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Kate Walker uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
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Even as the youngest grandchild of Pa, I still hold lots of happy memories with him.
I was fortunate to grow up having Nanna and Pa close by. They would be there for every occasion, sporting events, birthdays, holidays, everything. They always told me they were proud of me and made me feel special.
Pa shared some things with me through the years including his car, which he graciously allowed me to learn to drive with. He also gave his stamp collection to me and one of his beautiful budgies.
I remember Pa taught me that if you don't do the job right, it's not worth doing. I used to wash his car for him on the weekends for pocket money and he'd make sure I earned my money. I loved enjoying "pudding" with Nanna pa at the dinner table when they would look after us on weekends.
I remember trips to the beach in the car would always include Werthers original lollies :)
I loved that Pa could make everyone roar with laughter at his unexpected quick wit.
This photo is one of my best memories with Pa as an adult.
I wheeled him outside to sit in the sun. We didn't talk about too much, but we sat holding hands enjoying each other's company. He really appreciated the visit and thanked me for visiting. He had the strongest hugs and would always give you a soft kiss on the cheek. He was my Pa.
I will miss him, always.
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Stephen Walker uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
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George in uniform
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Stephen Walker uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
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George & June 2018
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Stephen Walker posted a condolence
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Eulogy for George Walker
Written (6th May 2020) by his nephew Stephen Walker
My dear Uncle George was born into a family of six boys (five of whom made it into adulthood), Les, Charlie (my Father), George, Keith, John and Reginald (died aged about 12 years).
Life was tough growing up during a period shortly after the 1st World War and the pandemic era of the Spanish Flu and then followed on by the Great Depression, that soon after led to WW2.
Despite all the turmoil and hardships of his family home George’s good character and sense of humour were formed and would be characteristic of George until his 97th year.
George and my father Charlie were both brothers and good mates. They were tested in the service of the Australian Army in WW2 where they fought the Japanese;
Charlie in New Guinea whilst George was on Bougainville Island. During this time the two brothers would write letters to one another as well as to home.
I was fortunate to come across some of this correspondence, which highlighted George’s sense of humour.
One example was founded in a letter written by George on 19th Dec 1945 which extended to seven (7) pages, states “…. I’ll make this letter pretty short this time Chas…cause there’s not much news to write about ….dig. Brother George”
Fortunately both brothers returned from the War, which had had a detrimental effect upon their health.
More recently George told me that the best birthday present he ever had was on his 23rd Birthday whilst he was serving on Bougainville Island when he was given the news that he would be coming home. Such a relief!
George married June, the love of his life in a happy partnership, that lasted over 60 years in which, they raised four wonderful children (Kay, Garry Greg and Leanne), my cousins who are all very close and rely upon each other. I cherish their close friendship today.
Growing up I always looked forward to visiting George and June and the cousins at their home at Hill Top near Merrylands. George had a hobby of breeding “love birds and Canaries” and I was always fascinated when George would show my sister and I the Avery in which could be found many different coloured “Budgies” and then George would always have a special Canary in a cage inside the house which would have a beautiful song. Sometimes we would also visit George and my Dad’s eldest brother Les along with Peggy and Robert who lived one or two doors up the road. I loved those times.
George was a hard worker and he was clever and talented, he worked at the Parramatta Auto Wreckers for a while and he worked as a Fencer. In his retirement years George had become skilled at sharpening carpenters’ Handsaws; he was good at this skill and he liked doing it, providing both Greg and Garry with well sharpened saws and would rather this to disposable versions.
George and June followed their sons Garry and Greg to live in Vincentia and I had the privilege of staying overnight with them on a few occasions and they made me most welcome and we shared some very good conversations. I consulted George and June in regard to photographs that I had found after my Father had died and by consensus was able to identify a number of family members with George and June’s help, yet another special and unique moment.
George was remarkable in that in his twilight years, as he didn’t require any medication, not even an aspirin. I was delighted to be recognized by George on my first visit to see him in the nursing home at Vincentia after June’s funeral; that was a special moment for me.
