The Blog that might have been – 70 years on

My small circle – big camp fires and balancing the books

Posted on June 20, 1943 by felicityh54

20th June 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

Another week has come to an end so I will give you a resume of events in the small circle in which I move. We came back from another week’s manoeuvres yesterday – an entirely different type of stuff to what we’ve been doing lately. The work was rather interesting and the bivouac site particularly pleasant though very cold at night. We had good fires of an evening but in the small hours of the morning the heavy dews made it pretty cold sleeping in the open spaces. There was quite a lot of game there and those interested did a bit of kangaroo and duck shooting. There seem to be hundreds of roos about but as I consider the roo the gamest fighter in the world, whether man or animal, I wouldn’t be in it – although I would have had a go at the ducks. We had a cook attached to us and his rations were sent out each day. We lived quite well.

Twice during the week beer was sent out – a bottle per man – and another day the week’s tobacco ration came and as sergeant it fell to my lot to issue the stuff. When the first lot of beer came a few of the mob still had a few bob and were able to pay for their bottle, the boss and myself making up the balance required. Then came the tobacco issue – 3oz per man with 3 packets of papers between two men and a small percentage had to take cigarettes – ten packets at ninepence halfpenny – and of course nobody had any money to pay for it. On top of this came the second issue of beer and of course that had to go on the slate too. So after we got in yesterday and got paid I had a few hours’ work balancing accounts. It was all the more involved by the fact that the boss’s issue came from the officers’ mess and mine from the pit, and of course everybody had pound notes. There wasn’t even any silver in the canteen so she took some juggling. However eventually everything got straightened out and I balanced the budget within a couple of bob.

Your letter of the fourteenth has just arrived – sorry to hear the Mater has a cold and hope she’s soon well again. With the weather you’ve been having I suppose colds are quite the order of the day. The climate up here is really the best I’ve struck anywhere – just nicely warm all day, a bit too cold at night but it’s good for all that and there’s a limitless supply of dry wood. It’s nothing to see a ton of wood on the fire at a time.

From a platoon point of view a recent development has been little short of a bombshell – a bit of reorganisation puts about ten of the old hands in line for compulsory transfers they come under a class of specialists who come under new status and are outside unit organisation. I’ve no idea when they’re going but in addition to losing ten extra good blokes it’ll wreck the platoon. Among the ten are Jim McDonnell, Bull Black, Bill Collis, Johnny McGrow and Scotty McKen – all of whom are particular friends of mine and have been in the show since the start. However I suppose these things must happen.

As you say the European news is extra good but they don’t seem to be making much headway in the Pacific. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the show in Europe ended early next year and then I guess there’ll be some fireworks in the Pacific.

Well Mother and Dad I’m afraid there’s absolutely no news from this end so with love to May, Anne and Carline – best wishes to Laurie and the boys, I’ll say cheerio. Love – Max.

PS Am enclosing my coupon card and a cutting from Table Tops.

It’s nothing to see a ton of wood on the fire at a time

AWM056817 – men from another battalion training in the same general area – gives an idea of the size of the ‘camp fires’.

The Tobacco issue

image – local tobacco tin from http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-asstd/cigarettes.htm

AWM053777 – a sergeant issues beer and tobacco and keeps tabs – again, this is another unit and clearly in camp rather than on manoeuvres, but gives an insight into the process.

Reorganisation

I can find no mention of redeployment in the service records of the men named here. However, Alan Threlfall offers the following insight –

On 13 February 1943, LHQ notified all formations and units under command that three types of divisions would now exist: armoured, standard infantry and jungle infantry. The first formations to undertake the changes would be the 5th, 6th, 7th and 11th Divisions…..The CGS, General John Northcott, said the new organisation would ensure that ‘all units, sub-units, transport and equipment which are not essential for general operations in jungle conditions have been eliminated from Div organisation’. For the combat arms, the biggest practical changes would occur in the infantry battalions and their primary supporting arm, the artillery. Two of the platoons in the Headquarters Company of an infantry battalion, 2nd (anti-aircraft) and 4th (carriers) were no longer required. A Divisional Carrier Company would be created and carriers allocated as needed. An MMG platoon would be created for each battalion, equipped with four Vickers MMGs and the mortar platoon’s armament would be increased from four to eight 3-inch mortars. This was an attempt to increase the self-sufficiency and firepower of the infantry battalions. These changes would mean a reduction in personnel from the standard war establishment of 910 to approximately 800. (Threlfall – Jungle Warriors – pp 181-182)

William Crooks in The Footsoldiers adds the following: A vast reorganisation of the Army was taking place….. in our Battalion 4 platoon of HQ Company (the carriers) had been disbanded, and in its place a machine gun platoon of four Vickers MGs was organised. Some of the old carrier men either elected or were detailed to go to a carrier company being organised as a divisional unit….In fact almost the whole of HQ company was reorganised and had to set about a complete new training programme. The establishment of an infantry battalion then became 33 officers and 772 other ranks – a reduction of some 60 men on our establishment of late Middle East days…(p255-6)

European news is extra good

This could perhaps have been reports of the ‘dambusters’ bombing raids in the Ruhr valley, or of the growing expectation of an allied invasion of parts of Europe. The invasion of Italy in fact began with the battles for Sicily in July 1943.

Table Tops

This article from the Sydney Morning Herald of May 28 1943 describes the plan for Table Tops – a daily news sheet for the troops

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17850412

Posted in Carrier platoon, organisation, The course of the war, training | Tagged reorganisation | Leave a comment

Quite an eventful week in a modest sort of way

Posted on June 13, 1943 by felicityh54

13th June 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

After quite an eventful week in a modest sort of way Sunday strikes a particularly quiet note and having got over the devil-dodging business sleep seems the order of the day – in fact the whole company are either already asleep and snoring or are doing their best to encourage sleep. Your letter of the seventh arrived yesterday along with one from Mick. The cutting you enclosed of Col Clarke’s statement at the RSL dinner was rather interesting – he must have some sons in the chocoe’s. The chorus of remarks that followed when I passed it round the mess would suggest that he get acquainted with the facts. One bloke said they ought to have asked him who stopped the Militia when the Japs arrived in New Guinea – they’d have been a long way south of Hobart if the choc’s had had to stop them.

The weather in Hobart and Melbourne seems particularly bad – in this respect at least we have the wood on you. The climate here is the most pleasant winter climate I’ve struck – a bit cold by night but pleasantly warm by day. Our camp seems to be in a particularly good belt here. At Divvy headquarters it seems to rain all the time. My week down there finished last Tuesday. It was quite a good bludge really, although I couldn’t say so when I wrote from there. I inherited the guard commander’s authority and privileges which meant mounting the guard each night, inspecting them and marching them off to the guard tent and although I spent a pair bit of time at the guard tent I had a car at my disposal all the time and made good use of it. I went to the unit each morning to collect the mail and on Friday night took those not on duty to a concert put on by the sixth div concert party about twelve or fifteen miles away – quite a good show too. Then on Saturday morning I went to a famous though not very publicised waterfall – one of the best I’ve seen – but being so far removed from civilisation isn’t very well known. On Saturday night we went to a nearby township to a picture show – a real good programme too. Then on Monday night I went out to the unit for the official opening of the log cabin by the CO. Beer was plentiful and the ceremony went without a hitch.

Tuesday was our big day – the day we celebrate – and thanks to the adjutant and RSM the mob were relieved from he guard at eleven o’clock in the morning although I had to stay till the new guard took over a bit after four int he afternoon. Still as the sergeants show didn’t start till the evening I didn’t miss much. There was a regimental parade in the morning with an address by the CO, a big spread for midday mess for the chaps – it incorporated the Christmas dinner they didn’t have – poultry, roast pork with apple sauce and vegetables and plum pudding to follow. The afternoon was devoted to sport including the final of the inter-company football (Rugby) in which our company gained a very decisive win after a well contested game. Then in the evening came the grog. The issuing out arrangements were not very satisfactory and put a bit of a damper on an otherwise good day. We had our big mess for dinner at six thirty – an extra good show – the cook absolutely excelled himself and although the meal would have found favour with gastronomic connoisseurs, gluttony was the order of the day. A short digestive lapse after the meal we adjourned to the cabin and settled down to some steady drinking – that got more and more unsteady as the night wore on. One of the blokes put on a bit of an act as we were going home – he fell over and started wrestling with himself, calling out all the time “let me up, let me up” and there was no one within twenty yards of him.

Yesterday morning we had the doubtful honour of a visit from the Minister for the Army. He arrived with retinue of brass heads – Major Generals, Brigs and Gawd knows what – and after shaking hands with all the officers and condescending to speak to a few of the chaps delivered a fifteen minute oration that reeked of electioneering from start to finish. I didn’t like his style at all – a bloke who was a conshie when he could have fought and who before Japan came into the war was one of our bitterest opponents – I mean one of the AIF’s bitterest opponents – ‘five bob a day killers’ – and then comes filling everybody’s pockets up – well he doesn’t cut much ice. He started from the Generals and although at times he got his ranks a bit confused he crawled right down to the privates. Told us nothing we didn’t know and drove away beaming with satisfaction.

Ack Hallam left on Thursday on his way south. He didn’t expect to go for another week but got movement orders that allowed no time to spare. He told me he’d come and see us before he left but sent word that he’d had to go very sudden. Our officer is leaving soon too – he’s been manpowered out by a big industrial show. Lucky bugger. They gave him half an hour to make up his mind and even then the CO practically had to tell him what a bloody fool he was. If they offered me half an hour to make up my mind I’d have twenty nine minutes and fifty nine point something seconds to spare.

Well I’m afraid that’ the Griffin for the week Mother and Dad so with love to May, Anne & Carline and regards to Laurie and the boys I’ll say cheerio.

Love

Max

PS Am enclosing a copy of the anniversary number of the Griffin

PPS Jim McDonnell send his best wishes and in spite of local conditions said to assure you he’s getting his share of nourishment.

