Although Ila Armsbury dreamed of traveling the world she didn’t have any particular destination in mind. But when she landed in Australia as a member of the U. S. Army, 155th Station Hospital, in June of 1942 she was thrilled.
For all the similarities of life between Australia and America, there were some mighty big differences. Ila could hardly wait to write the folks to tell them where she was and what she was doing.
An American Soldier with a pet Kangaroo1
No date; No location
Here I am — in Australia and having lots of fun. I’m learning how to count two-pence, threepence, shillings, and pounds. It’s lot of fun, and I think the store keepers have fun with us, too. At first we had to hold out the money and tell them to take what they wanted, but now I can make change, read the prices, and know what I’m doing. People are very nice to us and invite us to their homes and offer to help us. They are very hospitable. They don’t have sidewalks, they have footpaths. And they have trams instead of streetcars, and if you want a rare steak you order an under-done steak. And if you order coffee you get “demitasse.” So now I tell the waiter to bring me a tea cup full of coffee and some cream with it. At first they thought I was crazy, but now they just bring it and don’t even look [at me] funny.
I am very happy, well, have plenty of food, and warm and snug as a bug in a rug. So you have nothing to worry about. We’re seeing all there is to see and I’ll talk about it as long as I live I suppose. Gee! I can tell you so many funny things. You’ll just laugh and laugh.
I’ve seen four doctors I knew in Kansas City, and one is a good friend. I was tickled to death to see him. We’re going to have a gab-fest tomorrow night. I know you want to know all of the things I can’t tell you, and if you ever get a letter that has been cut by the censor, don’t worry. Don’t wonder what I said. Just forget it, and don’t think it caused me any trouble. Just write to me as usual and tell me all the news and don’t forget that I’m happy and very well.
June 18, 1942
[this letter was written on seven sheets of Australian toilet paper]
. . . I went to the bakery today and bought a lot of “sweets” as they call it. Little cakes and tea dainties with fancy designs, cream, raspberry jam, and oh, I just stuffed myself. . . . I’m planning on having my picture taken here just for fun, and I’ll send them home.
I’m getting along O.K. with the executive officers and am charge nurse of a nice ward. . . . Have you taken a look at the globe to see where I am? It’s quite a long ways isn’t it?
Say, the Red Cross sent us a bunch of pajama tops and they are made in Topeka, Brown County, Douglas County and one other I can’t remember. I just hollered and whooped right out loud. Isn’t that something? I looked through them all. They’re swell and the Red Cross is certainly to be commended on their work. I say Hats off to the Red Cross. They have done so much to add to our comforts and the boys’, and tell them all thanks at home. Because everyone that contributed to the Red Cross helped us. Those pajama tops were so pretty, and stamped in the back was Topeka, Kansas! “KANSAS” — It’s the best state and I’m still proud of it, and all it’s beautiful sunsets and spots of beauty.
June 20, 1942
. . . I had [my watch] fixed here . . . and it only cost 13/6 which is 13 shillings and 6 pence. There are 12 pence in one shilling. And a pence is worth about 11/2 cents in our money. Oh! I have lots of fun with my shillings. I bought a beautiful navy blue billfold.
We are still going to teas and “chatting” with the higher-ups of Australia. They really have turned the country over to us, and are trying to do things our way for us. Strangers walk up and invite us out for dinner. Some call at the quarters and just ask for 2 – 6 – or – 12 nurses that would be interested in going to a bridge party, a tea, a show, or a tour of the city. When we wait on the corners for a “tram” people stop their cars and take us to where we are going and when we say thanks a million, they say “Not at all old Chappie — glad to do it, glad to do it – hit’s the least we can do for you – ah don’t-cha-know.” You’d think we were Mrs. Astor and her plush pup. The newspapers and magazines are full of us, working, playing, resting, and shopping. They think we are such nice girls. And they don’t call us Miss Armsbury or Nurse Armsbury, but Sister Armsbury! Student nurses are known as “nurse,” and graduates are addressed as Sister.
The Australian nurses are allowed to go with the Australian soldiers and they can’t understand why we can’t go with the American Soldiers. Personally I’m not interest in anyone but my man at home2, so I’m happy.
July 7, 1942
. . . We are going to a spaghetti dinner tonight. Went to a tea last Sunday again, and I’m worn out keeping up with my social life.
