RECOGNITION for courage and sacrifice during a war has seen a former Riverlander given a new commemorative medal recently.
Merridy Howie – ex-Renmark woman and mother of current Renmark Irrigation Trust President Humphrey Howie – recently received a medal commemorating her military service in World War II, to mark the 75th anniversary of the conflict’s ending.
Mrs Howie, whose father was a veteran of Gallipoli and husband a member of the Weary Dunlop 1000, said there was little time for recovery between the first and second World Wars.
“As one would expect my father was in the first World War, and sadly we didn’t have much respite before the next war,” she said.
Mrs Howie – who as part of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was responsible for tracking Japanese planes and ships threatening Australia – said she felt it was her duty to serve during the war.
“I was at the right age and some of my friends were going into the WAAF, so it was just what I felt like doing,” she said.
“I don’t think the ones who joined would have thought of doing anything else.
“I was working at the Department of Aircraft Production and I did a temporary job at Holden, then we were called up.
“I don’t think there are many left from my group, (because) we went in very early.”
Mrs Howie’s son Jake said the medal was a deserved acknowledgement of his mother’s service to the country.
“As children we’re very proud of mum and dad,” Mr Howie said.
“It’s an appropriate recognition for the service that not just she, but all her peers put in so many years ago.
“There are sacrifices they made that we barely appreciate now.”
Following her service Mrs Howie returned to Renmark where she married fellow veteran Jim Howie – who she had met before the war – in 1952.
Mrs Howie said the Riverland’s heat was still a vivid memory.
“My parents were still up there (in Renmark) and it turned out my future home was there, because my husband-to-be was living and working there,” she said.
“I remember the heat and dust.”