Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ron was born at Poonindie on 15 Jul 11 to Davey Dorward and Jane Dorward (nee Cooper). There were 6 in the family, three boys and three girls, living at Mt. Gawler (near White Flat, SA). His dad was a farmer at White Flat, before selling the farm and moving to Tumby Bay in 1919.
Ron went to school at Tumby Bay. He left school at Grade 7, as was the norm at that time, and took employ at Bill Provis’ fruit shop in Spencer Street, Tumby Bay. The fruit shop had a billiard parlour attached and it was here that he learnt to play billiards - the highest break that he made at this game was almost 100 and he still enjoys the game through to this day. He worked there for over 2 years, before moving to Sheehans’ Auctioneers as a clerk; he remained in this employ until he enlisted in 1941.
On 10 Oct 41 he went to Adelaide and enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces (Army Reserve) and was sent to Woodside (SA) for training before being posted to D Company, 48 Battalion. On completion of training the battalion was transferred to Loveday (SA), an irrigation settlement near Barmera, and tasked with the security of the internee camp at that location. The battalion remained in this location until May 42, when the local militia took over the responsibility for security; the battalion was then posted to a camp at Anglesea (Vic), before being moved to Goulbourn (NSW).
On arrival at Goulbourn, D Company was excised from 48 Battalion and transferred to Darwin as part of 19 Battalion, arriving in Sep 42, in time for the bombing of Darwin. Ron remained in Darwin for the remainder of the war, returning to Adelaide in late 1945 and taking discharge on 19 Feb 46.
He returned to Tumby Bay and took over Sheehans Agency which now consisted of the fuel, shipping and grain sub-agencies. He also became the Harbour Master for Tumby Bay, a position that he held for 17 years and for which he was initially paid the princely sum of 2 pounds ($4) per week; he was the last of the Harbour Masters for Tumby.
Ron retired in 1976 and continued to live in the family home in North Terrace: a home which the family has owned since Jan 1919 and, with the exception of the war years, is the house in which he has lived since the age of 7. He was well known for his knowledge of flower growing and pigeon breeding in his later years, taking many prizes at both local and interstate shows. He has made the trip to Perth 12 times to exhibit his wares.
Ron has now moved out of the house and is currently in Uringa Hostel.