W.E. Pidgeon
C/O DPR
Army Post Office
Darwin
Saturday
[17 July 1943]
Dear Jess,
How’s things with my little wifie? I hope things are still alright with the old man and that mum is keeping well. Went down the road again yesterday & met all the blokes that matter.1A pay parade and Australian Comforts Fund issue was conducted at Headquarters, No. 14 Lines of Communication, Sub Area at Noonamah on July 16, 1943 At one camp where we were eating with the majors & colonels. I was more than surprised to see Major Bill Stanner2Bill Stanner was an associate and friend of Bill and Jess from the early days of their courtship. William Edward Hanley Stanner was a sub-editor for the Daily Guardian in 1927 at the time Wep worked for the Guardian and was made chief sub-editor for the Sunday Sun in 1932 when it absorbed the Sunday Guardian. He may have also been a member of the Millions Club as Wep referred to him asking Jess to thank him in a letter sent to her when she travelled with the club on a skiing tour to the Snowy Mountains in August 1931. From 1932 Stanner spent significant time in the Northern Territory and following Japan’s entry into the war, he proposed the formation of a bush commando unit. In May 1942 he was appointed as a temporary major, Citizen Military Forces (Australian Imperial Force from August), and in June was placed in command of the North Australia Observer Unit (‘the Nackeroos’), a position he held till October 1943, shortly after Wep returned to Sydney. See also D. J. Mulvaney, ‘Stanner, William Edward (Bill) (1905–1981)‘, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stanner-william-edward-bill-15541/text26753, published first in hardcopy 2012, accessed online 15 July 2023. walk in. He had just a half hour before turned his car over & was still in a bit of a daze. His knowledge of the area is apparently being put to good use by the army. At another place we had the rare pleasure of drinking a very fine Scotch whiskey called “Mountain Cream” watered down with genuine French Vichy water such as I haven’t seen for years. Our major in this mess & I imbibed somewhat heartily I’m afraid. The colonel who treated us was a hell of a nice chap & most interested in art. He was a wealthy business man and spends quite a lot of cash collecting pictures. All the better known English artists’ work is represented in his collection. After leaving that camp we went on further & had tea with another unit. The Major there got us stuck into the port. Our Major & I were goodo by the time we left. It’s a rare blessing to have a driver. We went to sleep and left him to it. Took about 2 ½ hours to get back3Possibly travelled as far as 58-Mile Camp. I’m not too hot today my love.
On Monday I will be off to live in a camp for a few days. It is practically impossible to do any painting from here as a base. All the boys are diligently writing their wives. No work today. I’m finding it hard to think. Typewriters are clacking all over the bloody house. Haven’t seen any ‘orrid crocodiles yet although they say there are some about. Boy! Little Willie is sure going to see he comes home with the same gruff voice! No choir boy tones for me. Not that it would matter much up here – life is extremely celibate. Everything is still quiet on the front – thank God. The boys reckon this is the toughest front line in the world. We intrepid correspondents are pigging it with ice boxes and wireless sets, grog & plenty tobacco. Next door is a Presbyterian mission house. An adult aborigine & child are staying there at the moment. The man rides round on a kid’s tricycle all day long & at night lights a fire (of all things!). The two of them sit round it & give off. Raucous native chants shatter the air. I think the nig. is initiating the nipper into the tribal rites. Terrible primitive up on this front.
Am looking forward to hearing from you darling. Don’t suppose I’ll get anything for some time yet as even air mail takes a damned long time to come through.
Lots of love, honey
From poor Fred.
Notes:
- 1A pay parade and Australian Comforts Fund issue was conducted at Headquarters, No. 14 Lines of Communication, Sub Area at Noonamah on July 16, 1943
- 2Bill Stanner was an associate and friend of Bill and Jess from the early days of their courtship. William Edward Hanley Stanner was a sub-editor for the Daily Guardian in 1927 at the time Wep worked for the Guardian and was made chief sub-editor for the Sunday Sun in 1932 when it absorbed the Sunday Guardian. He may have also been a member of the Millions Club as Wep referred to him asking Jess to thank him in a letter sent to her when she travelled with the club on a skiing tour to the Snowy Mountains in August 1931. From 1932 Stanner spent significant time in the Northern Territory and following Japan’s entry into the war, he proposed the formation of a bush commando unit. In May 1942 he was appointed as a temporary major, Citizen Military Forces (Australian Imperial Force from August), and in June was placed in command of the North Australia Observer Unit (‘the Nackeroos’), a position he held till October 1943, shortly after Wep returned to Sydney. See also D. J. Mulvaney, ‘Stanner, William Edward (Bill) (1905–1981)‘, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stanner-william-edward-bill-15541/text26753, published first in hardcopy 2012, accessed online 15 July 2023.
- 3Possibly travelled as far as 58-Mile Camp