Comments on: Noreen reflects on Black Friday

By: Warren Burns

Warren Burns — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:17:33 +0000

This made me think of my Uncle Jim, the survivor mentioned above. He was one of the happiest, friendliest, kindest and most generous men I have ever met. I was in my early teens when he died and I still think of him often.

If his brother Micheal was anything like Jim then it is a great loss that he died so young.

You might be the only one with the Gorey name now Michael but there are lots of us that have plenty of gorey in us. My own daughter has a healthy dose of her great grandmother “Mim” Mary Gorey in her.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:05:22 +0000

There has been renewed discussion about dugouts (or bunkers) since last week’s devastating fires.

In fact, I had a call from a Radio National researcher who read this blog. I put him in touch with Noreen, who was interviewed by Philip Adams.

Experts have been dismissive of dugouts since the 1960s, claiming ventilation problems and the risk of suffocation.

My uncle Jim was among dozens of men who survived the 1939 fire in a dugout.

By: Retarius

Retarius — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:38:15 +0000

I just noticed this post. I’ve heard about Black Friday but never read anything in detail about it. This sort of personal anecdote is what gives a hard reality to it. I suppose “dugout” was the preferred word in those days for what we’d call a bunker. What a terrible, unfair end for your uncle.