War Letters – New Guinea: 15 Jan 1944, Brisbane; Sitting around waiting

Brisbane
Aust Army
Officers Club

Sat [15 Jan 1944]

Sweetheart,

I’m still sitting around waiting to get out of the damned joint.  Twice a day I have to ring the transport people to discover what’s cookin’.  Have just been told that I’m to phone again tomorrow – I may get away by midday.  I hope so, as there is little to do in this h’year town.  I shall probably sport myself to a show tonight.  This morning I caught a bus out to Hughie Dash’s¹Hugh Dash was a friend and colleague of Wep’s at the Daily Telegraph. After the war he was appointed Press Secretary to Prime Minister Robert Menzies. HUSH DASH DIES SUDDENLY (1960, June 28). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137117090 place & picked up the blankets and gas mask.  Took them round to the station and was told I couldn’t send them down without a permit.  Lord love us!  I’ll have to find somewhere or someone to pick them up from on my return.  Washed a shirt this afternoon – ironed same and indulged in a little excellent spine bashing.  The beer position in this town has not improved, although I am told the officers can get a drink at night in this club which occupies an hotel next to Lennon’s.²Wep was most probably billeted at the Lennon’s Hote. The new Lennon’s Hotel (also known as ‘Bataan’) on the corner of Queen and George Streets Brisbane was opened in July 1941. A hotel of the same name had operated on the site since at least the 1880s. The most modern hotel in wartime Brisbane it offered the best service and visiting celebrities frequently stayed there. From July 1942 it became the residence of the Macarthur family and many of the senior officers working at the SWPA headquarters. – Register of World War II historic places – World War II historic places in Queensland – Open Data Portal. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/world-war-ii-historic-places-in-queensland/resource/cbd1aa53-38f3-414d-9ed2-29623047ac23³Lennon’s Hotel, George Street, Brisbane, Queensland used by the military during WW2. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://www.ozatwar.com/locations/lennonshotel.htm

The City Hall bells have just tolled 5 P.M. the hour of le grand pub opening.  I shall totter down and water the wasted tissues.  It’s plenty hot up here and old Will loses an awful lot of his distinctive sweaty juices.

There’s an enormous number of troops in the city – all causing a great shortage of ale and theatre seats.  I’ve had beef for every meal so far so I think I chew up a little chop for a change tonight.  I shall stagger to the lift down barwards now and will write you a great length tomorrow of my doings Friday.

Had a pleasant enough trip on the Flying boat – unfortunately I had a centre seat so could not see much of the coast.  The ship itself is extraordinarily spacious you can roam around and stretch the legs to your heart’s content.  We had cold stewed prunes – cold ham & cold boiled egg for breakfast.  All quite nice.

Landed on the Brisbane River at 10.30 so the trip was not extra fast.

After seeing the D.P.R.⁴Department of Public Relations I oozed (that’s the word for it, my God was I hot in that winter uniform.  What with that on & the bright green C⁵Wep’s War Correspondent uniform cap had a large ‘C’ emblem in the centre above the peak I was somewhat conspicuous) up to the Officer’s Club & changed into trousers & shirt and rubbed copious quantities of cigarette ash into the brilliance of my cap.  It helped a lot – I can walk around without people giving me the goggle eyed stare.  Called into a pub near the “Mail” office & run into Jackie Finch.⁶Jack Finch was a well known Sydney journalist  I think the heat has sent him Troppo.  He gave me £2-10-0 owing from 1927.  Practically restored my faith in human nature.  After a few drinks he invited me round to his Hotel for Dinner which he paid for!  Left him after lunch and walked (or rather swam in my own sweat) for miles trying to find where Nan Mills worked.  Located it at last near the  Art Gallery.  She was very pleasant to meet me.  Said Brisbane was a hell of a hole but was saving money by living cheaply in the barracks nearby.  She looked very well – has lost weight & is a good brown colour – altogether a great improvement.