PPS Please send me some d…. or whatever those press things are.

Ongoing antagonism towards members of the Militia

It seems Dad and his mates were still completely ignorant of the role that militia battalions in attempting to repulse the Japanese invasion of Papua/ New Guinea. Militia battalions had been at the forefront in the battles for Kokoda, Milne Bay and Gona/ Sanananda. It was not possible to join the AIF until you were 20 years old but you could be conscripted at age 18. This led to much of the bitterness about the term “Chocko” with blokes that were labelled as ‘not willing to fight in the AIF’ but who could not legally join the AIF yet were in uniform, fighting, dying and getting wounded side by side with AIF blokes. (http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/ww2/pages-2aif-cmf/militia.htm)

The Sixth Division Concert party

These photos (AWM 054265 and AWM 054266) are dated July 17 1943, and show 7th Division troops enjoying a performance by the 6th Division Concert Party at Mt Garnet, Queensland.

A famous waterfall

The waterfall might have been Millstream Falls – most likely not Tully Falls though these are also in the ‘Camera Views’ fold-out that Dad sent home. This item of mail was clearly approved by the censor (signature bottom left) so it is interesting that after it was sent, the CO issued routine orders specifically forbidding such items being posted as they indicate the area in which the Bn is operating. See Bn Diary – Routine Order for 13 June 1943 (RCDIG1027240) :

Inter-company Fooball (Rugby)

The game depicted here involved another unit (2/5th Battalion) and was later in the year but also on the Atherton tableland – at Wondecla- so the outlook would have been similar.

After the big mess, adjourned to the cabin

AWM 065707

Photo is of an officers’ mess log hut – but I’d like to think Dad’s might have come close in comfort and appointments, especially the fireplace/ chimney! The caption says that all chips, tables and internal fittings which are made from hessian palliases with green trimmings (ends of unserviceable mosquito nets) are the work of unit personnel.

The Minister’s oration reeked of electioneering

A Federal election was scheduled for August, so any politician would naturally be ‘electioneering’. It was true that Frank Forde (who was Deputy PM under John Curtin as well as his Minister for the Army) did not enlist to fight during World War I. He campaigned strongly against conscription during that war. However by the time of the Japanese invasion of PNG he was member for Capricornia in Queensland and very conscious of the threat the Japanese posed to Australia. He became a strong and vocal advocate for both the troops and the leaders of the Australian Army. On several occasions he was also acting Prime Minister. http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/forde/before-office.aspx

Posted in Australian, Food and Drink, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, Queensland, unit and personal diaries | Tagged Ack Hallam, concert party, Frank Forde, log cabin, rugby | Leave a comment

A scrounging expedition with a tragic/ comic ending

Posted on June 6, 1943 by felicityh54

6th June 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

I’m writing from a Guard tent – a very drab and uninspiring place to write letters but as I’ll be here for a few days and the atmosphere the surroundings is not likely to improve I guess I’d better go to work.

Your letter of the 31st arrived on Thursday along with one from the youngster who as you say seems in much better spirits since Fergie announced her intention of coming to Melbourne and that with her interest in the baby seem to be having a good effect. It’ll certainly upset things if Bill doesn’t go away although I fancy Fergie had plenty of places where she could stay. In these days the plans of men and mice get lost in the all absorbing machinery of war. I believe even Eric Kemmins (?) has got his marching orders. There’s a power of competition for the good jobs and whereas formerly any of the three essentials – power of the purse, influence or social standing – was sufficient, one needs all three forces to maintain a soft job these days. I’ll bet the politicians are scratching their heads for new promises to keep them in their jobs. There’s certainly a strong team standing at home. I can’t see Gaha being beat in Denison but the Senate looks a very open go. It looks like the side with the best organisation carrying it – on a straight out vote both McKenna and Dr Hamilton would take seats but on the party vote it’s hard to say though at the present time I’d back Labor.

I was very sorry to read that Geoff and his wife have lost their baby. I don’t suppose you know whether he’s still at home. He had great hopes of getting away but didn’t want to go till after the event. Ray Ross was down at Battalion the other day. He’s still wearing the paternal mantle of importance. His affairs are progressing very well. His wife is out of hospital and the baby is doing alright.

Your mention of Mollie Wilson reminds me that I saw John Smith the other day. He’s attached to a show in this Divvy now. It’s over two years since I last saw him. He looked very well but isn’t too happy in the service, like the rest of the old hands he’s had enough. Ack Hallam has gained his first objective and will be moving south any time now – another of the old mob Jack Reinke has already taken over the CSM’s job.

Work on the log cabin has been going on well. The roof was nearly finished when I left on Wednesday morning so they should be in in the weekend. My fireplace came up quite well. I put in three big concrete pipes to make it draw and am anxious to hear how it goes. The RSM plans a quiet official opening for Monday night in anticipation of a gala night Tuesday – Tuesday the 8th seems to be the day the Battalion recognise as its day, although it was not the day we were formed. That date and the anniversary of the start of the Syrian show are pretty close so it seems we’ve adopted the eighth as our day. They had a bit of a show last year on the 8th but the plans in preparation at present suggest a much bigger turnout this year.

We certainly started something when we started the log cabin. Pretty well every unit in the area is building one or two. Our own officers mess are building or at least having one built. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I fall for the job when I get back. The building bug is expressing itself in other ways too. The OC of our platoon decided to build a gun park and orderly room and others are following his lead. To further our building schemes we went on the scrounge to a dump in the never never where according to reports some useful material was to be had. The boss borrowed a big FWD truck and away we went. The mob in high spirits had a good sing song on the way. Arrived at the spot indicated and were agreeably surprised with the amount of stuff available and got nearly a truck load. Everything went well except for an accident that though unpleasant at the time to the party concerned was or should I say is funny in retrospect. It was the sort of thing you’d hardly read about and you’d certainly laugh if you saw it in a comic film. We were taking a long roof off a pretty high shed and Ned thought it would be easier to strip the iron from the purlins with the whole roof on the ground. So they prised the rafters on which the purlins and iron were nailed from the template with pinch bars then Jim Mc raised one corner, Viv Abel another and with them gradually working along the template big Kong Young forced the centre up and another party with a long pole exerted pressure from the ground. Eventually they got the roof standing vertically at one edge. At this stage of the game the fellow with the pole was doing most of the balancing with the pole caught under one of the purlins to stop it from slipping. Then Jim & Viv let go and pushed it off the side. You can imagine the momentum that seven or eight hundredweight would gather, well the whole lot caught the log, swinging the bottom end up with a hell of a smack right on the point of the chin of the bloke holding it. It up-ended him very smartly and continued its upward track till released by the roof when it came down with a thud on the back of the head of the prostrate victim. We got him to Battalion as quickly as possible and the RMO sewed him up but his facial beauty is a bit torn about and his head has a few extra bumps but I believe he’s getting on alright.

This guard is the first divvy guard I’ve cracked and although I don’t want the experience again it is quite an experience. There’s quite a good sergeants’ mess here and tobacco is much more plentiful than at Battalion.

I must say cheerio now Mother & Dad. It’s nearly time to mount the guard for the next twenty four hours so cheerio for the present. Give my love to May, Anne and Carline and best wishes to Laurie & the boys.

Love

Max

PS Can you send me a couple of sets of stripes – they can’t be got up here.

PPS Am enclosing a couple more Griffins – I’d like you to keep them for the unit history.

Writing from a guard tent

June 1 entry in Battalion Diary: Battalion supplied 12 personnel for one weeks guard duty at Div HQs

Tasmanian politics

John Gaha, known as Frank, was the member for Hobart in the Tasmanian Legislative Council and the Health Minister in Robert Cosgrove’s Labor government. He was nominated to stand for the Federal seat of Denison in the August 1943 election following the expulsion from the party of Gerald Mahoney (see post of 23 May 1943).

Another of the old mob Jack Reinke now the CSM

Photo: AWM P07568.002

Jack had been a friend of Max’s since the voyage to England in mid 1941. He lost his life in the Liberator disaster.

Pretty well every unit in the area is building one or two…

…from The Footsoldiers : Each company built large mess huts. Although never as elaborate as the famed log-cabin they were much bigger and able to seat 120 or so men. The roofs were of malthoid rolls of which thousands upon thousands of yards must have been used by the Army in the war. ……. Comparing the unit-lines and living-quarters and conditions of a combatant unit of the Australian Army with those of any US Army units either in Australia or in the islands of the Pacific : Where our men made makeshift hessian stretchers, the Americans had issued stretchers or sleeping bags. Where our kitchens, ablutions and toilets and the roofs of mess halls were of sisal craft or malthoid they had professionally built structures with standard walls and roofs of iron or asbestos fibro….

Other units’ efforts

AWM 054966 : Troops of the 8th Australian Motor Ambulance Convoy at work enlarging the men’s mess. Mess is in log cabin style with iron roof.

AWM 052691

Mess Hut being built by troops of the Australian Army Service Corps, 9th Australian Division, at the Atherton Tableland training area. These huts are built of local materials. No nails or screws are used. Every joint is made by lashing members together with ‘lawyer vine’.

AWM 056335

Troops of the 57th battery, 2/7th Australian Field Regiment, having lunch in their thatched mess hut.

Routine Orders: this practice must cease forthwith

This entry in the Battalion Diary (AWM RCDIG 1027240) suggests that ‘scrounging’ wasn’t always at ‘dumps’: Extract from Routine Orders of 13 June 1943 :

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

(a) Complaints have been received from local inhabitants that their land, fences and buildings have been interfered with by army personnel. In many instances wire has been removed from fences, fence posts used as firewood, doors and roofing material removed from buildings and in some instances buildings completely removed.

