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War Memorial
Australia

Biography of Douglas Malcolm "Mick" Church (1907–1987)

Early Life

Douglas Malcolm Church, known as "Mick," was born on 19 March 1907 in Perth, Western Australia, the youngest son of Edgar John Church (1871–1947) and Elizabeth Louise Taylor (1873–1946). His maternal grandparents were William Taylor and Mary Ann Finn, pioneers of Hookina and Quorn in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia.

He grew up in Western Australia, where his father worked as a hotelkeeper and later a businessman. Douglas was educated in Perth and by the 1920s had begun his working life in commerce and trade.

First Marriage – Constance Kathleen Bowen

In 1925 in Perth, Douglas married Constance Kathleen Bowen (1904–1983). She was born in Perth and later died on 10 August 1983 at Mt Lawley, Western Australia.

They had at least one daughter:

Beverly May Church (1926–2020) – born in Western Australia, she lived a long life and died on 1 June 2020 at Claremont, WA, aged 94.

This marriage ended prior to 1940, most likely in divorce or separation.

Second Marriage – Eva Leila Epstein

In 1940 in Perth, Douglas married Eva Leila Epstein (b. 5 November 1916 – d. 18 February 2009), the daughter of Perth-based Jewish immigrant parents.

Eva was consistently recorded as Douglas's wife and next of kin throughout his RAAF service from 1941 to 1945. They lived at various addresses in West Perth and later Wembley. She survived Douglas by more than two decades, passing away in Perth in 2009 at the age of 92.

Civilian Occupation

Douglas worked extensively in the automotive and hardware industry. He spent a decade with A.C. McCallum Ltd. (1926–1936) before founding his own business, Church & Co., Automotive Replacement Parts & Hardware Merchants, operating from Milligan Street, Perth. His business acumen and managerial skill positioned him well for administrative duties in wartime service.

World War II Service

Douglas enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 31 March 1942 in Melbourne, aged 35.

Branch and Duties

He joined the Administrative and Special Duties Branch, where he specialised in cypher communications, overseeing the secure transmission of coded military messages. This was a vital role in maintaining the integrity of Australian and Allied operations during the Pacific War.

Rank Progression

Aircraftman 1 – 31 March 1942
Pilot Officer – 2 May 1942
Flying Officer – 21 November 1942
Flight Lieutenant – 29 July 1943

Postings

School of Administration
Repair & Salvage Units
Cypher Section (Communications)
HQ Western Area (Perth)

Performance and Character

Douglas's confidential officer reports between 1942 and 1945 describe a man of quiet disposition but strong leadership:

"In charge of the cypher section… his work at all times was good."
"A good mixer… his demeanour at all times is very good."
By 1945, he was described as showing "outstanding foresight and constructiveness", commanding respect as a born leader.
He was specially recommended for continued commission by his superiors.
These assessments confirm him as a capable officer whose work in cypher administration was critical to wartime operations.

Medals and Awards

Douglas received the following campaign medals:

1939–45 Star
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939–45
Australian Service Medal 1939–45
He was also entitled to the Returned from Active Service Badge.

Later Life and Death

After his discharge on 13 March 1946, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant, Douglas returned to civilian life in Perth, resuming business and family responsibilities.

He died on 9 July 1987 in Perth, aged 80, and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery and Crematorium, Anglican Section ZA, Plot 0548, alongside his parents Edgar and Elizabeth.

Eva Leila, his second wife, survived him by over two decades and was buried in Perth after her death in 2009.

Legacy

Douglas Malcolm "Mick" Church is remembered as:

A descendant of Flinders Ranges pioneers, carrying forward the Taylor family legacy into Western Australia.
A businessman who built his own successful enterprise in Perth.
A respected RAAF officer, whose character was praised for reliability, leadership, and service in the critical area of wartime cypher communications.
A family man, first with Constance Bowen, with whom he had at least one daughter, Beverly May, and later with Eva Epstein, who shared his wartime years and long post-war life.

His story reflects both the pioneering spirit of his ancestry and the resilience and service of an Australian of his generation.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 28/09/2025