Eliza Woods
Eliza Woods and her brother Aden Eades discuss the World War 2 service of their father Frederick Eades. Frederick spent the first years of the war working on a cargo ship and as a labourer before joining the AIF in 1942, and he served in Borneo in 1945. Frederick enlisted willingly, feeling that he had to defend Australia. Aden was 2 or 3 when his father went to war, and barely knew him when he returned home. Frederick did not receive recognition when he returned from the war, nor did he receive benefits or land. Indeed, it was particularly galling for him that those with whom he served in the war received grants of land. He helped these men on their farms out of a sense of friendship more than anything else. While their father was away, Eliza and Aden’s mother found it hard to support their family, and they supplemented their rations with hunting. Both Eliza and Aden feel strongly that all aboriginal servicemen and women deserve much greater recognition.
- Watch Eliza and Aden’s interview in Albany;
- Return to the Albany Yarn Up page.