In September 1943 two men from the local area who joined the services were honored by Bayles residents at the monthly euchre and dance conducted by the Red Cross. The two men were Don McDonald who joined the Air Force and Rowley Boxshall, who joined the Navy (1).
The Dandenong Journal reported on the event - Cr. L.J. Cochrane (2) on behalf of residents, presented them with shaving outfits and Shire certificates (3). On behalf of Cora Lynn residents, Cr. D. Kinsella also presented Don McDonald with a fountain pen. Both lads responded and were given an ovation. Clark's Harmony orchestra supplied the dance music and the Bayles Red Cross ladies served a bountiful supper (4).
Before we look at the war service of the two men, we will have a look at the Bayles Red Cross group. The group was established on June 24, 1940 and the inaugural office bearers were President Mrs N. Maughan; vice presidents Mesdames E. Kane and L. Egan; secretary Mrs W. G. Taylor; treasurer Mrs K. Cole (5). These women are listed, as was usual in those day, under their husband's names but this is who they are (6) -
Mrs N. Maughan - Eleanor Eileen (nee Hogg) the wife of Norman Flett Maughan, listed in the 1942 Electoral Roll as a farmer from Bayles.Mrs E. Kane - Holly (nee Harker), the wife of Edward Kane, labourer of Bayles.
Mrs L. Egan - Mary Adele (nee Maria Adela Du Frocq), the wife of Charlie Leslie Egan, labourer of Bayles.
Mrs W. G. Taylor - Eva Anne (nee Johnson), wife of William George Taylor, a baker, of Bayles.
Mrs K. Cole - Joyce Claudine (nee Hoath), wife of Keith Cole, a clerk, of Bayles.
It was a strong branch and in 1945 they had ninety members (7) which is amazing for a small town, I will write a history of the branch in the future.
Roland Arthur Boxshall (1920-1980)
Rowley Boxshall or Roland Arthur Boxshall to give him his full name was born on July 26, 1920, the son of Henry John and Violet (nee Izzard) Boxshall of Yallock. Henry was a local historian, you can read about him here.
Roland enlisted on June 3, 1941 in the Army (SN V190688); his occupation was listed as a Casein maker, no doubt employed at the Bayles Milk factory. He was discharged from Army and joined the Navy as a stoker on September 7, 1942. (SN W2525). He was demobilised on March 28, 1946. Roland married Pamela June Chapman in 1957, and they lived on Finck Road, in Bayles (8).
They were keen members of the Warragul & District Kennel & Obedience Club and as noted in their newsletter, their Roly Boxshall Memorial Owner Bred & Handled Sweepstakes is held in memory of Roly, who was our Club’s President from 1971 until his passing in 1980. Roly and his wife Pam were conformation judges, wonderful people, and always willing to help the Club. (9)
Now we come to his Operational Flying details - his first tour commenced January 28, 1944 and ended August 30, 1944. He was located at the RAF base at Burn, in Yorkshire and undertook 40 sorties and 180 hours of flying, nearly all as 1st pilot. His second tour, in April/May 1945 based at the RAF base at Driffield in Yorkshire, involved one sortie and four hours of flying. All the Operational flying was in Halifax Bombers. (14)
Don was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on November 17, 1944 - his citation read - Pilot Officer McDonald has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. (15)
Don was discharged from the Air Force on December 6, 1945. He married Flora May Barr, of Bayles on October 26, 1946. As noted in the Electoral rolls, Donald continued for a time in his career with the P. M.G., as in 1949 he was the Postmaster at Fawkner; but by 1954 Don was a grocer at Hampton and in 1968 a greengrocer in the Moorabbin area. (17)
In 2015, Don along with four other Australians was awarded the Legion of Honour. This following account is from the (now defunct) website Bleu, Blanc, Rouge -
Wednesday, the 25th of February, four Australians veterans of the Second World War became Knight of the Legion of Honor, at the French Honorary Consulate of Melbourne. His Excellency Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France, thanked the courage and the sense of sacrifice of Ronald Cleaver, James Coulter, Dennis Kelly, Donald McDonald, with a special thought for Keith Stevens who unfortunately couldn’t be there due to illness, in a heart-felt and moving speech, expressing the gratitude of the French Republic for these war times heroes. Then, the ambassador and French Air Chief Marshal Denis Mercier, bestowed the Legion of Honor medal upon the lapels of the Veterans, in presence of their family and friends. The media was also present in force, showing the importance that the Australian community attaches to their history. (18)
(1) Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942, see here
(2) Cr Les Cochrane, M.L.A., read about him here.
(3) Shire Certificates, read about them here.
(4) Dandenong Journal, September 23, 1942, see here.
(5) Koo Wee Rup Sun, June 27, 1940, p.4; and another report here - The Argus, June 26, 1940, see here.
(6) Family information about the Red Cross women comes from the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages.
(7) Dandenong Journal, July 18, 1945, see here.
(8) Rowley's Citizen Military Forces Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947 (Army file) at the National Archives of Australia, see here; Service Cards for Petty Officers and Men, 1911-1970 (Navy file) at the National Archives of Australia, see here; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com
