It was late October or early November 1943. Annie and Roy Phelan at Mitiamo were trying to maintain normality for their business and family while the country was at war in the Pacific and Europe. Their general store was a successful business in a small country town and they were very active members of their community. Their only daughter, Joy, was at school in the town and looking forward to her ninth birthday in a week or two and Douglas was away boarding with an aunt and uncle in Boort while he finished his Merit Certificate. The Phelan's oldest son, Neil, was away from home, serving with the Royal Australian Air Force in Milne Bay and their second son, Keith, had enlisted when he turned 18 a few months earlier and had been told to turn up for duty in Royal Park, Melbourne in mid-November.
On this particular day Roy's brother Gordon and his wife Phyllis were visiting, and Roy had gone to Boort to bring Douglas home for the weekend. As Roy and Douglas travelled home they commented on the smoke on the horizon and discussed what could be the origin. They arrived home to find their shop and their home next door had both been consumed by the fire.
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| Sims Bros shop and home, Mitiamo, destroyed by fire in 1943. The business was operated by Roy and Annie Phelan. [Click to view large] |
I have searched the online newspapers at Trove to find reports of the fire but the local papers for the year 1943 have not yet been digitised so I am relying on family stories and letters for details. The letters are particularly detailed because Neil was serving in Papua New Guinea and he was being told all about it by both parents. Luckily Neil has kept those letters, all except the first one where he was initially told about the devastating fire. Neil wrote about that time in a recent book telling the stories of men and women from the Kerang area who served in the airforce:
My
orders [in Goodenough] were to go to Ransford...I travelled with a couple of
other airforce chaps. We reported in to Ransford, and they gave us leave. I
went home for a few weeks. I was pleased to get home - a decent shower, decent
food. This was in January 1944. Things had changed at home. My parents' house
and shop had burnt down and they were operating another shop in town. I had
lost all my personal possessions as well. It was a shock when I got the news in
a letter in Milne Bay [Ploughshares and Propellers, compiled by Bruce Anderson, 2009, p416]
Apparently the fire started in a cafe (under the same roof as the shop) that was operated by Martin Dee. A faulty refrigerator was the cause. The fire got out of control, burned the cafe, the shop itself and then the house that was attached next door. The local people were able to rescue some things from the shop (including Roy's account books) and some furniture and items from the front rooms of the house. Annie and Roy detail some of these items in their letters to Neil, below.
After the fire there were two working bees to help clean up the site of the fire - knocking down damaged walls, stacking bricks and so on. The local ladies rallied to collect some items the family would need and there was a cheque presented to the family after donations were collected from the community. Annie and Roy were embarrassed by the cheque because they really didn't need the cash but were very touched by the thought behind it.
Roy wrote to Neil that his suppliers were very understanding and luckily there was another smaller shop in the town that the family owned so they were able to get the second shop up and running within a few weeks. Roy and Annie made the decision to stay in Mitiamo and operate the business on a smaller scale and rent a home several doors up from where they had been living. In a time of war it was very difficult to restock the shop infastructure and refurnish a home so they were very busy organising it all.
To further complicate matters their son Keith had enlisted and had been ordered to sign on so within a week of the fire they travelled down to Melbourne with him and stayed with Roy's father in Preston while he settled in and Roy sorted out more shop supply matters. They were also trying to get Keith exempted from service because of the fire - they argued that he was needed at home - and because of his health - he passed his fitness test despite the fact that he was completely deaf in one ear.
And yet another complicating factor was that Roy's unmarried sister, Ina, who lived with her father, had to go into hospital for several weeks for an operation and Annie was the only person who was able to stay and care for the father. Annie herself was not coping well with the shock of the fire and states that her nerves were bad - she had gone to stay with her sister Lilia for a few days to recuperate but then had to herself become a carer. [I'm amazed that there was no-one else in the family who could volunteer to do this!] Joy stayed in Mitiamo with Annie's sister Elvie.
I publish here some extracts from various letters:
Sunday
...They had
an afternoon for you on Friday Anne. I didn't know until Mrs Wallace rang and
asked could they put the parcel in the house...Mrs Wallace said to tell you
there was 14 tea towels & 2 table cloths, so don't buy more tea towels.
There's also jams etc. There was another working bee yesterday, also V.D.C.
& the ladies had a bee on the croquet court & then at afternoon tea.