In these times of a Covid – 19 pandemic restrictions placed on mass gatherings of family members being limited to ten persons assumes a different meaning to grieving for loved ones.
I called our Uncle John Walker who is about thirteen years younger than George. I said, “John you are the last man standing” of a family of six sons. On John’s behalf I can relay his deepest sympathy, as he is unable to be at the funeral today.
In expressing my deepest sympathy I can reflect on George being a wonderful father, a very funny Uncle; a very loyal husband and an extremely decent man. I am most privileged in being George’s nephew; I will miss him and he will always be remembered.
Rest in Peace George.
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Craig Petrie posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Private George Walker’s War Service Summary
Source: A Digger’s Life by George Walker
George first reported for service at Lancer Barracks Parramatta on 9 October 1941 aged 18. It wasn’t until 2nd January 1942 that he was told to report for duty where he was allocated to the 21st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. Later that year he applied for transfer to the Infantry and was allotted to 20th Battalion. After training the Battalion was assigned to home defence duties mainly in the Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle area.
George volunteered to transfer from the Militia as a conscript to the Australian Imperial Force and was enlisted as a regular soldier on 28th January 1943. In April 1943 George was transferred to the 27th Battalion 23rd Brigade which was training in far North Queensland. On 25th May 1944 George left Australia by ship, under the cover of darkness, with the Brigade Group arriving at Lae on the North Coast of New Guinea a few days later.
After a few months of advanced training and security clearance operations in Northern New Guinea, George’s Battalion was shipped to Nissan Island in the South West Pacific to garrison the island and its large air base.
In April 1945 George’s battalion landed on Bougainville where he was to serve for the remainder of World War II and then beyond guarding Japanese Prisoners of war until their repatriation to Japan. During this time George fought as an infantryman in jungle warfare. An especially challenging form of warfare where terrain, vegetation, climate and disease all take their toll, aside from the enemy. George’s battalion patrolled, attacked and defended as part of operations to contain the numerically superior Japanese force on the island. Fighting the Japanese by night and by day, in all weather as well as dealing with the mines and booby traps they laid. And consider for much of this George was a forward scout for his platoon, the eyes and ears of the unit, a challenging role with tremendous responsibility.
The war officially ended in the Pacific on 15 August with the surrender of Japan. However it was another five months and six days before George would return to Australia sailing into Brisbane, before dawn on the 21st of January 1946, where he kissed the ground after stepping off the ship. George was discharged from the Army on the 5th July 1946, age 23 after four years, six months and three days service. NX145470 Private George Walker was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Pacific Star, The War Medal, the Australian Service medal, and finally in 1998 the Australian Service Medal 1945 -1975 PNG Clasp, for his service after the end of hostilities.
George was the first to admit that he was scared. But he and his fellow diggers persevered, in a harsh environment, against a fierce and determined enemy, under good and bad leadership. George had his life saved on numerous occasions by his mates just as he also saved others.
As a nation we owe much to George and his fellow soldiers, sailors and airmen. Think of what we all did and enjoyed between the ages of 18 and 23. The ages that George served. Personally, as a soldier, it was George, and men like him, who was an inspiration to me and others in the Army. As tough as we thought things might have been for us at certain times in our service; we knew that the diggers like George, had it harder, did it tougher and won.
The Army and his time at war changed George. A time that he would at times talk about but never dwelled on. And of course, better days were to come for George after his return to Australia. George, on behalf of your family and all Australians, thank you for your service.
Read at George Walker’s funeral service by:
Craig Petrie, CSC
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd)
13 May 2020
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Lisa Walker uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
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Pa was a kind, loving and very funny grandparent. As a child, I spent countless afternoons at Nanna and Pa’s house, watching movies, getting crafty, listening to old stories about Lulu (the dog) and Chester Street, playing games and being spoiled with cakes. Any granddaughter that visited Pa was sure to be hugged and told she was gorgeous upon arrival. He had lot of little sayings and phrases like “Oo Roo” and “Oo Ray” but my favourite was when he put on his “Kids and dogs” voice and said it was “Time for beddy byes”.
