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AWAS on Rottnest - WF91277 PLATEN

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Australian Women's Army Service on Rottnest

Overview

Documentation relating to the AWAS service of WF91277 Private Laura Platen of Mosman Park born Lanchester, England

Historical information

Laura was born on the 21 June 1924 in Lanchester England. Religion – Church of England. As a 4yr old, Laura immigrated to Fremantle, Western Australia on the ship “Esperance Bay” on the 10 August 1928. Laura was accompanied by her mother Laura (1894-1977), and brother Master William Reed Platten. (Laura’s father is quoted in Laura’s AWAS paperwork so he may have arrived prior to Laura, mother and brother. Unable to find information on father’s arrival.) The address in Australia according to the NAA-Passenger list is – Group 148 Northcliffe Pemberton WA. 1. 11.
Whilst looking for Laura’s dad Phillip, information located in the NAA Passenger arrivals shows a Mr. William Platten (Laura’s uncle?) aged 36, Mr S Platten aged 46 and Mr S Platten (Jnr) aged 21yrs all arriving in Fremantle on the “Esperance Bay” on the 21 October 1926 (Item ID 11552966). William also lived in the Northcliffe area. 111.
Laura aged 18yrs and 6 months, enlisted with AWAS on the 27 December 1942 at the Claremont Teachers College. Laura’s occupation at time of enlistment was a Spool Winder. Laura worked in multiple units during her time with AWAS including time in and out of hospital. Laura was registered to 8 Aust AA Ops Room and her Trade was TG4 DGO and Rank was a Gunner. Laura worked on Rottnest between 21 June 1944 and 12 December 1944 in 25 Barracks. Laura was discharged on the 10 February 1945. The address shown for Laura during her time in the AWAS was 67 Wellington St Mosman Park. 1.
Laura married Frederick Arthur WALL in Cottesloe in March 1946. It is highly likely that Laura met Frederick at Rottnest as records show they would have been on Rottnest at the same time iv..
Details of Frederick WALL are listed below.
Laura marries James Graham WILSON in Perth in 1957. James spent most of his military service overseas (beyond Rottnest). V.
Laura and James Graham WILSON had a baby boy named Barry James WILSON which died on the 23 November 1958 aged 6 weeks.
Details of James WILSON are listed below.
Laura WILSON died in Coolgardie on the 21 February 1962 aged 37 years. vi. v.
i. NAA B884 ii. K269 iii. K269 iv. WA. Gov.Au online index – marriages Registration No – 101340 v. WAmarriage.info No 1456 iiii. WA. Gov.Au online index deaths Reg No: 1800032 vi. WA.gov.au online index deaths Reg No – 103147 v. Find a grave Cemetery No: 2354072.

Laura’s Father – Phillip PLATTEN Service Number W29091 (Phillip is recorded with one l in his Christian name in NAA)
Phillip was born on the 12 October 1892 in Durham England. Religion – Church of England. Phillip was a Miner and married Laura Reed (wife listed as NOK). Unable to locate Phillip’s arrival date in Australia. Phillip enlisted on the 21 September 1940 at Claremont Teachers College aged 47 yrs & 11 months. Address 67 Wellington St Mosman Park. Phillip previously served 9th Btn Nth H FUS BEY. 4yr 3m.
Phillip was promoted to Sergeant on the 8 November 1940 and transferred to Northam. Throughout Phillip’s time in the Army, he went to hospital frequently with heart problems. i.
Phillip PLATTEN died aged 54yrs in 1945 in Mosman Park. Reg No – 102765 Karrakatta Cemetery. Phillip’s parents’ names are - Father: Phillip PLATTEN and Mother: Emma Jane RUSH. ii

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-019

Contextual Information

The Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) was formed in late 1941, two years after the outbreak of World War 2. Australian women had been agitating for some time for the chance to join the War Effort. They wanted to do “real work, not knit sock for the men.” The primary aim of AWAS was to release men from some military duties so they could be deployed in fighting units.

Initial recruitment was for duties associated with “women’s work”, clerks, cooks and typists, still being done my male soldiers. Beginning in early 1942 as invading Japanese swept through the South West Pacific towards Australia, many more military trades were opened to women including signals, weapons plotting, drivers, which involved close contact with the coast defence systems on Rottnest.

This collection brings together the stories of women in the Australian Women’s Army Service who were deployed on Rottnest Island as part of the defences of Fortress Fremantle from 30 September 1942 onward. The content is based on a “Saluting Their Service” exhibition developed by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides on the 80th Anniversary of this deployment. The exhibition was presented at Kingstown Barracks, Rottnest Island from 8-9 October 2022 and at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia from 9 – 17 November 2022.

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54.820602644814, -1.7406564429738

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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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