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I presume he means the Melbourne Cup as from 1942–44 the Melbourne Cup was run on Saturdays during the war years.

Letter numbered 27
Dated 11.11.44
Dear Em,
This will only be a short note as there is not much news. I have not received any mail since I last wrote so there is nothing to answer.
We had an armistice day service today and it was conducted by the much publicised Stuart Watts but apart from that there is not much doing. I haven't even got a bet on the cup though there are plenty of sweeps and a few bookies are calling the odds.
I have met a couple of chaps who knew Clifford in the west and according to them he is B class and trying for a job in records office.
The food has been very good just lately but I am afraid it is too good to last. The canteen also has a good stock of chocolates, canned fruit and above all things, Sao Biscuits but what I would like most at the moment is a few bottles of iced beer. This room is like a sweat box and there is plenty of noise and cigarette smoke about.
That is about all for now, I shall write again in a few days when I expect to have some mail.
All the best
Brian




Letter numbered 28
Dated 14.11.44
Dear Em,
I hope this arrives before the 19th but in any case I wish you all the best for your birthday.
Your letters Nos 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, have arrived and in addition there was one from Ted and John Brown.
I can't hope to answer all yours tonight as the light is bad and I am very tired.
I don't know whether you have received my letters of the 7th and 11th but if you have I guess you are smiling to yourself, wouldn't it!
You are well off the mark in your No 45 and I am surprised that you misread the second or third paragraph of my 25 to Gordon.

" I went for a swim a few days ago and quite enjoyed it despite the fact that it was a five mile march there and back."

As yet there is no sign of the watch or any parcels and papers but I expect they will arrive in due course. Don't send any food stuff until I let you know how the cakes arrive, however some tea would be appreciated if you could spare 1/2lb. I still have the box of loaf sugar intact.
Tonight we got two botles of Fosters and I have had one and will keep the other until tomorrow.
I have not heard any news for days and all your remarks about the war are meaning less however I expect I shall find out all about it when I see a paper.
Thanks for Alan's new address, I wont be able to write to him for a few days and I am wondering if he will have moved by then.
Most of the chaps are just returning from the pictures so I think I'll close and get out of the way.
Tomorrow I shall go throught your letters and answer them fully. And now to bed.
All the best,
Brian



Letter numbered 29
Dated 15.11.44
Dear Em,
Now I shall endeavour to answer your letters in more detail. I am glad to hear that Roy is back and from your remarks I gather that conditions are much the same in New Zealand as over here.
Too bad about Katanga only coming fourth however I think I'll give the horses away as I don't get much information about them.
No doubt you have heard from Les by now so you can pass on any more information about his trip.
You haven't mentioned Mrs D. lately and I am wondering what has happened to the little lady. Perhaps she is busy studying more dope.
It is a pity there has been no news of Malcolm but they should hear shortly if he is a P.O.W. I don't suppose they have heard any more of Ken P.
Thanks very much for sending a couple of parcels up but I doubt if they will arrive for my birthday however as long as they turn up I shall be satisfied.
You seem to be doing a lot of work in the garden lately and I am only sorry I am not there to help you out.
Wally and I are very amused at Kel's new job and can well imagine how disgusted he is. I don't grasp all your remarks about Argus so perhaps you can tell me a little more.
Good news about McN. And I hope you get the same for the other 200. What does My S think B.W.s will bring, I expect it will be worth waiting for a while.
I suppose you hve noticed he slight alteration in the address but all the old mail should reach me alright.
Ted is with an Australian bomber squadron in Lincolnshire and has just finished a week's leave in the Lakes District and another week in London.
I think John Brown is at Balcolme just outside Melbourne and his crowd is being broken up and he expects to become a teleprinter operator.
The watch has just come to hand but it won't work. I don't know whether it was knocked around in transit or not but I can't get a tick out of it. Was it working after you got it back?
I must close now as I want to see a picture show near here. Will write again tomorrow.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 30
Dated 17.11.44
Dear Gordon,
I received your letter No 47 yesterday also the telegram. This birthday is the same as my 21st and I have just finished a lunch of bully beef. However the food is not too bad and much better than I expected.
There is a surf about 100 yards from my tent which is equal to Bondi at its best. I have been in a couple of times and only stayed out today as I have a cold.
I think I shall keep the watch for a while as there are one or two watchmakers around here in other units though I don't know what they are like. Naturally I am annoyed that it won't go but it is just one of those things.
Last night I went to the pictures and saw "Edge of Darkness" but it as a small screen and he sound was bad so I did not enjoy it.
I am returning the balance sheet which has also turned up so you can file it away. I'll let you know more about that later.
Must close now as it is nearly time for parade.
Best wishes
Brian

Note: Brian has moved again. He was in a hut a couple of days ago and five miles from the beach. Now he is in a tent and only 100 yards from the surf.His record doesn't show him moving until next April so he may have moved out of the main camp at Aitape to a signals post.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

I started thinking about John Brown. He was obviously one of Brian's close friends and Em knew him as well so I thought we should check his school friends. This was what I found.

Hello again Gordon,
I am finding a lot of names cropping up again and again in Brian's letters. These are obviously friends of his own age group and may have been work mates, old school friends or any of the many other possibilities. It would be great if I could identify even some of these and I was wondering whether student lists are available for 1937 and 1938.
John Brown in particular seems to have been a friend of long standing and was well known to Brian's mother as well. This would be consistent with a school friend who was a frequent visitor to the house in Vaucluse.
I have discussed this with Brian's cousin's son, Phil, who is writing the family history but he has been unable to identify these characters which suggests that they were not family members.
If school or class lists are available I would appreciate any assistance you could offer to access these.
Best wishes
John Armstrong

Dear Mr Armstrong,

In response to your ‘E’-mail, I can find a John Wyndham Brown, who was at the School from 1933-1936. His address was originally given as 261, Edgecliff Road, Woollahra but the family moved at some point to 2, St Andrews , 4, Raymond Road, Neutral Bay.

