Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sergeant Ariel McDougal of the Australian Army in WW2 married my mother's brother, Stephen John Wright, who had been an artillery sergeant serving in the Middle East and later in PNG. He was hospitalised with malaria at Bonegilla after returning to Australia.

He was a tall well built decent quiet man who wanted to be carpenter post war, however was allocated to be a typewriter mechanic and worked with Remington until he retired.
Ariel and Steve married about 1948 and celebrated at the Caulfield Town Hall, about which I have some early memories.

Steve played harmonica and had some Allen songbooks which used with his gun crew in quiet times. I recall listening to him play at his home in East Brighton. And thinking him often when I play. I also used his old sleepout room at his parents place when I lived with them in 1959. Steve and Judy would visit by bus every Wednesday. He would cut their tough lawns and corner nature strip's before sharing lunch and a glass of sherry.

As a teenager I stayed with Steve and Judy ( as our family called Ariel - Judy) in Moorabbin on school some holidays. Judy also provided marvellous meals when our family of 6 visited. He loved his sister Lillian, my Mum and enjoyed good friendship with my Dad, Tom Riley.

Later in life they had a Morris 1500 car and I helped them learn to drive and they travelled far and wide with it. Unfortunately, Steve died whilst I was working in England , just before I returned to Australia, to find my favourite non- parent man and friend/mentor had passed. Judy lived on for some years and we still have a piece of her painted china painting. They were well matched, quiet but firm, she more vocal and confident. They both enjoyed their Bentliegh RSL. Lovely people! Judy a gem! Steve a quiet hero.