Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Corporal Vera Nora (Mick) Crowe
Service No: 91719
Date of Birth: 8th January 1910
Place of Birth: Kalangadoo. SA
Enlisted: 4th January 1942
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide, SA
Next of Kin: Catherine (Kit) Crowe (sister)
Date of Discharge: 14th November 1945
Posting at Discharge: Sydney, NSW

Born in Kalangadoo on the 8th of January 1910, Vera was the youngest daughter of Irish immigrants Edmund (Ned) Crowe and Mary McNamara. A self-employed dressmaker in Kalangadoo, Vera registered her interest in helping the war effort by adding her name to the Women’s Voluntary National Register.
The formation of the W.A.A.A.F the first of the World War II Australian Women’s Services to be established, enabled women like Vera to take an active role in the war. By 1942 she had 14 months experience as a trainee Nurse and also held the St John’s First Aid and Home Nursing certificates, thus was well qualified when she enlisted in W.A.A.A.F in Adelaide on the 4th of January 1942, nominating her elder sister Catherine (Kit) as her next of kin. Vera’s description was noted as ‘average build. Plainly dressed. Answers quietly. Seems capable. Suitable type’.
Vera was first sent to the W.A.A.A.F Training Depot at Geelong and then transferred to the No. 1 RAAF Hospital at Laverton where she worked as a Sick Room Attendant and Nursing Orderly. She spent time at the Air Observer School in Mount Gambier, the Elementary Flying Training School at Parafield and the School of Technical Training at Ultimo, NSW. She also served at the No. 2 RAAF Hospital at Ascot Vale in Melbourne, Vic.
By the time of her discharge from the W.A.A.A.F at Sydney on the 14th of November 1945, Vera had successfully completed the No. 10 Nursing Orderlies Course Phase 3 and achieved the rank of Corporal; entitling her to wear two service chevrons. She returned to South Australia and had a long career teaching at schools in Adelaide.
Vera was one of four family members to serve their country. Her brother James severed with the RAN during WW I while brothers Joe and Bill served with the Army during WW II.
Vera passed away in Adelaide on the 20th of August 1974, at the age of 64 years and is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery. Vera remained single and had no family of her own but is fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews.
Kalangadoo Remembers would like to thank Mrs Tina Hocking for information used in today’s service in memory of Vera Crowe.