{"id":3279,"date":"2024-01-15T10:00:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-14T23:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wepidgeon.com\/pidgeonpost\/?p=3279"},"modified":"2024-01-13T13:22:40","modified_gmt":"2024-01-13T02:22:40","slug":"war-letters-new-guinea-15-jan-1944-brisbane-sitting-around-waiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wepidgeon.com\/pidgeonpost\/?p=3279","title":{"rendered":"War Letters – New Guinea: 15 Jan 1944, Brisbane; Sitting around waiting"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
“Among “Wep’s” admirers abroad is President Roosevelt” – Interesting People<\/a> (1944, February 12).\u00a0The Australian Women’s Weekly (1933 – 1982)<\/i>, p. 20. Retrieved January 13, 2024, from http:\/\/nla.gov.au\/nla.news-article47219220<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brisbane
\nAust Army
\nOfficers Club<\/p>\n

Sat [15 Jan 1944]<\/p>\n

Sweetheart,<\/p>\n

I\u2019m still sitting around waiting to get out of the damned joint.\u00a0 Twice a day I have to ring the transport people to discover what\u2019s cookin\u2019.\u00a0 Have just been told that I\u2019m to phone again tomorrow \u2013 I may get away by midday.\u00a0 I hope so, as there is little to do in this h\u2019year town.\u00a0 I shall probably sport myself to a show tonight.\u00a0 This morning I caught a bus out to Hughie Dash\u2019s1<\/a><\/sup>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<\/span> place & picked up the blankets and gas mask.\u00a0 Took them round to the station and was told I couldn\u2019t send them down without a permit.\u00a0 Lord love us!\u00a0 I\u2019ll have to find somewhere or someone to pick them up from on my return.\u00a0 Washed a shirt this afternoon \u2013 ironed same and indulged in a little excellent spine bashing.\u00a0 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\u2019s.2<\/a><\/sup>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<\/span>3<\/a><\/sup>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<\/span><\/p>\n

The City Hall bells have just tolled 5 P.M. the hour of le grand pub opening.\u00a0 I shall totter down and water the wasted tissues.\u00a0 It\u2019s plenty hot up here and old Will loses an awful lot of his distinctive sweaty juices.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an enormous number of troops in the city \u2013 all causing a great shortage of ale and theatre seats.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had beef for every meal so far so I think I chew up a little chop for a change tonight.\u00a0 I shall stagger to the lift down barwards now and will write you a great length tomorrow of my doings Friday.<\/p>\n

Had a pleasant enough trip on the Flying boat \u2013 unfortunately I had a centre seat so could not see much of the coast.\u00a0 The ship itself is extraordinarily spacious you can roam around and stretch the legs to your heart\u2019s content.\u00a0 We had cold stewed prunes \u2013 cold ham & cold boiled egg for breakfast.\u00a0 All quite nice.<\/p>\n

Landed on the Brisbane River at 10.30 so the trip was not extra fast.<\/p>\n

After seeing the D.P.R.4<\/a><\/sup>Department of Public Relations<\/span> I oozed (that\u2019s the word for it, my God was I hot in that winter uniform.\u00a0 What with that on & the bright green C5<\/a><\/sup>Wep’s War Correspondent uniform cap had a large ‘C’ emblem in the centre above the peak<\/span> I was somewhat conspicuous) up to the Officer\u2019s Club & changed into trousers & shirt and rubbed copious quantities of cigarette ash into the brilliance of my cap.\u00a0 It helped a lot \u2013 I can walk around without people giving me the goggle eyed stare.\u00a0 Called into a pub near the \u201cMail\u201d office & run into Jackie Finch.6<\/a><\/sup>Jack Finch was a well known Sydney journalist<\/span>\u00a0 I think the heat has sent him Troppo.\u00a0 He gave me \u00a32-10-0 owing from 1927.\u00a0 Practically restored my faith in human nature.\u00a0 After a few drinks he invited me round to his Hotel for Dinner which he paid for!\u00a0 Left him after lunch and walked (or rather swam in my own sweat) for miles trying to find where Nan Mills worked.\u00a0 Located it at last near the\u00a0 Art Gallery.\u00a0 She was very pleasant to meet me.\u00a0 Said Brisbane was a hell of a hole but was saving money by living cheaply in the barracks nearby.\u00a0 She looked very well \u2013 has lost weight & is a good brown colour \u2013 altogether a great improvement.<\/p>\n

