William John Gardener
From Our Contribution
Personal Information | |
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Date of Birth | 15 Feb 1914 |
Place of Birth | Karragullen, Western Australia |
Death | 17 Sep 1978 aged 65 |
Place of Death | Carlisle, Western Australia |
Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 11 months |
Occupation | Truck driver |
Religion | Church of England |
Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Valda May Gardener |
Military Information | |
Reg Number | 82872 |
Date of Enlistment | 6 Feb 1943 |
Rank | Leading Aircraftsman |
Unit/Formation | No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron |
Post War Details | |
Fate | Remained in Australia |
Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry: 1937 at 22 Florence street, Leederville, fettler; 1943 at 3 Carlton street, Leederville, fettler.
War Service
Enlisted as an Aircraftsman level 1 at the No. 4 Recruiting Centre in Perth. After some basic drill training he was remustered as a Driver Motor Transport on 6 Feb 1943 and posted to the No. 17 Repair & Salvage Unit on 12 Mar 1943. Bill was promoted to Leading Aircraftsman on 1 Oct 1943. During 1943 he also married Valda May Barrett in Perth. This was followed by a transfer on 11 Apr 1944 to No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF based at Pearce at a time when they were undertaking Army co-operation duties.
On 29 Sep 1944 he was posted to the No. 6 Airfield Construction Squadron. Its location is not known, but as Bill doesn't appear to have qualified for the Pacific Star, it would have been in Australia. On 1 Mar 1945 Bill was sent to the No. 5 Personnel Depot for discharge which took place on 16 Mar 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1954 at 13 Nash street, Peth, railway employee; 1958 at 194 Loftus street, North Perth, porter; 1972 at 17 Star street, Carlisle, retired.
Children recorded on Air Force records are: Valda June b. 21 Sep 1934; Donald William b. 28 Sep 1936; Douglas Donald b. 20 Dec 1937; and Barry John b. 8 Feb 1940. Valda died 12 Aug 1998, aged 84 in Claremont.
Notes