Dorothy Mavis Bettenay
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 Mar 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Death | 24 Sep 2016, aged 90 |
| Place of Death | Myaree, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description |
5'4½" ((1.64m) tall ; 144lbs 65.317 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Home duties |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Karragullen, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Wilfred George Bettenay |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 113156 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Mar 1944 |
| Rank | Aircraftwoman |
| Unit/Formation | RAAF Base Pearce |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Had completed Year 8 A Junior at the Perth Girls School. Had also had 8 months experience as a switchboard operator in a country Post Office, and had been a cashier at Boans Ltd in Perth for 3 months. Dorothy had been a member of the Women's Air Training Corps where she had been training in wireless telegraphy (15 words per minute).
War Service
Dorothy enlisted in the WAAAF at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre on 20 Mar 1944 and was initially mustered as a trainee telegraphist. Posted to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF, she arrived in Ascot Vale on 26 Mar 1944. Following a Recruit Drill Course she undertook specialist training. At the completion of her training as a telegraphist (23 Sep 1944), she was remustered for pay as a trade group II, and posted back to Western Australia.
On 8 Oct 1944 Dorothy joined the HQ Western Area RAAF staff and on 20 Mar 1945 received an increase in pay acknowleging 12 months service. On 4 Feb 1946 Dorothy was transferred to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF who discharged her on 11 Feb 1946. On discharge she received 34 days pay in lieu of leave credits.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Main road, Roleystone, CRTS Student; 1958 at 158 Eton street, Joondanna; 1963 - 1980 at 11 Hill View street, Mt Lawley (Curnow an accountant)
Notes
On 16 Sep 1950 Dorothy married Curnow Andrew Knuckey in Wesley Church, Perth. Curnow died on 15 Oct 2014 in Melville, aged 91