Port Stephens Residents Serving in the Australian Military Forces in the Second World War

Introduction

Between 1942 and 1945, the Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser published lists of Port Stephens residents serving in the Australian military forces during the Second World War.

Its coverage included Anna Bay, Booral, Bulahdelah, Clarence Town, Dungog District, Gloucester, Glen Oak, Hinton, Karuah, Miller’s Forest, Nelsons Plains, Nelson Bay, Paterson, Seaham, Singleton, Salt Ash, Tea Gardens, Tarro, Tomago, Williamtown, Fullerton Cove, and Stockton.

From 24 September 1942 to 16 August 1945, the newspaper published 39 lists under the title ‘In the Ranks,’ recording 244 persons serving in the military. The lists were compiled mainly from information provided by readers.

The following list of 315 persons also incorporates names from Second World War memorials at Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace.

The list includes each person’s name, and where available, their town of residence and military branch in which they served.

List of Port Stephens Military Personnel

Ainsworth, Williamtown, R.A.A.F.
Allen, W. L., Lemon Tree, late of Salt Ash
Allen, D. L., Lemon Tree
Atkinson, Richard, Eagleton
Asquith. J., Nelsons Bay
Archard, C.
Archard, E., Nelson’s Bay
Asquith, J.
Asquith, M.
Atkinson, R
Avis, J.
Bagnall, A.
Bagnall. A.
Bagnall, Dodge
Bagnall, T.
Bambach, Phil, Seaham
Bambach W.
Bailey, George Albert, Raymond Terrace
Banks, D., Williamtown, R.A.A.F.
Barclay, J., Karuah, A.I.F.
Black, V. R., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Blanch, Flt. Sgt. K., Nelson Bay, R.A.A.F.
Blanch, Herb, Anna Bay, A.I.F.
Bobb V. Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Bowen,W.
Boyce, Cliff, Newcastle
Boyce, Fred T. Raymond Terrace
Brickel, W.
Bright, W.
Britten, P., Nelson Bay
Bryant, Max, Raymond Terrace
Brown, W. F., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Bull, Vincent H., Anna Bay, A.I.F.
Bunnett, F., Bobs Farm
Burgess, Gordon, Raymond Terrace
Calderwood, Harold David, Raymond Terrace., A.I.F.
Calman, H. W., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Campbell, Fred. J., Raymond Terrace
Campbell, Harry, Raymond Terrace
Campbell, K., W.A.A.F.
Cannon, H. L.
Cant, W. T., Tanilba
Cassar, George, Medowie, A.I.F.
Challinor, A., Raymond Terrace
Chapman, Harry, Raymond Terrace
Chesworth, George, Williamtown
Chesworth, L.
Chipperfield, J., Salt Ash, R.A.A.F.
Cobcroft, B. W.
Cole, Colin, Ferodale.
Cole, Colin Clifford, Medowie, A.I.F.
Collins, R. R., Raymond Terrace, R.A.N.
Coxon, Max, Hexham, A.I.F.
Crawford, R., Lemon Tree
Croese, Len, Hexham, A.I.F.
Cromarty, Donald, Anna Bay
Cromarty, E.
Cromarty, Ross, Bobs Farm, R.A.A.F.
Crowfoot, M.
Cunningham, Sister T., Nurse, A. I. F.
Davey, F. A., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Davies, Keith, Millers Forest
Davies, Ronald, Ferodale
Davis, A.
Davis, J.
Davis, Leslie Sydney, Raymond Terrace
Davis, R.
Davis, Thriza E., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Davis, W., Raymond Terrace
Davy, A.
Dawson, A., Karuah, A.I.F.
Dawson, E., Williamtown 1
Dawson, J., Fullerton Cove, R.A.A.F.
Dawson, Stewart James, Fame Cove, R.A.A.F.
De Clerck, A., Nelson’s Bay
De Clerck, G.
De Hamel, L.
Dent, Raymond, Millers Forest, R.A.A.F.
Dever J., Ferodale, R.A.A.F.
Digby, L. A., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Donnelly, W. J., Anna Bay
Dorse, M. A., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Dorse, S. H., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Eagleton, Darrell G., Anna Bay, A.I.F.
Eagleton, Telford, Raymond Terrace
Edstein, John Barry, Raymond Terrace, L.A.C.
Engel, N.
Enright E., Hexham, A.I.F.
Enright, John G., Hexham, A.I.F.
Enright, Pat, Hexham, A.I.F.
Evans, A., Nelson’s Bay
Everingham, J.
Farley, H. L., Karuah, A.I.F.
Farley, R. H. Eagleton, A.I.F.
Feeney, Evelyn, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Feeney, J. W., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Fernance, D. M., Limeburners Creek, A.W.L.A.
Fernance, Lynette, Limeburners Creek, A.W.L.A.
Fernnance, Margaret, Limeburners Creek, A.W.L.A.
Finlayson, A. J., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Finlayson, A. R., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Finlayson, H. S., L.A.C., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Finlayson, N., A.C.W., Raymond Terrace, W.A.A.A.F.
Firns, T., Raymond Terrace
Foreman [Forman], E., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Foot, F. W. Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Fraser, Cliff, Nelson’s Plains
Fraser, Les, Hexham, A.I.F.
Frost, Francis William, Nelson’s Plains
Gamble, R.
Geary, Rev. W., Captain, A.I.F.
[List continued after next item]

