Diary of Maude Elizabeth Edmondson - 8 January 1940 - 27 June 1942 - Part 5

from 5 different ships picked up off West
Coast of Ireland. Then silence.
Thur. 5^th Dec. 40.
J.W. went to comfort fund meeting. I stayed
at Newcombes. He took Dr Pirie some
mushrooms. for which the Dr was grateful.
Fri 6^th Dec' 40
Still plenty of strikes, they seem endless
Why the Gov. cannot be firm at this juncture
is a wonder. Strikers working on the
light rafts for the A.I.F. still out. one of the
coastal boats sank yesterday. out of a crew
of 20 men. 7 are missing presumably drowned
Explosion given the cause.
Sat. 7^th Dec 40.
Heat & humidity terrific. J.W. went to the
cattle sales. I went to the pictures. thinking
the theatre may be cooler than home. but
it was worse. The picture "Road to Singapore"
a wash out & the whole afternoon wasted.
Sun. 8^th Dec.
A lovely day & a miserable day. J.W.
doesn't seem to like Rossmore Church
since Jack has gone.
A British freighter mined off the coast of
S. Aus' yesterday. All hands safe. a
few minor casualty's. The ship towed to port
badly damaged.
Mon. 9^th Dec. 40.
Remarkable day — a letter from Jack a
parcel of Orchid plants from MacKay (Q.lad,
& packet of seeds from a hedge plant at
Appolo Bay Vic sent by Mrs Cawood (Charles
Sister)
Tues. 10^th Dec. 40
Beastly cold day. Southerly blowing. &
arthritis rather dreadful.
Wed. 11^th Dec. 40.
Car door spring broke last time we used
the car. J.W. took it to Parramatta to get
it replaced, also something done in
connection with spark plug. Gave a
couple of A.I.F. a ride from Warwick Farm to
Granville. British enter Sidi-Barenni
taking 2000 Italians prisoner (they were
apparently glad to surrender) also some
native prisoners. with guns etc.
Sat 14^th Dec '40.
Been dreadfully hot & humid for days
storms around. The wireless valves are
getting out of repair.

Tues. 17^th Dec 40.
Australians 6^th Div in action in Libia
still very hot.
Wed. 18^th Dec 40.
Every week. I post bundles of papers &
send parcels but so far cannot hear
of anything arriving except a parcel of
clean handkerchiefs that I sent to Bathurst
Camp & caught up with the Q.M. after
leaving Freemantle. Still very hot.
Wed. 19^th Dec.'40.
Last night was 82° at midnight it is
dreadfully hot & humid. Had a rest this
afternoon which is unusual for me. I
slept maybe a minute but dreamed Jack was
ill again & that he just looked dreadful
(may be the effects on me of the other dreadful
dream) as it was similar. It is a
sweltering night.
Friday 20^th Dec 40.
Sun rose quite red & hot by 8 a.m. a
storm had arrived & turned into a steady
soaking rain all day 240 pts at 4.30 P.M.
still raining
Sat 21^st Dec 40.
Steady light rain all day. 5 Ships
reported as sunk at Narou by the raider
which is still at large its Capt is certainly
clever.
Sun 22^nd Dec '40
Beautiful day but I have been very miserable
no one can imagine how I miss Jack.
particularly on Sundays. when we had our walks
& talks & supper at night which Jack
prepared while I did the coffee. This is the
second Sunday in succession we will have
be waiting & longing for Bernie Fitzpatrick
to come.
We went up to Whytes after tea about 7.30 PM
& got home about 9.30 pm. Found the place
robbed again whilst we were away such
a short time. Evidently we are watched
seems to be mens clothing, but doors &
windows are broken. J.W. best suit. his
dinner suit. Jack's navy suit among
other things. We disturbed them & they
left the back bedroom in a hurry. J.W.
rang the police from Cross Rds or Preston
The wireless patrol was here in no time
but it seems useless & hopeless & so ends
a most wretched day & try to sleep.

