Interview with Ken Haylings (When the war came to Australia)

Mr Ken Haylings was a school boy during the war and describes his experiences while living in Petersham, Sydney. He describes his mother receiving a telegram with birthday wishes, while neighbours received notice of family deaths. The family listened to the radio, watched newsreels and read newspapers. He discusses food rationing. Christmas 1942 saw Santa Claus banned as an austerity measure. Two fighter aircraft were seen over Petersham; one exploded and the body landed in the school playground, on a school day. Young men volunteered to enlist, called to be patriots. Schools supported the war effort through fund raising, sold paper, bottles, held raffles. Next door neighbours had home-brew, which exploded occasionally. Scouts and Red Cross made camouflage nets. Mr Haylings remembers his Scout Law and Promise.