Alice HETHERINGTON

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1903, Broomfield, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 22 Oct 1908, 17 Lyons St north, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Alice married James August RACHINGER on 15 Apr 1884 in Broomfield, Residence of John Hetherington, Victoria, Australia. James (son of Guillaume Eugene RACHINGER and Margaretha BENDER) was born on 18 Sep 1861 in Yandoit, Victoria, Australia; died on 26 Aug 1935 in Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 27 Aug 1935 in Ballarat New Cemetery, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 19 Dec 1904, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 4 Mar 1906, Frank St, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1909, 17 Lyons St north, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 26 Jan 1910, 17 Lyons St north, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 27 Jun 1913, "Roma", Church St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 13 May 1916, Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 22 Apr 1923, 49 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: Bef 21 Sep 1972, 445 Glen Eira Rd, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia

Notes:

In 1910 Ada, at age 25, married Frank Howells, then 31, who was the brother of Evan Howells.
Ada's aunt, Margaret Elizabeth Schroeder married Evan Howells in 1894. They were age 21 and 22 respectively.
Ada's grandmother Margarethe remarried to Christian Schroeder after Ada's grandfather Guillaume Rachinger died.
So Ada's father, James August Rachinger was a half-brother of Margaret Elizabeth Schroeder

Ada married Frank HOWELLS on 26 Jan 1910 in Congregational Church, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Frank (son of John HOWELLS and Sarah CULLEN) was born on 20 Jun 1878 in Yandoit, Victoria, Australia; died on 23 Nov 1943 in 445 Glen Eira Rd, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 24 Nov 1943 in Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1909, 17 Lyons St north, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1911, Matawhero, Gisborne, New Zealand
• Residence: 1913, Station St, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Residence: 11 Sep 1914, Corner Station and Toohey streets, Woolloongabba, Queensland Australia
• Residence: 1919, Matawhero, Gisborne, New Zealand
• Residence: 1925, Matawhero, Gisborne, New Zealand
• Residence: 1928, Muir St, Te Hapara, Gisborne, New Zealand
• Residence: 1935, Marine Pde, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
• Residence: 1938, Marine Pde, Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Arthur married Margaret Ann NASMITH on 1 Jan 1912 in Roebuch Rd, Gisborne, Residence of bride's parents, New Zealand, and was divorced on 13 Jun 1928 in Gisborne, New Zealand. Margaret (daughter of Matthew Grey NASMITH) was born in 1893; died in 1965 in New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Arthur married Edna JOHNSON in 1930 in New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Witness: 8 Apr 1912, Methodist Parsonage, 300 Church St, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1914, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 20 Dec 1916, 'Rothsaye', Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Witness: 12 Apr 1917, Creswick Cemetery, Creswick, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1919, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 26 Aug 1921, 'Rothsaye', Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1924, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1931, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1936, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1943, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1949, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1954, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1970, Smythesdale, Victoria, Australia

Notes:

Vision & Realisation, Vol. 2:
ROKEWOOD JUNCTION:
I. Rachinger was a Trustee of the school in the 1920's and was responsible in helping to establish the plantation.
Silver wedding anniversary - notice in the Argus:
Rachinger - McCallum. Mr and Mrs I.F. Rachinger, of Rothsaye, Rokewood Junction, announce the 25th anniversary of their marriage, celebrated atDaylesford by the Rev. John Clive Herring on the 26th August 1912.

Irving married Elsie Annie MCCALLUM on 26 Aug 1912 in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. Elsie (daughter of Neil MCCALLUM and Elizabeth LUCAS) was born on 16 Mar 1890 in Illabarook, Victoria, Australia; died on 12 May 1971 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 14 May 1971 in Ballarat Crematorium, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 8 Apr 1912, Broomfield, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1913, 39 Church St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1914, 68 Mirams St, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1914, 39 Church St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1915, 68 Mirams St, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1917, 68 Mirams St, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1918, 72 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1919, 72 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1919, Gisborne, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1921, Gisborne, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1922, Gisborne, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1924, Gisborne, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1924, 341 Timor St, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1931, 63 Ryot St, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1934, 63 Ryot St, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1936, 25 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1937, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1943, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 3 May 1956, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia

