WARK Wallace John
professional soldier and volunteer worker 1922-

Wally Wark was born in Sydney and joined the AIF on April Fool's Day 1940 at the minimum age of 18. He was posted to the Royal Military College Duntroon transport establishment on general duties, and was also the commandant's driver.

Two years later he was posted to Papua New Guinea as a reinforcement where he was directed to Owers Corner at the beginning of the Kokoda Track. After this he moved to 2/141 Aust GT Coy, then Detachment Aust Army Air Maint Coy, 2/9 AGH Fd Amb and finally HQ 2/40 Sup Dep Coy.

He returned to Australia in 1944 with the latter unit, which thereafter controlled all supply units in Far North Queensland and provided transport support to the army hospitals. The unit was finally disbanded in Sydney in 1946.

From there Wally was invited to return to RMC and join the ARA, retaining his AIF rank, and was posted as transport sergeant: he participated in the visit of FM Lord Montgomery as a car driver. Then came transfer to Q Clerk until promoted to WO2 in 1948 to run the Clothing Store and its associated Trust Fund Store, and the academic textbook library; his duties also included being a representative on the RMC Special Fund and the Canteen. Wally was a well-known identity with generations of staff cadets at Duntroon.

In 1961 he was promoted WO1 and posted as chief clerk at HQ N Comd Tps RAASC Ashgrove; a posting as RSM 9 Tpt Colm was changed by his recall to RMC as Chief Clerk. While in this posting he volunteered to assist in training for the emerging battlefield helicopter medevac.

Promoted to lieutenant in 1966, he remained as Chief Clerk until the following year, when he became QM RAASC Centre Puckapunyal as a captain, during which period he was detached as QM for the Tasmania Bushfire Emergency. In 1969 he moved to QM Army Headquarters Canberra as a major. He finally retired from the army in 1977 after 37 years service, including a remarkable 24 years at RMC.

After this retirement he worked in security, first with the Department of Administrative Services, then at Old Parliament House, covering the House of Representatives, Joint House and Senate, retiring from there in 1987.

His active sporting life included playing both cricket and hockey in ACT First Grade and representing the ACT. A long term member of Canberra Legacy since 1963, he is also a long-time blood donor, a life member of the Duntroon Society, a member of Oddfellows Lodge since 1937, and Australian Legion since 1946. Voluntary activities also included care of the grounds of St Thomas Carwoola church grounds and Pioneer cemetery with which he is still involved.

He married Lynette in 1948 and they have three children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.