Jeep Joy Ride

[Mike K]

Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1909 ; 1912 - 1966), Tuesday 2 October 1945, page 4

R.N. MEN DO SYDNEY IN A JEEP

SYDNEY, October 1.— It was the first shore leave in Sydney for British naval ratings Phillip Christian Marriott, 20, Harold Foley, 22, and Joseph Hoole,23— so they made it a memorable one.

It was Saturday night, September 22. They went to the Woolloomooloo naval store, piled into a Jeep, and went to a party, where they met a couple of girls, invited them to go 'jeeping.' . The next half-hour was eventful. A short patrol from the R.A.N. saw them as they drove off, chased them. The navy stepped on the gas, drove into George Street, tuined into Pitt Street, and drove the wrong way against the traffic, to Park Street. The Jeep side-swiped a tram, knocked the conductor to the road. A police patrol Joined the chase. The ratings drove wiong way along York Street, speeded on to the Harbour Bridge. The police patrol drew level, signalled the ratings to pull up. They kept on going. Not until policemen in the patrol produced their gune did the Jeep stop. The three British sallors were arrested, charged last week at Central Court with having used the jeep Illegally. Marriott and Hoole were fined £5 each on this charge, Foley was fined £10. For driving in a dangerous manner. Foley was fined £5; for driving without a licence, £5; for failing to slop after an accident, £5. Magistrate Oram, after heating the story, remarked: 'A disgusting escapade.' ?