Women's Royal Australian Naval Service

HILDA MAUDE STONE. WRAN Stewardess WR158 Women’s Royal Australian Navy on H.M.A.S. Torrens
Born 02 August 1922 to Arthur Henry and Elsie Maud Stone, of 112 Addison Road, Rosewater Gardens, Adelaide.
Died in Royal Adelaide Hospital 29 March 1943 age 30 years old of Pneumonia and Pneumococcal meningitis. (most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults)
At rest in Centennial Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Also inscribed on the Returned Ex-Servicewomen’s Memorial, Kings Park, Western Australia.

BETSY McLEOD DUNK, nee Smyth. WRAN Stewardess WR1162 Women’s Royal Australian Navy on H.M.A.S. Penguin
Born 03 January 1917 at Swan Hill, Victoria to William James Smyth and Alys Violet Smyth, of Swan Hill, Victoria.
Reported for duty on HMAS Cerberis 05 May 1943 to 27 September 1943. Duty at HMAS Penguin 29 September 1943 to 22 October 1943 when she was admitted into 3rd Australian Women’s Hospital, Oceania, New South Wales. She was transferred on the 20 November 1943 to Rachel Foster Hospital, for Women, Sydney where she underwent and operation for a cholecystostomy on the 23 November 1943 and died at 0150 hrs on the 03 December 1943 age 26 years of cholecystitis (swelling (inflammation) of the gallbladder) and cholaemia, (condition caused by the presence of excess bile in the blood) Her next of kin was present at the time of death. At rest in Sydney War Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia.
Also inscribed on the Returned Ex-Servicewomen’s Memorial, Kings Park, Western Australia.

MAUDE VERONICA HEBSON, nee Wilson. WRAN Petty Officer Cook WR37 Women’s Royal Australian Navy on H.M.A.S. Penguin.
Born December quarter 1900 at Wiberfoss Yorkshire, England to George Thomas and Alice Wilson, nee Battle. 1901 with her parents and siblings at 69 Long Close Lane, York 1911 with her parents and siblings at 19 Long Close Lane, York
Wife of Sergeant 608 Stanley Ivor Hebson of 454 Squadron RAAF. Who she married 21 April 1932. Residing with her husband at 52 Sisters Crescent. Drummoyne New South Wales. Her husband was born 05 March 1903 in London, England.
She enlisted 27 December 1941, and mobilised 01 October 1942 for duty at H.M.A.S. Penguin. On enlistment she gave her date of birth as 03 September 1903, she was born in 1900.She died of hypertension at 1030 hrs the 27 December 1943 at 3rd Australian Women’s Hospital, Oceania, New South Wales. At rest in Sydney War Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia.
Also inscribed on the Returned Ex-Servicewomen’s Memorial, Kings Park, Western Australia.

Image of WRANS outside their barracks wearing the first issue of summer uniform; in October 1942. Maude is the last on the right.
Rest in peace, you served your country well.

EDNA FLORENCE MARJASON, nee Greig. Wrans, Writer WR1241 on Women's Royal Australian Naval Service H.M.A.S. Platypus, Neutral Bay, Sydney, New South Wales.
Born 07 November 1916 at Cairns to George Mitchell Greig and Clara Greig, wife of Lieutenant QX34061 Frank Joseph Charles Marjason, (of 31/51 Bn Australian Inf) of 56 Landers Road, Lane Cove, New South Wales.
Mobilised 13 May 1943 H.M.A.S. Platypus. Killed in a motor vehicle accident at Cairns whilst on duty at 1530hrs on the 23 January 1944 age 27 years old. At rest in Cairns War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia.

MARGARET HALL. Wrans, Assistant Writer WR1560 Women's Royal Australian Naval Service on H.M.A.S. "Moreton"
Born 28 May 1918 at Brisbane to Joseph and Eda Maria Hall, of Doomben. Queensland.
Died of Pulmonary Thrombosis and Pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) at 2nd Australian Women’s Hospital, Rhyndarra, Yeronga, Brisbane, Queensland, 26 July 1944 age 29 years old.

NELLIE BOSWELL MORETON. Wrans, Driver WR2284 Women's Royal Australian Naval Service on H.M.A.S. Lonsdale at Melbourne
Born 10 July 1918 at Port Fairy, Victoria to John Knight Moreton and Nellie May Moreton, of Lake Bolac, rural city of Ararat, Victoria.
Enrolled 15 August 1944 Died of Tubercular Menigitis at Ararat Hospital, East Grampians, Victoria, 03 February 1945 age 26 years old. At rest in Lake Bolac


Source used

For their records. AWM146 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Royal Australian Navy


Image of WRANS out side their barracks.
courtesy of https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C196588
WR/24 Teleprinter Operator Shirley Norma Smyth; WR/59 Writer (Teleprinter)
Marjory Elma Rigby; WR/60 Writer (Teleprinter) Phyllis Heather McGregor; WR/13 Signaller Shirley Isobel Drew; and
WR/37 Petty Officer (PO) WRAN Cook Maude Veronica Hebson. PO WRAN Hebson