TAMKE, Darcy Ross
| Service Number: | 39301 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 May 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Kapunda, South Australia, 10 November 1921 |
| Home Town: | Angaston, Barossa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Angaston School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | 5 November 2001, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Nuriootpa Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Angaston District WW2 Roll of Honour, District of Nuriootpa Roll of Honour WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 6 May 1941: | Involvement Corporal, 39301 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May 1941: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
| 6 May 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Corporal, 39301 | |
| 18 Jan 1946: | Discharged | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Kaye Lee
Darcy Ross Tamke
Darcy was born in Kapunda on the 10 November 1921. His parents Gustave and Gertrude had a property at Lights Pass where healthy crops of plum fruit trees for prunes were grown. Darcy was the third of four surviving boys Rex (deceased), Frank, Keith, Rodney, and Kevin with two sisters, Roma and Carmen (Dolly). As did his siblings, Darcy attended the local Angaston school where he proved to be quite a talented athlete in flat races at the local carnivals.
While there was quite an age gap between the oldest and youngest boys, Darcy watched his two older brothers enlist for the AIF, Frank in November 1939 and Keith in April of 1940. Less than a year later, aged 20 Darcy also enlisted on the 6th May 1941 with the Royal Australian Air Force, becoming Aircraftman 39301, stationed at Mt. Gambier in the South East. He was able to have brief stints of leave over the time of his service and returned to spend this with his parents at Lights Pass. In an horrific freak accident in September 1944 Frank’s youngest brother, Kevin was fatally injured when struck by a cricket ball. The community was distraught with Kevin’s fellow classmates forming a guard of honour for their friend.
Darcy rose to become a Corporal. When hostilities ceased, he was discharged on the 18th January 1946. His parents rejoiced at having all three sons return safely home from the conflict. His father, Gustave enjoyed having his sons settled and married, with some presenting him with grandchildren, before he died in September 1950, aged just 62.
The extended family continued to remember their three young sons and brothers; Leader (Angaston, SA : 1918 - 1954), Thursday 19 September 1946, In loving memory of Kevin, who died on September 22, 1944; aged 12 years. There is a road called remembrance, where thoughts and wishes meet. We take that road to-day to a son we cannot greet. United with his brothers Rex and Rodney. Sadly missed by his loving parents, brothers and sisters.
Darcy married Sophie and they continued to live in the Barossa area. Sophie pre-deceased Darcy on October 1st, 1999 aged 84. Almost two years later, Darcy died on the 5th November 2001 aged 79 years. Both are together in the Nuriootpa Cemetery in the Barossa.
Researched and submitted by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.
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