Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Charles Henry and Hilda VICKRESS, 39 Gordon Street, Eastwood, New South Wales.

Before his war service, Ron worked as a junior clerk at the NSW Department of Road Transport and Tramways (DRT&T). In March 1943, at the age of just 17, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Ron says, ‘you did it because your mates had signed up, and my dad had been a veteran of the First World War’. 

Ron trained as a visual signalman and in August 1943, he was posted to the corvette HMAS Pirie, escorting convoys off Australia’s east and north coasts. In mid-1944, Pirie switched to minesweeping in and around the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait. Then, in February 1944, it sailed for Manus Island off New Guinea as part of the British Pacific Fleet. Ron served in the Philippines and supported the American advance to Japan, escorting convoys to Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

When the war ended, Ron witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945. The crew also saluted Australian ex-POWs who were returning home aboard HMS Striker by singing Waltzing Matilda. Ron says there were ‘tears on both decks’.

While serving, and after the war, Ron enjoyed the camaraderie of his shipmates, remembering that ‘over 3 years, we endured enemy bombing, gales and tropical typhoons, periods of short rations, 3 months at sea without setting foot on land – but we mostly experienced it all with good humour and friendly relations’.

Ron arrived back in Australia in October 1945, and he was discharged from the RAN in June 1946. Just 10 days later, he celebrated his 21st birthday. Ron returned to his role at the DRT&T but in 1954, he trained as a teacher. Ron went on to teach in primary and secondary schools and lecture at teachers’ colleges. He married Thelma in 1947, and they have two daughters. Sadly, Thelma has passed away.

When Ron was younger, he enjoyed all sports. He was also involved in theatre and was a playwright. Ron still writes and is very active. As an actor, Ron played the judge in the Australian movie The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith.

Ron credits his long life to good genes and staying active.