Helen (Nell) Hart
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 13 Aug 1922 |
| Place of Birth | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Death | 8 Aug 2008, aged 85 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5'7" (1.70m tall ; 134lbs 60.781 kg ; medium complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Dressmaker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Urch road, Roleystone, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr William Hart |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 94516 |
| Date of Enlistment | 30 Nov 1941 |
| Rank | Aircraftwoman |
| Unit/Formation | No. 6 Service Flying Training School RAAF |
| 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
Helen had 6 months training at the McCabe Academy of Dressmaking, and had been employed for 3 years as a dressmaker at Miss E Neümanns, 6th floor Gledden Buildings in Hay street, Perth. Helen had beed at school until the 7th Grade.
War Service
Helen enrolled in the RAAF on 30 Nov 1941 at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre in Perth, mustered as a Messwoman. She was then sent to the No. 1 WAAAF Training Depot RAAF in Malvern, Victoria the same day. There she completed the No. 17 Recruit Drill Course (5 - 26 Dec 1941). On 30 Dec 1941 Helen was admitted to No. 2 RAAF Hospital before being sent to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF at Ascot Vale, Victoria on 6 Feb 1942. Her posting was then changed on 24 Feb 1942 to HQ Ascot Vale. Helen again spent time in No. 2 RAAF Hospital from 13 - 22 May 1952. She remained at Ascot Vale until 15 Dec 1943 when she was posted back to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF. During that time she had been promoted Acting Corporal on 1 Jan 1943, and Temporary Corporal on 1 March 1943. On 10 Dec 1943 she was remustered as a Fabric Worker's Assistant, reverting to Aircraftwoman.
A fortnight later, on 28 Dec 1943 Helen was posted to No. 1 Air Gunnery School RAAF. Another lengthy period elapsed before she was re-posted, this time to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF on 19 Sep 1944. On 1 Jul 1944 Helen had been appointed Acting Corporal, and on 1 Aug 1944 she was promoted Temporary Corporal. On 19 Oct 1944 she remustered again as a Fabric worker having completed the No. 1 Fabric Work Course, held between 21 Sep and 18 Oct 1944. Helen retained her rank as Acting Cororal despite the remustering. On 26 Oct 1944 Helen was posted to No. 6 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Malalla in South Australia. While there she participated in the No. 41 Parachute Folding & Maintenance Course held 28 Jan - 9 Feb 1945. She remained with them until her discharge was due, moving to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF on 18 Sep 1945, when she was discharged.
Post War
In 1945 Helen had married Leslie James Petersen in Perth.
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1958 Albany highway, Maddington; 1968 - 1980 at Seventh road, Armadale.
Notes