Branch of Service

Air Force

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

18/05/1944

Date of Discharge

19/03/1946

Place of Enlistment

Sydney NSW

Gender

Female

Date of Birth

11/09/1920

Place of Birth

Mosman NSW

Address (at enlistment)

Dominion Circuit, Deakin ACT

School(s) Attended

Canberra Church of England Girls Grammar School

Occupation

Authoress

Next of Kin

Harry Whitlam (father), Dominion Circuit, Deakin ACT

Service Number

176974

Final Rank

Aircraftwoman

Final Unit

RAAF HQS (DE)

Whitlam's father was assistant Crown Solicitor when the family moved to Canberra in 1927. She was an author and part time shorthand teacher before enlisting as well as studying languages at Canberra University College. She served as a clerk with the WAAAF at the RAAF's No.2 Stores Depot at Waterloo in Sydney. After the war she completed her Bachelor of Arts and in 1954 earned a Fulbright Scholarship to study at Yale University in the United States. After being awarded her masters degree she undertook further studies at London University before returning to Australia and an appointment as principal of the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Sydney. She resigned her post in 1976 and in 1987 was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her service to education and the community. Freda Whitlam died in Penrith on 30 May 2018. Her brother Gough Whitlam also served in the war and as Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975.

Description - height 5 feet 4.5 inches, weight 143 pounds, chest 37-39.5 inches, fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair, Presbyterian.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
NAA RecordSearch - Series A9301
ACT Electoral Rolls 1916 to 1967 http://canberraheritageportal.org/default.php
The Canberra Times - 25 April 1940
Sydney Morning Herald - 15 September 1954
Whitlam Institute - https://www.whitlam.org/fredawhitlam (viewed 17 April 2019)