Unfortunately we do not have any class lists for the years that Brian Watt was here but if you bring in your list of names it may be possible, by using The Sydneian for the relevant years, to identify some of the people mentioned. I have been keeping an eye-open for Watt's picture among the class photos we are working on at the moment but so far have not come across his name.

With best wishes,

Gordon Cooper,
Archivist.

This would have made Brian a year younger than this John Brown but with his membership of cricket teams and cadets he could quite possibly have known him well. Perhaps this is the mysterious John Brown we keep hearing about.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 31
Dated 18.11.44

Dear Em,
I was very glad to get your letters Nos 48 and 49 last night together with the parcel of sweets. The cough jubes came in very handy although I am over the worst part of the cold now.
There were also three penguin books in the same mail from John Brown and they are most welcome as reading matter is scarce though I don't get much time these days to do any.
Roy did very well on the cup but as I said before, I didn't have a chance of listening to Jim's description. No doubt he had the nucleus of a good race.
Last night I saw a three act play, "Over Twenty-One", rather a dry show but it filled up the evening. There are plenty of pictures around here and I may go again tonight.
The food is still quite fair, we even had real butter for lunch and the bread is very fresh.
I am on shift tomorrow, the first time for nearly five months so it is about time, anyway I hope to clear some of my mail up when I am on duty tomorrow night.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 32
Dated 19.11.44

Dear Gordon,
I am on shift at the moment until 10PM and as things are quiet it is a good chance to drop you a few lines.
It has been quite a nice day but I did not go in for a swim as I am anxious to get rid of this cold.
Letters 50 and 51 have just come in also a "Lilliput", so the mail position is satisfactory. I am glad you have received my 26 as it will clear things up for you.
Glad you enjoyed William Winter the other night and wish I could have heard him too. Em must have had a busy day and I see that the letter was written at 1AM.
I am very interested in all this talk about Argus (Angus?) and would like to run into him. I would not be surprised if some of his stories are just wishful thinking, anyway more of that later.
Sorry to hear that things are so dry down there and guess the country is in very poor shape.
The canteen supplies are much better than expected, two bottles a week, unlimited chocolates and biscuits and today I managed to get some cordial.
Last night I saw "Bomber's Moon", well acted but mainly propaganda. There are picture shows all around here and it is just a case of picking your film. The other night we had the choice of 13 though of course a few of them were some distance away.
Well I'll close now as I want to write several other letters while I have the chance.
Cheerio and all the best,
Brian
P.S. Please don't send any more 4d stamps.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 33
Dated 3.30AM, 21.11.44

Dear Em,
I have just finished writing four pages to Alan and five to Kel so this will only be a short note. You will see by the time that I am on shift and writing helps to keep me awake.
As you no doubt know, I am back in New Guinea and taking everything into consideration things are much better than last time.
We are camped in a coconut plantation alongside the beach and although the days are a little humid, the climate really is quite mild. I suppose the sea breeze has something to do with it.
As I have mentioned before, the food is fair enough with a little fresh meat and butter but I am already sick of dehydrated spud and carrot.
The water is highly chlorinated which gives it an unpleasant taste, you can even smell it in your clothes after you have washed them.
The office here is a thatched native hut and is very cool to work in, in fact at this hour it is a little too cool. Everything is very quiet at this hour and all I can hear is the roll of the surf on the beach.
I haven't struck any mosquitos yet but we still have to sleep under nets. I think the flies will be more trouble than the mossies.
No mail came in today so there is nothing to answer, you will note that the address is back to normal. By the way, could you send a few needles up in a letter, all the ones I have are rusty.
And now I'll say cheerio, shall write again tomorrow.
All the best
Brian.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 34
Dated 21.11.44

Dear Em,
This will be the second letter I have written you today and like the other one, it will have to be short.
I have just returned from seeing "Pistol Packing Mama" so it is fairly late. The picture was very poor but the newsreel and shorts made up for it.
I did the washing this morning then went to bed and didn't even wake up for lunch. This evening we received our two bottles of Fosters, one of which I consumed before going to the pictures and the other I am keeping for tomorrow.
Your letter No 52 of the 16th came today and I am sorry you had no mail for a few days when you wrote, still you should be getting it regularly now.
The torch is proving a boon up here and there are plenty of batteries available at present.
Well I must scram now as I have to be on shift at 6.30 tomorrow morning.
Best wishes
Brian.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

I can't believe he didn't have a shift for nearly five months, now it seems he is back to work? Is this the first time he has said where he is ie New Guinea?

I have searched and searched for something on John Brown and John Wyndham Brown but haven't found anything plausible.

Letter numbered 35
Dated 22.11.44

Dear Em,
I was glad to get your No 53 today and learn the latest dope. Funny you haven't heard from Les yet but maybe he has a reason for his silence.
I am on shift tonight until 10 o' clock and tomorrow night I am on from 10 till the morning.
It has been on the warm side today and I enjoyed a short dip in the surf this evening. The cold, by the way, has almost gone.
We can get lime juice at the canteen and it goes down very well in this heat. I only wish I had some gin to go with it.
There is an American camp across the road from us and they have been busy preparing turkeys and the like for "Thanksgiving Day" tomorrow. Of course they have refrigerators and all mod cons but good luck to them for that. Most of them are very decent chaps and we go to all their movies.
You will be surprised to hear that I have taken to a pipe. It is taking a little getting used to and I only smoke it once a day. There are plenty of Yank cigarettes but I don't go much on them.
Well I must close now and go back to the switchboard. Tomorrow I hope to be able to tell you some papers have arrived.
All the best,
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 36
Dated 24.11.44 10.30PM Thanksgiving Day

