Diary of Maude Elizabeth Edmondson - 8 January 1940 - 27 June 1942 - Part 2

Mon. 20^th. May. 40 
For me a wretched night & lonely. Jack
went on 7.15 A.M. bus. apparently passed all
tests as he did not get home again.
Rather wonder the Dr missing his broken
elbow. & how he missed out on the
bronchal. asthma but Jack has been
fit again since getting away from
the sea-front & of course his grand
physique would get him any where.
He said if possible he would get home
tonight from Ingleburn Camp if only
for 5 minutes. I expect he could not make
it.
Thur. 26^th. May 40.
Three days have passed. this morning
got a letter from Jack written last Monday
night when he could not get home. Said
he passed everything with scarcely any
examination. The Dr just asked if he had
had any illness & he replied "no" — as
easy as that to get into the Army —
They got to Ingleburn Camp 5 P.M. after
being in damp clothes all day - only
standing around. He was seeing that
there were beds? prepared for the lads
expected the next day. Got his stripes back
& given charge of the hut. he was the
only one in it when he wrote & so
spent the night by himself & not a
chance to get home to his regret. - The
Hut is no. 33 -
Sun 26^th. May /40
Went to Special Service St Lukes 11 A.M. took
Mr & Mrs. Brown with us. We also went to
Rossmore Church 3 PM. Service
Jack could not get home for weekend &
hasnt been home yet.
Tues 28^th. May. 40
There are no home news & nothing of interest
to jot down - Todays papers announce
King of Belgium surrendered his Army
to the Germans against the wishes of his people
Wed. 29^th. May. 40
J.W. & I went to the city a lovely cool day
Jacks watch although going splendidly. has
been in use since his inter-year.
Thought perhaps a stronger or newer
dustproof watch would be more serviceable
I was lucky to get a really good one at
Kerr's. Mr. Kerr Sen. strongly advised that
one as his best. JW. got him a nice 

Kangaroo skin tobacco pouch. although
am afraid not very expert at the making
as he is rather new at it
Sat 1^st June 40.
Jack came home this evening for the
night. Arm very sore & swollen & a Temp
from the vaccination. had a few days
ill from effects.
Sun. 2^nd. June. 40
A quiet day. neither church or for
a walk. Jack still feeling ill. & his
arm was very angry looking when he
returned to camp tonight. We took him
back at 11 P.M. after a hot supper.
Tues. 4^th. June. /40
Fulfilled that long promised visit to see
Mrs. Prentice this afternoon. The bus was late.
& it was rather funny. Did not get there
until after 2.30 P.M & bus home again
before 4 P.M. Had afternoon tea & a few
words. I was sorry it was so short.
Golden Wedding of the Turvey Park folk
I think all the family are to be there. but
I would not go away & miss Jacks short
visits home although they are sometimes
an hour or two.
Wed. 5^th June /40
Went to the dentist at Parramatta by bus
& train & on to the city to leave Jacks watch
to be engraved. he was so pleased with it
Fri 7^th. June /40
Jack got home tonight for his long week
end. he evidently had been fitting it in
reminded me it was my birthday tomorrow
although. I had forgotten a dreadfully
cold & windy night.
Sat 8^th. June /40.
Was a dreadful day of cold winds
Ada sent Jack £1 by this mornings mail
asking him to get a little gift for his
Kit. We went to Liverpool this morning for
our things necessary - far too cold for
me to go to the city. Jack got a nice
toaster while in Liverpool & gave it to me
for my birthday. we came home for
lunch & Jack went to the city this
evening
Sun 9^th. June /40
Jack & I had a long walk this afternoon
he for some reason looks forward to a
long walk by ourselves. each week if
possible It seems so good & restful. away 

in the paddocks among the trees. The day
was cool & a perfect day. We took Jack
back to camp tonight.
Mon 10^th. June /40
By paper — Crack. N.Z. pilot Edgar.
(Cobber) Kain who had been doing wonderful
things in France. was killed in an air
accident in France. on the eve of his
departure for England on leave. The
Air Force needs them all at the moment
& his loss will be great.
Germany not satisfied with the frightfulness
of Dunkirk & its preceding weeks are still
doing shocking things in Belgium & France
perhaps it is trying to create fear.
Tues. 11. June. 40
Italy has at last entered the war
apparently they think Germany their best
bet. At midday today I got what was
really a surprise. I was at the back
when Beccia all dressed up as if for a
meet at the Italian Consul's dashed around
imploring help & in tears. gesticulating
with hands etc. The longer he tried the
worse his English got until a couple of
Security officers came in & told him he
had been here long enough. His previous
visits were usually to boast of his visits
to the Italian Club & the faciast movements.
apparently he goes into an
internment camp.
Thur. 13^th./40 Bronchal asthma again,
Was worried tonight when Jack walked in
for tea. very ill again. His face very flushed
& a dreadfully heavy cold. He has been
more or less in that state ever since
entering the camp & worse since the
injections. He only drank a cup of hot tea
Had walked from the camp & had had no
food all day. He only had a few hours
leave & we had to take him back into
the dirty draughty hut. however he had
a piece of toast & a hot cup of coffee
before we left about 11 P.M.
Fri 14^th. June /40
It is a black friday for the French folk
Things still are going badly. The Germans
entered Paris killing ruthlessly the people
where ever possible. Paris is honeycombed
with traitors. many proved to be Germans
after having lived as French with the
French folk for years. At the given time 