Mon 23^rd. Dec '40
Got up at 5 A.M. & got my washing & ironing
done early. Det Sgt Flint & Con. Powell came
out this afternoon
Tues 24^th Dec. '40
Not a bit like Xmas Eve. went to Lpool this
afternoon. J.W. called to see Col. de Meyrick. I
waited in the car. M^rs de Meyrick went in with
us & she went up to Church. She is very
happy & seemed pleased with everything
& was talking of having a party at Romano's
road house when the boys get home. Her
son Jack is with 6^th Div. I am
hoping we can get to church tomorrow
morning.
Wed. 25^th Dec'
Fancy Xmas day nothing could feel less
like it. We didn't get into church. We
did nothing extra just another Sunday
& no one came. but we didn't expect any
one. The day is glorious. but I think we
both felt miserable. The paper says
the boys are spending their Xmas day
in Bethlehem & Jerusalem. I feel that is
not so. I don't think yet I wonder shall
Jack be home next Xmas. Tonight I don't
feel an optomist.
Thur. 26^th. Dec 40.
Q. Mary & Acquatania went out again
today with a full complement of troops also
the Morunda (hosp. ship) The Red angels also
Joan & Marie Nicholson were on this afternoon.
The Browns moved into Mrs Berners
Cottage.
Sat 28^th. Dec 40
Wonder will Jack get any of his parcels. We
went to Liverpool yesterday afternoon. I sat in the
car & did my knitting. have got a good
supply of good wool for sox. gloves. balaclavas,
etc. Today M^r & M^rs Newcome & Gloria was out
J.W. took them back about 10 P.M.
Sun. 29^th Dec '40
Another lonely Sunday. The day nice but a
little warm. The Scotts came over for tea.
Tues 31^st Dec '40.
Hot today we went to Liverpool in the
afternoon. I sat in the car & got on
with the scarf (2^nd one) shall send it
off. Pressing invitation to a party at
Jardines tonight plenty of liquid refreshments
but I can't just see my self at it. Like
a storm. a good deal of lightning around

Terrific bombing on Sun night last & a
desperate attempt to destroy London by fire
paper says. Worst in history.
Jan 1^st. 401. Wed.
Another year commencing. I fear it
promises to be a worse year than the last
did the ironing & cooked a hot dinner
unusual for me on New Yrs. day.
Lite rain. dull & cool. Big Militia sports
held at Ingleburn Camp today
Fri 3 Jan 40.
Dull & humid. commenced to rain
lightly 3.30 P.M. Mulhall came for
his horse.
Sat 4^th Jan 401.
Still hot & muggy, very lite rain
Mulhall called again to say his horse
Jumped back into our paddock yesterday
loosening wires etc., & that he left him there
but did not tighten the wires. Rained
slightly this evening & ½ in yesterday
Paper says. Australians in action
Sun 5^th Jan 41.
Hot muggy morning went to Prendergasts
in the afternoon. Called at B.C. Fitz place on
the way. then took the wrong road & got into
dreadful roads came home in horrible dusty
rain.
Jan 6^th Mon. 41
Still damp hot & unpleasant weather but
the growth is marvellous. Officers
straying around the paddocks preparing for
entry of milita. One may put up somehow
with A.I.F. destroying fences etc. but
it is hard to take from Militia.
Papers full of news of Australians troops
entering Bardia, Sidi Barrani, & Sollum
Society people giving cocktail partys etc
on the strength of it. Celebrating the victories.
Make me feel ill & wait until the casualty's
lists come out. Brig Blamey says the
casualty list is under 500.
Tues. 7^th Jan 41.
Papers rejoicing over glorious victorys
perhaps from a military point of view
I feel dreadful about it all. papers are
full of Bardia & the casual attitude of
the A.I.F. The paper gives 120 killed &
230 wounded. It is an anxiety just
awaiting the casualty list.
News of Amy Johnstones death: she was
ferrying planes to & from a given point

report says she was forced to bail out over
the Thames estuary. & the body never found
later paper says the petrol supply gave out
Schoeppels bought? our separator & big
Xmas party & they needed cream
So far no indication to pay for it guess it
shall be the same as the dray etc.
Thur. 9^th Jan 41
Glorious day warm showers at night
absolutely wonderful growth of grass &
all the. went to L.pool this afternoon posted
papers etc & got another lot of wool.
Fri 10^th Jan
Alf Randall came & got another load
of wood.
Fri 10th Jan 41
Alf Randall came out & got a cart
load of wood.
Sat 11^th 40
Rose Rose came out this morning.
J.W. went to Lpool in the morning &
stayed for the cattle sales
Mon. 13^th Jan 41
Yesterday was a lazy day
Rose & I just knitted & talked. Sorry
that Rose had to go back this evening
wish she could have stayed.
The papers full of consternation caused
by the departure of Lady Blamey for
Palestine. It was a rule, no wives
to go over seas to meet their
husbands.
Tues. 14^th Jan x41
Went by 11.30 bus this morning to
Liverpool & on to the city. Saw Dr Dixon
Hughes. Tried to do a bit of shopping
but my feet just would not carry me
so I returned to Town Hall Sta &
waited & came home
Wed. 15^th Jan 41
Beautiful day. preserved 8 bottles
of peaches.
Thur 16th Jan 41
M^rs Martin out for the day.
Fri. 17^th Jan 41.
Bottled some peaches this morning
Rose, Lily & Elaine out for the day. We
took them back to the station in the
evening
Thur. 23^rd Jan 41
A week since I last wrote any
thing. Just hot each day & so very