Dear Em,
You will see that I am on shift again, how quickly it comes around.
I went to see "Gaslight" before I came on and thought it very good. Charles Boyer plays a dramatic role and does it very well.
At present I am reading a very amusing book called "One Foot In Heaven" which you should try to get hold of. It is in a Penguin edition but you may be able to get it at the library.
I intended writing to Ted tonight so he would get it before Christmas but the forms are not available and I would be glad if you could send a few up.
It has been very hot again today, or I should say, humid. The Yanks had their turkeys for lunch and we had bully beef but perhaps we shall make up for it at Christmas, I wonder. Anyway we'll have a few coconuts if nothing else.
There has been no mail in today and general news is scarce so I am forced to close.
Best wishes,
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/17923146

Sydney Morning Herald 4th Oct 1944

WILLIAM WINTER IN AUSTRALIA

Mr William Winter whose voice is familiar to Australians through his broadcasts as a news commentator from San Francisco has arrived in Australia to report for an American news agency

It is his first visit and he intends to stay six weeks. He will visit Canberra Melbourne Adelaide and Perth.

He will be the guest of the Millions Club at luncheon on Thursday and afterwards will address members.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

I was thinking about Brian yesterday on Anzac Day. For overseas visitors, Anzac Day is when we honour our war veterans and servicemen but it is a recognition of the sacrifices young men like Brian made in giving up a large part of their youth (and sometimes their lives) for the national cause, rather than being a glorification of war.

It actually commemorates one of our greatest defeats in battle at Gallipoli during the First World War (the war to end all wars) when Australian and New Zealand soldiers spent months charging Turkish machine guns and dying by the hundreds.

The orders were given from ships anchored miles away by men who never went ashore and saw the action.




Letter numbered 37
Dated 25.11.44

Dear Em,
I did not write yesterday as there was no mail in but tonight however Nos 54 and 55 arrived. Glad you enjoyed the Minerva show the other night and only wish I could have celebrated my birthday in the same way.
So Geoff has gone to a field regiment, you might let me know which one. I wonder if it makes P.H.C. feel ashamed of himself.
I am pleased that some of my mail is arriving at last, it seems to take about a week to go down and only four days to come up.
I have not received any papers yet although there have been several lots in, however I hear that a lot of parcels and papers were destroyed by fire in a train coming up so perhaps some of mine were in that.
The news sheets are very scarce up here and the only radios seem to belong to the Yanks.
It rained for a good while yesterday and I spent part of the day in bed only getting up at three to go for a surf.
The beach here is composed of very fins black sand and we have to put cotton wool in our ears before we go in.
We had a very good trip on the boat coming up, dead calm all the way and the only excitement was climbing down nets into a barge which took us ashore.
The food was very good and we slept in hammocks on deck the same as last time.
Unfortunately the tucker has gone off here the last few days, too much dehydrated vegetable and M&V still I suppose we have to expect that.
Well that seems all for now,
Best of wishes
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 38
Dated 26.11.44

Dear Em,
The mail was very satisfactory again today as I received your letters 56 and 57.
I am glad to hear that my letters are arriving at last and that you know the present position of things.
I note what you say about the watch but I shall hold on to it for a little while longer in the hope of getting it repaired here. Don't try to get another one as it is not worth it; and I mean it.
You are quite right about the position of the grapevine but the less said about that the better.
I haven't heard from Alan yet but it is understandable owing to the distance. I guess you are right about his present "instructing" role and I expect he will be there for some time.
So Mabes has been doing a little business with "Mr Smith". I think I'll drop Peter a few lines for his birthday and maybe she will remember to get those things.
With regard to that book, I guess you had better send it up, much as I don't want to see it wasted.
Fancy hearing from "Althorpe" at last, makes you laugh doesn't it.
Went in for a surf this morning but it was fairly rough and we could not go out too far.
Worked in the office this afternoon and this evening saw Bob Hope in "They've Got Me Covered", a silly show.
Now I am back on duty again and go off at 6.30 tomorrow morning, rather a long day.
That's all for now so cheerio and all the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 39
Dated 28.11.44

Dear Gordon,
I was very glad to receive your letter 58 of the 23rd which arrived this afternoon. There were also some papers in today but none for me. It is over a month since I have seen a Herald and I don't know what I shall do if they all turn up together.
I went to see "Jezebel" last night, it is a Bette Davis show and I did not enjoy it; perhaps I am seeing too many pictures and becoming particular .
This afternoon I went in for a surf but it was rather flat and there were not many good "shoots".
I notice in the "Guinea Gold" that the government plans to take over the interstate airway companies as their first step in "socialising industry". Wonder if the banks will be next.
We got our weekly beer ration tonight and I also managed to get two bottles of lime juice. There are also plenty of chocolates, biscuits and tinned peanuts and we are better off than on the mainland as far as canteen goods go.
Well I must go now and give the chap on the switchboard a break.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 40
Dated 29.11.44

Dear Em,
I have just been to the flix where I saw "Invitation to Murder" and some very good shorts. Now I am on shift but things are very quiet, hence this note.
Had a letter from Argus today written on the 26th. He is with a Yank unit and the address is only for postal purposes. I think we may be wrong in our ideas about him because he expects to go to an island "further north" in about a fortnight and he seems to have been doing a bit of flying.
He is pleased to be finished with the inside work and glad to be out in the "field" etc. Wouldn't it.
There was no mail in today so I can't make any comments. We have settled down to the old routine once again and the camp is just about built.
The most surprising thing about this place is the climate, it is much cooler than Moresby and I am glad of two blankets in the early morning.
We all have stretchers now and they add considerably to our comfort, the only catch is that we have to carry them and you notice the extra weight when you get all your gear on.
That's all for now
Best wishes
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 41
Dated 1.12.44

Dear Em,
There is very little news tonight so this note will be short. Your 59 of the 24th arrived yesterday but there was no mail in today. Glad you have received all my letters up to 32, it is something to know they have not gone astray.
I wrote a short note to Peter last night so he will get it for his birthday, haven't answered Alan's letter yet.
A strong wind sprung up this afternoon and there were palm leaves and coconuts falling everywhere. It would be goodbye if you were hit by one.
I went down for a dip but only stayed in for about 20 minutes as there was a strong tow and I ended up 400 yards from where I went in.
Must close now as things are getting busy.
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

The letter that Brian has numbered 42 is dated 4.11.44 which should have made it 24. Em has also written 42 on the front so this letter should have been included some time ago.



