KOCH, Stanley Raymond
| Service Number: | 121641 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 November 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Booleroo Centre, South Australia, 8 June 1924 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Junior Clerk |
| Died: | Natural Causes, 29 September 1990, aged 66 years, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Orroroo Morchard Men Roll of Honor, Willowie WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Nov 1942: | Involvement 121641 | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Nov 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
| 19 Nov 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 121641 | |
| 1 Feb 1946: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Di Barrie
Stanley Raymond Koch was born at Booleroo Centre 8 June 1924, eldest son of August Charles and Jessie May (nee Piggott) Koch. The extended Koch family farmed various sections in the Booleroo Whim area. Stanley was living in the Adelaide suburb of Fullarton when he enlisted with the RAAF 19 November 1942, aged 18 years. He cited his occupation as a junior clerk with the Commissioner of Taxes.
On his application for enlistment as an airman he listed his desired trade to be aircrew. Whether he had a change of heart or the decision was made for him, he was mustered as Trainee Wireless Mechanic but was subsequently remustered to the position of Radar Mechanic.
He was posted to No. 41 Radar Wing RAAF. It was one of three radar wings formed in late 1942/early 1943 (along with No. 42 and No. 44 Wings) to improve the command and control arrangements for the RAAF's large network of radar stations.
Stanley embarked at Townsville 8 March 1944 for service overseas. By mid-1944 it was judged that the radar wings were not suited to supporting the rapid Allied advance in the South West Pacific. As a result it was decided to disband all three units and transfer the radar stations to mobile fighter control units. Stanley returned to Australia, disembarking at Cairns 4 July 1945.
Transferred to No. 3 Radio Installation and Maintence Unit, he left Darwin on the 10 October 1945, returning there just two months later on 23 December 1945.
He was based at No. 3 Transportation and Movements Office at the time of his discharge from the RAAF at Laverton 1 Feb 1946. He had attained the rank of Corporal and the classification of Radar Mechanic ‘A’.
In March 1947 Stan received a letter from the Australian Government, Department of Air. They were offering vacancies to ex-airmen, asking if he would consider volunteering for a further period of service of two years. He declined the offer and went on to work with the Australian Taxation Office in Adelaide until his retirement.
He married Mavis Irene Wise (nee Stuart) 11 November 1960 at the Registery Office in Flinders Street, Adelaide. Mavis had four children from her previous marriage to the late John Wise. Stan and John had worked together and were good friends. Mavis and Stan had two children of their own.
Stanley died 29 September 1990 aged 72 years and is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia.
Excerpt taken From "Diggers From the Dust" (2018) Di Barrie & Andrew Barrie
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