John Murray's Diary 1914-1918

Letter to Gordon July 1914

Letter to Gordon July 1914Mr. Gordon S. Murray

Solomon Islands Development Company Ltd

C/- Burn Philp

Port Moresby, Australian New Guinea

28 July, 1914

Mr Dearest Brother Gordon,

I take great pleasure in providing ‘Happenings at Home #10, April-July 1914’.

I cannot express how thrilled we all are to receive news with the steamer Mindini that you will be home in a matter of months. I am sure you will have wonderful tales to tell of life in the jungles of New Guinea.

I am not certain as to where I should forward this journal as you say in your letter you are visiting company operations in the Pacific on your passage home but fail to give details of a collection point for mail. Nonetheless, I will draft this in anticipation of finding a suitable way to get this, and the previous issue to you, or will take even greater joy in placing the journals in your hands.

I have delayed compiling this issue of ‘Happenings at Home #10’ so as to afford more news on exciting events in Europe which began in late June and which are of such significance I feel this news must be included if this journal is to serve purpose.

Much is changing. War looks likely in the Balkans or possibly Europe; our national Government is in tatters; we are again in drought; our Navy has submarines; Albert is in love; and I have been summoned by Mr Manning at the Herald. It is all positively exciting.

In regard to my journalistic aspirations, Mr Manning at the Herald himself penned me a letter this very week to inform me that the Herald would be conducting editorial interviews in late August and that I need not concern myself with the advertisement. Rather he will write again to provide a time when I can, as he put it, meet the editors to discuss my future. I am beside myself with excitement. I am loath to allow myself to assume the best but his tone was almost familiar and decidedly friendly. To be on the Sydney Morning Herald is my dreams realised. Perhaps these past two years of application and denial has proved to him I have the relentless pursuit required of a newsman. Having you at home as I embark on this, my greatest adventure, will only make it all the better.

I note from your letter you intend to seek lodgings upon your return. I have scanned the Herald To Let columns and can advise that rentals are not inexpensive. Father suggests the outright purchase of property would be a wiser investment. Most sales offer terms of deposit and balance as rental. I have included a clipping to illustrate your options but my hope remains you will find accommodation close to home.

In the meanwhile we assume you will lodge here until a suitable alternative arrives. It will be such a joy for Mother and Father. Albert will no doubt miss being the oldest in our room but he will be more than pleased to have you home for the time. I too will be glad to have you here. Lizzie was most disappointed you would not be moving back permanently but has plans afoot to entice you to stay. In truth we all want you to stay at home.

But I will not badger. You have likely grown much in your time away and have your needs. I will support any direction you take. I trust you will find the journal #10 enjoyable.

Your loving brother,

Happenings at Home #10,

April – July 1914

Matters of FamilyMother and Father are well. Mother has taken to involving herself in matters of the Store and the two sit for hours at the kitchen table over an endless pot of tea discussing opportunities. I have not much interest in the Store, nor matters of business but by accounts it is quite lucrative and Father has a knack for anticipating peoples’ wants, if not needs. Father has enquired about several properties beyond Coogee which might be suited to retail and is now considering a new emporium in or near the City. The cost of City property is high - George Street frontages are fetching as much as £500 a foot. Father is not the least put off. He asked as to my thoughts on the name “John Murray & Sons Australasian Emporium”. I said I did not have a mind for such things and would always trust his judgment in such matters (In truth, I see no need to tie myself to an issue which Mother and Lizzie will no doubt have a voice on).

Albert’s promotion to Sergeant in the Citizen Forces must have bolstered his confidence in all matters. He is spending time with young Mary Callaghan (you will remember her as the frumpy tomboy from my class at Coogee Public School). She is neither frumpy nor boyish anymore, and in truth I am absolutely astounded she would consider Albert’s attention. Unbeknown to all, they spent the best part of summer at the Bay and have since continued to spend time together. Mary has been to the house on a number of occasions for supper, and Albert dines with her family regularly. The matter of religion has not been raised as yet by either family, although I feel Mother is more interested in educating poor Mary to the suffrage of women than in discussing matters of church. And Father beams every time Mary visits. He has taken to allowing Albert the Ford for outings... (I could be courting King George’s daughter and still not be granted the Ford.) Walter is also taken by Mary. I would not be surprised if there was an announcement in this regard soon. I do not think Mother or Father would object to such a union and if Albert was to wed in a Catholic church it would not be of concern, such is their regard for Mary.

Lizzie too is well. With Walter, Albert and I again training for the Rugby season Lizzie has won favour with a makeshift masseur’s table and rubbing lotion. She is quite good and her manipulations are such a relief. She charged us each sixpence for the first treatment and quickly inflated her price to a shilling when we sought more. In the first week of play she was about a £1 the richer for our suffering. The boys and I have agreed since to no more than two treatments each a week as we feel Lizzie may be exploiting our discomfort. Alfred made mention of Lizzie’s service at training and to a man the Randwick lads urged we ask her to offer service to the Club. We will have none of it. Her studies continue to win applaud and Father, Mother and she now discuss openly her study of Law at the University next year. I confess to feeling great pride in her.

