Diary of Edward Lloyd Fleming, October 1945- March 1957 - Par 3

gradually became clearer & clearer. We were besieged by
scores of porpoises which we could easily see below the
surface, but there was only one lone shark. With the
pilot boat came yachts & launches, most beautiful
craft and so graceful. It was a beautiful sight as we
swung into the harbour which was dotted with these
craft. Saw several terribly crowded ferries all of which
blew their tooters. From one launch the people were
throwing fruit to the chaps & on a tug-boat, a whole
family seemed to have come to see their next of kin.
As we moved up the harbour the tooters became
more frequent and there were groups of waving
people on all of the headlands. Mrs Macquarie's
Chair was crowded & car horns were blowing. We
could never have expected any more spectacular greeting

than Sydney gave us & so beautiful too. Met Bill

Hughe's Dad & said goodbye to the fellas - Rod Higgs &

the English bods. We parked in Woolloomoolloo &

a crowd of the Dutchmen got a big kick out of seeing
country men on a hospital ship & their consul come
on this.  Then the chaps (N.S.W. first) started to disembark.

Three ladies looking terribly dejected got

a great thrill then right at the last , their men

came down the gangway.  Biggest farewell was 
given to the padres who were real men without a
 

doubt. Even inspite of this farewell to them, Bob Davies
didn't overlook the ambulance & went over to bid

the sick bods well, - very  touching. Then Geoff
Mosely suggested going thru. I was in it & we got

off with ease & had two beaut poached eggs

& a drink. Walked around town and had a gander
at the cenotaph. Saw the crowds in Hyde Park ! & heard

the "Internationale" being played by the "reds". Then
we came back, walked up & down the wharf &

came on board again. Wish we could have
sailed into Melbourne; it would have made a big

hit ! Today we travelled 401 miles. Geoff & I found that

we'd left our luggage on board while the others had

theirs taken down for them, anyhow we lumped ours

on to the wharf & got there just at the right time to get

on the first bus to Central. There we had some grub

and I asked the R.T.O. where the train left from. I put
the luggage all across the seats & no-one asked whose

it was so I've had double room. Slept quite a bit

& had the odd stroll at Wagga, Moss Vale etc.

5.11.45 (Mon). At 0830 we reached Albury and 

there was a big diningng room all prepared for
us. Had steak & eggs. We transferred onto the Vic train.
and had a seat nr. "Billy Bouncer" whose autograph
I got. I had a shave etc and we pressed on thru the
 

familiar countryside to Benalla where I tried to 

ring Freda but could only send her a message. We

had lunch at Seymour & I dropped & lost my 
front collar stud & had to improvise with 2 buttons

At 1530 we reached Melbourne. I was in an open 

truck and saw Dad & the family as we drove thru 

the station. As we came in thru the suburbs we got

a good reception. We were dropped at the exhibition

bldgs. in teeming rain and they gave us a medical
exam - keeping the fellas waiting in the rain. Then
we got amongst the relatives.- I stood on  a ladder
for a while - and then met Dad & Mum outside &
later Audrey & Margaret. Collected my baggage &

we drove home. Had tea altogether & then nattered

for a while. Presently almost all Mum's side of the

family arrived & we had a bit of a party. The uncles

passed off a few flattering remarks and I had to reply

Margaret seems a strange kid & I walked home with 
her & went in for about ¼ hr. Either I don't under-

stand Aussie girls or she's an exception, but she's quite
different from the Margaret who wrote all the letters.

I walked back rather bewildered.

6.11.45 (Tues) Cup Day & as I'd asked Margaret last

night to see it, I was ready early, gave her a ring

& arranged for Audrey to come too.  We got out to
 

Flemington in good time and saw the first race. We

were a bit clueless till we got the gen on the tote & 

I put 5/- on a horse on the 2nd race for me & Audrey
& Margaret put 5/- on too. My horse came 3rd so 
I got 9/6 back - a loss of 6' ! The Melb. Cup was a 

terrific race - really thrilling & an unlikely favourite

called Rainbird won it. We got the first train back

to town. The bookies was quite interesting - "I'll lay
8 to 1 the field, 8 to 1 the field etc. Crowds were

terrific. We came home to tea after dropping Margaret 
& I picked her up again at Glenferrie Rd at 1915.

