DEADLY WATERS (Australia’s Second World War)

Deadly Waters is a fiction book about the experiences of a teenager before and during WWll in the Pacific. However, parts of the book are based on the real-life experiences of Cliff Hopping. Here you’ll find a few of Cliff’s photos and memorabilia. You can click on the images to enlarge them.

Cliff was interviewed for a newspaper about his experiences during WWll in the Pacific. This extract appeared later as quote of the week.

Cliff appeared in the ABC’s documentary program Compass: ‘Walking Wounded’ where he talked about suffering from and undergoing treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The link to the transcript is:

https://www.abc.net.au/religion/watch/compass/compass-walking-wounded/10143218

Note: The content is not suitable for younger readers.

Family Photos

DEADLY WATERS (Australia’s Second World War)

Baby Cliff on his dad’s Harley Davidson motorcycle, Braidwood, NSW

Cliff as a toddler, Braidwood, NSW

Few people could afford to buy a car. Most used public transport or bikes.

Cliff’s little mate!

Cliff discovered Wollongong beach.

Cliff had an older sister, Jean. Jean isn’t in the book as she didn’t add to the plot. Here’s a photo of her alongside their brother Jack and with Cliff in front. On their left is a friend also called Jean.

High School Photos

RAN Completion of Signalman’s Course, Edgecliff Depot

RAN Summer uniform

Sadly, there aren’t any photos of a young Marie but here’s a story she wrote as a 12 year old.

RAN Life on board a Corvette: HMAS Coombar, Hobart, Tasmania

Sleeping where you can. (Photo credit: Hobart Mercury)

Passing messages to other ships

Gangway Duty, Hobart, Tasmania

Wet weather gear, Hobart, Tasmania

Clearing Minefields, Tasmania with the 20th Minesweeping Flotilla including: Warrengo, Swan, Mildura, Lithgow, Warrnambool, Durraween,

Recruiting March, Hobart, Tasmania. Cliff 3rd from right in front row

Newcastle, NSW: War Savings Certificate Drive, Cliff in front row 3rd from right. Despite Cliff getting fed up with all the marching these words are his: ‘In 6th class I was the drummer when classes were marched into school. It was pretty good!’

War on the Home Front

This is an image of the handwritten version of the Seamen’s Union diagram of merchant ship casualties. Refer Figure 1 in the book. (Fitzpatrick & Cahill, 1981:117, Maritime Union of Australia) CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

This is a colour image of the Seamen’s Union diagram of merchant ship casualties. Refer Figure 1 in the book. (Fitzpatrick & Cahill, 1981:117, Maritime Union of Australia) CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

Life on the Home Front

Cliff on leave in Sydney with his mum Mary and sister Jean. Cliff’s mum took him into town to get a professional photo taken in a studio. In this chapter Jean is referred to as a neighbour, not sister.

And this is the studio photo!

Cliff on leave in Sydney with Marie and friend Thelma. From Marie: ‘I was a very good swimmer. I won a vase for coming first in a school competition.’ The author Helen still has this vase.

Cliff’s poetry book

Marie showed Cliff this newspaper cutting during their picnic at Bondi Beach. Marie’s on left with sister Basie in the centre and Rosa on the right. On the home front many organisations held fundraisers for the war effort.

Close up of Marie in traditional Greek costume.

During wartime the young girls who could ride were trained in long distance country riding. The idea was that if Canberra was invaded they were to “ride to Sydney and sound the alarm”. Marie
was such a good rider that she was the only one allowed to ride the stallion.

Photo Marie sent Cliff of herself, far left, sister Helen alongside and sister Aura, to Helen’s left in the same row. There were many such functions organised for American and Canadian service personnel who were temporarily stationed in Sydney.