Letter numbered 42 but should have been 24
Dated 4.11.44

Dear Em,
I have not written for a few days as there was no mail in however your 63 arrived yesterday and 60,61 and 62 turned up today so I have quite a bit to answer.
Glad to hear that you have received all my letters up to 36 and I expect some more have turned up by now.
I don't know whether Geoff's unit is around these parts but I will try to find out if there is any chance of seeing him. It must make P.C. feel ashamed of himself.
Too bad about the G.Gs the other week but maybe our luck will change. Thanks for posting the August "Digest" up, so far I haven't received any papers but the airgraph forms arrived today.
No, there is nothing you can send me up for Xmas. I shall send the watch back and you can try to get it repaired.
The needles arrived OK but there is no need for any torch batteries at present as they are available here.
Have seen a couple of good shows the last few nights, "Double Indemnity" and last night, Gracie Fields and Monty Wooley in "Holy Matrimony, the latter was quite a surprise as "Gracie" had a straight role and did no singing. It is well worth seeing if you get the chance.
I still manage to get a swim two afternoons out of three, it was very rough today and a barge got stranded on the edge of the beach. All the Yank equipment in the worldcouldn't move it.
I finished reading Sabatini's "Fortune's Fool" recently and quite enjoyed it. We see plenty of Yank magazines and the local news sheet is published by them. "Guinea Gold" only arrives sometimes and is then a couple of days old.
It rained heavily last night and we had another shower this evening so it will be very humid again tomorrow. I shall write to Ted and Bruce tomorrow but I doubt whether it will reach them in time for Xmas however that does not matter much.
Well I must close now and do some more work, will write to Gordon tomorrow.
All the best
Brian



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Matrimony_(1943_film)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracie_Fields

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Woolley

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 43
Dated 6.12.44

Dear Gordon
I intended writing you yesterday but after answering Alan's letter and writing a couple of airgraphs I felt too tired.
The only mail in since I last wrote has been the August Digest and a letter from Arnold. I was on shift last night and spent most of today asleep. I was even too tired to go for a swim this afternoon.
You have not mentioned whether the P.A. has been noted yet and I shall be glad to hear about it in your next letter, also let me know if there is anything doing in that line.
I haven't been to the pictures for a few nights, there has not been any good shows on and in any case I think I've been seeing too many the last few weeks.
I have just thought of something you can send me up. A pair of sansals for the beach. A cheap pair will do quite well and there should be enough coupons down there.
Well that is all for the present so I'll close.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 44
Dated 8.12.44

Dear Em,
I have just returned from seeing "Repent at Leisure", an old show but good comedy and a change from war pictures.
Now I am on shift finishing up at 6.30, tomorrow morning. I shall be off the office work next week and will be very glad of the break though I note that I am booked for piquet on Sunday night.
Letters 64 and 67 have arrived since I last wrote and I am hopeful of 65 and 66 turning up tomorrow. There is no sign of any parcels or papers yet and I will need a week off to read them when they do arrive, perhaps they will arrive in time for Xmas.
I am sending my watch back by registered mail so you can expect it in about ten days. I did not send it airmail as everything is flown to the mainland in any case.
You must be having a trying time with the weather, fancy it being 100 degrees one day and 69 the next. We are getting more rain here now and there are large pools of water about the place.
I was interested in Gordon's remarks about the renewal but can quite understand why you can't say much.
Have you heard any more of Edna's illness, your information seems very indirect from that quarter.
Glad to hear that the plumber did such a good job, you must have been lucky to get it done the way things are.
I don't know whether I mentioned that I heard from Kel the other day, he is still at the same place and from all accounts there is plenty of grog down that way. I understand that they only release a few each month to the bank so he may have quite a while to wait before getting out.
Yesterday I went about thirteen miles down the coast loading timber but I did not mind as it enabled me to see a bit of the place.
We still have a good stock of biscuits and chocolate in the canteen and the food is fair considering but I am beginning to learn the meaning of "dehydrated".
I put my name down for a primus the other day and hope to be more successful than last time. There is a cup of tea waiting for me now so I'll close.
All the best
Brian

Letter 45 is missing



Letter numbered 46
Dated 12.12.44

Dear Em,
Your letters 69 and 70 arrived yesterday afternoon so everything is up to date. The last letter only took 3 days which is quite an improvement.
It started raining at 5.30 this morning and has been coming down heavily ever since. There is no decent drainage here and large pools of water are all over the place.
I went for a swim the last couple of afternoons but it is too wet to trouble about it today.
I noticed that the same old crowd were returned at the municipal elections so all you can expect is increased rates. It was interesting to see the labour setback in Newcastle.
By the way, could you send up those H & R books on bookkeeping Nos 1 - 6. I think they are in one of those boxes I packed away last leave but make sure you get the right ones.
Now I must run off to the pictures so I'll say cheerio and all the best,
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 47
Dated 13.12.44

