Vernard James Cork (1918)

Born 27 Jul 1918 in Wondai, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Kathleen (Wynne) Cork — married 12 Jul 1944 in Queensland, Australia

Biography

Vern Cork was born in Queensland, Australia

Vernard 'Vern' James Cork was born on 27th July 1918 in Wondai, Queensland, Australia. He was the second son of Irvine Cork and Maud Gillespie. ^[1] His mother soon after fell quite ill with diphtheria, necessitating Vern being 'farmed out' to a family for two months to be cared for; to the Buckleys. The Corks later moved to Mount Tyson, near Pittsworth on Queensland's Darling Downs. He started school at the Mount Tyson State School. Whilst the family lived in Coorparoo, in Brisbane's south, Vern attended the local St James' convert school before moving on to St Laurence's Christian Brothers College, South Brisbane. ^[2]

Whilst living at Dutton Park, he obtained work at the Highgate Hill pharmacy and then as an apprentice painter, attending the technical college beside Parliament House (now Queensland University of Technology). Aged about nineteen, he accompanied his father to Gympie, where his Dad opened a fruit shop. ^[2]

Vern Cork is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1941-1945
Australian New Guinea Administration Unit

Vern completed three months national service training at Fraser's Paddock, Brisbane in 1939, following which he returned to Gympie whilst registered with the Militia. 'Called up' for full-time duty, he was stationed at Maryborough and then Townsville. On 27th September 1941, Vern transferred from the Militia to the Second Australian Imperial Force, his nation's overseas expeditionary force for the Second World War. He was a member of the Australian New Guinea Administration Unit (ANGAU). As such, he saw action at Milne Bay, Wau, Salamaua and Bougainville. He was discharged on 21st November 1945 with the junior non-commissioned rank of Corporal. ^[3] Following the war, Vern was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Vern married Kathleen Wynne on 12th July 1944 in Queensland. ^[4]

With his brothers, Greg, Laurie and Bob, Vern established Cork Bros Soft Drinks. Although he and Greg later left, Laurie and Bob continued to operate their bottling and home delivery business from Woolloongabba, in Brisbane's south until the 1980s.

Vern later settled on Tamborine Mountain, breeding and training greyhounds. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Queensland Birth Index #1918/C/10576
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} University of New South Wales Canberra Australians at War Film Archive; accessed 30 Jun 2022
3. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: QX53389 (Q24705) Corporal Vernard James Cork; accessed 30 Jun 2022
4. ↑ Queensland Marriage Index #1944/C/3115