There was only 13 men at the fire bee, so not much done... Ede said she'd bring
cutlery & tablecloths but I told her not to for the present, so she is
bringing a couple (of) saucepans. I guess she'll have more than that tho. Ede
said she had a brush for you.Well Anne
I'm glad Lilia can manage you & I do hope the rest has helped you. I'm
truly sorry I couldn't have done more for you I seem to be such a drone when it
comes to helping people. Hope to help you settle in tho. Freda is anxious to
help clean up & June too, & are waiting for me to say but I feel you'd
sooner be there too so haven't set a day yet...
Elvie [Letter to Annie, recuperating in Melbourne with her sister Lilia, from her sister Elvie]
Ivanhoe
Thursday Nov
4th
1943
My dear NeilYou will see
by the address that we are with Aunt Lilia for a few days. Keith had to go into
camp last night so we brought him down. Father is trying now for his release. Since
our calamity we really need him home, just now he would be a wonderful help for
father & he is quite justified in asking for exemption. However we must
just trust & hope all will be well. Aunt Lilia has put me to bed to try
& pick up, my nerves are all to the pack, but hope to get a tonic to pick
me up. Daresay father will be very busy with new plans &b arranging for the
future, & I know everything will work out alright, if father keeps well. I
wonder sometimes just how he stands up to all his responsibility, but pray God
will give him strength for all his needs.At present
he has varied ideas about business so as time moves on he will decide better.
Charlie's
shop is not altogether suitable, but is serving well at the present. It is
surprising how quickly they got stock again, & father will have a better
chance of buying down here.We have
decided to live in Hardiman's home, and think it will be much more convenient
for us & give us more bedrooms. When we go back Mr Taylor is going to build
some cupboards for us to replace the suites, now we only possess one wardrobe.
We wouldn't buying furniture until after the war is over, even then for
sometime everything will be very scarce & expensive.I must tell
you what we really have rescued from the fire - think I mentioned the two front
rooms were cleared, giving us the lounge & bedroom suite & two carpets.
The sideboard contained all my crystal & wedding presents also my treasured
needle-work. The Auto Waggon also had teapot, jug & basin, cake forks &
tea-spoons, My cutlery cabinet was also in the front so I am very pleased to
have these possessions which I value so very much. The wardrobe contained quite
a few double sheets of mother's & new pillowslips etc & also two
tablecloths. I really think I can manage to go along without replacing linen.
The two wireless sets & four bridge chairs from the back dining room also
mother's electric stove, but all other electric appliances I lost.We rescued
your gold watch but lost Keith's. Chas lost his good camera too. My watch &
engagement ring too are gone. All the bed clothing from three double beds came
out, so that means we got six good sheets from them, also good blankets. The
passage robe & carpet was saved, also father's tall-boy, so that gave dad
his clothing. The old back room and wash-house remained untouched after all the
fire was over so we got a lot of useful things from there. Later the walls
collapsed and damaged the old buildings so they have since been demolished.
Last Saturday about 50 people turned out to the working bee & cleaned up a
lot of stuff & I believe they are repeating the performance this week-end.
People have been most sympathetic in fact too much so, we are getting parcels
& clothing etc & really things unnecessarily, however we are glad folks
are feeling for us. You will get all the details when you come home Neil, &
by then we will be more reconciled to everything & be able to relate the
funny side too.The same
afternoon I spent doing up a comforts fund cake for your Xmas so that too was
burnt, however the ladies soon replaced that & sent it off. It may not be
packed just so good, but hope it reaches you soon. I am hoping you may soon be
back, so not worrying about parcels at present.I think most
of the plant from the shop was saved, cash register, scales, typewriter &
Evelyn's machine, & I think dad saved all the necessary books, except one
day's dockets, so the situation could be worse. Poor Martin Dee didn't have his
refrigerator insured so his was a big loss & he also lost all of his books.Father has
just walked in & says he has had a big day but actually hasn't done very
much. These times it takes so long to get far. Keith has gone through from
Royal Park & tells us he has gone through his medical test & classed as
A2, & is just mucking around now, don't suppose he is very happy about
things yet.Uncle Gordon
returned home today, rather a pity he should be with us when the fire took
place. We thought it may be upsetting to his nerves but as yet he has stood the
test. I think this was the first visit to us since our married life. I don't
think he had much opportunity of looking around. They arrived from Melb the
night before about 12 oclock & then 9 am next morn set off for Birchip. He
intended to spend the following day sight-seeing.Now dear
Neil I must finish up. You will see my paper is not air-mail, & my fountain
pen missing as well, but as we can substitute I do hope your health has
improved & those cysts taken up.See you
bring home some cat's eyes & we can have some more sleeve links made with
our oddments of gold.Keep smiling
& come home soonCheerio, may
God bless & keep you in His loving careFondest love
& kissesxxxxxx from
mother [Letter to Neil from his mother Annie]
Preston
Sunday7-11-43
Dear Neil
A matter of
a few days & great are the changes. Little did we think when you left us
that we would be burnt out. However it has happened & it is now on us to
set about reconstruction. We certainly have lost a lot of personal belongings
& odds & ends that money won't buy but will have cash to start up again
& that is something.
