Letters to Sunday Telegraph relating experiences of Victory in the Pacific Day, 1995 Wallet 1 of 2, Page 60 - 79

P.H. 
17.7.95
 
Dear Sir,
I am enclosing a photo
of myself taken on 15th August 1945
at Eddy Avenue, Central station. I
had been celebrating with friends
from work. We had been dancing
in Pitt St and just wandering
around with everyone being happy

The trams could not run 
in the city that afternoon so as I
lived at Bondi Junction I had to 
walk to Taylors Square.

I celebrated again that
night, the city was jam packed
and we just wandered around
for hours. The pubs were closed
and there didn't seem to be any
drunks although every one was so
 

2

happy they seemed drunk. It was
wonderful
Alice Mear
 

19th July 1995.
The Sunday Telegraph
P.O. Box 970
Strawberry Hills, 2013.

Victory in the Pacific 50th Celebrations.

Sirs,
My V.P. Day memories are as under:-
I was on duty as a member of the Australian
Womens Army Service at Victoria Barracks,
Paddington, when we heard the news. My friend,
also shown in the photo, were given permission
to leave and we caught a tram and headed for
Martin Place. My friend (now deceased) was
Corporal Jean Crawcour and I was S/Sgt Kelva D'Arcy.
I am now 82 and a War Widow Pensioner.
Please forward the photo back to me, as I
have had it for 50 years and would like it back.
Thanking you in anticipation
(Mrs) Kelva Todd

Phone  

Marjorie Kirwan

Dear Sir,
I am enclosing a Photo taken
the day the war ended.
Marge Norma & Grace were
working in "Her Majesty Arcade"
for a firm called Femina we were
machinist & we just left our Machines
& when down to George street, I dont
know the soldier or the man in the
photo, we had a great time dancing
up George Street.
My Husband, Kieth, & two brothers
Martin & Reg Ross were all in
New Guinea & all returned
safely. Yours Sincerely M Kirwan
 

To whom it may concern,

The Photo I am sending to you has
special memories.
It was taken in Martin Place ouside
the G.P.O.
I worked for Sir Norman Nock at
Nock & Kirbys in George street and as soon
as the News came through that war was
over Sir Norman closed the store and
all stores in the City were closed, and
we all went out to celebrate.
It was here I met my husband who was
and officer in the British Navy stationed
at H M N at H. M N Nabberley at Bankstown
We were married at the end of the year
and I travelled back to Wales as I war
Bride on the HMA S Rimutaka which was
taking the retiring Governor General back
to England.
My husband and myself and my three
year old son returned to australia five
years later and were married for
forty two years until he died.
Also it meant that my Father
returned from the Islands as well,
to his family
Thanking you
Mrs Evelyn Fortune
 

LIVED AT THIS ADDRESS DURING WAR. (FAMILY HOME)
WAS MARRIED IN 1946. LIVED AT BANKSTOWN.
AND RETURNED TO THIS ADDRESS IN 1976.

DEAR SIR/MADAM

AM SENDING THIS PHOTO OF MYSELF
(LAST GIRL ON RIGHT) AND FRIENDS. (NOW IN OUR 70s !
OUR NAMES WERE. FROM LEFT
DOT LUCAS               NOT KNOWN OF SINCE        ?
JEAN HANSLOW        "             "          "       "
JOAN PAYNE               "             "           "       "
EDNA EADIE                "             "           "       "
ADA BOWERY (SELF)    NOW ADA COLLINS (OF ABOVE ADDRESS)

AT THE TIME WE WERE MACHINISTS (DRESS) WORKING AT
"DOROTHY HAIG" CO. AT 338 PITT ST SYDNEY.
WHEN WORD CAME THROUGH THE WIRELESS; OUR BOSS CALLED
OUT "ITS OVER". FINISH UP RIGHT NOW! AND GO OUT TO
CELEBRATE WHICH WE ALL DID : (ABOUT 25 GIRLS WORKED
THERE, BUT HAD BEEN DOING ARMY CLOTHES THROUGH
WAR PERIOD.) BUT WE 5 SAT NEAR EACH OTHER AND 
WERE FRIENDS, SO OFF WE WENT DOWN PITT ST,
THEN UP GEORGE ST, VIA MARTIN PLACE. WHERE WE
GATHERED UP FLAGS, STREAMERS, & BUNTING, AND THIS PHOTO
WAS TAKEN SOME WHERE IN GEORGE ST.
OF COURSE WE JOINED UP WITH OTHER GROUPS AND
CELEBRATED THEN WENT TO OUR RESPECTIVE HOMES TO JOIN
OUR PARENTS.     CERTAINLY A DAY TO REMEMBER!

