Finlay Street, Kepnock was named on 9 March 1967 in honour of the Finlay Family, an old and respected Pioneer Family of the district.
David Finlay WWI service
David Maurice Finlay was born in Bundaberg on 28 March 1899 and enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916.
Family members, provided this account of his service in World War I.
David Maurice Finlay enlisted in the Australian Army Corps on the 26 June 1916 at 17 years of age. He grew up in East Bundaberg and attended Bundaberg East State School until the sixth grade. Dave was an apprentice wood joiner when he joined the Army. He embarked on the ‘Boonah’ from Brisbane late October 1916, and they celebrated Christmas at Sierra Leone, Africa. Finally, the ship docked in Plympton early January 1917.
After completing his army training, Dave was mobilised to France on 8 Aug 1917 and belonged to 2/42nd Regiment. A law was in place that under 18-year-olds were not to go to the front lines, so he transferred to 18th Field Ambulance RTA as a stretcher bearer. In October 1918, he was wounded in action from severe shotgun wounds to the left arm. Doctors maintained that his arm would never be used again, but Dave was to prove them wrong.
After hospitalisation in England, Private DM Finlay returned to Australia in 1919 on the ‘Marathon’ when he was discharged. After arriving back in Bundaberg, Dave married Matilda (Tilly) Grotherr and lived at Lamb St, Bullyard and Windermere Road before finally retiring to Bargara. They spent many years cane farming and had five children – Maurice, Nev, Daphne, Des, and Beris.
Service Number: 2316
David was awarded the British War Medal and Victory medal and is listed on the Barolin State School Roll of Honour.
Maurice Finlay WWII service
Maurice Finlay was David and Tilly’s eldest son, born April 1924 in Bundaberg, and served in the Royal Australian Air Force as a Leading Aircraftman.
Family members provided the follow information about his service in World War II.
Maurice Clyde Finlay enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in February 1943. Prior to this, Maurie was enrolled at Gatton Ag College. The American Armed Forces had ‘acquired’ the college and all students were asked to vacate except for 24 who were doing their final year. Upon completion of his diploma in 1942 and no job offers due to the war, he enrolled in the AIF.
Maurice enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 26 February 1943 and completed a course in instrument repair.
He was appointed to ground force and transferred to Ultimo Engineering Workshop doing general fitting and turning electrical equipment. From there he was appointed a trainee instrument fitter and received ten shillings a day. From there, Maurie was transferred to Townsville then sent to Milne Bay in New Guinea, Nadzab, New Briton, Noumea, Morata in Dutch New Guinea and finally Labuan. After 16 months in New Guinea, he was transferred back to Amberley, Australia.
Maurice was discharged from service on 31 January 1946, after the war had finished.
Service Number: 123853
Neville Finlay WWII service
Neville John Finlay was born in Bundaberg in October 1925 and was a private in the Australian Army 19th Infantry Battalion.
Family provided this account of his service.
Dave and Tilly’s second son, Neville John enlisted on 16 January 1945 but was not to see active duty overseas. He was discharged on 12 November 1945 after 301 days in the Australian Imperial Force. He joked that the enemy knew he was coming, and this was the reason the war finished. Prior to joining, Nev was a cane cutter and once returning he and his wife, Nellie bought a farm at Booyan before buying a farm at Gin Gin and devoting their spare time to the local community activities.
Service Number: QX63088
David and Tilly’s third son, Desmond, went to enlist but his application was declined as the war was close to being over.
Daphne Talbot (nee Finlay) WWII service
Daphne Finlay was a teenager living in the Bundaberg Region during World War II, and saw her older brothers enlist for military service.
Family provided the following information about her wartime experience.
Dave and Tilly’s eldest daughter and third child enlisted in the Australian Women’s Land Army (AWLA) in approximately 1943 at 16 years of age. The AWLA were “Girls with Grit who kept the farms going while men were fighting”. During her time in the AWLA, Daph went to farms to do farm work and fruit picking in Queensland and New South Wales. For many years after her Land Army days, Daphne spoke about the camaraderie, friendships, and fun that she had enjoyed during this time. Many lifelong friends came out of her time with the Australian Women's Land Army.
Over 3,000 women enlisted in Australia with 1,135 coming from Queensland doing all facets of agricultural work including fruit, vegetable, and cotton picking and working with cattle, sheep and poultry. Sadly, many records of these ladies have been lost as each member of the AWLA, upon enrolling for continuous service, received a service record book. This was kept by the individual who took it with her from farm to farm. It is a useful source for proof of service as it recorded the different farms where the individual worked, promotion, leave, conduct, and discipline. The book was kept by the individual at the end of her service. After her army days, Daph worked at the Royal Brisbane Hospital before marrying James (Jim) Talbot.
Daphne's contribution to the wartime effort has been recognised through the badging of the street sign with the Australian Women's Land Army Badge.