We went to the Embassy to see "Whistling in Brooklyn

& "Lost in a Harem" (stoopid)  We came home and I had

supper at the Shorts & met Mr. & Mrs. Funny evening 
altogether. I'm damned If I can get Margaret's

slant on things.

7.11.45 (Wed). Was up quite early and did my

washing then went up to the bank to pay in my

English money and get interest made up. Called

at the Rly station for my bag but it hasn't

arrived yet. After dinner I went across to see

Grandma & Grandpa Fleming. Aunty Mabel

was there too & we had a little natter. Geoff Briggs

rang up & I had a yarn with him. Freda [[Plummings]]

rang me from Benalla & I had a natter with her &

with Val Clametti. I took Audrey to Luna Park and

then we went to Palm Grove. Met Ken Butler at

Luna Pk. & he looked as if he was out on the

prowl & thoroughly randy !! We had quite a 
good time and came home via St Kilda Rd.

at about 2300.

8.11.45 (Thurs). I spent a quiet morning and Mum

wasn't feeling like going to the pictures in the afternoon
so I went in to town & just wandered around. Met
Murph, who'd had his engagement ring given back to 

him ! Nothing to do so I came home & had tea and

spent the evening at home nattering and writing to

Betty. Mrs Lewis rang to say hello.

9.11.45 (Fri).  First of all I whipped a gate off its

hinges to repair but it couldn't be done without 

suitable wood. Played the piano a little and had a

hit of tennis after lunch. Rang Margaret to arrange for 
Saturday and also about my baggage to I.P.O. Took my

pouffe to be filled and made an appointment

for a photo. Changed & went to town & did a few odd

jobs first then had the photo taken & Met Uncle Gordon

& Ken Butler who is still on the loose & fed up. Came

home & after dinner I played the piano and we had
a beaut dancing lesson amongst ourselves! Then

David and I had quite a long natter on very intimate

terms & then I got off to bed.

10.11.45 (Sat) David's birthday but I didn't do anything

much in the morning. The girls' schools' sports were 

held at Heathersett in the afternoon & David drove us

down. Good win for M.L.C. but the last 4 races had to 

be cancelled owing to rain. They had one amusing race

in which the first runner carried a suitcase, the 

next opened it and removed an umbrella & ran with both

& so on till the different last runners were fully clothed.

The sports mistress at P.L.C. appears bi-sexual and

is a real tyrant. Rang Margaret to cancel dinner arr-

angements & instead we called for her in the car as 

the family was going on to the celebrity concert. We

had quite a nice evening at Palm Grove and there

was a wizard exhibition dance. Was very late home

& got rather wet too.

11.11.45 (Sun) Observed as Armistice Day & we all went

to church - family reunion plus ! Met bags of

people. In the afternoon I walked over to Shorts' to tea
& we had a delightful yarn & Margaret & I took 
a stroll in Wattle Park. Met Rhoda & Jan and Miss

Saddler, an aunt. They all left Margaret & me alone

& we smooged a bit but she hardly jumps at

it & makes me feel terribly slow. I started off at

2300 but it rained so I got the tram to the Junction
 

 

and didn't get home till about 0245. We had a lot 

more rain today.

12.11.45 (Mon). Went to Camberwell re. driving lessons

& picture frames & then got Audrey her dinner as she

is sick with a cold & Ma was in town. Spent the 
afternoon cleaning up the tennis court, and in the 

evening got a bit more organised in the billiard

room.

12.11.45 (Wed) Yesterday I did a bit of work about

home then met Margaret in town & we had lunch

in the Botanic Gardens. It was most delightful.

