The firing seemed to be in spasms.  Our artillery would open up, then the Nips would return fire, rising from a seemingly friendly exchange of fire and increasing to a maddening inferno of continuous explosions and then easing off to an occasional shot again.  During the short time of quiet between each barrage, the most amazing thing would happen.  The birds would come out and burst forth into song.  It was the most beautiful sound in the world and it made me think of the madness I was involved in.  Why couldn't we all live as happily and contented as the birds who seem to be satisfied, with so little being everything to them.  We humans have so much in life and yet we must be doing all we can to destroy eachother in all this terrible nerve-racking noise.  While the bird just sits and patiently waits for it all to end so that he can sing.  Oh, beautiful bird, with your glorious song, what an example you are to we humans!...

I was told that our ammunition and petrol dumps had all been blown up by our people and it was just a matter of time before we would be out of ammo and petrol. It would be very difficult to obtain food through lack of transport. We were in a very bad way. Before laying down that night I visited Old Bob and while drinking a cup of his special, I listened to the news on his radio set. I believe it was the Empire program relayed from Delhi. The announcer was saying that Singapore was sorely pressed but the men were determined to fight to the last man with their backs to the sea. It looked pretty desperate for us, and when I returned to my billet I offered up a silent prayer for the safety of our little force.

At 3 p.m. I was told to parade with the rest of the men under the house. When we got there I found everyone crowded around a Captain who had tears in his eyes. He was holding a paper in his hand and trembling badly. He said in a very quiet voice filled with emotion which he was trying to control, "I have called you all here to give you a message from our C.O. Major. He wishes to thank you all for the very fine way in which you have all carried out your duty against terrific odds. He said that he couldn't have wished for a better Company of men and that he is proud of us. He very much regretted having to leave us as he did, but like us, he had to obey orders and so left with an official escape party. He wishes us all the best of luck and hopes to meet us soon again under more pleasant circumstances. It is now my very unpleasant duty to pass on to you the information I have just received." He then read out the official document which was briefly this:

Our G.O.C. explained that through various reasons we couldn't possibly carry on such an unequal fight and against overwhelming odds, and that he, much against his will, was giving us the order to lay down our arms in surrender, the order "Cease Fire" to be given at 4 p.m.

By this time the Captain was crying and I felt a lump rise in my throat. Several of the men collapsed and many were sobbing. I had never seen such misery. The reaction was awful.

I laid down on the floor of my little room and closed my eyes. My head seemed to be on fire and my thoughts were of my loved ones at home -my wife, my children and Mother and Father. How would they take the news? How would the telegram read? I thought it might read something like this:

"Regret to inform you that your husband is reported missing, believed taken prisoner of war."