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446633

Title
David Griffin - Books written with Leslie Greener and H.M. Chalmers, 1942-1944
Creator
David Griffin, Sir, 1915-2004
Call number
SAFE/MLMSS 5428 (Safe 1/244)
Level of description
fonds
Date

1942-1944
Type of material
Textual Records
Reference code
446633
Issue Copy
Microfilm : CY 4476, frames 1-248 (MLMSS 5428, located at Safe 1/244). Includes 'The Happiness Box', Dec. 1942 (frames 1-33).
Physical Description
0.13 metres of textual material (1 box) - typescript
ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

When Singapore fell on 15 February 1942, David Griffin spent three years and seven months as a prisoner of war in Changi. Griffin was with the 8th Australian Division 2nd AIF. His Commanding Officer was Leslie Greener. The troops were imprisoned alongside women and children in Changi.
The troops occupied themselves making toys and other gifts for the children's first Christmas in Changi. Griffin and Greener wrote and illustrated a handmade book called `The happiness box'. Their story of Winston the chi-chak lizard, Martin the monkey and Wobbly the frog and their discovery of the secrets of happiness enraged the Japanese General who suspected Winston the lizard was code for Winston Churchill. The book survived Japanese orders for its destruction, safely buried underground in the prison camp by Major Phillip Head, a senior officer in the division. After the War `The happiness box' was recovered. It was first published in 1947 and republished in 1991.
Scope and Content
December 1942; `The Happiness Box. A fairy tale', bound volume, produced by Education Centre AIF POW Camp Changi Singapore for the interned British children. Written by David Griffin; illustrated by Leslie Greener; printed by Bruce Blakey. Bound at the Education Centre. (Call No.: MLMSS 5428/1/Item 1)
January 1944; `Release', bound volume, with stories by David Griffin, Leslie Greener and H.M. Chalmers; written by Prisoners of War, Changi, Singapore (Call No.: MLMSS 5428/1/Item 2)
1942?; `The Earl in the Bush. A musical comedy', bound volume, written by David Griffin and Leslie Greener; music by Ray Tullipan and Slim de Grey. Includes manuscript notes. (Call No.: MLMSS 5428/1/Item 3)
Copying Conditions
Approval for reproduction required: Publication permitted with approval.
General note

Digital order no:Album ID : 823461
Creator/Author/Artist
Chalmers, H. M.
Greener, Leslie, 1900-1974
Subject
Children's literature.
Illustrated children's books.
Prisoners of war--Singapore--Changi.
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Japanese.
Exhibited in

National treasures from Australia's great libraries - Council of Australian State Libraries (1 December, 2005 - 31 December, 2006). Applies to: MLMSS 5428/1/Item 1
ONE hundred : celebrating the Mitchell Library centenary - State Library of New South Wales (March 2010 - June 2010). Applies to: MLMSS 5428/1/item 1
Open Rosetta viewer
IE1135873