1941 SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR MY FIRST BIRTHDAY

9th April, 1941  Happy Birthday Anthony John Dixon!
QUEEN MARY DEPARTS SYDNEY HEADS AS QUEEN ELIZABETH ARRIVES
TAKING OUR MEN TO WAR BY THE THOUSANDS

My Mum and Dad had always spoken in awe of the day on which Sydney Harbour hosted all but one of the world's largest Liners QUEEN MARY, QUEEN ELIZABETH, AQUITANIA and ILE DE FRANCE , the French NORMANDIE was still in New York City. It was just as well, because she was so beautiful a sight she would have destroyed the Australian fascination with the grandeur of the British Queens.

The visit of the great liners was "TOP SECRET" but blind Freddy could have told what was a foot when tens of thousands of our troops were massed in readiness fo embarkation. Result? More than 100,000 people lined the Sydney Heads to witness the grand spectacle. So much for secrecy.

But only yesterday, I discovered that the great event took place on my First Birthday - well done military authorities of the time!

NORMANDIE,QUEEN MARY AND QUEEN ELIZABETH
IN NEW YORK HARBOUR

The great Liners could never have justified a trip to Australia before the War - there were insufficient passengers who could afford the lengthy trip in such luxury. But with the commencement of the War, there were ample young ,healthy Australian men who must be shipped off to the far distant War at any expense . The speed of the Liners would not only hasten their arrival, but it would also guarantee safety from all but the luckiest U Boat torpedo shots.The Liners travelled at around 29 Knots and were excused from zig-zagging to avoid torpedoes by virtue of that speed, which was far in excess of anything a U-Boat could muster even on the surface.

The once luxurious fittings of the great Liners were stripped and their proud liveries removed for drab grey and they were crammed with soldiers by the thousands.Extraordinary risks were being taken - on one Atlantic crossing QUEEN MARY carried approx. 18,000 men, she had only 8,000 lifeboat places and rafts etc. and this in the face of the huge U-Boat menace.

What I had not known before yesterday, was that QUEEN MARY had been a regular visitor to Sydney collecting troops. But the special convoy on my birthday was the biggest effort.

Queen Elizabeth had been rushed from her Builder's Yard across the Atlantic to New York City for fitting out lest she should be attacked in the yard whilst being completed. Queen Mary had been repainted and readied for troops in New York and sailed from there to Sydney for the first time on 21st March, 1940 followed a couple of weeks later by Queen Elizabeth.

Sadly, the very beautiful fast and glamorous NORMANDIE caught fire at its berth in New York City in 1942 and a ham-fisted effort at putting out the fire caused her to capsize at the wharf.She was sold as scrap in 1946.

Queen Mary in Sydney Harbour 1941

Anyway, that's the story of my First Birthday - if there was a Cake - I don't know. With War time rationing and my infant ignorance of what was or was not happening, I doubt it!! Do you know what happened on your first birthday? 

1945 THE END OF THE WAR "I KNOW THAT!"

2nd September,1945 - Japanese Surrender
 aboard U.S.S. MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay.

H.M.A.S. Warramunga( I )

On Wednesday, 15th August, 1945 the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, I can recall being roused from bed by the sound of the elder daughter of our friends across the street calling out at the back flyscreen door. I got to the door at the same time as my Mum who had been busy elsewhere in the house. The young Judith Dryden called out joyfully "The War is Over!" - I was not impressed. "I know that", I said, "It happened a long time ago ""  - "No! That was the Germans! Now the Japanese have surrendered and it is all over!"

The interesting thing about this very clear memory, to me at any rate, is that I knew enough about what was going on at age 5 for the German surrender to register, but not enough to know that the Japanese were yet to be brought to heel.

The actual formal surrender of the Japanese took place on 2nd September,1945 in Tokyo Bay aboard the mighty battleship U.S.S. MISSOURI which enjoyed the nickname "Big Mo", also present was H.M.A.S. WARRAMUNGA which had been part of MISSOURI's destroyer screen. She was irreverently dubbed "Little Mo"by the Aussies.

The imposing figure of General Douglas Mac Arthur - not a perfect man - but one of my heroes nonetheless, accepted the Japanese surrender. He later ruled Japan absolutely under an Allied mandate, and did so with noble distinction, concluding with the transfer to democracy he had engineered.

1989 ANOTHER BOYHOOD DREAM FULFILLED CLIENTS IN HIGH PLACES

ANOTHER BOYHOOD DREAM FULFILLED- CLIENTS IN HIGH PLACES 

H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE (III) READY FOR LAUNCHING
AT WILLIAMSTOWN VIC

IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE GO!


