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University Course
While I was in hospital I thought of completing my university work. I
had completed three years' study. The last year I got three posts out
of three subjects. When I was at Baulkham Hills I got all keyed up and
wrote a letter to the university. They wrote back saying that, if I concluded
my Economics subject, I would get my diploma. (In the last year there
were three subjects, Economics was one, but I forget what the other two
were.) So, I got all keyed up and dug my books out and started reading
and then somebody said, "Come on, we want you for a game a poker".
That was the end of my studies. But it didn't matter because I didn't
think I ever would have needed it. Going on my business "career", I never
needed a diploma because I knew I was going to Leeton and I didn't need
a diploma there. As it turned out when I went into Golden Press with Jack
Davis I didn't need a diploma there, nor when I started Corrugated Paper
with Noel Lasker. Still, it would have been nice to have Dip. Comm. after
my name.
Eusol
So I spent 18 months in Baulkham Hills recovering and I had, amongst
other things, what is known as bascillus piocinies which is impervious
to penicillin which was available by then. The only thing that was any
good for it was the old World War I Eusol (Edinburgh University Solution
of Lime) which was the penicillin of the First World War. Eventually the
wound granulated. As I said I had a few operations where they took bits
of schluf, they called it, bone and that sort of thing, out of the wound.
Self-help
At Baulkham Hills, in the amputee ward, there were 36 patients, 34 amputees
and the other 2 able bodied, in hospital for some orthopaedic problem.
All the amputees had to make their own beds with a red cross on the top
sheet. If it was not exactly in the middle of the bed, we had to remake
it. The one armed, and the leg amputees who could, served the meals out,
and collected the dirties and took the dishes to the kitchen, where those
who could not carry stood on one leg and washed up. None of the modern
day "counselling". We helped each other by example. On the back lawn we
played quoits, and also soccer on crutches. At night, when we went to
the movies in the hospital, we used to race each other down to the theatre
on crutches at a fast pace. We learned from each other and supported each
one. All of a sudden you realised that you weren't the only one who had
lost a limb (or two).
Radio star
Early in 1944 while I was at Baulkham Hills, my fathers brother, my uncle Vic was making his usual quarterly donation at the Blood Bank in Sydney, when he overheard, or was told, that a serviceman in New Guinea had survived after receiving over sixty pints of blood. He at once told them that it was his nephew, naming me. A few days later I was notified by the hospital that Radio Station 2UW wanted to know if I would do a broadcast for them, to help the war effort, and bring in more much needed donors. The answer was, of course, yes, and a date was fixed.
They sent a car for me and we went to the studio, which was in the State Building (over the State Theatre in Market St.) I was taken to an office, and asked a number of questions about my time in New Guinea, where and how I was wounded, my transfer from there to Port Moresby, and my time in hospital there. In fact everything I could remember. He then left me in the room with a cup of tea, for some time.
On his return he had a typed sheet, or sheets, of a question and answer interview, which he gave to me for my opinion and, if needed, alteration, addition, or otherwise. After reading and as necessary altering I was ready to record. During the war all such matter was not allowed to be done live, because of the censor who still had to vet my interview. This having been done I was ready go to the recording studio, where I was met by the man who was going to ask me the questions, and I was going to reply, as per the script that had been given to me.
The first thing I noticed was the recording machine, which looked like a very large gramophone with a black disc about 20" in diameter, which when started recorded from the inside to the outside. On completion the record was replayed and was given the OK. The interview went without a hitch, but I admit I was a bit nervous and didnĠt really recognise my own voice. I did not think I sounded anything like that. I then went back to a lounge, and was congratulated on my performance. I was told that, while I was in the studio, an Air Force Squadron Leader with a DSO had been doing what I had done. But, even though heĠd shot down a number of enemy planes, heĠd had "mike fright".
Speaking of the blood bank, during and after the war both my sisters gave blood, and on returning from the country in 1948, where my wife and I were for two years, and our first son was born, I determined to donate at least 60 +times.
I reached just over 50 donations when I went to the blood bank and on checking they found my blood pressure was high, and on going to my doctor was placed on medication which precluded any more donations.
Occupational Therapy
Whilst at Baulkham Hills I did various occupational subjects to keep
mind and body going, and not vegetating. Whilst in Moresby I made felt
toys, as that was all I could do lying on my back. In Baulkham Hills I
commenced weaving, and made a great number of scarves. I then wanted to
use a more advanced loom. On inquiry I found none were available, so I
decided to make one. To do this I had to learn carpentry. This I did,
with the help of a teacher, and so the first project was to make as rocking
horse for my niece, who was about the right age. Having passed the first
test, I then made my loom and many table place mats. All this was in addition
to going up to the local hotel, the Bull and Bush, on a regular basis.
Those able to pushed the wheel-chair bound ones up the hill. After an
afternoon of fun, we'd have wheel-chair races down the hill from the pub
to the hospital. By this time I had the loan of a Morris 8/40 and was
independent of the ambulance routine.
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