Welcome Home for Captain-Chaplain Geary – The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser of 18 July 1946, page 2, reported:

‘There was a large gathering at the Union Hall, Williamtown on Wednesday evening, July 10, to welcome back to the Williamtown Church of England Parish, Captain-Chaplain Geary, who had served 3½ years in the Services. ….

Mr. R. James occupied the chair and on behalf of the Williamtown Parochial Council extended a welcome to Rev. and Mrs. Geary. He paid a tribute to Rev. Geary who had offered his services for his country. He was pleased to see them looking so well and wished them every happiness in the future. Cr. G. Russell and Cr. E. Upton also welcomed them back to the Parish and paid a compliment to both for having served their country. ….

On behalf of the Williamtown Parochial Council, Mr. K. Sutton presented Rev. Geary, with a cheque, expressing at the same time, appreciation of Mr. Geary’s services to his country. …. In responding, the Rev. B. Geary said he was pleased to be back amongst them again after 3½ years’ absence. … He was pleased to announce that he had brought a wife back with him, who would assist him in his church work. …. He was agreeably surprised to see such a spontaneous welcome. He was looking forward to getting around amongst his church friends again and would renew old acquaintances and make more, as there seemed to be such a lot of new faces. ….

Mrs. Geary also thanked the church people for their kindly words of welcome. She had joined the services a fortnight after Mr. Geary, and although she had not met the Church folk in person she felt as if she had known them all for quite a while and hoped to meet them all in the near future.’

