AWAS on Rottnest - W45596 APPLEBY (married SEWELL)

Joyce was born 15 April 1917 in Harrisville Queensland
Her parents were Henry APPLEBY and Amelia Parcell.

The family moved to WA at some time and her enlistment papers show her father Henry Appleby as next of kin and his address c/o The Nestles Factory Waroona WA. Henry Appleby was the manager of the factory.

During her teenage years and as a young woman, Joyce is mentioned in the local newspapers several times. In 1932, she passed music exams and played piano in a trio at the school concert. Later she played with the Waroona Hockey Club and tennis club and was an active participant in productions of the “Laugh Again Club”. Her busy social life gives an insight into country town life in WA. In December 1934 Waroona was switched onto electric light for the first time and a Spinster’s Ball was held in the Memorial Hall. All the who attended were mentioned including Joyce, who wore “black silk velvet with gold trimmings”.

She was working as a shop assistant in Perth when she enlisted on 15 Jun 1942. The local newspaper noted that she went to Waroona to visit her family before she joined the AWAS at their Claremont Training ground.

Joyce’s service record states she was ‘Called up FTD” (Full Time Duty) on 15 June 1942 and given a trade grouping as a clerk. By September she had a promotion to Acting Corporal and was detached to Fixed Defences on Rottnest. Joyce was among the first deployment of AWAS women sent to Rottnest Island on 30 September 1942. In December 1942 Joyce was transferred back to Claremont on the mainland and by March 1943 was promoted to Sergeant.

Later that year she was married to Gunner Anthony Sewell WX16336. (Service record not digitised so unable to confirm if he was on Rottnest Island). She was discharged from the service in March 1944 and on 14 September that year they had their first child, a daughter Sally.

Joyce’s medal entitlements were the Australian War Medal and the Australian Service Medal.