Letters from Malcolm Duncan McRae to his family, 1945

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
AWM2020.22.201
Difficulty:
3

Page 1 / 6

42694 AB M.D. MRRE August 16th Thursday HMAS TAyWoRt Co. B.F MAI My dearest folks The happeniys of the lest two days definely call for a letter. On Tuesday evening when I wrote my ect letter it seemed as though the official news of the Japanese surender would be at hadd at any minute Ackally it was at 8-15 next morning when we pictd up the announcement by Truman. leturally work immediately, and we mide a very happy day of it. The navigating officer and I had just regui on a pile of chart corrections are we were in bs nins as so whether we shuldn't chuck then all over the side reacon intervend however inforturately perhaps, asi to me ane op t We was are lyng alongude several other chips among them is goe Dixons. Hoses were rigged and fiere water fights were wayed. A few of us picted up the office. The watch ind the him into the water this carted the ball rolling and within the space of an hour everyone on the ship had the same fate, except the chipper. So a deputation of leadin hands waited onr him and informed him they had been detailed to put him over the side so they arried him down afte throngh a corrent of water from the hoses and the go so he went overpoard the quastermaster piped him overtho cide in the graditional nane All the fimm was taken in very good part by everyone. Thore that couldn't swen, and there ar core, donned wests t flew long streemes of while paper the masthead a cimbol of puece I hope, while the
Austialian ensign was run up the foreest. The boys had an extra issue of heer, Last night we fired solkets and verey lights The hustralian seemed to be the only people cletsating in anything llike a hearty mannes. I was disgusted with an R.V. ship alongide Cutle a few of their crew joined in the fron by usin hoses against us thown onions at us and tho like, and would you believe it. the narrow minded arogart Rips of Officers Pran them in, as we say, and punished then for what they must have thought were crines is revolting and sickency to see the way in which the majority of English how down shrink from end regard with the greatest awe this wretched clais of to called gentlemen, a raval officers we were seriously thinking of hosding the slip and exacting very prsetical retributin he seate t th thre mpt te coneh too for readig what these men would have thought if they had known we had thown out captainin, is rather difficult to agi. Those undiraplined; ill ed, holligns of colonials, perhaps. They must lus in mortal fear of the consequences if they relased one finger of thei ron hand of discipling I remember you sayng in you lest letters that though economially Russia was pasadiance, in political and Sociat chought she was well peind. Tent it a fact that in hoth countries there are small sections of people with the conception of deals of the perfect system in the relitionslip of men, and the greater majority just blilly follow. dont whether to aveige Enflishmen following particulaly fom what the boys have told me of this experiences, givs much thought to the futurs, reaties tho abuses and injustices ho is tury unde and has any real concrete ideas of Souil and politicas meths. Toue the election proved that
there has seen an awakeding in recent years I dont think Briban over her position in the world to the ordinary workin men. He has bee too oppressed to have a since to do whad would be poscise of his enviconment was chened and his education improve. is to commercial cl and the upperclass of society that we must hand the credit for the development of Brtai. I roslige that Bilick arribasacy to unique in that comnes ato assore into its pld. But th chasacteristic has die ou an ithas becom as clo and neron countesparts on te continut These upper clauses owe a lot to te stoled, hasdworking ratuo the lower clarses. They could always depend upon their patriotion in ti of national sogency the states of the royl power was a god send to be- shey ne effiand workes for thei mighty industries. Their ientonel and sterdy Chancters made the ithreat of revolution and unvert very slight compered with other countries. And so I could so on with other enalogies and I think I could prove that this much taled of Brit demracy and putice is not gente at retion of the wilto n do whio democsacy or justice is their in the great ares of the clums I look in vai for an oper an free outlood in the consterances of most Exlishment Perhaps it is not a fais thing to take those new in the navy as an averge exaemple of the English, but the kevy das not griad down guepaliens with its riged disciplis, inoliance, and injustic Ever R.H. Officers working with rustaliers have to cut, they fascist like ways. The Americn disciplies is botally differed and is even more dinocratic ter on awittalies chips. io I thin Iam wu w right when I say that though the principles of denoesacy and justice shone forth prillantly for everyore to see to Bitain, only a few are atle to use then and understand then The rest as so concere with the stouggle for existence an the fe small pleasures withn their gaep, that they just take thins as they ar ad leave the rest as somthing o t comprehension as I saet there is as awakening, the here tio ea union would enserd that ant piliet te russe
