Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Daughter of Ernest Albert and Minnie Florence Wiper of Adelaide, SA

Completed by St Ignatius College

Vera Nesa Matilda Wiper, service number 96957, was born on February 25th, 1922, of British inheritance at Unley Park South, Adelaide. She was the daughter of parents Ernest Albert Wiper and Minnie Florence Wiper (nee Rosenthal) of Adelaide SA along with her siblings John Stamford Wiper and Roma Eileen Wiper at 59 Gilles Street, Adelaide, South Australia (seen below at figures 2 & 3). She attended Adelaide high in her adolescence and was raised in the religious denomination Methodist (Protestant Christian). Before joining the war, she worked many occupations. She worked four years (part-time) in the store rosella preserving company (Adelaide) also seven months as an assistant sales clerk at Coles stores in Adelaide. She also spent two years (approximately) as a waitress at Lynden café, Adelaide

At the No. 5 recruiting centre R.A.A.F adelaide, Vera was enlisted into the Women’s Auxilary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) on the 24th August 1942. When Wiper enlisted in the army she was aged 20 years and 6 months. She stood at 5 feet 6 ¾ inches weighed 129lb (pounds) or 58 kg. Her present occupation at the time was a part-time store-keeper and her present employer was Rosella Preserving Co. North Tc. Kentown SA.

The Women’s Auxilary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) was formed in March 1941 until it was dispanded in 1947. It’s prupose was to release men from operation duties off shore where women could fulfil duties the same as men in the Royal Australian Air Force. They were not dedicated to caring for the sicl and wounded however in 1943, the Defence Corps saw large numbers of women beginning to undertake a broad ranges of roles, which is exactly what happened to Vera Wiper.

The WAAAF was the largest of the Second World War women’s services however women were paid a significantly smaller percentage to the male wages and married women were not allowed to remain in the WAAAF. Because Wiper was under the age of 21, she had to get parental consent from her next to kin, her father Ernest, to join. He gave his consent, along with Vera’s, on the 6th of June 1942.

Before Wiper was eligible as a woman to join the RAAF in a non-combat role, she had to complete a series of trials and trade tests. She initionally planned to serve as a store keeper, however did not pass her trade test and received a mark of 40%. However, she passed her trade twst as a mess stewardess at 68% of the 13th of July 1942.

On the 28th of August 1942, Wiper was Moved from No.5 R.C (recruitment) to N.1 WAAF T/D. After 3 months, she was moved from N.1 W.A.A.F T/D to 2.O.T.U (operational training unit) on the 1st of November 1942. She was then assignted to WAGS (wireless air gunners school) on the 21st of December 1944. During this time Vera served as an Aircraftwoman (during first 3 units) – 24/8/42 to T/CPL – 1/444. She was rejected from her promotion to corporal of the 6th of December 1944. On the 3rd of July however, this decision was turned over and Wiper was promoted to Corporal. The following day she would be moved from WAGS to S.Admin.

Vera’s last location of service was in Auburn, Victoria, where she worked as a mess stewardess.

Vera’s life was cut tragically short however on the 14th of July 1945. At the age of 23, Wiper was found dead in the Auburn Hospital, Victoria, by a milkman, who discovered her body covered in a large overcoat and her skirt on backwards. It was discovered Vera had passed away from shock after attempting an illegal operation to terminate and unwanted pregnancy. Because of this, the police charged seven people with her murder, including; Ruby Nina Carlos, Iris Mary Carlos, Lillian Halsinger, Josephine and Alice Pearson (mother and daughter), James Richard Loughnan (a health inspector), and Flight-Lieut. James Henry Greaves. It is also highly suspected that Greaves for responsible for Wiper’s pregnancy.

Statements from various individuals indicate that Wiper sought help from Alice Pearson about her pregnancy, who in turn contacted Loughnan. The operation was allegedly arranged through Ruby and Iris Carlos, with Ruby Carlos being directly involved in performing the operation. However, Ruby Carlos denied having anything to do with the illegal operation or causing Wiper's death, stating she only attempted to relieve her pain when the girl was suffering. Similarly, Iris Carlos claimed innocence, insisting she was unaware of any illegal actions taken against Wiper. The investigation spanned multiple states as police sought to track down people involved in the case, with some suspects accused of helping Wiper get an abortion, which ultimately led to her death.

The result of the murder trial is unclear, however, the memory of a true ANZAC solider should never be masked over their tragic death. But rather what they accomplished as they lived and breathed the beauty of life.

Vera’s finally resting place is 2 T, Row C, Grave 3, Springvale War Cemetery, Springvale Melbourne, Victoria.

However, her name and her legacy are remembered on countless Australian War Memorials. These include the Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Daw Parl Repatriation Hospital WW2 Women of the Armed Forces who died HR and St Mary’s SA Army Nursing Sisters/Women Memorial Wall. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1.     Terrace V. View digital copy. Naa.gov.au. Published 2024. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4955419

2.      Abbreviations used in First World War and Second World War service records | naa.gov.au. Naa.gov.au. Published 2024. https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/defence-and-war-service-records/researching-war-service/abbreviations-used-first-world-war-and-second-world-war-service-records

3.     Military Abbreviations & Acronyms, Australia & NZ. Diggerhistory.info. Published 2024. http://diggerhistory.info/pages-asstd/abbreviations.htm

4.     Vera Matilda WIPER. Vwma.org.au. Published 2024. https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/501396

5.     Flowers for Cpl Vera Matilda Wiper - Find a Grave... Findagrave.com. Published 2016. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55964778/vera_matilda-wiper/flower

6.     Genge. DVA’s Nominal Rolls. Dva.gov.au. Published 2014. https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=939185&c=WW2#R

7.     Inquest Opened On WAAAF Corporal : 7 On Murder Charge - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) - 3 Aug 1945. Trove. Published 2014. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/249171906

8.     Dead W.A.A.A.F. Was Friendly With Airman, Police Say - Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954) - 22 Jul 1945. Trove. Published 2014. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169363495