Elizabeth married Herbert James PAYNTER on 8 Apr 1912 in Methodist Parsonage, 300 Church St, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Herbert (son of Charles Frederick PAYNTER and Emma TELORE) was born on 3 Mar 1889 in Errard St, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia; died on 28 Jul 1944 in 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 29 Jul 1944 in Springvale Crematorium, Springvale, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: May 1919, Broomfield, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 9 Dec 1921, 'Tyers', Allendale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1924, Allendale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 25 Jan 1925, 'Tyers', Allendale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1928, Hampton St, Sandringham, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1930, 67 Littlewood St, Hampton, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1931, 67 Littlewood St, Hampton, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1936, 67 Littlewood St, Hampton, Victoria, Australia

Notes:

Bill was living at Broomfield when he enrolled in the AIF on 17th July 1915. He was age 21 years and 11 months. He was already a volunteer with the Colonial Forces, 71st Ballarat Infantry.
The description of him on enlistment:
Height: 5 feet 7 1/2 inches
Weight: 146 lbs
Chest measurement: 33/34 inches
Complexion: fair
Hair: fair
Religion: Methodist
Distinctive marks: scar on right elbow and left wrist. Vaccination on right arm.

Ballarat Courier, 9 September 1915:
ALLENDALE MEN HONORED. ALLENDALE, Wednesday.
An enthusiastic farewell was accorded several local volunteers at Collins' Hall on Tuesday evening. The committee had arranged a fine musical programme which was given to a packed audience, all parts of the surrounding district being represented , including Dr A. W. H. Parker (chairman of the Kingston Soldiers' Farewell Committee) and Mr. J. N. Brinsden (secretary). Mr J. T. Sloan presided, and expressed pleasure at such a large attendance to do honor to the brave lads. Theirs was a perilous mission, but they would acquit themselves with credit, and all present could rest assured that duty in their hands was perfectly safe. The various solos and recitations were well received. Miss Jory being enthusiastically recalled for her song. "The Mother Who gave Her Son." The volunteers present were Sgt.-Mr W Rachinger, Ptes F. Redman, E. W. Mis- kin. L. Crane. O. White. R. Jackson. Ptes Crane, Redman. and White were presented by Dr Parker with pipes and cases on behalf of the Kingston Soldiers' Committee as they had been unable to attend the function held there some time ago. The Chairman. in a farewell speech to the soldiers. expressed, on behalf of the audience. the fervent hope that God would spare them to come back safely after helping in the glorious fight for their Empire. He regretted the death of so many of these gallant men, and in their own midst, only on Saturday. word had come through of the death of poor "'Nedler" Owen, whom they all knew - a fine. manly little chap. Their heartfelt sympathy would go out to his mother in her affliction. The lads leaving them tonight would carry their good wishes. Mr H. E. Miskin (father of Pte Miskin) spoke, and said that his son and the others were going in defence of the grand old Flag that he had served under. He felt proud of them. He was sure they would fight well. Kaiserism must be crushed, and if ever a war was righteous this one was. After Miss Cleary had sung, at the request of the lads, "Australia Will Be There" and "Tipperary" in which the audience joined, the various soldiers made a suitable response, and thanked those assembled for the nice evening and the pleasant time they had had, which they would always cherish. Three cheers were given for the lads. The "National Anthem" was sung. The supper, provided by the ladies, was an excellent one. After supper, dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Mr Geo. Woods and Mr Stevenson. Mr R. Kennedy acted as M.C. 'Auld LangSyne" concluded the proceedings. The takings at the door for the concert were in aid of the local Red Cross Society, which will benefit to a fair amount., Military Service

Bill joined the 6th Battalion and he proceeded overseas as part of the 10th reinforcement for the Battalion, sailing on the ‘Osterley’ on 29th September 1915.
According to Russell Rachinger:
The Osterley landed at Lemnos Island (Greece) to join the 6th Battalion which had been withdrawn from Gallipoli for R&R. The Battalion then returned to Gallipoli on the night of 16 November 1915. They disembarked at Anzac Cove and immediately went into Local Reserve. On the night of 25 November 1915, withdrawal of the troops from the Gallipoli Peninsula commenced. This exercise was planned by then Colonel Brudenell White, Chief of Staff of Anzac Force (he later became General Sir Brudenell White. He wrote his memoirs in a book called ‘The Silence Ruse: escape from Gallipoli’).
The 6th Battalion then embarked on 11 December 1915 at Lemnos, and ultimately arrived in Egypt on 6 January 1916. There, the 6th was formally divided to form 58th and 6th Battalions, a reorganisation that caused bitter disappointment to many.
The 6th, including Bill Rachinger, landed in Marseilles, France, on 31 March 1916, and after a short period became involved in the heavy fighting in northern France and Belgium.

