John Mcauley, WWII Veteran
There are not many World War II veterans still alive and certainly not many with a good memory and a passion to talk about their service. Castle Hill sub-branch has two, 105-year-old Bruce Robertson and 100-year-old John Patrick McAuley who both served with the RAAF during World War II.
Castle Hill’s John McAuley has just been interviewed by a World War II historian, Jiri Kluc, who flew all the way from the Czech Republic to talk to the former RAAF radar operator.
John was thrilled to have the opportunity to share his story which will gain a world-wide audience.
The retired economist and author was born on 30th June 1924 at Murray Bridge South Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force on his 18th birthday, training as a radar operator at RAAF Richmond.
“In the second half of 1943 I was transferred to Merauke in what was then Dutch New Guinea. When I arrived in Merauke, it was obvious that Merauke had recently been bombed by the Japanese.
“At the time, Australia was concerned that the Japanese forces in the Aru Islands would launch an invasion of Australia. “It rained most evenings. It sometimes rained during the day. Conditions were tough. Merauke was surrounded by jungle. Travelling from one place to another was difficult. There were no proper roads.”
John was demobbed in 1945 and the following year, as well as getting married to Margaret, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Adelaide, as part of the Chifley Government’s Post-War Retraining Scheme.
The couple moved to Sydney where John worked as an economist in the Commonwealth Bank, prior to joining the State Bank. He was Treasurer of the United Nations Association of Australia and wrote a quarterly newsletter for former RAAF radar operators for over 24 years. “It kept comrades together and renewed their friendships,” he said.
He has 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren and will be walking the ANZAC Day march in Sydney with his walking frame and eldest great grandson Stephen. He intends to complete the march at his own pace as he did last year.It’s a march he has joined “on and off” for “most years” since the end of World War II.
“The ANZAC spirit is important. It’s important to honour the people who answered the call to defend Australia,” he says.
But he’s disappointed that nations haven’t learnt the lessons of history. “War is not to be glorified. What we need is peace with justice.”
John will be playing a significant part in the special concert: Lest We Forget – Tribute at Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Thursday, April 24th which will be screened on Channel 7.
COVER caption: WWII veteran John McAuley flanked by Australia Deputy Air Commander, Commodore Susie Barnes and Honorary Colonel Phillip Bridie 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers.
