AIF SWIMMING CARNIVAL CHANGI FEBRUARY 1945

AIF SWIMMING COMPETITION & CARNIVAL SINGAPORE 1945

There were six teams from the various battalions competing in an AIF Swimming Carnival won by 2/4^th MGB.  As was usual the bookies were out and about and the Aussies were betting heavily.

Apparently the Carnival included an international race in which the Dutch team defeated the Australians.

Our research has not previously come across any information anywhere about swimming competitions -this information is from ‘The Sportsmen of Changi’ by Kevin Blackburn.’

We wish to acknowledge the following information is from

The War (POW) Years Diary (re-constructed) 1945-46 of VX48828 Lieutenant Gillon Ronald Griffith 2/3 Motor Ambulance Company (MAC) Page 76 via Peter Winstanley’s website.

https://www.pows-of japan.net/booksetc/Lieutenant%20G%20R%20Griffith.pdf

‘Friday 12th (February)

Yesterday we were to have held a swimming carnival of sorts during the usual swimming parade, but owing to the air raid, it was cancelled. Held it today however, and I swam in one of the A.A.M.C. teams of four, being beaten very narrowly in our heat. We had backed ourselves, so went out for a win on the 26th Bn. in the final, and they won easily. It was a great morning, and all enjoyed it. Great activity round the drome today, with I.J.A. bombers, it looks as though they have been bombed out of their usual place, probably Seletar.’

and

“Big swimming carnival,” Curlewis wrote on 10 February 1945. As Morrison described it: “The races were swum parallel to the beach and start was obtained, or supposed to be, by pushing off the bottom…”

The information comes from diary of Capt. Norm Morrison, 2/29 Battalion, verified by Captain Adrian Curlewis, HQ 8th Division.  We acnowledge this information is from Peter  Rees.