Letters to Sunday Telegraph relating experiences of Victory in the Pacific Day, 1995 Wallet 2 of 2, Page 1 - 20

Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to give you my
version of V.P. Day.
My mother Mary Pollett was then [[?Licensee]]
of the Mercantile Hotel George Street Nth. so you
can imagine here I was at the age of 25 serving
beer at 7 1/2 halfpenny a schooner. As my mother was known
world wide as a 'Mother to Seaman', that particular
day as always the bar was full of seamen from
all over the different countries.
Some one shouted out, 'The war is over'
There was dead silence for about a second then
I shall never forget the screams of delight, some
men wept. The beer or spirits were given out free
I never did drink but someone insisted I have a drop
to celebrate, only a few minutes later I was dancing
from tap to tap pouring beers but my head was
reeling.
Just as quickly I held my mother who was
crying and how I cried to. The War was over but
my young brother Jim, only 17 had been lost at
sea on a ship in the Atlantic Convoy, just a year
before, on the Fort Bellingham. He was not coming
home again.
That night the Seamen from the 'Empire Charmain'
took us down on board and we watched the
 

wonderful display of fireworks on the Harbour.
It was a sad day and night for us. At least
we would not have to hear again one of the
men coming into the bar telling us 'such & such'
a ship had gone down with all hands, when only
weeks before they had been singing and laughing
at the party we always had for them, when we
had a rough idea when they would be sailing.
Being a young girl, I did have a really
wonderful life in the years at the "Mercantile Hotel."
The many brave men I met, it is only now at this
age, I realise just how brave those young men were.
particularly the 'Merchant Navy', who in those days
we rarely recognized for their efforts, no wonder
they were known by all as 'The Silent Service'

Thank You
I feel so I much better having
written this letter, to you.

Sincerely Yours

Mary Snell (nee Pollett)
 

9.7.95
Victory in the Pacific
Sunday Telegraph
Dear Sirs,
On August the 15th
1945. I was an apprentice butcher
& working for a great boss by the
name of Harold Marshall in Giles
st Kingston in Canberra.
I remember very clearly when the
war ended as people just went beserk
by running up & down the shopping
centre & belting [[?Kerosene]] [[?tins]]
& any other thing that would make
a noise with pick handles etc
Cars came out of garages which
was a rare sight. due to petrol
rationing & lack of drivers due to
the war - & they drove up and down
the streets, - blowing horns etc.
I remember quite clearly that we
suddenly became unusually busy &
sold everything in the shop because
people just used up all the Meat
Coupons they had available for that
month.
 

It was a most enjoyable time
& something that has always
remained in my mind & also
on the return of the Men – they
would come in the shop in wheelchairs
minus their legs etc. & I knew a chap
(Colin Kermode) that worked in
J B Youngs after the war as a salesman
He had been hit in the legs &
arms with machine gun bullets,
& all of those things have always
stuck in my mind
It is a most memorable time.

I have always thought that your
photo in to days paper of that chap
dancing down the street as something
that said it all for every body.
& I wonder if anybody ever knew
who he was.
Thanking you
W.J Warry

I'm sorry I dont have photos.
 

Victory in the pacific 50th CELEBRATIONS.
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH.
PO BOX 970,
STRAWBERRY HILLS 2013.

1 was a WAAAF telegraphist at North Eastern Area Telecomm
Unit in Townsville, in 1945.
Our shift had just completed 'dogwatch' and had come back to
Base Camp in North Ward, for breakfast and bed (?! that's another, [[ **story**]]
as several of us were allergic to straw in the palliases)
There was a tremendous noise coming from the RAAF officers'
hut nearby. We decided to go and tell them to quieten things
down. We knocked at the door, and when it opened got as far
as "Please fellows, keep it down to a dull roar, eh? We have
just come off duty and have to go again tonight". There was
a voice yelling, "Come in! Have a drink! The war is over!
They have bombed the bastards!" Naturally being off limits, we
did not accept the invitation. We went back to our hut with
a deep depression, which lasted for months.
However, I was not discharged until May, 1946, so saw the skel-
etons of the 8th Division. Then came the horrifying stories,
of the death marches, Sister Vivian Bullwinkle.
The bomb had to be dropped, it saved countless lives.
I no longer felt guilty about the bomb, when I saw our fellows.
It is all so long ago, but it was called VJ Day back in those
days.

Sincerely
[[Signature Payne?]]
 

