War Letters – New Guinea: 29 Jan 1944, Finschhafen; Scarlet Beach, Field hospital

W.E. Pidgeon
C/O PR Unit
N. G. Force
Moresby

Sat 29th [Jan 1944]

Dear Jesso,

Have just returned to our Canvas Palace after an arty evening under the stars, vines, clouds and fire flies listening to highbrow music as dispensed by some amiable sergeant for the benefit of the boys.  It was very pleasant – cool too, for a change.  We’re not asleep I bent my wandering brain to appreciation of the note.

12

We returned with the help of fireflies to where Hodgkinson promptly lies down “dreaming my love of thee,” The bastard’s bats!

Am moving out tomorrow on my way to the upper end of Ramu Valley.  Should be able to get the best of possible stuff up there.  Seems a year since I left home – all recollections of the lawn mowing week are vague and almost remote. I’ve packed so much into my popping eyes in the last fortnight.  Roy will be staying on down here completing his magnus opus.  I shall probably meet Dargie1Captain William Dargie. (2024, January 16). Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P65046 up there.  Which reminds me I saw a par. in “Guinea Gold” (the soldiers’ paper) that there has been a wonderful stink about the Archibald Prize award.  Nothing like a lively bout between artists.2The 1944 prize was awarded to William Dobell with a portrait of Joshua Smith which was being challenged in court as not a portrait but a caricature. The award to Dobell was eventually upheld. Wep made a famous cartoon of the court scene during the trial.

Casualty Clearing Station at Heldsbach Mission near Scarlet Beach in the Finshhafen area, New Guinea

Went over to a field hospital3Believed to be the 2/3rd Casualty Clearing Station situated at the Heldsbach Mission about 1 mile from Scarlet Beach today but didn’t get much out of it – most of those places are all the same.

Dental examination at a Field Hospital near Scarlet Beach in the Finschhafen area, New Guinea

Managed to make a note of the dental corner.  A picture of a soldier getting his teeth drilled may strike a sympathetic chord in the Weekly’s readers.  Undoubtedly the most momentous occasion of the day was the decent shower I had up there.  It was the first time I have had a proper wash since arriving in this area – Boy!  Was it good. – For ½ hour anyway.  After that I was as sweaty as ever.

I may be able to settle down to a better letter when I have this Tower of Babble.  In the other areas I shall probably be alone.

Will write you in a couple of days – all my love darling.

Not too much hops, mark you and feet up.  Regards to all More love from Willie

(written on side)

Enclosed petals look like hibiscus but are off a tree nothing like.  It was apricot colour when I picked it.  There’s a brilliant blue butterfly floating round dis ‘ere camp.

Medical inspection tent, near Finschhafen, New Guinea
Medical Inspection, Finschhafen, New Guinea
Casualty Clearing Station at Heldsbach Mission near Scarlet Beach in the Finshhafen area, New Guinea

Casualty Clearing Station at Heldsbach Mission near Scarlet Beach in the Finshhafen area, New Guinea

 

 

Notes:

  • 1
    Captain William Dargie. (2024, January 16). Retrieved from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P65046
  • 2
    The 1944 prize was awarded to William Dobell with a portrait of Joshua Smith which was being challenged in court as not a portrait but a caricature. The award to Dobell was eventually upheld. Wep made a famous cartoon of the court scene during the trial.
  • 3
    Believed to be the 2/3rd Casualty Clearing Station situated at the Heldsbach Mission about 1 mile from Scarlet Beach

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