DRINKWATER, Veronica Gladys
| Service Numbers: | QF271570, Q271570 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 July 1943 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, 20 April 1925 |
| Home Town: | Rockhampton, Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Jul 1943: | Involvement Corporal, Q271570, on WW2NR as QF271570 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Jul 1943: | Enlisted | |
| 2 Jul 1943: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, QF271570 | |
| 10 Sep 1946: | Discharged | |
| 10 Sep 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, QF271570 |
Help us honour Veronica Gladys Drinkwater's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Liz Williamson
Veronica ‘Ronnie’ O’Neill (nèe Drinkwater) was born in Maryborough, Queensland.
In July 1943, Ronnie enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) and served with the Central Bureau of Intelligence, where she operated the first IBM sorting machine.
The Central Bureau cracked Japan's encrypted air, water transport, and main army codes which contributed to the end of the Second World War.
The secretive nature of the work meant Ronnie was sworn to secrecy for 30 years.
After the war, Ronnie served at the Far East Liaison Office (FELO) in Melbourne, until she discharged from the AWAS in September 1946.
While at FELO, Ronnie met Geoffery O'Neill, who served as an Australian Army soldier. The two got married, and their family grew over time. Ronnie and Geoff have three daughters, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
After they married, Ronnie worked at Geoff's accountancy business and re-trained in her 40s and became a secretary.
In her leisure time, Ronnie loved a game or two of tennis, golf, and lawn bowls. She loved a good book, enjoyed travelling and revelled in the company of her little dogs. These days, she loves quality visits from her family.
Ronnie credits her 100 years to an active lifestyle, playing sports, and growing up barefoot in outback Queensland.
Courtesy of Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs FB page Veronica ‘Ronnie’ O’Neill (nèe Drinkwater) celebrates her 100th birthday.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1025453256445309&set=a.107927648197879 (www.facebook.com)
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