SINCERELY YOURS
ADA (BOWERY) COLLINS.

HAVE ENJOYED READING
YOUR COLUMS IN "TELEGRAPH"

July 10, 1995

Re: Victory in the Pacific - 50th Celebrations. 

Dear Sir/Madam, 

Please find enclosed the photograph taken on the 15th August, 1945. 

I was a corporal in the AWAS at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and I had been discharged
the previous year to take up nursing which proved not to be my vocation. 

As a book-keeper, I joined George Patterson, advertising agency in October, 1944.

The day the War ended with the Japanese, Mr George Patterson personally came into the office

where 15 of us were working and declared that he had just heard the news that the war was over and

we could go out and celebrate - before he had finished speaking we were out into the street with

thousands of other office girls and boys.

As we raced down George Street, laughing and joyous a photographer stopped myself and two

friends, Jill and Joan and before he could snap us a whole lot girls and a boy joined us. We didn't 

know any of them but it didn't matter - we were all one celebrating. Some of the bunting also got into the photo. 

I remember that day as if it was yesterday and still remember the wonderful feeling and excitement

that at last the war was over. I am now 72 years old and that day is still with me. 

My brother had died on the Burma-Thai infamous railway two years previously but because of his

courage, like all the aussies who died for freedom we rejoiced that  they made this day possible.

Sincerely, 

[Signature]

(Mrs) Gloria Kanaley.

PS. I would appreciate the return of this photo when you are finished with it. I am enclosing a self 

stamped address envelope. 
 

Phone: 

17th July 1995

VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC 50TH CELEBRATIONS

I should have been ecstatic when the war ended, but for me, 
separation from my man had just begun.

A WAAAF, stationed in Melbourne, July 24th 1945 I'd just become
engaged to a Royal Navy sailor. Two weeks later his ship sailed for
Sydney to re-join the Fleet. Arranging leave for August 19th, I was to 
meet him there for a few blissful days before the Fleet went north.
August 10th, at 11pm, I was awakened, in WAAAF barracks, Toorak, from
a deep sleep. 'Sydney calling'. Doug's mate was on the phone. (Doug
was below making cocoa when the call he'd booked, came through). 
'Have you heard the news? It's all over bar the shouting!' George
cried. Half-awake, I was wondering why the recreation room was in an
uproar; girls carrying on like crazy. 

The official announcement didn't come till August 15th. Doug had
called the night before. His ship was sailing with the morning tide;
our planned meeting was off. He had no idea where they were going;
when or if they'd be back. It was three weeks before a newspaper item 
told me the BPF (British Pacific Fleet) was in Hong Kong to secure the 
port and release prisoners-of-war -- a mission of mercy I couldn't 
begrudge!

It was 5 months before HMS Ursa called in to Sydney, enroute to
England, enabling us to be married. It was another 10 months before
he returned to me. This is why I'm holding the Union Jack in Melbourne
on VJ day. 

Una Clarke [Signature] 

9.7.1995

To Victory in the Pacific
50th Celebrations

My friends & I in the
enclosed photo all worked at W.D. & H.O. Wills
Kensington. 
When we were told that W.W.II had
ended there were many cheers from the many
employees who worked there. We were all given the
rest of the day off.

My friends & I went to Martin Place
to join in the celebrations there.

Today we are in our 
70th years but still keep in touch & meet twice
yearly.
Hoping I have luck with the photo enclosed
being printed in your Sunday Telegraph special
edition

I am
Yours Sincerely
(Mrs) Valerie Ross

P.S. I am on the end holding flag V.R. 

[[**The Peters at Woy Woy - [[??]] 10 left. 33**]]
537575
 

PR00625
Australian War Memorial

There's been tragedies & deaths & weddings, children
people going overseas

CMF 18 months - transferred to 
RAAF trained in Canada, went to London
flight sgt - navigator + bomb aimer.