Dear Em,
I have just finished writing six pages to Kel so this note will only be short. Your 71 of the 8th arrived this evening and I think I am as hard up for news as you are.
Last night I saw "Tampico" a second rate picture of Ed. G. Robinson. He didn't sing "Home on the Range" by the way.
I have been out all day again today cutting poles about 14 miles out. We had a picnic lunch and quite enjoyed ourselves however on the way back we found that one of the bridges had washed away since the morning and we could not get the truck across. The result was six of us waded across and hitch-hiked home where we arrived in time to go for a swim. The truck and a couple of the chaps are still stranded at the river and don't look like getting home tonight.
It has been lovely today and the place has dried out considerably though I would not be surprised if it teems again before morning.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 48
Dated 15.12.44

Dear Gordon,
I was out all day today cutting poles and as we did not get back until after 4.30 I was too tired to go to the pictures.
There was a surprise waiting for me when I returned as parcels 4 & 5 of the 6/11/44 have arrived plus a couple of Bulletins and two lots of Heralds. I have not opened any of them yet but will have a chance to do so tomorrow.
Your letter No. 72 came in this evening also another from Kel. He does not expect to get out for some time as married men have first preference.
I note what you say about Alan and as I have not heard further from him can only conclude that he has gone north.
You must have spent a very unpleasant weekend with all the dust of a sixty mile gale plus the mess of the painting.
I am very amused at Roy's invitation and can only imagine Les' reaction. I don't doubt that you will have some fun if you go along.
By the way, has that Christmas book arrived yet. I send a card to Em the other day also one to Roy and Mabs. The picture on it is just like the place we work in.
Before I close I must wish you a merry Xmas and all that tripe and hope we are able to spend the next one together. Now to bed.
All the best,
Brian



Letter numbered 49
Dated 17.12.44

Dear Em,
I am on shift again tonight so have a chance to catch up with the mail. No letters have arrived since I last wrote but two parcels of Heralds came in yesterday.
It rained this afternoon so I bashed the spine instead of going for a swim. The papers which arrived the other day were dated 28 Oct to 8 Nov so I am still over a month behind.
By the way, the envelopes you have been sending up with the Digests have been sticking so include some cellophane if you send any more.
Wally went to hospital yesterday but came back to us this morning as the operating theatre is not functioning yet. I don't know whether they will be able to do much for his foot or not.
I have just started reading "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" a new Yank novel which has had a good bit of publicity.
There was a strong surf running yesterday and one of our chaps had to be brought in with a line so I was careful not to go too far out.
Well I must close now
Best wishes
Brian

Letter No 50 is missing



Letter numbered 51
Dated 22.12.44

Dear Em,
It seems as though today is Christmas because the mail hit us with a great big bang. Parcels 4,6,7,8 arrived this afternoon and letters 74,75 & 78 came in this evening. There was also a card from Kel and a note from John Brown who is now doing a teleprinter course at Bonegilla.
I have not looked at the cakes yet but the tea and sugar arrived O.K. and as someone else in the tent received a tin of milk we are set.
As you will see there is still one parcel and two letters missing but I expect they will turn up.
I note that Geoff is near Brisbane, also Morris. The latter may be at the Greenslopes hospital.
Thanks very much for getting the sandals but you should have sent them ordinary mail, I expect they will be here in a few days.
Sorry to hear that Mabel has not been too good but I expect she will be able to bend the elbow next Monday.
Glad you had such a good day at the S.A. meeting but can understand how tired you must have felt after it.
You seem to be having plenty of dust storms down there and it makes you wonder where this soil erosion will end.
Bert did very well getting up to Townsville for his holidays though God knows why he should want to go there. Perhaps he took his dog with him.
I am rather interested in this string to Heather's business but guess it will have to wait.
So the watch has arrived home once again, I hope your efforts are more successful this time and am anxiously awaiting its return.
Glad you are so pleased with the kitchen and only wish I could see it, however I am afraid I shall have to wait a long time for that.
On looking through my papers I notice that No 73 has not arrived yet. I have letters all over the place and the table at the moment is as bad as Gordon's.
I was on the all nighter last night so did not get up until 2 PM when I went for a swim. There is a Yank switchboard just near ours and I had a long yarn with the chap on duty last night. He comes from Los Angeles and knows Whittier very well although he had not met the old buzzard. It was just like the old days of 1937/38 to talk with him.
Our comforts fund parcels have arrived although they have not been issued yet and we hope to get two bottles of beer tomorrow. I don't know what the cook has for Xmas dinner but the other morning I had to open 200 tins and I would not be surprised if our diet is the same on Monday, still with our parcels we won't do too badly.
The weather is still fine and it is a nice cool moonlight night. Must close now as it is getting late and I am on shift at 6.30 tomorrow morning.
Best of wishes
Brian
P.S. I must be going nuts, I received letter 73 a few days ago. Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Nice to see Brians letters again and so another Xmas is on the way (the last one?)

I remember those lottery tickets very well where you could call it what you wanted, that one is Flying Cloud. You don't do that anymore

I can't wait to see what Santa brings him.

I'm sorry this has taken so long. Family issues have been taking all my time.
There were no more letters from Brian until January 1945 but here are a couple of others show what Em was up to back home.


Sgt Sheppard J.O.
2/3 Aust Pioneer Btn
A.I.F. Aust.