Called at P.O. after it & then came home. She actually

dropped an involuntary kiss ! In the evening Mum

& Dad & I went to see "Blossoms in the Dust" & " Sporting

Blood", both 100%. Today I went to town again after

quite a bit of work in the morning, and met Dr.

Lewis in his rooms. We went to the Rotary Club

dinner & after fellow Rotarians had been introduced,

we, the guests, had to stand with our hosts. Then

they read birthdays & births etc & one bod had to 

part up so much for the weight of the baby for 
charity ! The speaker was a  S/L Rosenthal who
dealt with the use of film for the education & he was

quite interesting.  When the affair was over I

met Harold Stewart & a few other bods.  Dr Lewis had
 

to conduct the singing "Here's a health unto - . " I

did a bit of shopping after it then caught a train to St

Kilda and had a very enjoyable swim & sunbathe

till 1645 when I got dressed & came home via city.

Margaret had rung me so I rang her back. She hasn't

said thank you the whole time I've known her & is

always making the arrangements so I'm just about 

Jack of her.

19.11.45 (Mon)  On Thursday I had lunch with Uncle

Col after having visited Wesley, but I didn't feel at all at

ease there. Wizard luncheon & A.V.M. Jones, A/c Whackett &

lots of other big bods were there. Went to Mentone when it

was over & spent the afternoon swimming. In the 

evening I just messed about. Spent Friday at home

doing odd jobs & de-fleaing Londy. There was a violent

thunderstorm in the evening & I had to go out it to 

meet Audrey. When she came home, she got me doing a 

couple of posters for the bazaar on Saturday. I didn't

go to it but rather took Margaret to Mordialloc, we walked

along from Mentone, and we succeeded in a bit of

plain talk to each other & finally determined the score!

I went over to Canterbury in the evening and we saw

"Together Again" which was P.P. Had a good old sess.

in Wattle Perk after it but I guess I kept Margaret

out too late so may have to toe the line next time ! We
 

had the S.S. Anniversary yesterday and the kids did an

excellent job. Afternoon parson was nervous & broke

down after it was over. He didn't get the kids attention

all the while. Moira Dunn looked stunning & easily the

most attractive on the stage. Elaine Hind came out

at David's request in the evening & we had tea, went
to the service & then had some most enjoyable music

at night. David drove her home. I had a ring from

Mrs Gross and also from Mr Hughes.

27.11.45 Slipping badly I'm afraid with this diary.

I've spent a normal sort of week & we had a good

time at the beach on Sat (Margaret & I.) In the evening

there was a party at the Gipps place. On Sun 3 Anniv.

services were A1. Met some S.A. girls who knew Pat

Cranwell. On Mon. I took Margaret to Navarettis,

then Albany theatre & then Palm Grove where we

heard "Starnight" & danced. Got a letter from Betty &

she's still very affectionate. My trunk came on Sat,

Today I went to M.L.C. for a gym. display which

was rather good. Went to see Stump Hughes on Fri. &

had a most enjoyable evening there.

28.11.45 (Wed).
 

'Weep not for me, my wife so dear

My grave you see, but I'm not here

With Jesus I have gone to be

Waiting for you to follow me.'

 

While in this world I did remain

My latter days were full of pain

But when the Good Lord thought it best

He took me to the place of rest.

 

Weep not for me. I am free from pain

My earthly suffering o'er

I hope to meet you all again

On that bright, peaceful shore.
 

TOM & MAUD (45) - POLICE SGT - NO CHILDREN

WILLIAM                 - POLICE SGT - NO CHILDREN

ANNA                      -  FARMER       - NO FAMILY

EDITH          (34)     - UNMARRIED

JACK & BRIDIE        - R.A.F.             - NO FAMILY

JIM &                          - POLICEMAN - KEN & SANDRA
EVELINE - TRANSPORT BOARD - MAUREEN, EVA, DAPHNE

ROBERT & WINIFRED                      - 2 CHILDREN

SYDNEY            (26½)- CIVIL SERVANT
BETTY                (24)  -

MOLLIE              (22½)  - NURSE  - UNMARRIED

WALTER                        -

Tues 8th - Wed 9th.

