KANGAROO RESEARCH NOTES INTRODUCTION (written 2002) IT HAS, for many years now, been a criticism, even a complaint, about Rananim (and perhaps about the D.H.Lawrence Society of Australia itself) that it has been much too involved with what is known in some circles as "The Darroch Thesis". Yet, to the extent that Rananim (and Australian interest in Lawrence generally) is concerned about what happened when Lawrence came to Australia in 1922, and indeed what his Australian novel Kangaroo is about, is the extent to which such a focus and emphasis are both inevitable and proper. That is not to say that rival or counter-interpretations and criticism of the "Thesis" should be ignored. Far from it. It is a major disappointment that such criticism and counter-interpretations have not come forward, at least until the recent CUP editions, and not for inclusion and balance in Rananim. In particular, no one, not even the CUP editors, have advanced any credible or substantive alternative argument about how else a real secret army found its way into Kangaroo. Yet the full case for the "Darroch Thesis" has also not been put forward, until now (though "the best argument" was advanced in Rananim 7-8/1, "Nothing to Sniff At"- see elsewhere in this site). So there are omissions on both sides. It is an aim of this new section that it will start, if not a debate, then at least establish a forum for possible discussion on this important - indeed, vital - aspect of Lawrence scholarship, both here and overseas. Comments therefore are welcome, and a facility (click [email protected]) will be provided in the hope that some discussion will indeed be generated. On my part, I welcome any opportunity to react and respond. However, rather than simply republish in this section a representative selection of the articles and book-extracts that have been written, for and against, the so-called "Darroch Thesis", I have decided to do something rather different, something that I think will add substantially to what is already in the public arena. From almost the beginning of the research into this matter I have maintained a diary of the progress and result of that research. This was begun following the experience I had assisting my wife Sandra in her research into the life of Lady Ottoline Morrell for her biography, Ottoline. I also edited that work, and in doing so realised how useful it would be to have a day-by-day diary of the research - in other words, as well as the cards and notes generated, and the text written, it would be of enormous help to have a complete record of that research, both to augment and check the material unearthed, and to demonstrate how it was done. As it turned out (for what I discovered was totally unanticipated) the diary, now in its 26th year, has become the main repository and record of the results of that research, and a document of interest (I believe) in itself. In particular, it does one thing that should be of interest to those who care about Lawrence, Australia and Kangaroo. It shows how and where I - and others, for I was by no means alone in this labour - came across the material that goes to make up, and underpin, the "Darroch Thesis". (The term "The Darroch Thesis" was coined by my colleague Dr Andrew Moore in circumstances that will become clearer as the diary unfolds.) The diary was not begun immediately, and in fact slowly emerged from a more general record of my day-to-day activities, only assuming separate format some considerable time into the project. Needless to say, the entries herein have been edited so as to eliminate some non-germane material and to contract what could be conveyed more briefly. Included, in the places indicated, are non-diary materials, such as extracts from letters and published articles, and, in particular, additional explanatory explanations and comments (in italics). The diary takes several twist and turns, as outlined in the entry dated 28/5/02. It is now going in a direction - for it is ongoing - that strikes out into very new territory. So new, in fact, that no name has yet been invented for the concept, as far as I know. What we had hitherto known as "a diary" records what has happened in the past. It is history, entombed and passive. What follows, after the entry of 29/5/02, is still a record of what has transpired, but it is no longer merely just the online reproduction of that past. It is, after 29/5/02, something rather more alive and active, even interactive. In Kangaroo, Lawrence made use of the diary technique to turn reality into "fiction", or at least to explore the fiction-form which that "reality" might be turned to. So it is perhaps appropriate, and it is certainly an apt departure point, for this new digital format. But, first, we should begin at the beginning, in the era of old technology. DHL in Australia research, 1972-2016 Part 1: September 1972-March 1990 (The text in roman type are the original diary entries, as they were written and dated entry-by-entry. The text in italics are a later gloss/comment, inserted after I converted the written diary entries into online/digitised text in 2002.) In 1972 Dr Warren Roberts, Director of the Humanities Research Centre (HRC) in Austin, Texas - where we* had been examining Ottoline’s letters - suggested we look into Lawrence’s time in Australia. After we had finished the manuscript of Ottoline in mid-1974, we came out to Australia, arriving in Sydney in early September. There we read Kangaroo (which we had known only from the chapter on Lawrence in John Douglas Pringle’s 1956 book, Australian Accent) and did some preliminary, but extensive, research. But in March 1975 we had to return to London because of copyright problems with Ottoline. [*”we” is Sandra Darroch (nee Jobson) and “I” is Robert Darroch)] The main record of this early stage (mid-1974 to late-1975) of the research is contained in letters to and from various people. The first relevant letter, dated 6/8/74 and sent from London, was to the HRC and its assistant director. (At first this was a joint project, but in early 1976 I assumed the major role, Sandra assisting part-time with the research.) 6/8/74 Kensington Park Road [KPR] London Dear Dr Farmer* Many thanks for your letter. I had a long talk with Charles Ross last Saturday up at Oxford where he was receiving his degree…My book on Ottoline is now virtually completed…I have two projects in mind. The first is a short-term idea which my husband and I will collaborate on. We would like to do a fairly small book or monograph on D.H. Lawrence in Australia: his stay there, its influences on him, and the work he did there…we plan to finish [it] within 12 months… Sandra Darroch [*Dr David Farmer was assistant director of the Humanities Research Centre at the University of Texas at Austin] 4/9/74 Humanities Research Center [HRC] Austin, Texas Dear Miss Jobson …I like the idea of a small book or monograph on D.H. Lawrence in Australia…I know there are some materials in the National Library in Perth… David Farmer In Sydney we began examining “back copies” of newspapers and other records. 15/1/75 Sheehy Street Glebe, Sydney Dear Dr Farmer …I and my husband have travelled out to Australia and have begun our research here. Already we have found out material and facts which were hitherto unknown…We aim to retrace Lawrence and Frieda’s footsteps in Australia, to reconstruct the period they were here, and to find out what was going on at the time, and what influenced him…looking at what Australia did for Lawrence, and what he thought about Australia… Sandra Jobson Darroch We contacted a wide range of people and authorities, seeking their co-operation & assistance. The following letters are just a sample. 11/2/75 Sheehy Street Glebe, Sydney Dear Mr Spigelman* John Pringle suggested we write to you. We are currently researching a book on D.H. Lawrence in Australia…Mr Pringle said that you knew more about [recent research on “Fascist-type groups” in Australia] and might be able to direct us to the relevant [sources]…The object of our book is to try and reconstruct what Lawrence did in Australia… Sandra Jobson (*Dr Jim Spigelman was Principal Private Secretary to the then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. He is now, at the time of writing, Chief Justice of NSW) 21/2/75 Sheehy Street Glebe, Sydney Dear [John Richardson*] We are writing a book about D.H. Lawrence’s experiences in Australia in 1922 and wonder if any of your readers might have met the Lawrences during their time in Thirroul. We are particularly anxious to gather day-to-day information…We would be delighted to hear from your readers on the subject. Sandra Jobson [*Executive Editor of the Illawarra Mercury] 3/3/75 HRC Austin, Texas Dear Mrs Darroch …I was glad that you and your husband traveled out to Australia to begin work there. As your project moves along, I would like to hear something about the hitherto unknown material concerning Lawrence… David Farmer 4/3/75 Sheehy Street Glebe, Sydney Dear Mr Powell* We are doing research with a view to writing a book about D.H. Lawrence in Australia in 1922.