Born in 1943?

Ron Williams

This is the third of the 1940s and the fourth book overall to be released in a series of 32 about life in Australia – one for each year from 1939 to 1970. They describe happenings that affected people, real people. The whole series, to coin a modern phrase, is designed to push your buttons, to make you remember and wonder at things forgotten. The books might just let nostalgia see the light of day, so that oldies and youngies will talk about the past and re-discover a heritage otherwise forgotten. Hopefully, they will spark discussions between generations, and foster the asking and answering of questions that should not remain unanswered.

In 1943, Prime Minister Chifley changed his mind. A Jap invasion was no longer on the cards. But he still went on to introduce butter, clothing, and meat rationing. And he said that domestic service was no longer permissible because of labour shortages. But he relented a bit, and allowed most workers a week’s holiday at Christmas. And the blackout covers on all windows could be removed. Though, he added a week later, that they had to go up again. Zoot suits were now for the wearing, fights in city pubs were very popular especially if they involved US servicemen. But fears of Japanese invasion had gone by year’s end.