Ever since I was a little boy in World War II, I always thrilled to the sight - usually on Newsreel film ( ask your Grandparents!) - of ships being launched. And I hoped to see one launched one day!

We approach the stocks upon which she stood in waiting.

 I was invited as the representative of Banque Nationale de Paris , together with my Wife Robyn, to attend the launching of H.M.A.S.MELBOURNE on 5th May, 1989 at Williamstown Vic. So we planned a flying day trip from Sydney for the occasion.


All went well, and we hired a car to ensure the minimum delay from and back to the Airport. The day was overcast and as we looked across the Bay to the City it loomed grey-blue. The Dockyard was abuzz with excitement and the various groups of dignitaries, the Naval Officers, Politicians, Representatives of the Dockyard Company and the Dockyard workers themselves were all equally keyed up.

Seeming aloof from the nervous excitement about her,
she waits with austere dignity.

There was much milling around as friends greeted one another and it was noticeable that there was a particular anxiety evident among the Dockyard workers - totally absorbed in their concern that nothing should go wrong.

Close up of the cradle holding the bow section .
In preparation for the great day most of the heavier supports had been removed, the slipways heavily greased and the great check - chains laid out and attached to the hull to ensure that when launched she did not keep on going across the Bay. Finally there remained the trigger mechanism keeping all in place until THE MOMENT.

The Champagne Bottle is swung by Mrs.Hazel Hawke and the ship is named "MELBOURNE "

The trigger is released, and, imperceptibly at first she moves with garhering speed

down the slipway until the weight of the check chains leaves her gently rocking afloat

and waiting for tugs to move her to the fitting-out wharf.

Then there is a quickly-dawning realisation that it is all over, we have witnessed one of the grandest things that man can do - the launching of a ship, but it is like an epitome of all human experience - greatly and rightly anticipated, brilliant in its happening, but followed by a sense of disappointment that it cannot be continued. We were born for greater things and our hearts will not rest, until they rest in Thee. ( Thanks to St.Aloysius and St.Augustine)


N.B.There are two footnotes to this story :

Firstly, some Liberal Party fellow mistook me for the West Australian former Senator and former Minister for the Navy Fred Chaney - he must have been keenly celebrating because he took quite a bit of convincing that it was just me!

Secondly. at the time I was doing a fair amount of interstate flying and had "Golden Wing"Life Membership with ANSETT ( Vanity of Vanities - soon to be swept away). When Robyn and I reached the Tullamarine Terminal we headed for the Golden Wing Lounge - normally a scene of  peace and calm  organisation - only to find that because of widespread industrial strife most flights were cancelled and the Lounge looked like Hanoi as the Americans departed!! We could not get a flight and so had to book in to a Hotel in Melbourne for the night - without baggage- and then get the earliest flight out next day to Sydney. Fortunately it left virtually as the Sun rose so our slightly crumpled "clothes from yesterday" were not as conspicuous as they might have been. It was also fortunate that our three children were old enough to look after themselves and our home in the overnight emergency!

BUT IT WAS WORTHWHILE -TO SEE A SHIP LAUNCHED!!!

1959 - BOYHOOD DREAM COMES TRUE

FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES

Mighty C 38 Class 4-6-2 backs down onto The Cessnock Flyer
 at Sydney's Central Station -1959?

Coupled and ready for the Main Northern  Line
 - A little rain is nothing.

Our steely lynx-eyed Driver.

The Inspector whose presence makes my presence possible
 - was his name Ray Burke ?A really nice bloke.

Our very hard-working Fireman.

I can't believe my luck!!

A full head of 245 lbs psi Steam 
and champing at the bit!

The kindly intervention of my boss in the Solicitor for Railways Office - the Chief Clerk  Mr Harry Bateman ( Staff Papers marked "LOYAL DURING 1917 STRIKE")who, on account of his long service knew many people all over the Administration of the New South Wales Government Railways, secured for me at age 18years, a ride on the footplate of a C 38 Class Pacific ( or 4-6-2 wheel arrangement) express steam locomotive - they didn't come any better. 

So it came to pass that on the appointed morning I turned up at Central Station - neatly dressed in clothes I could afford to get dirty.And there at Platform 4 at Central Station stood the consist of  7 or 8 steel carriages (non- air conditioned)  for the Cessnock Express all was still slightly wet from earlier rain.

