Aircraftsman Hedley Colin BOEHM
3 Dec 1922 – 9 Oct 1942
Hedley Colin BOEHM was born 3rd of December, 1922 at Waikerie to August Carl and Elsa Meta Doreathey Boehm, of Ramco. Hedley attended school at Ramco Primary and Waikerie Higher Primary.
Hedley was a very skilled cricketer often featuring as best batsman and bowler in a game. He was well known and liked locally.
Hedley enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force at Adelaide on 12th August 1942. He was called up almost immediately and attested before attending at the 4th School of Technical Training, Royal Australian Air Force, at Victor Harbor.
Air Craftsman 1 Hedley BOEHM became ill shortly after survival training, not long after commencing training and was moved to the Victor Harbor Hospital. His condition worsened and he was transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Despite the best of treatment, Hedley died on the Wednesday the 9th of September 1942 of illness. His parents were at his bedside. Hedley was brought back to the family home at Ramco and on Friday September 11th, 1942 the large, well attended funeral procession, following Hedley from the house to the Ramco Cemetery where a graveside service was held.
Hedley BOEHM is interred in the Ramco Cemetery and is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial on the Roll of Honour.
Hedley BOEHMs headstone is white marble and of uniform design to those of the other Australian fallen whilst in the service of our country. It was supplied, and like all War Graves, will be maintained in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Hedley is also commemorated with a tree and plaque here in the WAIKERIE War Memorial Gardens.
