Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ronald Peter Jessen, known as Ron, was born 23 Jun 1923 at Wondai Hospital, the 4th child of Hans Peter and Edith Jessen. The Jessen family lived on a property named "Aerothella" which was between Wooroolin & Tingoora. I think Rons sisters, Pheme, Cess & Phyllis went to Tingoora school but Ron was enrolled at Wooroolin School on 2 Jul 1928, pupil no 646. As he was the only son of Hans & Edith Jessen, and had 3 siblings, his nickname at home was “boy”. His sister Cess still referred to him with this nickname up until she passed away in 2006! The Jessen family attended St Andrews Church at Wooroolin where Ron’s mother was actively involved in the Ladies Committee and Ron attended Sunday School. Ron’s grandfather Andreas Jessen donated the land to the church in 1915.
In 1932 Ron, aged 9, was included in a photo in The Brisbane Courier Tuesday 4 October 1932, page 18 of the Wooroolin Calf Club with my Dad, Laurie Jones, plus Len Pedersen, Norm Just and R Ayre.
Ron, aged 19, was mobilised for service in the Royal Australian Navy and reported for duty on 15 May 1942. He was initially based at the Navy training base, HMAS Cerberus and then HMAS Moreton per the Navy records from online. Ron had acid spilt on him during his service and his records show that he was paid £3-9-7 for damages to his trousers due to spilt acid!
During his service years his nickname was “Tiger”. While in Brisbane part of his work with the Navy was being personnel dispatch rider for General MacArthur.
During his Navy service Ron married Eileen Casey on 23 Aug 1943 probably at Brisbane.
On 29 Mar 1944 he was discharged free in order to help his father on his dairying property at Wooroolin.
Ron & Eileen took over the "Aerothella" property and reared their family of 2 sons there, until 1963 when they moved to Hervey Bay.
Ron marched in the very first Anzac Day parade at Wooroolin in 1948 and wore his Navy Uniform.
In the booklet, Peanuts and People - Wooroolin 1952-1963 written by Ray Champney, I learnt that Ron Jessen grew Pineapples on his mountain side! My memory of Ron is as the man who built contour banks on the Jones farm at Wooroolin in the 1960’s with his big dozer! He even had a patent on Earth Moving Equipment which was filed in 1962 and approved in 1965.
Ron & Eileen were very interested in the Jessen Family History and in 1982 travelled to Europe and visited Tinningstedt, Germany (previously Denmark), the birthplace of his grandfather Andreas Jessen.
Ron & Eileen lived in various places in Qld including Gatton & Beenleigh where they owned and operated Caravan Parks. Ron & Eileen last lived in Cleveland. Eileen died in 1986 and Ron joined her a year later. They are buried at Wondai Cemetery.
Lest We Forget