Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of Doris LEE, 29 McClelland Street, Willoughby, New South Wales.

he was born in Sydney, NSW, in 1925 and is a veteran of the Second World War.

After passing her initial typing test in July, Joan enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) on 9 August 1944. Joan had been working as a bookkeeper in a bank before enlisting. In the WRANS, Joan was a teleprinter operator based at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney. Joan also served at HMAS Rushcutter, South Head, where she was part of the radar education team.

Joan was discharged from the WRANS on 8 April 1946. She says that, as an only child, being in the WRANS was a great opportunity to interact with others her own age. Joan says she was proud to do ‘my bit’ for the country.

After the war, Joan worked for Flack & Flack, which was the Australian arm of Price Waterhouse, as a typist and secretary. ‘I used to look out the window and watch all the ferries in Circular Quay’, Joan says. She then went on a 2-year holiday to England.

Joan was married to William Killingsworth who served in the Royal Australian Navy. Sadly, he passed away in 2015.

When Joan was younger, she enjoyed playing tennis. These days, Joan is very social and likes participating in the activities at the aged care facility.

Joan credits her longevity to always being active and exercising regularly.