(b) This practice must cease forthwith. CO will co-operate by severely punishing any soldier found guilty of damaging or interfering with private or public property. (7 Aust Div RO 55/43)

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, Tasmanian, unit and personal diaries | Tagged Ack Hallam, Jack Reinke, log cabin, manpower, scrounging | Leave a comment

Fun and Games away from the parade ground

Posted on May 30, 1943 by felicityh54

30 – 5 – 43

Dear Mother & Dad

I’ve got three quarters of an hour before Church Parade so will make a start on my correspondence. There’s a fair bit of it this week too – yours and Youngster’s and one each from Jack, Kath Hyndes and quite an amusing epistle from Daph Wise. The big news of your letter was the manpower call up. From what I saw when I was home it’s not at all surprising that they’re making a comb out. Tasmania is the least war minded of all the states but I can’t see them taking anyone from the cell room especially strippers.

The puncture in Jimmy breaks a long record of good going. Twelve thousand miles without a puncture is extra good – still everything has to have a beginning. I hope you’re able to use the car a bit after registering it. Jack mentioned he’d had a good trip to Mathinna in the beetle – as he calls his egg-beater.

We came back from our week’s concentrated training yesterday afternoon. It had been a particularly good week except that it was mighty cold. Still we did more work and learned more than in a month in unit lines. There’s no doubt when you get away from the boredom and baloney of the parade ground you get better results from the mob. They worked harder both in the day training and night stunts than they ever work on the parade ground and in their spare time a weekend picnic atmosphere obtained. Quite a lot of the old carrier crowd are in this platoon and humour and frivolity were the order of the day. Between Jim McDonnell, Kong Young, Viv Abel, Mick Williams and Ghostly Wright we never stopped laughing. We made use of an old empty house as headquarters. The first two blokes to get in found stretchers and as might be expected Jim Mc was one of the two. The rest of us made beds or slept on the floor according to our energies. I made quite a comfortable cot out of a palliasse and two poles but it had only a short existence as Bull Black and Kong Young – the two biggest men in the platoon – crashed on it in the course of an impromptu wrestling match. I came into camp on Wednesday to collect the tobacco quota for the mob. Tobacco is the most vexed problem we have to contend with. There’s been a famine on ever since we came back from leave and the heavy smokers are feeling it pretty bad. While I was in camp I met Ray Ross – just returned from school. He was beaming with satisfaction and I knew my question was superfluous before I asked how’s things in Brisbane – to which he replied they’re both well and proceeded to tell me the story. The baby – a boy – arrived the day after he got to Brisbane on the way up – arrived a fortnight before time. There’s no doubt about it that’s perfect organisation and co-operation, isn’t it.

We went to work again yesterday afternoon on the log cabin and have got it well on the way to being finished now. My fireplace is coming up extra well but am held up for sand at present. I’m going to pitch the roof as soon as Church Parade’s over and by the end of the week she should be finished. There was rather a caustic comment on the log cabin in this week’s Griffin to the effect that the log construction in rear of the snake pit is not the new corral. The old corral being the historic log boob at Casino – built of rough timber it resembled a big stock yard and at one time twenty percent of the battalion were confined there when the blitz on AWL’s after six days’ leave last year was on. The concerts staged by the inmates were famous for miles around and a couple of their numbers – “Alfie’s Wayward Legion” and “Come and Join Us” are still included in the repertoire at sing songs.

Well I guess I’d better say cheerio now Mother & Dad – they’re calling the markers out so it must be on. Give my love to May, Anne & Carline and regards to Laurie & boys.

Love

Max

PS Jim wished to be remembered. He said he hopes they get the big bloke in.

Manpower call-up

See post of May 7 and this link – https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/homefront/reserved_occupations/

‘The least war minded of all the states’??

Like most of the population, Dad would have been unaware of the extent of ‘war work’ being undertaken in Tasmania. The booklet Tasmania’s War Effort 1939-1945 published by the state government in 1946 provides a fascinating insight: apart from a huge quantity of food, Tasmanian businesses manufactured optical lenses and prisms and ‘a wide variety of essential requirements from extremely delicate precision equipment to bridging, landing barges, and machine tools’. In his introduction to the booklet, the Premier Robert Cosgrove notes –

Tasmania’s share in the war effort on the home front was a really great achievement. It is likely to be overlooked because much of it had to be done secretly and even out own people do not know the extent to which they helped Australia and the Empire and even the Empire’s allies int he darkest days of the war.

The Zinc Works was a protected industry during the war

http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/E/Electrolytic%20zinc%20works.htm

The Electrolytic Zinc Company was the sole manufacturer of zinc in Australasia. Zinc concentrates produced at Rosebery in Tasmania and at Broken Hill were treated at EZ’s Risdon plant. Apart from zinc itself (an essential constituent of brass used in shell and cartridge cases), the plant produced zinc dust (used in smoke screens for anti-aircraft protection), cadmium and cobalt and the fertiliser superphosphate.

Who were the ‘strippers’? – Zinc concentrate arrived at the wharf, was roasted to remove sulphur, then dissolved in sulphuric acid. An electric current passed through the solution and zinc was deposited on cathodes. ‘Strippers’ stripped off the zinc, which was cast into slabs

A week’s concentrated training – with plenty of time for fun and games

Although a different unit, this was a training exercise in the same area

The nominal roll helps with identification of some of those mentioned : close friends Viv Abel (TX797) and Jim McDonnell (TX1024), Kong Young ((WX185) and Bull Black ((QX2757). Guessing that ‘Mick’ might derive from the initials RC, Mick Williams might be R C Williams (NX25147) but there are no clues to help work out which of the 7 Wrights in the nominal roll might have been known as ‘Ghostly’.

Heavy smokers are feeling it pretty bad

Not only on account of a shortage of tobacco, it would seem: a quote from the Griffin of May 19 – Red sees Red – So acute is the shortage of cigarette papers that a certain Hygiene man is rather concerned over the misappropriation of his toilet paper!

The log cabin

The ‘caustic comment’ fromThe Griffin was :

The very substantial log building under construction in the vicinity of the Sergeants’ Mess is not the new “Corral” as many seem to think but is to be the new “Snake Pit”. Whether it is to keep the snakes in or out we can’t say at present. (ref AWM RCDIG1027240)

The historic log boob at Casino

The description of Lt-Col Buttrose’s shield (The Footsoldiers p 444) includes the following:

Remember the Boob at Casino? … we will always remember the famous choir practices when the one and only Johnny Welsh and his companions made the day interesting and the night hideous with their Clink Concerts. Featured in this quartering is the theme song ‘Come and Join Us, Come and Join Us’. … The barometer …is self explanatory being the all-time high in AWL’s in the battalion’s history. ‘Alfie’s Wayward Legion’, the lower caption, was derived from he fact that Lt-Col Buttrose was known – among other things – as ‘Alfie’ and the ‘Wayward Legion’ is rather obvious when we consider that 243 record.

Posted in Australian, escapades, relaxation, fun and games, training | Tagged Griffin, Jack Chandler, log cabin, Ray Ross, tobacco | Leave a comment

Constructing a log cabin with rock fireplace – interesting work

Posted on May 23, 1943 by felicityh54

23rd May 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

It’s nearly tea time and we’ve just knocked off having worked on a working bee proposition all day, so I’ve got to make the most of every minute between now and lights out because we’re going on a week’s stunt tomorrow and as I’ve got a couple of letters to write and quite a bit of sewing to do will be kept busy for a while.

Your welcome letter arrived yesterday along with one from Ivy and another from Max Phillips. All three very cheerful and interesting. Youngster seems particularly bright and quite pleased with the prospect of Fergie sharing her house.

That cutting you sent is rather interesting isn’t it. I suppose Gerry thinks because he wheedled them before he can do it again but I don’t think he’s got much of a chance this time. His line of talk won’t go down in wartime. Who are Labor endorsing? Frank Gaha was going to stand wasn’t he – but I never heard anything definite.

This week has gone very quickly for us – we’e had quite a variety of work – two or three days making a football field. The army are going in for a lot of sport up here – we’ve got a battalion Rugby team and each company has a team too. It’s about the only thing they can do to keep the mob interested as there’s scarcely any entertainment and no social life at all. Then we put on a demonstration show for old Tom Blamey, Morshead and a few other big shots – a couple of days’ training and the week was gone. And of an evening the sergeants have been working making a log hut near the mess. It took quite a while getting started as everyone thought he knew more about it than anybody else – of about forty sergeants in the battalion, thirty nine wanted to be the architect and quite a lot of officers volunteered advice. However eventually we got it pegged out and the walls are taking shape. We worked on all yesterday afternoon and most of today. I’m putting in a big rock fireplace and I think it’s going to be extra good. The whole thing is the RSM’s idea to have pleasant and comfortable surroundings to drink beer in, when we get the beer during the winter, and although there’s quite a lot of interest being taken in the job, most of the chaps have doubts about our ever getting any benefit from it. Whenever we’ve decided to make ourselves comfortable the powers that disorganise our lives decide we need a change – however it’s interesting work.

Max Phillips wrote quite a cheerful letter. He’s still very enthusiastic. He said he thought he must be camped near us though of course couldn’t state his whereabouts – however as he spoke of beer and towns and things like that I think he must be a long way away from here. Still I’ll drop him a line and we might be able to get together some time.

I don’t know whether you remember Reuben Way. He went away with me in the Anti Tank. He was with our show through Syria and up till Nov 1941 when he transferred back to the thirty second. He came up to see us the other day and gave us some interesting accounts of Alamein. Rub can tell a good tale and make the most common place incident sound well. He had quite a lot to tell us about the other anti tank blokes who went to the thirty second when we were busted up in England.

There was a travelling picture show here on Wednesday night – quite a good turn out – Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the Story of Vernon and Irene Castle. Although I’d seen the show seven or eight years ago it was worth seeing again and made quite a good break in the routine.

I must say cheerio now Mother & Dad. Give my love to May, Anne and Carline and regards to the troops

Love

Max

We’re going on a week’s stunt tomorrow

The unit diary indicates No. 4 Platoon (Tank/ Attack) leave for 6 days exercise on May 24, so Dad must have been in this platoon.

