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War Memorial
Australia

PETER Simmons served as a sailor in World War II before returning to rise to chief general manager of the Savings Bank of South Australia.

Peter had a rich and fulfilling family life and had many friends and happy memories.

Born to father Fred, a plumber, and mother Hilda, Peter was brought up as an only child after his two older brothers died in early infancy.

He lived in Welland and attended Welland Primary. He then went to Adelaide Boys High until 1937.

His early life was typical of a young boy in the western suburbs, such as roaming freely and swimming with friends in the River Torrens.

One recollection was a famous cricket game.

“I clearly remember seeing the Bodyline incident at Adelaide Oval – on Dad’s shoulders – when fast bowler Harold Larwood felled the Australian wicketkeeper (Bert Oldfield) and captain (Bill Woodfull).”

Peter joined the Savings Bank of SA on February 1, 1938.

He was encouraged to apply for the job by his cousin Don Simmons, who later became a minister in the Don Dunstan government.

His first role was as a junior clerk. Peter was promoted to the role of clerk in 1940. Soon after he volunteered to join the war effort.

In 1942 he joined the navy.

At the end of that year he boarded the HMAS Hobart – a ship he would serve on for four years.

In July 1943 the Hobart was torpedoed in the Coral Sea by a Japanese submarine – 14 were killed and 16 wounded.

He was deployed to Japan at the end of the war.

In 1945 Peter witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.

While in Japan, Peter snuck off to Hiroshima after it had been hit with an atomic bomb.

There he found a perfectly intact miniature milk jug – now a beloved family heirloom.

He wrote down what he saw. Since his death his family has found his written records.

“I suppose you people have rather a hazy idea of how a city looks after an atomic bomb has brought its destruction,” he wrote. “You’ve read the newspapers (and) heard the radio as I have.

“Perhaps you envisage a flattened area with no definite surroundings. Or maybe you have no idea at all. Well, these reports confirm different ideas in the minds of all of us. All I want to get across to you is how the place struck me.

“To be truthful I had no set ideas of what Hiroshima may resemble. Mainly a pile of rubble – and I was right – it is a pile of rubble. Nothing like the broken splendour of Manila – just a desert of rubble. Of utter destruction.”

Peter resumed his employment with the bank after he was demobilised from the navy in 1946.

He worked there for the rest of his career, retiring as chief general manager in 1984.

Along the way he married Jill Plenty in 1954. They were married for more than 40 years and had sons Paul, Tony and Mark.

In the past few years Peter attended the Westpac Retired Officers’ Club Christmas luncheons to catch up with former colleagues.

He was well respected throughout his career by those that had worked with him.

A highlight of his work was serving as branch manager in Tumby Bay in the 1950s.

Peter was appointed chief general manager in 1980. He contributed to the merger of the Savings Bank of SA and State Bank of SA.

He was always genuinely interested in people and was always a true gentleman.

Peter’s post-retirement life ended up being as busy as his working life. This including a 37-year association with the Probus Club of Burnside, playing bowls for the Adelaide Bowling Club for 15 years and serving as a member of the Naval and Military Club for 44 years.

Peter is survived by his sons, six grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Adelaide Advertiser Obituaries - 29 January 2022