'Elizabeth was a Wireless Operator in the WAAF during WW2, she served in both Melbourne and Sydney in top secret postings. She was 'Ducky' to her service mates, but was known life long by her family as Betty. She was a Sergeant when she was discharged after she became pregnant with yours truly. She lived in Brisbane with her parents, Philip & Elizabeth, at 327 Milton Road, Auchenflower, until Dad returned from overseas service in November 1945. Mum & Dad loved sports then, Mum in tennis and Dad in cricket and Dad also loved the GeeGees...'984

Courier-Mail, Brisbane, Queensland, 31 May 1941 records, ‘Russell-Duckering-The engagement is announced of Elizabeth Jean (Betty), younger daughter of Mr & Mrs P E Duckering, Milton Road, Auchenflower to Leading Air-craftsman Victor John Russell, RAAF, only son of M r & Mrs W Russell, Donald Street, Camp Hill.’

'He was living on the family farm in Brigalow, on the Western Line, in Queensland when he joined the AIF. He obtained his Carpenters trade certificate on return from the WW2 where he served overseas in Papua New Guinea, the Middle East and Borneo.He also obtained his Bookies Licence, so I do know what a pack of poo tickets are. From 1948 until 1956 they were farmers in the Beerwah region of Queensland, first a pineapple plantation, but later poultry. Dad had a very serious accident when he almost sliced his ankle off with the 'running' board of a truck at the local sawmill. Times were hard then and I was sent to stay with Philip & Elizabeth DUCKERING, my grandparents in Brisbane, which I didn't find a hardship at all. Then Mum & Dad moved to Toowoomba in 1956, much against my will, where Dad worked for the Department of Works, Toowoomba office until his death.'984