The 1943 Federal Election: candidates for Denison

“Gerry’ was Gerald Mahoney who had held the seat of Denison from 1934 – 40 for the Labor Party.

I assume the cutting was of this article published on May 17 http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/25948930 which reports on Mahoney’s expulsion from the Labor Party by its state executive. The headline was ‘Mr Mahoney will not be silenced’ and included this quote: Members of the trades union movement and the Labor rank and file should not allow themselves to be pushed back because they did not dine and wine at luxurious hotels and drink their brains out. Mahoney stood as in ‘independent Labor’ candidate and the party endorsed Frank Gaha.

The army are going in for a lot of sport up here

From The Footsoldiers (p254): At this time the Battalion began to take a great interest in sports and passtimes. Football and hockey matches were played and bridge tournaments conducted. The football however treated the greatest interest – so much so that nearly three teams were playing from the battalion….All this was actively encouraged by Major Cotton. This competitive spirit was in a few weeks to see nearly the whole battalion walking miles to watch company, battalion, brigade or divisional matches. They would scream themselves hoarse barracking for their teams.

This interest in sport and football (rugby) in particular is reinforced by perusing copies of the battalion newsletter ‘The Griffin’ which was published ‘nearly every week when out of action’ by the Intelligence Section. Reports of matches are often detailed – almost blow-by-blow descriptions. Copies of The Griffin are included in the Battalion’s official records- e.g. https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1027240.pdf

Part of the editorial in the very first Griffin (March 31 1943) is transcribed here :

Let us make it clear the The Griffin is written by nobody in particular for nobody in particular, but hoped eventually to be part of the Battalion, as regular as Reveille, as typical of the Battalion as its colour patch and what it now stands for, and as much looked forward to as news from home. We hope also that The Griffin will find its way back to those at home to tell them of the daily life and happenings amounts us when we are away. Therefore to make it interesting reading for mothers, wives and sweethearts, you can help us by contributing anything at all towards it, such as articles, jokes etc. Only have patience, give us a fair go when sorting out what can be used of the material sent in. We count you in on this and in anticipation of your cooperation and support, Thank You.

A demonstration show for the brass

The Unit Diary records that General Sir Thomas Blamey visited the camp on May 20 and inspected anti-tank demonstration.

The log cabin

Bill Crooks (author of The Footsoldiers) was clearly impressed by the log cabin and in particular, the fireplace:

The sergeants really became active and on days off over a period of two months built a tremendous log cabin hut. It was 50 feet long and 18 feet wide. The trees used for it were ten inches in diameter and the gaps were caulked with mud and cement. Inside the cabin a six-foot high by eight-feet wide creek-stone fireplace was erected…..Max Hickman, a builder from way back, supervised the construction. Such was their spirit that on returning from a 30 or 40 mile, four or five days’ exercise the warrant officers and sergeants would set to and do some more work on the place to the accompanying cries and catcalls of the men of the battalion.

The author revisited the old camp site in 1965 and…. the large stone fireplace of the mess was still standing in that almost silent bush…. (The Footsoldiers p 256)

Photo – the Sergeants’ Mess log cabin – photo P S Curry NX 32658

A travelling picture show

AWM P01297.009

Mobile Cinema Unit 6 (Q) operated by the State Welfare Institute, Australian Comforts Fund with open-air screen

Posted in Camps and Barracks, organisation, Tasmanian, training | Tagged exercises, Reuben Way, sport, The Griffin | Leave a comment

Three years since leaving Sydney – seems more like twenty

Posted on May 7, 1943 by felicityh54

TX 1004

Sgt Max Hickman

2/33rd Battn AIF

7 May 43

Dear Mother & Dad

Your welcome letter of the 2nd arrived this morning – quite good delivery, isn’t it? That break in the weather at home sounds as though we just got away in time. It was really amazing the wonderful run of weather we got while we were home. You must have had a similar break to Melbourne for it was absolutely bleak there – mother probably remembers the park opposite that big place in Dryburgh Street – that’s where we were camped or at least where we spent a few hours each day. The wind there would chop you right through – we had to wear great coats all the time. The youngster got a hell of a cold out of it. Those flaming ant rims (?) are still giving her a lot of trouble and I guess with Bill going away it won’t be possible for her to come over to Hobart. The young bloke seems a full time proposition and Ivy’s certainly a good mother.

You know that bloke I told you was a wizard well I think he’s worked the oracle again. There hasn’t been a word said to him yet and other blokes have gone for a row of sixes – nice going wasn’t it – to quote old Ernie McGoldrick – the bigger the bastard the better the luck – but I think nearly everyone will be pleased if he gets away with it.

As you say our stay in Melbourne was extra good – although I would sooner have spent the time at home – the break there softened the blow of having to come back when we did. Except for the days we didn’t get leave and the mucking about it was the best time I’ve ever had in Melbourne and our little sessions at the Mitre were among the most pleasant I’ve ever had.

Is Rob Cameron back home or did he take his own car away with him? If he’s back already it’s only been a good trip and a set of tyres these days is comparable to striking Tatts because from what I can hear of it they’re just about unprocurable to civilians – a much greater problem than petrol. If you had to use a car you could put a gas producer on but there’s no substitute for tyres.

You say you think Tiny will shiver himself out of the army dad. I don’t think that’s his idea at all. I think a WO’s job in base for the duration and being on the spot to pick something out afterwards would suit DIck better. There’s some great jobs of that sort if you can land them and Tiny would be better off than in a job, with rationing starting to have real effect on civilians. It’s surprising the number of old hands who are getting out or getting jobs in base shows. Old Ack looks like cracking the jackpot. His knee has been giving him a lot of trouble. He’s got a floating cartilage or something and he expects to get right out and be man powered for essential service in the Railways for the duration. Good luck to him – I hope he cracks it. Incidentally he’s just been made a WO II – CSM of Don Company. Bob Cole has got his WO II through too and old Doc is now WO I and RSM. They’re all out of the old platoon and it’s good to see them getting the breaks. Old Ernie McGoldrick has taken a trick too and got a transfer to a show permanently stationed near Brisbane. Old Mc is one of the old originals too, a good bloke – rough rider in civvy times and just as rough in the army.

They caught up with us in a big way – Viv Abel, Jim and myself all clicked for the guard on Wednesday night and Thursday. It was the first guard Jim and Viv had done since we were in Tripoli Barracks at the end of 1941. It wasn’t bad for Viv being corporal but two on and four off on a very regimental guard wasn’t to Jim’s liking at all. The posts are all crook. There’s no let-up at all – officers floating around all the time and armed parties going by. It’s just one long succession of compliments all day. Except for the ceremonial racket of mounting and dismounting the guards just a snack for the sergeant – you go round the sentries a couple of times, just as a matter of form and turn the guard out for the Trump and orderly officers.

Wednesday was the third anniversary of the day we sailed from Sydney – 5th May 1940. It seems more like twenty years. The Twelfth just put on a big show on Wednesday night. They sailed as a unit so the day is one of regimental importance to them. They barbecued two bullocks whole and according to reports acquired and accumulated tons of beer for the occasion – an all night session. A friend of Jim Glover’s whom I’ve met a few times came up and asked him, Jim McDonnell and myself to go down but of course being on guard eliminated us. But it was probably just as well because we’d have had to do to work next day. There’s a bit of a show on at the pit on Saturday night to commemorate the sailing. The majority of the sergeants sailed in that convoy in various units. I don’t know exactly what’s on except for the formal mess.

You remember the unit I sailed with well the platoon I’m with now are equipped with the weapons we would have used in that unit. They’re keeping us very busy and of course we’re quite interested at present but I suppose the novelty will soon work off.

Well Mother & Dad I’d better finish off. News is not over plentiful in these parts. Give my love to May (I hope to be able to write to her on Sunday), Anne and Carline and best regards to the boys.

Love

Max

Camp near Dryburgh St

This was Camp Royal Park later known as Camp Pell. (see http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/camppell.htm)

Rationing…starting to have real effect on civilians

A short piece on the effects of rationing – http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/explore-history/australia-wwii/home-wii/food-shortages-rationing

And images highlighting several aspects of the restrictions:

AWM 136947

The austerity man’s working boot, a standard design produced to conserve leather stocks.

AWM 136764

A woman shop assistant stands behind a counter with a sign reading ‘No matches, no cigarettes, no tobacco’. This is the effect of rationing. Note the empty shelves behind her.

(This reinforces why he said in his letter of March 13 1942 that before leaving New Guinea, Everyone packed their swags hiding as much tobacco as they considered discretion justified. )

AWM 136379

Children with they prams and billy carts lining up at the wood yard to buy their meagre ration of firewood. Note wood being weighed on scales.

Manpower regulations

…in January 1942 a Manpower Directorate was established and took over responsibility for the List of reserved occupations. In March 1942 the list was replaced by a Schedule of reserved occupations and industrial priorities. The Director-General of Manpower was able to exempt any person from service in the armed forces; to declare that industries were “protected” and require that a permit be obtained for any change of employment. From March all labour required by unprotected establishments needed to apply for labour through the National Service offices and all unemployed persons were to register within seven days of becoming unemployed. From the first of April 1942 all engagement of male labour was controlled and a national registration of both male and female labour was completed. The government had the power to say what every man should do whether in the armed services, war industry or civilian industry….. (for more on this see https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/homefront/reserved_occupations/

To be ‘manpowered out’ of the army, a soldier had to be able to show that he had ‘assured employment’ in a reserved occupation.

You could put a gas producer on

This blog entry provides a fascinating description of how the wartime coal – gas producers for cars actually worked. http://deborah-burrows.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/1940s-charcoal-burning-gas-producing.html

Photo: Hobart at War 1939 – 45 by CJ Dennison (2008)

Army organisation

The Footsoldiers (p253) reports that after the Carrier Platoon’s return from leave, ‘most of them were to transfer to 7th Division Reconnaissance Regiment, there being no longer need for carriers in jungle operations. Each of the platoons was renamed the Machine Gun Platoon and was equipped with four Vickers machine guns, and four jeeps.’ I assume these are the weapons Dad refers to in this letter. Ack Hallam, Bob Cole and Doc (Trenow?) also clearly stayed with the 2/33rd rather than transferring to the Reconnaissance Regiment.

