Gnowangerup History

As part of the RSL Military Exhibition in 2009 information on servicemen and women from the district, was called for. Dudley Thornton aged 92 at the time kindly wrote giving information on his background and service.
Dudley was born on 15 August 1917 at West Midland, Western Australia. Dudley’s maternal grandparents arrived in Queensland in 1885 where his mother Elizabeth was born. His father Arthur Newtown Thornton had been an officer in WWI who had served with distinction, and was awarded the Military Medal. Dudley had an older brother Arthur Morton who played for Swan Districts Football Club and a sister Phyllis. These two siblings had been born in India, where his grandfather had relocated to supervise the opening of railway lines. The family was considered quite wealthy by the time they returned to Australia, settling at Midland, Western Australia.
His maternal grandfather owned a lot of property in the Perth metro area, later selling it and using part of the proceeds to buy the Railway Hotel in Midland. His father was an engine (train) driver. Dudley attended the local convent from age 6 to 9, where he says was treated very well. The cook was ‘Mrs P’ who had worked at Buckingham Palace and was a very good cook. Following his father’s death Dudley was sent to Harvey where he attended the local State School.

When Dudley was nine years old his mother remarried to Tom Pinner, and her father assisted them in purchasing the Gnowangerup Hotel. Two step brothers were born – Morton and Ronald who attended Guildford Grammar School. Dudley remained in Harvey, where he boarded.  He left school at 15 years of age during the Depression as there was no money to send him to college. 
Dudley worked at the Post Office until he was 16 then went to Perth to sit the exam for a telegraph position, there were over 500 applications for 34 positions. Dudley spoke to the Post Master and was promised a permanent job when he turned 16, but as this didn’t eventuate as he left to work at the local Co-op in Harvey.  He was the accountant, the lowest paid member of staff, preparing monthly balances and statements. 
His brother Arthur took up a position as a correspondent in the Daily press, and Dudley returned to Gnowangerup where he worked as the Manager at Heppell’s store and helped out at the hotel. After Colin Heppell left to serve in WWII (Colin died as a POW), Dudley wanted a change so in 1939 he took up a position at the Co-op as a Storeman, working at the hotel on the weekends for a year before enlisting in the RAAF.
When Dudley enlisted in Perth he applied for Air Crew but he was told there were no facilities so he put his name down to go Ascot Vale in Victoria where they were assembling large numbers of Fitters, Mechanics and Air Craftsmen – there were about 5000 to be trained around the clock. In 1942 he was called for Air Crew and travelled for training to Melbourne where he made many friends. He was sent to Flemington Race Course where they were organising the setting up of aerodromes. 
 

Dudley was given a choice to go to England or Canada but elected to stay in the Asian zone as he was aware of the looming Japanese threat. He was sent to Somers and gained his elementary qualifications in about 3 months.
Dudley and others were sent to the Orthoptic section to exercise their eyes, and noted that his improved eyesight “saved the crew on a number of occasions.” He was sent to Cunderdin in Tiger Moths and then Geraldton in twin engine Ansons which Dudley enjoyed flying.
After 12 months of learning and a refresher course he was sent to Darwin for Dakota air transport duties. He flew over New Guinea, and it was during this time they had to leave all their personal possessions behind, which included the diary Dudley had been keeping. Dudley’s aircraft was often under escort on his flights. While at Morotai he was impressed with the work the Salvation Army did and their “devotion to humanity in these times of strife and destruction.”
Dudley spoke of going on a joy ride with his mate from Harvey school days, Alan Green. Alan was short-sighted due to being hit in the eye with a cricket ball. Later he was the last pilot out of Palem Bang in his overloaded aircraft. The plane crashed into the hills and his remains were not found until 25 years later.
Dudley knew Blue Truscott through his air force service, and had shared a drink with him at the Flemington Race Course not long before Blue’s tragic death when he crashed into the sea in North West W.A. Dudley served in the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) from 2 September 1940 until May 1945 when he seconded out.
Dudley married Shirley Aylmore of Gnowangerup and they had a daughter, Jenny. Dudley and Shirley later retired to City Beach in Perth.
Dudley passed away in 2012.