Healing a Broken World: Betty Souter in China, 1946: Recent Episodes
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This series tells the story of UNRRA, The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, the first and largest international aid effort in human history. It's told through the eyes and letters of one of its staff, 29 year old Australian girl, Betty Souter.
Few people now living have ever heard of UNRRA or the extraordinary urgent work it performed as the tide of World War 2 turned in favour of the allied nations. Millions upon countless millions of people were displaced, starving and homeless. They had no water, no power, and no hope.
Interestingly, It’s a story that’s just as relevant today as our world faces its own challenges of political divisions, inequities, hunger, pandemic, and impending displacements of whole populations due to changing climate and rising sea levels.
Bet's arrived back in Sydney with Hank firmly in tow. Her China adventure is over.
Stay subscribed to this podcast channnel for the announcement when Bet's full story is published - estimated March - May 2023.
(Image: Helen Polkinghorne & Warren Henry)
At last! Bet's finally coming home. And bringing Hank with her. (Image: Telegram 17 February 1947)
On the seeemingly endless voyage home Bet finds herself back in Lae. Maybe, just maybe, MV Reynella will depart for Australia on Saturday. (Image: Telegram 14 February 1947)
Bet is still drifting from one port to the next, collecting and dropping off cargo. The journey home seems endless. (Image: Snow finally arrived at the Nanchang Office, after Bet left. Here is her good mate, Marj Bloch, enjoying the new experience)
Bet and Hank are en-route to Sydney aboard a steamship, MV Reynella, which seems to want to visit just about everywhere else. A stop in Lae, New Guinea, affords Bet the opportunity to catch-up with an old school friend, Jeanette Leahy and her husband, Mick. (Image: Lae War Cemetary)
Bet has made it to Shanghai and finally found a ship, the MV Reynella, to bring her home. Little does she realise the route will look like tangled spaghetti! (Image: Telegram 18 January 1947)
Bet celebrates her first New Year's Eve party before leaving Nanchang for the final time. As always in China, the journey is never simple. (Image: Loading up the vehicle)
Bet regales us with all the Christmas Festivities and goings on. Her tone is clouded with concern for her room-mate, Marj, who is very unwell. Mid letter she receives big news.(Image: Christmas joy rides for staff, family and friends)
A short letter to her Godmother. Christmas might be near, but Bet is firmly focussed on heading home. (Image: No need to feel sad - Harry Bishop did find true love)
It's not just the weather which is changing. Bet notes the relationship between UNRRA staff and the local chinese is not as it was. She muses that the political difficulties in China are deteriorating and that a full-blown civil war may indeed come to pass. She's keen to head for home, after some last minute shopping of course. (Image: Her favourite former Nanchang boss, Bill Duncan, and his wife Molly)
A different episode. While Bet intended her letters home to be her 'diary/journal' we did find tucked away with her letters a few snippets she noted from time to time. Here they are. (Image: David Woo, UNRRA Nanchang cashier, interpreter and bodyguard for Bet's trip to the dentist at Changsha)
The weather is bracing at UNRRA house, snow is expected, and Christmas plans are underway. (Image: The ski suit, a Christmas gift from Bet's youngest sister, Marce, arrives early, but at a perfect time)
Bet writes a short, but significant, letter to her boss. (Image: Life on the River Kan outside UNRRA House. The boys raising sail on the good ship 'GamBay' while Marj Bloch looks on.)
More reflections on the road trip to Changsha, tension in the Nanchang office, and growing disillusion. (Image: Main street of Changsha, Hunan November - 1946)
Bet breaks a tooth and embarks on her longest road trip in search of a dentist. Fortunately, she finds one. Quite the adventure. (Image: Lunch at Wantsai on the trip home)
A different episodee. Instead of a letter home, we have three letters between China Office Shanghai and Bet. Her frustration at lost luggage and laziness in head office shines through. And, she gets a result (of sorts). (Image: 'Army guardhouse on Nanchang - Kuichiang road. Bandit control point!')
Bet tags along for an afternoon visit to the only university in Kiangsi Province. Another power failure reveals the multi-lingual skills of UNRRA and the reason for a coal shortage. (Image: Refugee children)
Hanks back, and that makes for a very happy Bet. A short letter to Mum. (Image: 'K' , Keith Kestevan, at the wheel of 'Old Gert, the trusty UNRRA weapons carrier, preparing for a road trip to Honk Kong with Marj.)
