IT was a solemn and emotional day when a local member visited the region to deliver special WWII commemorations to Waikerie’s three surviving veterans, with family and RSL members present.
Waikerie’s three surviving World War II veterans, James “Jim” Bennett, Cyril Jacobs, and Beryl “Lin” Hodgens, were visited in their homes by Member for Barker Tony Pasin and presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate of commemoration.
Mr Pasin said the medallions were made available to every living World War II veteran to acknowledge the significance of World War II’s end.
“This is the Federal Government, and the Prime Minister’s way, of acknowledging one of our greatest generations,” he said.
“To me, these are our greatest generation, as by World War II, the romanticism of going off to fight for your country was long gone and it was known as hell on earth – yet still so many Australians signed up out of a sense of duty.
“We acknowledge and pay respect to our veterans, who fought for our way of life and many of who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Mrs Hodgens tried to enlist in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force in 1941, after her brother in the 2nd AIF was taken prisoner in Crete, but was not accepted as she was underage. She joined the public service instead soon after, and served in military intelligence in Victoria, until she was given the opportunity to join the Australian Women’s Army Service.
Mr Bennett joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942, and spent some time across Australia before being posted to Labuan near Borneo, where he spent 18 months working on Beaufort and Liberator airplanes, and later, Ventura fighter bombers.
Mr Jacobs joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1943; his father, Len, had served in WWI and was a Gallipoli veteran, which encouraged Cyril to enlist. He was first sent to Darwin as a ships reservist and was on active duty mainly around the South West Pacific for two years. He was also in the China Sea when the atomic bomb was dropped.
While visiting Waikerie’s veterans, Mr Pasin told their families he believed it was “important” to get these stories down now for future generations to know.