After
leaving school at age 15 Joseph worked as a storeman and packer. He enlisted in
Army at age 25 on 22/6/1942 serving in with the Australian
General Transport Company in the Northern territory rising to the rank of Lance
Corporal.
He
was in Darwin during the bombing where he lost his slouch hat. His replacement
hat was in fact made by his soon to be wife who at that time was working as a
milliner at Henderson’s in Broadway. Traditionally the girls slipped their name
in the hat they were making Joe and Wynne somehow met and eventually married in
June 1944.
Commemorating 75 years since the war came to New Guinea
Joe transferred to the RAAF and
completed training in 1944 in Sydney.
Then
he was ready for his overseas posting to New Guinea.
He served with No 6
Squadron RAAF (28.10.1943 to 15.2.1945). No 6 Squadron flew Hudson bombers
initially and in Joe’s time flew Beaufort bombers. Beaufort bombers were built
at Mascot and were nick-named the ‘Flying Coffins’. No 6 Squadron was mainly
engaged in reconnaissance and bomber support and anti- shipping attack roles.
During
his time with the Squadron, he was based in New Britain on Goodenough Island,
Jacquinot Bay, Dobodura and Raboul airfields. Mainly Dobodura. His patrol areas
covered Aitape-Wewak area of New Guinea.
They
flew regular courier flights between Dobodura and Milne Bay in New Guinea. The
Squadron saw little combat during late 1944 to 1945 as there were few targets
within range of Dobodura and a shortage of bombs. It was during this time that
he became a keen vegetable gardener, mainly to ward off boredom.
Joe
left the RAAF as a Leading Aircraftsman (Armourer).
A
man from humble beginnings, he was totally unpretentious and simple in his
tastes and personal aspirations. He had no airs and graces. When he bought his
house in Eastwood his pride and joy was his vegetable garden from which came
enough produce over the years to feed a small army. (Chris Ford – Joe’s
obituary)
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