Letters to Sunday Telegraph relating experiences of Victory in the Pacific Day, 1995 Wallet 2 of 2, Page 21 - 39

20. 7. 95

DEAR SIR, 
I REMEMBER WELL WHERE I WAS WHEN THE 
WAR ENDED, IN THE ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN, PADDINGTON; 
WAITING ON THE BIRTH OF MY TWINS. MY DAD CAME TO SEE 
ME AND SAID THE WAR HAD ENDED & EVERYONE HAD GONE 
CRASY CELEBRATING, BUT I HAD TO WAIT EIGHT DAYS 
FOR MY CELEBRATING, WHEN I HAD A BOY & GIRL. 
THEY TURN FIFTY ON THE 23RD AUGUST. 

THANKING YOU. 
MRS B KULMAR. 

Mrs. Kay Webster 
19/7/95 

Victory in the Pacific 50 th Celebrations 
The Sunday Telegraph 
PO Box 970 
Strawberry Hills 2013 

VP Day Memories 

I was 11, and going to a small country school in the village of Nymboida in Northern NSW. The teacher Mr Barry went over to the school house at lunch time and heard on the wireless (as it was called then) that the war was over. He came back to the school at 1 pm and made the announcement. Everyone cheered and was happy. Mr Barry told us that there was great jubilation in Sydney where people were flocking into the city streets to celebrate. He gave us the rest of the day off and said we could go home. 

Still cheering, we ran down the cutting like mountain goats and after crossing the creek I had to walk in a different direction to the others, on my own, as my younger sister did not go to school that day. As I crossed the flat towards the river I yelled out "Hurray the war is over" to no one in particular, only the gum trees and birds heard me. I couldn't help but wonder what it was like in Sydney with all those people. 

I pierced the silence of the river with my "hurrays" and as I stepped into the boat to row across even the platypus and turtles would have heard me. As I manouvered the oars to the other side, I told the grey Goanna the news before it plopped into the water. I chained up the boat and ran up the steep bank to tell Mum & Dad, and although they had already heard the news, were surprised to see me home. 
All this made me start wondering what it meant, what change there would be now, and what we would hear on the news now THE WAR WAS OVER. 

Kay Webster

12-7-95 
Dear Sir, 

Re your article in last Sundays Telegraph Victory in the Pacific 50th celebrations. I clearly remember 15th August, 1945. 
I was having a holiday with my husbands sister & family at Eugowra while my husband was in the army in New Guinea at Wewak. 
We heard the good news on the radio, went into town with a kerosene tin tied to the back of the car, 1935 Ford. I'm sure people thought we were mad, we were just happy. 
Also, my mother-in-law re-married quietly on that day, so I clearly remember 15th Aug, 1945. 

Yours Sincerely, 
Mrs Betty Starr

Sir, 
I was with this man when this movie was taken in Elizabeth St. Melbourne . 
It was not taken in Sydney. 
He is an Ex-navy & was home on leave. 
His name is Lindsay Burns. 

P Lone

[Picture] The way it was: Australians celebrate the end of the World War II 

Were you one of the hundreds of thousands of people who celebrated Victory 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 relatives describing what they were doing on VP Day, we'd like to publish them in a special edition of the Sunday Telegraph. 
And if you remember where you were when the war ended and how you celebrated, 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.

Rubs you up right way 
AFTER a hard day at the office, there's no better way of unwinding than sinking into a high-tech, virtual-reality massage chair. 
The whiz kids at Panasonic have invented a futuristic chair that uses all the tricks of the electronic age to lull you into a state of total relaxation. 
When the going get tough, you just slip on your goggles, sink into the chair and prepare for 15 minutes of bliss. 
The chair, called the Interactive Virtual Relaxation Massager, is an updated version of a massaging chair already on sale which has robotic fingers in the back to duplicate a full shiatsu massage. 
But the new chair goes one step further, adding a pair of virtual-reality goggles, a video recorder and 
a 3-D image unit. 
Soothing music, voices and dream images lull you into sleep before gently bringing you back into the real world, hopefully refreshed and ready for anything. 
A session in the chair lasts about 15 minutes 

The Daily Mail plc 

18-7-95
The Editor 

Dear Sir, 
When the war was over in the Pacific I was in the hospital having my first baby. I could hear all the celebrations and noise going on in the streets but could not go and join in or even look outside because I was on my back in bed and could not get up. There was a great joy for everyone on V.P. Day. Street parades dancing in the streets etc. 
Yours sincerely 
Mrs M Brack 
I do not want my name published if you happen to print this.

