WAS 28 HIRON STREET, ST LUCIA
COMMANDEERED BY THE MILITARY DURING WW2?

visits since 9 October 2005

Peter Brown of the St. Lucia History Group told me on 4 October 2005 that he had been told by Ian Venables that 28 Hiron Street was used by General Douglas MacArthur and his family as their residence during WW2. It is believed that MacArthur's wife Jean, their son Arthur MacArthur and Arthur's Chinese amah, Au Cheu all lived in this house. Until Peter contacted me, I had believed that their only residence had been Lennons Hotel. Perhaps he still maintained a room at Lennons Hotel also, while he utilised this house at St. Lucia.

Photo:- Peter Dunn 9 October 2005

28 Hiron Street, St. Lucia

I spoke with Ian Venables on 18 October 2005 about his childhood memories during WW2. Ian's family used to live at 62 Gailey Road during WW2. Ian confirmed that MacArthur did live in 28 Hiron Street. Ian said that he can remember the three Staff Cars that MacArthur had at his disposal:-

USA 1    Black Packard
USA 2    Grey Lasalle (now believed to be in South Australia)
USA 3    Green khaki coloured Ford Mercury (this vehicle was restored in the USA about 10 - 15 years ago)

General Douglas MacArthur's staff car outside the Edward St. entrance to GHQ, SWPA in the AMP building in 1942. This was the normal entrance to GHQ

Technical Sgt. Clarence E.  "Red" Hensley and Sgt. John J. "Blackie" Ulrick

The four stars on MacArthur's car indicates the grade of General. Later on, he was promoted to a five star General of the Army

Ian told me that General MacArthur would give the local kids a lift in his car when he travelled to and from his house in Hiron Street. Ian Venables clearly remembers being picked up by the General on a number of occasions. Ian said that Bob Sherwood (Bob - are you out there? Please contact me) was another friend of Ian's who would have also enjoyed the privilege of being chauffeured by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the South-West Pacific Area.

Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt greeted by Mrs Jean MacArthur
at Archerfield airfield on the south side of Brisbane on 13 September 1943

Close-up of the above photograph. Note the American Red Cross (ARC)
badge on  Eleanor Roosevelt's collar. Also note USA-2, Mrs. Jean 
MacArthur's staff car parked in the background.

Is that Technical Sgt. Clarence E. "Red" Hensley just to the left of Eleanor?

Perhaps MacArthur was able to make use of his motor yacht Shangri-la. The dinghy that MacArthur used from the motor yacht "Shangri-La" is now located in the Queensland Maritime Museum near South Bank Parklands in Brisbane. It was donated to the Museum by Mr. Alan Campbell.

Photo:- Peter Dunn 9 October 2005

View from the Brisbane River of 28 Hiron Street, St. Lucia

Ian Venable's father was in the ARP and used the adjacent park to teach VAD's. Ian's father was asked by the military to relocate his training to Douglas Street, probably due to the closeness of his training to MacArthur's residence.

Ian said that one of the things he remembered about Arthur MacArthur was that he was always dressed in longs pants with shoes and socks. This dress code was way out of place compared with the clothing worn by the local children. 

Ian Venables also remembers Admiral Fletcher, who lived in Bellevue Parade, Taringa (opposite the intersection with Ellerslie Crescent). 

Can anyone else remember MacArthur
and his family living at St. Lucia?

"Kelsey", Hiron Street, St Lucia
used by the Military during WWII

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Ian Venables for his assistance with this web page. I'd also like to thank Peter Brown of the St. Lucia History Group for his assistance with this home page.

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

"Australia @ War"

This page first produced 9 October 2005

This page last updated 11 October 2011