Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

My father was a very lovely man. He was strong and always made us feel safe with those bear hugs that he gave.  He never raised his voice in anger and when help was needed he was always there. You never got 'told off' if you did the wrong thing.  He would just explain things in a manner that would make you think about what you did and how to improve or not do it again. He was a master of that.

 Just before the war he did wrestling and was due to go to the next Olympics, but war had broken out. He was very tall and being so strong he got the nick name Tiny by his service mates. He loved his mates and would do what ever it took to help and protect. He joined up as that was the thing to do. No hesitation.  His eldest brother Lance had joined the Army.

Nothing much was said after the war.  He had some pictures, but mum had thrown away alot of them. I do have a few that were taken at Labuan. He suffered Post Traumatic Stress and depression. He wanted to build his house at Modbury but was told he could not get his war service loan as it was the wrong side of town and he would have to build down South to get it.  What a load of crock.  Gee look at the Northern end of Adelaide now.  I really feel bad for him.  Doing his service and putting his life on the line and he could not even get that.  A lot of other symptoms that he suffered were not acknowledged  as a lot of areas that he served were not officially put on record.  He tried and tried and  was knocked back and through all this he suffered.

He never talked much about his time in the service, but about 20 years ago I was working out at the RAAF base Point Cook and was speaking to the lady in charge on the archiving library there.  I encoureged dad to write some pieces that happened with his time with 5ACS. Also this would be a record that would be kept, knowing that what happened would be there for the future.  He did and gee, I could not stop crying.  What he went through and of course that goes with the other men he was with was awful, so they all suffered.  War is not pretty.  It did help him to start talking a little and I hope it all helped. 

He was very handy and work he did was always to perfection. Wether it be with metal, mechanics, wood etc.,  He was loved by everyone young and old.  Most of all he loved his family. When me and my sister got married, he was happy and to be a grandfather was just fantastic. He always tried to get involved with them and would make everyone laugh. The love and proud moment when he also got great grand children made the man smile with pride and was full of love.  He was married to mum for 57 years. 

Dad, may you rest in peace and thank you for being my father.  LOVE YOU - Paulene van Trienen