Sailing date – 5th May – of regimental importance for the Twelfth

The 2/12th Battalion AIF was raised in late 1939 and sailed with the same convoy as Dad and his mates of the 1st Anti Tank Regiment. The convoy was diverted from its planned destination of the Middle East to Britain, and all on board spent the latter half of 1940 in England – on Salisbury Plain and then in Colchester barracks. While camped on the plain, some reorganisation of units took place and Dad was reallocated to the 72nd battalion which became the 2/33rd. The sailing from Sydney, while obviously remembered by the ‘originals’ of the 2/33rd, was not as significant in the unit’s history as their first action – on June 8 1941 – the start of the Syria campaign. The 2/12 Bn was also involved in this campaign and in the subsequent campaigns in New Guinea and Borneo.

Posted in Carrier platoon, guard/ picket/ orderly room duty, leave, organisation | Tagged Ack Hallam, DIck Schultz, Ernie McGoldrick, guard duty, rationing | Leave a comment

Six weeks’ leave: the best break ever

Posted on May 2, 1943 by felicityh54

Using Salvation Army letterhead – gaps filled in as follows –

From no….TX 1004 Name….Hickman ML Unit…. 2/33rd Date…2nd May 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

We arrived back at the unit this morning after being away six weeks. The best break we’ve ever had away from the show. My only regret of course being that I couldn’t spend more time at home. It was the most perfect home leave possible. It couldn’t have worked better if it had been planned. The time and journey back combined a series of interesting experiences. The first few days of the trip I mentioned in a letter I wrote from Ivy’s on the way. We stayed in Melbourne till Easter Saturday* although most of the time including two nights were spent at the transit camp. Still the remainder of the time was well spent.

We put in two half days at the Mitre Tavern – the first of these with Viv Abel and Nuggett Geeves and two chaps from Dick Schultz’s show. It was quite surprising the people we met there. In the course of conversation with the bar maids one of them a Mrs Whiting was very interested in the McKenna’s and Eric Ogilvie’s as she said she was a friend of Mrs McKenna and Mrs Ogilvie and had been invited to spend a holiday with them. Later in the day she called me into the other bar and introduced me to the crown prosecutor – a protege of McKenna’s early legal days in Victoria. When the pub closed at six o’clock we went to a place called The Dug-out in Swanston Street – a cafe and concert place run for the troops. We had just finished our meal when I got a glimpse of a familiar face in a crowd near the piano – it was the honourable James Joseph arrived that day in the Holy City. He’s calmly reported in to the transit camp and got a leave pass till next morning. He and Viv were like two long lost brothers. From then on of course he was one of the team and next day when we again got leave we celebrated the return of the prodigal. I’ve never been out drinking with those two before, although I’ve heard plenty of their antics but you’ve got to be with them to appreciate the humour and fun they make and get out of everything. We’d been drinking quietly for some time when Mrs Whiting said – There’s another Tasmanian chap here would like to buy you fellows a drink, and Jimmy Noonan walked into the bar looking fitter than ever I’ve seen him before. He’s working on putting his time in with the Air Force – some clerical job in a divvy capacity. He said he’d just left old George Carlysle in the street, ashore for an outing from the ship he’s mate on. We had quite a long talk to Jimmy – he was starting twenty one days’ holiday that night and was very happy in the service. He asked to be remembered to Dad.

That afternoon – Thursday – Viv put on quite a star turn. He’s a champion talker and never at a loss for words. Mrs Whiting’s son – a boy about twelve or thirteen – came in and she introduced him then Viv went to work to tell her how to bring him up. He told her how she shouldn’t have him at boarding school – she’s a widow and apparently works to keep the boy at school. Anyway when Viv had told her the story for about half an hour during which she and everyone else just listened, she capped it right up by saying – Well Viv I’ve always heard that single men make the best fathers. It was the perfect anti-climax.

I went out to Ivy’s again on Good Friday* morning. Bill was at work and youngster was not too good. She’s still having a very hard time poor kid, what with antrums(?) and her back. As I couldn’t do anything to help her in the house I suggested doing something in the garden but on youngster’s suggestion went to work on the wood heap instead. I was going along nicely when I jarred the handle and it snapped like a stick. Then I found it was only a borrowed axe. Still I was able to get a handle from a local dealer – nothing hickory about it, it was just a handle – but I guess it’s as good as the old one was.

On Friday night Ray Ross came out – he’s doing a school at —– in Victoria and youngster had invited him to spend the weekend. He’s very interested in babies at present because his wife is expecting very soon so of course Ray is very keen on knowing the various drills in connection with babies.

Although we’d had the usual warning about being ready to move next morning, we were quite surprised when the move eventuated on Saturday morning. The trip up was uneventful. We had hoped to be either in Melbourne or Sydney for Anzac Day but only stayed long enough at Central for breakfast and to ring Mrs Toomey who was disappointed we couldn’t go out, especially as Jim was there. Quite a number of the old hands joined the draft at Sydney. They lived in Sydney but by some amazing streak of luck they had dodged the drafts up and had had six weeks at home, only reporting at the Show Ground each morning. Then to cap their good luck there was some confusion over nominal rolls at Brisbane and they look like staying there for some time too. We of course can’t complain as we had two days in the northern city and as our pay books had been stretched to the limit in the fortnight we’d been travelling…

The old show hasn’t changed much. Ack Hallam and Bob Cole have CSM jobs and old Doc is now RSM. Nuggett Geeves and Bruce Lloyd have both fallen on their feet with jobs at Divvy.

As I considered I owed everyone letters I was quite surprised to get about ten this morning, including a late one from May. They were an extra good lot of letters and all made good reading. There was quite a nice letter from Shirley – now Mrs Woodham, an extravaganza from Rex Wedd written early in January, one from Graham Watts, an old letter of yours and several from youngster, Mrs Toomey and Kath Hyndes.

Well Mother and Dad I guess that about completes the story. We start again at six tomorrow and as Viv says – they’ve been happy days. Give my love to May, Anne & Carline and best regards to the boys.

Love

Max

PS Remember me to Mr & Mrs Lawler and apologise for my lapse.

PPS There’s a coupon book on my mantelpiece. It was Bill’s but he gave me his last couple of coupons to buy a pair of braces. He thinks he might need the old book to get the new one so will you send it over to him when you write.

Good Friday – April 23 1943

The Mitre Tavern

According to the Tavern’s website http://www.mitretavern.com.au/history.html the Mitre Tavern is the oldest building in the city of Melbourne.

For other recollections of the Mitre and its patrons, see this 1930 article- http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4107472

The Dug Out

The “Dug-Out” was the Allied Services Club that was operated by the Myer Department Store in the Capitol Building in Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria during WWII. It was renowned for holding the best dances and concerts in Melbourne and troops used to meet there as a matter of routine….The “Dug-Out” was a gift from Mr Norman Myer, the Managing Director of the Myer Emporium. In 1942 Norman Myer bought the Ambassador Cafe and the Cozens Cafe under the Capitol Theatre and spent 10,000 Pounds to covert them into a modern Servicemen’s Club. Employees of Myers worked there on a voluntary basis day and night during slack periods and in their own time. All the profits from the “Dug-out” went to the Australian Comforts Fund. .(ref http://www.ozatwar.com/civilian/dugout.htm)

Image – from ozatwar – Dug Out postcard

AWM136341A Members of the Australian and Allied services availing themselves of the free telephone service at the “Dug Out” a club for soldiers.

The honourable James Joseph

A reference to dad’s great friend Jim McDonnell (TX 1024 )

Travelling north… an uneventful trip

AWM 058928 Clapham Junction, Queensland. Troops detraining, having travelled from Melbourne to Brisbane on the troop train.

Shirley – now Mrs Woodham

While stationed in England in December 1940, Dad had become Engaged to Scottish nurse, Shirley Balfour. I don’t believe he ever saw her again.

Coupon Books : Clothing

Image – AWM042770

Australia followed British procedures for the introduction of rationing. Shops were made ready for the change from a cash to a coupon economy. Each adult Australian citizen received a ration book with 112 coupons. All purchasable items had a coupon value, for example a man’s suit cost 38 coupons whereas a pair of socks cost only four coupons. Used coupon books were exchanged for new ones annually and people had to plan their expenses to avoid spending all their coupons within twelve months. (ref http://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/homefront/rationing/)

Posted in escapades, relaxation, fun and games, leave, organisation | Tagged Dug Out, home leave, Mitre Tavern | Leave a comment

Wishing and hoping…. and finally re-joining the battalion in Queensland

Posted on March 13, 1943 by felicityh54

TX 1004

Max Hickman

2/33rd platoon

25th Brigade

Attached 7 Aust MMG Battalion

1st March 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

I received three cheerful and interesting letters from you today written on the 7th, 14th and 21st Feb. After such a big break you can imagine how pleased I was to get them. I’d have liked to get one from Ivy too as the last I had from her was over a month old. It’s interesting to know Jim made the grade. Ned thought he might cop some strife through the Battalion but his luck must have held. If you see him before he goes back tell him old dig (Viv Abel) fairly spat fire when I told him. Viv’s one of the old hands – a regular soak and Mc’s drinking partner. They’ve put on some turns those two – every time Viv gets drunk he tells the story of the last night at Ingleburn. If I’ve heard him tell that story once I’ve heard it a dozen times. When I told him Jim was on the hops he said “the bloody animal bastard” and sat down and poured out the rest of his thoughts for an hour. There’s no doubt about it, if it wasn’t for the hard citizens it’d be a drab show. There’s Viv, Len Woodlock, Mick Williams and Rup Smith. They’re more worry than a battalion of other blokes but they keep the show alive, all different types too.