We have
talked about leaving Mitty & now would be our chance but I think will set
up again on a smaller scale so that if the time comes that we do want a change
we will be able to get out. The merchants are treating us pretty decently so
that I think will be able to build up the grocery stock without much trouble.
As regards drapery & hardware will not worry so much about it for a while.
As Keith had to go in to
Royal Park last Wednesday we brought him down & dropped him out to the camp
in the evening. ... Well Neil I
think this is about all for the time. Ask questions on what we fail to tell
you.
Still
looking forward to the day when you say you are on the homeward run.
Love from
all
Dad [Letter to Neil from his dad, Roy]
Ivanhoe N21
Nov 9th
Tuesday
My dear Neil
I have two
homes down here, just working between the two. I am having my teeth fixed with
Mr Yates so just work in with his appointments. Ina went into hospital for a
minor operation today, she has a hernia, and will be in there for a fortnight.
We are
looking after Grandpa whilst we are here, so tonight father and he are
together. We do want to get home very soon, so I am hoping someone will come
along & take care of Grandpa, otherwise I will have to remain down for a
few days longer.
We had a
nice letter from Uncle Gibson today & he was so shocked about the fire
& suggesting he help dad financially, but think dad will manage to go
along. Building is quite out of the question just now & after the war we
can plan accordingly. You may even want to leave Mitiamo Neil.
We had a
letter from you today No.14, but as yet you have not made comment on our fire.
Your letters are coming from home, so are somewhat delayed.
It is a very
difficult time for buying kitchen utensils etc, & crockery is almost
unprocurable - however I think we will get sufficient to go along. Today father
was trying to get some linoleum, so hope he succeeds. He is having a very busy
time ... [Letter to Neil from his mother, Annie]
Mitiamo
19/12/43
Sunday
Dear Neil...The school breakup was last Friday & as you may guess the kiddies had a good time. We burnt up Santas outfit but they substituted somehow or other & believe George Doffey made a very good Santa. Well Neil the time comes to close down again so love from all & best Wishes for Xmas which is getting close on.Dad
3 Tintern Ave
West Preston N18
Sunday Nov 21st 1943
My dear Neil
I received
your last letters from home on Saturday & in No17 you replied to the fire.
It was a
pleasure to read your letter Neil, I'm so glad you have the fighting spirit
& as you say we can smile through it all & be thankful for what we
still possess. I said to one lady, it takes a fire for us to realise what good friends we have. When father arrived
home, there was a beautiful letter containing a cheque also. I would like to
have you here for a guessing competition, well Neil it was the big sum of 197
pounds. I will give you a copy of the letter.
It was with great sorrow & sadness
of heart we learnt of your great loss by the recent outbreak of fire. More so
in connection with your home & personal effects. As a token of the high
esteem in which we hold you we enclose a cheque which will express our sympathy
in a practical manner and may help you to replace some household articles which
is our desire. We shall be amply repaid if you accept this in the same spirit
as we tender it. With all good wishes for a happy future
believe me to be
yrs sincerely
M. Wallace
On behalf of your Mitiamo & district
friends.
Well Neil as
you know, we would rather not accept money from our friends & hope in some
way to be able to return it.
We do
appreciate the kindness of the people.
I'm spending the last few
days here with Grandpa before returning home at the latter end of next week.
Father & Joy will arrive down tomorrow, just for a few days. When I rang
last night both Father & Joy were at Kendall's celebrating the birthday. So
again you see the kindness shown, Mrs Kendall evidently tendered a party for
Joy. She will tell you all about it. I quite forgot her birthday until I read
your letter saying you had sent her a butterfly. Father said she was overjoyed. ... [Letter to Neil from his mother]
This week I've rather rambled on more than I usually do for a Sepia Saturday blog but I think the letters are so interesting I couldn't leave them out. The theme image this week was a collage of four photos I suggest you visit the
Sepia Saturday webpage to see what images other bloggers have chosen to write about.
