SAG Blogger Challenge - October 2022

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Australian War Memorial

What was happening in Australia in the 1940s?

The Japanese first attacked the Australian mainland on 19 February 1942 when they launched a devastating air raid on Darwin in the Northern Territory. Two weeks later, more aircraft attacked Broome in Western Australia, killing about 70 people. (anzacportal.dva.gov.au)

My grandmother, Josephine Annie Romeril (nee Brudus), was at home in Briar Hill, Melbourne with her two youngest children aged 12 and 14.

Her husband, Robert, had joined the Citizens Military Forces in 1939 and her older daughter and two sons, had joined up in 1941/42.


Josephine Annie Romeril 

The focus for the Red Cross in 1941 was that Social Welfare Services were expanded to meet wartime needs. The focus was on rehabilitation for ex-servicemen, women and their families.

In 1942 prisoners of war became the Australian Red Cross' number one priority. (https://www.redcross.org.au/about/history-and-heritage/timeline/)

Josephine felt that she wanted to be involved in supporting Australia throughout this troubling time. She joined the Montmorency branch of the Australian Red Cross and began fundraising to assist the Association in providing support to the troops.


30 Williams Road, Briar Hill, Victoria

The fund raising activities took place at her family home in Briar Hill. Josephine and the ladies supplied afternoon tea.




http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57493230



Josaphine (Annie) held a card afternoon Wednesday November 6,1940 in aid of the Montmorency Red Cross The sum of 12/6 was the result. and afternoon tea was included.








http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57493368

In February, 1940, Lady Duggan, President of the Victorian division, began a three month drive to raise funds for personal comfort for the sick and wounded.


Annie held a Red Cross Radio Party on the 3rd of December where Mrs Bell and Mrs Bakewell won prizes. 2 pounds was raised.




http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57493397










http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57493892


My Aunts and Uncles attended St Francis Xavier School, Montmorency and Annie was busy fundraising for the school on Tuesday 25 February 1941.  My Aunt Dot (Dorothy) who was 11 won one of the prizes.







Dorothy Stanvi (nee Romeril) aged 14


Annie, her daughter, Dorothy and Dorothy's friend Pat Stevenson were active throughout 1941 and 1942 holding various fundraising days for the Red Cross, St. Francis Xavier School and the The Australian Comforts Fund (A.C.F.) which was a source of solace and encouragement for the troops abroad.  The Fund provided extra clothing, food, tobacco and other 'comforts' for the troops.  Fundraising for this organisation was a means for the women at home to contribute to the war effort.







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