Gwenneth Dorothy WEST (nee Jamieson) Born 15th April 1922
Written 3 June 2004
I was born in East Maitland into a happy Christian family - the first of three daughters - my father was a schoolteacher. My mother’s mother – recently widowed - lived with us – a wonderful Christian lady.
When my father was moved to Cessnock High we lived opposite the school - he used to take me with him after school hours to his classroom and my first memory when I was about three is standing on a table drawing on the blackboard while my father worked at his desk. At this time my mother, who was in her early twenties, obtained her driver’s licence which was unusual for a woman in the 1920’s.
When I was five we moved back to Sydney and lived at Ashfield. I attended Sunday School at the Baptist church where my grandmother worshipped. In her later years when she did not enjoy good health and her eyesight was failing I would sit at her bedside, read the Bible and sing my Sunday school choruses. When I was eleven my beloved grandmother died - she was seventy and I thought she was very old – I don’t now!
In the 1930’s the whole world was plunged into economic depression - many people were unemployed and those who did work had to accept significant pay-cuts. There was a lot of distress and poverty before the situation improved.
I was learning to play the piano and when I was fourteen I played for Sunday School and I’m still playing! About the same time I played tennis at school - and I’m still playing!
An historic occasion in the 1930’s was the completion of the Harbour Bridge. On opening day I was among the schoolchildren who walked across the bridge.
I attended Fort Street High where I matriculated when I was sixteen. The main building is one of Sydney’s oldest - it was built in 1815 and is now the headquarters of the National Trust.
I was employed at T & G Insurance Co. which at that time was the tallest building in Sydney - twelve storeys high with a tower-on the corner of Elizabeth and Park Sts opposite Hyde Park.
Then came WW2 to a world which had hardly recovered from the Great Depression.
We watched our young men march down Elizabeth Street to board the troopships which took them to war - there were few men left in our office. As the war proceeded food and clothing was strictly rationed. Hostilities spread to the Pacific and Sydney became a favourite place for R&R leave for Allied service personnel so various centres were established in the city to provide meals and recreation. I became a volunteer and worked in several places as did many office workers in the city
A British Centre was built in Hyde Park and Bill and I met there in mid 1945.
He was then a constant visitor at my house – although Bill was Anglican he came to church with me and enjoyed the involvement and friendship. We were married in the Baptist Church on 2 November 1945. Bill returned to England on HMS Indefatigable in January 1946 to leave the navy and resume employment in the railway.
In 1946 civilian travel was restricted as the seas were still fraught with danger and it wasn’t until 3 July 1946 I sailed from Sydney – one of 655 Australian war brides of British servicemen – on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious. We drew away from Woolloomooloo Wharf – bright streamers trailing – our family and friends waving – 6,000 in all – as the Sydney Harbour Bridge receded into the distance – I sailed away – a young bride – to be with my husband and meet his family.
I had already been assured of a warm welcome. Either you are a good sailor or you aren’t. I soon found out I was in the latter group. After 5 days of gale force winds and mountainous seas as we sailed through the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait across the Great Australian Bight – it was a relief to arrive at Perth – Terra Firma never felt so good!
We sailed away from Australia to the strains of Waltzing Matilda. The coastline receded into the distance of the Indian Ocean and disappeared. We were able to go ashore at Colombo, Aden, Port Said and Gibraltar – the memory of this giant aircraft carrier – 35,000 tons – squeezing its way through the Suez Canal was indeed unforgettable.
We arrived at Plymouth on 7 August – 5 weeks after we left Sydney – our husbands waiting on the wharf. A train was waiting at the dock – a special train to take husbands and brides to their destination. We travelled to Stockport, which is near Manchester. Bill’s mother had impressed on his father to speak clearly so that I would understand him. When we met he said: ‘EE BY GUM LUV YOU’VE CUM’ – we were friends for life.
Bill had leave from work and straightaway he took m on a bus tour of Cheshire – his home county – and I was fascinated by the beautiful countryside and the old churches and graveyards. We then stayed for a few days in the Lakes District – an enchanting area of England – many famous poets lived there and were inspired by its magic.
Bill’s uncle, William George West, was anxious to meet me. He was a wealthy landowner and immediately offered me a position in his real estate office. He set me up in my own office – my window was directly opposite a black and white 13th century Tudor building which housed a bank. We soon found accommodation where the back garden gate gave access to a public common where there were tennis courts. My tennis racquet was in my luggage, so Bill and I used to play after work – in the twilight hours – until 11 at night – of course, in the summer. I was looking forward to seeing snow for the first time – then it remained for 6 months – winter was the worst for 60 years.
Bill and I decided to visit London for the weekend and every body thought we were crazy – such a long journey - they were not used to travelling so far. I remember my first food shopping expedition – in 1946 there weren’t too many Aussies in the area. The fruit shop assistant said: ‘You must come from a sunny country!’ I had a sun tan and everybody else seemed so white – I said: ‘Yes, I come from Sydney”, she said ‘where’s that?’ I proceeded to explain.
