Message from TX3427 Private William Stuart Cameron 2/40th Battalion, prisoner of war in Japan, broadcast on Radio Tokyo's "Postman Calling" program on 4 May 1945

Recorded message from TX3427 Private William Stuart Cameron 2/40th Battalion, prisoner of war (POW) in the Australian POW camp at Fukuoka, Japan, to his mother, Mrs Emily May Cameron of Elliott, Tasmania. The message was broadcast from Tokyo, on Radio Tokyo, on 4 May 1945 at 4.30pm during a program called "Postman Calling". It was picked up on short-wave radio by B. O. South, 460 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California, USA, on 4 May 1945. He transferred the message to wire and then to a cardboard record which he posted to Mrs Cameron in Tasmania. The message describes conditions in the camp; the climate; morale and lists friends who are also POWs.
Cameron enlisted in the 2/40th Battalion in June 1940, and with many others of the 2/40th Battalion was captured by the Japanese on Timor in February 1942, spending the rest of the war as a POW. He returned to Australia in late 1945 after the surrender of Japan.

TRANSCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER: Private, Australian Army, addressed to him mother, Mrs Emily May Cameron, Elliott, Tasmania. Private Cameron's message reads:
"Dear Mum, conditions here good. Well equipped camp. All Australians. Climate similar to Tasmania. Spirits high. Looking forward to glad reunion. Have received letters. Extremely grieved to hear of sad passing of Grandpa and [inaudible], but glad they went peacefully. Please remember me to Auntie Vera. Hope Jim and Tom are all right. Ted Hurst, [inaudible], [Bob Simpson?], say cheerio to home folks. Do not be concerned or over-anxious about us. Our main worry is for you at home. How is Stuart and Judith, Ted Sweetman, Don Walker? Hope soon to see the camp road. They all look well. I sincerely hope that your health is good Mum, and all you at home. Please do not worry. I am excellent. Everyone here looks well. Best wishes to all from John Green, Rex Ash, Jim McDonald. Here's hoping we'll soon meet again. God bless you Mum and all. Your loving son, Bill."
ANNOUNCER: This message was written by Australian Army Private, William Stuart Cameron and was addressed to his mother Mrs Emily May Cameron of Elliott, Tasmania.