Rob Davies will read out the names of the fallen.
Camera IconRob Davies will read out the names of the fallen. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Wesley’s war toll

Susanne Reilly, Southern GazetteSouthern Gazette

Rob Davies, treasurer of the association, will read out the names, including his father Stanley Davies, a former Wesley College student who lost his life in World War II.

Mr Davies was only two-years-old when his father died, but he and his two brothers, Stan and Colin, attended Wesley College to follow in their father’s footsteps.

Decades later and now in his 70s, Mr Davies plays an active role in the association, keeping the history of Wesley alive in his family.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

He described his father as an athlete, who proudly represented Wesley in a number of sports.

He was a member of the athletics team, winning the King Cup as the 15 years champion in 1933.

On leaving Wesley, Stanley studied mechanical engineering before enrolling in the RAAF Reserve in 1940.

In April 1941, he got married and was enlisted three months later. Over the next four years, he would become a father to three sons.

Stanley trained to become a pilot and worked his way up to Flight Lieutenant.

In 1945, at 27-years-old, Stanley was practising standard manoeuvres when, as he straightened out from a dive, the wings of his aeroplane broke off.

Unfortunately, Stanley did not survive the accident.

Mr Davies said the association’s Anzac Service recognises and honours all the former students who lost their lives serving the country.