Margaret Mary Durnan

  General Notes:

Margaret enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force in Melbourne on the 26th August 1942. She was just over 18 years of age, a Sales Girl at Jackson and Vinning, Roman Catholic and Single. She was 5' 2 and 1/4" tall , complexion medium, eyes gray and hair dark.
Her next of kin was listed as Elizabeth Grattidge, her sister, residence Homestead, Happy Valley, via Myrtleford, Victoria. This was later changed to Robertson Street, Myrtleford. "John Durnan, Guardian", of Mt Crystal via Kamarah, NSW was listed as the "Person to be Informed of Casualties". This was her Uncle.

On her Application various comments are made by those assessing her including: "Full experience of sales office work, Merit Certificate & fair handwriting, Suitable for Clerk Signals". Another person has written "Preselected: Decent type of country girl - rather small and fairly intelligent". This was more complimentary than an earlier notation " Not over bright - suitable". She was recorded as "Pass for Clerk Signals 63%".

Margaret was assigned to the No. 3 B&GS as a Signals Clerk. On the 27th September 1942 she was sent to the Signal School at Point Cook in Victoria and successfully completed a Clerk Signals Course. Then on the 26th October 1942 transferred to No 2 T.G. in Wagga. On 27th January 1943 she went to No 1 E.D. in Ascot Vale. She was discharged from the W.A.A.A.F as an Air Craft Woman (ACW) on the 6th February 1943 "on Compassionate Grounds". Her Character was recorded as "Good" and her Proficiency as "Sat"[isfactory].

Margaret was the recipient of the War Medal 1939-1945 and the General Service Badge.

  Noted events in her life were:

• She worked as a Sales Girl at Jackson & Vinning in 1942.

• She had a residence on 13 Aug 1973 in 8 Poinsettia St, Inala, Queensland, Australia.

Margaret married Barry Collins in Narrandera,,New South Wales,Australia.