But I was not so much interested in the carriages as the Locomotive ,whose train they would form. I headed up to the Southern end of the Platform , looking expectantly out onto the maze of tracks, sets of point and crossovers and signal gantries that made some 20 Country Train Platforms function properly. In due course, coming tender first of course, came into view, 3819 our designated locomotive, slowly, carefully drifting back through the maze of track toward us. Quietly she came on, passed me and  proceeded to gently couple to the train. Three men in the Cab - Driver, Fireman and the Inspector Mr. Ray Burke ( if my memory serves me properly). The Inspector, wearing overalls, swung down and introduced himself, told me what he expected from me, and what I MUST DO. He then asked me to sign the Indemnity Form, which I quickly did, and we were ready to go. In essence, he asked me to ensure that I stayed out of the Fireman's way and that AT ALL TIMES, I held onto a firm handhold.His manner was friendly but firm and he spoke with authority.

A final photo of the Locomotive showing every sign of her full head of 245 psi steam, back aboard. The driver, with the brakes full on , and the cylinder cocks open and valve gear centred, opened the Regulator ( throttle) for about 10 seconds  and  a huge rush of steam enshrouded the front of the locomotive - this is not theatre, but serves to blast any condensed steam out of the cylinders and superheater elements. Then two or three times he winds the reversing gear fully back , then fully forwards forcing any remaining water out of the valves and cylinders.Ensuring forward gear is set, the brakes are released and the driver awaits the Green Signal.He gets the Green Light, looks back down the Platform and sees the Conductor's Green Flag raised and right on time he blasts the manly triple chime steam whistle ( no maidenly English shrieks, or foggy American hoots - but a full-throated roar!).

He tugs on the long Regulator lever and with a deep blast from the exhaust through the chimney, the locomotive seems to lift slightly and commences to move forward dragging the 500 tons or so train behind it . In a short time the beat of the exhaust is beginning to pick up and , at a cautious 15 mph we are weaving our way through the Central Station Yard toward the mainline. The cylinder cocks are closed and the locomotive settles down to some serious work. The regulator is pulled wide open, but the valve gear is set to provide steam for only part of the pistons' travel in the cylinder. This is enough to get the locomotive up to 30 mph through Redfern Station. The exhaust is now a sharp powerful bark and the fire in front of us in the cab is responding fiercely to the draw of the exhaust -drawing heated air  through the boiler tubes..

It is one of the beauties of steam locomotive design that the faster you go the stronger the exhaust, the fiercer the fire, the more steam you get, the faster you go and on and on - the beast has to be restrained and carefully so.

The Fireman is not idle, he checks the water level in the Boiler and starts the Injector to top it up. On this trip the Injector will be on most of the time and, when the locomotive is working at its hardest it will be pumping 55 gallons of water into the Boiler every minute!By Newtown the locomotive is doing 50 mph the maximum allowed over this section .This is maintained until we pass up the long hill to Ashfield where there is a complex set of points and crossovers . To reduce speed the Regulator is shut down a fair way and the valve gear is closed down a fair way so that live steam is only briefly entering the cylinder. If it had been cut off completely and the locomotive allowed to drift a vacuum could form causing damage to the locomotive especially in the coupling rods and the connecting rods. ( I have seen a photograph of an English built Victorian Railways locomotive where the connecting rod has completely buckled wrecking the valve gear!).

We are quickly back to speed and take Burwood Bank at 60mph, but then have to brake for Strathfield where we take on passengers and then set off cautiously around a relatively sharp curve which takes us onto the main Northern Line.

The Main Northern line to Hornsby, features very long stretches at 1 in 40 grades - heavy going.Speeds up to 65mph are briefly checked by slow spots on the track, but are quickly recovered until we hit the stiff grades. By Cheltenham the locomotive is working flat out and we thunder through the Platform crowded with school children, one little fellow I notice sitting on his Globite School Case ( No back packs then!) his straw boater crammed on his head and he is intently watching the Driving Wheels and flashing Connecting Rods and Valve gear as we roar past. I became aware of the slight working of the locomotive from left to right as the pistons in their cylinders deliver the alternate left and right thrust through the rods to the Driving Wheels .At this time they are producing well over 2,000 Horsepower in a mighty struggle against nature as they take locomotive and 500 tons plus train up the long climb.All of this Herculean effort is carried on based upon a great cast steel frame 43 feet long and imported from the United States.

Later on after Hornsby we travel through the long tunnels down to Hawkesbury . The driver has the steam blower hard on to ensure that entry into the tunnels does not induce a blow-back of smoke,steam and gas through the fire tubes into the firebox and cab which could cause serious burns to those in the cab.And so it continues a brilliant performance by Driver, Fireman, and Locomotive every grade up or down beautifully anticipated, with ample steam for any climb or any possible burst of speed. The constant vigilance for signals, special speed limitations,building the fire for what lies 15 minutes ahead, but not wasting coal, sensing how the great machine is responding, are all impressive. Yet for all that, it is in some way less like a machine and more like a noble steed, on the hills a charger,occasionally reduced to a draught horse, then on the downward slopes and flats a real sprinter, but somehow ALIVE, breathing, heavily when working hard, lightly and chattering to itself when at speed and panting steadily when at rest as the steam compressor keeps up the pressure on the brakes.