Dick seems to be working the oracle well – still I don’t think anybody would blame him – he’s had three years of it.

I was surprised to read that Mick has gone to Q’land, but he should do well. They’re making a ton of coin in those jobs. One camp we were in (not in Q’land) there were blokes working as carpenters who couldn’t drive a nail and they’re getting about two pound a day. Mick knows the game well and should get a foreman’s job although like everything else I suppose they’re all political jobs – rackets are the order of the day in everything at present – but unless they send him to the far north it ought to suit him in Q’land for the winter.

Some of the chaps still won’t believe they’re not going home and grab at every rumour. Some of them were on a job yesterday and two officers – not in this show – (the worst furphy mongers of all) told them they were definitely going home this week and then this morning when a section was due to go out on a job for a week and the move was stopped they nearly went berserk. But there’s some long faces about tonight as they’re going out tomorrow.

I think it’s a good idea to register the car if you can get any petrol to run it with. It’d be good to have a few of the drums of petrol here at home – thousands and thousands of them and of course they use it too – but it’s tough to think that it takes 35 gallons to warm a plane up before they take off.

Les Crozier’s death was certainly a sudden turnout. He always looked a picture of health and looked after himself well too. It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good though and I guess Geoff and his wife will be on easy street. Old Les must have been worth forty to fifty thousand pound. Do you ever see anything of Geoff these days – I suppose he’s got three pips now. There seems to be an endless supply provided you know a little of diplomacy and Geoff’s no amateur. In addition to which he’s got personality and influence so the sky’s the limit for him.

We’ve had a sick man on our hands today. A young reo chap – been with us about two months. It was his twenty first birthday yesterday and someone gave him a bottle of jungle juice – a concoction made out of various over ripe fruits with a probable dash of metho – anyway it put young Ken in the DT’s and he’s been on his back all day. I’ve tried most drinks but I wouldn’t pull that Jungle juice on.

I must say cheerio now Mother & Dad – give my love to May, Anne and Carline and best wishes to the boys.

Love

Max.

The hard citizens

Those mentioned are – Viv Abel TX797, Len Woodlock QX1338, Rupert Smith SX2394 and Mick Williams whose name does not appear in the Battalion’s nominal roll. Possibly Mick was a nickname – perhaps he was a Roman Catholic.

The ‘Atherton Project’

This extract from http://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/theservices/theaustralianarmy/#atherton_tableland indicates the scale of the work being undertaken in Queensland :

In late November 1942 General Blamey ordered a survey of the Atherton Tableland with the intention of developing facilities for a rehabilitation and training area for Australian troops recently returned from the Middle East. Known as the ‘Atherton Project’, the scheme had three key purposes–recuperate troops in a cooler climate while engaged in jungle warfare training; provide suitable hospitalisation for malaria and tropical disease cases; and locate personnel and maintenance installations close to the New Guinea frontline with access to railway and port facilities. From December 1942 the headquarters of the Australian Army in north Queensland transferred from Townsville to the Atherton Tableland with the main administrative base established around the town of Atherton and the nearby settlement of Tolga. A huge schedule of construction work commenced in January 1943 involving the building of tent encampments, hutments, stores, bakeries, mess kitchens, entertainment halls, hospitals, sewage plants, army farms and a war cemetery. Units of the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions arrived on the Tableland in January 1943 and began establishing tent encampments around the settlements of Wongabel, Wondecla and Ravenshoe.

Les Crozier’s death

The local business man’s obituary was shared in the previous post. He was survived by three daughters – one of whom Lynette, was married to Geoffrey Harrison (TX6206) who ended the war as a lieutenant.

Jungle Juice

This concoction took many forms, and among US troops appears to have involved the use of stills. The following ‘recipes’ are shared by Robyn Kienzle in her book The Architect of Kokoda (p190):

First, from one of Bert Kienzle’s notebooks – ‘amidst the never-ending lists of personnel – ANGAU officers and natives, their names, ranks and locations – he notes the following apparently useful and important piece of information : Jungle Juice – 4 tins peaches, 10- lbs sugar, 3 gals water, 4 dessertspoons dry yeast. Mix yeast in cup of warm water. Add to rest of ingredients. Strain after 4 days & ‘see sparks’! And secondly: Another popular recipe for this recreational beverage was – milk of green coconut, a tablespoon of sugar and six raisins. When the raisins floated after a few days, the brew was ready to consume but it was recommended there be no naked flames in the vicinity at drinking time.

TX 1004

Sgt Max Hickman

2/33rd Battalion

AIF Australia

13th March 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

At last we’re back with the Battalion. The rumours of which I told you in my last letter came good. A few nights later the telephone lines got busy – as each call went over the ring was recorded through our extension telephone and we knew something must be doing but thought it heralded a new Jap landing or show of some sort, but next morning the atmosphere was electrified with the news that we’d be going home in a few days and spirits and morale rose to almost forgotten limits. The news was not officially promulgated but of course everyone knew and although the syllabus of training was continued neither instructors nor instructed had much interest as everyone’s mind was miles away and the pubs were doing a roaring trade. Everyone packed their swags hiding as much tobacco as they considered discretion justified. The minutes dragged like days but eventually word came through that we were to be ready to move at 1300hrs on Monday afternoon. The trip over was quite good although a lot of the fellows were very sick – “they were not Pundit campaigners”. As far as I was concerned it was the best trip I’ve had in the army except of course the experience of travelling on the Queen Mary.

After disembarking we had quite a long train trip and tasted the famed hospitality of the far north. Twice during the night we had a meal at sidings – not the usual cup of tea and slice of bread but real steak & eggs with vegetables. The camp site is typical Australian bush but there’s so many new faces that we feel quite strangers at present. Quite a lot of the old hands are still away on leave and various duties but old Doc – the CSM , Ack Hallam and Ray Ross are here and gave us a resume of events. Jim hasn’t turned up yet. I don’t know when he’s due back but I don’t suppose he’ll be long now.

Your letter of the 28th arrived the day before we left along with one from Jack. There’s certainly a lot of the old hands going off and as you say George Muir will be much missed at RSL functions. You never mentioned that Rob Cameron had joined up and I was surprised to hear he was on the move. I won’t ask you what he’s in because I hope to be home in about a fortnight or even less. The leave business is a big proposition for the railway department and there’s a number of whole units waiting. Still having got over the main hurdle I guess we can afford to wait our turn now.

Jack’s letter was most unusual for him. He seemed quite down int he dumps. I think he’s finding married life on school teachers pay a big problem. The man on prewar rates of pay is not in the race to keep time with wartime prices especially when buying a home.

Well I’ll say cheerio now Mother & Dad. Give my love to May, Anne & Carline and best wishes to the boys. Hope to see you soon.

Love. Max.

Sergeant

It’s interesting that this is the first time Dad indicates he’s a sergeant. He was promoted to acting sergeant on January 11, according to his service record – not confirmed until 6 months later.

For the 2/33 Nominal Roll

It seems that with all the uncertainty about which unit they were attached to, etc… Dad was concerned that the names of those serving in the Carrier Platoon might be left off the battalion’s Nominal Roll. He lists himself as Sergeant (not Acting Sergeant) and as this letter is the first in which he attaches that rank to his name, it seems reasonable to assume that, although the list is undated, it was made at this time.

Those listed are – Sgt C S Geeves TX1134, Cpl A L H McRostie SX2397, A/Cpl V T Abel TX797, A/Cpl B M Lloyd TX531, A/Cpl R Lumb NX15197, A/Cpl J McGrow QX7355, Pte E J Battams SX709, Pte J Black QX2757, Pte K A Boyce NX83562, Pte W G Collis VX46227, Pte P J Daley QX2358, Pte J C Edmonds NX67580, Pte R N Griffin NX113536, Pte A R Green NX107911, Pte G Hood NX25567, Pte N G Jones NX116939, Pte H S Low NX105047, Pte S Mann NX105182, Pte R J Mann NX57225, Pte K J Maher NX105108, Pte K J Mavin NX105098, Pte F H Mawson NX105044, Pte P J Murray NX42652, Pte K D McLeod NX105096, Pte C A Nilson NX116917, Pte C H Ovington NX114123, Pte T W Sewell NX116920, Pte V P Sharp NX114118, Pte A F McLennan NX73084

The pubs were doing a roaring trade

The pubs of Port Moresby – first, Hotel Moresby (AWM 003673) 012932) and second, the Papua Hotel (AWM P00954.004)

Connecting with previous comments about drills etc – the caption for this photo dated 30/7/42 begins: The care and appearance of their footwear is a ritual with the AIF on Active Service…. (Negative by Parer)

Not Pundit campaigners

This is a reference to the very rough trip the Carrier platoon had experienced, coming home from the Middle East aboard the ‘tub’ Pundit (see post of April 4, 1942). On this trip (Moresby to Cairns) they were on the SS Taroona which had previously been on the Bass Strait run. She had some interesting (and lucky) experiences as a troop carrier – see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Taroona

Quite a long train trip…two meals!

Dad left Port Moresby on March 8 and disembarked in Cairns on March 10. Ravenshoe where the Battalion was camped is only 118 km south-west of Cairns where Dad disembarked. The distance by rail was longer, and in places very steep but even so an all night trip involving two meal stops seems excessive.

The Battalion History

The Footsoldiers (p252) describes life at the camp at Ravenshoe:

…from January to early April 1943 the battalion slowly began to recover its men, its life and its laughter. The old stalwarts that really were the unit’s lifeblood began to return to their old sections or platoons. The training syllabus again began to be the ‘bible’ for the rifle range – the lectures the TOETs, the platoon and company exercises, the guards on the parade ground, the formal church parades etc. It was perhaps from about this period that the unit gradually changed again. Few of the old UK originals were about – in fact less than 100. There was more seriousness and urgency about the training. The happy-go-lucky attitude of many of the section leaders had disappeared and most certainly almost all of the ‘dead wood’. The experience of officers, NCOs and men in this recent campaign was sufficient to engender a new life blood into the training. For those that had taken part in the Owen Stanley campaign – the Kokoda Trail – it was never to be forgotten. Nothing that they experienced in Syria or the campaigns of 1943 and 1945 ever matched that, they had just survived….

