There is now a story to go with the war medals of Brian Eaton, donated by the Eaton family to the Cleveland RSL at his death in 2001.
Brian’s war memoirs have been published by his two daughters and the book will be launched at the Redland RSL from 1pm to 3pm on June 24.
Sue Eaton said his memoirs had been hand written by her sister Julie Vincent and, on typing them up, she realised the stories were too good to be kept just in the family.
“It’s an interesting story,” she said.
Ms Eaton said her father defied her mother’s protests and joined the Royal Air Force in 1939, aged 17.
He was too young to learn to be a pilot, but instead trained to be an electrical wireless mechanic, primarily fixing plane radios and working with morse code.
“Radios were different then, with crystals and so forth.”
His hand-written notes on learning this trade will be part of the display at the book launch.
His work and the war took him to Iceland where he was injured, Cairo in the Middle East, India and Burma.
While in Burma he was part of the Battle of Magwe where his air station was solidly bombed for 24 hours.
“There were a lot of deaths and dad was badly injured,”
“When we were kids we would ask about the cuts on his legs and he said they were jungle sores.
“We always thought he was making this up.”
Ms Eaton said her father was well known for being a “bit of a character” and his exploits during the war show this.
“One time he had to travel on the train to get some glasses. He didn’t come back for two weeks,” she said.
Dad’s travels give a different take on the naivety of the young men who thought they were going on this adventure called ‘war’ in 1939.
“He got himself into a few scrapes and spent a fair amount of time in various hospitals (as would be the norm for men at war).”
At age 24, Brian met his wife Ruby and emigrated to Australia, ultimately settling on Coochiemudlo in 1973.
Ms Eaton attended Cleveland State High School.
Brian spent his final years at Sylvan Woods, at Birkdale where his daughter, Julie Vincent of Capalaba, recorded his life story.
The book is available through various outlets and retails for $19.99. It will be available for $16.99 at the function.
The launch is free and some refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 0426 992 839, seaton1960@tpg.com.au
WIN: Redland City News has one copy to give away.
To enter, email linda.muller@localnewsgroup.com.au. Collection will be at the launch.
