David Booth's father was a US Soldier stationed in Townsville from about 1943 to 1945. David commented that he thought is it seemed a strange name for a hotel in a town being bombed by the "Land of the Rising Sun". The Rising Sun Hotel was burnt down in 1968. It has been replaced by a new Rising Sun Hotel at 6 Ross River Road, located on the block next door to the Tyre Dealer.

The infantry and field regiments of the 5th Australian Division were distributed widely around the Townsville area during WW2 including, Aitkenvale, Antill Plains, Castle Hill, Jimmy's Lookout, Belgian Gardens and Mount Louisa. Ossie Apps from Yandina told me on 21 August 2005 that he remembers camping opposite the Rising Sun Hotel in Townsville.

Jim Hay of 3 Medical Receiving Station (RAAF) which was located on the banks of Ross River in Townsville, told me the following:-

I managed to get on fairly well with most of the Yanks although some of our chaps were constantly in trouble with them. One of our blokes got into a fight with one at the Rising Sun Hotel calling a very large and well built negro soldier a “Black Bastard” who promptly smacked him in the face and gave him a beautiful black eye. He was to be known ever after as “Popeye”.