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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: iwccc on Wednesday 22 November 17 11:10 GMT (UK)
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Hello, I am trying to trace the Volunteer Defence Corps (I think that is what they were called) who did war service in Australia. I am particularly looking for information on men who guarded the Parramatta River in 1942, where they were stationed, what uniforms did they wear etc.
Also looking for information on what it was like on Sydney Harbour on 31st May/1st June, 1942 - the night the midget submarines came into Sydney Harbour.
Any help would be much appreciated.
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Hi iwccc,
Here are some photos and articles from trove about the midget submarines in Sydney harbour in June 1942
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01l2x/
Ros
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Hi there,
What name for your ancestor who served in the VDC? If they are still alive, please don't post their name, but perhaps you could send me a PM in case I may have further details on that person.
Are you writing a book or just wanting to write a paragraph or two?
Mr Google is your friend. ‘battle of Sydney 1942” and “Volunteer Defence Corps NSW 1942” and “Parramatta River defence 1942”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour
and
http://www.navy.gov.au/history/feature-histories/japanese-midget-submarine-attack-sydney-harbour
and
https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/1942-sydney-under-attack
and
https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/underattack/bombed/sydney
and
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs192.aspx
and
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-31/75th-anniversary-of-sydney-harbour-attack/8575976
and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Defence_Corps_(Australia)
and
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/ww2/vol-def-corps.htm
and
http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/vdc.htm
and
https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/underattack/mobilise/guard
and
https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/units/687/people
and
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nswcultureheritage/SydneyDefenceHeritage.htm
and
https://gallery.records.nsw.gov.au/index.php/galleries/war-and-australia/war-and-australia-world-war-ii/war-and-australia-world-war-ii-1942-new-south-wales-prepares-for-war/
and
http://heritagecentre.parracity.nsw.gov.au/
In general terms, Parramatta River is west of the Harbour Bridge, and Sydney Harbour is to its east.
JM
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Hi Majm, I am not looking for an ancestor who served in the VDC - what I am trying to find is where the VDC were exactly around Rydalmere on the River. My grandmother used to take them hot cocoa - especially on the cold nights. Wanted to know what these men were doing - were they just generally keeping an eye on what came up the river or were they guarding factories etc. Thank you for your list of suggestions - I had already googled a number of them and found some good general information. My mother and uncle were also on the harbour the night the midget subs. entered Sydney Harbour.
I appreciate your help.
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Hello Rosball, Thank you for the link to trove newspaper articles. Very interesting. I appreciate your help.
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There were punts across the river, just one left now - around Putney.
http://www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/punts.html
Mortlake - Putney Ferry
The Mortlake Ferry, also known as the Putney Punt, is a cable ferry that runs across the Parramatta River, connecting Hilly Street, Mortlake and Pellisier Road, Putney. This vehicular ferry was opened on 16 May 1928. The service was established to serve the factory areas of Mortlake. The ferry opening pre-dated the nearby Ryde Bridge which opened in 1935, and it was one of several vehicular ferries operating across the Parramatta River at the time.
....
Roads and Maritime Services may have archival material lodged at NSW Archives.
JM
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Thanks for that Majm, I am now beginning to think that the men were guarding the railway bridge which crosses the Parramatta river in that general area. I have looked at a map and believe the men would have been stationed somewhere around Vineyard Creek (which comes off the Parramatta River)
Thanks again