George, Charlie, Salt Ash
George, Rex, Fullerton Cove, R.A.A.F.
Giggins, R. L., Motto, (R.A.A.F.)
Glover, N.
Goodman, Jean, Raymond Terrace, V.A.D., A.I.F.
Goodman, Mildred, Raymond Terrace, V.A.D., A.I.F.
Gordon, G.
Gordon L.
Gordon, N.
Gordon, Ron, Tomago, A.I.F.
Gough J. A., Karuah, A.W.L.A.
Gough M., Karuah, W.A.A.F.
Gould, J. H., Eagleton
Gould, Clive, Ferodale
Graham, Pte., E. J. Tomago, A.I.F.
Green, L., Millers Forest
Green, W. K., Millers Forest
Greentree, A. C., Driver, Williamtown, A.I.F.
Greentree, E. A., Williamtown, A.I.F.
Hain, Hedley, Raymond Terrace
Halliday, H. W., Salt Ash
Hammond, R. E., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Healey, Arthur Charles, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Healey, George Frederick, Raymond Terrace. R.A.A.F.
Healey [Healy], Raymond William, Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Hill, H.
Hill, J.
Hill, Syd. Charles, Ferodale
Hillman, G. Sen.
Hillman, G. Jnr.
Hindmarsh, Ralph, Millers Forest
Hitchcock, Claude, Raymond Terrace
Holdom, E., Karuah, A.I.F.
Holliday, H.
Homer, D.
Hopkins, Enid, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Hollis, Lyle, Kooindah, A.I.F.
Horn [Horne], Ellis, Paratrooper, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Horne, L. H., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Hughes, R. G., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Hughes, Sister A. M., A.I.F., Dockyard
Humble, J. F.
Hunter, David, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Hunter, H.
Jefferies, Cecil, Raymond Terrace
Jensen, C. L., Nelson Bay
Jensen, E., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Johnson, J. C., Millers Forest, A.I.F.
Johnson, Stanley, Raymond Terrace
Kafer, H. W., Bobs Farm, A.I.F.
Keegan, Jack, Nelsons Plains 1
Keegan, J. T., Gunner, Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Kerslake, F.
Kerslake, G.
Laman, J., Nelson Bay
Laman, M.
Lee, E., Nelson Bay
Lee, J., Nelson Bay
Lilley, F. N. Swan Bay
Lilly, Alex., Raymond Terrace, R.A.N.
Lilly, Ian H., Gunner,
Lilly, Norman, Sapper, A. I. F.
Linton, Jeffery A., Raymond Terrace
Maddick, M., Hexham, A.I.F.
Madigan, Mavis I., Raymond Terrace, A.W.A.S.
Manning, I.
Markey, Malcolm, Raymond Terrace
Maslen, E.
Maslen, G.
Matthews
Maytom, Ray, Raymond Terrace
Melmeth, Joe, Soldiers Point, R.A.A.F.
Meredith, W., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Moffat, W., Swan Bay
Moncrieff, William, Fame Cove, A.I.F.
Moody, W.O., T. Ingram, Raymond Terrace
Morante, N. S., Karuah, A.I.F.
Morris, J., Williamtown, A.I.F.
Morris, John W., Raymond Terrace
Morten, L., Karuah, A. I. F.
Moxey, Maurice, Williamtown (formerly of Raymond Terrace), R.A.A.F.
MacCormick, M. Nelson Bay
McKassar, K., Raymond Terrace
McLean, Gordan, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
McLean, K., Williamtown, A.I.F.
McMurray, G.
Newman, J. E., Nelson Plains, R.A.A.F.
Nowland, Max, Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Nurse, C. H., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Ode, L.
O’Brien, W.
Osborn, Alfred George, (Jock), Raymond Terrace
[List continued after next two items]

Prisoner of War Enquiry Card for Alfred George Osborn who received the Distinguished Flying Medal [D. F. M.] [University of Melbourne]

