THE Myall River VIEW Club paid tribute to Anzac Day with a special presentation from member Shirley Croxon on Friday 11 April.
Shirley shared her journey from the farm near Coonabaraban to becoming a teacher and joining the Citizen Military Forces (CMF).
The story begins with her acceptance into the Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE).
After study Shirley taught Modern Dance, Physical Education and sport in high schools from Tamworth and Armidale in the north to Bowral in the south, and even at Wellington High School in New Zealand.
While teaching in Melbourne she saw a CMF sign, advertising part-time service in the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC).
“The CMF would allow me to contribute to the community as my father did during WWI, while providing many and varied experiences,” Shirley said.
While in the CMF Shirley was the delegate from the WRAAC Reserve Association to the Council of Ex-Services Women’s Association, and met Nancy Wake, the council’s patron.
“Nancy Wake, nicknamed ‘The White Mouse’ for her ability to evade capture by the Nazis, became the Gestapo’s most wanted person,” said Shirley,
“She was an Australian and one of the most highly decorated servicewomen of the war, receiving decorations from France, Britain and the United States.
“[However] official recognition in Australia, the country of her youth, was very slow in coming,” Shirley said.
During visits to the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre (ANMC) in Melbourne, Shirley also met centre founders Vivian Bullwinkel and Wilma Oram, who had been prisoners of war in a prison camp on Banka Island during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.
Shirley even had the privilege of chauffeuring Sir Edward Dunlop, famous for his heroic care for Australian prisoners of war on the Burma-Thai Railway during WWII.
“I had to ensure Sir Edward arrived safely at the SEDMR Foundation, which was set up in 1985 to encourage emerging medical researchers to study health conditions of veterans and their families.”
“Although much decorated, in later life Sir Edward (Weary) Dunlop was an atrocious driver and of necessity owned two identical Mercedes cars – one to drive while the other was being repaired.”
Shirley later laid a wreath on behalf of Australia at the Australian Memorial Park at Villers-Bretonneux on the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the town by Australian and British troops – which occurred exactly three years to the day after the Gallipoli landing.
After 23 years, Shirley retired with the rank of Major.
She received a Certificate of Service from Peter Cosgrove, then Lieutenant General, Chief of Army.
After 16 years, Shirley, was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Cantorian Cymreig, Victorian Welsh Choir, in recognition of her contribution as wardrobe manager to the choir, and maintains her love of music to this day.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
