On September 5, 1943, Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and her entourage, visited American troops who were convalescing at a make-shift hospital at the Armytage Scout Hall (1) in Dandenong. This was the 21st Australian Camp Hospital, based in the Scout Hall and John Hemmings Memorial Park (2) on the Princes Highway, opposite the High School. The Age reported that Mrs Roosevelt, on the way back to the city, called at the Armytage Hall in Dandenong-road, and patiently chatted to every man in the large ward of about 120 beds. With a smile and an exchange of information, Mrs. Roosevelt also obliged with many autographs, and congratulated the Australian M.O.'s and nursing sisters who staff the hospital (3).
The Dandenong Journal of September 8, 1943 also reported on this 'red-letter' day -
America's charming “First Lady of the Land,” Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, paid a surprise visit to Dandenong last Sunday, and although her call was a closely guarded secret, news of her intention to call on some US. soldiers convalescing in this area leaked out at the last minute and the President’s wife was warmly greeted by a crowd of about 500 local residents who quickly gathered when they saw preparations being made to receive her.
Mrs Roosevelt arrived about 5.30 in the afternoon and was greeted by Major G. Boileau, who introduced her to Lieut. Smith (US.), and Major Tait (staff officer of Medical Services). With the official party, which included Major General Rupertus (USMC.), Lieut General Eichelberger (USA.), and Rear Admiral Kerry Jones (USA.), she quickly entered the wards, prettily decorated with spring blossoms for the occasion, and accompanied by Major Boileau and Sister Lorenz, and members of the staff, she made a round of the patients, chatting freely with them and giving each a hand-shake. With some she conversed for quite a while, staying here altogether for 45 minutes. The men were obviously delighted to see her and those who could, left their beds and crowded out to the front of the building to farewell her.
In a brief speech she told the men that the President sent them his greetings and had asked her to tell them all that he thought they had done, and were doing, the grandest job. Mrs Roosevelt had a gracious smile for members of the staff and the local VAD.’s who assist with the work, and as she left the building local residents gave her three cheers. Acknowledging the greeting with a warm smile she walked over to the crowd of women and children and exchanged a few words with them before getting into her car.
It was remarkable how the news of the visit spread. At the time it was originally believed that Mrs. Roosevelt would arrive there was only a handful of people present, but as soon as the police and provosts put in an appearance and mounted guard, the news that there was “something doing” spread like wild-fire and people began to appear from all directions. Cars returning from the bush and seaside even stopped to see what was “in the air,” and stayed to join in the welcome to one whom the whole world has taken to its heart. Mrs. Roosevelt wore the uniform of the American Red Cross and seemed full of life, and energy, despite her tiring itinerary. We can quite believe that the prayer of the reporters who have to cover her doings is “Please God, make Mrs. Roosevelt tired.” From the little Dandenong saw of her it was apparent that she is just as charming and natural as all reports have credited her with being. Sunday was indeed a “red-letter day” in Dandenong’s history (4).
Mrs Roosevelt was in Australia as part of a five week tour of the South Pacific on behalf of the Red Cross. She also visited Bora Bora, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Christmas Island, Guadalcanal (one of the Solomon Islands) and New Zealand (5). On the day she visited Dandenong, Mrs Roosevelt had visited the Children's Hospital at Frankston (6) where one of the patients, Brian Dean, played the Star-Spangled Banner on his mouth organ, for Mrs Roosevelt (7).
Footnotes
(2) 21st Australian Camp Hospital - there appears to be very little information available on it https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/3409
(3) The Age, September 6, 1943, see here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, September 8, 1943, see here.
(5) Report on the visit - https://fdr.blogs.archives.gov/2016/08/25/a-first-lady-on-the-front-lines/
(6) More correctly the Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Mt Eliza, which had opened in 1930 as part of the Children's Hospital, which was then based in Carlton. https://archives.rch.org.au/exhibitions/our-places-our-spaces-mt-eliza-1930-1971/
This is a revised and expanded version of a post, which I wrote and researched, that appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Commemorates: Our War Years.