they joined in the slaughter. shooting
their peace time friends. machine-guns
sweeping through the streets killing
women & children. old or young alike
then following up with tanks crushing
the life out of all in their way or
those lying flat to try & escape the
machine gun bullets. Paris declared
an open City - wonder is that modern
warfare?.
Sun 16^th June 40.
Jacks week end in Camp. Lil came out on
the bus yesterday afternoon & today we took
afternoon tea to the camp. Met Jocks pal Toby
(Cecil) OBrien. (Jack had previously told us of
him. A first war man & old Hurlstonian)
had a lovely time together. Toby got both their
blankets from the hut to use as rugs to sit
on. Jack got cordials & we went into a
paddock. I took quite a basket. Cream
puffs, a ginger sponge with cream filling
sandwiches, scones. etc. also extra cakes I had
made for the hut. They ate half the ginger
sponge & kept the other. half for supper
as well as all the rest not eaten. The hut
would get a good supper anyway.
There was a rumor in the camp that France
has surrendered I think it shall prove
correct after the slaughter in Paris & Dunkirk
We both came home & Lil went to the city. by
bus to L.pool from Ingleburn.
Mon 17^th June 40.
Surrender of France announced
today. Gen Petain has submitted to the
ruthlessness of the Nazis. In Bordeaux
Gen. du-Val said "The 5^th Column defeated
France. The germans did not defeat us,
but the agents of treason who were sent to
France. The French apparently had
staked their all on the marginot Line
which was alleged to have cost £600 Millions
The awe struck visitors & French alike
must have mistaken the cost for the
value of it, estimating it as an equal to
at least 100 Hood battle cruisers to the
Allied effort.
Wed. 19^th. June 40.
Australian Canadian liner Niagara
13451 tons sank at 4.30 A.M. off
Auckland. N. Zealand — mine suspected —
an immediate investigation found it to
be a mine of enemy origan. mine — 

sweepers hurried to the scene &  swept up 3
more enemy mines.
Thur. 20^th. June 40
France still fighting on unagreed on terms
of disarming.
The A.I.F which left Sydney 5.5.40 welcomed
at an English Port. Was a very lovely day
Jack & Clive Armstrong walked across from
the camp after tea. We had supper.
Coffee. toast & Asparagus & J.W. took them
back by car.
Fri 21^st. June 40.
The opposite to yesterday. a dreadfully
strong cold westerly blowing all day.
Sat 22^nd June.
Norma out for the week end. Jack came
home also & we went to the pictures - L.pool
"The Hunch-back of Notre-Dame"
Sun. 23^rd. June.
The Woonona folk came up. After tea
we took Norma back to L.pool & Jack went
on to Camp. News of France signing
Armistice agreeing to German terms.
Mon 24^th. June 40
J.W. went to P.A. with nasty lump on
face near ear.
Fri 29^th. June 40.
Havent written anything during the week.
it is just one day after the other, there is
nothing to write. I go little to L.pool & to the 
Church when Jack isnt home & so the weeks
go & we don't seem to have many visitors
to mention. I just knit on each night &
when I have a few spare moments which
is not often. am trying to keep things as
they were when Jack did most of it.
J.W. went to P.O. today & had x ray treatment
then on to Liverpool tonight. send off to the
local lads at the Town Hall. Jack could
not get leave from camp & I dont think
he wanted it either. so J.W. took his
presentation instead — money belt. Steel
mirror & a pr of sox.
Sat 29^th. June.
Jack came home tonight. did duty
all last night. still got a shocking
cold & it is not a bit like him to have
colds. bronchitis & asthma
Sun. 30^th. June 40.
Jack after resting all day at the fire
seemed better & of course meals that he
can eat. At the camp it usually is

