Valda Joy Newton
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Dec 1925 |
| Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Death | 26 May 1976, aged 50 |
| Place of Death | Mt Lawley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 4 months |
| Description | 5'3" (1.60m) tall ; ; olive complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Shop assistant |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 9 Crandon street, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. Basil William Robert Newton |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WF38000 |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 May 1944 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 7th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
Val had completed 7 years schooling.
War Service
Val enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service at Claremont on 17 May 1944 and was transferred to the 6th AWS Training Company on 22 May. On 13 Jun 1944 she was charged with having been AWOL from 9:00pm on 11 June until 6:50pm on the next day. She was Severely Reprimanded by her Commanding Officer. On 19 Jun 1944 she transferred to the 25th AWAS Barrack at Guildford.
On 11 Aug 1944 she was admitted to the 39th Australian Camp Hospital, returning to her unit on 17 Aug 1944. Two weeks later on 31 August she was again admitted to 39th Australian Camp Hospital who released her to her unit on 27 Sep 1944. On 11 Nov 1944 Val was transferred to the 802nd Anti Aircraft/Coast Artillery Battery and on 25 November she was transferred to the 804th Anti Aircraft/Coast Artillery Battery. Six days later on the 31st she was sent back to Western Command General Details Depot for reposting. However, Val was immediately in trouble having been AWOL from 5:00pm on 1 Jan 1945 until 5:30am the following morning. For this she was fined £2 ($4) and lost a day's pay and her recreational leave for 2 Jan 1945.
On 1 Mar 1945 Val was sent to the 7th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot, and on 17 May 1945, having completed 12 months service she was given the Adult pay rate. AWOL again, this time from 4:00pm on 29 Aug 1945 until 4:00pm on 31 Aug 1945, Val was fined £3 ($6), and forfeited two days pay. On 7 Sep 1945 Val was graded as a Stockeeper Grade II and on 15 Oct 1945 transferred to 1st Australian Disposal Unit in their Stores Section at Nungarin. On 20 Feb 1946 she was admitted to the 71st Australian Camp Hospital with tonsillitis, returning to her unit later that day, before again being admitted on 26 Apr 1946. Treated for scabies until 4 May 1946, she returned to her unit for a short time, and was readmitted to the 71st Australian Camp Hospital on 24 May 1946, this time with an infected left ankle. Val returned to duty on 2 Jun 1946.
On 2 Aug 1946 Val was charged with having, at Nungarin on 27 Mar 1946, damaged public property to the value of £3. The material was timber from the change room that she used to light a fire. Her punishment this time was a fine of £3. The following day she was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge which was expedited on 8 Aug 1946.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 282 Hay street, waitress.
Notes
Val's punishment for her second AWOL offence was very much harder than many others received. Was there more to it?