I think Russell must have obtained this information from the book ‘As Rough as Bags’, because there is no mention of Gallipoli etc. in his Service Record. I also have the following information about training in England which Russell doesn’t mention.

He went first to England for training and then to France where he disembarked at Marseilles on 2nd April 1916.

The 6th Battalion was a metropolitan-based battalion, with the bulk of its members coming from Melbourne suburbs such as Carlton, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Kew, Preston and Richmond. The remaining recruits came from Victorian country districts such as Ballarat and Bendigo. The average age of the Battalion members was about 26.

Bill was wounded slightly in France on June 13th 1916 but remained on duty and in November of that year went to England for training courses. He joined the No. 2 Officers Cadet Battalion at Pembroke College, Cambridge and then he trained as an instructor at the Southern Command Gas School at Porton (near Salisbury in Wiltshire). He was then on command at Bombing School, Lyndhurst (near Winchester in Hampshire). He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 9th March 1917.

On 1st March 1918, he sailed from Southampton in England to Havre in France and he rejoined his Battalion. In the book "As Rough as Bags: theHistory of the 6th Battalion, 1st AIF, 1914-1919" by Ron Austin, there is a description of an operation on the 9th July 1918 about a raid on the enemy trenches:
"9 Platoon had divided up into two parties, but one party went too far to the left and touched up with the right front of A Company, and under the direction of Lieutenant Bill Rachinger had to work its way forward to the objective where the men then dug and wired their new post. ...... This full-scale company raid illustrated the ascendancy that the Sixth had obtained over the enemy."

On the 23rd August Bill was wounded and admitted to hospital in Rouen with a gunshot wound to his back and chest with severe pain. From the book "As Rough as Bags" there is a description of the operation when Bill was wounded:
"All the companies moved forward by platoons to the assembly areas at 2.45am on 23rd August and all were in position an hour later. Apart from the usual pre-battle nerves, few members of the 6th Battalion would have guessed that the coming battle would be even costlier than the battle at Lihonsa a fortnight earlier. The enemy was not idle during these preparations, and at 4am the Germans laid a bombardment. A Company suffered many casualties. Forty five minutes later, the Australian barrage commenced...... The enemy shelling had ceased by 26th August. The Sixth went into the Herleville Wood battle on 23rd August, with a strength of 16 officers and 417 men. The left flank had advanced 3000 yards and the right flank2500yards. It came out of the battle with a mere 6 officers and 141 men. Despite the heavy casualties, the 6th Battalion had fought very well, and in the matter of only several days, captured 900 prisoners, including 20 officers, 4 field guns, 60 machine guns. One of the soldiers wrote"Herleville Wood was tough going - the only things left of the forest after the shelling were a few tree stumps sticking out of the ground where theHun had his trenches."

On 16th September he was admitted to the London General Hospital, Wandsworth, and about 4 weeks later he was transferred to the No. 5 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Welwyn (near St Albans in Hertfordshire). He was officially made a convalescent in November and was finally returned to Australia from England in the "Takada" on 24th December 1918, arriving back in Australia in early 1919.

In 1920 Bill received his 1914-1915 Star Medal at Ballarat and again in 1922 he received a Victory Medal at Creswick. He also received the British War Medal.

Letters were sent from the Army to his father James in Broomfield at various times:-
27th June 1916
"I regret to advise you that No. 3132 Corporal A.W. Rachinger, 6th Battalion, has been reported wounded. It is not stated as being serious, and in the event of further information coming to hand, you will be promptly notified. In the absence of further reports it is to be assumed that all wounds are progressing satisfactorily."
18th September 1918
"I beg to advise you that Lieutenant A.W. Rachinger has been admitted to 8th General Hospital, Rouen, France, on 2/9/18, suffering from gunshot wounds back and chest, severe."
30th September 1918
"I now beg to advise you that Lieutenant A.W. Rachinger has been reported transferred to 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England, 16/9/18."
7th November 1918
"I now beg to advise you that Lieutenant A.W. Rachinger has been reported convalescent."

