Gunnedah’s Heather Fogarty is helping the local community to connect with family members’ military service records.
Heather is helping to research and compile records of service for families from all over the country.
“We have been able to locate individuals from all over Australia, not just in Gunnedah,” she said.
The Gunnedah business owner, who specialises in framing and restoration, is offering this work in a voluntary capacity.
She is able to help members of the community who may not have the skills or knowledge to undertake such research.
Heather scours through various public databases looking for information about the identified servicemen and women.
Many who have already taken up the assistance have been amazed by the detail available in the public records.
From photos, enlistment and discharge papers to military postings, war recognition and injuries – Heather’s research has already uncovered much for local families.
“A recent discovery included more information on Ronald Glenville Sheridan who enlisted in July 1941,” Heather said.
“Previously we had not been able to locate very much about him.
“The Australian War Memorial is constantly scanning and updating their site with new material so it is always a good idea to have a second look, and this is how we were able to find so much more about him.”
Another surprised by the history of their family’s military service was Wayne Holloway.
“Wayne came in with a damaged photo to be restored and after chatting for a bit I discovered he knew very little about his mother’s (Dorothy Schofield) war history,” Heather said.
“The war memorial site had a couple of extra photos that Wayne had never seen before along with her service certificate, enlistment papers, ‘demob’ paperwork and her service forms.
“He was thrilled to bits to find all this information that he did not know was available.”
According to the records, Dorothy enlisted in Victoria in 1943 and was discharged in 1944 with the rank of Private. She served in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service.
Heather said the research work has been a rewarding and fulfilling undertaking.
“There are stories or incredible feats of bravery and friendship that we get to hear about and we encourage families to write these stories down before they are lost,” she said.
