Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The second of six children, Pat was born in 1910 in Kalgoorlie WA to Francis (Frank) Patrick Joseph Moran (b1879 in New Zealand) and Clarice Annie Smith (b1879 in Tenterfield NSW). Frank (a Civil Servant) and Clarice married in 1907 in Coolgardie WA. Frank had arrived in Fremantle WA with his parents and siblings from Melbourne, Victoria in 1891 and the family travelled to Coolgardie WA in 1892. Frank started work in 1895 as a Junior Clerk with the Water Supply Dept, and then the PWD. He worked in Perth and in Wyndham WA as a Costings Clerk with the newly opened WA Government Meat Works. Frank was back in Coolgardie working for the PWD in the 1920s.

Pat was Secretary to the Roads Board Coolgardie in 1938 when he married Norma Mary Crawford (b1916 in Coolgardie, WA). He had been Secretary for nine years when he enlisted in the RAAF in February 1943 (Aircraftman I; Service No:82885). Pat was described as a 'Good type, keen - tall solid build' (National Archives Australia) and was promoted to Sergeant in 1943, Filght Sergeant in 1944 and Warrant Officer in 1945. He served as a Clerk and Hygeine Inspector with Medical Training Unit and No 2 Squadron, and was a Warrant Officer attached to HQ Western Area when he was Discharged in March 1946. Brothers Francis and Bryan also served in WWII.

Pat and Norma settled in Coolgardie WA where Pat returned to work as the Roads Board Secretary. In the 1950s the family moved to Kalamunda in Perth WA, where Pat was an Assistant Secretary until his death in 1968. Norma died in 2010.