There is an undated recommendation for the Military Cross in his file but I don't know whether it was not awarded to him.
Action for which commended:-
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the night of the 9th/10th July 1918 near MERRIS. In the course of an attack by a company on his right Lieut. RACHINGER noticed a section on the left of the attack had lost direction - his own post being safe he went out to the section and set it moving in the correct direction and having visited his own post and seen it was correct he went out again, caught up to the section and advised the section commander as to the siting and construction of this post. This initiative undoubtedly assisted materially in making the attack a complete success, by the establishment of this left post as otherwise a considerable gap would have existed. It required exceptional courage to fearlessly make 2 return trips across the seized ground with the enemy engaged on his left.

Alfred married Selina Mary WOODS on 22 Sep 1920 in 99 Davies St, Brunswick North, Victoria, Australia. Selina (daughter of Michael WOODS and Mary EDGAR) was born in 1895; died on 31 Oct 1963 in Heidelberg Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 1 Nov 1963 in Cheltenham New Cemetery, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 21 Sep 1972, 445 Glen Eira Rd, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia

Alice married Robert DEWAR in 1934 in Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 20 Jul 1936, Auckland, New Zealand

Thelma married Arthur Edward Poyzer GAY in 1941 in New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Joyce Aimee WILLERS in 1945 in New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Eva JOYCE in 1950 in New Zealand. Eva died in 1987 in New Zealand. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Madeline married Godfrey Charles GAY [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lola married Donald James MCERLICH [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorothy married Ernest Alexander (Toby) TERRY in 1938 in Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 30 Mar 1946, 95A Alma Rd, St Kilda East, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1949, Kent Hotel, Queanbeyan, New South Wales
• Residence: 1949, Rokewood Junction, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1954, 30 Royalty Av, Sandringham, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: Abt 1970, 61 Tangmere Rd, Laverton, Victoria, Australia

Notes:

Event Memos from GEDCOM Import...

Death
Herald Sun, 19 November 2005:
Rachinger - Group Captain Basil F.N., DFC, AFC, PM. Nov. 15 after a long illness, late of Sapphire. Dearly beloved husband of Kaye, loved father ofRob (dec.) and Wayne, dear grandfather of Tia and Gareth.

In Memoriam - G/C BFN Rachinger DFC AFC RAAF
It is with great sadness that I advise of the death of Group Captain BFN 'Bas' Rachinger DFC AFC RAAF. 'Bas' died at home in Coffs Harbour, NewSouth Wales, Australia following a prolonged illness.
He joined the RAAF in 1941 and after elementary training at an EFTS in Tasmania continued his flying training in Canada, where he met his futureRCAF WAAF wife, Kaye. Graduating and earning his wings he was sent to the UK where he wanted to be a single engine fighter pilot, but due to thelong waiting list, elected to go to fighter reconnaissance instead. So he was sent to 41 OTU where he met and fell in love with the second love ofhis life, the North American Mustang - Allison engined versions! Along with two other RAAF personnel he was posted to No.268 Sqdn RAF then atOdihamon the Mustang Mk.IA. He flew his first operational sortie with the Squadron in October 1943, a weather and shipping reconnaissance along theFrench coast. He flew a full tour of operations with No.268 Sqdn from September 1943 until October 1944, during which time he completed manydifficult low level tactical reconnaissance sorties. In one instance his Mustang was hit by 88mm flak in the wing root, deafening Bas and causing somuch damage to the aircraft the aircraft was immediately struck off charge after landing safely, if not a little shakily. He conducted sortiesagainst V1 sites, invasion beaches, German troop concentrations and Luftwaffe airfields, all usually at close to zero feet. He flew two sorties onD-Day, directing naval gunfire onto the invasion beaches in the pre-dawn light. He flew numerous sorties over the Falaise Gap and German retreatacross France. All the stock in trade of the Tac/R pilot. He was to the best information available, the first Allied pilot to land at St Omer since1940, and was one of the few to fly the Typhoon FR.1b, the fighter reconnaissance version of the Typhoon. Completing his operational tour, he waspromoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and was awarded the DFC. He then went on as instructor at 41OTU and as a trainee and instructor at CGS.He was repatriated to Australia in mid-1945 and went on to a career with the post war RAAF. He was involved with the introduction of the Canberrabomber to RAAF service,and flew that type with No.2 Sqnd RAAF, No.6 Sqdn RAAF and set up the Canberra Operational Conversion Unit for the RAAF.During this time he earned his AFC. Retiring from the RAAF, he continued an active life. He had two sons with his wife Kaye, both of whom took upflying as their profession.