AWM 087680 A different battalion, at a later date, but it is at Ravenshoe

Posted in Camps and Barracks, Carrier platoon, organisation | Tagged jungle juice, Ravenshoe, rumours | Leave a comment

Think of safety only and never mind promotion

Posted on February 28, 1943 by felicityh54

February 14th 43

Dear Max

We received a letter from you yesterday and were very pleased to hear you are reasonably happy under such trying conditions. There’s no doubt Max you are standing up to the job remarkably well. I was talking to Jim McDonnell’s father for a minute yesterday. He told me he had a telegram from Jim last Monday to say he had arrived in Brisbane on the way home. He also told me he saw Ack Hallam in the street – he was not talking to him – he said Ack waved to him on the train. You did not mention him leaving you. You seemed very pleased about ….. now whatever you do Max take great care of yourself. I think this year will finish the job and it would be grand to be in at the finish. As for making a new will – don’t worry your self about the new arrivals. Look after yourself – there’s a good time ahead if you can pull through. We are doing our best to look after your interests here – you are the only one we are looking forward to. Schultz is an inmate at the military hospital at Campbell Town. Old Percy Jones tells me he is on a special diet and is likely to be sent to a convalescent home at Mowbray Heights. When he leaves there you can bet your life Dick is putting all his complaints in the picture for his pension. We sent you a clipping of the paper about old Ted Ellis’ death. In case you did not get it. They buried him like a worthless dog – no one was invited to the funeral just said he would be cremated at 11am. They showed him no respect at all. Your mother says she won’t forget his kindness while she was in hospital and afterwards when he came up and took her to town and brought her home. When she needed assistance he certainly had his bright side. Anyhow they were longing to get hold of his money so they have it at last.

We are thinking of having the car registered so that we could take it for a short run now and again. It would be better than having it on the chocks all the time. I am still down at Jones College. There has been two big reductions in men down there and I have survived them both in fact I was wishing to be in the last lot as I have a bad back. I got a chill somehow and I’m not too good. If it does not improve in the next few days I will leave. Things are very quiet about here now. Trevor Hickman was telling us this morning that Reggie had been promoted to pilot officer so you might be seeing him up that way. We had a letter from Ivy yesterday, nearly all about her wonderful son. Mrs Fleury(?) down the road told me she was asked to consider an offer of 1100 pounds for her wooden cottage. What do you think of that? Your mother is sorry you are not getting your mail. She has sent several parcels and May sent you a tin for your birthday. She hopes you receive them. I guess you will soon meet some of the Militia crowd up there. If you can take notice of rumours I reckon Jim Mac will have a hectic time when he arrives. May’s copper top is developing into a beautiful child and Anne is growing up too. Will now close Max. God bless & keep you with best love from Mum & Dad.

As with Ivy’s letter (see previous post) this envelope shows a change of address which would have contributed to its transit time.

Jones College

Dad’s father was working at the H Jones & Co (IXL) cannery on the Hobart waterfront.

Reggie Hickman

Reg Hickman 408195 rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and was with the 13 Aircraft Repair at the time of his discharge in October 1945.

21-2-43

Dear Max

We received a letter from you yesterday in which you state you read of old Ted’s death in the local paper. It would seem as though he were a man of importance, more so than he was regarded at home. They are selling everything on Monday March 1st. Among other items there is a quantity of nails and a pair of gumboots. It is not hard to guess where they came from. I reckon it will tickle some of the cell…(?) I was talking to Jim McDonnell’s father the other day and he told me Jim had lost two stone. He told me he walked up the street with him the first day home and the first man they ran into was George Best. He said I don’t know how he will get home – I have not seen him but I believe he has fifteen days’ leave for a start. I am still down at Jones’ College but I don’t expect to be there much longer and I won’t be sorry when it finishes but it has been very interesting. You say you are parked away in a corner as though you are forgotten. Well I hope you are there for a long time. Never mind about the monotony – think of safety only and never mind about promotion. I want to see you safely home in one piece. They tell me quite a lot of ex Zinc workers are home. That …..McQuiltan the Pom is one of them. I haven’t had a chance of seeing any of them as I go to work every day. I haven’t been up to the club to pay my sub yet but when I finish at the College I will be able to get some new and something to write about. We had a letter from Ivy yesterday but as usual it is all about her son and heir. Your mother can’t think of anything she would like better than to see you come home on leave or better still to come home permanently. We have had a frightful dry season but yesterday we had a very heavy fall of rain and today it has been raining on and off. You want to try and keep smiling Max – don’t let yourself get down in the dumps & every day brings you nearer to the goal we desire. Our hill is nearly all blackberries now but they are mostly very dried up. They are much sought after – there is much competition among the factories for them – they are offering 3 3/4 a pound in punnets. You know that six acres that Len Smith bought from Propsting – well, the military have taken that and Lowenstein’s paddock on the hill and inserted a most powerful searchlight. They have quite a number of men camped in front of Hanlons house. Mick Mason left last Tuesday for Queensland. They are sending all the carpenters they can get up there. Basil Ashwood & Trevor Lawrence and scores of others. Mrs Mason rang your mother. She was very upset. I got the shock of my life the other day when I read of Crozier’s death. I though you could have taken a lease on his life. I don’t know what was the matter with him. I am sending you the obituary notice. The Fishers have gone up to Rainbirds. They put their socks (?) on Peggy Pedro yesterday and came home broke. That’s how they always will be. Will now close Max. God Bless & keep you.

With best love from Mum & Dad.

Ted Elliott

Tasmanian Archive records show that he died intestate, so the Public Trustee would have been responsible for selling his possessions and distributing the proceeds as he (the Trustee) saw fit.

Lowenstein’s paddock on the hill.

This was further up Pottery Road – from which walking tracks lead up onto Mount Wellington.

AWM 051238 – soldier operating searchlight on Hobart’s eastern shore (Fort Direction). Presumably the searchlight referred to in this letter was similar to the one in the photo.

Crozier obituary

This cutting from the Hobart Mercury was included with this letter.

Pottery Road

Lenah Valley

28 – 2 – 43

Dear Max

We have not received a letter from you this week but perhaps you are moving about again which upsets correspondence. I am still down at Jones’ but I intend to give notice in the morning and finish on Wednesday night. I might even give it up before then as I don’t feel too flash. I can assure you I don’t think I am wearing too well. I got another shock this week. George Muir died suddenly at the age of fifty two on Thursday afternoon. It appears he was suffering from very high blood pressure and he carried a box of wood into his shed and collapsed. His funeral was very largely attended on Saturday morning. He will be greatly missed at all RSL functions. Just as I started to write this letter who should lob in but the Hon J J McDonnell and we talked for the rest of the night. I went to bed with an awful cold so I was a non starter at the College this morning. I intended giving notice today but I don’t think I will turn up any more. James has certainly picked up since he came home. We thought he looked well. He gave us some very interesting sidelights on the show. He reckons to be moving north again at the end of this week. He is not swinging for a pension like Dick Schultz. Dick will be very ill until he is discharged with a good pension then I guess he will be normal in quick time. Jim says they are all back from New Guinea with the exception of your crowd. He thinks you will be on your way home very shortly. Jim says he might go AWL for a week before he finishes up. He is not worrying about his military reputation. He wants no more of New Guinea. He’s very emphatic about that. Colin Campbell was here just now. He says Don Carrick is back here very sick with the effects of Malaria and is in hospital. Jim certainly shows no sign of it. We have not heard from Ivy this week but I suppose she is very busy these days with the infant. Your mother went over to Camerons on Saturday night. Rob is going to north Australia. He is flying to Townsville and is going further on somewhere else. She thinks Rob is pleased about it being an able-bodied man he does not care to be roaming round here but Hilda is very much upset about it. She thinks the end of the world is coming.

The duck shooting season opened yesterday so Laurie Fisher and his friends left for the lakes on Saturday evening and is not returning till tonight (Monday). A day’s pay is nothing to him where sport is concerned. The copper top is still progressing – your mother thinks she is the loveliest kid imaginable. I am going up to the club this afternoon to pay my sub. I expect to meet some of the boys and I might have something interesting to write about next week. Your mother had a talk to Ack Hallam over the phone. He told her he thought you would be on your way home shortly. If you have not applied for leave Max, you want to do so.

Will now close. With best love from Mum & Dad.

God bless & Keep you.

Dick Schultz – at Campbell Town Military Hospital

AWM P00967.001 Campbell Town Tas 1943. Patients getting some fresh air at the 111th Australian Military Hospital.

Posted in Carrier platoon, Letters to/ from others, Tasmania | Tagged Ack Hallam, DIck Schultz, Jim McDonnell, Les Crosier, Lowenstein, McQuiltan, Mick Mason, Propsting, Reg Hickman, Rob Cameron, Ted Elliott | Leave a comment

Even the tax collectors couldn’t keep track of us….

Posted on February 24, 1943 by felicityh54

TX 1004

Max Hickman

2/33rd Platoon

25th Brigade

attached 7th Aust Mach Gun Btn

24th Feb 1943

Dear Mother & Dad

At long last the mail seems to have found us. It’s been coming in in a steady stream for a week now but it was not till yesterday that I started to benefit from the discovery of our whereabouts. The letter that came in yesterday was yours of the 24th Jan and today I got another seven including yours of the 1st Feb, two from Ivy, one from Mae Menzie and one from Rex Wedd. I also got a parcel from Mother of PK’s, razor blades and things but as I know the trouble it must be to get these things I’d rather you didn’t bother because the army will see that we don’t run out of blades and one can always get soaps, toothpaste and shaving cream- I think I’ve got about six tubes in my pack now – besides which not many parcels make the grade these days unless you keep the postal authorities informed of changes of address the parcels are sent to the hospitals and in our case especially being seconded from the unit and with a change of address every few days even the income tax collectors would be hard put to it to keep track of us let alone postal authorities.

