In transit

From Dad’s Record of Service, I know he was in transit to New Zealand from January 18, 1944. This followed about six weeks at the 12 P.D.R.C. in Brighton, UK (P.D.R.C. standing for Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre). I must see if I can research what troop ship he sailed on back to NZ.

I’m sure he was really looking forward to going home to Island Bay in Wellington. Although it would have been a little sad because his father died in 1943, so when he left NZ to go to war, that was the last time (as far as I know) that he ever saw his father.

I do know from both my parents that they met whilst Dad was in transit back to NZ. They were married on October 12, 1945. I’m pretty sure this photo was taken in Martin Place in Sydney, Australia. That’s where I was born and raised so I know Martin Place VERY well (I even worked around there) – the pillars and archway in the photo are Martin Place for sure.

The chap with Dad is probably the very same one my mother complained about. She always told me that two “uncouth New Zealanders” came on some tour bus that was taking mainly American service personnel to the scenic Blue Mountains (about 2 hours out of Sydney). She was a hostess on this bus – she was working in some capacity for the American Army in Sydney.

She always related this story with a twinkle in her eye. My parents were married 43 years – until Dad died in 1988 – and I never heard or saw a fight going on between them. I believe they were very happily married.

So I guess he met my mother on the bus and that was that. I’m pretty sure they were married back in New Zealand and then returned to Australia. Dad bought a piece of land in St.Ives and they built the home I grew up in.

I'm absolutely certain Dad and the other chap are posing for this photo in Martin Place, Sydney, Australia. Dad is on the right.

Here's a photo of my mother, Shirley Jenkins (née Hyams). No idea when it was taken - but by the looks of the fashion, I'd say 1940s. She always had a pair of black and white shoes in her wardrobe.