William John Gardener
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Description |
5'4½" (1.64m) tall ; 168lbs 76.203 kg ; medium complexion ; hazel eyes ; brown hair ; right hand index finger missing. |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Cnr Hastings & Scarborough roads, Scarborough, Western Australia. |
| 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
At time of first applying to join the RAAF, Bill was a labourer working for the Melville Roads Board. In Jan 1943 he declared that he was a truck driver working for EG Woolcott.
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. On 23 Sep 1943 Bill was charged with drinking alcohol when on duty. He was awarded 7 day's Field Punishment.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 24 Jul 1944 he was charged with two offences, 1) failing to take sufficient care of goods entrusted to his care, and 2) failing to report at a proper time. Awarded 14 days Field Punishment and forfeiture of 14 days pay.
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 (medically unfit for service in tropical climates) 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 seemingly from a previous marriage 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. They were being looked after by his mother in law. Valda died 12 Aug 1998, aged 84 in Claremont.
Notes