The C38 Class with their large Fireboxes and Boilers built to the limit of the loading gauge are right at the limit of what a Fireman can readily handle without mechanical assistance, and particularly when the locomotive is working hard for a long period as in this case.It is cruel work serving that great fire. It was particularly pleasing then to see the Inspector freely and generously offer to give the Fireman a break and shovelling the coal for him  on a couple of occasions - very much the sort of man his subordinates would admire. It confirmed my own impression of him 

Once again,the comedian Tommy Mack is proved right and" all good things must come to an end." As we approach Hamilton, where my Special Pass will get me to my booked seat on the air-conditioned Up Newcastle Flyer to Sydney hauled by another C 38 , I say "Goodbye and THANKS"to the Driver, Fireman and the Inspector - but they only have to look at my face to know that I have been transported in more ways than one - I am THRILLED and showing it with a smile from ear to ear!!!

One little detail - as I walk away , and try to get some directions, I realise I am deaf as a post! The condition slowly eases over the next 24 hours.

I SALUTE the Drivers and Firemen and the Locomotives of the DAYS OF STEAM. 

Double - headed C38s leaning into a hard uphill climb.
Photo Courtesy of our Son in Law  Paul Whiting .
This is a high quality image unlike my original 1959
images above, taken with a very inferior camera - 
as much as I could the afford, or was readily available. 

A PRESENT FOR SYDNEY

Originally posted 25th March 2012  see update below

                                                  A PRESENT FOR SYDNEY

VISUAL BLIGHT TO BE REMOVED
NOTE THE NO.1 DIXON AD - EVIDENTLY A CHINESE RESTAURANT ON ITS ROUTE
NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS DIXON!

It was indeed a great joy to read that the N.S.W. Government has bought the Sydney Monorail in order to demolish it!!! HURRAH!!!

I did travel on it 3 or 4 times but felt guilty doing so because I loathed that wretched eyesore from the moment it was announced and my loathing went up several notches when I saw the reality. dragging itself past city windows at First Floor height with ugly pylons all over the place.It was a blight on the City's sightlines. Now it seems it will be gone by 2014.
An additional benefit from the purchase will be the facilitation of some new developments which the monorail obstructed and facilitation of more tram services ,  upon which the Monorail has had a contractual veto! 


UPDATE 3RD FEBRUARY,2017

An extensive  "Light Rail" (Tram) system is now under construction.Much of the CBD has a building site for over a year and construction has extended into the Eastern Suburbs and a connecting service to the North Western suburbs is well under way including a new Cross  Harbour Tunnel and a further extension to the South has been announced. SLOWLY things are changing dramatically.





                                                                                                                  

1940s to 1950s TRANSPORTED IN TIME - SINEWS OF SYDNEY

                                                        TRANSPORTED IN TIME

Sydney Ö "Class Tram on its dedicated track on the Harbour Bridge, the track leads along to Wynyard Tram Station on the same level as , and visible from, the Platforms for the Western Suburbs and the North Shore trains

Through all of my school life and into my early  working life, trams were an integral, but increasingly contoversial part of the City's transport life. The network was, in its time , reputedly the second largest in the world.Most people to-day would be surprised at its extent shown in the following map:

The controversy arose after WW II when burgeoning motor vehicle traffic, combined with Sydney's mostly narrow streets, found the old ladies of the tracks too slow and too obstructive as traffic came to a halt each time the tram stopped. Perhaps the campaign was being supported by the bus producers( who knows? In the USA General Motors systematically bought up the tram companies and closed them down in order to promote bus sales!). I was not among the agitators - and I didn't care if it was the modern thing to do, and "the whole world"is getting rid of trams -which wasn't true in any case.

Sydney "O "Class Tram - my favourites.

I loved the trams, especially the older "O "Class on which I most frequently travelled. I loved the two open compartments at either end, sitting on the very side wedged against the curved brass handhold. The Conductors, standing on the footboards, which enabled passengers to step up into the tram, used to have to hold onto these brass fittings as they swung themselves along from compartment to compartment collecting fares. It was fairly dangerous considering cars and trucks whizzing past, and rather unpleasant in rainy weather.