stew which he dont eat. Just puts his
bread in the gravy & eats that. The
Jehovah Witness Crowd have a Canteen
near by. It is very dear. Two slices (not
very big) of toast & a cup of coffee 3/-
but the boys get it as they are hungry
& nothing else available. their meals of
course much more expensive.
J.W. took him back tonight.. I did not go
I didnt feel too good so stayed home
he was feeling better. Each week end
he gets home we go through his
washing. so he can take back a
clean suit with him. They are dreadful
looking things. I try to make the best
of them by ironing seams in them etc
They call them Giggle suits I dont
know if that is the correct name. or
just a name given by the boys. but
when you see a batch of them in the
awful things. they would not make
decent convicts.
Wed. 3 July 40
Beautiful sunshine & glorious days. but
the time is flying, Gen. Blamey said at the
camp that the boys would never go into
action until they 5 Divisions in the field
all fully equipped. I thought at the time he
rather helpful. but Jack didn't seem to be
interested & when I asked "Why" he said.
Oh! he just says that. it makes one doubtful
& anxious. As our Military has of Minister
for the army or who ever is it only seem
interested is getting men away & so far has
not talked of equipments etc.
Today I went to dentist at Parramatta by bus
& train.
The French navy under nazi rule came to
grips with the English boats at Oran.
after 6 hrs French refused. Englands offer
of neutrality.
Sat 6^th.. July 40.
Was hoping Jack would get home this week
end as he had a very nasty cold last week
& I havent heard of him during the week
till today. on duty again. he didnt say
anything but I really know somehow that
he is ill again. so many injections
etc. & all injections make him very ill
even to a tooth extraction & I know a
sickness has developed in the camp and that
many boys are quite ill 

Sun. July 7^th. 40.
Got an early lunch & took cakes etc
to the camp. found things not as good as I
even anticipated. Jack sick with the
cold. face very flushed & a temp. on duty
he looked dreadful & was shivering but 
insisted he wasnt cold. Toby OBrien
in the wretched emergency hosp. with the
flu. he too has a temp & is shivering
The hut is a shocking place for anyone ill
cannot get permission to take in even a
box or table to set a drink of water on. The
floor dry mud & dust although it is
raining & boys tramping in more mud
a mug of water sits under the bed with
a film of dust on it. The hut was
draughty & cold & very miserable to even
sit in. Outside everywhere one looks
boys are sick, on duty & off. holding
on to posts etc. coughing & vomiting. I
shudder to think what the end will be,
Jack is on duty & ill & so are plenty of
others. He hurry's to the Hosp 'hut' to see
if Toby wants a clean drink when
ever he gets near. It is an even bet
we get it too we were in the midst of it
& the hut a haze with dust. I did want
J.W. not to go into the Hosp 'hut' & keep out
of it. but he would go.
Mon. 8^th. July 40.
J.W. went to P.A. again today for treatment
it is healing up very well.
China today commences their 4^th. year
of war with Japan. We both seem off colour
tonight I fear we are in for it. I do hope I
can stick it. as JW usually gets it badly
& I expect Jack to be ill.
Wed. 10^th. Jul 40.
We are in a bother today. we both have
the wretched thing. J.W. had to stay in bed
with the flu. I really must keep up somehow.
been drinking lemons. & A.P.C all day
& hoping hard & feeling like nothing on
earth
Thur. 11^th Jul, 40.
Mr Brown came across for his bread &
very kindly cut me a barrow full of wood
& milked the cow.
Fri 12^th. July 40.
J.W. still in bed in the back bedroom
where he gets the benefit of the fire & also
nearer to my work. He is a bad patient

scares himself & me too. Had to get Dr Pirie
to come out today. as his temp still
remains very high & he has developed the
Ingleburn throat. I do wish he had
kept away from it all at the camp
but he would not take my advice. I
feel wretched still on A.P.C. & lemons..  Mrs
Brown milked the cow again today. No
word from Jack again this week & he has
not got across. I really know he is
ill too.
Sat 13^th July 40. Asthma dreadful & bronchitis
Jack got sent home today by the Dr
His temp was 104^o flu & Ingleburn
throat in a bad form. He had been
in bed in emergency hut hosp. for
4 days where conditions are appalling
They have to get out of bed in the cold
wind & go to the toilet also have a bit of
a wash & bring in their own pannikin
of water. Some one comes from the cook 
house with a plate of stew & 2 slices of
bread. The dinner issue needless to say
Jack has not had scarcely anything to
eat & there has been a cold westerly
for 2 days. The Dr asked him if he
had anywhere to go if he let him out of there
& when Jack told him home. the Dr said
get away from here as quickly as possible
but be careful & go straight to bed. He
sat at the fire for a while. he did not have
anything to eat as his throat was such
he could not swallow, I made a bed
in the dining room near the fire & he
had a little ease with his throat for
a while. I sprinkle A.P.C. powder down
onto his throat & tonsils.
The Gordon Eds. & family came up for
tea. was nearly a panic. but I got
tea somehow for them. JW. an egg flip
Jack nothing. & I a cup of tea & 2 A.P.C.
The send off at Hoxton Park tonight: so I
had to go with them & leave the 2 in bed
here Gordon received the gift on Jacks
behalf. £2 to buy what they may need
for their kit. When I got home J.W.
was asleep. Jack half delerious. his
throat paining dreadfully & still 104^o
needless to say although in the A.M. now
I am not sleepy.
Sun. 14^th. July 40.
Had to get Dr Pirie out this morning 

