Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born 19.02.1920 in Proserpine he was the eldest son of Gus (WW1 soldier) & Winifred. He was educated at Strathdickie school & later went to work on the family cane farm. Having disposed of the cane farm in 1960, he became a council truck drive until he retired.
During WW1 he served in the AIF in Palestine, Crete, Greece, Syria, Egypt, New Guinea & Borneo. Serving for 1,013 days overseas & 777 days in Australia.
After being discharged from the army Ron returned to work on the family farm at Strathdickie. He married Opal Coatsworth in 1949 & lived on the farm until the farm was sold in 1959.
Ron worked as a yardman at Proserpine hospital for about 8 months & then became a truck driver in the council until his retirement. Ron & Opal had 9 children. After retirement & children had grown up they embarked on a holiday travelling around Australia for 3 months.
Ron pulled into the Sandfire Flats Roadhouse in Western Australia in the middle of nowhere & this fellow called out "Ron, Ron Peterson." He was in the army with Ron & they had not seen each other for 42 years after the war. His name was Paul & was from Tasmania. Ron entered into the army with a lot of Tasmanians -
He is survived by his wife Opal, 9 children & 15 grandchildren.
The late Mr Peterson’s funeral will take place (Thursday) at 4pm in St James Uniting Church, Rev Neil Hill will conduct the church & graveside services. As a Returned Serviceman he will be accorded an RSL service as arranged by the Proserpine Sub-Branch RSL.