Edward Neil Parker

Edward Neil Parker

RAAF ID photo
Army ID photo
Personal Information
Date of Birth	3 Sep 1925
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death	15 Jun 2009, aged 83
Place of Death	Balcatta, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 years old
Description	5'10" (1.78m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation	clerk
Religion	Prebyterian
Address	Raeburn road, Roleystone, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Edward Parker
Military Information
Reg Number	441559 & WX23295
Date of Enlistment	9 Oct 1943 & 4 Jun 1945
Rank	Flight Sergeant & Private
Unit/Formation	RAAF Headquarters & 18th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Monument(s)	Roleystone Roll of Honour
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

On 28 Apr 1941 Edward commenced with the Western Australian Government Railways as a Junior Clerk in Perth on 35% of the adult wage. By the time he enlisted in the RAAF on 2 Oct 1943 he was being paid 70% of a normal adult wage. His WAGR records speak of his service in both the RAAF and the 2nd AIF. Resuming from Military Leave on 12 Sep 1946 he was again employed as a clerk until he resigned on 12 Sep 1947.

War Service

Ted enlisted in the RAAF at No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre on 9 Oct 1943 mustered as Air Crew V. Later the same day he was posted to No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF at Clontarf. Having progressed, he was promoted Leading Aircraftman on 3 Jan 1944 and was posted to No. 4 Initial Training School RAAF at Victor Harbour in South Australia on 5 Jan 1944. Ted's next posting was on 3 Feb 1944 to No. 3 Air Observers School RAAF at Port Pirie, where he was promoted Temporary Sergeant, and remustered as a Navigator (B) on 22 Jul 1944, followed on 13 Aug 1944 with a posting to No. 1 Personnel Depot RAAF at the MCG in Melbourne.

On 15 Sep 1944 Ted was posted to General Reconnaissance School RAAF at Point Cook where on 22 Jan 1945 he was promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant. He was then posted to Air Force Headquarters on 24 Mar 1945. With the war now distant from Australia's shores, military activity, especially for those not yet fully trained, began to wind down in Australia, and on 20 Apr 1945 Ted was posted to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Perth to prepare for his discharge which took place on 23 Apr 2945.

Ted enlisted in the AIF on 4 Jun 1945 at Karakatta's Western Command Recruit & Reinforcement Reception Depot. On 16 Jun 1945 he was posted to [3rd Australian Recruit Training Battalion]], training with them until 18 Sep 1945 when he was posted to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare). On 27 Sep 1945 he was admited to 22nd Australian Camp Hospital, and given that the war had ended he was shipped home on 28 Sep 1945 to join the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot.Ted was granted Leave without Pay from 21 Dec 1945 until 1 Feb 1946. On his return he was again sent to Cunungra's Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare).

On 12 Mar 1946 Ted embarked at Brisbane aboard SS Canberra for Rabaul in New Guinea where he disembarked on 26 Mar 1946. Soon after arrival he was posted to HQ 4th Brigade, and on 24 Apr 1946 he was posted to the 18th Advanced Ordnance Depot. On 2 Jul 1946 Ted embarked on SS Ormiston in Rabaul, and disembarked in Sydney on 9 Jul 1946. On 23 Aug 1946 Ted was posted to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to undertake his discharge , with him discharged on 12 Sep 1946.

Post War

Resuming from Military Leave on 12 Sep 1946 he was again employed as a clerk with the Western Australian Government Railways until he resigned on 12 Sep 1947. During 1956 Edward married Rosebud Mary Lester locally. Five children.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Raeburn road, Roleystone; 1958 Peet road, Roleystone, orchardist; 1963 at 217 Albany highway, Victoria Park, newsagent; 1972 - 1977 at 61 Mackie street, Victoria park, newsagent; 1980 at 105 Berwick street, newsagent