will reach the goal before the British, for they are planny on solid pamenor Scice is their idol - education their god Their poscibilities must be brighter than the British when for scice the latter substatute the olizing of comp position The anomaly of the Exsstene of royal power And power doemt last a minites thought, yet the witish people well nigh worship it. Shels god is not education but self seeking materialion+ a receisity pereps I knowr but the fact remain it is an underest quality I looke to me as though Bribain will have be follow Russies lead ty the few showin the way bo the majonity no iconomie nor traditional onstruction her and letting the pall Then I have no dout the British people would be retorn, for once given the opportunity for a free and an oppoesaed way of living they would pud their freedome to good use. Then all the principles of Brtish justice would be a eatily and Russia might well have to look to the smel Gronp on se the suee t de prlie act of ee heror widee, unreuse Yesterday something else happered that was resotting to re A konow Catholic priest came aboad to take confersion. This stoy came to me from one of the flock who was so disguabed that he walked ont on the deity on questioning the soys now long it was since thy had bee to confession, one of then revealed that he had eored for the as Lond was the ortery from the man in black and he aten pronounced that the would die if he did not atone for his sin by forfeiting two months pay! The lad evidenttly beng vey impressionatle and living in few of te chusch, was so effected by the dire threat that he was seared stiff to come aloft an finsh his pt of paity on te yards Hle leave the implications of the happenn in said
We heerd today of the Schenes now king put tie effect for the demobityation of the first group, those who were motilyed refore Jaawary 41, They are very conprehensive an uniquely wrlightened the nevy. Those men who are in the age group who are in forsad weas are to be sent South immediately to their home depots, wher they will liv at have, where practical, attending socational training clacces arayed by the avy ar by civilian institutions such as tichnical dal tan. They claim they will not discharge a man till he is sure of a job, or is trained for some trad or is statted or his Craining If they an put theis schemes into pactice, it looks guite rocy for a speedies dinshiligation then we hoped for However a helling hard tor from oubside would increase my chances a hundred fold. I have seen spending some very plases hour litely playing some meautiful records we have. It is mainly sallet hre bt so wxix bily of we so well matter Handel's water music Offenceers Caill Parisien while other recordings we have are of The huteracker Quite, Wersaw Concerto, The Alory swes of Windsor, Rigeletto, an Balns Wallzes with more sentes. Io is such a relief to lister to this lutling litting, busune sie, when the meas sick is for ever switld by the discordent and untemonious hace of moden Aneices give So much for tought then my dearet ones. you lovng Aale
Helgy nday December 23th AB. M.D. MCRSE NMA.S. GERAIDTON C.P.0 C10 My desvest folls. Iheee my doubts whithe this will reach you before you leave the moorings. on Chrisomas Eve At present we are steaming up the bay for Melkourne. It is not defints whether we will be staying there over Khristmas or pushing on to Adelade wher we are due to be flaphip a the Clenely Regata on the 28h we hed ead end ar the may down. We set off from Cistere with the two an ser Resece launches in tow one of them developed trouble with engines just before se picked us up Everykin vent according to plan for the first day or so until we ran into a stroy southerly just north of Port Stephens. It pressened very quietly and we were soon forced to rlow down to four hasts whill the lenches were meking very heavy weatter of it. At eleven in the nipht we were all Dusned out to find that one of the widles attached the tow to one of the launches had parted an she was adrift. As luck would have it she was the one without in engine As we have no winsh aft now tthe whole ships company hed to assest in pulling in the to were The protlen now wes to get tho fow to he

