Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Radford Family arrived in Wooroolin West about 1915. These two young men and their siblings grew up at the family farm at West Wooroolin, their parents being Thomas Radford and his wife Elizabeth (nee Moore). I have been fortunate to “Meet” the son of Reginald when I posted a query on a Facebook Group to do with Family History and used the photo of the Wooroolin WW11 Honour Board. It is a small world and it is with thanks to Arthur Radford that this short story has evolved.
John Wesley Radford was born 23 Jul 1914 at Lismore, NSW. John Radford went to Home Creek School and his senior years were at Gympie High where he won a scholarship to further study as school teacher.
The first record I have for him is in the 1937 electoral roll where, aged 23, he was a student at Kings College, River Terrace, Kangaroo Point. In June 1940 a notice in the Courier Mail shows a photo of Joyce Burnett younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Burnett, Buderim, who has announced her engagement to Mr. John Radford, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. T.P. Radford, Wooroolin, Kingaroy Line. Miss Burnett, who is employed by the Department of Public Instruction, is teaching at Oakwood State School. Mr. Radford is a graduate of the University of Queensland, and a former resident of King's College, Brisbane; and is now teaching at the Bundaberg State High School. They married at the Albert Street Methodist Church in Aug 1941. The best man at wedding was John’s brother Reginald. The couple then lived on the Atherton Tablelands. In 1943 John Radford joined the Australian Army in Papua New Guinea!
When Sergeant John Radford was discharged from the army on 9 Oct 1945 he was serving in 15 Australian Infantry Battalion. During the Second World War the 15th Battalion was mobilised for wartime service and initially undertook defensive duties in Australia before taking part in the fighting against the Japanese in New Guinea and Bougainville in 1943–1945. The battalion was disbanded in 1946 and never re-raised.
John Radford returned to teaching as did his wife. They lived in Camp Hill all their lives. John Radford died in 2001. He was cremated and joined his wife at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens Mt Gravatt
Reginald Thomas Radford was born 5 Feb 1923 at Wondai and was educated at Wooroolin West School, pupil No 13ww. Reginald joined the Royal Australian Airforce on 31 Aug 1942 in Brisbane. His Airforce files are available on the NAA website and are a wonderful source of information on this young man. His letters of reference being from the local Methodist Minister, HT Unqwin, the Wooroolin Post Master, Harry Hurst and local farmer Charles Birch whose 3 children Marjorie, Audrey & Les all served during WW11.
Reg Airforce files are available on the NAA website and show that he as a Flight Rigger! This involves the adjustment and travel of movable flight controls which are attached to aircraft major surfaces, such as wings and vertical and horizontal stabilizers. ... Rigging involves setting cable tension, adjusting travel limits of flight controls, and setting travel stops. Reg was discharged from the RAAF on 25 Oct 1946 at Brisbane and returned to Wooroolin for a short time.
Reg married Valerie Devitt in Nov 1947. Upon discharge he trained as a monumental mason in Wollongong but before long they took over the Devitt family farm at Meroo Meadow, where Arthur spent his younger years. Reg moved to Berry in 1963 and later to Bomaderry. Reg Radford died in 1997. He was cremated and is remembered at Worrigee memorial gardens, Nowra.
Arthur has shared the story his father wrote about his War Service on his blog. So interesting to read his family grew Cotton as well as the familiar crops of Peanuts, Maize etc. So wish we had asked Dad to write his memories! Plus I have learnt that the Radford Lads are cousins of the Moore males on the honour board. So may family connections!
https://arthursblog2017.wordpress.com/my-dads-war-service/?fbclid=IwAR3L6Ue7bihCN0ZznO7kHwkXwE00veBVtSDNN8qk-YDfawAlQNC1Bj7Woeg
Lest We Forget