War time patriots

On ANZAC Day this year (2022), I want to remember those who contributed to the war effort, not as soldiers, but on the home front, those whose contributions are sometimes overlooked. 

My grandfather, Wilfred "Ken" Kinchin was a young "pommy" lad who came to Australia as a teenager in 1922. He was, by my father's account, very patriotic, he wanted to join up during World War II to stop the enemy before they ended up on our own shores.

But my grandfather was a farmer like so many in the Bossley Park area where they lived, he ran a poultry farm and a market garden, he was also a driver. It seems he was on the list of Reserved Occupations and his services were needed at home so he was prohibited from joining up. I am sure this was a great relief to my grandmother!

That doesn't mean that he was not actively involved in the war effort though. They were still expected to do their duty, and so they did.

From the Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/homefront/reserved_occupations From the first of April 1942 all engagement of male labour was controlled and a national registration of both male and female labour was completed. The government had the power to say what every man should do whether in the armed services, war industry or civilian industry. The powers under the Manpower Regulations included: Power to exempt a person from service or prohibit their enlistment Prevent employers from engaging labour not authorised by the directorate Restrict the right of employees to engage in the employment of their choice Prevent employees from leaving their employment Restrict the right of the employer to dismiss his employees Power to direct any person to leave one employment and engage in another And compel individuals to register and provide information about themselves.

 

I recently discovered that Pop acted in the role of Bossley Park Patriotic committee president and vice-president at various times during its operation between 1940 and 1946. It was a sub-branch of the Fairfield Citizen's Patriotic committee.

During those 6 years of operation, they contributed £150 to the Red Cross and spent £250 to purchase goods to send to the boys overseas, and donated money toward the war loans. 

https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/
newsroom/2020/11/financing-the-war.html

The patriotic committee was invaluable in getting home comforts to our boys. 

They made arrangements via a "Correspondence Circle" to ensure each soldier from the area who was sent overseas would have a letter forwarded to him every week.

The committee collected wool which was then knitted by the ladies into socks, Balaclava hats, mittens, skull caps and scarves for the soldiers.

Gifts donated by the community and local businesses included magazines, books, chess sets, draughts sets, gramophone records and even a portable gramophone which were all sent overseas for the lads.

Thursday 16 April 1942.

Fundraising activities included dances, campfires, concerts, social evenings. Some of the money was raised for the benefit of the Air Raid Victims fund of England. 

Many presentations were also made to local lads who joined the A.I.F., Airforce or Navy, and celebrations were held for those lucky enough to return home.

I am proud of my grandfather; I recall him being a gentle, timid man. I know that he was fiercely patriotic at heart, and ready to fight if called, but I could never imagine him at war. 

Not everyone gave "the ultimate sacrifice", or even saw the trenches, but some instead did their duty by dedicating themselves to the war effort at home. This is a small tribute to those men and women; the quiet supporters of the brave souls that we remember each Anzac Day.