FAY, Constance
| Other Name: | MORRIS, Constance - Married name |
|---|---|
| Service Number: | NF466646 |
| Enlisted: | 22 February 1944, Paddington, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) - Unallotted |
| Born: | Paddington, New South Wales, Australia, 1 January 1926 |
| Home Town: | Bathurst, Bathurst Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Office Worker |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 22 Feb 1944: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NF466646, Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) - Unallotted, Paddington, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Sep 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NF466646 |
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Daughter of Patrick and Gwendoline Lily FAY, 53 Duration Cottage, Bathurst, New South Wales.
Connie was a member of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS). Before enlisting in February 1944, she was an office worker and also packed parcels for the services and volunteered at the Anglican Church canteen preparing breakfast for those in the forces. After her initial training, Connie was posted to the Coastal Artillery at Port Kembla, NSW, serving in a gunnery role in the Illowra Battery.
At the end of 1944, when the coastal artillery battery was no longer needed, Connie was transferred to the Land Headquarters School of Civil Affairs where she worked in the mess. It was there that she met her future husband, Grainger ‘Blue’ Morris. ‘Blue’ was a lieutenant in the Army who transferred to the unit in February 1945. After the war ended, Connie continued serving in the AWAS for another year. In March 1946, Connie was transferred to Headquarters Eastern Command and allocated to the staff of a psychology unit, where she served as a typist.
Connie was discharged from the AWAS in September 1946. According to her family, Connie often talks fondly about the friendships and freedom the AWAS gave her. It was a very precious time for her. In 1947, Connie and Blue married and went on to have 4 children, and 3 grandchildren.
After the war, Connie and Blue moved to Papua New Guinea (PNG), where Blue worked as a patrol officer and a surveyor. The couple were granted an ex-serviceman’s block of land on New Britain, PNG, where they established a cacao plantation. Connie managed all the office work, as well as teaching their children whose schooling was by correspondence. Sadly, Blue and one of their children have passed away. Connie says she continues to reflect on the exciting and rich life she shared with Blue and her family.
When Connie was younger, she did exquisite fine needlework, played mahjong and enjoyed reading, gardening and driving. Now, she watches the TV and likes sitting in the sun.
Connie has no secret to her long life - ‘It’s just luck!’
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