Evening star., 1942-06-12
American Soldiers
Popular in Australia
Stranger Writes to Sister
His Impressions Of Boys
Who Were Welcome Guests

To the Editor OF The Star:
The following letter, received from a
stranger in Australia. perhaps might be
of interest to readers for the impressions
gained by the writer from his wartime
acquaintance with two soldiers from the
vicinity OF Washington-my brother and
a comrade. MRS. w. @. BARBER.
Takoma Park, Md.
Dear Mrs. Barber
No doubt you will be wondering who
am and for what purpose I am writing
to you. AS my address indicates. am an
Australian, and some time ago it was
nv pleasure, along with my wife and
two daughters, to have the company Of
your brother Jeh and his friend Warren.
At this stage I might state that I
must be very guarded in what write.
so that I shall not incur the diSpleasure
OF the censor. On the other hand, l
know YOU will be most anxious to learn
all you can concerning Jef1. Dates OF
events I must leave out.
Some time ago a party OF American
boys came to our city and were billetted
on the people. and 1t was our good for-
tune to have the privilege Of sharing our
home with jeff and his pal. They were
with us for nearly q week, during which
we had taken our guests to our hearts.
and when the time for parting came we
parted with them with feelings OF great
regret. I asked JEFF for his home ad-
dress as felt must write to some one
to tell what the boys coming has meant
to us.
Might I confess at this juncture that
when the proposal was first suggested
that the boys were coming here We all
felt q little strange? A few minutes in
each others company. however, reas-
sured us Indeed, America has some
thing to be proud Of Never have l met
such a fine body Of men and so we'll be-
haved. Apart from the feeling OF Sc
curity that their coming has meant to
us there is an affinity which has been
created that nothing can destroy.
The people OF this city not only con-
sdered 1t their duty. but a privilege to
have the boys in their homes, and our
only anxious moments were in thinking
what to do to make them feel at home.
Customs generally were much the
same, although the cuisine caused the
wife a few anxious moments. Having
had four years at the last war, I was
able to appreciate what a good home
means to a soldier and for this reason
I was more than pleased to do what
could in my humble way to try and
make the boys contented.
If anything further were needed to re-
mind us just what your country means
to us at present. the arrival in this
country OF Gen Macarthur has supplied
it His coming has been hailed with
delight by all. Australians dearly love a
fighter, and in Gen. Macarthur you ap-
pear to have furnished man that tSpi-
fies all that a soldier should be. America
can rest assured that this country is
behind him to the hilt.
Well, I haven't said very much about
Jefi up to date and that no doubt, is
what you wish to learn. He was par
ticularly we'll but just a little concerned
that his waistline might be becoming
too large He had an enjoyable and
uneventful trip to this country. You
should be proud of your brother He
was very much attached to Warren.
whom we also admire and whilst Jeff
shares his company I feel sure he is
assured OF 4 real friend.
efo IN cL
liking but even in their short stay We
had learned to look on them as men,
bers of our family, and I must confess
tears were shed when they left, whilst
was weak enough to swallow a lump in
my throat
My two daughters taged Is and ~
were thrilled with their company. :.
Well. little bit about this city Of ours
.. Bendigo is a city in Victoria the
southern state of Australia. Judged by
American standards, it probably is quite
a small place. 1t is gold mining city of
about 35 900 inhabitants and is 100 miles
from our capital Melbourne. We boast
of an excellent climate. although some
Of the days during which the boys were
with us were very hot, the temperature
being in the vicinity Of 100 degrees
They did not appear to be distressed,
however
must conclude this letter with the
hope that Jeff will be spared to return
to his home fit and we'll I will look
forward to any news Of him with in
terest.
Yours faithfully,
ERIC w. JOHNSON.
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.