World War II diaries of a young Brisbane woman

The yellowed pages of 2 leather pocket diaries tell a vivid picture of wartime Brisbane through the eyes of a young woman. Her identity is a mystery.

Thanks to a greeting card remnant tucked into the back cover of one of the diaries, she became known as Daphne to the young researchers who examined her story.   

Her strong voice infuses the pages with a lively account of her busy social life, at a time when 80,000 American troops were stationed in Brisbane during the war in the Pacific. The author refers to dances at  Brisbane City Hall and the Red Cross, and shows at clubs, theatres and cinemas such as the Tivoli, the Ritz, the Regent and Cloudland. 

Associate Professor Geoff Ginn found the diaries at a Woolloongabba flea market in 2015.  

'As soon as I saw it, I thought this belongs in the State Library,' A/Prof Ginn said. 

Eighty years after they were written, the diaries are preserved in State Library’s repository and have been digitised. 

A/Prof Ginn used the diaries as an introductory project for his third-year Research Methods students at UQ in 2017. Five students each transcribed a portion of the diaries, immersing themselves in the young woman’s world to create their own projects.  

In the first of the diaries, ‘Daphne’ and a US serviceman named Dale Balwin begin a romance after meeting at a Red Cross dance on 5 July 1945, just a month before peace is declared. 

The second diary, from 1949, documents a trip to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, via ship, train and bus.

Watch the 9News report and read the story: Secret wartime diaries of young Queensland woman detail life in the 1940s

In Daphne's words

21 July 1945  

'Red Cross. He got big and came over for the last dance. Was very determined I was going to be very cold if he came over. But with my knees going weak I could hardly be cold. I think he had the same intentions. But even though I danced with him I was defiant about going to let him take me home. That was until he asked. The liar said he was going away on the Monday and this would be the last time he be off. This was all for effort so I wouldn't be mad about Wed. night. Of course it worked I couldn't waste time being mad if he was going away. That was lie no.1.'

15 August 1945 

'Went to Red Cross. Dale was very drunk didn't come near all night. Peace was declared this morning 10 am. Got holiday the rest of day. We rode around on Col. Luke's truck till about 2pm. Got photos in paper.' 

19 August 1945  

'Woke up to find my throat swelling with mumps. I hadn't intended going to dance as it didn't matter. Dale rang, said he was definitely going away tomorrow. Couldn't go to dance because of mumps. He didn't want to come up because of Jim's visitors. So I wrapped a towel around my head and met him at gate. We walked around for a while then sat out in front. Young Brian was very sick so we drove mum down to boarding house in taxi then rode around for half an hour or so.' 

20 August 1945

'Dale rang about 9.30 am to say goodbye. He is going to write first opportunity.'  

21 August 1945  

'According to Pa [?] they pulled out this morning the next thing to do is wait for the mail. 

'Got first letter 25/9/45 and received more up till 27/10/45. He left Samoa about 1st November and until today 9/3/46 haven't had a letter from States. Never did either !!?!!'

(‘Daphne’ is later informed Dale has been discharged from the navy and is now married.) 

Leave a comment on Facebook or below this story if you know who Daphne might be.

Visit Anzac Square Memorial Galleries online to read the remarkable stories of those who served. 

Your loving Aussie, Charlie | ‘Cheerio for now darling and believe me when I say I love you very dearly and always will.’ – Flight Officer Charlie Rowland Williams’ heartbreaking last letter to his British fiancee Bobbie.  

Ingenuity and calm under pressure | The life-saving work of battlefield surgeon Dr Lilian Cooper and ambulance driver Josephine Bedford.   

Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s story of service | ‘For the first time in my life, I felt equal to other human beings.’ – Oodgeroo Noonuccal, First Nations civil rights activist, poet, environmentalist, educator, and veteran.   

Place a digital poppy to pay your respects. 

National Service Nominal Roll | Search or add service details for participants in the National Service Scheme 1951–72. 

Historic places | Explore the Queensland places that played a crucial role in World War II.