How do local communities react to major global upheavals? For example, how did the outbreak of World War II affect the people of Redcliffe? A look at the Redcliffe Herald for the last months of 1939 provides some insight.
Australia, part of the British Empire, entered World War II on September 3 when Britain declared war on Nazi Germany. The next edition of the Herald, a weekly publication, appeared on September 8. There was no direct reportage of the outbreak of the war, but the editor, with perhaps unwarranted optimism, featured, on page 1, the poem, Hymn to Peace, by local poet, W. Turner of Macdonnell Road.
Other war-related reports in that edition detailed the imposition of immediate censorship of international telegrams and, despite Redcliffe’s distance from hostilities, the formation of a local air raid precautions committee to prepare the population for aerial attack. This endeavour, as well as providing useful information and training, would also be “an expression of loyalty to the Empire.”
During the following months, the newspaper’s attention focused primarily on local news such as debutante balls, sporting events (boxing was very popular), rural news and city council deliberations. The conflict intruded, however, with reports on the launch and activities of auxiliary organisations such as the Australian Comforts Fund, the Patriotic Fund, the Women’s National Emergency Legion and a committee to provide literature to sailors on duty.
One occasion that attracted particular attention in the paper was the council-initiated screening of the film England Prepared, at Mrs Beedham’s cinema. This “interesting, instructive and spectacular” opus, a thrilling representation of Britain’s preparation, organisation, personnel and ammunition, doubtless stimulated a high degree of patriotic fervour.
Events from abroad were touched on peripherally – Turkey’s condemnation of Germany’s aggression, German naval attacks in the Atlantic, the approaching offensive on the Western Front – but one story, on September 29, brought the war uncomfortably close to home. This account, entitled “German Agents Unmasked,” described the actions taken by military and police authorities who, during operations against enemy aliens in Queensland, had exposed an “organized ring of German spies.”
In the Herald’s coverage of the events of the last three months of 1939, local news stories predominated, indicating that normality was still the order of the day. This is not to say that the war was far from the minds and actions of the people of Redcliffe, as evidenced by their response to various organisations and calls to action. Undoubtedly, though, the round of fetes, cricket matches, CWA meetings, etc., provided the comfort of the mundane in very difficult times.
[With thanks to MBRC ourstory.moretonbay.qld.gov.au,Image courtesy of Moreton Bay Regional Council, reference number RLPC-001\001797]
Read more stories from our Redcliffe Guide print magazine here:
- Reddy Roundup: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Podcast Review: Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum
- Screen Acting Shines in Scarborough
- Swap, Share and Grow at Redcliffe Museum’s Plant Swap
- Encourage Your Little Marine Biologist With Kids’ Scuba
- Arcade Wine: A European Experience in Redcliffe
- Youthful Entrepreneur an Eco-Champion
- Are you getting enough?
- Fatigue vs. Burnout: Understanding the Difference for Workers and Business Owners
- A Word From Our Reps
- Where to Honour Our Soldiers This ANZAC Day
- Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race: A Thrilling Easter Tradition
- Redcliffe Shows Resilience As Cyclone Alfred Hits
- Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up
- Rock Out at the Museum for Youth Week
- Pontiacs Take Over Redcliffe: Iconic Cars and a Big Record Attempt
- School to Open New Café for Hospitality Students
- Simplicity in Music and Memorial
- Things to do around Redcliffe for Easter
- Organic Gardening in April
- Choose Bob at Brisbane Comedy Festival
