WAAAFs and Other Staff

A later acquisition to our staff was Geoffrey Rheden Martin, a delightful character who enlivened the office with an immense erudition coupled with a magnificent sense of humour. Geoff was well read in classical English literature and in some of the English translations of rather ribald French authors such as Balzac and de Maupassant. He was a large muscular man of great sensitivity and gentleness. A Pilot Officer, Geoff assisted with synoptic analysis and forecasting. Before joining the RAAF he had been Secretary of the Gaine Milking Machine Company in NSW. On his discharge from the RAAF in 1945–46 he found another person occupying his position and the company unable to offer other employment.

Another treasure on the staff of our office was Herbert Whittingham. A short, thin, wiry young man, 'Herbie' (or 'Durkin' as Ralph mischievously liked to call him) was an accomplished musician and extremely well read, although his formal education had not extended beyond secondary level. He had a natural scientific outlook which gave him an insight into atmospheric processes which was superior to some who had the benefit of a university education. He was a very respectable young man, and was somewhat offended by the occasional ribaldry of the exchanges between his fellow workers. He performed some extremely useful work when we later had more time to devote to meteorological research.

Bureau of Meteorology