Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Actual Date of Birth 1925

GOODWIN, Norman Keith
Service numbers 146217 , Leading Aircraftman, Born 26 Dec 1925

Melva & Norman Goodwin: A Life of Service, Strength, and Devotion
Early Lives Marked by Adversity
Melva Irene Cooper was born on 7 October 1925 in Collingwood, Victoria, during a time of global depression and growing unrest. Orphaned or displaced at a young age, she was raised at the Abbotsford Convent under the care of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The convent was strict and often austere, but it gave Melva a foundation of discipline, empathy, and resilience that would carry her through life.
Norman Keith Goodwin entered the world just two months later, on 26 December 1925, in Swan Hill, Victoria—the youngest of 14 children in a family struggling through the Great Depression. With limited means and hungry for stability, Norman took the bold step of enlisting in the Australian Military Forces at just 14 years old, misrepresenting his age to gain entry. He was driven by a simple desire: to serve his country and secure “three square meals a day.”

World War II: Parallel Paths of Courage
At 18, Melva enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 31 January 1944, becoming an Aircraftwoman in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). Her duties were vital yet behind the scenes—repairing aircraft with industrial adhesives and sewing flags and signal cloths on a Singer sewing machine. These unsung acts of precision and grit were essential to keeping the military engine running.
Norman’s wartime journey began earlier. On 4 August 1941, he joined the AMF as part of the 23/21 Infantry Battalion, stationed in the Northern Territory. He became one of the Darwin Defenders, tasked with preparing for potential Japanese invasion. One haunting duty was the order to poison local water supplies should northern Australia fall—evidence of how close the war came to home soil.
In 1943, Norman enlisted again—this time under his correct age—joining the RAAF as a Leading Aircraftman (service number 146217), further reflecting his deep commitment to Australia's defense.

A Postwar Love and a Shared Life
After the war, their paths converged. Melva and Norman married and settled into postwar life with the same sense of purpose they had shown in uniform. They raised five children, creating a home defined by warmth, laughter, and quiet strength.
Norman pursued a distinguished civilian career, eventually becoming the Chief Assessor at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), where he was respected for his integrity and leadership. He was also an active Freemason, embracing the values of charity, fraternity, and service.
Melva, too, remained the heart of the household—a woman of deep compassion, pride, and capability. Though the long-term effects of her wartime work would impact her health, she bore it with grace and humility. She was the emotional cornerstone of her growing family, revered by children and grandchildren alike.

A Life of Community and Connection
In their later years, Melva and Norman remained deeply involved in their local community. Both were proud members of the Lions Club, dedicating time to charitable causes and local support initiatives. Their commitment to giving back extended well beyond their service years.
They were also enthusiastic members of the Kingsbury Bowls Club, where they found joy, friendship, and a strong sense of belonging. Together, they were active participants in the Jayco Caravan Club, sharing their love of travel and camaraderie with fellow adventurers.
From the 1970s through the 1990s, Melva and Norman cherished weekends and holidays spent at their on-site van at Beacon Caravan Park in Queenscliff, Victoria—a special place filled with seaside memories, extended family visits, and lifelong friendships.

Legacy and Remembrance
Melva passed away in 1999, and Norman followed in 2014. They are buried in the same grave site at Preston General Cemetery in Bundoora, Victoria—a lasting symbol of their lifelong partnership.
Their lives mirror the story of a generation—children of hardship who rose to become protectors, builders, and nurturers. Their service is preserved in military records, but their true legacy lives on in stories told at family dinners, the values passed down through generations, and the quiet strength they modeled in both war and peace.

Norman Keith Goodwin (1925–2014): A Life of Service, Devotion, and Legacy

Norman Keith Goodwin was an Australian who served his country in both the Army and Air Force during World War II, earning two separate service records. His life—marked by early hardship, wartime courage, and deep personal devotion—spanned eras of national change and personal triumph.

Early Life and Enlistment
Born on 26 December 1925 in Swan Hill, Victoria, Norman was the youngest of 14 children in a family struggling through the Great Depression. Food was scarce and opportunities limited, and in an act driven by both necessity and resolve, he enlisted in the military at just 14 years old. Seeking stability and “three square meals a day,” Norman claimed to be older than he was in order to serve.

On 4 August 1941, he joined the Australian Military Forces (AMF) with the service number VX60979, and was assigned to the 23/21 Infantry Battalion, stationed in the Northern Territory. Norman became one of the nation’s Darwin Defenders, serving during the Japanese air raids on northern Australia.

During this critical time, he was entrusted with a grim but vital responsibility: poisoning the local water supply to prevent it from falling into enemy hands in the event of a Japanese invasion. The fear of a full-scale landfall was very real, and Norman later said they were told Japanese forces had potentially pushed “as far down as Ayers Rock”, although this intelligence was never made public. These kinds of orders, kept secret for decades, highlight the intensity and uncertainty of Australia’s wartime defence.

In 1943, Norman enlisted again—this time in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) under his real date of birth, with service number 146217, serving as a Leading Aircraftman. His dual enlistment reflected his deep commitment to the defence of his country.

Post-War Life, Career, and Community
After the war, Norman returned to civilian life with the same dedication he had shown in uniform. He built a respected career, eventually becoming the Chief Assessor at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), where he was known for his professionalism, leadership, and fairness.

Beyond his work, Norman remained an active and respected member of his community. He was a proud Freemason, involved in his local lodge, where he embraced the values of integrity, charity, and brotherhood.

Love, Family, and Legacy
One of the most defining aspects of Norman’s life was his love for Melva Cooper, whom he married after the war. She was the love of his life, and together they created a strong, loving family. Norman and Melva raised five children, and later enjoyed the joy of many grandchildren, all of whom deeply adored them. Their home was a place of warmth, laughter, and unwavering support.

Norman passed away in 2014 and is laid to rest at Preston General Cemetery in Bundoora, Victoria.

Honouring His Memory
Norman Keith Goodwin’s legacy lives on—not only through his official recognition on the Virtual War Memorial Australia, where both of his military service profiles are preserved, but also through the lives of his family and community. He was more than a soldier; he was a defender of his country, a master craftsman, a respected leader, a man of deep pride and respect, and above all, a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

His story is a testament to resilience, service, and love—a life well-lived and well-remembered.