William Gerard Ripley Braithwaite (1921 - 1995)

Born 21 Dec 1921 in Hamilton, Victoria, Australia

Husband of May (Duigan) Braithwaite — married 4 Sep 1946 in St Paul''s Church, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia

Died Mar 1995 at age 73 in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

William Gerard Ripley Braithwaite (1921-1995)

William Braithwaite was born in Victoria, Australia

Birth
William Gerard Ripley Braithwaite was born 21 December 1921 at Hamilton, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of William Ripley Braithwaite and Veronica (Mawson) Braithwaite. ^[1]

Marriage
May Duigan married William Gerard Braithwaite 04 September 1946 at St Paul's Church, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia.

Newspaper Report of Wedding

Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), Saturday 21 September 1946, page 9

BRAITHWAITE - DUIGAN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Braithwaite and their attendants (Photo by Arthur & Son)

St. Paul's Church was the scene of a charming wedding on Wednesday morning, 4th September, when May, daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. M. S. Duigan, of Mt. Gambier, and William Gerard, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Braithwaite, also of Mount Gambier, took their vows at a Nuptial Mass which was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean J. A. Fahey, assisted by Fr. T. Horgan, the Acolytes being Masters John and Kevin Duigan, brothers of the bride.

St. Paul's Choir supplied the choral work with a very fine rendition of Haller's "Missa Decima," and Miss M. Braithwaite sang Caesar Franck's "Panis Angelicus' and the lovely "Ad Te Levavi" with the devotion and reverence befitting such an occasion.

The altar and sanctuary were beautifully decorated with large bowls of pink and white blossom.

The bride made a delightful picture as she entered the Church on the arm of her brother, Mr. H. J. Duigan. Her gown, which was of shimmering white moire, was cut with a graceful train over which fell a fine tulle veil in misty folds. The deep circular yoke of marquisette was finished with a frill, and was beautifully embroidered with silver beads. Long white gloves met the short puff sleeve, and she carried an exquisite bouquet of white camellias.

Little Ann Duigan, niece of the bride, made an appealing picture as flower girl. Misses Betty and Sally Duigan, sisters of the bride, were bridesmaids, and Mr. Tony Braithwaite, brother of the groom was best man, with Mr. Pat Black as groomsman.

The bridesmaids were simply but effectively gowned in delicate water lily pink taffeta, finished with large bows at the back. They wore shoulder-length pink veils and carried pink and blue posies.

After the ceremony the bridal party and guests were entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Duigan, where an appetising repast had been prepared. The three-tiered wedding cake held pride of place on tables laden with delicacies, interspersed with bowls of dainty rosebuds, maiden hair fern, hyacinths and fragrant stocks.

The bride and groom were showered with congratulations and good wishes, and numers of telegrams were received from their friends all over Australia and New Zealand.

The bride's mother, Mrs. M. Duigan, wore a smartly tailored brown costume in a fine check, which was highlit with a shoulder spray in tawny shades. Mrs. W. R. Braithwaite's black frock featured a blue inset design at the bodice, and she wore a rich spray in dark reds and blue.

Many carloads of friends bid the happy couple bon voyage at the aerodrome. The bride's travelling costume was a beautifully fitted suit in rust check, with a rust-red coat and smart matching tam. ^[2]

Children
William Gerard Braithwaite and May (Duigan) Braithwaite had 6 children: William "Bill", John, Peter, Mary, David, and Michael.

Death
William Gerard Braithwaite passed away in March 1995 at Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia.

Burial
William Gerard Braithwaite was buried on 09 March 1995 at Carinya Gardens Cemetery, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia. He shares the grave with his wife, May (Duigan) Braithwaite.^[3]

Military Service

During World War II, William Gerard Ripley Braithwaite enlisted on 21 June 1942 and served with the Australian Army, 10th Battalion. He was discharged from duty 26 March 1943.
On 27 March 1943, William Gerard Ripley Braithwaite enlisted and served with the Royal Australian Air Force, 9 Aircrew Holding Unit. His rank was Warrant Officer. He was discharged from duty 29 November 1945. ^[4]

William Braithwaite is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1942-1943
10th Battalion

World War Two Service^[5]

Veteran Details

Name BRAITHWAITE, WILLIAM GERARD

Service Australian Army

Service Number SX22784 (S60874)

Date of Birth 21 Dec 1921

Place of Birth HAMILTON, VIC

Date of Enlistment 21 Jun 1942

Locality on Enlistment MOUNT GAMBIER, SA

Place of Enlistment WARRAWONG, NSW

Next of Kin BRAITHWAITE, W

Date of Discharge 26 Mar 1943

Rank Private

Posting at Discharge 10 Battalion

Prisoner of War No

Honours None for display

William Braithwaite is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Air Force 1943-1945

World War Two Service ^[6]

Veteran Details

Name BRAITHWAITE, WILLIAM GERARD RIPLEY

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service Number 437749

Date of Birth 21 Dec 1921

Place of Birth HAMILTON, VIC

Date of Enlistment 27 Mar 1943

Place of Enlistment ADELAIDE, SA

Next of Kin BRAITHWAITE, WILLIAM

Date of Discharge 29 Nov 1945

Rank Warrant Officer

Posting at Discharge 9 AIRCREW HOLDING UNIT

Prisoner of War No

Honours None for display

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: VIC, Australia BDM Index
2. ↑ BRAITHWAITE WEDDING (1946, September 21). Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved June 21, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78089197
3. ↑ Burial: Mount Gambier Cemetery Research Braithwaite, William Gerard|Cemetery: Carinya Gardens Cemetery - Mount Gambier|Section: Eucalypt Garden|Plot/Grave/Niche: 43|Row: AA|Last Residence: Mount Gambier SA|Age at Death: 73 Years|Grave Depth: 2.13m (7') |Date of Interment: 09-03-1995|Type of Interment: Burial
4. ↑ World War II Record: ]https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5551460&S=15&R=0 NAA: A9301, 437749] BRAITHWAITE WILLIAM GERARD RIPLEY : Service Number - 437749 : Date of birth - 21 Dec 1921 : Place of birth - HAMILTON VIC : Place of enlistment - ADELAIDE SA : Next of Kin - BRAITHWAITE WILLIAM
5. ↑ World War II Service: DVA's Nominal Roll
6. ↑ DVA's Nominal Roll

See also:

• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201467008/william-gerard-braithwaite : accessed 23 June 2022), memorial page for William Gerard Braithwaite (21 Dec 1921–Mar 1995), Find a Grave Memorial Find A Grave: Memorial #201467008, citing Carinya Gardens, Mount Gambier, Mount Gambier City, South Australia, Australia ; Maintained by J (contributor 50048377) .