DRABBLE, Walter Alfred
| Service Number: | W31979 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 December 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Claremont, Fremantle, Western Australia, 2 May 1901 |
| Home Town: | Claremont, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Hardware Manager |
| Died: | Perth, Western Australia, 24 October 1983, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, W31979 | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Dec 1941: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, W31979 |
Help us honour Walter Alfred Drabble's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
The eldest of seven children (and one of three who survived infancy), Walter was born in 1901 in Claremont, Fremantle WA to Walter (Walt) Drabble (b1874 in Perth WA) and Marion King Corbett (b1875 in Melbourne, Victoria). Walt (a Painter/Decorator) and Marion (a Teacher) married in 1900 in Claremont, Fremantle WA where they settled and raised their family. In the 1890s Walt established a small hardware store in Claremont which was later managed by Marion. Initial stock was a few cases of nails and glass, and the business expanded to premises in Perth and Kalgoorlei and also manufactured leadlights and shop fittings. Walt became a property developer and investor, and he and Marion were involved in establishing infant health clinics and in charitable organisations, including the Ugly Men's Association. In 1916 Walt was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and following Marion's death in 1934, he remarried.
Walter started working as an Assistant in the family business, and in 1932 married Dorothy Crawford (b1897 in Kalgoorlie WA) in Guildford WA. Walter served briefly (December 1941) with the Militia (Private; Service No:WW31979) and was attached to 5 Garrison Battalion (Militia). Brother Septimus served in WWII with the RAAF (Flight Lieutenant; Service No:406350) and brothers-in-law Ray and Stanley served in WWI.
Walter and Dorothy settled in Nedlands, Perth WA where Walter was a Hardware Manager. Dorothy died in 1979 and Walter in 1983.