Gray’s experience of war in New Guinea was heavily shaped by the tropical and stormy weather so prevalent in the South West Pacific. As well as recollections of a somewhat distinctive war experience Gray like many other participants in war was greatly moved and reassured by the comfort he gained from a strong bond with his compatriots in the trenches.
As part of his experience in the Pacific he suffered from the virtually obligatory bouts of tropical dysentery and mosquito attacks. He also faced risks associated with swimming and bathing in crocodile infested creeks. After seeing a crocodile shot where he frequently swam and bathed, he quickly became more cautious.
Gray seems to have found himself caught between being angry and frustrated by the rain and trying to look at it optimistically. “Quite often two meals per day were taken in pouring rain, and as soon as you bend your head a steady stream of water runs from your hat into your dixie- makes the peach juice go a long way.” So although he was trying to find the positives in the situation he was unable to gloss over the reality that the, “[b]read and biscuits are sodden, rain cools the meals off even if they were hot, and when under the net brown and green dye comes down with the rain drops. Coupled with that one is saturated and boots never dry out so altogether, it’s a ‘hell’ of a bit of rain.” Although he liked that the nightly rain provided a good shower, he was constantly concerned he would get caught unable to wash the soap off.
Gray had feelings of dread following his re-posting to Dobudura, largely because he would lose the comfort he gained from his bond with his tent mates. On having to leave, “The feeling of uncertainty was immense. We had been tent mates for but a few months yet their company was so much of an accepted thing that it was only when it came to making the break that one knew how much their company meant. A soft ‘good-bye’ was readily answered all round- ‘Good-bye mate and good luck.’ You were thankful that those guys were doing the worrying and not the folk back home. To them it was just another Sunday- one of the days you were away.”
It seems that Gray needed the comfort and care of his wartime companions because he felt unable to draw on the support of his family and friends at home. This was partly because it would have been so difficult to do so, as well as due to an overriding sense that they should be protected from any increased concern for him. It was as if he did not wish to make their, or perhaps his own, sense of isolation and separation any worse.
(Source: Australian War Memorial PR00433)
Air campaign:
Overview text AS Gray Bill Garing J ClarkeClick images to enlarge.
AWM 025993
