# Timeline: 1940s World War 2, Dick's RAAF service, his marriage to Cath, and the first of their children. ## Events - **Jan 1940** — [Dick](/people/richard-charles-whillas-b1920) applies to join the RAAF, using 22 Stanley St as home address. - **19 Feb 1940** — Dick joins the RAAF in Adelaide; posted to Laverton. - **Mar 1940** — [Cath](/people/catherine-mcleod-whillas-b1921) joins the WAAF, working at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide (HQ of 4th Military District). - **10 Jun 1940** — Dick posted to Adelaide. - **25 Sep 1940** — Dick posted to Ascot Vale. - **1 Apr 1941** — Dick promoted to Sergeant. - **7 Sep 1941** — Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour; USA enters the war. *(Dated as in source.)* - **16 Jan 1942** — Dick posted to [Darwin](/places/adelaide-south-australia). *(see note)* - **19 Feb 1942** — First Japanese bombing of Darwin. - **24 Apr 1942** — Dick posted out of Darwin to Ascot Vale. - **1 May 1942** — Dick promoted to Flight Sergeant. - **1 Jul 1942** — Dick posted to Hamilton. - **12 Jan 1943** — Dick promoted to Warrant Officer. - **25 Feb 1943** — [Cath and Dick marry at Semaphore, SA](/events/marriage-richard-whillas-to-catherine-mcleod-1943). - **13 Dec 1943** — Dick posted to Nhill. - **29 Jan 1944** — [Robert Alexander Whillas](/people/robert-alexander-whillas-b1944) born, Kensington, Adelaide. - **21 Apr 1944** — Dick transferred to Melbourne. **24 Apr** — [Charles J. Whillas](/people/charles-johnston-whillas-b1872) (Dick's father) died in Woodville, aged 73. - **12 Jan 1945** — Norman McLeod buys 17(?) Salter St, Kensington. - **3 Jul 1945** — [Charlotte Whillas](/people/charlotte-sloggett-whillas-b1879) sells 22 Stanley St, Woodville. - **15 Aug 1945** — Japan surrenders. - **27 Sep 1945** — Dick in Labuan / Morotai ex Darwin. - **24 Dec 1945** — [Richard Johnstone Whillas](/people/richard-johnstone-whillas-b1945) born, East Brunswick, Melbourne. **27 Dec** — Dick back in Australia (Townsville). - **11 Feb 1946** — [Norman McLeod](/people/norman-macleod-b1880) buys 19(?) Salter St, Kensington. **28 Feb** — [Lotte](/people/charlotte-sloggett-whillas-b1879) and [Fran Whillas](/people/frances-louise-whillas-b1915) buy 22 Gulf Pde, Brighton. - **22 Jul 1946** — Dick discharged from the RAAF; gives 15 Salter St, Kensington as address. - **26 Aug 1946** — Norman McLeod sells 28 Cameron St, [Kingston](/places/kingston-south-australia). - **9 Dec 1946** — Dick buys 2 lots at the corner of Angas Rd and Grandview Grove, Magill. - **Feb 1947** — [Nan](/people/catherine-normandy-whillas-b1939) starts school in Glenelg. - **28 Mar 1947** — [Christine Frances (Teena) Whillas](/people/christine-frances-whillas-b1947) born, Maylands, Adelaide (home address 15 Salter St). - **9 Jun 1947** — Dick sells the 2 lots at Angas Rd / Grandview Grove, Magill. - **Feb 1949** — [Robert](/people/robert-alexander-whillas-b1944) starts school in Glenelg. - **12 Aug 1949** — D & C buy a house in [Angaston](/places/angaston-south-australia); **19 Aug** — buy and sell property on McGilp Ave, Glenelg East. - **20 Oct 1949** — [Andrew John Whillas](/people/andrew-john-whillas-b1949) born, Angaston. ## Notes & uncertainties - Dick accepts a position managing a dried fruit company (Angas Park?) in Angaston and the family move there (c. 1948). - Melbourne home address was 129 Mitchell St, East Brunswick. - Cath likely lived with her parents for parts of the war while Dick moved between postings (Melbourne, Western Victoria). ## Related pages - [1930s](/timeline/1930s) · [1950s](/timeline/1950s) ## Sources - Whillas–McLeod family history spreadsheet (Rev 4), *1940s* sheet.