Determined Kippa-Ring resident recalls how she went to Newcastle to enlist — against parents’ wishes

PAT Guest was so determined to enlist in the war effort, she travelled almost 800km south to enlist — against her parents’ wishes.

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FOR Pat Guest war opened the door to opportunities she could not have imagined.

Then 18 years old, Mrs Guest travelled to Newcastle in 1942 to enlist, as her parents were reluctant to let their beloved daughter sign up for service.

But she did and never looked back, signing up as an ambulance driver and serving in Papua New Guinea.

The military is in Mrs Guest’s blood — her father was a Gallipoli Anzac and a King’s Sergeant, one brother was a Rat of Tobruk, another a Changi prisoner-of-war, and her “baby” brother was a Korean War hero.

But war, she said, allowed Australian women to choose a life for themselves.

“Men had to get used to women (working),” Mrs Guest, who lives at Kippa-Ring, said.

To commemorate 100 years since the Anzac landing at Gallipoli, and recognise the sacrifices of those men and women who have served out country since WWI, Quest Community Newspapers will publish one story each day online in the lead-up to Anzac Day.

“A lot of people didn’t accept us. What did we have to look forward to? There was just the glory box. In a way, I am proud.”

But her work did not end at peacetime.

She stayed on until 1947 to help with reparations.

Mrs Guest then married husband Bill, who had been a “Chocko” in the 39th battalion in Papua New Guinea.

The plucky 92-year-old is now a member of the War Widows’ Guild, Ex-Servicewomen’s Club and Legacy, which she said provided her with great companionship.

THIS story is part of Quest Community Newspapers’ 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Stories project, which will profile Queensland WWI heroes and families as the nation builds up to the centenary of the Allied landing on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

If you have the details and war record of a family member who served during WWI, let us know on our Facebook page or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Determined Kippa-Ring resident recalls how she went to Newcastle to enlist — against parents’ wishes