Diary of Maude Elizabeth Edmondson - 8 January 1940 - 27 June 1942 - Part 3

pyjamas & book to bed with APC & brandy
I did it for each of his 2 visits. the last
time with little to spare. I dried the
washing that has accumulated for when I
do get up.
Sun 28th July 40
Mrs Brown comes over for her mail each
day gets it & goes off we really must be
infectious creatures but I dont blame
her. Was up again Tonight before the
Dr came. did my room. tidied the
dining room, then a good warm wash
& clean pyjamas. Almost caught by Dr
Pirie tonight. I dont know if he
suspected anything. he asked me was
any one coming in to help. was glad
Jack isnt coming home & so does not know.
Sun 28th Jul 40.
Jack had to day in camp this week
end. J.W. went across to see how he was
going as he is still far from well. J.W.
did not stay long as I am in bed
Tues 30th July 40
Temp normal today, but throat still too
sore for food, got up as I had to be in o
out of bed. J.W. has made a good fire. 

Wed 31st July 40.
Louie came out today in the bus.
Fri 2^nd Aug 40
Jack came in tonight for his last week.
and previous to going to Bathurst Camp
weather cold & windy.
Sat 3rd Aug 40 3r
Louie went back to Manly & Jack into the
City to get his new uniform, he is getting
it made at the tailors as, his issue was
so ugly. He is still looking ill & miserable
evidently all the sickness has had a bad
effect & he cant shake it off. He got home
by 3 P.M.
Sun 4th Aug 40
Nasty day & cold winds with fleecy
clouds racing all day.
Jack tossed ₤6/./. on my bed this morning
before I was up. I didnt want to take
it but he asked me to & said to do the
things that we used to do. Go to the pictures
have lunch & let it be his shout as usual
so I took it. It can keep until he gets
back. I had never got a snap of Jack
in his uniform there & as always either
illness or rain & he doesnt like snaps of 

himself as a rule. Today we can catch
the sun between the clouds, but
never the less I took several little
snaps but it was cloudy & he is really
ill. I got him to take some A.P.C. but
he would not lie down as he said
it would be harder to get up to go to
camp, J.W. drove him back early after
tea. he did not have anything except a
cup of hot tea & he cannot eat the
camp food usually greasy stew. I
took his temp 102 at mid. day & 103°
this evening. & returning to those
wretched draughty huts, at times I
feel desperate but am powerless.
Mon. 5th Aug.
Have been really anxious about Jack
& Gst would not go over go the camp to see
Tues 6th Aug 40.
We went to the camp this afternoon I
& as expecting to find him in the emergency
hosp' hut, I had a big dish of jelly.
Cakes scones etc as I knew he was ill
wasnt in the hut but tracked him on to
the hospital. I left him some jelly
on a plate. Also, for the other patients & took the
cakes etc to their hut for the others.
This time the Dr is trying to beat bronchal-
pneumonia. When Jack returned to camp
on Sun night he went straight to his bed
(about 6 straws in a bag) & 2 or 3 blue
blankets enough to make anyone ill
he was very ill all night in the morning
one of the boys went for the Dr. After the Dr
saw him he was taken by Ambulance to
the hosp at once. I had taken a change
of pyjamas for him & plenty of handkerchiefs
Even the hospital is crude. I never saw
a nurse or orderly. Jack after the
doing he had had felt like a change
into clean pyjamas, I moved away &
he got up & changed his pyjamas.
JW. had gone to see if he could buy him
any oranges, lemons or some thing, but no
luck again canteen wasnt open. I
brought his pyjamas home to wash & piles
of handkerchiefs.
Another patient near by Hector McDonald.
very ill with pneumonia, had piles of extra
dirty handkerchiefs, so I collected them &
his other things also. They are so dirty
& repulsive but I know I should do it for him 

he is very ill & his folk are not around
Thur 8th Aug 40.
Went to camp hosp today Jack a little
better also McDonald a wee bit better
took Oranges. Jelly etc & slabs of cake for
the boys in the hut, left them with or
rather for Toby OBrien.
Fri 9th Aug 40
Got McDonalds wash done today. I'll never
forget the hankys). all ironed etc. I hunted
up as many paper bags as I could & tore
up an old sheet into hankys for his
use in hosp use as hankys & then put
when dirty into paper bag & let them all
go to the incinerator. J.W. took them
all over to hosp today & then on to
Liverpool for our goods.
Sat 10th Aug 40
They certainly rush things in Military
life Jack sent home from hosp tonight
as soon as the temp goes down out
they go has a few days to pick up
return & on to Bathurst Camp.
Sun 11th Aug.40
Norma came out this morning & we went
to the camp The 7th Div last Sunday in