In regard to young Walter’s ambitions to become an Army officer, to his word he made enquiries about entry into the Royal Military College. The examination is to be held in October and he has since buried himself in literature. His CO forewarned him the examination might entail a range of general knowledge and military history questions. The seriousness with which he approaches his studies gives indication that the intent is not whimsical. Our brother really does want to be an Officer.

On matters of the Citizen Forces, in the past few days lads from the 21st Infantry have been called to stand guard, with rifles loaded, at public amenities across Sydney. Albert and a few others from H Company will be at the docks from next week. I have no detail as to what they are doing in reality but I can only assume it is in some way related to the events in Europe. Albert is quite excited to be selected to guard the docks.

His approach as sergeant continues to surprise all at drill. Not content with simply marching us, he has taken to, as he would describe, shaping our minds that we might be better soldiers. At drill two weeks back we arrived to find Albert in the company of Mr Pratt from the arms factory at Lithgow. Albert arranged for Mr Pratt to explain how munitions are produced so that we might better appreciate our kit (I believe Mr Pratt was in Sydney on business anyway). It was in truth an interesting discussion and one which I know you would have also enjoyed. Mr Pratt explained that the factory, which we must remember is less than 2 years old, had turned out almost 14,000 Short Magazine Lee-Enfields in the past year and would in the future be able to manufacture some 20,000 rifles each year. He had with him photographs of the facility which is vast, and apart from the straightening of barrels, which is managed by craftsmen, most all components of the rifle are produced by boys operating automated machines.

Of greatest interest to me was Mr Pratt’s discussion on our troops’ failings in the Boer War. It seems we arrived with an assortment of weapons and equipment different to that used by the British, which meant supply of ammunition and field repair of weapons was a major issue that affected our boys’ abilities in battle. The .303 is fully compatible.

Mr Pratt suggested if we were to visit the factory at any opportunity he would allow us to fire off rounds from one of the new rifles in development. I feel Mr Pratt was quite impressed with Albert. I know I am.

News of the dayAs noted earlier, there is much happening. This selection will again provide insight into topics of interest to many and are thus of value in conversation.

More news on Mawson the Arctic ExplorerFurther to my passage in #9, Douglas Mawson married Miss Paquita Delprat on 31 March and set off for England to be knighted by King George. Our intrepid explorer is now both Sir and Husband.

Is Europe poised for war ?The following account is of great interest. It appears the Balkans could soon be engulfed in war yet again. Just one month ago on 28 June the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were murdered in Bosnia. While a tragic event and cause for much sadness, this in itself would not ordinarily be news required of this journal given it should be of little direct interest to Australia. However, each day news and speculation unfolds which suggest the act of killing the Archduke has thrown into turmoil the balance of Europe.

Reports from Sarajevo say more than one attempt was made on the Archduke that day. The first, a bomb placed so to kill the Archduke and entourage as they drove, exploded after the car had passed. Another bomb was located on the Archduke’s route but did not explode. The third and successful attempt was made by a gunman who ambushed the Archduke’s car and fired the fatal shots. Several arrests have been made and it is now clear the plot was connected with Servia’s dissatisfaction of Austro-Hungarian rule of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Archduke in particular bore much of the Servian resentment, both from Serbs in Bosnia and in Servian ranks across the southern boarder. The Archduke’s machination of greatest concern was his plan to further amalgamate the Slavic nations under Austro-Hungarian rule.

The Austrians have sent an ultimatum to the Serbs demanding they cease actions against the Austro- Hungarian rule but the Servians seem resolute. The Servians are of course closely allied to Russia, while the Austrians share the same consideration with Germany. While most believe any war between Austria and Servia would be a shortlived affair–Austria being a stronger force –the speculation of an escalation is ever present. If Russia supports Sevia and Germany rallies to Austria the war might embroil much of Europe. Britain is, as always, proudly standing for peace and has been much involved in negotiations between all parties. I think this talk of war, even though it does not yet directly involve Britain or Australia, is the reason the Citizen Forces is now on guard duty.

Another election loomsAn election for the Commonwealth Government has been set for 5 September. It seems Prime Minister Cook finally conceded government with a margin of just one seat in the House of Representatives, and no sway whatsoever in the Senate, is not tenable. But rather than simply call a fresh election in the House, as is his entitlement, he enlisted the Governor General to dissolve both the Senate and House of Representatives. This is the first time a ‘double dissolution’ has been enacted and both the Prime Minister and Labor Leader, Andrew Fisher, have been seeking any forum to extol the virtues of their side and to articulate the failings of the other.

It seems that no matter what Mr Cook proposes Mr Fisher successfully finds fault in the present Government’s management. The Prime Minister has said he wants to further develop our navy and military but Mr Fisher has turned this into a disadvantage, saying Mr Cook’s plans depend on borrowings from overseas. Labor’s position is that in times of peace and prosperity we should fund defence from revenue rather than credit or, as Mr Fisher said, “have no reserve nor resources in time of danger and attack”. Mr Fisher claims to have left millions of pounds in trust funds available for loan expenditure when he lost office as Prime Minister last year. I find the vitriol of both difficult to digest and if I were of age to vote would be undecided at this point. Although on personalities I do feel for more favourable toward Mr Cook given he has not had an easy term in office and perhaps could achieve greater good if he had a clear majority. I do however have an opinion on the voting age, given at 20 I feel far more considered in matters of politics than most 21 year olds. I should imagine most will vote with the last Headline they read on the way to the polls.

