Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Aircraft Women Zoe Ellison
Service No: 96921
Place of Birth: Kalangadoo, SA
Enlisted: 10th August 1942
Locality on Enlistment: Kalangadoo, SA
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Next of Kin: Dorothy Ellison
Date of Discharge: July 1946
Posting at Discharge: 14 Stores Unit
Zoe Ellison was born in 1923 the second child of William George and Dorothy Ellison of Kalangadoo. George Ellison was a farmer, and they lived on the property “Moerlands” just north of the township on the main road to Penola. George had purchased the land in 1919, and he and Dorothy built a small cottage in which to live and raise their three children – Geoffrey born in 1921, Zoe born in 1923 and Judith born in 1932.
Zoe had the misfortune to contract severe whooping cough at the age of 8 and in a world without antibiotics, she became very ill. Although she gradually recovered, the illness had damaged her lungs and left her with lifelong breathing difficulties.
She attended the Kalangadoo Primary School with her brother as was common in those days she left school to return home to help her mother, when she was in grade 7, to a life of milking cows, making butter, cooking and cleaning. Prospects were not exciting for a young girl in Kalangadoo in the early 1940’s but opportunities arose with the start of the Second World War.
Zoe decided to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force and joined on the 10th of August 192 at 18 years and 11 months of age. Zoe reported to Victor Harbour to commence training and on completion she was transferred to Ascot Vale, Melbourne to Radio School. In 1943 Zoe undertook further training as a Radar Operator and was then sent to Perth where she spent most of the remaining war years. Having been posted back to Melbourne she worked in No. 1 Stores while awaiting discharge after the war. Zoe was discharged in July 1946 after almost 4 years’ service. She returned to Adelaide, but continuing health problems saw her admitted to Northfield Hospital. There she meets Hector Cowell, another patient recovering from the horrors of Changi and the Burma Railway. They were married in Adelaide and returned briefly to live in Kalangadoo. Health reasons made them return to live in the Adelaide Hills. Zoe and Hector had three children: Ian (1951), Grant (1952) and Leonore (1954).
Zoe’s health problems become more severe over the next few years and she developed bronchiolitis, which was incurable. She passed away on the 20th of August 1968 in Waikerie; the day before her 45th birthday.
There is an official plaque dedicated to her memory in the War Memorial Garden at Centennial Park in Adelaide.
Kalangadoo Remembers would like to thank Mrs Helen Ellison for information used in today’s service in memory of Zoe Ellison.