The heat wave of which you wrote seems to have hit all over Australia. Youngster said it was tough in Melbourne and Mrs Toomey also mentioned the heat in Sydney.

The letter I had from Weddie was just a note written apparently soon after his arrival in England from Canada. It’s been touring about a bit – the original address being defaced altogether. I’ll enclose the envelope in my letter. He thought I might be still in England and asked me to wire him and see if we could arrange to meet someplace, but I guess the only chance of our meeting again would be back in Hobart when the argument is over.

We’re quite settled in in this show now – although as I mentioned in my last letter we’re only attached, the attachment has every appearance of becoming permanent so of course we look like staying here. Time and for that matter everything else has ceased to interest us – a month ago we looked a cinch to go home, half the mob had already gone when something happened of which you’ve probably read and we got rushed orders. Then when half the crowd had taken a trip they decided they didn’t need us for the job so having been taken from the command to which we were attached, new forces took over the work of disorganising us so that’s now we came by the present address.

We can’t take a trick anywhere even the weather is against us – real cockies weather – rains every night and fines up early in the morning for parades and rookie drill that we’d almost forgotten in the show.

The highlight of the week was provided by the sinbuster at Sunday’s church service – he based his talk on hypocrisy and got real het up over it. Someone must have got under his skin during the week because he got so hot under the collar that at one stage he offered the battalion out – an excellent gesture of course to win the approval of the mob, but not likely to influence their minds.

We’re certainly living well here – we’ve had fresh meat twice in one week – a most unusual experience up here, but of course this show might bet a better go with staff being more or less permanently based here.

I must say cheerio now Mother and Dad. Give my love to May, Anne and Carline and regards to the boys.

Love

Max

A change of address every few days

This envelope from Ivy’s letter shows why news from home was sometimes slow to arrive.

Quite settled in this show….

It’s clear from the war diary of the 7 Machine Gun Bn that they were keen to have the Carriers attached to their unit, given the expertise in MMG’s of the experienced men of Dad’s platoon – e.g. this extract from January 13. (AWM52 8/5/7)

The letter from Rex Wedd

This letter had travelled the world for 8 months!

Rex had enlisted in March 1941 and after basic training in Tasmania had travelled to Canada for advanced training, under the Empire Air Training Scheme. (https://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/raaf/eats/)

Logo at top: Royal Canadian Air Force Logo at bottom: Knights of Columbus War Services

Australia 408200

Sgt Wedd R H

R. S. S. F

#3 P.R.C.

Bath Hill Court

Bournemouth

England

June 14th

How Hickey!

You may be still in England & hence this to try & contact you. If it gets to you, telegram me at the above & then we’ll meet somewhere in this country & celebrate in terms of our famous old Dunroy.

This is short, but I want it to reach you as soon as possible.

So with 71 miles to go & no bone in the truck at 3am.

The former(?) pride of Canada

Rex

a month ago…we got rushed orders

The timing and the address on this letter (attached 7 Machine Gun Battalion) suggest that perhaps the powers that be had planned to send Dad’s group to Wau which in January / February 1943 was being defended from Japanese attack. According to Wikipedia – On 31 January, 35 aircraft made 71 trips, and 40 aircraft made 53 trips on 1 February, bringing reinforcements including the 2/3rd Independent Company that brought the strength of Kanga Force to over 3,000 men. This included a company of machine guns from the 7th Machine Gun Battalion that had been flown in to defend the airfield (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wau)

Relevant to comments in recent letters is the fact that the 7 Machine Gun Bn was a Militia Battalion.

AWM 014376

25 pounders are unloaded at Wau aerodrome. At this stage the Japanese were only a short distance from he aerodrome. These guns were assembled and went straight into action.

Sunday’s church service

Church parades were generally held out of doors :

AWM P02497.059 Probably Port Moresby, New Guinea. c. 1942. Men of the 32nd Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery at a church parade.

Letters to and from Ivy

to Ivy – a single sheet, un-dated but apparently Feb 43

… rather the grind of the AIF than the Parade ground soldiering of the Militia. The idea of missing the leave to which they’re entitled and of missing out when the battalion make their next venture make them see red, and whilst the job to which we’re assigned may be important no argument can justify the present conditions added to these are the intense boredom and monotony of the work. The spit and polish of peacetime soldiering, the clicking of heels and things like that, that are quite foreign to us. When it comes to putting on a show our crowd can turn out the goods – in a guards competitions in Syria an AIF team beat all comers and they were not specially picked of the job, but gathered more or less at random.

I see by the local paper – a foolscap size publication containing the best and most reliable condensation of news published – that old Ted has died of heart failure. Even though he’d been sick a long time the news was a bit surprising and I guess caught the family on the hop.

Well youngster I guess I’d better close this boring tirade that probably would be better not written, and trust that I may do better next time.

Parade ground soldiering

As mentioned above (regarding the Battle for Wau), the 7th Machine Gun Battalion to which Dad was now attached was a Militia unit, and the experience here seems to have reinforced his views about the Militia in general. It’s interesting that he now attributes drills/ ‘parade ground soldiering’ to the fact of this being a Militia unit whereas similar experiences with daily drills in England and Syria were attributed to the fact of being in barracks. Hmmm…..

‘Old Ted’

Article from the Hobart Mercury. Letters received from both Ivy and their father refer to Ted Elliott’s death in early February (cremation notice was dated February 9). The article which appeared in The Mercury regarding his death describes the circumstances of the event. It seems likely that the unusual nature of his passing, rather his standing in the Hobart community, might have been the reason it was noted in the New Guinea news sheet.

The car ferry Lurgurena on which Ted Elliott was travelling when he collapsed. Photo from the Tasmanian Archives’ Mercury Historical Collection.

Ivy’s letter

8 Hollsmoor Rd

Burwood E 13

11 Feb 1943

Brother dear

Correspondence from the Holy City is apt to be somewhat irregular these days – there is a new boss in the house you know, and at times he is inclined to be autocratic – not surprising when you think of his ancestors on both sides of the family. The day starts at 5.30am and if everything goes according to schedule I can climb into my little bed at 11 pm to sleep the sleep of the just – until about 4am when there is a brief interlude of pants changing. No wonder Fergie said like was one nappie after another. It is nothing to have twenty on the line per day.

Last Saturday for the first time, I had a little walk round the house, and since then have gradually taken over my usual duties plus. Bill helps a lot, but there is still plenty to keep me out of mischief.

So far I have not been out of the gate, but tomorrow night Bill is taking both Max and self to the doctor. Young Max has to be weighed, and the doctor wants to give me the once over. I am quite looking forward to the outing.

The recent heat wave wrought absolute havoc in the garden. Peas, beans, tomatoes & cucumbers were burnt to cinders, the only survivors were the potatoes and onions. It was a heartbreaking sight after all our hard work however it’s all in the game. In startling contrast was the news contained in a letter from home which arrived yesterday. Dad said they had a marvellous crop of broad beans, french beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peas and potatoes, in addition carrots, parsnips etc are on the way. Sounds as though the Pater has been putting in some very hard work.

From a cutting headed ‘cremations’ enclosed in Dad’s letter, I gather that your friend ‘old Ted’ is now free from financial worries. The position is a bit delicate, knowing the family so well, and their opinions of the head of the house, and hopes etc. I can hardly write to express sympathy in their ‘sad bereavement’ so think it best to do nothing about it, you know ‘least said’ etc.

Every day we have been expecting to hear from Sydney where, unless some further hitch occurred, young Drew is spending a long looked for Leave. As Bill said ‘they won’t have stopped talking yet’ so we can’t expect to hear for awhile.

John dropped in on us again last week, he was in Melbourne to see about a transfer to the senior service – seems to have quite a good chance too.

I am sending a parcel from the Sanitarium Health shop for your birthday brother dear, sorry I can’t vary it, it must be rather monotonous getting the same thing every time, but honestly Max the scope is so damn limited these days, of course I don’t need to tell you that, as you already know that ‘the troops must come first’(oh yeah!)

I suppose you have already heard all abaout the Militia Bill – no wonder other countries raise their eyebrows, and turn up their noses in disgust.

Bed is the most desirable place I can think of just now Max. One of these days I will be quite accustomed to the routine and take it all in my stride, in time I will probably look back and laugh, in the meantime I feel really desperately tired so will say Cheerio for the present Max.

Bill and Cobber send their kindest regards. Lots of love from Max and self.

Ivy

The new baby

At this point, the baby’s name was Max, but after the war he became ‘young Bill’ (after his father)

The Militia Bill

This extended the area to which members of the Militia could be sent, to the entire South West Pacific Zone (previously it was only ‘Australia and her territories’ – i.e. Papua New Guinea) seehttp://www.myplace.edu.au/decades_timeline

Posted in Food and Drink, Letters to/ from others, organisation, parcels, The course of the war | Tagged militia, Rex Wedd, Ted Elliott | Leave a comment

	felicityh54 on The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
	Lisa Clegg on The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels
	felicityh54 on Bigger the Bastard, Better the…
	Gary Traynor on Bigger the Bastard, Better the…
	BestJasmin on Roll call of bottles and a wil…

The Blog that might have been – 70 years on

My small circle – big camp fires and balancing the books

Quite an eventful week in a modest sort of way

A scrounging expedition with a tragic/ comic ending

Fun and Games away from the parade ground

Constructing a log cabin with rock fireplace – interesting work

Three years since leaving Sydney – seems more like twenty

Six weeks’ leave: the best break ever

Wishing and hoping…. and finally re-joining the battalion in Queensland

Think of safety only and never mind promotion

Even the tax collectors couldn’t keep track of us….

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Meta

Tags