Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

NOTE: Exract of birth certificate confirms the correct spelling of the first Given Name is Erskine.

The WW2 Nominal Roll Record has incorrectly recorded the first Given Name as Erskini.  RSL Virtual War Memorial Chief Moderator, April 2017.

Erskine EDGAR James WORLAND RAAF STORY

Erskine Edgar James Worland known as EDGAR, son of Walter Erskine Worland and Lilian (nee Stevens) was born at Carlton, Melbourne on 25th August 1925. He grew up on the family farm at Creighton Via Euroa and attended the small local State school at Creighton. Following this he attended the Euroa Higher Elementary School where he obtained what was known as the Merit certificate. He had killed rabbits and sold the skins, saving the money to buy himself a pushbike so that he could ride his bike to the Elementary school (later High School) which was 10 miles away on a dirt road. On leaving school he was apprenticed as a Fitter and Turner at Laughton’s Foundry in Richmond. His Aunt Elizabeth Worland (his father’s older sister) known as Sis had married James Laughton and he lived with them before joining the RAAF.

At 17 he enrolled in the Royal Australian Air Force Air Training Corp at No 6 Squadron (City of Essendon) as a Cadet on 6th December 1941 and attended parades and training until the age of 18 when he would fully join the RAAF. Documents state his height as 5ft 7 inches, weight 9stone 10 lbs.

On 4th September 1942 AGED 18 he enlisted as a Trainee Technician, Aircraftsman Class 1  RAAF number 118109. Rank LAC (Leading Aircraftsman)

On completion of the Course he was to be remustered to Group 11 as an Instrument Repairer, Armourer, Flight Mechanic or Flight Rigger. Further documents state he was accepted as an Engineering Apprentice. He was also recommended for promotion but his educational levels did not qualify for promotions as required by the RAAF. However he made up for this in later life through study and obtaining further engineering skills.

Abbreviations on AIF documents make it difficult to understand places where he was posted but it is known that he spent time in Adelaide River, Darwin, Milingimbi and Melville Island and possibly Gove and other Northern Territory Airfields. On 12th September 1944 he was at No 9 Airfield Construction Squadron. Three Service Chevrons were issued when the Tropical Tour was completed.

Discharged from RAAF on 18th March 1946.

Following discharge he worked for Pope Products in Adelaide. He completed his 4th year of Toolmaking at night school. Following this he was employed by Jarrett Industries, a packaging Industry in Edwardstown, Adelaide. He would have been working on repairs and maintenance to the machinery. In the early 1950’s he was working for General Motors Holden (GMH) in Adelaide in charge of the assembly line.

On 8th December 1945 Edgar married Gaynor Lesly Hayman at St Augustine’s Church, Unley Adelaide, South Australia.

In October 1946 their first daughter Vicki was born and in 1948 the family moved in to a home in the newly developed housing estate named Plympton.  Second daughter Jennifer was born in November 1951.  In May 1955 they moved back to Victoria to live on the family farm at Creighton and lived with Edgar’s parents until a new home was built on the property. The farm was not large enough to support two families, especially a young family as in November 1956 a third daughter Dale was born.

Edgar then returned to his engineering skills and started working at Ford McKernan’s Engineering works in Euroa. He purchased land from his father and started his own sheep breeding programme, working on pasture improvement by adding superphosphate and sowing pasture seed, it meant a lot of hard work and long days in all weather. The sheep work and other farming chores were done on weekends or before and after work, especially in lambing season and at shearing time, wife Gaynor and the girls assisted with all forms of farm work. After a number of years of breeding using quality rams from the Merino stud stations such as Wanganella, Boonoke and others he won prizes or fine fleece and quality rams at the local shows

He left Mc Kernan’s Engineering and then worked as a Mechanic at Drysdale Estate, a large sheep property at Creighton but found this frustrating so he decided to start his own business, calling it Creighton Engineering.  A shed at the side of the garage was built and a huge lathe was purchased a well as a drill press and other tools and equipment. It was a successful business and greatly appreciated by the local farmers. He built Hay sheds, stock crates, built and repaired trailers and other farming equipment but his skills were mainly utilised in situations such as when a Harvester or some other machine broke down and very often spare parts were unavailable or very expensive. He enjoyed the challenge of being able to make a replacement part, which often required a great deal of creativity, using scrap metals, saving time and money for the local farmers. He was admired for his skills, and his quiet honest way of dealing with people gaining a great deal of respect in the community.

He continued working until he became ill with Cancer and passed away on 11th June 1993 at Euroa Hospital at 69 years of age