He'd been discharged 5 days when I met
him in 1946 at the Trocadero 1947 - 3 children - 2 married
& one in WA - 5 gradchild

David Ross - 1984 he had a stroke
At home for 8 1/2 years 

that

put your name & 
they wouldn't take you
till you were 16 

Married for 40 yrs & [married] 33/3 one
job - £3 or £4
Peace Piece
wash uniform
hair tied up for hygiene

Crowds, everyone being happy with each and reasons no nail polish, no jewelry
speaking to each other if if they didn't know each
other - [[?]]
Processing tobacco leaves & putting in
the flavourings & packing cigarettes.

 

 17th July 1995

The Editor
Victory in the Pacific 50th Celebrations

Dear Sir,
August 15th 1945. My 18th birthday. Now
I could join the W.R.AN.S. to which I had
already applied.
When I arrived at work at the Union
Bank of a/asia (now the A.N.Z.) on the
corner of Pitt & Hunter Sts. Sydney there
was a strange feeling of "something about
to happen".
I had just removed my typewriter
cover & settled to work when the news
that the war had ended spread through
the building.
Within minutes we had deserted the
bank & raced into Pitt St. where this
photo was taken, between Hunter St &
Martin Place. 
The street was jammed with office
workers pouring out of the buildings.

Looking back the strange thing was
that the flag + whistle vendors were
already there, as well as the street
photographers. Did they know something
we didn't?
Trucks came from nowhere & people
 

-2-
jumped on & off, joined in conga lines,
danced screamed, kissed, sang. The
feeling is unexplainable & I can still
get goose pimples remembering.
The girls in the photo were from the
Union Bank. I am on the left in the
front row waving.
I went home to Hornsby mid-afternoon
& returned to Sydney with a crowd of
friends that night, where celebrations
were still raging.
What a birthday!!

Yours faithfully
Mrs. Betty Talarico
(nee Creighton)
 

10th July 1995                                                                       
MRS JUNE COUCH

Victory in the Pacific 50th Celebrations
The Sunday Telegraph
P.O Box 970
Strawberry Hills 2013

Dear All,
This enclosed photo was taken in
King Street Sydney on 15th August 1945- VP. DAY.
We had left the office where we worked in
Castlereagh Street, to join in the celebrations.
As we continued down King street, along
with thousands of others, I miraculously
met my sister (who worked in the C.M L.
in Martin Place) She was trying to get
home, having received a message to do this.
We lived at Gladesville and all trams in
the city had stopped running because of the
crowds. We walked from the city, and
over the old Pyrmont Bridge and were
able to get a tram from there. On
arrival home, my sister was informed
that her Airman husband had been
shot down and killed the week before
(8/8/45) on his first and last raid on
the enemy in Borneo in his Australian 

-2-

made Mosquito fighter aeroplane.
There were no celebration on
VP Day for us.

Sincerely
(Signature)
(MRS. F.E. COUCH)

[Photo caption]
JUNE COUCH
2nd from right

MRS F.E. COUCH

16-7-95 

Dear Sir,
On 15th August 1945 I was at work in Office of
TAXATION DEPARTMENT in ELIZABETH ST CITY & when we
received News of the WAR ENDING we tore up old
TAXATION FILES & threw them out of Windows to help
make the TICKER TAPE PARADE in MARTIN PLACE. Then
when we were told we could have the rest of the day
off, myself & 3 GirlFriends, Lola HOLLAND, Margaret
BRITCHER & Connie BINDLEY all poured out of TAXATION
BUILDING in MARTIN PLACE where we joined the hundreds
of other people thronged there. We sang & danced & joined
CONGA Lines & were carried along the Merry Crowd
all the way to KINGS CROSS where the CELEBRATIONS were
in full swing. Lola & myself have remained close friends
& visit each others Homes regularly. She married an ex Aussie
Soldier (ERIC REDFERN) & they are still married & live up the
CENTRAL COAST. I married an Aussie Sailor but divorced
14years later. In 1978 I married again this time to an ex
U.S. MARINE who fought in KOREA (JOHN BECKLEY) & he
was in Australia at that time working, & we have been 
happily married for 17 years. Lola, Eric, John & myself
are all getting together on the 12th August to watch 
ERIC participate in COMMEMORATION MARCH in SYDNEY
They will then stay with us & celebrate on the 15th
with us at HUSKISSON R.S.L. before returning Home. 
The photo I have enclosed is of myself (PEARL MADDEN)
& American Sailor who was with U.S. TASK FORCES
which visited Australia after the WAR. My Parents 
used to Billett SERVICEMEN from Overseas during &
after WAR YEARS & I used to go out with some of
them & show them the sights of Sydney.
Hoping you find my story interesting enough
to Publish        

