Timeline: 1940s

World War 2, Dick's RAAF service, his marriage to Cath, and the first of their children.

Events

  • Jan 1940 — Dick 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 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. (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.
  • 13 Dec 1943 — Dick posted to Nhill.
  • 29 Jan 1944 — Robert Alexander Whillas born, Kensington, Adelaide.
  • 21 Apr 1944 — Dick transferred to Melbourne. 24 Apr — Charles J. Whillas (Dick's father) died in Woodville, aged 73.
  • 12 Jan 1945 — Norman McLeod buys 17(?) Salter St, Kensington.
  • 3 Jul 1945 — Charlotte Whillas 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 born, East Brunswick, Melbourne. 27 Dec — Dick back in Australia (Townsville).
  • 11 Feb 1946 — Norman McLeod buys 19(?) Salter St, Kensington. 28 Feb — Lotte and Fran Whillas 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.
  • 9 Dec 1946 — Dick buys 2 lots at the corner of Angas Rd and Grandview Grove, Magill.
  • Feb 1947 — Nan starts school in Glenelg.
  • 28 Mar 1947 — Christine Frances (Teena) Whillas 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 starts school in Glenelg.
  • 12 Aug 1949 — D & C buy a house in Angaston; 19 Aug — buy and sell property on McGilp Ave, Glenelg East.
  • 20 Oct 1949 — Andrew John Whillas 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).

Sources

  • Whillas–McLeod family history spreadsheet (Rev 4), 1940s sheet.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9