Dear Mrs Watt,
This week we had a very pleasant surprise in the form of our Xmas hamper kindly donated by you though the A.C.F. (Note: Australian Comforts Fund)
It is very gratifying to know that the people of Australia are behind us and think of the services when we are such a long way from home. The work of the A.C.F. is often underestimated and at times taken for granted but they do an excellent task and deserve all the praise which is rightly due to them and they will certainly not be forgotten by the servicemen in the future.
I am at present stationed on Tarakan, Borneo so as we will be repatriated home in the near future our gift was a little early this year.
Will you please accept my sincerest thanks for your kind gift but above all the thought which is behind your action.
Yours sincerely
Jack Sheppard



Pte A Olivier
H.Q.Coy Sig Platoon
2/1 Aust Inf Btn
A.I.F. Australia

I wish to convey in this short note to you my sincerest gratitude on behalf of the Australian Comforts Fund for donating such a very nice and appreciable Christmas hamper which was received by me on the morning of Christmas Day 1944.
I feel sure many other such persons have received similar comforts and gifts from the Comforts fund and they also appreciate the fine and wonderful spirit they put into their work to help us boys all they possibly can.
I thank you.
Another soldier

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 57
Dated 1.1.45

Dear Em,
It hardly seems a year ago since I spent New Year's Day in Grafton but it just goes to show how time passes.
I am on shift until 10PM this evening so have a chance to answer your letters 83 and 85 which arrived last night. Letter 84 which would have been written on the 25th or 26th has not yet turned up so I still don't know how you spent Xmas.
I guess you were glad to see the last of the painter and I am glad to see he did such a good job.
Too bad about Gordon straining the monkey muscle in his leg, especially at the commencement of his holidays. I hope it does not prevent his getting around a bit.
Thanks for Alan's new address, I'll drop him a few lines during the next few days. I can understand him being lonely amongst all the Yanks and I expect his mail is not very regular.
There is no sign of the watch yet but it should arrive within a few days.
I stayed in the surf for about an hour yesterday morning but didn't trouble to go down this afternoon.
It is not a holiday here today and I was on shift this morning and worked on odd jobs around the camp this afternoon. We still average 65 hours work a week.
Enclosed are a few more stamps.
Now I must go and do a bit more work.
Best wishes
Brian

Here goes 1945. I wonder what the stamps were for. Maybe someone was a collector. Anyone know what the monkey muscle is?

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Monkey muscle is the main calf muscle—the gastrocnemius.

_________________
Peter
Hawthorn - AFL Premiers 1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008.

Wonder if they could be ration stamps?

That sounds likely. I seem to remember him sending Em ration stamps once before only that time he identified them. Thanks Brummie.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 58
Dated 2.1.45

Dear Gordon,
Well, I must say you are a nice one, doing your leg in like that, but I guess it is just one of those things.
I had hoped to receive another letter from you today but the only mail in was the stock exchange gazette.
I see that the limit on B.W.s has been raised to 19/9 as from 6 December last and I want you to sell out if they reach 19/- or over. Let me know when the P/A has been noted.
I am on the all nighter at present so will be sleeping most of tomorrow. It is raining heavily at the moment but the hut is quite dry. I wish I could say the same for our tent.
I have just finished reading "Without Armour" by James Hilton and thought it quite good. Unfortunately, the Yank library has closed down now so I will have a chance to read a few of the Penguin books you have sent up. I have completed all the "Heralds" and "Bulletins" but as they are still six weeks behind I expect another batch in shortly.
There are not as many movies around here as previously and it is over a week since I have seen a show.
We had fresh butter for tea tonight and tomorrow we wil have fresh potatoes and meat which will be a welcome change after all the canned "chow".
There has been no more beer in and some say it will not arrive until the end of the month so we can only hope for the best.
Must close now and do some more work.
Best wishes
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

PeterS wrote


Thanks for that Peter. It seems an unusual place to injure outside sport, of course. You have to wonder how it got a name like that.

checking Google it joins the Achilles tendon so not such an unusual place to injure after all. Google had no clues that I could find on how it got the name though.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Dear Em,
I spent a quiet time today after night shift, did the washing after breakfast then went to sleep until 1P.M. when I went for a short dip in the surf.
We had baked potato tonight, the first since we left Australia, and fresh meat which was a very enjoyable change after "bully" beef and M&V.
You will be glad to hear that the watch arrived today and is in perfect working condition. It is nearly three months since it broke so you can imagine how pleased I am to have it going again.
The H&R books and letter 86 also arrived. Your 84 is still missing but I understand a lot of mail is held up somewhere.
I believe that the other three books have been sent by ordinary mail but don't send any more until you hear further from me.
Hope you had an enjoyable day at Killara last Sunday. It must seem strange there with only Roy and Mabs in the house. Do you hear much news of Joan these days?
I don't catch on to your reference to Kel, did he come home for Xmas. No doubt you mentioned all about it in the missing letter.
It is now 8 P.M. and I have to be up at 5.30 so I'll close.
Best wishes,
Brian
P.S. Enclosed are a few more stamps.


Note: Relevant to the above is some news from Phil Williamson received on the 19th July.

"You may be interested to know that Brian's cousin, Joan Donnelly, the daughter of Brian's uncle Roy, died last Monday, at the ripe old age of 92. She had been in poor health and almost blind for some years, so it was probably a blessed relief."

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 60
Dated 7.1.45

Dear Em,
There has been so little doing the last few days that I didn't bother to write.
No letters have arrived since I last wrote and the only mail I have received was a "Bulletin" which arrived this afternoon.
I went to the pictures a couple of nights ago and saw Robert Taylor in "Song of Russia", a pre-release show not badly acted but mainly propaganda.
I have finished reading "Cold Comfort Farm" and quite enjoyed it. Now I have started on "Wicklow Point" by the same author as "H. M. Pulham Esq." But I don't think it much so far.
Things are settled here now and most of our time off shift is our own. Consequently I have had time to do a bit of bookkeeping as well as reading a few novels. The only thing I have neglected is answering a few letters.
I have kept out of the surf the last few days as the water has been playing up with my ears.
Wally had a letter from Nana and she mentioned that Kel got home for Xmas. I gather he took French leave but I expect he would get away with it.
I am on shift tonight, going off at 10 P.M. and as there is no sign of any mail coming in I'll close.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

The below is taken from:-
THE WILLIAMSONS
http://users.adam.com.au/easby/Chapter% ... msons.html

Roy married Mabel MacArthur at the Parish Church, Kennington, London, on 19th December 1918. They had a daughter, Joan Maud, (born 1920), and two sons, Alan Cleveland (20th February 1922) and Peter MacArthur (1934). Joan married William Miles Donnelly (born on 10th September 1921, died of emphysema on 23rd November 2000) on 30th June 1943, and lived at 190 Warrimoo Avenue, St Ives. They had two daughters, Anne Barbara, and Paula Margaret.




