Joan McEwin

VAD │ Second World War │ Australia & Egypt
EARLY LIFE

Joan Emily McEwin was born on 18 November 1912 at Houghton in the Adelaide Hills, the eldest of five children born to Helen Parkyn Trescowthick (1889–1974) and Roy McEwin (1886–1956). She was educated at Methodist Ladies’ College in Wayville, Adelaide and for seven years was superintendent of the Houghton Congregational Kindergarten.

WAR SERVICE

When the Second World War broke out, Joan offered her services as a Voluntary Aid. She enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces in July 1941 and spent the next three months at Woodside army camp; at the Wayville dressing station; assisting with the 2nd AIF blood bank scheme; and training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Joan McEwin in VAD outdoor uniform. (Marlene Pitman; Find a Grave)

In early October 1941 Joan was named among 45 South Australian Voluntary Aids (VAs) who had been recommended for selection to go overseas with the first two Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs). On 9 October she enlisted in the 2nd AIF and was taken on strength for general duties with the Australian Army Nursing Service nurses of the 2/9th Australian General Hospital.

UNIFORM

Twenty-five of the VAs, including Joan, were chosen to sail in early November. During the week of 13–17 October they had their final fittings for their new uniforms. Each was fitted for one mess dress of sky-blue silk linen, with a navy blue collar; a summer costume of blue Cesarine; a blue Cesarine hat; a navy winter costume; a navy greatcoat and a navy felt hat; a navy raincoat; four indoor Cesarine uniforms with white collars; four white veils with the red cross in front; a navy cape reaching to about eight centimetres below the waist; two pairs of black lace-up shoes (for wearing with both indoor and outdoor uniforms); one pair of black court shoes (for wearing, with grey silk stockings, with the mess dress); two white Lystay blouses; two navy wool ties; and two pairs of gloves, one of fabric and one of skin.

On 17 October the 25 women were presented with gifts by the Red Cross. Each received an eiderdown, a suitcase, a cup, saucer and plate set, a spirit stove, a tin kettle, a knife, fork and two spoons, a torch and battery, a camp mattress, a mosquito net, mittens, a cardigan, a hot water bottle with a cover, and a pair of bed socks. In addition to the Red Cross suitcase, the VAs were allowed to take a trunk and a hold-all.

EMBARKATION

Joan completed her Voluntary Aid Overseas Service Enrolment Form on 20 October and prepared for imminent embarkation.

The 25 South Australian VAs entrained from Adelaide to Melbourne on 24 October and from Melbourne to Sydney on 1 November. Upon arrival in the Harbour City, they embarked alongside thousands of 2nd AIF troops on HMT Queen Elizabeth, which had the codename ‘K. K.’

The Queen Elizabeth departed Sydney the same day and sailed for the Middle East in convoy with HMT Queen Mary and the SS Zealandia.

After leaving Fremantle on 8 November, the convoy sailed via Ceylon to Suez. During the voyage Joan contracted meningitis, and after disembarking in Suez on 22 November she was admitted to No. 13 British General Hospital (BGH).

Joan died that night and was buried on 23 November at the Suez Military Cemetery.

In a cruel twist of fate, an hour and a half after Helen and Roy McEwin were notified of their daughter’s death, they received another cable advising them of her safe arrival overseas.

In memory of Joan.

SOURCES
  • Ancestry.
  • The Advertiser (Adelaide, 6 Oct 1941, p. 10), ‘First V.A.D’s for Overseas.’
  • The Advertiser (Adelaide, 1 Dec 1941, p. 10), ‘Memorial Service for Miss Joan McEwin.’
  • Leader (Angaston, SA, 27 Nov 1941, p. 1), ‘Death of First V.A.D. Overseas.’
  • Mail (Adelaide, 4 Oct 1941, p. 8), ‘First S.A. Aids Chosen to Go Overseas.’
  • Mail (Adelaide, 18 Oct 1941, p. 8), ‘V.A.Ds. Get Overseas Kits.’
  • National Archives of Australia.
  • News (Adelaide, 30 Jul 1941, p. 3), ‘Big Rush to Join V.A.Ds Since Trip Abroad Announced.’
  • News (Adelaide, 25 Nov 1941, p. 4), ‘V.A.D. from S.A. Dies Abroad.’