Regards From
Mrs Pearl Beckley (Nee MADDEN) 

25/7/95
Victory in the Pacific Celebrations,
The Sunday Telegraph.
P.O. Box 970 Strawberry Hills 2013

Dear Sir,
This is a Photograph of my
workmates and myself taken on Victory
Day in Martin Place, I am third from
the left, I would dearly love to see
the girls again after 50 years. We worked
at the N.S.W State Lottery Office in
Barrack St, as ticket writers. When
news came through that war had
ended it was glorious, everything
in an uproar, people crying, hugging
each other, the excitement I will
never forget, certainly a day to remember

Yours Sincerely Miriam Spring.
 (Nee Josephs.)
 

(Mrs) Iris Hogan

I am sending you a copy of a page out of my autograph book from
50 years ago because it has such great memories for me and might
be useful for your Victory in the Pacific article.
I was in the Aust. Women's Army Service and was stationed in
Melbourne at Albert Park Headquarters when the war finished. I
had gone to the canteen for morning tea on that day and heard
someone say "The War is over" so I went back to my office and
told everyone what I had heard. They went crazy, the phones were
overloaded and the switchboard became jammed. They said it was
a false alarm and it was a few more hours before it was confirmed
and it was on again. A rule in the A.W.A.S. was that your hair
had to be an inch above your collar and securely pinned up, but
the boys in our section said to the girls "The War's over so out
come the pins and down comes the hair" and when I asked our Unit
artist to put something in my autograph book, he recreated this
day for me. When the official announcement came we took the train
back to Flinders Street and the streets were packed with thousands
of people singing, dancing and crocodiling with strangers, there
were balloons and the occasional skinned rabbit flying through the
air. The best feeling was that now I could return to Sydney after
2 years away, to by family of 5 sisters and 2 brothers and my
fiance of 3 years who was still in Borneo would soon be home.
At 20 years of age this was indeed a very exciting time in my lire
and one I Will remember always.

Yours Sincerely,
Iris Hogan
Ettalong Beach. 

Pix.
FROM: MRS. A. N. BELL

The most memorable day of my life! As a machine telegraphist
on the fourth floor of the Sydney G.P.O. I was sending and
receiving telegrams (as they were sent then) to the Brisbane
exchange, when my receiver in Brisbane said the most
remarkable thing - "I think the war is over!! there's so
much excitement on our floor." I feel sure I was the first
person in Sydney to hear these exciting news, as it was quite
some time before the men who operated the teletypes to the
Country towns had similar news infiltrating through to them.

Looking out of the window down on to Martin Place people
could be seen looking like ants as they ran from one to another
with this exciting news.

By the time I ended my shift Martin Place was jammed with
people and so elated. As you can see by my photo I was
caught by two strangers who were, Iike me, just so affected.

At that time my husband was flying bombers from Balikpapan,
S.East Asia and in just 2 weeks later as he was one of the first
to join the RAAF he was one of the first to be de-mobbed,
so ending the lost 6 years of our early married life. I cannot
ever describe my feelings at this memorable time.
PLEASE RETURN my
PHOTO
 

24/7/95

The Editor
Sunday Telegraph

Dear Sir
At the end of WWII I 
was on the top of Mt. Shibarangu
overlooking Wewak N.G with the
2/2ND Field Regt 6th Aust Division
on a 25 pounder gun
Although we were very happy
there no celebrations as No 1 we
didn't have anything to celebrate with
& No 2 the Japs did not know the war
was over & were still quite hostile
In fact it was quite some time before
they began to filter in from the
jungle.
As you can see the Mountain is
quite bare in places having been
bombed by USAF Bastons & RAAF 

Beauforts besides continuous shelling
from, 3 artillery units 2/1 2/2 2/3.
To the left at the Bottom of the
photo was where Private Ted Kenna
earnt his VC with the 2/4 Battalion.
I have enjoyed your memories
to date in the Sunday Telegraph +
hope this maybe of some use

Yours sincerely
Sgt Ian Fraser