Came back tired out \u2013 wandered into a bookshop and in the desire for something in a soothing vein bought a cheap edition of New Testament!\u00a0 Meet Jackie Finch again and fought sadly for 4 drinks after which I said bugger this It\u2019s not worth it.\u00a0 Went back to his room \u2013 drank two bottles (iced) & had dinner with him again (on him too).\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t let me pay.\u00a0 Tried to get seats for a show but failed miserably \u2013 consequently we sat under a fan & just sat without thinking \u2013 just sitting & sweating.\u00a0 I was about to come back here for bed when two fellows staying at his hotel asked us to their room for a drink.\u00a0 On hearing I was Wep nothing would please them but I draw them & so it went on.\u00a0 They had rung Diana Parnham7<\/a><\/sup>Diana Parnham: Actress. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https:\/\/localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au\/articles\/603<\/span>8<\/a><\/sup>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<\/span> & she had said yes come out by all means.\u00a0 However one of the lad\u2019s car (a \u00a31200 Alvis) wouldn\u2019t go and as we had polished off nearly all the grog the trip was abandoned.\u00a0 Sorry I was, for I\u2019d have liked to have had a gink at the famous Di.\u00a0 Got back here about 12 midnight & got into bed without waking my room mate.\u00a0 At 6.30 am I am awakened by him sloshing about the room.\u00a0 Of all people it was Yvonne Todd\u2019s husband.9<\/a><\/sup>Yvonne Irene Todd (1916-2010) married Reginald James Johnston Edwards (1900-1981) in Sydney, 1941 (Ancestry Family Tree). Reginald Edwards was a photographer.<\/span>\u00a0 He will in all probability be travelling in the same plane as myself (i.e. at midday today Sunday \u2013 I hope).<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 This was Tommie Thompson.\u00a0 So had a few words with him for 3 or 4 minutes.\u00a0 Saw one of those captains Arthur Mailey10<\/a><\/sup>Biography – Alfred Arthur Mailey. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https:\/\/adb.anu.edu.au\/biography\/mailey-alfred-arthur-7464<\/span> introduced to us at Romano\u2019s in the bar but did not speak to him.\u00a0 Had a few in the lounge here & went to bed.\u00a0 And that my dear is the history of Pidgeon\u2019s peregrinations in Brisbane.\u00a0 Did not go looking for dear Madge.<\/p>\n

I hope things are alright with you, sweet, and that you don\u2019t feel too lonely.<\/p>\n

If we get this plane today we shall probably stay overnight in Townsville or some place as I don\u2019t think they can get up to Moresby after leaving at midday.<\/p>\n

Lots and lots of love from weak limp Willie.<\/p>\n

Lordie it\u2019s sure I’m hot.<\/p>\n

Will drop a swift note from wherever we stay tonight \u2013 love Bill.<\/p>\n

Notes:<\/h3>
  • 1<\/span>
    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<\/div><\/li>
  • 2<\/span>
    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<\/div><\/li>
  • 3<\/span>
    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<\/div><\/li>
  • 4<\/span>
    Department of Public Relations<\/div><\/li>
  • 5<\/span>
    Wep’s War Correspondent uniform cap had a large ‘C’ emblem in the centre above the peak<\/div><\/li>
  • 6<\/span>
    Jack Finch was a well known Sydney journalist<\/div><\/li>
  • 7<\/span>
    Diana Parnham: Actress. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https:\/\/localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au\/articles\/603<\/div><\/li>
  • 8<\/span>
    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<\/div><\/li>
  • 9<\/span>
    Yvonne Irene Todd (1916-2010) married Reginald James Johnston Edwards (1900-1981) in Sydney, 1941 (Ancestry Family Tree). Reginald Edwards was a photographer.<\/div><\/li>
  • 10<\/span>
    Biography – Alfred Arthur Mailey. (2024, January 13). Retrieved from https:\/\/adb.anu.edu.au\/biography\/mailey-alfred-arthur-7464<\/div><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I\u2019m still sitting around waiting to get out of the damned joint. Twice a day I have to ring the transport people to discover what\u2019s cookin\u2019. Have just been told that I\u2019m to phone again tomorrow \u2013 I may get away by midday. I hope so, as there is little to do in this h\u2019year town. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1656,62],"tags":[2198,2199,1768,1762,140,72,1771,1763,1187,1191,1767,67,1765,2244,1766,1025,1121,141,1770,939,65,1764,1984,1769],"class_list":["post-3279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-new-guinea-jan-feb-1944","category-war-letters","tag-80yearsago","tag-otd","tag-alvis","tag-army-officers-club","tag-arthur-mailey","tag-brisbane","tag-brisbane-art-gallery","tag-brisbane-river","tag-courier-mail","tag-department-of-public-relations","tag-diana-parnham","tag-hughie-dash","tag-jackie-finch","tag-lennons-hotel","tag-nan-mills","tag-port-moresby","tag-qantas-empire-airways-seaplane","tag-romanos","tag-tommie-thompson","tag-townsville","tag-war-correspondent","tag-war-correspondent-uniform","tag-war-letters","tag-yvonne-todd"],"yoast_head":"\nWar Letters - New Guinea: 15 Jan 1944, Brisbane; 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