Birdum.

From 1929 to 1940, Birdum was the terminus for the North Australian Railway line. The line had been extended from Pine Creek - although the 1,000+ miles of railway track from Alice Springs to Birdum was never laid. The Birdum terminus was transferred nine miles north to Larrimah in 1940 - as too was the Pub!!!!

After Australia declared it was at war with Japan on 7 December 1941, troops were mobilised to be stationed at Darwin and the evacuation of the civilian population began. Birdum was used as a transit point. Especially after the 19 February 1942 bombing raids, people evacuated from Darwin were brought to Birdum before being transferred to Alice Springs. Up to 147 trains each week made the trip from Darwin to Birdum.

The US Medical Regiment also established a Medical Evacuation hospital at Birdum.

The Pub then came back into its own - the Birdum Hotel was converted into an officers' home during this time. The leadership of American military engagement in the North Australian air war was under the canopy of the hotel. Unfortunately it was then referred to as "The pub with no beer".

An excellent review of the Telegraph Station at Birdum is given elsewhere together with a wonderful picture of the Telegraph Station!!!! Also see the more detailed history of the major American activities at Birdum.

Detail of the Mil. T.O. Birdum date stamp.
9 April 1942 - 2 months after the bombing.

Diameter: 30 cm.

Rated: RRRR.

Mil. T.O. Birdum, North Australia to Moree.
9 April 1942.

A largely superb strike of this very rare date stamp.

Has a PASSED BY CENSOR handstamp in red.

As no stamps were affixed, the letter had two 2d Postage Dues on the reverse cancelled at Moree.

Gary Watson, in his description for the February 2013 Auction (Lot 1158), noted:

"An exceptional usage of this most unusual datestamp. [Ed Williams at page 241 states "Apparently opened 1/10/1940. closed 1942 & taken over by service personnel. No datestamp seen." We know of only one other example, of 18JY42, in violet]".

Marranboy.

Located about 70 km south of Katherine on Jawoyn land, Marranboy was the site of one of Australia's biggest tin mines. Mining was established in 1915 and lasted for 36 years.

A Royal Flying Doctor hospital-nursing station was established at Marranboy in 1915 but it closed in 1931. The building - known as Penola Hostel - was later used as the Police Station, the Post Office and as Police quarters until it was demolished in 2006.

In 1928, a loop of 830 feet was completed at Marranboy as part of the North Australia Railway.

The Post Office opened as Marranboy on 27 May 1914 but changed to a Telegraph Office in 1925 but then reverted to a Post Office in 1927.
On 22 December 1933, there was a name change to Maranboy.
The Office closed on 12 December 1976.