Ingleburn camp. place full of visitors. Met
Toby OBrien's sisters. After afternoon tea
Jack found one of the lads sick & in the hut
he asked me to go ^back to the hut with him to see
him (Georges) we took him part of my ginger
sponge with cream. Jack took him 2 bottles
of lemonade, but he was'nt well enough to
eat much
Quite a ceremony. the 2/17 Bn received a
new set of drums presented to them by
the old 17 Bn. Met some more lads.
including Jacks Lieut (Mackell) was not
impressed. he is a small led & like most
small folk he thought he was the whole
2/17. The Gordon Eds- Marshalls, Bernie
Fitzpatricks & heaps that we knew were there
Jack took norma to Lpool to go home.
Mon 12th Aug 40
The Bathurst march commenced today
The 2/13 Bn first, they came through the
paddocks about 9.15A.M. We saw them
through the horse paddock gate Jack was
still home. They looked young & happy &
their band playing "Colonel Bogey". They
crossed the Highway & through our corner
paddock & along Bringelly Rd. Cold & Wendy 

Tues 13th Aug 40
Air crash at Canberra. Messrs Street.
Gullet, Fairburn & Sir Brudnell White.
together with 2 secret" & 4 air crew
killed, paper says overloading against
the pilots wish & advice.
Big air raid on Britian commences. Jack
returned to camp this afternoon. He too
leaves tomorrow. He is still shakey. So
I fail to see how he is going to walk
to Bathurst - it is all dreadful.
Wed 14th 40
The 2/17 got here at 10 A.M. mistook the
top fence & got in to the wrong paddock
& so came up the road. First halt
immediately in front of house. Col
Crawford leading on horseback & giving
us salutes & smiles. Saw Toby for a
few minutes & Clive Armstrong at the
rear of their platoon the band playing
"Where are the boys of the old brigade"
Jack wasnt with them or he would have
come across I stood at the gate they
had a 10 min rest
JW. went to Liverpool in the afternoon
the day nice & fine. 

Thur 15th Aug. 40
was busy sewing & Jack ran in from
the road only stayed a few minutes he was
driving an officers car & had 3 hosp cases
with him. The Radio tonight said 2/13
at Hazelbrook , 2/17 Penrith
Fri 16th Aug40.
Engineers were through today, (a cold &
cheerless day) playing pipes & drums. One of the
drummers was an ^young Indian. he looked very fit &
nice in his uniform Jack had told me to look out
for him. The radio night gave his name as
Ashmed mahommed.
Sun 18th Aug /40
Jack is at Bathurst Camp & I feel so by myself
now. The H.Q. Staff were through at
9.15 A.M. mostly waggons etc with cases & so on
A cold southerly this afternoon. B.C. Fitz & 6 boys
out for the afternoon, When the 2/13 went through
half of Lpool seemed to be out at the corner or
our gate, but they soon tired of the novelty
I saw the lot the whole 7th Div as also did
Sgt Turnbull
Mon 19^thAug 40.
Letter from Jack this morning he is well &
may be he shall keep well at Bathurst, the 

inland always suited his bronchal-asthma better
a very cold day but I went in to Lpool, got a bottle
of medicine for the arthritis
Tues 20^th Aug. 40
paper- [[Retreat?]] from Somaliland confirmed the
"Turakina" shelled by enemy raider in the
Tasman - gave exact position but after extensive
search for days no trace was found. The
raider of course not there either. A German
communique claims. "German sea Forces
had sunk Turakina" in Australian Waters.
Thur 22^nd Aug. 40.
Heard some of the Engineers (7th Div) speak
over the radio. The Indian drummer, he
spoke very well. A Tamworth lad yodelled.
he said he learned himself to yodell while
mustering cattle - the hills of the New England
district. also the pipe band.
(Paper) Norwegian liner 7230 tons "Tirranna"
sunk on the way to mombasa from
Melbourne, disappeared in the Indian ocean
no trace of ship or survivors apparently a
German raider is cleverly getting around.
Fri 23^rd Auq. 40.
We went to Liverpool & I on to Parramatta
by train in the afternoon. I bought a 

case in the hopes we may get to Bathurst to see
Jack but neither I or Jack could be called lucky
I got a ride back to Parramatta with the Prendegasts
- a saved all the Granville steps. There is trouble
in the camp over the transports
Mon 26^th Aug. 40.
Trouble in Camp continues, Liverpool declared
out of bounds for the soldiers. They go by bus to
Ingleburn & train first stop Cabramatta - just
wonder who wants the [[?]] etc -
Thur 29^th Aug. 40
Got another bottle of the medicine. Weather is bad
for arthritis but the Dr says it is mostly nervous
condition_ "British Commander sunk by the
armed raider in the Indian Ocean.
Sun 1^st Sept 40
Went to Ingleburn Church for morning service
wrong church. so to Denham Court, wrong again
so we had our lunch - which we took with us
in Kemps lane & went to the camp in the afternoon
(2^nd machine gun sports)
Met a very nice lady.- a cousin of the Rev.
Ken Robinson, spent the afternoon with in her
company.
Mor 2nd Sept 40
Soldiers every where around the house, & garden 

