Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born on the 28th November, 1920 in the mid-North town of Brinkworth, Aub, affectionately known as ‘Strawb’ was the oldest child of Carl Bernhard and Henrietta Rosina Dolling. He was the third generation of Dollings to live in the area with his grandparents, Johannes Reinhold and Johanne Mathilda Dolling being the first.
Aub had three younger siblings Marjorie, Rhonda and Maxwell Howard. As children, they all attended the local Brinkworth Public School. Aub, then known by his middle name of Clyde, proved to be a good student, receiving an end-of-year class prize in 1930. He had to sit his Qualifying Certificate in 1933 and again in ’34 as he was not old enough to leave school in ’33. In those years students frequently also submitted their schoolwork at Shows in the surrounding areas. 13-year-old Aub won an award at the ’34 Blyth Show for his black and white drawing and a drawing in the ‘second-year woodwork student’ category. At the conclusion of that year, the school had their traditional break-up concert in the Brinkworth Institute, decorated with a Christmas tree. There it was announced that Aub scored the second highest results in the Qualifying Exam with 609 marks, just behind Jack Sergeant with 625. Post school, Aub became a Transport and Clerical worker, eventually owning his own car service centre in his hometown, selling and servicing a variety of cars, tractors and farm equipment.
With the outbreak of WWII 20-year-old Aub became part of the 8th Auxiliary Horse Troop, as Private S34602 from the 3rd May ’41, having joined at the nearby large town of Clare. Less than two years later, he then enlisted on January 30th ’43, becoming SX28229. His background as a mechanic made him ideal to continue to serve in this area in the Work Shop Section of the AEME. Aub initially nominated his father, Carl as his next of kin until his marriage to May Iris Minnie Pascoe while home on leave on the 18th August ’45.
Aub’s young brother Max born on the 2nd October ’24 and working as a grocer’s assistant, also later enlisted on the 16th February ’43 aged 18 as S112368. He travelled to Dubbo NSW before training in Queensland, then served in New Guinea for six months. He returned to Townsville with the 29/46th Battalion.
Aub spent his early training days in camp at O’Halloran Hill to the south of Adelaide, before marching to Keswick. By January ’43 he had qualified as a Group II Mechanic and was soon on his way to Victoria and Maribyrnong, near Melbourne. This area was home to huge factories, including the Colonial Ammunition Company on the banks of the river where many women worked producing munitions. Whilst there, Aub was unfortunate to develop a bacterial infection (furunculosis) which resulted in boils and consequently spending several days in hospital.
Aub then travelled to Queensland in preparation to serve in New Guinea, leaving via Brisbane. He disembarked at Fall River before then transferring to Milne Bay in September ’43 where he worked at the Milne Bay Fort Workshops. He was one of a small group of 36 who worked at the Fortress/ Coastal Artillery & Supporting Elements. A year after arriving he was finally able to return to Australia via Townsville early in September ’44.
By January ’45 Aub was in the Northern Territory then within seven months had left Queensland and married May Pascoe in August that year. The Advertiser carried the announcement ‘PASCOE —DOLLING. Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Pascoe, Novar Gardens, wish to announce the marriage of their only daughter, May, to Aubrey (A.I.F.), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Dolling, Brinkworth, will be solemnised at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Glenelg, August 18, 7 p.m.’
Aub was transferred to the 11 Base Workshop in November ’45, just prior to his discharge on January 7th ’46, followed seven months later by his brother, ‘Snow’ on the 8th August ‘46. Aub and May returned to his hometown of Blyth, where an announcement was made in July ‘47 by representatives of the Departments of Post War Reconstruction at the Brinkworth, Yacka and Koolunga sub-branch of the RSL. Aub and May were to be the first owners of a serviceman's home that was near completion, in Brinkworth.
In March ’49 Aub and May welcomed their daughter. ‘DOLLING (nee Pascoe). —On March 22, at Blyth District Hospital, to May and Clyde (Aub.) —a daughter (Cheryl May). Special thanks to Dr. Crosbie and all in attendance.’
It took many years before Aub finally received his war medals in September ‘83, probably because of the change of addresses on his enlistment papers. He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Frustratingly, his brother Max’s medals also did not arrive until May ’85.
Aub continued to generously serve his community as a Justice of the Peace, the local Coroner, agent for the Cooperative and as secretary of the RSL Brinkworth Progress Association.
He died on the 3rd December ’92 having just celebrated his 72nd birthday. Aub now rests in the Angle Grove Cemetery, Brinkworth where his parents and later, his brother also rests.
Written by Aub’s daughter, Cheryl Bowen.