Sweetheart bracelet : Miss D Edwards, NSW Government Railways

Place Oceania: Australia, New South Wales
Accession Number REL38944
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Heraldry
Physical description Aluminium, Copper, Silver
Maker Unknown
Place made New Guinea1
Date made c 1944
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Incomplete sweetheart bracelet made from domed farthings and sixpences joined at the sides by strips of aluminium passing through a drilled hole. A heart-shaped domed piece is mounted in the centre of the bracelet, bearing an engraved cariacature of a New Guinea native, the word 'New Guinea 1944' and the name 'Walt'. The back of this piece is engraved 'US ARMY' in decorative script. There are three threepences (all dated 1943) and two sixpences (one 1942, one 1943) employed. The two sixpences bear a 'D' below the 'Advance Australia' scroll on the obverse face, indicating they were minted at the Denver Mint, which assisted with Australian coin production in 1942 and 1943. There appears to be at least one threepence and the clasp missing.

History / Summary

Sweetheart bracelet given to Miss Dorothy Edwards who was employed by the NSW Govenment Railways in 1943/44 working at the Refreshment Rooms at Werris Creek Railway Station, near Tamworth, NSW. Regular troop trains used to pass through the station where men would stop for drinks and refreshments. 'Mum used to see many local boys going off to war. She used to tell me that they would hand wash 200 cups, saucers and plates every time but she enjoyed her time,' relates her daughter.

In 1943 Dorothy met an American named Walter stationed in Newcastle who was serving with the US Air Force. He was later posted to New Guinea, and sent her this sweetheart brooch. Her daughter recalls 'he was tall and thin with a big smile but his photo is long gone. I am not sure if they were sweethearts...' Dorothy later married William Thoroughgood of Stockton, who had served with the merchant navy and survived the torpeoding of the 'Kowarra'.

Dorothy also worked at a munitions factory in Sydney later in the war. She died in 2000.