We Join the RAAF

Figure 10 Lapel badge worn by members of the RAAF Meteorological Service.

Although we were not formally commissioned as RAAF officers until April 1941, Wing Cmdr J. Alexander, CO of No 11 Squadron, gave us honorary commissions and we donned RAAF uniforms. Keith Hannay lived at the RAAF mess on Ela Beach after Audrey's arrival. Our RAAF uniform included the traditional solar topee, and we were issued with a gas mask and a Smith and Wesson .38 revolver for which I believe I was never provided ammunition. After being formally commissioned I was granted the privilege of 'living-out' in our house. I was expected to attend the ceremonial 'mess nights' at the RAAF Officers' Mess (see Figure 11) on the Ela Beach Road, which Keith also attended. For these occasions our dress was dark pants, white shirt and coloured cummerbunds. Our formal dinner was presided over by the Commanding Officer. At its conclusion we 'passed the port'. This involved a ritual in which, seated at the table, the carafe of port wine was passed clockwise from one officer to the next. Special care was taken not to allow the carafe to touch the table at any time. After pouring our port we manoeuvred the carafe in a circular orbit clockwise round our glass before passing it to the officer on our left.

Figure 11 RAAF Officers' Mess, Ela Beach, Port Moresby, early 1941. (Photograph courtesy of A. K. Hannay)

These mess nights became boisterous affairs after we adjourned from the table. The informality of the Ela Beach mess may well have been the result of many of the officers (former Qantas pilots) having been recently commissioned from civilian occupations (see Figure 12). Of course there were some regular RAAF officers, including the commanding officer of the station, Wing Cmdr Alexander. The Qantas pilots who were officers of RAAF No 11 Squadron—Eric Sims, Bob Gurney, 'Goff' Hemsworth, Mike Mather and Bill Purton—were lively intelligent people. The officers of the RAAF in Port Moresby were a very special breed of Australians. Eric Sims in particular, although older and quieter, was an impressive personality with a great sense of humour.

Figure 12 Officers of RAAF No 11 Squadron, Port Moresby, early 1941. Left to right, front row: Norman Fader, ...... , Keith Caldwell, ....... , .......... Wing Cmdr Alexander, Eric Sims, Sid Preston, Len Gray,......... Left to right, Back row: ...... , Bob Gurney, 'Goff Hemsworth, Hampshire ?, Keith Hannay, Mike Mather, Bill Purton, Brian Mullins ?, Bill Gibbs, George Mocatta ?, ........ (Photograph courtesy of the RAAF)

Bureau of Meteorology