This followed an article in the Bendigo Advertiser on the role Ewing Park played as an army camp during World War II.

There were many American military personnel who were billeted with Bendigo families during the period of the war from 1942.

Very recently a member of the Bendigo Historical Society, Karl Jackson, showed me a parcel of five letters written by two American soldiers, Norm Anderson and John Ashworth, who stayed with the Jackson family of Golden Square in 1942 and who wrote from their homes in California, USA, to the family during 1942-44.

Also included in the collection are photographs of the soldiers.

In one of the letters dated March 10, 1942, John Ashworth, writing from San Francisco, says: “It’s quite a contrast now, to what it was a short week ago.

"I am on the move again and expect to reach my destination soon.

"Your home town is quite a wonderful place and never in my life have I experienced such pleasant and genial hospitality.

"I offer you both my most humble thanks for all the kindness and consideration you bestowed upon us and I hope some day I can do something to show my appreciation.”

The other soldier, Norm Anderson, in a letter dated June 1942, wrote. “We are stationed on the Island of New Caledonia, which isn’t such a bad place, only that everyone speaks French.

"However, I have picked up a few words of French so that I get along fine.

"Still I much prefer the Australian people to the French... every night we get the news from Australia (we have a radio with us); also some very good music which helps out a lot.”

Norm also wrote to the Jackson family on Boxing Day 1942, saying that, “I received your fruit cake just two days before Christmas and it was wonderful, three of us finished it up today and we all enjoyed it very much.

"John (Ashworth) isn’t with me anymore, he is with another part of the outfit… I suppose everything in Bendigo is doing alright; we get together once in a while and talk of the good times we had there; how is the plum tree and the almond tree?”

The last letter received by the Jackson family was from Norm Anderson, dated July 1944, apologising for not sending Mrs Jackson "those nylon hose".

He added that this gift will have to wait “until after the war.”

Mrs Jackson didn’t ever receive those nylon stockings.

Notices

Anzac Concert featuring Songs of the Great War will now be held at The Capital theatre (not the RSL at Havilah Road) on Friday, April 24,  starting at 7.30pm. The CD of the songs will be launched by the mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo and patron of the Bendigo Historical Society, Cr Peter Cox.

Shamrock Tours every Sunday at 2pm. Cost $10 includes cake and coffee. Book at the Shamrock on 5443 0333

Specimen Cottage (178 Hargreaves Street) is now open on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm.