun' Easton, while a prisoner of war with F Force at Takanum on the Burma Thailand railway in 1943.

As regular clothing wore out the fundoshi (lap-lap or G-string) issued by the Japanese was commonly used in place of underpants. Then, as shorts wore out, many troops wore the G-string as their sole garment to ensure modesty. It was easy to wear, and could be quickly washed and dried. When slackened and not tightly worn it could be used to conceal stolen sweet potatoes, tapioca or tinned food.

Easton 'found' this fundoshi near a Japanese troops' clothesline at Takanum, one of the railway construction camps in upper Thailand. It was the only red fundoshi and the Japanese soldier who lost it must have recognised it as Easton wore it while he laboured on the railway cutting or carried wood and water to the Japanese cookhouse. Fortunately for Easton, the Japanese commandant, Captain Muriama, found the episode amusing and his guards were forced to follow his lead. Easton wore the fundoshi throughout Thailand and on his return to Singapore, when he worked on the levelling of Changi aerodrome and on the construction of Japanese fortifications on the island in 1945. At the end of the war all the surviving signalmen from 8 Division signed the fundoshi while they were awaiting repatriation to Australia.

Jim Easton was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1916, moved to Canada with his family, and then with his widowed father to Australia. He was one of life's rebels and at an early age made a decision never to work for anyone. During the Great Depression he perfected his ability to cadge food and railway rides, as well as his ability to avoid work. These skills stood him in good stead as a POW and he passed them on to his fellow prisoners.

His lack of respect for any authority, Japanese or Australian, proved a great morale booster for other POWs. In Singapore he did not hesitate to escape through the perimeter wire of the camp at night in search of food or other goods. While working on fortifications at Bukit Panjang and Kranji he found time to steal from local fields. Tapioca was a favourite and Easton would cut off the top, take the edible roots and them replant the top to avoid immediate detection. James Easton had enlisted in March 1941 and was discharged from the AIF on 8 January 1946. After the war he made his fortune as a showman at agricultural shows.