PhotoNews DUBBO
APRIL A PRILL 113-19, 3-119, 22023 | FREE!
LOCALLY OWNED & INDEPENDENT EPPENDEN NT
100
Best Free Newspaper by Country Press NSW
?- .7: /;< 4
<
DUBBO’S WWII CIPHER IS TURNING
Awarded
Pictured: World War II veteran Violet Palm, who turns 100 this year, is just one reason why we celebrate l b t A Anzac D Day every year. On O this thi day d iin particuti lar, we commemorate our fallen and celebrate with those who remain for their years of service to our country. Thank you Violet for your service.
PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS
By JENET STEWART
During World War II, Australia was part of an extensive secret code-breaking organisation. The code breakers cracked codes used by the Japanese air force, army and water transport units. These code crackers are said to have changed the course of the Pacific War.
A very young Violet Palm was one of those ciphers, as they were known, who decoded messages. Violet lived and worked in Brisbane at the army barracks during WWII and later moved to Townsville. Violet’s job as a cipher was with the Australian military. She held the position for four years during WWII until 1948.
“There were only four of us who did the coding, all women,” she told Dubbo Photo News. “It was cold, we had a kerosene can with coals in it to keep us warm, the soldiers would keep it stoked up. “We worked in a tent which was connected by many wires to the main building. This is where we decoded the messages. “We worked very long hours
and my family didn’t really know what I did, they had a bit of an idea but not really, we were sworn to secrecy,” Violet explained. This year, Violet turns 100 years old. She is the oldest female veteran in Dubbo and one of the diminishing number of WWII veterans still living in Australia. She likes visiting the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club on a regular
basis playing b i and d enjoys j l i g bingo bi g with her friends and family. Every year since her service with the Australian military, Violet has attended Anzac Day and in particular the Dawn Service. “I never miss the Dawn Service,” Violet said.. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS
CALL US with your news 6885 4433 | EMAIL photos@dubbophotonews.com.au | www.facebook.com/dubbophotonews