trying. & just usual mid-summer
jobs. & plenty of them. I still knit
at night although it is really too
hot for it. but I guess it is the
only way. parcels take so long.
I keep sending them & so far I
don't think any have got to the
M.E. also all the Sydney Morning
Heralds & the Bulletin. I don't
think they reach the lads either
Bottled more peaches today & made
5 lb. peach jam. Am tired tonight
but I want all my bottles filled
Fri 24 Jan 41.
Good news today a cable from Jack
saying he is well. but he never
has said that he has received a
letter. I do wish he could get his
mails. & there are plenty of peaches
I do wish I could get them to the
lads in camps.
Lily & Elaine came out today to spend
the week end.
Sat 25^th Jan 41
Severe storm this afternoon 130 pts
of rain blew the garden about terribly
Tues. 28th Jan 41.
Went to the city to get a wedding &
kitchen tea present for Sara Newcombe
Lily & Elaine went home yesterday.
Fri 31^st Jan 41.
Another cable from Jack "alls well"
1st day of Lpool Show. Entered my peach
& grape fruit jams. Got 2 Firsts. went
to the ground last night & helped do
some jobs. & on to Shaws for supper.
Sun. 2^nd Feb. 41.
Lpool Show again yesterday I was
very tired. I think I try to do too
much. but it was M^rs Shaws first
term as Pres. & I did want to do all
I could. a financial success. but
dreadfully hot & a hot westerly came
up as well. During one trotting event
there was a mix up. 5 gigs with
horses & drivers. The men alright but
1 horse said to be seriously hurt. A
storm this afternoon & it is rather
too cool.
Wednes. 5^th Feb. 41.
Raining all day. & J.W. out riding
all day looking for cows that went out

of the bottom paddock. The Military
certainly don't play the game. as
soon as the militia get into camp
they start destroying fences etc.
it is no wonder the militia get
themselves disliked officers like wise
The fences are all cut. & big gaps
out where ever they want to come
in or through.
Col. Moore & an officer from Victoria Barrack
over this afternoon. I told them
where J.W. was & what he was doing
& had been out in the rain riding
all day.
Thur. 6^th Feb '41
Still raining, J.W. found the
cows today. but he got very wet
again. & I am always trying to
dry wet clothes. The cows were
grazing in the [drive?] of the military
camp. behind the C of E. hut he
met Col. Moore whilst getting them
out
Friday 7^th Feb. 41
Sara had asked me for the loan
of my pendant for her Wedding. I
left it with them today. She is being
married tomorrow. Saw a great display
of presents. She is marrying a Grimson.
so far the Grimson war efforts are nil
Sat 8^th Feb.
J.W. went to the cattle sales so I went
in with him & went to St Lukes to
see the wedding with M^rs H Orr.
Mon 10^th Feb. 41
Yesterday the usual lonely Sunday &
dreadfully hot all day. Today just
as hot & the night is too. Spent the
day today at the Hudsons. went to
Liverpool by bus & home from there by
bus. M^rs Hudson met me & dropped
me at the milk depot.
Thur. 13^th Feb. 41
Three days have gone fast that &
there seems a lot of work. I try to
get the same results as I did
when Jack did most of it. but I
don't want things to slip. Today
& yesterday have been cold. J.W.
went to Liverpool so I went on to the
city to try on a & skirts at Vereys.
Papers all scare headlines

