Introduction

In February 1945, in the latter stages of the Second World War, military personnel from the Newcastle Detachment of the NSW Anti-Aircraft and Coast Artillery Signals Unit and the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) held a picnic at One Mile Beach, near Anna Bay, Port Stephens.

The NSW Anti-Aircraft and Coast Artillery Signals Unit was a military unit responsible for providing signals and communication support for both anti-aircraft and coastal artillery defences. The unit included members of the AWAS. These military personnel at Newcastle had a close working relationship with those based at the Tomaree Coastal Artillery Battery at Shoal Bay, Port Stephens.

The Unit’s role was to manage communication systems for anti-aircraft and coastal artillery batteries. Responsibilities included transmitting orders, reporting enemy movements and coordinating fire control.

The picnic was held when the military outlook for allied forces was beginning to look more positive. This followed the U.S. Marines invasion of Iwo Jima, a strategic air base located between the Mariana Islands and Japan, on 19 February 1945, after months of naval and air bombardment.

Almost three months later, on 9 May 1945,  Germany surrendered to the Allies, ending the War in Europe, while Australia had to wait until 15 August 1945 for Japan to surrender to the Allies.

Picnic at One Mile Beach – Port Stephens

The following photos of the military picnic are held by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. They show that a relaxed and joyous atmosphere prevailed among the picnickers. The food, while of a simple nature, appeared quite adequate.

Southern end of One Mile Beach where the military picnic took place. [Author photo – June 2025] 

Group portrait at One Mile Beach – February 1945

Lieutenant A. K. Marsh, leaning against the back of a truck while other members of the Units select their lunch

Group portrait in front of the refreshments tent

Corporal D. McGuinness holding a cup (centre). Behind the table are Sergeant Hall (left) and Signalwoman Hawkins, both members of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS)

Samples of the picnic food and drink

Group portrait – the women at the back are members of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS).

Lieutenant A. K. Marsh (centre) helping to prepare the lunch of boiled frankfurters

Seated in the foreground, Lieutenant Bell and Signalwoman Farrell, of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), eating refreshments

Signalwoman Hawkins (left) wields a machette knife as she and another member of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) relax

Lieutenant Colonel C. L. Southwell (third from left), Commanding Officer of the NSW Anti Aircraft and Coast Artillery Signals Unit, who was based at Middle Head, Sydne), with other members of the Units, eating a slice of watermelon.

Colonel R. W. Savage, Chief Signals Officer, 2nd Australian Army, wears a tea towel while eating a slice of watermelon.

Enjoying ice cream. A first aid kit hangs from the truck.

A Crib hand held by Corporal McGuinness

A game of Cribbage

A game of Cribbage

Colonel R. W. Savage, Chief Signals Officer, 2nd Australian Army

Lieutenant Colonel C. L. Southwell OBE, ED, Commanding Officer NSW Anti-Aircraft and Coast Artillery Signals Unit, holding his camera.

Concluding Comments

These photos demonstrate the camaraderie that existed among the Australian military forces. Their moments of relaxation would have been few and far between. Port Stephens was a fitting place to hold such a special event.

The picnic was held at the site of a tragedy in April 1927 when a camper was killed by a mountain slide. Details of this tragedy can be found in the paper at the following link, Tragic Events at Port Stephens , on this website.

Other papers on the military history  in  Port Stephens in the Second World War are  published at the following links on this website:

War Diary of Tomaree Coastal Battery Port Stephens – 1942/1944

HMAS Assault and JOOTS – 1942/1943

Tomaree Lodge Site at Port Stephens

Camouflage of Mount Tomaree – 1941/1942

Post War History of the Gan Gan Military Camp at Port Stephens

A Pictorial History of HMAS Assault – Nelson Bay

Royal Marines at Port Stephens – 1945/1946

United States Landing Force Equipment Depot at Nelson Bay – 1942/1943

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

July 2025