H 2694 

A/B M.D. McRAE

H.M.A.S. TAMWORTH

C/O. B.F. MAIL

 

August 16th Thursday

My dearest folks,

The happenings of the last two days

definetely call for a letter. On Tuesday evening when

I wrote my last letter it seemed as though the official

news of the Japanese surrender would be at hand at any

minute. Actually it was at 8-15 next morning when we

picked up the announcement by Truman..

Naturally work ^stopped immediately, and we made a very happy

day of it. The navigating officer and I had just begun

on a pile of chart corrections and we were in two minds

as to whether we shouldn't chuck them all over the side -

reason intervened however - unfortunately perhaps, as it

would have saved a great deal of work.

We wer are lying alongside several other ships among

them is Joe Dixon's. Hoses were rigged and fierce water

fights were waged. A few of us picked up the officer of

the watch and threw him into the water. This started

the ball rolling and within the space of an hour everyone

on the ship had the same fate, except the skipper. So a 

deputation of leading hands waited on him and informed him

they had been detailed to put him over the side.

So they carried him down aft through a torrent of

water from the hoses and did the que as he went

overboard the quartermaster piped him over the side in the

traditional manner.

All the fun was taken in very good part by everyone.

Those that couldn't swim, and there are some, donned

Mae Wests. We flew long streamers of white paper from 
the masthead - a symbol of peace I hope, while the

 

2

Australian ensign was run up the foremast.

The boys had an extra issue of beer. Last night we

fired rockets and verey lights.

The Australians seemed to be the only people celebrating in

anything like a hearty manner.

I was disgusted with an R.N. ship alongside. Quite a

few of their crew joined in the fun by using hoses

against us throwing onions at us and the like, and

would you believe it, the narrow minded arrogant pigs of

officers. ran them in; as we say, and punished them for

what they must have thought were crimes.

It is revolting and sickening to see the way in which

the majority of English bow down, shrink from and regard

with the greatest awe this wretched class of so called

gentlemen,  a naval officers.

We were seriously thinking of boarding the ship and,

exacting very practical retribution, but realized that the

consequences might be somewhat too far reaching.

What these men would have thought if they had known

we had thrown our captain in, is rather difficult to

imagine.  -  Those undisciplined; ill-bred, holligans of

colonials, perhaps.

They must live in mortal fear of the consequences if they

relaxed one finger of their strong hand of discipline

I remember you saying in ^one of your last letters that though

economically Russia was far advanced, but in political and

social thought she was well behind. Isn't it a fact that in

both countries there are small sections of people with the

conceptions of ideals of the perfect system in the relationship

of men, and the greater majority just blindly follow.

I doubt whether the average Englishmen, following particularly

from what the boys have told me of their experiences, gives

much thought to the future, realizes the abuses and injustices

he is living under. And has any real concrete ideas of social

and political matters.  True the election proved that

 

 

 

there has been an awakening in recent years.

I don't think Britain owes her position in the world to

the ordinary working man.  He has been too oppressed to have

a chance to do what would be possible if his environment

was changed and his education improved.

It is to the commercial class and the upper class of society

that we must hand the credit for the development of Britain.

I realize that British aristocracy is unique in that commoners

can be absorbed into it's fold.  But this characteristic has

died out and it has become as cliquy and narrow as it's

counterparts on the continent

These upper classes owe a lot to the solid, hardworking, nature of the lower classes.  They could always depend upon their

patriotism in time of national emergency.  The status of the royal

power was a god send to them -. They were efficient workers

for their mighty industries.  Their unemotional and steady

characters made the threat of revolution and unrest very

slight compared with other countries.  And so I could go on

with other analogies and I think I could prove that this much

talked of British democracy and justice has not emanated

from the masses, but from a small section of the well to

do.  What democracy or justice is their in the great areas of

the slums.  I look in vain for an open and free outlook in

the countenances of most Englishmen.  Perhaps it is not a

fair thing to take those men in the Navy as an average

example of the English, but the Navy does not grind down

Australians with its rigid discipline, intolerance, and injustice.

Even R.N. Officers working with Australians have to curb

their fascist like ways.  The American discipline is totally different

and is even more democratic than on Australian ships.

[?]  I think I am writg's out right when I say that though

the principles of democracy and justice shine forth brillantly

for everyone to see in Britain, only a few are able to use

them and understand them.  The rest, are so concerned with

the struggle for existence and the few small pleasures within their

grasp,. that they just take things as they are, and leave the

rest as something beyond their comprehension.

