© 2018 Greg & Sylvia RAY

World War 2

Read more about the article Newcastle’s wartime eyes on the sky

Newcastle’s wartime eyes on the sky

During World War 2, when most able-bodied males were either overseas fighting, or working in essential industries, women were recruited for many roles that had previously been men-only. Edna Petfield, member of the Australian Women's Army Service in World War 2. Newcastle's heavy industries made it a vital part of Australia's continuing war effort, so its defence was critical. That was a primary reason for the establishment of the Williamtown fighter base, and it was also why large numbers of women were put to work in many defence-related jobs around the region. The Australian Women's Army…

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Read more about the article Sailor Bill saw the ghost of his old ship

Sailor Bill saw the ghost of his old ship

Two boys on the Newcastle waterfront circa 1937 - with the ship Danmark in the background. SOMETHING about the photograph kept drawing Bill Lieb's eyes back. The picture was in our book, Recovered Memories, published in 2011 as a companion volume to our earlier book, Newcastle, the Missing Years. At first glance it was just a pleasant picture of two young boys sitting on the wharf at Newcastle Harbour, sometime in the 1930s. But after looking for some time at the photo Bill, then 87 and now deceased, felt his skin prickle with sudden recognition. Across…

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Read more about the article Bill put ships in bottles

Bill put ships in bottles

BILL Weaver’s great-grandfather owned and operated four coastal trading ships, back in Great Britain’s days of sail. Bill’s grandfather – a skipper on his father’s little fleet – won a British Empire Medal in World War I for spotting a German submarine prowling around in Solway Firth. His sharp eyes saved a troopship from destruction. He was also coxswain in the local lifeboat. He drowned in a regatta accident in 1933. Ran away to sea Bill’s father (also named Bill) ran away to sea at 16, signing on as a deck boy with the Blue Funnel…

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