On ANZAC Day, we take this time to remember all who have served for our country. While those who participated in active service were heavily impacted by the sights of war, often the effects were felt by family members as well.
Seabrae Manor resident, Daphne, was quite young when she left her family to join the army. She took the job to help support younger siblings and family. It was while she was in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in England that she met her future husband, George Taylor, who was also in the Air Force.
George, who was nicknamed ‘Jock’ because he was from Scotland, was teaching new trainees how to drive the trucks and Daphne’s duty was to issue fuel. Soon love blossomed.
Daphne’s rank was ACW2 (Aircraft Women 2nd class) and while she didn’t serve overseas, she was part of the WAAF band where she played drums. She also led the Victory Pole in Blackpool, England in 1945.
She served in the British Legion as a standard bearer from 1947 and as women had to retire from the service once married, she left in 1974 to marry George.
Her daughter, Jackie, said that Daphne never spoke of difficult times, but she does feel that it impacted her, especially coming from a small village and a large family.
‘She was so proud of her engagement in the WAAF and later RAAF. She did not speak much of her time in the forces however, as it was not common to talk of such things,’ says Jackie.
Daphne and George moved to Australia, where Daphne took part in the RAAF movement. She has very fond memories of attending a three-day event in Townsville in 2005 called ‘Living Heroes’ which marked the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. She also took part in many other civic activities over the years in clubs such as Rotary.
Daphne, always proudly wears her uniform at Seabrae Manor services and displays the many medals she has been awarded for her service over the years.
Hozzászólások