World War II Database

1. penelope upward says:
7 Feb 2009 08:10:45 PM

My father Squadron Leader George Roy Upward
b. Melbourne 12 May 1907 was last Commanding officer at Merauke. He was a really wonderful man. He enlisted January 1941 RAAF and was sent to Townsville as a Bomb Disposal Officer when the Japanese bombed Townsville. One month before the japanese got within 25 miles of Port Moresby on foot, my father was sent to Port Moresby and with a group of about ten men detonated the bombs that did not explode.
Fortunately for us, his family, my mother and brother and my father's parents he came home from the war about October 1945. the best day of our lives! He died aged 59 in Egypt 12 June 1966 with FAO of UN and is buried in Alexandria, Egypt. (British section though we are Australian. I have never been able to visit his grave.
I march for my Dad every ANZAC Day.
Penelope Upward

2. Keith Upward says:
10 Sep 2011 09:17:22 PM

Hi Penelope. My name is Keith Upward and I live in Queensland Australia, But I was brought up in Hove & Portslade, England. I moved to Australia in 1960 when I got Married to my Wife Mary.
I am heavily into Upward family genealogy and I am writing a book on the World wide Upward families, contacting them and tracing their roots, which on the most part, hail from the south west counties of England.
Most of us are related somewhere down the line! So essentially, what I am looking for is, old Upward photos and names of Grandparents & Great Grandparents from which I can usually trace back to a common ancestor. If you and your family could help in this matter, I would be very grateful and I would happily provide you with the results of my research.
Regards, Keith Upward, Queensland, Australia..
..

3. Linda Scott says:
9 Mar 2012 10:20:39 PM

Penelope, My mother Christine Scottwho I believe went to school with you at Warrandyte Primary asked me if I could help her contact you as she would love to be in touch. Her email address is chris.jack.scott@bigpond.com.

4. Ulla says:
9 Apr 2015 12:26:36 PM

Hi Penelope. 5 days ago I visited your fathers grave in Alexandria. I read the tombstone and found it interesting. Something about : " .... remembered in the western deserts", so I noted his name in my phone and googled it - and found your post here.
The story is, that I visited Alexandria with my husband and two sons, and since my husbands granddad was burried there in 1938, we tried to find his grave - without succes. But walking around the cemetary I was caught by your fathers tombstone, and felt that he must have been a special and well-liked man. Everything looked nice and well-kept, and we had very kind assistance from the watchman or guard. He had his chair in the shadow (it is very sunny, hot and dusty), and had started a healthy vine to create shade - close to your fathers grave. I hope this message reach you, and maybe provide you with a feeling of connection to your father and his resting place.
Best regards
Ulla Westlund, Denmark

5. Anonymous says:
29 Jun 2015 08:20:28 PM

Thank you so much Ulla...I have only just read your email to me. yes it was wonderful getting news of my father's grave and to know it is well cared for.

Kindest regards,
Penelope, Australia

6. Anonymous says:
13 Jul 2015 08:46:21 PM

Hi Keith
I too have done a bit of research and I think I can help. Penelope's family is from London - George Upward 1715 – 1768 and Ann Campion 1715 – 1778 and their son Richard.
Incidentally, many of the NSW's Upwards descend from the other son and brother to Richard - John.
These NSW WW2 hero's are Penelope's cousins.
Robert Raymond Upward
Raymond Upward
John William Upward
Eric Leonard Upward
Arnold Richard Upward
John Ernest Upward

7. Penelope upward says:
12 Oct 2015 07:49:35 PM

My descendant John Upward came to Australia in 1849 settling in Geelong. My brother and I are 5th generation Australians. I know of no relatives overseas.