BRANWHITE, Evelyn Allenby
| Service Numbers: | S20331, PA4034 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 August 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Seaman |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Torrens (Depot) / HMAS Encounter (Shore) |
| Born: | Black Forest, South Australia, 27 June 1918 |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Kensington, City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, South Australia, Australia, 26 August 1984, aged 66 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Eastern Niche Wall No 2, Wall & Row DJ, Site Number 26 |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 7 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Southwark, SA | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Aug 1940: | Enlisted S20331 | |
| 7 Aug 1940: | Involvement S20331 | |
| 19 May 1943: | Involvement PA4034, HMAS Torrens (Depot) / HMAS Encounter (Shore) | |
| 19 May 1943: | Enlisted Port Adelaide, SA | |
| 19 May 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Seaman, PA4034 | |
| 4 Jul 1946: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Evelyn Allenby "Bill" Branwhite
Service Numbers: S20331 (Army), PA4034 (Navy)
Birth: 27 June 1918, Black Forest, South Australia
Death: 26 August 1984, Kensington Gardens, South Australia (aged 66)
Burial: Enfield Memorial Park, Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row DJ, Site 26
Early Life
Evelyn Allenby Branwhite, known to family and friends as Bill, was born on 27 June 1918 at Black Forest, South Australia. He was the son of William Edmund Branwhite and Fanny Gwendoline Driver.
Bill grew up in the Woodville–Norwood area and trained as a shop fitter before the outbreak of the Second World War. He listed his father, William, of Bower Street, Woodville, as his next of kin at the time of enlistment.
Military Service
Army Enlistment
Bill first enlisted in the Australian Military Forces at Southwark, South Australia, on 5 August 1940, aged 22. He was allocated Army No. S20331 and posted to the 27th Battalion (South Australian militia unit).
His attestation papers describe him as:
Age: 22
Height: 5ft 10in
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Complexion: Fresh
Religion: Church of England
He underwent home training and camp attendance during 1940–41. His medical examination found him Fit for Class I service, and his pay records show militia duties and training throughout this period.
Transition to Naval Service
On 19 May 1943, Branwhite transferred to the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR), enlisting for the duration of the war plus six months. He was given the service number PA4034 and appointed Ordinary Seaman.
His service included postings to:
HMAS Cerberus (training depot)
HMAS Torrens (shore establishment, Port Adelaide)
HMAS Encounter (shore depot, Port Adelaide)
Performance assessments during his naval service consistently rated him "VG" (Very Good) for character and "Satisfactory" for efficiency.
Demobilisation
Bill was discharged from the Royal Australian Naval Reserve on 25 July 1946. He was awarded a War Gratuity of £106 and received deferred pay.
Personal Life
Bill married Ruth Meta Cullen on 27 May 1943, shortly after his transfer to naval service. Ruth, born on 4 August 1918 in North Adelaide to Henry James Cullen and Meta Alvira Zander, supported him during the war years.
After the war, Bill and Ruth lived at 17 Fort Avenue, Kensington Gardens, where they remained for many years.
Later Life and Death
Bill passed away at his home in Kensington Gardens on 26 August 1984, aged 66. He was laid to rest at Enfield Memorial Park, Eastern Niche Wall No. 2.
His wife, Ruth Meta Branwhite, survived him by 14 years, passing away on 13 December 1998. She is interred with him at Enfield.
Legacy
Evelyn Allenby "Bill" Branwhite served Australia in both the Army and the Navy during the Second World War. His story reflects the adaptability and duty of many young South Australians who stepped forward during a time of global conflict.
He is remembered as a devoted husband to Ruth, a loyal serviceman, and a man who dedicated his best years to his country.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt - 10/09/2025