I had the extreme pleasure to become acquainted with Bas during my research into the history of No.268 Squadron RAF. He was the first Squadronmember I made direct contact with and was so very helpful in providing me access to all his log books, photographs and personal diaries from histime serving in WW2. We also had a personal connection as he joined 268 with my great uncle, my connection to 268, and was a pall bearer at mygreat-uncles funeral in 1943. He is remembered by many who came in contact with him as being a true gentleman, with great interest and compassionfor others.

So the last of the Australians who served with No.268 Squadron RAF more than 60 years ago is gone.

Colin Ford
Canberra
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=50622

Basil married Kathleen Theresa UNKNOWN before 8 Nov 1941. Kathleen was born about 1920; died on 13 May 2009 in Sapphire Coast, Queensland, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1913, 39 Church St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Baptism: 16 Jun 1914, Mirams St, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1915, 68 Mirams St, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1918, 72 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1936, 25 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1937, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1943, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1948, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1949, West Geelong, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1950, 103 Britannia St, West Geelong, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1952, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1954, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1963, 6 Warra St, Toorak, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1968, 17 Bruarong Crs, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 26 Feb 1973, 17 Bruarong Crs, Frankston, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: Bef Oct 1973, Unit 2, High St Rd, Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: Abt 1975, Unit 2 / 85-87 Bogong Av, Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: Aug 1993, Unit 2 / 2 Rangeview Rd, Boronia, Victoria, Australia

Dorothy married Lawrence Frederick WILLIAMS on 9 Jan 1943 in Toorak Presbyterian Church, Toorak, Victoria, Australia. Lawrence (son of Alfred Percy WILLIAMS and Edith Grace BEDGGOOD) was born on 11 Mar 1910 in Belmont, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; died on 26 Feb 1973 in Prince Henry Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 28 Feb 1973 in Springvale Crematorium, Springvale, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1915, 68 Mirams St, Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1918, 72 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
• Residence: 1936, 25 Mason St, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

Noel married Alice Avis EVANS on 22 Jan 1942 in Toorak Presbyterian Church, Toorak, Victoria, Australia. Alice was born on 17 Mar 1917; died on 25 Dec 1997 in Albury, New South Wales, Australia; was buried on 30 Dec 1997 in Albury, New South Wales, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thelma married Ralph John (Jack) BUCKLEY on 8 Apr 1944 in Methodist Church, Hampton, Victoria, Australia. Ralph died in 1993. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: George GILLINGHAM. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Death
Courier Mail, 9 August 2003:
Rachinger, Robert W.
Passed away Port Moresby, 21 July 2003. Ex pilot with Airlines PNG. Funeral service held on 28 July 2003, Port Moresby.
Tribute to Robert Rachinger by Michael Butler
This afternoon, 2nd August, 2003, saw many of his work colleagues and friends, gather at the Cargo area of Airlines of Papua New Guinea to pay their last respects to Rob who died suddenly of a heart attack aged 56 years of age.

Seeing as you could not be present at the service, here is what Michael Butler had to say :

ROB RACHINGER:

I TOO WOULD LIKE TO OFFER CONDOLENCES FROM MY FAMILY AND MYSELF TO WAYNE AND HIS FAMILY AS WELL AS LINDA HERE TODAY. ALSO ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE HERE AND ALL OUR WORKMATES IN AIRLINES PNG AND OTHER PEOPLE HERE PRESENT WHO KNEW ROB, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SHOCK AND SORROW AT THE SUDDEN DEATH OF ROB.

ROB WAS ONE OF THOSE FAMOUS PILOTS OF PNG. AS JOHN SAID HE HAS BEEN FLYING HERE SINCE ABOUT 1972 AND IN SOME RESPECTS HE IS A PIONEER IN AVIATION INTHIS COUNTRY. YOU COULD SAY ONE OF THE HEROS OF AVIATION IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA.