Bet despairs at mail lost in a plane crash, shares news and gossip with her mum, and is anxiuously awaiting Hank's return. He's been gone over a month. Will she still like him as much? She hopes so. She thinks so. But intends to be 'very, very sure of myself'. Sounds like things might be getting pretty serious. (Image: In no mans land between the Nationalists and Communists cultivation continues undisturbed. Human water pumps in action)
There were big doings in the Nanchang house last night. Calling the fire brigade is not so easy. More of a process really. But the fire is eventually extinguished and hangovers earned in its aftermath. (Image: Tiffin, a light snack, aboard a typical family junk)
Bet chats with her baby sister, Marcelle, about Nanchang life, learning to ride a bicycle, growing concerns about a civil war, and yes, Hank. (Image: Marj Bloch and the UNRRA bicycle)
Bet's in a chatty mood, although missing Hank. She has come to realise that what is hers, is Marj's, and what's Marj's is hers. (Image: Ricksha shennanigans. Hank towing Bet on laps around UNRRA House, Nanchang)
A short letter today to Bet's Godmother. It's also the day the Nuremburg Nazi war crimes trial on the other side of the world begins handing down judgement. (Image: Loading a truck onto the Nanchang - Kuichang 'ferry'.)
This episode finds Betty in a homesick, melancholy and reflective mood. A short letter, but an apparently healing one. (Image: The temporary pontoon bridge at Kao-an, referred to last episode)
The whole city of Nanchang is abuzz with excitement. Maybe, just maybe, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the Republic of China, will actually visit today. Then again, maybe not. Bet begins by describing a road trip to devastated Kao-an to investigate reports of black market dealings. Her story is interrupted by ... (Image: Generalissimo Chaing Kai-shek arrives in Nanchang)
More news from Bet as cool weather finally arrives in Nanchang. We also learn that her position in Kiangsi province is at risk. (Image: "Structures such as this are erected in memory of widows who committed suicide rather than re-marry or live a single life. The 'suicide' is effected by the widow's father or eldest brother who supervises the hanging! The custom has been given up!! BMS adding to the scenery. Nanchang Septr '46")
Bet is in a very cheerful and chatty mood having just returned from a 7 day vacation in a much cooler Ku-ling, high in the mountains. It's a wild ride in a sedan chair up the mountain, but well worth the fright. (Image: An obviously happy Betty and Hank at a rest pause in the sedan chair climb up the mountain.)
Bet's rediscovering her sense of humour. Tales of road trips, flat tyres, bandits, and scared soldiers are just some of the fun. Eustace the rat is getting annoying, and Bet takes part in a survey of the Nanchang - Kian road. (Image: From L - Keith Kestevan, Hank and Dr Bob Reisinger on the survey)
Bet again writes to her Godmother, Edith Thompson, with tales of romance, dinners, and rumours her service might be extended by a further 9 months. (Image: Bet's caption handwritten on the back of the photograph says it all. "Yes! This is the famous sea wall!! On the right near the big tree is the romantic spot. Silhouettes in this snap are Marj & Sully')
If two letters yesterday weren't enough, Bet has even more news for her mother, expanding further on local plagues, nightime rat encounters, and delightful garden parties. (Image: UNRRA garden party)
As Betty swelters and bemoans Shanghai office derelection, she entertains us with various tidbits. (Image: And you think you have a tough job - imagine plowing the paddy fields with no buffalo, no tractor - just family)
This episode begins with extracts from a formal report Bet submits to Shanghai office pushing back on misleading UNRRA media reports of conditions in Kiangsi province. Bet then regales us with her first Chinese drama experience. (Image: Bet onsite at construction of a refugee tent village)
Bet luxuriates in the simple pleasures of lots of news from home; The story af UNRRA continues and a contemporary newsreel underscores the desperate plight of China and its people. (Image: The ugly aftermath of war - The 4th Army liquidates a collaborator)
Link to newsreel: UNRRA aids Chinese famine victims (1946)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZzV8gv_4ZI&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9
Betty is sporting a bright heat rash to hide her yellow Atebrin complexion. She visits the local medical school, describes bridge works in downtown Nanchang, lines up a dance party, and laments the absence of beer supplies. (Image: A Japanese Prisoner of War sleeping on the job. Kind of underscores how recently the war ended!)