I Remember 
Our family was living in Church Street Parramatta and I remember the 15th of August 1945 as the day I was allowed to stay home from school and choose my birthday present. My brother went to school and was home before lunchtime, as the school closed when the "V.P" was announced. My birthday has always seems extra special since then and I have remembered V. P Day and looked forward to the 50th celebrations.

Gwen L Bowden

Mrs A McCleery

The day the war ended. 
I was seventeen and at work. I worked at Mark Foy's Jubilee Knitting Mills in the city. 
When peace was declared every one was running around laughing and excited, then everyone just collected their belongings & walked out there was no way people could work. Lucky for us that the drivers of public transport did not walk off their jobs. 
I went straight home to Maroubra where I lived with my family. My mum was at home with my baby brother Harold. Mum said she

had heard the news over the radio. She said that she gave the baby saucepan lids so that he would make a noise. I remember my Uncle Bill was in the army and he took my cousin Maisie and myself down town to join the crowds that were every where. We walked up to the cross, we just followed the crowd with Uncle Bill's hands holding tight to us both. What a day to remember.

A McCleery

1 
Dear Editor: 

The 15th August 1945 you ask ? Gor Blimey like it was yesterdee. Me mate "Woodgrub" Barry Woods and me being called "CABBAGE" because I couldn't sing and was sent out to weed the cabbages during music lessons. 
Well Sir, just because me and Frank Sinatra are Sagittarians, (Born on the same date in fact) well God said "WHO wants to be a singer?" Frank got his hand up first and we all know the rest don't we? Never mind Frank got the voice & me I got good looks, but let me finish me yarn. 
15th August 1945 was the usual dry dreary lesson in sixth class and we were being taught by Mr Vic Ainsworth, Headmaster of Narrabri West Public School he was going on about a bloke called Hamlet, and sort of had me attention with that bit about "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" when the manual telephone in his office gave the old three long rings and a short one for luck. 
He left me in charge to watch me fellow Shakespearian learners, being a "Saggy" he knew I was born leader. But before I could teach them (He,) sorry I mean Sir was

2. 
back from his office with a grin on his dial I'll never forget that grin, He blurted out "The wars over and we won! You can all go home NOW! Bloody Hell I looked at the clock 11.10 AM, next I looked at "WOODGRUB" His eyes were as big as mine and his grin 2 1/4" wider than the Headmaster. We were stoked, greatest feeling of joy in my 10 years of life. 
We both rushed to collect the well worn "Hamlet" books and clean the Blackboard. But Mr. Vic Ainsworth stuck his thumbs in his waistcoat pockets and grinned "Let it go boys, come on off home and tell your Parents, and anyone else you see. Tell them to turn the radio on." (No T.V. or MOBILES them days") Now try and imagine this the whole school rushing out to get their old "grind irons" from under the big peppercorn tree and trying to get through the turnstile gate, as a single unit. 
I've seen the same thing since with cars at the Toll gates on Sydney Harbour Bridge. 
I was the best bike rider in our gang and was out front yelling and screaming the news at everyone in our path. 
Got home about 2 miles ride, with me throat on fire and me thirst hissing steam.

3. 
Mum was doing her usual house work when we busted in and demanded her to listen to our news. She thought it was a Big joke and getting out of hand. We were a "lucky Family" because we had a Floor Model H.M.V. "GOBLIN" Valve Radio, not being able to fiddle with this Treasure of Dad's. Mum switched "her" on. Sure nuff the announcer at TAMWORTH 2T.M. was over the moon like us kids, telling the people the "War was over". 
Mum always wore an apron well she just cried and used the apron to wipe the eyes. But she cried when I gave her a 2/6 sponge cake for Mother's Day so we were use to type of carrying on. 
Next thing "Woodgrub" and my brother "LAMBCHOP" (Mum christened him HERBERT ASHLEY) but everyone called him "Lambchop" We up on the wood heap and tank stand bashing the garbage tin lid and singing out "WHOOPEE SHE'S OVER HIP HIP HOORAY. I am sure they got our message in Moree just 60 miles away. 
Then we came up with a beaut idea we had a old "DIFF Housing" from a lorry so we took out the axles, Run the "DIFF" in the peach tree behind the old wooden

4. 
dunny. house, well we bashed it like a Bell for 2 or 3 Hours singing old war songs like "Pack up your troubles in your old kit Bag" 
How could a 10 year Country Kids ensemble like ours every forget. this day. I have been married to the Missus since 1956 (She has heard this story before so don't bother sending her a copy). 
She has her tale to tell about this great moment. She (LORNA) was at Mass in St Mary's CATHERDAL Sydney because it was a Holy day and Bishop Gilroy broke the news during the Mass. 
But, aye, she didn't get a early mark like us public kids did. she? So I think my story is better, don't you. 
Looking back now at age 60 the only regret is that I wasn't old enough to go to the PUB and have a beer with Duncan. 
Thanks for listening to us old. blokes, hope your 50th Celebration Edition is a bottler mate. [Could you send me a copy to save the 2d.] I've marked in my mind that on 15th August 1995 at 11 .AM. where ever I am I will stop and grab the first pair of

5. 
young ears I can find and say. 
"Listen, Mate I was there 50 years ago." But this time I'll charge me glass and have that beer with Duncan.

