In 1938 on the cusp of World War Two, a bold Ipswich electrician’s prediction was terribly wrong. I told a version of this story live on West Bremer Radio.

Two electricians from Ipswich in Queensland, Henry Walker and Jim Hedley made the 2,000 mile journey to Darwin in the Northern Territory aboard the steamship Marella.

Both Henry’s father and father-in-law were prominent coal mine owners in Ipswich. Both Henry and Jim were members of the Ipswich bowls club and the Ipswich golf club. Henry later even had a golf trophy named in his honour.

They went to Darwin to attend the wedding of Jim’s brother Jack. The wedding was performed by the former Ipswich Methodist minister, The Reverend Leonard Kentish.

On the way over, they marvelled at the sixty pearling luggers that were anchored in Thursday Island harbour in the Torres Strait. When they got to Darwin, they wanted to go buffalo shooting, but it was too soon after the rainy season so they couldn’t go.

Henry and Jim checked out the town of Darwin instead. They were impressed that the Australian Defence Department had a permanent garrison in Darwin. This was in response to a suspicion that if there ever was to be a foreign invader, Darwin would be the first place attacked.

Henry and Jim noted that surveys were being taken to strengthen the defence system there. They talked to the locals about a rumoured invasion by Japan. They spoke about a mystery aeroplane that was flying over Darwin at night.

But Henry and Jim both came back to Ipswich and said there was nothing to worry about, after all, the locals weren’t worried.

There must have been some nerves though, because Jim’s brother Jack moved back to Booval to live with his parents. This was in July 1939.

Of course we know what happened next. Just weeks later, in September 1939, Australia was plunged into the Second World War. We were directly threatened when Singapore fell, and four days later, Darwin was bombed by the Japanese.

The first day of bombing (pictured top of the page) involved more than 240 Japanese aircraft which killed more than 250 Australian and allied military personnel and civilians. This was the biggest single attack ever mounted by a foreign power on Australia. More than 100 further air raids against Australia followed.

Boy, did the Ipswich electricians Henry Walker and Jim Hedley get it wrong!

Not only was Darwin being pummelled, but the ship they travelled on to Darwin was called into active service. The SS Marella had been surrendered by Germany and given to Australia as war reparations following the First World War. She now spent the duration of the Second World War as a troop ship.

What’s more, Ipswich’s Reverend Kentish, who had performed the marriage ceremony for Jim’s brother in Darwin, was captured on an island off the coast of Arnhem Land by the Japanese. In fact, he was the only Australian captured by Japanese forces in Australia during World War Two. He was captured then beheaded. This was a crime for which the perpetrator was hung after the war.

So the next time two electricians volunteer their view on geopolitics, you better check their connections.

I’m going to the Northern Territory shortly and will track down a Japanese Zero that was shot down during the Darwin attacks.

But the real purpose of my trek to remote Arnhem Land communities is to raise money for Drug ARM which supported by its Foundation works to reduce the harms of alcohol and other drugs. Donations are tax deductible in Australia.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A VERSION OF THIS STORY TOLD ON WEST BREMER RADIO.

Photo credits:
Japanese bombs landing on Darwin harbour in the first raid 1942 – Australia War Memorial 012953.
SS Marella 1940 – Australian War Memorial 303589.
The Reverend Leonard Kentish – Australian War Memorial.