Very gay & crowded farewell at Spencer St. & Dad had lots of difficulty in

parking the car. Some strife also in getting luggage aboard but I left it

with Dad & found a seat with Trevor Willis, Quite a congenial crowd of

fellas with 3 of them O.W.s & in my old platoon. We soon began to feel

very peckish & had a try at Castlemaine to get tucker but it was too long a

run so we came back to the station. The train, which left late, lost more

time & arrived 2 hrs behind. Had a breakfast at Ouyen & all the way

could look out when not sleeping so bright was the moon. I tried the

luggage rack awhile but my girth forbade much comfort! At
Mildura we were met by buses & transported out here. Our huts

have not yet been completed & so we're living in makeshift
quarters but it's quite comfortable & just 1 to a room in old sgts qtrs.

Had breakfast at 10 00 & lunch at 1300 & just had a lecture in

the afternoon by Rogers & collected blankets and one or two other things

like ash-trays & water bottles & handed in coupons. After tea Trevor &

I queued for exercise books for an hour or so during which time

a tannoy announcement was made for me & it appears Betty

rang from Ireland but cancelled the call.  I rang exchange but

they couldn't tell me more. Wrote home & to John Coffey & to Betty in

the Union then had a shower & got off to bed. 

Sketch - see original document

BOOK QUEUE

9-4-47

Thursday 10th:-

Up good and early and we had our 1st lecture & a few more photos

at the end of it. Spares followed & we then had a couple of tutorials

I was waiter & got on xtra well. Trevor & I scrounged a table in the 

evening & I read a bit. Had a set of tennis c̄ Trevor.

Friday 11th:- Lectures again and there were a few spares when we

missed out on prac. work which didn't come off.  In the afternoon Trevor

& I went to town on the back of a semi-trailer truck with a whole

mob from the camp. We looked around & the place is very well laid

out & palm trees predominate. Went down along the River bank &

then caught the bus back home. The farm houses look funny in the 

sea of grape vines. I was taken short in town which was rather un-

pleasant. We had tea & after it fixed up the lights in my room
& Norm Roeszler came in & did a bit of work but we nattered a 

helluva lot.  I was drawing a squadron crest. Had a shower &
presently hit the hay.  The fellas bought some tucker in town &

we had some supper.
Sketch - see original document

SUPPER 11-4-47

Sat. 12th:-

Usual procedure in the morning and we had a physics lecture

which was xtra good. In the remainder of the morning I had a

set of tennis c̄ Trevor and did a very little work. There was some
delay over mail & I missed out again. Started to work in the after-

noon but the chaps wanted a 4th for tennis so I played about 5

sets & got on xtra well. Had a shower and went to tea after which

there was a concert given mainly by members of the staff &
of a vaudeville nature. They played Arensky's variations on

a theme by Tchaikowsky. Quite good sketches & a good improm-

ptu ballet but a fella who played the piano was a bit too am-

bitious & made a helluva lot of blues. We had a drink & I bought

some chocolate then came back to the hut and did my sqdn.

crest. One chap at our table is the owner of VK3BV at Hamilton.

Eventually hit the hay.
Sun. 13th.  We were up for breakfast and caught the 10.15 bus to town
& attended the Meth. church. It was very good & the parson, Mr Milligan

was most impressive. We were welcomed and came home. Saw Bill

Hentye at church. Slap up dinner with ice-cream for a sweet

In the afternoon we went down to the hangars & scrounged a bit of

eqpt. from the old Ansons & Mustangs. Some of the fellas were going

too far & taking very good parts & generally wrecking the kites. We

had a super tea with butter laid on and then joined a very big

crowd going to church. Officially welcomed there & again a great

service after which we had a social hour & met some of the locals.
It went with a great swing and after it was over, there was still