
Hidden Treasures – Lindsay Dufty
My first day in the Army was 7th January 1942 when at the ripe age of eighteen I fronted up to enlist. I was delighted to find that an old school acquaintance, Stan Burrows, was also enlisting. We went to George’s Heights, where after two days of elementary drill exercises, volunteers were called for to man special equipment on islands north of Australia. Stan and I stepped forward, thus joining a very secretive new unit called RDF – Radio Direction Finder. After a few lectures we were taken to Beacon Hill to see a machine operating which could pick up a rowing boat well out to sea providing it had steel rowlocks. Then, incredibly, one week after joining the Army, we were sent on three days leave before heading north. The journey to Darwin took ten days on train, trucks and cattle trucks, and we arrived during a violent storm on February 1st.
On Thursday 19th February Stan and I were on the parade ground at 0955 hours when all hell broke loose. Bombs were falling all around. Wave after wave of bombers passed overhead and fighters streaked across at roof top level, the zero pilots clearly visible, looking down upon us, grinning. They were having a ball because there was no resistance; they had it to themselves and they just weaved around and did what they wanted. All senses were overwhelmed by the destruction that followed. As the attack ended many ships in the harbour were sunk or burning. The town was a shambles and a great pall of smoke hung over the scene. After the noise of aircraft, bombs and anti-aircraft fire, the silence was rather eerie. We were employed righting overturned trucks and clearing debris until 1210 hours when more waves of bombers came over, this time concentrating on the airfield. We learnt later that the attackers were 188 aircraft from a Japanese Naval Taskforce: the same taskforce that attacked Pearl Harbour.
I was stunned. I knew I was watching history unfold in front of me – this was the first time mainland Australia was being attacked by a foreign power. Our unit was split up between the various gun sites and Stan and I went to 14th H.A.A. Battery No 1 detachment of 4×3.7” anti-aircraft guns, located on Darwin Oval on the cliffs. We were now gunners on the first site to engage the Japs, and we had to learn in a hurry. The scene from the cliff after the initial raids was dreadful: behind us, masses of thick black smoke and on the harbour all ships in sight burning, sinking. The water was thick with black oil and littered with small boats, bodies and debris. Soon after the first raid, when all seemed quiet, there occurred the most awesome explosion that I have ever heard. The Neptuna, a ship at the wharf loaded with ammunition including depth charges, previously hit and burning, blew up. Great sections of the ship were scattered over a wide area and a huge column of smoke shot skywards. All civilians and other Army units were moved south off the peninsula leaving we few to defend Darwin.
With nothing but emergency rations we had to scrounge for food. In the event of invasion our orders were to fight for as long as able, then to spike our guns, and then every man for himself.
Stan and I were later sent to the 22nd anti-aircraft unit, which brought about a complete change in our war and way of life. This new unit’s mobile guns were usually out in the bush protecting airstrips. These positions entailed total isolation in very primitive conditions with strict water rationing (one kerosene tin per person for all uses), maggot infested food, endemic dysentery and tropical ulcers that ate into your legs. The mobile guns had to be dug into the ground with pick and shovel and moved frequently. 62 further air raids occurred over the Darwin area in 1942/43. My war was not glamorous, far from it. In fact I cannot think of any period in those years on which I can look back with pleasure. However there was comradeship; it forged a lifelong friendship with Stan Burrows. One learns of the inner strength that can be drawn upon in difficult circumstances and it has given me an appreciation of how wonderful life is.
After the war I had the most remarkable luck in meeting my wife Gwen. We had four children and a wonderful life together. We’ve been here for 15 years now and I am involved with the War Museum as its Acquisitions Officer. We love living here. We have our friends, our family, our garden, and each other to be thankful for.
AUTHOR – HELEN JOHNSTON
Blog Posts

11 Nov 2023
Positive impact of Intergenerational Relationships
The power of intergenerational relationships has been demonstrated on ABC’s Old People’s Home for Teenagers, featuring residents from RSL...

11 Nov 2023
RSL LifeCare secures $1.7 million funding to establish Central Coast Veteran and Family Hub and $243,000 for a centre at Bardia Barracks
RSL LifeCare has received $1.7 million in funding from the Albanese Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program to establish...

11 Nov 2023
RSL LifeCare awarded $520,341 in government funding to enhance Veteran wellbeing services in Riverina
RSL LifeCare has secured $520,341 in funding from the Albanese Government’s Veterans Wellbeing Grants One-Off program that will be...

11 Nov 2023
RSL LifeCare hosts the inaugural Poppy Ball aboard HMAS Adelaide (III)
The inaugural Poppy Ball was held in Sydney on Saturday 11 November 2023 aboard the HMAS Adelaide (III). The...

9 Sep 2023
RSL LifeCare announces plans for new Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Dee Why
RSL LifeCare is set to extend its crucial service delivery for local veterans and their families with the opening...

9 Sep 2023
RSL LifeCare Nowra Community Unveils Visionary Expansion, Elevating Retirement Living to New Heights
RSL LifeCare has today announced Stage 2 release of its Dumaresq Retirement Village at RSL LifeCare Nowra Community. The...

8 Aug 2023
Federal Government grant awarded to RSL LifeCare
RSL LifeCare has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Australian Government to support the development of a business...