Bill had already decided that post-war England was not as attractive as Sydney – the people suffered so much during the war years but their spirit was amazing – severe rationing made life difficult – so it was an easy decision to return to Australia at the end of twelve months.
Bill had a position waiting fro him and we managed to obtain a passage on SS Stratheden – which was on its maiden voyage to Australia after conversion from a troopship. We sailed from Tilbury and five weeks later on 1st August 1947 arrived in Sydney Harbour at 8am on a sunny winter morning. Oh what a feeling! The sight of the Harbour Bridge – gradually coming closer – and on the wharf delighted family and friends there to greet us.
There was a housing shortage because building was at a standstill during the war years. We lived with my parents, as did most newly weds. We were comfortably accommodated and all lived happily together. Bill commenced employment with BP Australia then, 3 months after our arrival from England, our first daughter, Marilynne, was born. When our second daughter, Annette, was born in 1950, we decided we must branch out on our own.
We bought land at Chester Hill, west of Strathfield, which was in a new housing area, then excitedly planned our home. We had very little money, materials were scarce, but we managed to overcome the difficulties and Bill built our first house, what an achievement! After 12 months, we moved in – it took another year to finish. It was wonderful to have our own home and when our 3rd daughter Judi arrived in 1955 we were a very happy family.
I decided to attend a service at the local Anglican Church, ST Marks, while Bill looked after the girls. I went to Evening Prayer and quietly slipped into the back seat – trying to find my way through the Prayer Book. The rector spoke to me after the service and in no time at all our three daughters were baptised Anglicans and I was confirmed in St Andrews Cathedral by Archbishop Mowll.
The whole family became involved over the years. Bill was a warden, treasurer and synod representative. I played the organ, taught Sunday School and Religious Education in the schools – and was treasurer for four years. God was, and is, important in our lives. The girls were in the choir and involved in youth activities. They were all educated at Fort St Girls’ High and pursued and achieved tertiary qualifications.
Bill had been working at BP’s Auburn depot and when he was moved to BP’s North Sydney Head Office we decided to move to the Northern beaches.
We rang an estate agent at Dee Why – made an appointment to look at houses the following Saturday. He showed us a new house at Collaroy Plateau which had just been completed – exactly what we wanted. Our house at Chester Hill sold straight away – the deal was finalised.
We worshipped at St Johns Dee why for almost 20 years and became involved where needed. The girls sang in the choir which had a reputation for musical excellence. I joined a tennis club as I had in Chester Hill – to be part of a group in the community.
Bill had always had an interest in photography, and successfully completed a course in the subject and then became a Public Relations photographer for BP.
After 20 years out of the workforce, I successfully applied for a clerical position in the office of Paul Hamlyn Publishing Company. It was great to receive a pay packet again! Then I was appointed to the position of Office Manager – what a challenge! However, everything fell into place. In 1979 Bill retired from BP after 35 years – and then we went travelling to New Zealand, England, Scotland and Wales, and the Continent.
In the early 1980’s, all our family were in Canberra working and living with their husbands and young children. We moved to Canberra at the end of 1983 and settled in Fraser – later moving to Florey, where we now live. We became parishioners at St James where family members already attended.
I joined Kippax Tennis Club where I am still playing. Bill and I became involved in the church and community and have made many friends. It is a delight to worship at St James and be involved with various ministries – and music. My 5 years as warden were very special for me.
In the mid 1980’s we continued our travels to America – the later visited every Australian state and capital city. In 1995 – 50 years after the end of WW2 – the world remembered! – we travelled to Britain with a group of Australian & British navy veterans fro a reunion at Portsmouth where they were given freedom of the city – 11,000 vets gathered – many had not met since the war – the Queen was represented by Prince Philip who mingled freely. A highlight of events was the wonderful service of praise and thanksgiving to God attended by 20,000 people – by the sea. To finish – here is a poem I have written
Twas a warm spring evening in 1945
November 2nd at the church I did arrive
Vows to exchange with my British flyer
To be his wife was my desire
The war had ended midst great celebration
Acclaim to all who defended our nation
Married ten weeks our lives put on hold
When Bill sailed home to Britain cold
Six months later with 655 Australian wives
So that we all could continue with our lives
How better to travel across the sea
Than with the British Royal Navy
To experience the wonder of distant lands
Remembering our lives were in their hands
With the boys of HMS Victorious
Arriving in England happy and glorious
For sunny Australia we both did yearn
On the good ship Stratheden made a safe return
Our first daughter a healthy arrival
Born in Australia assured of survival
Came the reality life is not a dream
For our life together we began to scheme
The best for our beloved daughters three
A worthy home for our family
We al enjoyed our involvement with Church
For the best in life we were happy to search
Worship and praise have been a pleasure
With those whose friendship we always treasure
Perhaps for Bill there was indeed a menace
My great desire to continue with tennis
He accepted it was for my good health
More precious in life than any great wealth
With kindred spirits enjoying the fun
We served and delivered hoping for sun
While Bill pursued the art of photography
The final result – a family chronology
Great grandchildren three and grandchildren five
Whose various activities help keep us alive
Great dreams achieved – love, laughter, tears
We remember together many happy years