By Melissa Coleman
Stanthorpe’s last World War II veteran, William McCarthy, has passed away at the age of 99, with his final words exulting his love for the town.
“If I had this life over again, I would like to live in Stanthorpe”.
Bill as everyone knew him was born 16 September 1923 in Willoughby, a northern suburb of Sydney.
He was the second child in a family of three siblings and he lead an extraordinary life.
In his brother Terry’s eulogy, he said Bill was counting on receiving a telegram from Queen Elizabeth for his attainment of age 100.
“Alas, the Queen did not complete the arrangement and Bill was left stranded on 99. But let’s acknowledge that run out on 99 was a very good innings,” he said.
As a young man Bill attended the local parish primary school at St. Thomas’ where he was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
He was a good student, Bill said so himself, going on to captain the rugby league senior team.
Terry said Bill made some special friendships, which were to endure for almost a lifetime even through the difficult years of the Second World War.
“They had a practice of visiting the parents of their pals when they were home on leave,” he said.
“Even 30 years after leaving school these chaps were still met each Saturday afternoon for a quiet drink at the pub.”
Terry related some fond memories of his brother and his friends.
”I remember such visits and these blokes slipping me a couple of bob as they left,” he said.
“One day when Vince was leaving, he gave me his air force cap. I must have lost it.
“From then on when I played war games with my mates, I was ’Top Man’,” Terry said.
When Bill was 18 years old, he was called-up into the Australian Army.
He was at the Narellan Army Camp.
“Bill’s army life was short lived,” Terry said.
“His employer wanted him returned to his former role through a mechanism known as Manpower Release, which was applicable to industries involved in the war effort.
“It was only by applying for enlistment to the higher priority of aircrew that he was allowed to join the Air Force.”
Basic training was in Sydney soon Bill was transferred overseas to Canada for training as a navigator.
However, the war ended just as his squadron were preparing for combat service.
“I remember the day of Bill’s return to Sydney in 1945 after his sea voyage from Canada.
“I had trouble recognising this bearded person who passed by in a taxi as I was playing on the street with some mates, that day was to become one of my happiest memories,” Terry recalled fondly.
Bill graduated as an accountant in 1951 and it was then he met Enid Connellan.
He gained employment with the Australian arm of the large international drug and toiletries company, Warner Lambert.
And married the love of his life on Australia Day in 1952.
Things were looking great for Bill and Enid and in 1956 he was offered a position at the company’s headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey, USA.
So, they packed up their things and both Bill and Enid left for the USA.
“After a couple of years, the opportunity came for a transfer to Paris as financial controller of the company’s European division,” Terry said.
“The next few years were probably the best years of enjoyment and business experience for Bill and Enid.”
“As you would expect, they were able to travel extensively, as well as enjoy Parisienne life, all of which was so different to the world of their youth,” he said.
In 1961 Bill and Enid returned to Australia where Bill took on the role as the general manager of the cosmetic and toiletry division of the company.
Big changes were on the horizon for the couple as the toiletry market was growing quickly and the delightful editions to their family.
“Enid and Bill adopted a son Michael and shortly afterwards a daughter Kerry. Kerry is now deceased, unfortunately,” Terry said.
The young family was now complete.
Five years later Bill served as president of the Australian Drug and Toiletry Manufacturers Association.
However, there was change in the air, yet again and Bill gathered his family together and arrived in Stanthorpe.
Bill bought a motel and went into business for himself.
“I think it is fair to say that Bill found self-employment to be a more demanding life than he had expected.”
Terry said that Bill asked him to say that he and Enid have very much appreciated being part of the Stanthorpe community especially enjoying the companionship provided by the many church associations in which they participated.
“Bill personally was proud to have served on the Parish Council, to have been president of the Knights of the Southern Cross, to have assisted with Meals on Wheels and to have been a member of the Local Prayer Group for 20 years.”
Stanthorpe RSL Sub-Branch president and advocate Martin Corbett said Bill had been a member with the RSL for more than 20 years.
“He was a true gentleman; he always had the best interests of his friends in mind,” Mr Corbett said.
“Bill was a very active member in the sub-branch, he attended the majority of functions and was always involved in the Anzac Day marches.”
“He was respected by all the members,” he said.
Terry thanked former Parish Priest Fr. Brian Connelly and Father Gonzalo.
“I would like to express my thanks to those friends who have given support to Enid and Bill in their later years, in particular their close friends of so many years, Ray McMenimen and his late wife Helen, Mary and Ed Zanatta and Merle Wittkopt.”
He also thanked, on behalf of Michael and their family the staff and management of The Church’s of Christ Carramar Aged Care.
“Regrettably, our brother, Hugh, and his wife Marie are in frail health and were unable to travel from Sydney for Bill’s funeral.“