D. F. M. award recommendation for Alfred George Osborn [Australian War Memorial]

Osborn, Colin L., Millers Forest, A.I.F.
Osborn, Gordan, late Motto, Raymond Terrace
Osborn, Nellie, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Osborn, S. D., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Osborne, A. F.
Osmond, E. R. (Reg.). Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Pack, L.
Palmer, C.
Parkes, W. S., Limeburners Creek, R.A.A.F.
Paton, F., Rev., Chaplain, A.I.F.
Paul, H.
Pepper, Dulcie, Raymond Terrace, A.W.A.S.
Pepper, E., Kilroy, R.A.A.F.
Pepper, Ivan, Hollow Tree, Raymond Terrace
Pepper, R. K., Hollow Tree, R.A.A.F.
Perrett, Harold
Phillips, W., Nelson Bay
Pickup, H., Williamtown
Pile, Richard Norwood, Karuah, R.A.A.F.
Pitstock, Norman, Anna Bay, A.I.F.
Pitstock, W.
Pond, J., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Pond, K., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Presbury, K.
Pywell, R., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Quigley, J., Raymond Terrace
Ralston, R. I., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Randall, Alfred Stephen, Millers Forest
Randall, John Francis, Millers Forest
Randall, J. R., Millers Forest, A.I.F.
Randall, M. J., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Randall, Samuel G., Nelsons Plains,
Reeve, S. G., Raymond Terrace
Reeve, W., Flgt. Sgt., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Reeves, C., Fullerton Cove, A.I.F.
Richardson, Lt., Barton D., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Richardson, Lt. Gordon D., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Richardson, Captain E. G. D., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Richardson, J.
Richardson, Captain R. J. D., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Robards, A. D. Williamtown, A.I.F.
Robards, H. W., Williamtown, A.I.F.
Robinson, E.
Robinson, k.
Robinson, O.
Roche [Roach], Sister M., Nelson Bay
Roeth, Adam R., Raymond Terrace
Russell, G., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Sansom, K., Williamtown, A.I.F.
Schubert, Harold, Tomago
Schumacher, Neville, Raymond Terrace, R. A.A.F.
Sheedy L., Nelson Bay
Sheedy, N.
Sheen, J., Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Shersingh, W., Karuah, A. I. F.
Silver, D., Karuah, R.A.A.F.
Smith, Claude, Karuah, A. I. F.
Smith, E. (Ned), Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Smith, Cpl. Eileen, Raymond Terrace, W.A.A.F.
Smith, Gordon, Karuah, A.I.F.
Smith, Hector, formerly of Raymond Terrace
Smith, James E., Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Smith L. J., Seaham, A.I.F.
Smith, R., Karuah, A.I.F.
Spence, J.
Spencer, H. F., Karuah, R.A.A.F.
Spencer, Henry, Karuah, R.A.A.F.
Spencer, Phillip, Soldiers Point, R.A.A.F.
Sproule, K.
Stephens, R. L.
Sutherland, Flying-Officer, D.S. formerly of Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Sutton, Ron., Williamtown, A.I.F.
Sutton, Ellis, Williamtown, A.I.F.
Tape, Charles N., Raymond Terrace
Tape, Gordon Maxwell, Raymond Terrace
Taper, C.
Teer, Gordon, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Thompson, A.
Thompson, Bernard, Nelson Bay, A.I.F.
Thompson Sam, Jr., Nelson Bay, R.A.A.F.
Thompson, Sub-Lt. A. S., Nelson Bay
Thompson, W., Raymond Terrace
Trappel, Fred, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Trappel, L. C.
Underwood, E. B., Raymond Terrace
Upton, Clarrie, Bob’s Farm, R.A.A.F.
Upton, C.
Upton, Douglas K., Bobs Farm, A.I.F.
Upton, Eddy, Bobs Farm.
Wade, Stanley Charles, Dockyard
Wales, G.
Walker Alan, Nelsons Plains
Watson, C. E.
Watson, E. C.
Wattus, Edna, Raymond Terrace, Dockyard
Wilcock, H. F., Karuah, R.A.N.
Williams, R. F., Raymond Terrace
Wilson, T., Seaham, A.I.F.
Winder, George, Raymond Terrace
Windeyer, Sgt. C. W., A.I.F.
Windeyer, E., Raymond Terrace
Windeyer, J. K.
Winterbine, Betty, Tomago, W.A.A.A.F.
Winterbine, Leslie, Tomago, A. I. F.
Winterbine, Nellie, Raymond Terrace, W.A.A.F.
Winterbine, L.
Winterbine N. T., Tomago, A.I.F.
Winterbine, V. L., Tomago, A.I.F.
Witt, Reta, Limeburners Creek, A.W.L.A.
Witt, R. E., Karuah, A.W.L.A.
Wood, Keith, Raymond Terrace, R.A.A.F.
Wood Roy, Raymond Terrace, A.I.F.
Woodbridge, B., Karuah, A.I.F.
Wooderson, Eric, Millers Forest

Concluding Comments