Peter Frank Bird

Story

Peter Frank Bird youngest son of John F Bird and Alice Bird was born on the 21st May 1921. Peter survived his first year only because of remarkable care. Shortly after Peter’s birth the new nanny allowed Enid and Mollie in to meet their new baby brother, unaware that Enid had whooping cough. Before long little Peter developed this dangerous illness. For the next three months Alice slept sitting up in bed with her baby in her arms. She was there whenever he coughed, doing everything in her power to prevent him from choking. The illness left its mark; he had a ‘weak chest’ for the rest of his life.

Peter was only two and the family darling when the whole of John F. W. Bird\’s family sailed on the Euripides to try their luck in farming. He went to school at Bass until he was 12. Then his family moved to Wye River and for two years he attended the tiny primary school there. In 1935 and 36 he studied the High School curriculum by Correspondence.

When he was 18 he developed pneumonia and nearly died. The family doctor made clear the risk of further brushes with death.

From 1935 he was the Hotel ‘GOFER’. His work evolved into maintenance for the diesel driven pump at the river, the hotel electricity plant, and the vehicles. He was also a much-loved playmate for his young nieces and nephews. Peter was switched on about electricity and radio, he demonstrated a crystal radio to 4-year-old Graham, and had magazines with ‘maps’ of electrical circuits.

The Second World War began in 1939. His brother Eric (F. N.) joined the RAAF in September 1940. In 1941 Peter, intending to become a pilot, started talking about joining up. He submitted an Aircrew application in March 1941 which included claims of: ‘practical and theoretical knowledge of telephone and wireless wiring and operation; elementary practical and theoretical knowledge of electrical engineering; and maintain and repair internal combustion engines’

The concern this application generated in the family was allayed by the belief he would be judged medically unfit. However, the intake medical report of 13th June \’41 read ‘his heart and lungs are healthy’. Peter Bird commenced RAAF service on October 10th 1941. With the title of AC (Aircraftsman) he went into training, first at the No 4 Flying Training School. On January 31st 1942 he was transferred to No 1 Elementary Flying Training School Parafield, S. A., and promoted to Leading AC. On 21st March 1942 he was discharged with the reason ‘not likely to become an efficient aircrew’. There was no explanation of the skills problem or attitude that invited this global assessment and he had not been on any disciplinary charges.

He had leave for a month. This included meeting his nephew Alan Edwards, then three, for the first time. Alan remembers his grandmother\’s (Alice M.) great pleasure and excitement with Peter\’s visit. He also drove his mother to Pakenham for a visit to his eldest brother John W. and family. There, Peter also delighted Marilla, aged 8 and Graham, , 6 with his playful Uncle antics. He would do tap dancing and recite funny little sayings in a special voice.

On 20th April 1942, he enlisted in the Army (AIF) where he was certified fit for Class 1. He commenced his training at East Maitland, NSW. He hoped to become a truck or light personnel carrier driver. A few days later he was shown to be a casualty, not able to train, but the reason is unclear.

The following account combines his mother\’s story, garnered from other servicemen, with the official file. On 25th July he tried to report sick with German Measles but was treated as a malingerer and sent back on duty. On the 26th he again reported but was sent on a route March. On this day, he had not been able to dry his underclothes so wore them wet. On the 27th his sickness was acknowledged and he was added to the ‘X list’, a list of those not available for duty. By the 31st July he was regarded as seriously ill and in the Camp Hospital at Greta. On the 3rd of August he was transferred to the dangerously ill list. His mother was called and invited to fly to his bedside. Before she finished packing a second call advised of his death.

Peter Bird was buried in the Church of England cemetery at Maitland. A memorial gathering at Lorne was notable for expressions of anger. His brother, Eric was not there as he was between postings in the Pacific at the time. The news did not reach him, was following him around for three weeks. This added to his distress about his young brother and about the impact on his mother. Graham and Marilla also missed the ‘funeral\’. They were not taken because their father, John W. almost unable to function because of his anger and grief, mistakenly thought they were ‘too young’.

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