July 9, 1942
I had quite an experience the other night. I went to an Italian home for dinner. What a feed! At first we had wine. Then we had chicken soup and more wine. Then came spaghetti and immediately following that came more wine. (And each time a different kind of wine.) The main dish finally came up with chicken, brown potatoes, gravy, fancy small green beans, parsnips, three kinds of olives, pickles, jelly, jam, preserves, nuts, candied fruit, and hot, hard, Italian rolls. No need to tell you what happened. Of course I ate until I was so uncomfortable that I undid my blouse and skirt. When we finished that, of course there was more wine. Then hot, individual apple pie with whipped cream, followed with good coffee and more wine.
When we got ready to go home, they gave all of us (6 nurses) an apple and an orange. It was no dump either. And the people were so nice and the lady was just as cute as a bug.
A couple of the boys were down town the other day and a lady fainted and when they came to her rescue she asked if they knew anyone from Kansas so they took her name and I’m going to see her one of these days.
I haven’t run across any boys from home yet, but I keep inquiring and hoping that I will get to see at least one.
October 3, 1942
E.B. has caught up with me once again — I guess I told you that in the last letter didn’t I? He’s just about 30 miles from me now. I’ve seen him twice. The last time he hired a car and it cost him 2 shillings a mile, the cost of the gas, charge for the driver, and 3 shillings for the use of the car. It all amounted to about 7 pounds which is roughly $21.00. Then after he got here we had only one place to go — to walk in the woods behind our quarters. But we had a nice time, and a good long talk. We found a big, old, white log and rolled it up beside another tree and made a bench to sit on. We were pretty well exhausted when we got back from fighting ants and mosquitoes.
The ants3 here are the size of our beetles. Now I’m not exaggerating . . . And they sting with their hind end, not the ones on their heads. Oh! They’re so wicked. They raise huge welts on you and they feel like a bee sting, and contrary to ours – they chase you instead of running away from you. I simply get chills when I see one. It’s the first time a bug has ever really bothered me. My apologies to you, dear Metta, for the June bugs.4 Now, for the first time I can understand how you felt. I’d simply go into hysterics if I found one in my bed, let alone a quart container-full. Forgive me.
1https://i.imgur.com/DqALDKy.jpg (accessed 11/6/2020)
2Ila’s man at home was Dr. E. B. Settle, a physician with the U. S. Army. They met when they were both stationed at Fort Leavenworth. But Ila received her orders first and shipped out to Australia not knowing that shortly afterwards, E.B., as she called him, got his orders and was sent to Australia also. They re-connected toward the end of July, 1942.
3The ant Ila was describing is called a bull ant. “AMONG THE WORLD’S largest ants, they will readily punish anyone who loiters near their nest. Their jaws are remarkably long, but be warned, it is the rear end that dispenses the sting. The larger ones are armed with six times as much venom as a honeybee.” https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2018/02/australias-native-ants-are-really-just-wingless-wasps/ (accessed 11/6/2020) “Bull ants can grow up to 40 mm (1.6″) in size.” https://australian.museum/learn/animals/insects/bull-ants/ (accessed 11/6/2020)
4Metta, Ila’s older sister, graduated from Emporia State College with a two-year teaching certificate in 1931 and moved back home to Lincoln to live with her parents. One of her first purchases after she got her first teaching job was a new bed set — head and foot boards, mattress and box springs. Metta and Ila’s aunt, Maxine, age 17 happened to be visiting Ila, age 16, in Lincoln when the new bed was delivered and set up. They asked Metta if they could sleep in her new bed the first night, but Metta said “No.”
Later that day Metta went out on a date leaving Ila and Maxine at home. They decided to get revenge for not being allowed to sleep in the new bed. So they filled a one quart Mason jar with June bugs and poured the bugs into the bed between the top and bottom sheets. Then they got permission from Florence Armsbury, Ila and Metta’s mother, to sleep on the front porch directly under Metta’s bedroom window.
When Metta arrived home late that night, she didn’t turn on the light in her bedroom before she climbed into bed — and laid down on a moving mass of June bugs. She became hysterical, screaming, crying, and threatening bodily harm to both Maxine and Ila who couldn’t stop laughing about the success of their prank.
Day 2 countdown — Ila suspects a spy!
){kind=link}