Best Wishes & Regards.

Robert E. G. Wakeling 
 

"WISH I'D BEEN THIS BLOKE. HE'S GOING DOWN IN HISTORY"

WE REMEMBER 
WHERE WERE YOU? 

My VP day began with not much celebration. Two weeks earlier I had given birth to my first two children, a set of twin girls. I named then Helen and Mary. Sadly, they were born prematurely and Mary died aged two days old. Helen was even smaller than Mary and was put into a humidi-crib. 50 years ago the mother wasn't allowed to leave her bed after giving birth and so I had not yet seen Helen and I was very upset that she was going to die also. 

VP day arrived and the news that the war was over spread through the hospital. All the nurses and other mothers in the ward were celebrating like everyone else. Although I was pleased it was over, as my husband was a soldier, I couldn't help but hold back my excitement due to my continued worrying about Helen's condition. It had been almost a fortnight and I still hadn't seen her. As the celebrations carried on, a nurse walked into the ward with a baby. She was asking who owned the baby and then stated it was Baby Redwood No 1. It was Helen and she was going to be alright. 

My VP day had become an even better day of celebration. 

This year, Helen is turning 50 and of course we're going to have a party with Helen and her family. I will be there and in the back of my mind, I will be thinking of how special VP day is for me as it was the first time I ever saw my daughter. 

Address: 
Phone:

20th July 1995 
Victory in the Pacific 50th Celebrations 
The Sunday Telegraph 
P.O. Box 970 
Strawberry Hills 2013 N.S.W 

Dear Sir, 

I have detailed below my memory of V.J. Day and short periods preceding and following the 15th August 1945. Not very exciting but factual. 

On V.J. Day 15th August 1945 I was with my army unit dug in along a road that lead inland from the Port of Balikpapan in Borneo. I believe that the events a few days before and a few days after V.J. Day deserve mention. 

On the night of 7th August at about 10 o'clock I heard the buzzing of the field telephone and the duty signaller answered. His comments from then on were more or less as follows: "What? ah be buggered. Yeah! Fair dinkum. Aw come on don't give me that. An orange aye?" By this time he'd gathered a small audience and he enlightened us by saying "The Yanks have dropped an atomic bomb the size of an orange on a city in Japan and totally flattened it. The Japs have surrendered." The following are extracts taken directly from our Unit War Diary: 

10th Aug. 2100 hrs. Phone message from Regt. to O.C. with information that RAAF have picked up a short wave report that the war is over. This report is not official or confirmed by the Army. Son. is ordered to cease offensive patrolling but continue security patrols. 
11th Aug. 1815 hrs. O.G.P. conference. No definite news of peace yet. Troops have listened keenly to all wireless news throughout the day. 
12th Aug 0930 hrs. Security patrols as usual.
1815 hrs. First beer issue, of 2 bottles, since landing. 
13th Aug. .1300 hrs. Pedre Tassell holds thanksgiving service for victory. 
14th Aug. 2030 hrs. Word received that Japan has accepted Allied Peace Terms. 
15th Aug. 0730 hrs. Squadron radios to confirm news of surrender. When the announcement is heard there is quiet jubilation all over the camp.
0915 hrs. Road repair party to work on highway.
2000 hrs. Squadron settles in without seeing any enemy during the day. 
16th Aug. 1600 hrs. No sign of local Jap surrender. 
20th Aug. 1815 hrs. Div. Comd. considers it possible Japs surrendering tomorrow. One Troop will be used as standing patrol and other two to stand by as escorts. 
30th Aug. 1830 hrs. Unit to remain in present position until peace negotiations are completed with the Japanese in this area.

2. 
31st Aug. 1800 hrs. No movement seen. Heavy rain throughout the day. 
11th Sept. 1830 hrs. Arrangements have been made to receive the surrender of all enemy personell in that area on 12th Sept. 
12th Sept. 0915 hrs. G Troop to move out to establish posts along the road to surrender point.
0930 hrs. J Troop to move by M.T. to act as escorts for Japanese moving to Belikpapan Compound by M.T.
1030 hrs. Japanese formally surrender to Lt. Col. Fleay. Japanese loaded into trucks and move off.
1500 hrs. G and J Troops return to Squadron. 

It was then that we knew the war was over. 
Yours truly 
(A.G. Osborne)