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THE IMPERIAL HOTEL, GORDONVALE  - Like many Queensland country towns, there wasn't a shortage of hotels - even though when we arrived in Gordonvale there was a shortage of beer.  The Mountain View Hotel, run by the three Winifred sisters, became a second home to many of us. At night after dinner the tables would be cleared as Miss Betty gathered groups around her piano for singing sessions. Playing by ear, she gave us whatever we wanted; "Paratroopers' Song", "God Bless America", "Yankee Doodle Dandy", and before our departure our favorite "The Three Little Sisters". George Daly went every night he could - sometimes walking and sometimes catching 'the white bus", a local bus, riding on the roof if necessary. The sisters were our adopted aunts, indulgent ones, though they kept a firm hand on the behavior of both Digger and GI. However it never seemed to stop us. Well tired and emotional, one paratrooper felt that that his training had conferred upon him an invincibility which would allow him to jump from the top verandah into the street. So he climbed to the upstairs railing and did his best aircraft exit, and with a cry of "Geronimo!"  managed to break one of his ankles.

� 2009 Doyle Wester & 503d PRCT Heritage Bn