Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

My father was a journalist at the time he enlisted. After some basic training he was assigned to the 2/4th Independent Company (Double Blue Diamond insignia) to be further trained ar Bonegilla migrant camp or at least thats where they were stationed. The group of 12 men (Peers, Sandy, Ford, Boyd, Chappin, Campbell, Dowlan, Jones, O'Loughlin, Todd and one other name I do not have) were trained in weapons, explosives and signals/communications. They were posted to the Northern Territory to reconnoitre the coastal areas for defence also performing coastwatch duties.
During his time at Bonegilla/Wilsons Promontory area we believe he met our mother, Valerie Deane as she was being trained as an electronic mechanic and radar operator for the WAAF in that area.
After he was discharged for ill health eventually he came to Perth where he started at Diesel Motors in Victoria Park. Val and he were Married and took up residence in Kalamunda He and mum, with the help of 2 Italian men, operated the property at Kalamunda as a successful market garden and large orchard..
During that time he went to work for Ford in Perth, 1969 he and 3 mates started their own Ford dealership out in Midland named Midway Ford, he left the business in 1975 and went into selling real estate, he started to write educational books in his late 70's. About 1977 Mum n Dad went their separate ways. Dad remarried and lived the rest of his life in Two Rocks north of Perth.