Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Australian Remembrance Army


Pte 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿

Service No: QX59215
Rank: Private
Unit: 42nd Battalion

This week, our group of volunteers ventured to South Brisbane Cemetery to restore the lettering to the civilian granite headstone of WW2 veteran Carl Ronald Raddeker and his wife, Desma Adell. We were recently contacted by Lauren and Peter, who were were eager to watch and learn the techniques involved with these restorations and, as they were in Brisbane visiting from New South Wales, they were able to join us. We were even joined briefly by a possum, curious about our activities! We would like to thank the descendants of Carl who gave us their permission to do this work on their ancestor’s grave, as well as Brisbane City Council for their continued support of these important works, to honour these veterans, and to ensure they are not forgotten.

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿 was born on 6 April 1923 in the Queensland town of Rockhampton. He was the fourth child of five born to parents Ethel Caroline Baker and Karl Raddeker, and was their only son. Carl had four sisters, namely – Vera, Elsie, Norma and Joan. The family lived in Rockhampton where Karl (Snr) worked as a locomotive driver. The family lived in Rockhampton for many years, before moving to live at 17 Tillott Street, Dutton Park sometime before 1949.
Carl (Jnr) enlisted for service in WWII on 4 November 1943, whilst working as an assistant projectionist in Rockhampton. He served with the 42nd Battalion and was discharged on 3 November 1944. Carl’s service record has not been digitised so further details of his service are unknown.
Following his discharge from service, Carl lived with his parents and sisters at the family home at Tillot Street in Dutton Park, and worked as a labourer. In February 1953, it was announced that Carl Ronald Raddeker was engaged to Desma Adell Crane, who was also from Rockhampton. The couple married two months later on 11 April. The marriage ceremony was solemnised at the Holy Trinity Church of England at Wooloongabba, with the reception being held at the Belle Vue Hotel.

Sadly, Carl died at the Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital three months later. He died on 7 July 1953 at the age of 30 years, reportedly due to war injuries. He was buried at South Brisbane Cemetery two days later.

Following the death of her husband, Desma lived at the Raddeker family home at Dutton Park with Karl (Snr) and her sister-in-law Vera, before moving to live at Hawthorne with Vera. After the death of her sister-in-law, Desma moved to live in a home at Murrarie. Desma had one child, a son. It is believed that he was the son of Carl.
𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙒𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