As a 21yr old factory worker in camperdown during the
war I well remember the day was ended in the Pacific
we went to work at 7.30 as usual but not a tool was
picked up we just sat glued to the radio waiting for
the news of the cease fire to come through. As soon
as the announcement came through we were off into
the city to party but before we partied our first
stops were St Andrews, St Mary I remember those
days it wasn't considered proper to go into church
without a hat so we all covered our heads with a
hankie & went in & gave our thanks after that we partied
non stop for two days roaming up & down the street
dancing, hugging & kissing everyone in sight or hitching
a ride on the back of a lorry. The photo of some of
my friends & myself was taken by a street photographer
One girls husband was a POW. The rest of us had
brothers & friend up north I think the relief shows
in the smiles on our faces. I've had many happy
memories in my 70 years of living but given the
opportunity to relive just one day from out
my past Id have no hesitation in saying
V.P day just to recapture that feeling again
Back in 45 I wrote this poem that summed
up how I felt.
D Miller

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Peace '45 Dorothy Maynard
After many years of waiting
After many years of pain
We can live & we can laugh
For the world is free again
There were moments in that waiting
When we hardly dared to smile
For our boys were up there fighting
On some unknown isle
To Those who gave their lives
We'd like to say thank you
Though your gone you'll never be forgotten
In the hearts of Aussies True
With duty nobley done
Their souls are laid to rest
We'll think of them when day is done
And the sun sinks in the west
To Our prisoners coming home
We extend a welcome hand
Though your battle scared & weary
We still think that your grand
And to all our other boys who fought
To keep this land so free
Are coming home to those who love them
They're coming back to you & me
So now the war is over
Its up to us to see
That the future of Australia
Has a brilliant destiny

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Dear Sir,
In reference to your article in the Sunday Telegraph
July 8th, regarding where and how people celebrated that
wonderful day in history VP Day.
Iwill certainly try to express the excitement and
feelings I had on that wonderful day although I do not think I
have the skill to do so in writing, but I will try.
At that time a (Scottish) young Radar Operator on
board H.M.S. ANSON berthed at Woolloomooloo. At Least 40 of us
had been detailed for Rifle Practice at the Rifle Range at, I
think, Malabar, We had not long arrived at the Range when we heard
all this commotion-Sirens-Whistles-Hooters and Bells coming from
the Sydney direction.
The Officer in Charge rang to find out what it was all
about and believe me, words cannot describe our elation when he told
us to get back on board the truck.... The war was over.
The trip back to our ship was quite memorable, as we were
on open trucks and with so many people dancing in the streets, when
we reached the City we were going quite slow with the result that
quite a few rather nice young ladies climbed aboard, with lots of
hugging and kissing we finally got back to the ship.
We were immediately given shore leave and of course, we
headed back to the City. Hyde Park was absolutely packed with very
happy people. The weather that day was beautiful and I will always
remember Bing Crosby singing 'I'll Be Home For Christmas’ over the
loud speakers, Every time I hear that song I think of that day.
Unfortunately the day finished early for us as we had to be back on
board as we were sailing the next morning for Hong Kong. We had no
idea at that time that it was Hong Kong until we arrived, but then,
that is another story.
I hope this may be of interest and some use to you. I can
assure you it was a never to be forgotten experience for me.
Yours faithfully
Andrew Fairley Stocks.
Andy. Stocks
Previously from Edinburgh, Scotland.
 

Mrs. Phyl Richards
Victory in the Pacific
50th Celebrations
The Sunday Telegraph
P.O. Box 970 Strawberry Hills 2013
To Whom It May Concern,
herewith is my celebration of V.P. Day.
after worrying my way through the war.

August 15, 1945 was my thirteenth birthday!
I was in my first year at Sydney Girls' High School, having
gained a pass there from Bronte Public School.
The first lesson that day was "scripture". We were in the middle
of a prayer, when all of a sudden all the ships in the harbour
'whooped their foghorns, the boats sounded their hooters
and bells, then the trams along Anzac Parade started
clanging their bells, and all the cars sounded their horns,
and we excitedly ran to the windows. We thought we knew
what it was, but had to wait for a hasty special
assembly to be told that the war was over!! What a birthday
present! Transport was chaotic, and we - the most protected
schoolgirls in Sydney- were told to find our own way home
as best we could!
My two friends and I proceeded to walk to Bondi Junction,
 

2
lugging our heavy suitcases. We got as far as the Victoria
Barracks, and my friends opened their cases - they'd
brought a little party to school for me? So we sat in front
of The barracks and had the best party - The very best-
that anyone ever had (on two bottles of lemonade & a cake.
It was wonderful!
As we ate and drank we watched the world go by - a mad,
mad, mad world! Trams were so overloaded that people
were thick on the running boards, and some were even on
the roofs! How they weren't electrocuted, I don't know! Kids
were running around banging garbage bin lids- everyone
was shouting and singing, everyone waved- lots whistled -
some were getting drunk, but everyone was deleriously happy!
We waved and sang out to passers-by (it would certainly
have been frowned on by our school– being in an identifiable
uniform- but we were sure no one would mind on this
very special day), and entered into the spirit of things.
That night my parents wanted us all to go into the city.
We took a tram, which couldn't go any further than Taylor
Square, so we walked the rest of the way to Martin Place. We
were at the eastern end, looking down the slight hill, having
walked all the way with a great crowd, all doing the same thing.
The whole of Martin Place was just a sea of heads- no spaces
anywhere. My feet barely touched the ground and the crowd
swayed me this way and that. I was absolutely astonished
to see a car passed over the heads of the crowd in
Castlereagh Street, all the way across Martin Place! Unbelievable!
We walked through Hyde Park and up William Street to Kings
Cross, where I saw the biggest Hokie Pokie I'll ever see -
 

