Darwin letters from Kempsey sergeant describe life in Darwin camp
Private Ralph Brown of Kempsey, serving in Home Defence, writes from Darwin about wartime duty and camp life. He notes improvements over Rutherford and Greta, describes open air cinemas at nearby camps, harsh prices in Darwin shops, and vivid local scenery including palms mango trees and unusually tall grass. He recalls Christmas differently and expresses optimism for the next year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ralph Brown
Kempsey Forestry Office
A.lf
Darwin
the Chronicle
Kempsey
Rutherford
Greta
Ingleburn
Serious Potato Shortage Forces Increase Planting
Australia faces a serious potato shortage with inadequate supplies for civil and military needs. A. H. E. McDonald, chief of the division of plant industry, states the shortage stems from high wartime demand and calls for immediate actions to boost autumn planting, especially in coastal districts, with seed sharing urged and all suitable varieties pressed into the ground.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Australia
A. H. E. McDonald
Division of Plant Industry
McDonald
Escape From Crete Brings Aberdeen Soldier Home
Aberdeen soldier Pte. W. H. Huggins writes to his wife describing a perilous escape from a prisoner camp in Crete after eight days of bombardment and harrowing starvation. He crawled under wire on 27 June, hid with Greeks, endured shelling and pursuit, and traveled through mountains with only a pay-book and photos kept. He mentions meeting Norm Masters and Cooke, praises Australian tobacco, and wishes a merry Christmas from the field.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pte
W. H. Huggins
Aberdeen
Crete
Hell
Huns
Norm
Masters
McInerney
Scone
Mac
Cooke
Col. Loveridge
Enemies Within The Prime Minister Curtin Demands Naval Requisition
Prime Minister Curtin denounces Waterside Workers for halting ships vital to the war effort and orders naval forces to unload a vessel held by unions. He declares workers must observe the law and keep essential civil services moving to support the war, arguing that those who do not belong to the fighting must work or enlist.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Curtin
Mgr. Curtin
First Japanese bombs hit Rabaul with improvised daisy cutters
The initial Japanese airstrike on Rabaul used daisy cutter bombs packed with scavenged materials including old nails, razor blades, scrap iron and Australian beer bottle tops, reflecting wartime resourcefulness.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rabaul
Presbyterian Church Schedules February Congregational Meeting
The Presbyterian Church announces a shift from the traditional third Monday in February to the last Sunday evening, the 22nd, with a shortened service. Book awards will be presented in March after country tests with 5.8 material. Belbora service moved to Wednesday week, the 18th, at 1 g p.m. No Presbyterian service at Stratford this month by Rev. D Glyn Jones.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
R. McRaes
Stratford
D. Glyn Jones
St. Paul's Church
Nigel Bagley
Malaya
Nigel
Jones
Spence
J. A. Smith
Prayer and duty to support fighting forces in Australia
A parish letter from Christ Church Castlemaine South Australia urges faithful churchgoing and prayer for the nation’s soldiers. It stresses that the forces expect such support as their duty from civilians, highlighting the pride of Australia in facing wartime hardship.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Church OF England
Christ Church
Are We Worthy of Them Letter From Tobruk Chaplain
A Tobruk based chaplain Maxwell A. Radford writes to a South Australian rector praising the courage of troops, urging home churches to pray for soldiers, recalling hospital bombings and sacrifices. The piece notes wartime prayers, prisoner fears, and welcomes a parish meeting rescheduling.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tobruk
C. of E
Australia
Maxwell A. Radford
M. A. Radford
Liberty Loan Opens February 17 Under Prior Terms
A Liberty Loan of £35,000,000 will be opened on February 17 on the same terms as the recent £100,000,000 war and conversion loan. The announcement confirms parity in conditions and mechanism with the earlier issue.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Clothing Department
Black
Indiana
Men's Arrow
Garner
P.O
Soldier
Aberdeen Soldier's
the Pride OF
Hudson's Bay
Gene Tierney
Laird Cregar
John Sutton
Virginia Field
Nigel Bruce
Vincent Price
Blonde Inspiration
John Shelton
Virginia Grey
Albert Dekker
Charles Butterworth
Donald Meek
Norma Shearer
Robert Taylor III
Conrad Veidt
Philip Dorn
Nazimova
Felix Bressant
Lucky Devils
Richard Arlen
Andy Devine
Dorothy Lovett
Janet Shaw
Tim Ryan
Chad Hanna
Nellie Kelly
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!