The trams were heavily built and their old, but it seems , reliable electric motors were rather noisy, as were the wheels. It was great to hear the increasing rhythm of the motors, their heavy "run-run, run-run, RUN-RUN,RUN-RUN "sound rising as the matching rhythm of the wheels over the track joints( no spot welded joints then) added to the effect. Trams being what they are , they could manage 90 degree tuns on very tight arcs. My favourite was turning out of George Street in the City into King Street - the Tram car appeared to be well behind the wheels in getting around the bend and described a much wider arc than the track of course. The screech of the wheels was agonising as they protested their treatment.And there was the occasional flash and crack as the power pole contact made the transition from the George Street wires to the King Street wires.

The corner of George St. (L-R) and King street in an earlier era. Note on the right hand corner facing is the then famous Belfield's Hotel. The owner, J.B.Belfield was a famous Billiards Champion, Hotelier and wealthy real estate investor. He was renowned in Sydney society as a very fine Gentleman and doted on his beautiful wife who sadly died early. He was a relative of my wife on her Mother's side. Note that there was at that time no connection between the George Street tramway and the King Street line.

During my last two years of School - at Marist Brothers' Darlinghurst, I travelled daily on the tram from Eddy Street at Central station up to Darlo. It was great. Tram travel gave a real "feel"for the City.The wooden slats of the seats defied any desire for comfort and you were in the midst of everything, noise, weather ( good or bad) and the total ambience of the place. Other tram trips I had made often , but irregularly were to Bronte Beach whenever I went with the Drydens across the street from us.Their son Brien was the same age as me and we had been friends since the beginning of Primary School at St Peter Chanel's Convent School Berala. The trip out to Bronte was long and good fun until we turned into Macpherson Street at Waverley and I got the first whiff of the sea air - a cold chill would settle on my little tummy. I could not swim, and I knew, no matter how pleasant people were, that it was bound to be a background cause of humiliation. Oh well! There was always the Parkland at the back of the Beach to explore AND the ride on train to enjoy!

On one of these visits to Bronte we went across to the Milk Bar, and there I had my first Coca Cola. It had been unavailable during the War and now here it was , the great American treat! I enjoyed it very much.

The Tram Station at Randwick Racecourse.

On rare occasions, about twice a year, I would go with Mum and Dad to the Races.We went both Randwick and Canterbury. Randwick was a great tram ride from Central Station and Canterbury we went to by train and from time to time caught the tram to the City where we would have our evening meal in one of the ubiquitous "Sargeant's Pies Restaurants. If my memory serves me rightly you could get several different accompaniments to your Sargeant's Pie for dinner. There were about eight of these establishments in the City.This was a good indicator of the degree of sophistication of the average Sydneysider's dining choices, at least at our income level.

The tram trip from Canterbury to the City was quite long and somewhat "dampened"by parental supervision and tiredness after a long day. I quite enjoyed, and still do, the actual races, but, particularly as an early teenager I found the waiting between races boring and would read. Teenagers are impossible!

One particularly memorable tram trip was to The Spit and it must have been in 1944 or thereabouts travelling with my Mum and my Aunt Nell. We were headed to Manly - for some reason choosing tram and bus rather than the Ferry. There were four American Servicemen in our open compartment.They were very polite and very pleasant as they helped us down from the tram compartment . They were also very Black! This made a marked impression on me  because I don't believe I had ever met a black person before! I guess Mum and Nell were fearful I might say something out of place, but I didn't. Perhaps the fact that Mum had always drilled into me the equal value of all people before God had its effect.

As you may gather I really enjoyed my times on the trams and regret their having passed away. (P.S. That large lumbering "light rail"thing from Central to wherever doesn't count - it has no character!) And as for the wretched Monorail - don't get me started!)



47 YEARS, THREE CHILDREN AND SEVEN GRAND CHILDREN LATER.......

                                         THE BEST WEDDING I EVER ATTENDED

THE BEAUTIFUL,TALENTED and BELOVED
ROBYN BARBARA DIXON

On this day, 3rd February,1970 - 47 years ago - I married my dear wife Robyn. It was the best wedding I ever attended , in the great Mary Immaculate Church at Waverley N.S.W. It was a joyful Nuptial Mass, and   it was a delight to have all of our family and friends gathered with us.

I had never wanted to marry anyone else and I thank God for giving me such a wonderful,talented( See:http://hotfudge8.blogspot.com.au/) and loving wife and three  talented, beautiful and handsome children and seven truly remarkable , beautiful and handsome grandchildren. Our family has been blessed with the gift of Love and that is straight from God.

Now to celebrate as best we can!