regarding position in Australia
War is supposed to be at our doors
etc. It would want to be inside
the doors to wake some of them
up. Some Jack delight it talking
weird things. but I don't feel upset
on that account
The H.M.A.S. Sydney arrived back
in port unexpectedly on Sunday evening
last — Reception to the lads & I
am sure they deserve it all & more
Fri 14^th Feb. 41
The Military authority is behaving
very badly to us. somehow we
never seem to get the decent end
of anything. They are simply over
running the place. the cut fences &
break locks in front of our own eyes,
& dig trenches etc & just leave them
& simply ignore us.
We went on to Fairfield today to see if
Lazzarini could do anything to help
us. All we got I feel sure is a
lovely bunch of flowers & berries
Sun 16^th Feb. 41
Dreadfully hot. The [[Gruchys?]] turned up
for dinner. we took them for a drive in
the paddock. they were amazed at the
wonderful growth of grass & the
beautiful paddocks.
Wed' 19^th Feb. 41
All as usual. Very hot. JW went to
Liverpool.
Fri 21^st Feb. 41
We went to Liverpool. am getting the dress
length made up that Ada sent to me
Mrs Schoeffel came on with us.
The smell of the fish ^offal is very terrible today
it is always very bad. but today is
really unbearable, & if outside one is
inclined to vomit & blow flys beyond
imagination. even here at night
if one waters or disturbs anything
green they simply swarm out, &
crows so plentiful. I don't think there
can be any where else for very many
miles. The crows carry the Fish offal
& it is seen & smelt on the road
on posts or anywhere. how the
Schoeffels manage it around their
house & up to the back door is just
amazing their back veranda is

like a swarm of bees in flight the noise
of the blow flys deadens all else &
every thing & every where fly dirt
Mon 24th Feb 41
Had another quiet Sunday yesterday
to our selves & dont I hate it on
a week day I can work hard out
in the garden or else where. but on
Sundays I just cant settle down
& for some reason J.W. dont feel
inclined for church. Today 2 letters
from Jack & a few snaps which
are not very good.
Tues. 25^th Feb '41
Norma came back from her holiday
at Coolamon & broke her journey
here. M^rs Harding down for the
day. Tonight the Rev Harley-Jones
farewell & presentation at St Lukes
Church. we did not go.
Wed 26th Feb '41
J.W. went to Liverpool yesterday &
got a bump — bending the mud
guard - The car even seems
unlucky, at time the starting is very
difficult & I push until I just feel
exhausted & then for no reason it
goes.
Thur. 27^th Feb. 41.
Norma went back to Lp Ashfield Hosp.
on 5.45 PM bus.
Sat 1^st March 41.
Why I dream such stupid dreams
I never usually remember them on
awaking. Yet these beastly dreams
are real & vivid & when I awake
I sort of live them over again & it
haunts me for days they never go
infact. Last nights dream is still
real & almost seems a happening. Yet I
never think such things to make me dream
them. I read for hours. yet nothing
sordid. I choose happy books. The
Dr lent me a pile & I read until I
feel I can sleep & swich off the light
immediately. Those past dreams are
still vivid yet I dont refer to them
I can still see Jack while I still
in the semi-darkness & when I spoke
to him he gave me his usual
happy smile. Well this is of a
totally different character & even

more stupid than ever. Last night I
awakened myself also J.W. I was
calling to him at the top of my voice.
There appeared a long whitish or
sort of dirty cream or white cat. it was
such a terrifying thing that I was
really afraid of it. I was terrified &
screaming for Will to come & kill it
He would neither answer me or come
yet I knew he was close by. The
animal was getting longer & longer
stretching out while I stood helpless
& horror stricken & calling more &
more for him Will to hurry & come
& that the cat stretching out was
slowly turning into a snake Then
at last Will answered & came & all I
could say was that the cat had
slowly turned into a snake & moved
away from view. Then for the first
time I was conscious of M^r Schoeffel
standing beside me. He looked murderous
at me & very nastily said something
to the effect that I was not able to
dictate anything to him. The dream
left me shaken & too upset to go to
sleep again & tonight it is still as
real & vivid to me as the previous
dreams - but why do I dream
such things. I never think morbid
things to cause it.
J.W. took the car to Liverpool to get the
bumper bar straightened & the bends
out of the mud guard.
Sun. 2^nd March 41
A better Sunday. The Marshalls,
the Prendergasts & Bernie Fitzpatrick
out. It was so nice to have them &
luckily for me I had done a good
bit of cooking yesterday. I am
really thankful for the Sunday
visitors
Tues. 4 March 41
Lovely day, but cloudy. J W went
to Liverpool by bus. For the car today
still a but more of the duco yet to
be done.
Sun. 9^th Mar 41.
Uneventful day & rather a lot
of work. Got the car home. after
the bump. The car was in for
2 week ends to get it straightened