South Yorkshire Times November 2, 1957

With The R.A.F. In Australia

Mexborough Man’s Impressions

S.A.C. Alan Ward, Of 16, Don View, Mexborough, returned home on Saturday for 14 days’ leave after spending four month  in Australia with the Royal Air Force. He left for Australia by de Havilland Comet jet airliner only a month after being married, and was stationed 18 miles outside Adelaide.

While in Australia, he had the opportunity of witnessing an atomic test about 700 miles from his base.

As an R.A.F. driver, one of the things which Mr. Ward noticed most about Australia was the system of traffic regulation. A driver could be fined up to £20 for a first offence such as speeding, he said, and no motorcyclist allowed to exceed 35 miles an hour even on an open country road while carrying a pillion passenger. Very slow speed were in force when passing such places as schools or stations.

Prices are very high, but a roadsweeper or farm labourer could earn as much as £13 a week, and a gold miner, working in the outlying areas, could earn up to £40 a week the £20 bonus. “The only trouble is,” said Mr Ward, “he has nothing to spend it.”

Mr Ward said he did not like Australia very much, and was hoping that he would soon be posted to Singapore, where he would probably be able to get married quarters.

The son of Mr and Mrs Albert Ward, of 41 Oak Road, Mexborough, Mr Ward is on a 12 years engagement with the RAF. He is serving as a driver.