Darkness Before the Dawn

This is the diary kept by Jack Farrow, a 30 year old Sergeant in the 5th Royal Norfolks, who in 1941 was expected to go to India to train troops. However, the fortunes of the war turned the world upside down and he found himself in the jungles of Malaya fighting for his life, not only against the Japanese Imperial Army but the jungle itself. Having made it back to Singapore in time for the surrender he was taken with many other to the notorious Changi jail where he was put in charge of the grim task of burying his less fortunate comrades. The diary documents that daily life in the camp for nearly four years - highs such as camp concerts and darts matches - lows that brought camp brutality, starvation and disease. The diary is a remarkable record written at night and hidden secretly away from the Japanese guards. Such writing would have led to severe punishment if found and the gathering of paper, pens and ink would have also led to reprisals. There are not many 'Changi boys' left but this book will help us remember what sacrifices these old soldiers made so we could have the freedom we enjoy today.