MINORGAN, Brenda Catherine
| Service Numbers: | 350478, 354078 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 January 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia. Australia, 15 September 1913 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Highgate Primary School then Perth Business College, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Shorthand Typist |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Hollywood Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia, 4 March 2011, aged 97 years |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia Presbyterian Section DC 0847 |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 354078 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 354078, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, On enlistment Brenda Minorgan was posted to the Administrative & Special Duties section as a ASO. | |
| 6 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 350478, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Brenda Minorgan enlisted as an Assistant Section Officer Administrative & Special Duties section. The rank of Assistant Section Officer in the WAAAF is equivalent to a Pilot Officer in the RAAF. Brenda was initially posted to AFHQ in Melbourne to undertake officer training and cypher. | |
| 2 Jun 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Brenda was transferred back to HQ Western Area, Perth, Western Australia, Admin & Special Duties - Cypher. | |
| 6 Jul 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Section Officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Section Officer, Administrative & Special Duties. | |
| 1 Jul 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, Service record of promotions: 6/4/1942 - SO 6/7/1942 - SD 1/8/1943 - F/O (Flight Lieutenant) | |
| 1 Aug 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, The rank in the WAAAF was titled Flight Officer which was equivalent to a Flight Lieutenant in the RAAF. | |
| 18 Jun 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 354078 | |
| 18 Jun 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Section Officer, 354078, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, At discharge Brenda Minorgan was the Officer In-Charge, Cypher Section, HQ Western Area. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Jeffrey Oates
Brenda was the only daughter of Robert John and Wilhelmina (Minnie) Minorgan, Brenda was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. Brenda had four siblings with two brothers serving in the Royal Australia Navy duruing WW2.
It was during the last years of WW2 that Brenda met Flight Lieutenant John Bell, an officer in the RAAF 24th Squadron. Brenda's husband John remained in the RAAF after the war and she accompanied him to his postings at RAAF bases at East Sale and Point Cook in Victoria, Amberely in QLD; RAAF Headquarters in Melbourne and finally RAAF Headquarters in Canberra and it was in Canberra that Brenda and her husband settled after the war and John's retirement.
Medals awarded:
1939 -1945 War Medal
Australian Service Medal 1939 - 1945
General Service Badge
In 1974 Brenda and her husband moved to Western Australia purchasing a house in the hills suburb of Roleystone. The relocation was for Brenda to be closer to her family after her mother's death.
Brenda and John had a fulfilling life living in the Perth Hills, enjoyed gardening and providing a home to Clumber Spanials and other dogs.
Click images to start slideshow.