Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Margaret Newman's 100th Birthday Tributes

From Proserpine Museum Facebook page 1st November 2023 - Shared with Public

"CPL Margaret Newman (nee Ward) SFX38654

Celebrating 100 years is a wonderful milestone to achieve for anyone.  But when you are 21 and you are involved in 'Top Secret' experiments for the Australian Army, the distant idea of turning 100 years old is far from your mind.

Margaret Newman (nee Ward) was born on 1st November 1923 in Jamestown, South Australia.

What is her connection to Proserpine, you might ask?

Let's go back to 1942 - WWII

In 1942 the Japanese forces were slowly advancing south to Australia with air raids on Darwin, Broom, attacking coastal ships and also midget submarines were entering Sydney Harbour.  At this stage both Australian and American forces were fighting in the Pacific War.  Men were enlisting to fight overseas and women were taking over clerical, farming and factory jobs.  Soon younger women were asked to enlist in the services or ammunitions.

At this stage Margaret was not quite 21 and was looking for adventure and a way to help the war effort.  Once her father signed authority to give her permission, Margaret joined the AAMWA (Australian Army Medical Women's Service) in September 1943.

Following training camp Margaret was convinced by her friends to join a unit in North Queensland at Innisfail and then she went to Proserpine further south down the coast in January 1945.  For Margaret to take on this role her ranking was reduced to Private.

Now the adventure begins!

Turns out this unit was a 'Top Secret' experimental research facility. 

Sounds intriguing! What was Margaret getting herself into!!

The research was carried out at facilities in Innisfail and then moved to Proserpine, the Australian Field Experimental Station, on private property at Gunyarra, in late 1943.  Chemical warfare was an integral part of WWII (as in WWI) and Australian military authorities, along with the British and American counterparts saw the value of conducting chemical warfare experiments on people and training with chemical weapons.  Proserpine's climate resembled those of the islands where American and Australian troops were fighting.

The station consisted of storage huts, accommodation for over 300, workshops, laboratories, testing facilities and an airstrip.  These experiments were carried out on Australian service personnel who volunteered for the task.  Mustard gas was sprayed from planes or bombs dropped in the vicinity.  Gas chambers were established where personnel would wear normal service attire and a respirator.  Trials were conducted in the field and also in the gas chambers to establish what happened to volunteers following exposure.  The unit also developed protective materials, respirators and ointments.

Margaret used her clerical skills and became Secretary to an English army officer.  Her roll was to type up results from research and experiments.  Joining in the field work Margaret wore impregnated clothes and had to take samples of the air, following spraying, to be analysed.

'We didn't question what we were doing.  It was all part of the war effort'.

Even letters home were censored.

The station was discontinued in 1945 with the end of the war.

Margaret was discharged in September 1945. Went onto being married and raised a family of 4.

Such an adventure for a young woman experienced by only a few brave enough to step into the unknown.  But this is what Margaret wanted.

In 1996 Margaret attended the unveiling of a monument at Gunyarra to commemorate those who served at Gunyarra Experimental Station and then returned to Proserpine for the opening of Proserpine Museum in January 2001.

Margaret has received many congratulatory messages.  These being from King Charles and Queen Carmilla, the Excellency Governor General David Hurly AC DSC (Ret'd), the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese MP and local MP and Minister for Veterans Affairs the Honourable Matt Keogh MP.

Celebrating 100 years is a momentous occasion surrounded by loved family and friends.  The Proserpine Museum volunteers wish Margaret a wonderful birthday and thank her for her contribution to the war effort of WWII.

Information from an interview by Andrea Newman (granddaughter), ANZAC Portal, Proserpine Museum, Whitsunday Regional Council Heritage Register."

From Matt Keogh MP Facebook page 1st November 2023

"Margaret studied at business college and was working with an insurance company when she enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) in September 1943.  After initial training, she was posted to AAMWS Headquarters for 12 months.  In October 1944, Margaret was transferred to 1st Australian Field Experimental Station in Far North Queensland, which was involved in research on the effects of mustard gas and other chemical warfare agents.

During her service, Margaret had postings in Melbourne, and then Innisfail and Proserpine in Far North Queensland, before being transferred to No. 105 (Adelaide) Military Hospital in April 1945.

In November 1944, while serving in Innisfail, Margaret transferred to the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF).  Later that same year, she met her future husband, Douglas 'Doug' Ralph Newman, at a ball.  Doug served in the Royal Australian Air Force beween 1941 and 1942.  Margaret and Doug married in August 1945 just days before the war in the Pacific ended.

Margaret discharged from the AAMWS in September 1945 and took a part-time job in a doctor's surgery.  Then after her four children arrived, she devoted her life to them, Doug, and their home and garden.  Sadly, Doug passed away in 2006.

In her limited spare time. Margaret enjoyed needlework, playing tennis and bridge, voluntary work with the Australian Red Cross and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and was involved with the Girl Guides and other community groups.  These days Margaret leads a quiet life.

Margaret has no secrets to her long life and she says she doesn't actually know how she's reached this age.  Happy Birthday Margaret!"

Margaret sadly passed away on New Year's Day 2024.