Ronald James Reynolds
14 Oct 1924 - 16 Dec 2016Service #: PA/2957 Wireless Telegraphist 1st Class
Enlisted RANR 1 Dec 1942
Discharged 25 July 1946.
Ron Reynolds served as Radio/Telegraphist aboard HMAS HDML 1321 from January 1945 until November 1945 when the ship was paid off in Brisbane.
Ron then returned to his native South Australia where among other things he became a very accomplished middle and long distance bicycle rider.
Before the war Ron was the No 2 ranked cyclist in Australia, however poor diet and Malaria during the war ruined any chance of ever being No 1. Ron was still riding into his eighties and only retired, not because he was perhaps getting just a tad too old, but he had outlived ALL his opponents!
Ron Reynolds is responsible for many of the extant photos of HDML 1321.
Ron & Nama
'Nama' is Nama Wilwil, one of the two PNG natives who served on board HDML 1321 at times.
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| Informal portrait of Officer Cook Namma Will Will (right) from Mussau Island and PA2957 Telegraphist Ronald James Reynolds (left) standing on a motor launch (probably Motor Launch (ML) 1321). In the background is Able Seaman W McNicol, coastwatcher of North Britain. February 1945. AWM record P03953.003 |
Ron Reynolds in the 'bath'
So many of the men that worked this ship have such interesting histories. They must have picked the toughest of the tough to man 1321... Malaria, malnutrition, and still go on to be the no.2 cyclist? It's like they had super powers.
ReplyDeleteRon was a true gentleman - with a great sense of humour. I love his ingenuity and his choice of a bathtub. Note the twin .50 cal machine guns - great bathrooom accessories...
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