Smith, Thomas Bruce (Private, b.1924 - d.1949)

Collection relating to the Second World War Service of NX58905 Private Thomas Bruce Smith, 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion, Australia, Malaya and Singapore, 1940-1945.

Folder 1 contains one hand coloured photograph of Pte Smith; five letters written to various members of his family prior to his capture by the Japanese; five handwritten poems relating to the 2/20 Australian Infantry Battalion and action that they had seen, two of which have attached typed copies; one Japanese prisoner of war Red Cross envelope that has been separated into two pages, with two short diary entries, and a third diary entry written on a scrap of paper largely containing Kanji writing; three handmade 21st birthday cards, all appearing to be made by fellow prisoners at Changi, and a fourth written on a mah jong playing card; one Christmas card dated 1941 (addressed by Pte Smith to his parents), another dated 1944 (blank), and a third Christmas tag stating "Christmas wishes from Bruce"; one typed letter written from Pte Smith to his parents dated January 1942 written in Malaya, discussing the bringing in of the New Year, his 17th birthday, the voyage from Australia, the local environment, and preparation with contact with Japanese; one typed letter from Pte Smith's parents to him dated 30 July 1943 updating him on family news at home and stating their pleasure surrounding his being alive with a hand-drawn 1945 calendar on the reverse with important dates annotated; one letter from Pte Smith's friend JB 'Pebbles' Smith stating that he hopes to see Pte Smith soon; and one pamphlet stating in English, Japanese and possibly Maharati that the war is over and Japan has unconditionally surrendered.

Folder 2 contains four diaries. Diary one is a light blue covered notebook that spans the period 1938 to c.1949. The diary contains several entries regarding the rising aggression in Europe, the declaration of War, and his enlistment. The diary stops at this point and begins again following his return to Australia in 1945, mentioning a girlfriend 'Dot', various post-war jobs, his purchase of a Harley Davidson, and a note from another person stating that Pte Smith died on a motorbike in 1949. Throughout there are also various entries such as shopping lists and amateur pencil drawings.

Diary two is a black faux leather covered diary with gold writing stating "Diary 1933 No.46" and a map of Australia embossed on the cover. The diary contains an inscription from his girlfriend, 'Dot'. The diary spans the period 12 July 1940 to 1 August 1942. One the first page, Pte Smith has written "16 years 3 months", referring to his age. This diary discussed the actions of Pte Smith's unit just prior to their capture, their capture, and then their internment. Much of the diary is dedicated to everyday life in Changi prison. Common subjects include issues relating to food, Pte Smith's frequent admissions to hospital with malaria, an escape attempt in August 1942, a description of the fallout between Allied and Japanese soldiers following the Selarang Barracks incident in 1942. Also mentioned are descriptions of the trust given to the soldiers by the Japanese, the diseases spread around the camp, the deaths of various people, the movement of units, both arriving and leaving at Changi. The final few pages of the diary contain a list of books that Private Smith read.

Diary three is a green covered small book with white geometric patterns on the cover and spans the period 4 January 1944 to 1 January 1945. This diary discusses issues such as mail arriving over a year after it had been sent, swimming in the ocean, the food and water situation including a two-day period with no water, the first sighting of Allied planes for around three years and the excitement that this caused, as well as insights in the mental health of Pte Smith. There are several entries where Pte Smith appears to have given up all hope of surviving to see his family again, then another later entry saying that he had the willpower to survive, and another saying how he wanted a family in the future.

Diary four is a small, crudely bound green covered notebook spanning the period 1 January to 28 September 1945. This diary discusses the increasing amount of Allied bombing of Singapore, the poor state of food supplies, work that Pte Smith did in his vegetable garden, rumours of the Allies arriving in Singapore, visiting the city after the camp had been liberated, and his arrival back in Adelaide. In the back of this diary are several poems written by Pte Smith.