As I said there is an awakening.  The mere existence of

labour unions would ensure that but I believe the Russians

 

 

4

will reach the goal before the British, for they are planning

on solid framework.  Science is their idol - education their god.

Their possibilities must be brighter than the British when

for science the latter substitute the idolizing of pomp, position

and power. - The anomaly of the existence of royal power

doesn't last a minute's thought, yet the British people

well nigh worship it.  Their god is not education but

self seeking materialism, a necessity perhaps I know, but

the fact remains it is an inherent quality.

It looks to me as though Britain will have to follow

Russia's lead by the few showing the way to the majority

and letting no economic nor traditional obstruction bar

the path.  Then I have no doubt the British people would be

reborn, for once given the opportunity for a free and unoppressed

way of living they would put their freedom to good use.

Then all the principals of British justice would be a

reality and Russia might well have to look to the

small group of islands for inspiration,  and guidance. 

Will all that was caused by the foolish act of some

narrow minded, unimaginative officer.

Yesterday something else happened that was revolting to me.

A Roman Catholic priest came aboard to take confession.  This

story came to me from one of the flock who was so disgusted 

that he walked out on "the deity".

On questioning the boys how long it was since they had been

to confession, one of them revealed that he had erred for three

years.!  Loud was the outcry from the man in black and he

pronounced that the ^unfortunate would die if he did not atone for his sin

by forfeiting two months pay!  The lad evidently being very

impressionable and living in fear of the church, was so effected

by the dire threat that he was scared stiff to come aloft

and finish his job of painting on the yards. -

Ill leave the implications of the happening unsaid. - .

 

 

 

5

We heard to-day of the schemes now being put into effect

for the demobilization of the first group, those who were

mobilized before January '41.  They are very comprehensive 

and uniquely enlightened for the navy.  Those men who

are in the age group who are in forward areas are to be sent

South immediately to their home depots, where they will live at

home, where practical, attending vocational training classes arranged

by the navy and by civilian institutions such as technical

training ^Schools.  They claim they will not discharge a man till he is

sure of a job, or is trained for some trade or is started on his

training.  If they can put their schemes into practice, it looks

quite rosy for a speedier demobilization than we hoped for. 
However a helping hand for from outside would increase my

chances a hundred fold.

I have been spending some very pleasant hours lately

playing some beautiful records we have.  It is mainly ballet

music. - the entire ballet of 'The Swan Lake' that you like

so well Mother, Handel's 'Water Music', Offenbachs 'Gaite Parisenne',

while other recording we have are of 'The Nutcracker Suite,

Warsaw Concerto, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Rigeletto, and

Brahms Waltzes with more besides.

It is such a relief to listen to this lulling, lilting, luxurient

music, when the mess deck is for ever swelled by the discordant

and unharmonious noise of modern American 'jive'.

So much for tonight then my dearest ones,

Yours loving

Malc.

 

 

 

H2694

A/B. M.D. McRAE

H.M.A.S. GERALDTON

C/0 G.P.O.

 

Sunday December 23rd.

 

My dearest folks,
I have my doubts whether this

will reach you before you leave the moorings.

on Christmas Eve.  At present we are steaming

up the bay for Melbourne.  It is not definite whether

we will be staying there over Christmas or pushing

on to Adelaide. where we are due to be flagship at

the Glenelg Regatta. on the 28th.

We had bad luck on the way down.

We set off from Brisbane with the two Air Sea

Rescue launches in tow.  One of them developed trouble

with ^her engines just before she picked us up.

Everything went according to plan for the first day or so

until we ran into a strong southerly just north of 

Port Stephens.  It freshened very quickly and we were

soon forced to slow down to four knots while the

lauches were making. very heavy weather of it.

At eleven in the night we were all turned out

to find that one of the bridles attached the tow to

one of the launches had parted and she was adrift.

As luck would have it she was the one without

an engine.  As we have no winch aft now, the

whole ship's company had to assist in pulling in the 

tow wire.  The problem now was to get the tow to her

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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