Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of John Sydney Aliser WHEELER, 24 Maddliton Street, Stanmore, New South Wales.

Before the war, Betty worked as a typist in the pathology department of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown. In August 1944, aged just 19, she enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). Betty completed her initial training at the HMAS Kuttabul naval base at Potts Point, Sydney, before undergoing her specialist training as a teleprinter operator at HMAS Watson, the naval training base at South Head. Betty then served as a teleprinter operator at HMAS Kuttabul.

Betty says the best thing about her service was ‘to think of my country, be patriotic, and release the men from office duties so they could be on the battleships’. She also enjoyed the social life, especially the dances at Petersham Town Hall.

In March 1946, Betty was discharged from the WRANS. She then worked at Sydney University as a shorthand typist. In October of the same year, Betty married Lewis ‘Trevor’ Moore who had served in the Australian Army in the Middle East and New Guinea. The couple raised 5 children together. Sadly, Trevor died in 2004.

When she was younger, Betty liked knitting, crocheting, sewing, playing the piano, swimming and travelling. She still enjoys playing the piano and likes painting with water colours. Betty also keeps up to date with world and current affairs.

Betty credits her long life to her wonderful husband, who was also a great father.