Although the Club was only 10 years old at the start of World War II, no less than 64 of the 150 members joined the armed forces. Those overseas were sent comfort parcels as a token of appreciation and esteem from those members left behind.
Despite the war, the members left in Sydney were not inactive and kept the Club going, through members such as Jack Cunningham and Ben Clark, and they also entertained members from the three services. All American army personnel were made welcome at the Club during their stay in Sydney.
In addition, Iceberg members did voluntary surf patrol to assist the depleted Bondi and North Bondi Surf Clubs, but only those of our members possessing the Bronze Medallion were allowed to take the belt and others were restricted to resuscitation work and beach patrol work, keeping bathers within the restricted areas.
September 1942, Aub Laidlaw won the Club championship, with the Bill Devell Cup going to the also popular Dad Robinson. In the Club championship over 110 yards, Laidlaw touched at the half way mark half a yard ahead of Bob Chilton, and despite desperate efforts by the rest of the field, Laidlaw continued to draw away, winning rather easily by two yards from the evergreen Chilton, with Brian Davidson three yards away in third place in 1 min. 8.15 secs, good time in rough water, with waves continually breaking over the baths, as a 70 year old.
There were many letters written to the Club from 'Bergs' serving in many countries and in all three services. They told of horror, laughter and tears, the story of gallant men doing their job, but all missing the companionship of the Club and the baths.
Billy Edwards
Smiling Billy Edwards wrote from the Middle East, for example: "a welcome letter from the Club was like a breath of the Blue Pacific ... I am at present in hospital having had a bullet through my thigh, evidently Jerry must have taken a violent dislike to me. Still it could have been worse, for it is some hot spot where our boys are at present. I had a hole big enough to put my fist in where the bullet came out."
Errol Beacroft
Also from the Middle East, described as the boy with the million dollar smile, wrote: "Many thanks. Was pleased to hear that Hutchy, Scrim, Nesy and the others are home, of course, I had seen them all at various times over here. Jack Grill has just shown up around these parts after a spell in hospital. I bumped into Bill Edwards who had just recovered from a bout of malaria (Bill has since been wounded). Four of my mates are now wearing D.C.M.'s and there are a few others such ribbons about to be issued. I was a bit lucky to as I was away playing keeper to a few thousand "Ities" when all the stoush was going on. Let Jerry have a taste of what we had last year".
Dick O'Connor
From New Guinea, cheerful Dick O'Connor wrote: "It was with great pleasure that I received your letter and canteen orders from yourself and fellow 'Bergs'. Only the other day the fame of the "Bergs" had spread into Papua, for when I was returning to camp in my birthday suit and a towel from a dip in the near by creek, a chap claimed me with the remark, "Hey, are you an Iceberg" and strangely as it may seem, at that particular time I was visualising myself swimming up and down the old Bondi pool, but I was quickly brought back to my hot surroundings".