AE1 & AE2 – a most amazing addition to NavyI thought last year when I reported on the new Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy arriving at Sydney Harbour (a momentous occasion in our nation you sadly missed poor brother) that there could be no greater naval sight; but I am corrected. The AE1 and AE2, our new submarines acquired from England, arrived on 24 May and despite being miniscule by comparison to our Flagship battle cruiser HMAS Australia, they are a marvel of mans’ endeavour. These craft are capable of sinking to great depths and manoeuvring under the water for hours on end, and of launching torpedoes silently from the depths. They have too the added surprise of being equipped to fire torpedoes from their flanks, rather just aft and forward. The craft reached Farm Cove after 83 days and a journey 13,000 miles - an unprecedented feat in any submarine. They are surely the crowning glory of our young Navy. I have no doubt they cost a pretty penny such is the ingenuity of them. Our Navy now boasts nine new ships of war.

I have made a number of visits to Farm Cove since the Submarines arrived and think my fascination will never cease. Each boat carries only 35 crewmen. If I was to consider a military career it would be in these magnificent vessels. I should ask Albert to arrange for me to stand guard at the docks also.

On the land - droughtRegardless of talk of war in Europe we have our own issues here in Australia. The relentless heat of summer has eased but there is no celebration on the land. Pastoralists visiting Bravely & Sons are wearied and more than a few have enquired as to the prospect of sale. Most holdings across eastern Australia, even the better country, are starved of good rains. Landowners inland are already talking of moving stock to coastal areas where the drought’s bite is less deep. Wheat farmers in every state will need rains soon or the crop will be vanquished to the dust. The cattlemen to the North are also feeling the hardship. Stations covering lands bigger than England are dry and withered. A black stockman from the northwest, Jim Shodd, says the drought will last for years yet. He has an insight hard to explain and I would trust his judgment on this and many other issues.

Jim says the dry is worse than most expect and he holds no hope of rain. His black stockmen have shunted thousands of stock across each corner of their station to meet the feed but he says there are too many cattle on hard ground to keep, meaning they will either lose stock to starvation or slaughter big numbers to ease the burden on the land;– a prospect many of these poor blighters must face.

I will one day introduce you to Jim. He visited Sydney with his station owner a year back and again this year. I have no real idea as to how but he and I have, without exception, become good friends – you too would like him for he is good humoured, clever and can read people as if they were open books – although he says nothing to most about his observations. I think his station owner trusts his insight, which is why Jim is always near when business is discussed.

He is the first black man I have had opportunity to really get to know. I think he is only a few years my senior but he has an oldness about him. Last year I found myself absolutely enthralled by his stories of the stockmen and his people, who for the most live on Station land. He says his people are lending their land and helping “whitefellas” more from pity than anything else. He says we wouldn’t survive out there on our own. In years such as this I wonder if he might not be right. The black men are a big part of cattle farming and such is their worth, stations that have their own blacks sell for far more than empty land.

Jim gave me a boomerang which he fashioned himself. He showed me how to throw it so that it would arc around in the sky and come back. He says there are a number of different boomerangs, from big heavy ones that don’t turn but would certainly take off a Kangaroo’s head, to small ones such as the one he gave me that are good for hunting birds. I did a sketch of Jim and drew in the City as a backdrop which he says he will use to tell stories about his trip when he gets home. I don’t think Jim has actually seen the City as the towering buildings fascinated him. When he comes next I will arrange to take him to the City and to home for dinner.

I practiced with the boomerang on the shore at Coogee Bay and on the first throw had to swim some 30 yards to retrieve it and on the very next occasion took a mouthful of sand diving for cover. Jim made it look much easier than it is. I hope one day to visit his Station and meet his family.

Adelaide connected to Melbourne by telephoneThis is a less exciting development but I think it worthy of inclusion as it carries with it an obvious downside for Father. On Sunday the first telephone call between Adelaide and Melbourne was made. Apparently the callers could hear each other as if speaking from the next room despite the call travelling across 500 miles of copper. I expect at this moment you are contemplating the obvious downside of this development. Aunt Winifred might soon replace her vitriolic letters with telephone calls to the house. Father groaned when he read the news but was relived to read the service does not yet afford people in Adelaide the ability to connect to Sydney through Melbourne, although it suggested this development would be possible at some point. Father took heart that even if it were possible for her calls to reach Sydney all parties to the call must be on the central exchanges, not suburban exchanges such as ours. It is only a matter of time before the whole country and every house with a telephone is joined by copper. Poor Father.

Gordon, there is as always more to say, but I will end the journal here and put effort into finding a way to get it to you before you reach home. I believe Burn Philp has a ship departing for the islands shortly and I want to call at the office to see if it will cross your path. News of your homecoming fills me with more excitement than I can express. John.

John Murray’s Diary Part 3