8 Aug 2023
RSL LifeCare a finalist in Best Graduate Development Program – Australian HR Awards 2023
August 2023 – RSL LifeCare’s Graduate Registered Nurse Program has been announced as a finalist in the Australian HR...

8 Aug 2023
RSL LifeCare successfully moves to the second stage in becoming the provider for a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in both the Tweed-North Coast region and Queanbeyan.
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the opportunity by the Federal Government to submit a business case to deliver a Veterans’...

3 Mar 2023
Message from our CEO celebrating International Women’s Day
Good morning everyone, Today, on International Women’s Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the...

6 Jun 2022
Vale Walter Williams OAM
RSL LifeCare staff and residents alike have been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of long – time...

5 May 2022
Giving our nurses a voice to lead
Today, on International Nurses Day (IND) we shine a light on our nursing staff and their vital work. Our nurses...
4 Apr 2022
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services – one team supporting veterans and their families
The delivery of Veteran Services has been core to RSL LifeCare since its beginnings over 100 years ago. Now,...

3 Mar 2022
How the RSL Veterans’ Employment Program helps veterans find work
Transitioning to a different career is not always easy for veterans returning to civilian life. The RSL Veterans’ Employment...
11 Nov 2021
RSL LifeCare Annual Report 2021
I am pleased to advise that the 2021 RSL LifeCare Annual Report is now available. This annual report is...
10 Oct 2021
Rapid Antigen Test kits now available to Aged Care providers.
The Department of Health is offering Rapid Antigen Test kits to aged care providers across NSW in high-risk Local...

8 Aug 2021
Aged Care Employee Day is a day to thank everyone at RSL LifeCare.
7th August is Aged Care Employee Day. This is a day for us to thank every person who works...

7 Jul 2021
World War 2 code breaker Marion Painter features in Sky News documentary
ANZAC Village, Narrabeen resident Marion Painter has featured in Sky News documentary, The Alliance, about her time as a...

6 Jun 2021
Aged care workers should be vaccinated on site.
AGED care provider, RSL LifeCare, have applauded the Australian Government for their decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for staff...

3 Mar 2016
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughter releases endorphins, giving us the ‘feel good factor’ Acts as aerobic exercise and is like ‘internal jogging’ Unleashes...

5 May 2016
A healthy diet for a healthy heart
Valentine’s Day saw people thinking of love and things of the heart and we thought it would be a...

10 Oct 2016
Pets and Positive Ageing
Animals play an important role in our lives. As Community Staff, we are blessed to see the bonds that...

More from the blog
Latest News
Joan’s Creative Pursuits: Knitting, Puzzles, and Cherished Moments at RSL LifeCare
Many residents at RSL LifeCare love to participate in a variety of hobbies that keep their minds and hearts engaged. One such resident is Joan Herringe from RSL LifeCare Connie Fall. One...
Read morePositive impact of Intergenerational Relationships
The power of intergenerational relationships has been demonstrated on ABC's Old People's Home for Teenagers, featuring residents from RSL LifeCare's Le Hamel Retirement Village and students...
Read moreRSL LifeCare secures $1.7 million funding to establish Central Coast Veteran and Family Hub and $243,000 for a centre at Bardia Barracks
RSL LifeCare has received $1.7 million in funding from the Albanese Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants One-Off Program to establish a veteran and family hub-like experience...
Read moreRSL LifeCare awarded $520,341 in government funding to enhance Veteran wellbeing services in Riverina
RSL LifeCare has secured $520,341 in funding from the Albanese Government’s Veterans Wellbeing Grants One-Off program that will be used to expand its services and...
Read moreGeorge Carpenter’s Inspiring Dedication to Preserving Military History
George Carpenter, an 87 year old resident of RSL ANZAC Village in Narrabeen, has been volunteering at the RSL LifeCare War Museum for three years...
Read moreRSL LifeCare Nowra Community Unveils Visionary Expansion, Elevating Retirement Living to New Heights
RSL LifeCare has today announced Stage 2 release of its Dumaresq Retirement Village at RSL LifeCare Nowra Community. The expansion brings an array of new...
Read moreFrom Stables to Retirement Living: Tim Cooke’s Life Journey
"My journey kicked off when I was just 14 years old. The year was 1963. I waved goodbye to school and hello to an apprenticeship...
Read moreJourney Through 102 Years: The Life of Helen Lea
"My name is Helen Lea, and I've been lucky enough to reach the grand age of 102. I've always felt pretty good for my age....
Read moreHonouring Malaya & Borneo Veterans: A Story of Sidney Peter Bryant
Today, on August 31, we commemorate Malaya & Borneo Veterans Day and take a moment to pay tribute to those who served in the Malayan...
Read moreFederal Government grant awarded to RSL LifeCare
RSL LifeCare has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Australian Government to support the development of a business case to establish a Veterans’ and...
Read moreRSL LifeCare a finalist in Best Graduate Development Program – Australian HR Awards 2023
August 2023 – RSL LifeCare’s Graduate Registered Nurse Program has been announced as a finalist in the Australian HR Awards 2023, Best Graduate Development Program...
Read moreRSL LifeCare successfully moves to the second stage in becoming the provider for a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in both the Tweed-North Coast region and Queanbeyan.
RSL LifeCare has welcomed the opportunity by the Federal Government to submit a business case to deliver a Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in these critical...
Read more