Jack Davenport in Narromine, March 1941

When writing Jack Davenport Beaufighter Leader, I was restricted to a word limit. I had to lose about 40,000 words before handing in the manuscript. Some stories had to go. I ended up being about 500 over but my publisher indulgently let me get away with it.

 

 

 I found this story the other day while going through some old drafts. Although interesting from a local history perspective, and another indication of what young men do when they think they can get away with it, it was secondary to the main narrative and I have no regrets about letting it go. 

 

On Saturday 29 March 1941, after two practice flights in the morning, the commanding officer of 5 Elementary Flying Training School at Narromine, Wing Commander E.R. (Roy) King, accompanied Jack Davenport, Bruce Daymond and a hundred or so RAAF trainees to nearby Wellington to participate in a Red Cross fundraiser. Bruce recalled that it was a ‘shocking trip’. It was very hot, the seats on the RAAF tender were hard and the uncomfortable journey too far too long. The difficult travelling conditions were soon forgotten when they arrived. Wellington was gripped by a carnival atmosphere as it hosted the Red Cross appeal day. Button sellers were out on the streets from early in the morning, plying their wares and by lunch time just about everyone in Wellington sported the Red Cross emblem. A fair had been set up on a vacant allotment near the Monarch Picture Theatre with all sorts of fund-raising stalls. The people of Wellington were pleased to dig deep for such an important cause and good-naturedly parted with their cash as they were tempted by fresh produce, home-baked cakes, cool drinks and novelties or decided to risk a flutter on the chocolate wheel. The day showed all the signs of success and organisers expected to net about £300. It was a grand day and everyone enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

The RAAF contingent was to play a key role in the day’s activities: the air men had been invited to march through the main streets of Wellington. Headed by a combined band of Wellington and Dubbo bandsmen, with Drum Major T. Dray in command, Jack and his fellow trainees marched from the railway station through the crowd-lined streets. The reporter from The Wellington Times was most effusive when he later wrote that:

these young men, all of a fine stamp and physique…in their khaki uniforms and blue caps made an imposing sight as they marched with splendid precision and there were hearty cheers for them as they passed the different vantage points.

As far as Jack and Bruce were concerned, two young men of ‘fine stamp and physique’ themselves, the march went well enough and, at its conclusion, the Mayor, Dr V.W. Savage, thanked the RAAF boys for their participation and reminded them that, when their training had been completed, they themselves would be benefiting from the services of the Red Cross. Over the next few months, Jack would note in his diary when the gratefully received comforts packages were divided up but he would never have to await their morale lifting arrival in a prisoner of war camp. Dr Savage invited the boys to a specially arranged afternoon tea. After that, the rest of day was their own so Jack and Bruce decided to walk through the park so they could take some photos. They came across the local pool which was attractively situated under some willow trees, with the lawns sloping down to it. Bruce was particularly taken by the pool which, with all the crowds still enjoying the festivities, was quite empty. The day was still warm and he decided to take advantage of the pristine pool. Naturally, he had no swimming trunks and so, despite Jack’s protests, he stripped to his underpants and dived in. Jack just watched. As it happened, an air force sergeant chose that moment to walk by. He saw Bruce and it appeared to him as if Bruce was swimming naked in the public baths. He wanted to evict Bruce and perhaps put him on a charge. He went up to Jack and asked him for Bruce’s name and number. Jack told the sergeant that he had no idea who was in the pool; he denied all knowledge of him. Not impressed, the air force sergeant left the scene without any details and, happily, neither Bruce nor Jack heard any further about the matter.

A few days earlier, the Wellington populace had been called on to provide overnight billets for their RAAF visitors. Jack and Bruce were billeted at the Court House Hotel. After Bruce’s impromptu swim, they headed to the hotel where they had a good meal; the cold turkey proving very acceptable. Then, along with a crowd of RAAF boys, they went to the pictures but left at half time so they could attend a dance at the tennis club. They returned to Narromine the next morning, and were soon back to the usual training routine.

 

(Jack Davenport after the war)