seems a dreadful thing to ask the poor
Dr to come on a sunday. If I only had
a 'phone what a Godsend it would be
& perhaps save the Dr a trip. JW in bed
& also Jack. who has to stay until the
Dr sees him again & not to return to
camp until fully recovered. but he only
has 3 days leave which is stupid.
Dr Pirie offered him a medical cert. but
Jack said leave it until later: The
O.C. at the camp told them even if
medical cert were presented they would
not carry weight & each day above
the alloted leave absent from camp
would be deducted from their final
leave. & Jack says he will have to
go back sick or well.
Had a terrific day. & tonight I feel
just stupid from A.P.C.s etc & quite ill
The Gordon Huttons & all their family
came first including Peter. Then
Mr. McGowan & Mr. Busby - Surveyor - next
Mr. Scott & Bill. Will fortunately was
up to talking. Jack in bed in the dining
room with a big fire & throat too
sore & he too sick to talk to anyone.
Peter brought his papers studying for the air-force
he wants to be pilot. he really is a
nice boy. Jack in 1 room Dad in another both so sick
Mon. July 15^th. 40 Jack Asthma. Dad pneumonia
Another hectic day for me. a pest of a man
came along to load cows. he got them out
of the yard & everywhere else. he was in
such a fix I had to go to the yard & help
him & I still feel dreadful after trying
to run & block cows.
Jack is still in bed with A.P.C. sprinkled
over tonsils & throat & med. the pain still
very severe he says he must return to
camp tomorrow. So many boys have
presented med. Cert. that the O.C. wont
even look at it. I dont know what to
do about tomorrow. I feel helpless. no
'phone & no one to send a message.
Tues. 16^th July 40.
J.W. got out of bed near midday still
groggy. Jack got out of bed this afternoon
just time enough to catch the bus. he
will change into the Ingleburn bus at the
Cross rds. J.W. too sick to drive him &
he went against the Drs orders. but Jack
insists if he stays with Dr Piries Cert. he 

shall miss out on his final. I do feel in
a jam am so worried about him. I
feel a bit better in myself so I think I
have beaten the flu & the throat again
but the arthritis has been terrific
Fri 19^th July 40, Terrific times both so sick
Had 2 very anxious days expecting
Jack back in hosp. But be has stuck it
out & came home this evening on ^long week
end leave. he looks ill & is so shaky.
but he gets bed & food & that will help.
Today news by paper. & good for us.
H.M.A.S. Sydney sank the Italian Ship
Bartolomeo Colleoni in the Mediterranean
by gun fire.
Sat 20^th. July 40. Jack got out of bed, as someone
one Had to go to Lpool for eats. So Jack drove
the car. but he did not feel up to
getting out. Speaking to Mr. Mitchell (SM)
He asked Jack why he wanted to go to
the war etc, & then said "that he would
rather be a live mouse than a dead"
lion. Jack just replied "would you"
Sun 21^st July 40.
Don Pike (Constable) brought his wife
& a friend out for the afternoon. We just
had to sit around the fire it was so cold. Jack
now has a nasty heavy bronchal cough.
J.W. took him back early after tea. both sick.
Mon. 22^nd July 40.
Papers say 'Railway &  Forestry Units arrive in
England — JW. resigned from Pres of Agric
Soc & has persuaded Mr. Shaw to accept appointment
London baloon barrage said to be
impregnable (we shall see). J.W. went to
Liverpool today & I with him. I think I
waited hours for him in our open car
& the wind bitterly cold. I realise tonight
I should not have gone but I thought it
may help shake me up a bit & help get
rid of the cold that has been hanging
to me for weeks. I got so cold in the
car that I felt really ill & still do.
Took A.P.C. with hot lemon & brandy &
am in bed & just hoping
Thur 25^th, July.
My freezing on Monday ended in bed with
a temp 104^o & Ingleburn throat & a
visit from the Dr. A turn out on my own
I got up straightened up the house somehow.
mopped the bedroom floor for the dust
tidied my room had a wash fresh