3

right where the traffic now enters the underground (which
didn't exist then). The Hokie Pokie took up the whole open
area - it must've been a hundred metres across, and
probably had two hundred people participating!
My cousin Jack was in the middle, quite drunk, and
singing out to someone named 'Bubbles'. Mum kept on
denying it was him, but she didn't fool me! Just to
make sure – just before he died, I asked him where he
was on V.P night, and he replied "Oh -I had a ball
that night! I had a great time at Kings Cross,"
What a birthday present that day was - I've always said that
I'd be happy to never have another birthday present as long
as I live - I'VE had the BEST!
Yours Sincerely
Phyl Richards
 

To the Sunday Telegrapth
Dear Sir
I am sending you a
photo of me and my two
brothers. We were an leave from
New Guinea when our mother
lined us up to take our
photos, when we heard the
Japanese had surendred.
 

Victory in the Pacific
Celebrations.
Sunday Telegraph
P.O. BOX 970
Strawberry Hills
N.SW.
2013
 

SENDER: Clancy O'Farrell

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Photograph: David McCarthy
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J TOWNSEND
Please find enclosed photo
which was taken in Hyde
Park on V.P. Day
J. TOWNSEND
 

FROM: H. SCHOFIELD
'Victory in the Pacific
50TH CELEBRATIONS'
30-7-97

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

P.O. B0X 970
STRAWBERRY HILLS 2013

WHEN THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC ENDED, I
WAS A 9 YEAR OLD SCHOOLBOY ATTENDING
EASTWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL.
I REMEMBER EXCITEDLY RUNNING DOWN
THE MIDDLE OF ROWE ST - EASTWOOD WITH ALL
THE OTHER SCHOOL CHILDREN, WHEN I FELL
OVER AND SKINNED MY KNEE, BUT
CONTINUED ON MY WAY HOME.
I USED TO BUY A PACKET OF WRIGLEYS
CHEWING GUM EACH WEEK, CHEWING
HALF A TABLET EACH DAY TO LAST THE WEEK.
ON THIS SPECIAL DAY I REMEMBER
CHEWING THE WHOLE PACKET, AS I CELEBRATED,
BY LISTENING FOR HOURS TO THE REPORTS
OF PEACE ON THE RADIO.
I BOUGHT THE SYDNEY MORNING, DATED
THURSDAY AUG. 16TH - 1945, AND I HAVE
MOUNTED THE FRONT PAGE IN A FRAME
UNDER GLASS.
 

2

THE HEADING READS,
'JAPAN CAPITULATES -
DELIRIOUS JOY IN AUSTRALIA'
I STILL HAVE THE REST OF THE
PAPER.
WHAT A DAY - ONE I WILL
NEVER FORGET, INDELIBLY
ETCHED ON MY MEMORY.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SHARE MY MEMORIES.
YOURS SINCERELY,

(H.J. SCHOFIELD)
 

The way it was: Australians celebrate the end of World War II
WERE you one of the
hundreds of thousands of
people who celebrated Vic-
tory in the Pacific around
Australia on August 15,
1945.

Do you have photographs
or letters recording the day
Australians finally saw the
end of World War II?
The Sunday Telegraph is
giving readers a chance to
join the 50th-anniversary
celebrations of VP Day next
month.
If you have photographs or
letters from friends or rela-
tives describing what they
were doing on VP Day, we'd
like to publish them in a
special edition of The Sun-
day Telegraph

And if you remember.
where you were when the
war ended and how you cel-
ebrated, send us your details.
Clearly mark all material
with your name, address and
telephone number, so it can
be returned.

Send it to Victory in the

Pacific 50th Celebrations,
The Sunday Telegraph, PO
Box 970, Strawberry Hills
2013.
 

9/7/95
Sunday Telegraph
P0 Box 970
Strawberry Hills 2013
The man pictured in your photo (arrow) is
my father Jack Brandon.
I can remember him telling us the story of how
he was on leave out at Marrickville LTD and
was getting ready to catch a tram to go back
overseas
Somehow, on purpose, he missed the tram. Five
minutes after it departed the news was
announced that the war had ended.
With no means of transport he had to walk
from Marrickville to Bondi Junction.
My father is still well and alive ard
story about
loves to retell alot of stories about his army days.
Many years ago he was awarded as OAM
by the queen which he proudly wears
every Anzac march.
If you would like more information I'm sure
 

he would love to help you out.
His details are
Jack Brandon
Phone:
Many thanks and all the best with
your research
Jenny Turner.