REICHSTEIN, Sylvia Gladys
| Service Number: | 107097 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 September 1942, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Aircraftwoman |
| Last Unit: | No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier |
| Born: | Booleroo Centre, South Australia, 7 August 1917 |
| Home Town: | Booleroo, Mount Remarkable, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Booleroo Whim Primary School, Booleroo Centre High School |
| Occupation: | Home Duties |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Adelaide, South Australia , 16 October 2013, aged 96 years |
| Cemetery: |
Booleroo Centre Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Booleroo Centre WW2 Roll of Honour, Willowie WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 28 Sep 1942: | Involvement 107097 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftwoman, 107097, No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier, Adelaide, SA | |
| 21 Nov 1945: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Di Barrie
Sylvia Gladys Reichstein was born at Booleroo Centre 7 August 1917, the eldest of five children to Heinrich Edgar and Amy Olive (Pitchers) Reichstein. Heinrich and Amy farmed ‘Tatiara’ Booleroo Whim - sections 22n, 22s, 33 in the Hundred of Willowie. She was educated at Booleroo Whim Primary School and Booleroo Centre High School and was the organist at the Booleroo Whim Methodist church.
Sylvia listed her occupation as home duties when she enlisted with the WAAAF at No. 5 Recruitment Centre 28 September 1942. She was twenty five years old. Her application for enrolment as an Airwoman assessed her as being: ‘Tall, well-built girl, neat dress, brusque manner - should be suitable for mustering – Suitable for Trainee Telegraphist’.
Entrained to Victoria, she was posted to 1 Engineering School located at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale, with the rank of Aircraftwoman.
On completion of her initial training at Ascot Vale, 19 April 1943, she was transferred to 2 Air Navigation School at Mount Gambier, South Australia. 2 A.N.S had been established in 1941 as an addition to the existing R.A.A.F schools located there.
Sylvia was remustered as Telegraphist. She was to remain at Mount Gambier until her discharge from the W.A.A.A.F on the 21st of November 1945.
After her discharge, she gained employment with the public service in Adelaide, until her retirement, after which she devoted her time to the Uniting Church, voluntary work for various charities and the Better Hearing Organisation.
Sylvia never married. She passed away 16 October 2013, aged 96 years, and her ashes are interred at Booleroo Centre Cemetery, South Australia. Niche N2.
Excerpt taken from "Diggers From the Dust" (2018) Di Barrie and Andrew Barrie
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