Donaldson, Ivan John (Private, b.1915 - d.1990)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX39253 Private Ivan John Donaldson, 85 Light Aid Detachment, Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia, Malaya, and Korea, 1941-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one typed copy of diary of Private Donaldson, containing entries dated between 7 January 1941 and c September 1945. It covers the period of his enlistment, embarkation, service with 85 Light Aid Detachment in Malaya, and time as a prisoner of war of the Japanese in Singapore and Korea. In his diary, Private Donaldson writes about his enlistment at Royal Park, Melbourne, being assigned to 85 Light Aid Detachment, training at Puckapunyal, Victoria, embarkation on SS Zealandia, arriving in Singapore, transporting supplies and vehicles to various locations in Malaya, moving to a camp in Malacca, repairing weapons and vehicles, preparing for war with Japan, delivering ammunition, regularly missing meals, sleeping in unusual places, retreating from the Japanese while under heavy fire, the bombing of Singapore Harbour, seeing large numbers of refugees, sheltering in trenches while shells fell from all directions, the men’s reactions when they heard of the unconditional surrender to the Japanese at Singapore, seeing the damage in Singapore, arriving in Changi Prisoner of War Camp, settling into the camp, being on a working party, being in hospital with abscesses, being transported to Japan in a crowded ship with poor food and sanitary conditions, settling into his new camp in Korea, seeing snow for the first time, being ill, eating well on Christmas day, enjoying sing-songs, working in very cold conditions, falling on ice and breaking his glasses, attending educational lectures, doing racial comparative tests, attending a concert produced by fellow prisoners, receiving Red Cross parcels, campaigning for equal distribution of supplies, being on various working parties, developing a unique language dialect in the camp, being transferred to a different camp and settling in, working in a factory, reduced rations, accidental injuries on the worksite, doing smithing and sewing work, receiving mail from home, raffles for the distribution of a Red Cross clothing delivery, being treated for intestinal worms, repairing a Japanese officer’s car, sickness spreading through the camp, hearing that the war had ended, being freed from the camp by Russians, visiting local villages, rowdy celebrations, and returning to Australia. This diary also contains one newspaper clipping.

Private Ivan John Donaldson enlisted to the Second Australian Imperial Force on 8 January 1941. After a short period of training, he served with 85 Light Aid Detachment in Malaya. With this unit, he assisted in the delivery of equipment and the repair of vehicles and equipment. In February 1942, Private Donaldson was taken as a prisoner of war when Singapore was taken by the Japanese. Initially interned at Changi Prisoner of War Camp, he was transported to a camp in Korea in August-September 1942. Private Donaldson remained a prisoner in Korea until the end of the war, returning to Australia in September 1945. He was discharged on 7 December 1948.