Page 7 - Haldenby

Col. Philip Toosey in 1942
Firing continued throughout 14th February, with the 11th Indian and 18th Divisions holding their ground, but field gun ammunition was running low and the city’s water supply breaking down. The following day a ceasefire was arranged, and all British guns were to be handed over to the IJA, but this was ignored by the gunners, who took it upon themselves to destroy their guns and to prevent the Japanese from using them.
The 135th Field Regiment went into captivity on the 15th February. The men were imprisoned in Selarang Barracks at Changi, converted by the IJA into a prisoner of war camp. It had formerly been a barracks capable of housing 8000 men but was now expected to hold 40,000 Allied POWs. In May 3000 men including Toosey, Alan and the 135th were marched 24 miles to Bukit Timah (Camp No.2) which was a bombed out RAF camp. In June some 500 of them were sent elsewhere to work as labourers for the Japanese and the remainder were subsequently moved out in October to Thailand to work on the Burma Railway.
An official Army form that Alan was required to complete after the war lists the following camps that he occupied as a POW. The first two were on Singapore island and the rest situated along the route of the notorious Burma -Thailand railway.
• Changi – Feb 42
• Bukrit-Tima – May 42
• Tamarkan - Nov 42
• Kinsayok – May 43
• Kon-Kwita – Aug 43
• Hindato – Nov 43
• Nong Pladuk – March 44
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