Daniel Austin Cleary
Daniel Austin Cleary was born on 19 May 1921 in the family home at 2 Mary St., North Parramatta (corner of Gilbert Street). He was the youngest child of Michael Francis Cleary and Catherine Bergin. He was educated at St. Monica's primary school North Parramatta, possibly also at St Patrick's school Parramatta for a period, and at the Marist Brothers school Parramatta.
back of original photograph endorsed "Frank,
Dan & Nora. August 1923". Appears to be their parents watching.
January 20 1934 at Coogee, NSW
12-year-old Daniel with his parents and sisters.
three brothers - Jack, Frank and Dan. 1937.
on the northern side of the family home at 2 Mary Street, North Parramatta.
Dan left school at age 14, taking jobs such as delivering ice in a horse-drawn cart (most family homes did not have refrigerators at that time and many household deliveries such as milk, bread, vegetables and ice were delivered in horse-drawn carts). Later he was employed by his uncles to do tractor and truck driving.
Dan worked for an uncle at Cleary Brothers Bombo, 1941.
For a period as a young man, he boarded with a kindly lady, Mrs Marley, in Kiama, while working for Cleary Brothers at Bombo. The youngest in his family, perhaps he was a bit lost living away from home and Mrs Marley must have mothered him a little. In later years he reflected with fond memories and always spoke of Mrs Marley using the word "kind". Information about Sarah Roarty Marley (1869-1942) may be found on the Find a Grave website; thanks to her great great great niece, Annie.
Dan was an active member of the surf-lifesaving club at Kiama.
It appears to be Dan furthest left of those standing under the flag.
He later commenced employment as a trainee "attendant" (male nurse) at the Parramatta Mental Hospital (where his mother had once been employed, and his father was still employed).
Dan joined the Royal Australian Air Force in June 1942. His initial training was at Cootamundra NSW. He was sent to Canada for further training prior to being sent to England for combat duty during World War Two. Although a member of 454 RAAF Squadron, he served as a navigator/bomb-aimer in 58 Bomber Squadron of the Royal Air Force , manned by mixed British, Canadian and Australian crew. Dan enjoyed the intellectual challenge of navigation and the companionship he found with his Air Force colleagues in those training days in Canada.
Stan Walker, Dan Cleary, Doug McDonald, Dusty Lutes. Taken at Debert,
(Nova Scotia, Canada) September 1943. Crew 13, Course 34. All NCO's.
click here to go forward to later years of Daniel's life
