Edward Properjohn 1939

 

Though Edward Properjohn began his apprenticeship as a car and wagon builder with the Railways in July 1939, it wasn’t until February 1949 that he completed it. 

In 1941 he joined the Australian Airforce causing a flurry of letters back and forth between the Government Railways and the Satellite Man-Power Officer. 

His trade was classified as ‘reserved’ which meant that car and wagon builders were required as man-power on the home front and could not enlist in the armed services. 

Edward, or Ted as he is known, found a clause in his apprenticeship papers whereby he could  take leave from his apprenticeship, providing he had his parent’s support. He was the first to take this step.

After training at Ballarat he was posted to New Guinea as a gunner and radio operator on the crew of a Beaufort Bomber. He stayed in the airforce for five years before resuming his old apprenticeship at the Midland Workshops where he remained for the next 40 years.

Photo's courtesy of Edward Properjohn.

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