What is French leave?

I'm pretty sure it means AWOL. He went without permission hence the worry about punishment.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Thanks John, it sounds right to me, naughty boy isn't he.

Please thank Phil for sharing the sad news with us. I think we tend to forget that all these people that we are reading about are of an age or have already gone, strange isn't it, it feels like it is all happening today it's so real.

The ancient Egyptians believed that you remained immortal as long as someone spoke your name. That is why on their tombs they had their names written so often so that anyone reading the walls would speak the name. It is also why when a pharaoh such as Akhenaten fell out of favour his name was removed from all the tombs and monuments. It feels like reading these we are keeping a bit of Brian alive. I hope it doesn't disturb him.



Letter numbered 61
Dated 8.1.45

Dear Em,
The mail hit me with a bang tonight, so much of it that I don't know where to start.
Firstly, your letters Nos 87, 88, 89, 91, and 92 arrived which leaves 84 and 90 still missing. I also received a letter from Kel written on the 3rd and an airgraph from Bruce Spencer dated the 12th ult. The latter is a married man now, a young English girl and I must say the news came as a surprise. He is still on ops and was in Belgium recently where he had a good time in Brussels.
Kel did not mention anything about his trip so now I know it was on the Q.T. He said that you would be able to pass on some news, but as it must have been contained in the missing 84, I still don't know any details.
The other H&R books came in also a packet numbered 10 which I haven't had time to open yet. Please don't send any more packets airmail. They come in a plane in any case so it is only a waste of money.
The mail only came in an hour ago and as I am on the all nighter at the moment I look like writing well into the morning.
Gordon's No. 81 is quite a classic and I was very glad to get the eight pages. Too bad the leg has spoiled his holidays but maybe we will be able to make up for it next year, let's hope so anyway. Still I notice that you have both been around a bit so that is something.
I expect the garden is looking very bare at present being so long without rain. We had a light shower earlier this evening and the forecast is a fine day tomorrow.
So you were at Kings Cross on New Year's Eve, a few enthusiasts let off some shots here but otherwise it was fairly quiet although the Yanks seemed to have a good time on the canned beer.
Speaking of beer, we have not had any since Xmas and the people who seem to know everything say we won't get any before the end of the month.
I am very interested in the comments on Warwick's article and am looking forward to reading the thing in full when the papers arrive.
Mabs was very fortunate in her collection of bottles and I wish I had some of them up here.
Do you think I should write and thank Roy for renewing the Digest? I suppose I had better otherwise I will be in the same boat as Harold.
Glad to hear that the books arrived, they didn't take long. I could have got a lot more if I had been there earlier.
Well I must close now as the supper is ready.
Best wishes
Brian

Brian talks of the "Yanks" canned beer as if it is unusual. I can't remember when we got it first in Australia but I can remember a lot of old timers in Townsville in the sixties who wouldn't drink beer from a can. They claimed it didn't taste anywhere near as good as beer from a bottle. Personally, when the sun was beating down and also being reflected off Castle Hill and it got well over a hundred in the shade, I would have drunk it out of an old boot, well, maybe not too old a boot.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 62
Dated 10.1.45

Dear Em,
I am on shift until 10 P.M. so have a chance to drop you a few lines. Things here are very quiet as usual and I am hoping for some mail to come in later on.
Last night I went to the pictures bt the machine kept breaking down so I came home after half an hour of it. "Paris Honeymoon" with Bing Crosby was the show so I didn't miss much.
Have been in for a swim the last couple of afternoons and enjoyed a good surf on both occasions.
We have had no rain here for a few days and everything is hot and dry. By the way, thanks very much for the sun glasses.
Fancy John Harper having a share in the first prize. I guess there will be a few celebrations.
I haven't got round to writing to Alan yet, lack of news is the main reason.
I expect Gordon is not looking forward to returning to toil tomorrow, hope his leg is much better by now.
Well I'll close now as there is no mail for me. May write again tomorrow.
Best wishes
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

All I could find about when canned beer started in Australia is below:-
In Australia the canning began in the late fifties with the Queensland, South Australian and Leopard breweries leading the way.

Can you imagine what they would have thought of beer in a can

Thanks Brummie. I guessed it was strange to Brian.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Dear Em,
I have just returned from seeing "Impatient Years", rather a poor show, with Jean Arthur. Now I am on shift and go off at 6.30 tomorrow morning.
The missing letter No. 90 arrived last night but there has been no fresh mail in. Hope you received a few more letters from me by now, the outward mail seems nearly as bad as the "in".
Sorry to hear that Mr. Michael had died, I had forgotten that Douglas was a P.O.W. I don't suppose they have heard any more of Malcolm or Ken, looks as though both of them have gone.
At present I am reading "The Hotel" but am not very impressed with it. Books are not quite so plentiful now though I have a few to go on with. Maybe some more newspapers will arrive shortly.
The watch is going well and keeps good time. It is quite a treat to have it back again.
I am enclosing a few more stamps. Supper is ready now so I'll close.
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Do you know who these men mentioned are?

Hi all.
I was just reading this topic and I too have and envelope from the war which has a letter inside. At the moment I have left the letter inside and displayed the envelope in a first day hanger. I am wondering if this is the best way to store the letter? Or should I take the letter out and display each individual page? Any advice would be appreciated.
cheers
k

_________________
new to collecting and loving it!!
collecting Australian, NZ and GB stamps plus I have a world collection and a fun Space Stamp collection.

