March 18, 2024
Seniors Hub
Tips for reconnecting with old friends
In this blog, we'll explore the joy of reconnecting with old friends and how technology can facilitate this journey.
Today on Anzac Day we remember the bravery and heroism of the men and women who fought for our freedom.
For Jemalong resident Jean Coffey, who will turn 100 in May, Anzac Day brings fond memories of the beautiful friendships made during the darkest days of World War II.
Jean joined the Australian Women’s Army Service in 1943, and her first taste of army life saw her undertake rookie training at Ingleburn in Sydney. After an ability test, she was chosen to undergo four weeks of training as a searchlight operator. (Jean is pictured above with Sperry Projector in Western Australia)
Posted to Western Australia after the Japanese bombed Broome and relocated to Scarborough camp, she slept two-in-a-tent under graunch command post and was called upon to do guard duty with a 303 rifle and five live rounds.
Jean’s next post was to Rottnest Island, where she stayed for four months, and after 14 months in in the West, Jean was granted two weeks of home leave, which saw her back in her hometown of Forbes to celebrate her 21st birthday.
On return from home leave, she was once again relocated, this time to Moorebank in the motor services division where she would see out the war, to be discharged in peacetime on 24 May 1946.
Living back in Forbes after the war ended, and happy to be home with her mother and father and siblings – her sister had also served in the army, Jean said of her time as an army private, ‘I will never forget the great friendships I had with so many great girls I served with. ‘I became a bridesmaid for two, and we kept in close contact over the years.’
‘I enjoyed my time in the services,’ she said.
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