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Thoughts of the day Peace was declared Wednesday 15 August 1945

Artist Marjorie Schiappa

Date1945

Object number00016978

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper

DimensionsOverall: 259 x 204 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Marjorie Schiappa

Terms

DescriptionThis painting is a self portait by Marjorie Schippa, depicting her thoughts on 15 August 1945 - when Japan accepted the Allied demand for unconditional surrender, and peace was declared. Majorie depicts herself sick in bed reading. In the background, American servicemen who have returned home are greeted by loved ones at Grand Central station. Wedding bells, doves and the American flag frame the image. Of the painting, Marjorie wrote: 'I was still in Melbourne - Tony was in the Philippines - I was ill with a very bad case of allergies and feeling sorry for myself unable to go out while way everyone else was celebrating'.HistoryDuring World War II between 12,000 and 15,000 Australian women married American servicemen. Some migrated and lived in the USA, while others returned to Australia in the years following the war, with or without their husbands. These women often encountered public scrutiny and disapproval for their decision to marry, with many Australians specifically men, resentful of Americans 'taking their wives'. For many women, American servicemen filled the vacuum created by Australian men stationed overseas. During the campaign in the Pacific thousands of American troops were stationed in Australia, at a time when many of Australia's young men were fighting in Europe and the Middle East. In early 1942 thousands of American troops arrived in Melbourne under the command of General D MacArthur. United States serviceman Anthony (Tony) G Schippa arrived in Australia in 1942 and met Miss Marjorie P Popple of Melbourne. The couple married in August 1944 at Saint Patricks Cathedral, Melbourne and had a brief one-week honey moon at the Cumberland Guest House in Lorne, Victoria. In September 1945, Marjorie left Brisbane on the Matson Liner LURLINE to relocated to the United States. Three months later, Tony completed his service in Manilla and followed her to the United States where the couple settled in New York. SignificanceThis drawing is an important reminder of the Australian women who married or were engaged to American men that served in Australia during World War II, and later migrated to the United States.