There's no clue to who the Mr Michael was and I am guessing he was a neighbour and the others mentioned may have been his sons.
There is a Douglas Howard Michael on the army records who came from Paddington and was in the 8th Signals Division. He died of illness on the 16th March 1946 in Victoria.

Another guess is that his illness was the result of being a prisoner and he may have died at the Repat Hospital in Heidelberg, Victoria. As he appears on the Honour roll, that would be consistent with his death being war related.

I can't find Ken or Malcolm.

Tyrer, I mainly collect Italian wartime material and I personally take the letters out and make them part of the display, even if I can't understand them. (I have a friend who I see occasionally who helps with translation.) I find the display much more interesting that way.



Letter numbered 64
Dated 13.1.45

Dear Em,
Your letters 84 and 93 arrived last evening so the mail is up to date at last. I was interested to hear of Kel's trip and it seems that it went off without a hitch, still it's not the thing you can do very often.
Apparently Violet is the same as ever and does not want us to know too much, makes you laugh doesn't it.
Hope the fridge is going again by now as you don't want to be without it this weather.
I also received a letter from Alan this morning dated the 4th. He is on a Dutch island and as the letter had a RAAF censor stamp on it, I conclude he is with our air force. His address is still c/o First Army and I wrote to him there. Don't know whether he wants us to use the Yank address or not.
We had our first beer issue of the year last night and I was lucky to get three bottles. We are still without rain and the last few days have been very hot. Went down swimming the last couple of afternoons and as usual enjoyed every minute of it.
Now I must go and do some more work.
Best wishes
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Letter numbered 65
Dated 14.1.45

Dear Gordon,
I was very glad to receive letters 94 and 95 last night so your mail is up to date to the 10th.
Glad you have been able to see a few decent shows and wish I could say the same thing. I expect it will be a long time before any of those pictures come up here.
I note that Alan has returned to the old spot so he should get my letter in a couple of days. I would not be surprised if his crowd is broken up shortly.
You seem to have enjoyed yourself at Strathfield the other day. I laughed about Clifford, do you think his heart will affect his voice?
It is a beautiful day here and I had a good time in the surf this morning. Afterwards I knocked the top off a bottle, had lunch and came on shift. I am on all night again this evening so will take things easy tomorrow though you feel terrible after sleeping during the day.
Shall write again soon,
All the best
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

Can't be the same Douglas Michael as this one would have died late '44 early '45 as the letter is Jan '45.

If you need Italian translation I can help you too

Thanks Brummie, I may take you up on that some time.

I read the letter as Mr Michael, the father has died but the son, Douglas is a prisoner of war. The other two appear to be missing.

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

I collect WW2 voluntary organizations. Forgotten area, Air raid wardens,Red cross, Scouts, Y.M.C.A. huts for servicemen,Rationing, evacuation of children, war time news for the troops such as the Union Jack newspaper, civil defence, aerographs these items are often forgotten and not often available.

Welcome to "the life of Brian", Acacia Gum. I too have a fondness for airgraphs and plan to put on a display of airgraph material this year. It is amazing how interesting some of the old soldier magazines are. They were living a life that was so different to that most of us go through and their magazines and letters offer a glimpse of what their lives were like. A lot of the articles and attitudes would be severely frowned upon in these more politically correct times.



Letter numbered 66
Dated 17.1.45

Dear Em,
I went to the pictures tonight and am now on shift until the morning. "Phantom Lady" was the film, a pre-release and very good. It was the first show I had seen for quite a while.
I did not write during the last couple of days as there was no mail in and very little news. This evening however, letters 96,97 and 98 arrived and the first one had been opened by censor 1418 but nothing was cut out.
No, Wally is not going south, that is all off now though he is still being treated for his foot. Don't know where Mrs M. got the idea from.
Wrote to Kel today so most of my mail is up to date. Have not heard any more of Ted lately.
Glad to know that the P/A has been fixed up and will let you know what to do later. Sorry to hear about Mab's legs but I see your point of view.
So Mrs D. is trying a little re-education, you can guess my opinion about that too.
I have not been in the surf for a few days as I have developed a rotten cold.
Thanks very much for the newspaper cuttings, some of them make us laugh, you would think to read them that this is a hell of a place.
One of the chaps in our tent has a wireless and we do plenty of short wave listening as well as the local army broadcast station which is on from 4PM till 9PM each day.
Haven't had much time to work on the books lately as it is hard to find a quiet spot and settle down.
I have tomorrow off so shall write to Gordon then,
Best of wishes
Brian




Letter numbered 67
Dated 19.1.45

Dear Gordon
I am on shift this evening until 10PM but so far no mail has come in. I did not write to you yesterday as I was too tired after the other night.
Thanks very much for attending to the P/A; what do you think of getting out at the present figure?
Yes, I can imagine your reaction having to go back to work again. It looks like being a hard year especially as milk is to be rationed in Sydney and Newcastle.
Hope you were able to get the new water pipes in the other day. I don't expect I'll know the place when I see it again.
I still have the cold though it seems a little better, however I am keeping out of the water.
We received one bottle of Cascade tonight and I believe we are only to get one bottle per week in future. I am keeping mine until tomorrow.
We have the radio in the tent and although there is nothing much on during the day we have a few short wave stations at night as well as the local broadcast which is on from 4PM until 9PM each day.
The mail has just come in. Nos 99 and 100 also one from Mabel. No99 had been censored and five lines are missing, Mabels also had been opened but was intact.
It is too late to answer the letters tonight but I shall do so tomorrow.
Now to bed,
Brian

_________________
I'm John. I collect Italian, particularly the Mussolini years.

A great collection with a lot of research to do it could be made into something worth money with some work. That the secret do the homework write it up.There is hours of fun in those covers.