sheds etc drilling shooting 303 & Lewis Guns.
Tues 3rd Sept 40
Went by bus Lpool on to the City to consult
M^rs. Orton (on M^rs. Browns advice she thinks
M^rs Orton almost a wizard so clever is she)
for Arthritis - I think she may be clever
enough to Catch us mugs. I had no
confidence whatever in her. I fear her
medical knowledge is nil. I came home
feeling very cold & miserable, & found
soldiers every where, the 8th Div are
certainly making their presence felt.
Thur. 5th Sept 40
Mr Newcombe & Gloria came out on the
11 A.M bus. Jack came home on leave
today from Bathurst Camp. he got home
about 4 P.M taxi from Liverpool. They
were out of bed at 1 A.M. & marched to
Bathurst Stn to get the train (4 special
troops trains) Jack still so sick bronchal asthma
Fri 6^th Sept 40
Ross came out this morning & we all went
to Parramatta. Jack went to look at a
car for me. & then I persuaded him to
get his photograph taken at Howard
Harris studios. Ross went home from P.matta 

Sat 7^th. Sept 40.
Jack & I a whole day in the city, & it was nice
to feel we could do the same old things again
He wanted to go to Grace Bros. & he got a nice
book case. I will put his books in it. I
really think he anticipated that it is a
nice piece of furniture & I shall look forward
to its delivery. We had lunch again at
the Monteray - as usual crab salad then
went on to Prince Edward. saw. "Spy for a day"
& Kiplings 'Light that Jailed' we both
enjoyed it all.
Sun. 8^th. Sept 40
We sat at the fire all day. dreadfully windy
& cold. a horrible day out of doors. Jack
made toasted salmon sandwiches for supper
& I did the coffee.
Mon 9^th Sept 40.
Jack returning to camp today. I went in
with him met Norma & we had crab salad
at the Monteray. I tried many shops for the
leads to refill his pencil, he also tried neither
succeeded so he left the pencil with me. I
previously had given him the set-pen & pencil
for a birthday. The troops collecting
at Rawson Park 2.45 P.M. after a round-up 

they marched to the train which left at 4 PM
Saw Jack again for a moment or so at the
entrance platform but the troops were on the
move from the adjoining platform we
watched the train depart. he waved from
the end platform of train until the train
went around the bend. Was so tired when
I got home & glad of bed tonight.
Tues 10^th. Sept 40.
8^th Div around the house all day & the
paddocks it upsets me a bit now to see
them around.
Wed. 11^th. Sept 40.
Paper says-Terrific bombing over London
continuous since Sat 7^th. heavy casualtys
Thur 12^th. Sept 40.
Went to Paramatta, bus & train I took
back proofs of photographs. on coming
home I went into Wych's paper shop. M^rs.
Wych was worried over Gus. She said she
did not know where he was or where he
had been sent. Two young A.I..F. were also
at the counter, one rather young asked if
he may be able to help her. M^rs. Wych
said her son was in Army service. the lad
said so was he & he thought it may be

not very difficult to find him. & Asked where
he was sent from Mrs Wych replied. "He was
called up this morning. The lad stood still
& looked at her for perhaps 30 sec. then
very quietly said "Compulsory service" & all
was silent.
Fri 13^th. 41
Boisterous weather continues J.W. sent to
Liverpool
Sun 15^th. Sept
Such a nice day when all should be happy
but I feel miserable & so alone. I had
another similar dream & it is still very
present. I do try to shake myself up & I get
medicine but there it is- I was
enclosed as 'before everything practically
similar. Jack appeared in the identical
spot looking exactly the same & so very
distressed the only slight difference in
my attempts to get out of the enclosure. I
saw a sort of a structure like a small
shed up a the high barrier wall & it
was there I was trying to get out by getting
on the roof. I was desperately trying but I
could not get on the small roof. Jack
as before stood in the centre never speaking 

but looking frightfully upset stranger still
I never expected him to help me out & neither
of us attempted to speak to the other. I just
felt an addition sorrow that I was causing
him sadness but I was still desparately
trying to get out. When I awakened it
was so real & a strange thought came
with it. A young clergyman who was
Ass' to Arch Pike in Rev John Short's
time also. I forget his name, but I
distinctly heard him say at St Marys
N. Wagga, that dreams usually when
very vivid & lasting, had a solution
which later revealed itself to us. The
thought if correct doesnt help so I
must try to forget & not get morbid.
Tues. 17^th.Sept 40.
Rather a placid day yesterday or rather
very full of work & no time for morbid
thoughts. Yet last night I dream again
& so much more depressing. perhaps if I
could get away from associations for
a week I may pull myself together & I
who has laughed at dreams am getting
worried. I guess I must try & get out
more I rarely go out & dont have any 

