The Leader Newspaper // Special Features ANZAC Day 2019 Supplement | Page 6

COMMEMORATING ANZAC
Navy service created strong
foundation for Sally
By Emma Clark
Nuriootpa’s Sally Rogers served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service.
As soon as she turned 18, Sally Rogers was ready
to embark on a new challenge and was quick to sign
up to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRN).
Growing up in England, Sally would always
commemorate ANZAC Day, something that continues
today.
“I always thought it was wonderful... otherwise
British people wouldn’t understand,” said Sally.
Sally’s dad, MB Burgess served in Egypt and it was
only later in his life that he shared his experiences
of fighting in the desert.
“Most men that came back didn’t talk about it,”
said Sally.
“But as time went by he would open up a little
bit and talk about Cairo.”
Enrolling to serve was ingrained in Sally’s family
with both grandfathers serving in World War I and II.
“When I left school I always wanted to go in the
Navy... my big sister Wendy joined and I had to at
18,” recalls Sally.
“On my 18th birthday I had my training on the
HMS Dauntless. I just felt that it was a sense of
service and I would join.
“I had seen WRNS around and always looked so
damn smart... the Navy had the kudos of being the
senior service.”
Sally underwent three months training and then
embarked on further training in a chosen field.
It was the 1960’s and Sally was posted to Cornwall
and served in the air/sea rescue.
“I was fascinated by the helicopters and decided
to change jobs and became a radar plotter,” said Sally.
“I took to it like a duck to water and underwent
another six months to train.”
Sally recalls the fog rolling in quickly to the port
at Cornwell and as part of her role she would plot
helicopters coming back from service and would
direct them into a landing site.
After two years taking on this role, Sally met
serviceman, Petty Officer Douglas Brown and they
fell in love.
“We got married and you were not allowed
to stay in the service in those days... it broke my
heart,” said Sally.
It was love that ended Sally’s naval career and
she raised two children as her husband continued
to serve.
The family moved to Scotland and soon after
Sally, at the age of 26, and the children moved
to Australia to join her parents who called South
Australia home through the Ten Pound Poms
movement.
“Things were really bad in the UK in the 70s ...
women had to find jobs, although I already had
one as a nurse,” said Sally.
“Things were hard and fast in those days.
“We were the generation post war that needed
to help get the country back on its feet.”
Sally recalls an interview she had once moving
to Australia, where she proudly shared her skills
and knowledge.
She was told she was too old to get a job and
going against the advice, was successful in finding
a nursing job on the first day of looking.
“I worked at the RAH and was amazed that I got
that job... back then you didn’t go to unemployment
centres or Centrelink,” said Sally.
Being a WRN provided opportunity to develop
new skills and embrace broader horizons.
“You have a pride when in a service and
Remembrance Day is bigger in the UK than ANZAC,”
said Sally.
Continued on next page
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6 - “The Leader”, Commemorating ANZAC, Wednesday, April 17 2019
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