For generations, my family has served our nation
When Joanne Boulter is asked who she thinks about when she wears a poppy, her response is concise, clear, and honest:
“When I wear a poppy, I think of my family, who served our nation.”
This is a succinct and understated way to sum up her family’s legacy of service, which spans generations – from her grandfather in the First World War, to her parents in the Second, to her late husband Kevin, who served in the Royal Australian Navy.
Joanne’s maternal grandfather, John William Austin, was a driver in the AIF 22nd Battalion during the First World War. Whilst serving in France, he was subjected to mustard gas, and returned to Australia. His health never recovered.
Joanne’s father, Gerald Arthur Beaton, served in the 2/5th Battalion of the AIF. He was a a Thirty-Niner – he had enlisted in 1939 – and fought in a number of pivotal conflicts, including the Battle of Crete during the Second World War. He served until 1945.
Her mother, Ethel Maude Austin, joined the Australian Women’s Army Service – after a fashion. “Her father wouldn’t let her serve,” recalls Joanne, “and she was working at the Laconia Blanket Factory, which was an essential service industry. So she had to get permission to be released from that, and eventually served from the age of 21.”
Gerald and Ethel married in 1944, raising a family of six children.
In 1984, when Joanne was 22, she met her husband. Kevin was working as a physical training instructor in Australia’s Navy, and served on the HMAS Vendetta, HMAS Torrens, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Melbourne.
Joanne and Kevin married on the 7th of November, 1986, and had three children.
Unfortunately, their life together was cut short.
Kevin developed cancer, and passed away at the age of 39 after a very short illness, leaving Joanne to raise their three children. It was tough at times, but also a beautiful way to honour Kevin’s memory: “I raised them in the way we would’ve together,” Joanne explains.
“When I wear a poppy, I’m sad […] because I wish that my family was still here with me, especially my husband, because he died at such a young age,” she reflects. “But I’m proud of who they were and I thank them for serving their nation.”
“I thank them for the sacrifices that they’ve made in leaving their families to go off to war or on peacekeeping missions. I cannot thank them enough, because they do make so many sacrifices and, in a lot of cases, they are exposed to things that we would never understand.”
Honouring the past in the present
“I grew up inside the RSL world,” Joanne says. “Mum and Dad were foundation members of the Waverley RSL. I grew up in that club. It was a little house when I first started going there as a child, and then now it’s a great big club. But I saw my Mum and Dad volunteer their time, countless hours, countless days.”
That tradition continues today. Joanne volunteers at Pakenham RSL, balancing her full-time job with raising money for the Poppy Appeal.
She recognises that the work the Appeal funds is critical to supporting Australia’s veteran community. And that’s why she brings her family’s medals with her whilst she volunteers for the appeal: to help educate current and future generations.
“I always have my father’s medals and my grandfather’s medals on display in a medal box that I’ve had made, and it promotes people to come and have a look and ask questions. I always am willing to answer those questions – to get people thinking about our veterans and their sacrifice.”
Joanne’s approach – highlighting the service of her family to help people understand the need to support modern day veterans – is making a difference that she can see.
“It brings a tear to my eye, because they’re getting it. They understand that the money helps veterans and their families – and that every dollar counts.”
Joanne’s family have served Australia for generations. The poppy is a promise that we will never forget them.
Together We Remember.
The person behind my poppy
When I wear a poppy, I think of my maternal grandfather John William Austin (AIF, First World War), my father Gerald Arthur Beaton (AIF, 2/5th Battalion, Second World War), my mother Ethel Maude Austin (AWAS, Ack Ack Gunner, Second World War), and my husband Kevin Michael John Boulter (RAN).
I proudly wear the medals of my grandfather and my husband, and I keep copies of my parents’ medals. My children have also worn them with pride. I now sell ANZAC and Remembrance tokens as part of Pakenham RSL, and I will treasure these medals to pass on to my children. Lest we forget.
Joanne Boulter