ROBS DEATH REMINDS US OF THE STRESSES THAT WE PILOTS ALL TOO OFEN SUFFER. I HAVE THE FEELING THAT ROB MUST HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW DASH 8 AIRCRAFT AND TO BEING INVOLVED. POSSIBLY PUTTING MORE IMPORTANCE ON HIS WORK THAN HIS OWN HEALTH, I THINK FROM THE SHORT CONVERSATIONS I DID HAVE WITH ROB FROM TIME TO TIME HE DID WORRY QUIETLY AND WAS THIGS AT WORK WERE ALWAYS UPPERMOST IN HIS MIND.

TO ME IT IS A REAL HONOUR TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT ROB WHO TO ME HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO AND HAS ALSO ALWAYS SEEMED SENIOR TOME. MANY OF US PILOTS HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WE DID NOT KNOW ROB WELL. REALLY I HARDLY EVEN FEEL QUALIFIED TO TALK ABOUT ROB AS ALTHOUGH I HAVE KNOWN HIM SINCE I CAME TO PNG IN 1981, I FEEL THAT I TOO HAVE NOT KNOWN HIM WELL. IN RECENT YEARS HE HAS BEEN A VERY QUITE FELLOW WHO KEPT TO HIMSELF.

IN 1983 IN MT HAGEN I LIVED IN THE SAME FLAT AT SIBERIA THAT ROB HAD PREVIOUSLY LIVED IN. THE REASON I CAN REMEMBER THAT IN PARTICULAR IS THAT THERE WAS A HUGE MURAL ON THE WALL THAT HIS WIFE HAD PAINTED WHEN THEY WERE THERE.

MANY OF US DO NOT KNOW THAT ROB WAS A TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER AND FOR MANY YEARS HIS PHOTOS OF PNG HUNG IN THE BIRD OF PARADISE HOTEL IN GOROKA

WHEN I MOVED TO MORESBY IN 1984 ROB DID MY BARON CHECK. ROSS FIELDUS REMINDED ME RECENTLY THAT EVEN WHILE WE WERE WITH TALAIR, OVER 2000 PILOTS PASSED THROUGH THE COMPANY. SINCE MBA DAYS THAT TURN OVER HAS CONTINUED. MANY MANY OF THOSE PILOTS BENEFITED FROM ROB’S TRAINING AND WOULD BE REMEMBERING HIM AND WOULD BE SADDENED BY HIS DEATH. ROSS FIELDUS SAYS IN THE LAST WEEK, HE HAS HAD MESSAGES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ENQUIRING ABOUT ROB. I AM SURE MANY OF THOSE MESSAGES WOULD BE FROM PILOTS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY ROB OVER THE YEARS.

BETWEEN 1985 / 6 ROB. OPERATED THE TWIN OTTER FOR TALAIR IN THE PHILIPPINES BASED IN MANILA.

I WAS ACTUALLY THE ONE WHO EMPLOYED ROB TO MBA IN 1983 WHEN HE REALLY WANTED TO COME BACK HERE AFTER FLYING FOR FLIGHT WEST. I THINK ROB FINISHED HIS CAREER WITH ABOUT 21,000 HOURS AND 8,000 ON THE DASH 8. HE HAD A FULL CAO 28 DISPENSATION. IN THE TIME WHEN HE GAINED IT YOU HAD TO HAVE FLOWN IN 5 PROVINCES, 3 OF WHICH HAD TO BE HIGHLANDS PROVINCES. HE HAS 2 MINOR INCIDENTS THAT REMEMBER. I ONLY MENTION THEM IN THAT THEY WERE QUITE HUMOROUS. ONE WAS WHEN THE TAIL OF THE DASH 8 CONTACTED THE GROUND AT TABUBIL AND THE SECOND ONE WAS AT IOMA IN ORO PROV, WHEN A PASSENGER EXITED THE PLANE FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AS WAS HIT BY THE PROPELLOR. THE STORY GOES THAT THE PROP WAS BENT BUT THE PASSENGER ONLY HAD A HEADACHE.