His hands are something that stick out in my mind. His strong hands and eye for detail made him an expert maker of paper planes and reviver of antiques but his thick fingers made it pretty hilarious when he tried and failed to pick up the little houses in monopoly. Pa bred the most wonderfully coloured budgies and it was beautiful to watch him handle the tiny birds in those big hands. He was very delicate and took great care with them. My last memory of him is his hand squeezing mine. Even at 97 he had an immensely strong grip.
What I admire most is the commitment and loyalty that Pa had to Nanna. They had different energies but they really worked as a team. I asked Nanna once if they danced together when they were younger and she told me my favourite story about Pa. In the 40s and 50s, going to local dances was a big part of social life. Partner dancing was the norm back then. Pa wasn't the best dancer but he wanted Nanna to have a good time so he worked really hard on the quickstep. Nanna said they had a rule that she could dance with anyone she wanted but the quickstep was just for him. When they danced he would be muttering the steps out loud so he would remember and Nanna would chuckle. They would have a wonderful time. It was a great reminder that when you love someone, you do whatever you can to make them smile. Nanna and Pa had a beautiful life together and I know they are together in spirit now.
We will miss you very much Pa.
All our love,
Lisa and James.
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Gillia Petrie uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
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I have so many fond childhood memories while visiting Nanna and Pa. Pa used to call me sweetie pie or silly sausage depending on the situation. He taught me how to arm wrestle, look after budgies and how to use bracken fern to soothe an ant bite. I am so fortunate to have shared many hot cups of tea and kit kats together. Pa gave wise advice, was an excellent judge of character and liked to have his hair brushed to one side "like that". George with a G, you will be missed by all of us.
Love from Gillian
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Gavin Milton-White posted a condolence
Monday, May 11, 2020
Pa,
We will miss you! I remember the budgies, loo loo the dog, the yellow Mazda with the whirr in the manual gearbox and of course the plastic on the lounges. You taught me the joy of tinkering in the garage, going fishing and of course the natural childhood fear of a good spiflication. Thank you for being our Pa and for the happy memories. We will miss you and forever hold you in our hearts. Gavin, Cindy, Liam and Marc Milton-White
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Adam and Brodie Walker posted a condolence
Monday, May 11, 2020
Growing up visiting pa, he was always someone I loved spending time with. Watching him tend his birds or letting me play with his marbles down the sloped concrete back porch. I have countless fond memories of him when I was a kid.
As I grew older the thing that made him special to me was that even though he had experiences in his lifetime that would have changed him deeply he still remained at heart a warm, generous and kind man who always had time for his family.
When he met Brodie it didn’t take long for him to let me know what he thought. Over lunch he nodded and smiled at me before saying “She’s a sort!”
He will be missed and we will never forget the time we had with him.
Love you pa.
Love Adam and Brodie
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Grant Milton-White uploaded photo(s)
Monday, May 11, 2020
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"Pa, we will always miss you! The bird hat, the dreaded pond that you saved my life from, coin collections and showing me how to paint a house from the age from the age of 3. You will always be a legend in our hearts as you brought happiness to us all throughout our lives. We love you Pa and always will. Rest In Peace Digger!
Love Grant, Nat, Lucas and Rose."
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Carol Walker uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, May 9, 2020
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George was the absolute best father-in-law to me. I feel very privileged to have known him for over 40 years. There was always a lot of humorous banter and laughs whenever we were together, especially at the dining table. Many funny memories that all in the family would know what I mean. Hot tea and cups and saucers! I will miss him tremendously and I'm glad that my children and grandchildren, even the granddog, had the opportunity to know him as well. Rest now in peace George with your beautiful June. xx
Love Carol
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Stephen Walker posted a condolence
Friday, May 8, 2020
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The family of George Frederick Walker uploaded a photo
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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