Ernest wrote on January 17, 1942 about moving forces from Malaya to Singapore to stop the Japanese after they had already conquered Malaya. They also aimed to destroy the link connecting Malaya and Singapore to slow the Japanese advance. Now they hoped the Japanese would not invade Singapore.

1. Ernest 5/1

2. 17 January 1942
Since the Japanese had already conquered
Malaya, I had to stop them by moving our
forces to Singapore. We also had to destroy the
link connected to Malaya and Singapore to
slow them down. Now we hope that the
Japanese will not invade Singapore.