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Tennis Court
This is located at the rear of the accommodation block.
Big shoutout to Sandra Playle who identified the engraving on the foundations for us, as well as Lorraine Dearnley. It's believed to read E. Kutzer, being that of WX30727 Ernest Robert Kutzer.
A big thankyou to everyone on the Abandoned Western Australia Facebook page who also helped!
In loving memory of
Lance Sergeant Ernest 'Ernie' Kutzer
Photo supplied by the Kutzer Family
19 May 1919 - 25 December 1994
Ernest “Joe” Robert Kutzer was born on 19 May 1919 in Pinjarra Western Australia, where he was educated until his family moved from their farm to a house in White Gum Valley.
At aged 20 years and 11 months, Joe, who stood just over six feet tall, enlisted with the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) on 16 May 1940. Initially assigned to the 7 Heavy Brigade in Swanbourne, most likely for three weeks of training, he was then posted to Arthurs Head on 2 June 1940. Located at the entrance of the Fremantle Harbour, Arthur’s Head was used as a slipway for submarines requiring repairs.
A few months later on 23 September, Joe was transferred to Rottnest Island with the rank of a Staff Sergeant. Whilst his specific assignment remains unknown for this initial posting, he was posted to the Kingston Barracks, which formed the accommodation and supporting instalments (guns and searchlight) for the Oliver Hill Battery on the east side.
On 19 May 1941, records show his role was that of a Gun Layer. This is the process of aiming an artillery piece or turret (including guns, howitzers and mortar) against surfaces of aerial targets whether on land, air or at sea.
Joe remained on Rottnest Island until 2 October 1944, applying for overseas service. It is difficult to ascertain information in regards to his posting from this date until 9 September 1945, when he served eight days protecting the coastal waters until 16 September.
He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Forces on 23 October 1945. Ernest took up work in the grain industry for CBH. There he would remain, becoming a Supervisor and retiring at the age of 60.
During his service, Ernest married Evelyn Payne on 31 July 1943. Together they had three children, Clifford, Desmond and Craig.
Ernest, a passionate fisherman who also loved to grow orchids, passed away from a long illness on Christmas Day 1994, in the family’s Brentwood home. He was cremated and interned in the Fremantle Cemetery.
Ref: Kutzer Family History 1855-1986 by Coral Willcox
National Archives of Australia WW2 Personal Records
Compiled by Lorraine Dearnley
Niece
E&OE