visitors. I dont even wish to write such things
yet I feel I should but I can describe the
feeling these dreams have on me. & why me?
I found myself entering a place where there
was very little light so dim I could not
see any surroundings there was nothing
white or light to lighten up the place what
ever it was. Immediately in front of me
Jack was lying on his back & it seemed
to be floor level. he was not on a bed or
couch. His face was the only light spot &
it distinctly plain & so terribly ill looking
A white greyish colour was over his face
& he was looking at me. He seemed to
be covered as he had not a form as he
would were he not covered with a blanket
His eyes were dull & half sleepy. I hurried
to him & asked what was the matter?
& asked had he been bilious as his
colour had all gone? & just do tell me
what is the matter? I seemed to be
getting upset. He looked straight at me
his face brightened up, but so white
& gave me just the same old big smile
then went to speak but I only heard a
word or sound that sounded like "Uh" 

I was then awake & just shivering for
the rest of the night & it all seems to
me tonight still real,
I had to go to M^rs. Onions today, though
I may as well, as she charged for
3 treatments & I have had one bottle
of med. which lasted like cayenne &
ginger & looked similar. Today she
told me is eat Grave fruit before breakfast
& to have a Turkish bath. I shall
generously donate my 3^rd. fee to her.
-paper - Giant bomb unexploded was
dug out of a huge crater at St Pauls
Cathedral (London) by wonderful men,
put upon a lorry, took into the country
& exploded. Terrific bombing in London.
Sydney having strikes. Hospital Ship
held up whilst a few Engineers strike
over increased war allowances. A long
write up tonight & I am so tired. but
I want to be & then I may sleep
better.
Thu.r 19^th. Sept 40
Jack said in his long letter today that
Toby OBrien back from hospital at
long last & goes in Q.M.S. he cant do 

any more marching with his leg. Also a
letter from Ada saying she sent Jack a big
box of home made cakes. Doug Campbell took
it from Wagga by mail train in the evening
& he said be sure would find Jack &
deliver it personally.
Fri 20th Sept 40 20
M^r Marshall brought over the car that
Jac ordered for our approval. I went back
in it will him to Paramatta & then Ken
drove me on to Epping in it for afternoon
tea I came home by train & bus
paper says Air raids over London more intense
each day.
Sat 21^st Sept 40
Election day. 80 pts rain last night 10 pts today
Sun: 22^nd Sep.40
The Marshalls are going to Narrandera
tomorrow & have asked me to go as far as
Wagga with them. I dont like being
away from home. Jack may get his leave
but JW. has promised he will wire or ring
me as soon as he does or gets word of
his leave. it also may help me out of
the wretched dreams etc.
Mon 23^rd Sep 40,
we left home 8 A.M.

got to Wagga 4 P.M. Went through
Canberra, had lunch & just a peep at
the place. Ada go a surprise infact it
is all so sudden it is still a surprise
to me too
Tues 24^th 40
Ada & I called at Roberts gave him a
surprise & on to see Ruby for a few minutes
After tea I went across the street & saw the
Lonsdales for a few minutes only M^r & M^rs L at
home. Paper Germans torpedoed ship bound
for Canada with evacuee children on board.
(age 5 to 15yrs) ship sank in 20 minutes, 300.
people perish including the Comm of the Ship &
89 Children, at the time of sinking a terrific
storm was raging.
Wed 25^th Sept 40.
Went with Ada to military sports at the Show
Ground. They all liked them. Somehow I cant
settle to things like that. I try hard & I do
put on a good outward appearance. They all
thought I had a great day. & I could just
scream at the whole show. Doug Campbell
came in & he said he delivered the parcel of
cakes to Jack before 6 A.M. the morning after
he took it from Wagga. I was glad he gave 

it to Jack instead of leaving it for him. A number
of the lads from Wagga Camp came here to tea
& supper. last night also. J.W. rang me
tonight to say telegram for me saying Jack
coming home on Friday. I know it is his
pre embarkation leave.
Thur 26^th Sept 40
Got Vic Davis to drive Ada & I to Turvey Park
stayed to tea & came back by bus. & I am
catching the day train home in the morning
7.20 A.M. Wagga Stn
Fri 27^th 40.
Got home tonight, Liverpool 5.3P.M. Telegram
Jack not coming until tomorrow. in bed early
as I have'nt had much rest.
Sat 28th Sept 40.
worked hard all day cleaning & cooking &
went to Lpool late afternoon to meet Jack, while
waiting a L.pool stn. a terrific storm thunder
lightning etc & we thought it wise to get
the old train home, if the rain got in it
would not go. Jack came in about
10 minutes after us by taxi. He was very
tired & is now in bed. it is nearing the
morning hours & it is still blowing &
raining. a wild night.