Came back tired out – wandered into a bookshop and in the desire for something in a soothing vein bought a cheap edition of New Testament!  Meet Jackie Finch again and fought sadly for 4 drinks after which I said bugger this It’s not worth it.  Went back to his room – drank two bottles (iced) & had dinner with him again (on him too).  Wouldn’t let me pay.  Tried to get seats for a show but failed miserably – consequently we sat under a fan & just sat without thinking – just sitting & sweating.  I was about to come back here for bed when two fellows staying at his hotel asked us to their room for a drink.  On hearing I was Wep nothing would please them but I draw them & so it went on.  They had rung Diana Parnham⁷Diana Parnham: Actress. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/603⁸Diana Parnham Married To U.S. Pressman In Brisbane (1943, May 22). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved January 13, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42019408 & she had said yes come out by all means.  However one of the lad’s car (a £1200 Alvis) wouldn’t go and as we had polished off nearly all the grog the trip was abandoned.  Sorry I was, for I’d have liked to have had a gink at the famous Di.  Got back here about 12 midnight & got into bed without waking my room mate.  At 6.30 am I am awakened by him sloshing about the room.  Of all people it was Yvonne Todd’s husband.⁹Yvonne Irene Todd (1916-2010) married Reginald James Johnston Edwards (1900-1981) in Sydney, 1941 (Ancestry Family Tree). Reginald Edwards was a photographer.  He will in all probability be travelling in the same plane as myself (i.e. at midday today Sunday – I hope).

After I went to the bar last night, I was having a few with a bloke next to me when a dainty paw strokes my balding top.  This was Tommie Thompson.  So had a few words with him for 3 or 4 minutes.  Saw one of those captains Arthur Mailey¹⁰Biography – Alfred Arthur Mailey. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mailey-alfred-arthur-7464 introduced to us at Romano’s in the bar but did not speak to him.  Had a few in the lounge here & went to bed.  And that my dear is the history of Pidgeon’s peregrinations in Brisbane.  Did not go looking for dear Madge.

I hope things are alright with you, sweet, and that you don’t feel too lonely.

If we get this plane today we shall probably stay overnight in Townsville or some place as I don’t think they can get up to Moresby after leaving at midday.

Lots and lots of love from weak limp Willie.

Lordie it’s sure I’m hot.

Will drop a swift note from wherever we stay tonight – love Bill.

Notes:

• 1
  Hugh Dash was a friend and colleague of Wep’s at the Daily Telegraph. After the war he was appointed Press Secretary to Prime Minister Robert Menzies. HUSH DASH DIES SUDDENLY (1960, June 28). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137117090
• 2
  Wep was most probably billeted at the Lennon’s Hote. The new Lennon’s Hotel (also known as ‘Bataan’) on the corner of Queen and George Streets Brisbane was opened in July 1941. A hotel of the same name had operated on the site since at least the 1880s. The most modern hotel in wartime Brisbane it offered the best service and visiting celebrities frequently stayed there. From July 1942 it became the residence of the Macarthur family and many of the senior officers working at the SWPA headquarters. – Register of World War II historic places – World War II historic places in Queensland – Open Data Portal. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/world-war-ii-historic-places-in-queensland/resource/cbd1aa53-38f3-414d-9ed2-29623047ac23
• 3
  Lennon’s Hotel, George Street, Brisbane, Queensland used by the military during WW2. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://www.ozatwar.com/locations/lennonshotel.htm
• 4
  Department of Public Relations
• 5
  Wep’s War Correspondent uniform cap had a large ‘C’ emblem in the centre above the peak
• 6
  Jack Finch was a well known Sydney journalist
• 7
  Diana Parnham: Actress. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/articles/603
• 8
  Diana Parnham Married To U.S. Pressman In Brisbane (1943, May 22). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved January 13, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42019408
• 9
  Yvonne Irene Todd (1916-2010) married Reginald James Johnston Edwards (1900-1981) in Sydney, 1941 (Ancestry Family Tree). Reginald Edwards was a photographer.
• 10
  Biography – Alfred Arthur Mailey. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mailey-alfred-arthur-7464