ERNEST EDWARD ‘SNOW’ EASTLEY

Born

On 20 December 1919 at Ulverstone.

Connection to South Riana

Attended school, lived and buried in South Riana.

Parents

Edward Charles EASTLEY and Mary Ann EASTLEY who were married at Chudleigh in 1903.

Family

Alfred George 1905 – 1987

Raymond Charles 1907 – 1995

Laurence William 1912 – 1997

Thelma May 1913 – 2011

Gordon Eric 1915 – 2002

Alice Doreen 1919 – 1975 (Ernest’s twin)

Married

Gweneth June ROBERTSON (1926 – 2010) on 16 December 1946 in Devonport.

Family

Robyn  1948

Geoffrey Ernest 1952

Elizabeth

Died

29 December 2008 at Coroneagh Park, Penguin and is buried at South Riana.

School Records

Enrolled at South Riana number362 by his father Edward, a farmer from South Riana who lived a mile from the school on 25 January 1927. He left school on 21 December 1933 as he was over age.

Military Records

Service number TX5494, placed in 2/16 Aust Field Coy as a sapper. He enlisted in Burnie on 11 June 1941 when he was a single farm labourer. Next of kin was his father Edward Eastley of South Riana. Ernest was described as 5’7” with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He served in the Middle East from 2 Nov 1941 to 23 May 1942, PNG 15 Nov 1942 to 9 Nov 1943 where he was a miner and Borneo 11 Feb 1944 to 7 June 1944 then again 12 Apr 1945 to 28 Jan 1946. He served a total period in the AIF of 1785 days, which included 622 in Australia and 969 overseas. He was discharged on 11 March 1946.       

 Military photograph courtesy of grand-daughter Kylie. Other photograph from P.H.G. files.