Sub-Branch Stories

In March 1942, the then Muriel Marsden joined the AWAS (Australian Womens Army Service), and ultimately was posted to Victoria Barracks in Sydney. There she met Jim (James) Wills (AIF).

They took an evening harbour boat trip on 31st May 1942. At around 8.30pm, in the middle of the harbour, they found it just happened to be the night the Japanese raided Sydney Harbour using midget submarines. Not quite a quiet first date!

In December 1943 they married in Sydney and while Muriel remained in the AWAS, Jim headed for Papua New Guinea.

Apart until his return from PNG in March 1946, somehow Muriel obtained a special certificate allowing her immediate access to board the ship at the dock before anyone had disembarked.

Press photographers were already aboard, one of whom managed to take the photograph above. By the look of it, he had plenty of time to take it.