The Christmas party at the Boomerang Club, London, 24 December 1943. Being interviewed for the 'Overseas Services' programme of the BBC's 'Radio Newsreel', broadcast regularly in Australia throughout World War II, are RAAF Flight Sergeants Maurice Wilson and David McNeil, both from Brisbane, Queensland. Looking directly at the camera is Flight Sergeant Hubert Bailey from Booborowie, South Australia, who sent a greeting to his horse, Diana, when interviewed. More than 1000 Australian servicemen, mainly from the RAAF, attended the dinner, where high ranking officers and the Australian High Commissioner, Stanley Melbourne Bruce, carved twenty-two turkeys. An illuminated address was presented to Ms Peggy Brown of Melbourne, who for four years had supplied cakes for the club. This year she had produced a vanload of cakes and puddings for the Australian forces in Britain. Special mention was also made of Lady McCann, who produced hundreds of decorative and original paper caps 'which are something of a triumph in England where even coloured paper is unprocurable'. ['Gossip', Townsville Daily Bulletin, 31 December 1943; AWM SUK13318]
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