War Letters – NW Australia: 29 Jul 1943, Adelaide River; At a Field Hospital

C/O DPR Unit
A.P.O. Darwin

Thursday 7am
[29 Jul 1943]

Dear,

Too tired to write you last night as I’d had a strenuous day.  Started about 8.30am at the Field hospital¹119 AGH at Adelaide River – launched off 3 paintings.  The sun was blazing.  Sweat just rolled off me.  Knocked off about 5.  A heavy day.  Am getting quite used to over the shoulder lookers-on.  Shall be able to paint with even the Pearl²Cyril Pearl, Carey, Lahm³Hottie Lahm gang anywhere.

One of the Sisters came over & said “You’re not Wep are you?”  Said she thought she recognised my face.  Met me at Romanos⁴Romano’s Restaurant in Sydney was frequented by Bill and Jess throughout the 1930s and 1940.  Remember the night Arthur Mailey⁵Arthur Mailey was an Australian test cricketeer, cartoonist and journalist. Wep’s portrait of him was a finalist in the 1951 Archibald Prize. introduced us to a table full of Captains etc & nurses back from the Middle East.  He & I were drawing.

Sorry this letter is so short.  Breakfast is now ready & I’m off in a car at 8.15 back to the Hospital.

Lots & lots of love.

Bill.

Notes:

• 1
  119 AGH at Adelaide River
• 2
  Cyril Pearl
• 3
  Hottie Lahm
• 4
  Romano’s Restaurant in Sydney was frequented by Bill and Jess throughout the 1930s and 1940
• 5
  Arthur Mailey was an Australian test cricketeer, cartoonist and journalist. Wep’s portrait of him was a finalist in the 1951 Archibald Prize.