Monday October 9 - 1944. It was 1450hrs (2.50pm) when our train pulled out of Spencer St Station & we were on our way to Darwin. There was "Swanny" Mary Wilson, "Billy" Hassett, W.O. Whitelaw (who was in charge of us) & myself. There were trestle tables on the platform at Ballarat where we were given our evening meal, which was: Army stew, 2 slices of bread & a cup of tea. After our arrival in Adelaide the next morning we were taken to the Keswick Barracks. We had to be instructed how to use the showers which were capable of blowing up. We spent nine days in Adelaide so was able to get around & see quite a few beauty spots. Shirly & Rena joined us in Adelaide & Honour, Noreen & Doreen also. We left Adelaide on October 19 Thursday by train to Alice Springs at about 7.30am. We stopped at Riverton for a pie & a cup of tea at 9.45 then stopped for lunch at Terowie at 12.45 - next stop was Quorn for our evening meal & to change our rain for the "Ghan" which left at 8pm. We passed through Maree - William Creek - Anna Creek - Coward Springs. It was 11pm when we stopped at Oodnadatta. There were no single girls there so the Air Force boys used to meet the train to see if there were any girls they could talk to. Next stop next morning was Finke where the transmitter & police station were situated - we were able to have a good look around. They had a large vegetable garden, which the Aborigines tended. It was strange to see out in the centre of so much space. All the meals on the train were very good and we enjoyed being waited on. Next stop Alice Springs & end of the line as far as the train was concerned. We arrived at 5.50pm Saturday 21st. Norma Burns was Norma Kelly.,
Notes
Date:1944-10,
Language
English,
Subject
railway stations,
passenger trains,
World War, 1939-1945,
Northern Territory,