Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

It was expected that after the war Dick would continue studying for Holy Orders. He had enjoyed his
role as Lay Reader at St. Andrews Church in Katanning and a side Altar in the church was dedicated to his memory in 1943.

By nature Dick was generous and open hearted, not counting the cost to help anyone in need.

He was reserved and read a lot, choosing his friends wisely.

One such very close friend was Les Jenner.
They had enlisted together in the 2nd 16'h Battalion and were both killed in PNG. A photo of them taken together in Tel Aviv in 1941was found in a wallet retrieved amongst Dick's belongings when he was killed.

Reserved he was but he still led an active social life before he enlisted particularly in amateur dramatics and the local tennis club.

At school he had been good at sport especially cricket and
boxing. At his school in England he had been School Captain.
He was always well dressed and took care with his appearance.

We thought he would cut a handsome picture in the Pulpit !

He and his next younger brother Chris were great pals and did lots of things together when home on holidays from Guildford Grammar.

Dick was eight years my senior so I moved around him with care and respect. l'd be soon brought back in line if t didn't.
Dick was not just an avid reader; he was good with his hands too- a skilled wood worker and bookbinder. He made two very fine standard wooden candlesticks for the chapel at Kobelia, the
Girls Grammar School in Katanning of which Dad was Chaplain.

For most of the time we were in Katanning the war and its progress were dominant considerations.
The mantelpiece in the sitting room was bedecked with portrait sized photographs of the Thorman boys in uniform.

I still have no way of describing the cry of anguish that came when Dad read the telegram telling us that Dick had been killed. There followed a long period of grieving and many prayers.

As a school kid I didn't have many idols but Dick was one.
His grave at the Bomana War cemetery bears the following epitaph:

I have fought a good fight
I have finished my course
I have kept the Faith.

Raymond Pelham Thorman