KERRY Heinicke will be overcome with pride today when she reflects on her late mother Shirley Underwood OAM during the Anzac Day proceedings.
Today will mark the first Anzac Day without her mother, who died last month, aged 88.
Shirley served four years in the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps.
She joined at age 19 in 1950, answering the call for women to fill the roles left by men who served in World War II in the decade before.
“It will be an emotional day for sure, given she has only recently passed,” Kerry said.
“It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know both my parents served and their names are synonymous with the day.”
Survived by husband and Korean War veteran Roy Underwood, the couple are considered stalwarts of the Mount Gambier Community RSL.
“Today is always emotional for our family, as it is a day to remember all service people, not only those who have fallen,” Kerry said.
“It is to acknowledge everyone who put the country in front of themselves.”
Kerry said both her parents are adored by their peers for their tireless community service.
“They are both highly respected, good people and have always had a focus of being a real part of the community,” Kerry said.
“It fills me with absolute pride they not only served their country, but upon returning they never abandoned their community and continued to serve it where it was required.”
Present at the Vansittart Park Soldier’s Memorial yesterday to commemorate the anniversary of the Korean War battle Kapyong, Roy said the passing of his beloved wife filled this year’s Anzac Day proceedings with extra emotion.
One of the great honours Shirley had on Anzac Day was awarding the medal named in her honour to the best player in the North and South Gambier A Grade netball match.
Today, the medal will be presented by Roy and Kerry.
“It will be particularly emotional – she was very proud to award that medal at the match,” Roy said.
“She did play netball and was quite involved with the sport.”
Off the sporting field, she had a working relationship with a number of organisations including 50 years with the Girl Guides, 27 years with the Red Cross, 17 years with the Ferrers Medical Clinic and a long-standing commitment to the RSL Ladies Auxillary Group and Legacy.
“She was a private person, but she was involved in the community because volunteering was a big joy of her life,” he said.
“She was always known as ‘Brown Owl’, which was from her Brownies (Girl Guides) days and that name stuck with her all her life.”
Wiping a tear from his eye, Roy described Shirley as “his life”.
“We were very happily married and I loved her very, very much.”