A quirky episode featuring more adventures, tales, and wonderment. (Image: Hank, Randy Bedford and Betty supervise UNRRA temporary bridge construction)
This episode breaks with tradition in that the letters are not published on the dates they were written. After 2 months in Kiangsi Bet wants to find out if her reports are meeting UNRRA China Office needs. She writes to her boss, Col. W B Rose, seeking feedback about her performance on June 20. He responds on 1 August. Today, the half-way point between, we publish her letter and the response. (Image: Bet and Marj on the job in Nanchang)
UNRRA Nanchang office took yesterday, 4th July off work. Bet describes a VERY big day, and a new romance. (Image: A man named Hank, pictured with his very good friend 'Jake', foreman of the Chang-Kung-tu ferry crossings. 'Neither understands a single word the other is saying'.)
Betty writes to her Godmother, Edith Thompson, reporting on Nanchang happenings and the romance situation. (Image: Suitors for Betty Souter? I can't imagine why.)
Betty finishes the tale of her road trip, describing how she and Claude finally make it home to Nanchang (Image: Fellow travellers hitching a ride aboard an LST Landing Ship -Tank)
Bet provides new and entertaining perspectives on her big road trip. (Image: Soldiers, bayonets and Yangtze River crossings)
Betty seizes an opportunity for a road/rail/river trip to neighbouring provinces (Image: Life on the road. Another day, another pothole)
Finding peace and quiet without a hundred or more onlookers borders on the impossible. Except today. (Image: Sully, Claude and Marj picnic at Nanchang Agricultural Institute - "a wet day, but super picnic")
UNRRA gets new transport. Betty roams the coutryside on Japanese Imperial Army horses. (Image: The good ship 'Gambay' - UNRRA staff rowing furiously, but getting nowhere)
A short letter touching base, a report extract, and The Story of UNRRA continues (Image: Betty watching a passing raft on River Kan outside the UNRRA Hostel, Nanchang)
We've tracked down a letter written by Marjorie Bloch, describing her arrival in China, meeting Betty and their wilderness adventure from Shanghai to Nanchang. She tells a great yarn. (Image: Marjorie Bloch at UNRRA House, Nanchang)
Bet reflects on being a wealthy 'long-nosed spider', the rigours faced by the next arrivals from Shanghai, and a big night out on the town. (Image: The UNNRA crew mightn't look like fun lovers - but you'd be wrong to think so.
Betty talks of another shopping adventure, the joy of gardening, and being invited to address the Nanchang English Speaking Club. (Image: Betty hard at work preparing reports)
Betty takes us shopping in downtown Nanchang. (Image: Betty surrounded by usual curious crowd in downtown Nanchang)
Betty tells us a little more about living arrangements in Nanchang, and describes how UNRRA works and what it does. (Image: No3 Government Orphanage, Nanchang. All the children live in the tent, while CNRRA erects new building funded by UNRRA)
This is the first of Betty's multi-copy 'newsletters' describing life, accomodation and her work colleagues in the UNRRA regional office at Nanchang (Image: UNRRA House, Nanchang, Kiangsi)
Betty touches base with Dad, eagerly awaiting news of the 'goings on' at home (Image: L to R - 'JR' Marlowe, Marjorie Bloch, Dr Reta Adams & Betty)
Letter to Betty's Godmother, Edith Thompson, reflecting on 2 weeks in Shanghai, and shipboard life on the Yangtze River, avoiding pirates and food poisoning (Image: Betty aboard SS Kiang Ning)
Betty has been waiting around in Shanghai awaiting instructions. She now receives her appointment to the provinces. (Image: Betty & Harry Bishop in pedicab)
Betty arrives in Shanghai and shares her first impressions. (Image: Open-air vegetable market)
Betty settles in for her adventure aboard a roaring, rattling C-47 military transport (Image: C-47 on arrival in Manila.)
75 years ago today, 26 March 1946 the world was in ruins. And so was Betty. She decides that helping with one might just help heal the other. To the horror and dismay of her parents, family and friends she leaves Sydney and travels to work in China. 1946 was a very different time. (Image: Betty & family in Sydney prior to departure)
Betty's always enjoyed a good party. And why not? She's heading off to who knows what in only 3 days. But, can she be talked out of it?