HIPWELL, Ronald Anson Le Hunt
| Service Number: | 53514 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 April 1942, Melbourne, VIC |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Hawksburn, VIC, 18 March 1902 |
| Home Town: | Hawksburn, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Park Street, St Kilda, Victoria |
| Occupation: | Radio Engineer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Victoria, 15 September 1975, aged 73 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 4 Apr 1942: | Involvement Sergeant, 53514 | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Melbourne, VIC | |
| 4 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 53514 | |
| 14 May 1945: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Open Access College
Ronald Anson LeHunt Hipwell was born in Hawksburn Victoria 18th March 1902. His parents were Harold Herbert Le Hunte Hipwell and Muriel Francis Anson. They were married on 16th May 1901. He was the oldest child and had 6 siblings. Dulcie Margaret 1903 - 1947, Muriel Alyce 1905 - 2000, Theodore Cuthbert Miller 1907 - 1974, Patricia Blanche 1910 - 1961, John Clifford 1913 - 1976 and Dorothy May 1918 - 2012.
His school years were spent at Park Street School, St Kilda and Prahran Technical School. He married Genevieve Hipwell 8th November 1925 they had 2 children. Genevieve filed for divorce on grounds of desertion. He was 33 and she was 32. He later married Freda Gertrude Aldridge 18th September 1934 in Broken Hill, NSW.
In his sporting life he enjoyed golf and rifle shooting.
Ronald studied as a Fitter and Turner and Electrical Engineer with Nightingall Scientific Laboratories. He had extensive experience in the radio broadcasting world. He established 3SH in Swan Hill and built 2BH in Broken Hill. He was also chief engineer with 2BH for 7 years.
He applied to enlist as a Cinema Operator in February 1943 but his application was not accepted due to the fact he was already employed in a reserved position. At the time he was employed by Radio Silver City in Broken Hill NSW as a radio engineer. On the 4th April 1943, Ronald enlisted with RAAF as a Cinema Operator.
At the time of his enlistment, he was 40 years old. He was the father of six children who with his wife Freda lived in Broken Hill. The children were Ronald aged 15 , Bryan Anson aged 14, Geoffrey aged 7 , John aged 3, James aged 1, Edith Kaye aged 6.
He served in a number of places - Shepparton 4-4-1942, Sydney 2-4-1942, Melbourne 2-6-1944, Townsville 27-6-1944, Port Moresby 25-7-1944, Milne Bay 16-6-1944, Madang 22-8-1944, Townsville 5-5-1945, Melbourne 11-5-1945. He served overseas in Madang, Papua New Guinea commencing 22nd August 1944.
During his service he received the following promotions - Aircraftman 11 on 10th April 1943, Leading Aircraftman on 17th July 1942, Sergean on 25th August 1944 and Filght Sergeant on 25th February 1945.
He received the following medals: Pacific Star War Medal and Australia Service Medal.
He was discharged to resume Civil Occuption on 14th May 1945. He continued in business and ran for parliament for the seat of Flinders, Melbourne 1952. He was unsuccessful.
Ronald died 15th September 1975.
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