1942 call of war day change9/16/2023 ![]() ![]() Suddenly they were subjected to many new rules and restrictions. With the arrival of the real war on Australia’s doorstep in February 1942, children in Queensland found their lives at home, school and play, rapidly changing. Black-out restrictions were gradually relaxed after 1943 and removed altogether in late 1944. Radio stations had to cease broadcasting at night to deprive enemy aircraft of direction-finding opportunities. After Japan’s attack at Pearl Harbor a partial black out–known as a ‘brown out’–was enforced in all towns from Mackay north and up to 160 kilometres inland. The Queensland Government undertook to build shelters on behalf of the local authorities and legislation was passed enabling local councils to obtain loans from the government for the purpose of air raid shelter construction. Since the declaration of war, the Queensland Premier’s Department–coordinating civil defence works in the state–had begun implementing home security policies.Ĭonstruction of public air raid shelters was planned throughout the main population centres considered vulnerable to air attack. Civilian volunteers were instructed in how to combat the effects of gas attacks and what precautions to take against high explosive and incendiary bombs. From June 1941 civil defence duties were extended and brought under the control of the new Department of Home Security. With the war commencing in Europe, changes for children's routines occurred slowly. They were subjected to air raid drills and learnt to do without many of the peace time benefits of life in Australia through rationing. Many children had parents in the services and many others had fathers and mothers overseas, adding a constant fear of when or if they would see them again. Coastal schools were moved or buildings requisitioned and alternative sites were required. Unlike the young in the United Kingdom and other locations across the globe, there was no immediate threat of injury or death from enemy action, but their everyday lives were changed. The children of Queensland were directly and indirectly affected by the war years. ![]()
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