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Billy tea stop / photographer unknown
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| Title: | Billy tea stop / photographer unknown. |
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| Date taken: | October 1944. |
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| Description: | From Left Rear: Norma Kelly (Burns) , Nurse, Noreen Oldham, Mary Wilson, Rena Mcdonald, Unknown, Unknown, Nurse Shirley Dawson.
Front: "Billy" Hassett, "Swannie" & W.O. Ruth Whitelaw and 2 drivers. Having a “tea” break on the “Track” on our way to Darwin, October 1944. Alice Springs – The Oasis in the Desert. We spent 2 days in Alice Springs. On Sunday 22nd some Air Force Boys called to see if any girls would go on a picnic. We went to the Jay Creek Aboriginal Reserve & had lunch – then on to Simpson’s Gap. Saw plenty of wildlife, eagles, emus & kangaroos. Got back to the barracks at 6.45. We were up at 4.45am on Tuesday 24th – Breakfast was at 5.30 & we finally left by convoy at 6.30. Reena joined us here, & 2 Army nurses. We were in a truck convoy of about 500 troops & we had to travel 1 mile behind. We had male drivers who were also brothers. We stopped at 9.30 for billy tea on the side of the road. Stopped at Ti Tree Well for lunch. We arrived at Barrow Creek at 5.15pm where we were to spend the night. They put a dance on for us but it was hard dancing on concrete. It was raining when we left at 6.45am Tennant Creek was our lunch stop in the ACF-YMCA hut. Next stop was “Churchill’s Head”. A rock whose formation was like Churchill & someone had put a stick in his mouth. Our next overnight stop was Banka Banka & another dance was held for us. Thursday 26th up at 4.30am & left Banka at 6pm. Elliot was our lunch stop. As Larrimah was the end of our convoy trip all the main convoy was lined up along the road & as we passed by all the drivers had buckets of water which we had to dodge. I met up with Bill Watson whom I had been writing to.Up early again next morning to start our final journey to Darwin – by train – known affectionately as “Leaping Lena” & it lived up to its reputation. We travelled all day, we had been given sandwiches and drinks for lunch. Arrived at Katherine for the evening meal. Back on the train & we travelled all though the night, not getting much sleep. Arrived at Adelaide next morning Saturday 28th for breakfast then off again & finally arriving at Winnellie about 11.30am. Our last few miles to the barracks was by truck & here we were at last in Darwin after a trip we will always remember. It was nice to see some familiar faces also. Nancy Townsend, Nancy & Molly Healy and Win Scanlon. |
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