ONCE AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL SADDENED BY ROBS DEATH AND OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES TO LINDA AND ALSO ROB’S FAMILY. LET US KEEP THE MEMORY OF ROB AND ESPECIALLY THE WORK HE HAS DONE IN OUR MINDS.

Michael Butler

Tribute to Robert Rachinger by John Thomas who flew with Rob for many years in PNG.
Robert Rachinger

During late 1972 or early 1973, I first became acquainted with Rob Rachinger as our tracks often crossed and when we met after landing at some of the more out of the way airstrips of the Morobe Province.

Rob was flying for Macair based out of Wau and myself for Chee Air from Lae. Mostly we met in either Aseki, Menyamya, Langimar, Kianteba or at Wauwhere passengers and freight were often collected or dropped as back loading.

In our early 20’s at the time we competed vigorously for the same loads and daily, flew many sectors in the Cessna 206’s operated by our respective companies.

Rob was always a cheerful fellow, often with a good story to tell even during our usually brief encounters as we hurried to get loaded before the weather closed in or someone else arrived to grab our passengers or freight.

Rob had been around a little longer than myself and soon moved on to other bases with Macair before it was taken over by Talair in 1974.

During the ensuing years I often heard Rob’s distinctive “radio voice” as he flew all of the Talair types from their many different ports and also during his time with Air Nuigini on the Dash 7’s, but it was not until 1989 when I rejoined Talair in Port Moresby that we actually physically met again.

I was area manager for Talair at the time and Rob was operating all of the various types from the Baron, through to the Otters and Bandierante’s.

Shortly after that we both trained on the Dash 8, Rob as a Captain and myself as a First Officer. After our training I often flew with him until inMay 1991, I moved with the first Talair Dash 8 to their Brisbane operation of Flight West Airlines.

After about 6 months I returned to PNG with Talair and the other Dash 8 went to Australia. Rob transferred to Flight West I think in about November of 1991 and I again flew with him out of Cairns on several occasions when I went there to help crew the Cairns based Dash 8.

Rob was always a wealth of knowledge on the type and his vast operational experience in PNG and the tropics was happily passed on to those who he flew with.

I learned an awful lot from Rob whose professional manner of operation served as an example not only to myself but many dozens of PNG pilots over the years. His training skills and easy – going, though professional manner, as a check captain served both his employers, Flight West and later MBA/ Airlines PNG very well as they established their respective operations.

Rob was an aviation enthusiast from the beginning and whilst on leave from Flight West would return to PNG to fly Bandeiante’s for Talair, mostly for the enjoyment and the kind of flying he missed while in Australia.

Talair closed in 1993 but as most of you know the gap was quickly filled by MBA who were awarded all of Talair’s southern routes.

Shortly after that Rob contacted me, as I had already joined MBA and was assisting with recruiting the many crews required for the quickly expanding company.

Rob’s experience and character made him an obvious candidate and he was soon flying for the new organization out of Port Moresby. Firstly on TwinOtters and then on the Dorniers as they came on line.

When the Dash 8’s arrived in September or October of 1996 Rob was appointed fleet captain on that type and ably filled that role with great personal dedication during the next couple of years until he resigned the position for personal reasons.

Still a dedicated line and check Captain on the type Rob trained most of the early MBA Dash 8 crews and those who later gained check and training status themselves.

With well over 4000 hours on the Dash 8 and close to 22,000 hours total flight time, together with his skill, and PNG experience, Rob’s contribution to MBA / Airlines PNG cannot be over stated and he will be sadly missed by his many colleagues, friends and the company that he served so well until the end.

His many years of dedicated service were not without their hardship however, but he always stuck to his convictions and values and usually was proven correct on operational and personal issues that occasionally affected him.

The RAAF motto, “per adu ad astra” which translates, ‘through adversity to the stars’, could very well have been Rob’s own and his mother and father, himself a long serving RAAF Officer and veteran pilot who was part of the “D Day” assault at Normandy, and also Rob’s brother Wayne can all be very proud of his achievements in aviation as I know Rob was, of their flying endeavours.

In closing I would like to take this opportunity to pass on the sincere sympathy felt by all of the APNG staff and Rob’s many friends assembled hereto-day, to his family, through Wayne, and also to Linda and her family, many of whom are also here to-day.

John Thomas

Lesley married John Christopher WHITE [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: DARTNELL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]