Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ronald Percy Hoare was born on the 5th of March in 1928, the second son of Percy James Hoare and Evelyn Lucy Beatrice Gardiner.  His birth followed that of his brother John and he, in turn was followed by Neville, Judy and Joan. 

Ron attended Perth Boy’s School and filled his free time with bike rides from the family home in Leederville to the beach.   A love of the ocean would endure throughout his life and, no doubt, contribute to his choice of a Naval Career.

Given Ron’s love of the sea, it’s not surprising that after a short stint working in the Western Australian Government Railways (1944-46), at 18 years of age in January 1946 he left home to join the Navy at HMAS Cerberus.  During his naval career he became a wireless operator and was ultimately promoted to Acting Chief Petty Officer in charge of communications on HMAS Anzac before retiring from the navy in 1958.  During his time in the RANS Ron served in a range of onshore bases around Australia as well as seeing active service in Korea on HMAS Condamine, and in Japan, The Philippines and during ‘The Emergency’ in Malaysia on HMAS Anzac. 

In June 1952, HMAS Condamine sailed from Sydney for Korea via Darwin, Singapore and Kure, Japan (Fazio, 2000).  In the Korean theatre of war, the Condamine was engaged in onshore bombing and mine sweeping operations in arctic-like conditions and frozen waters.  Ron also served on HMAS Anzac throughout the ‘Far East’ in both hostile and United Nations Peace Keeping roles, including during the ‘Malayan Emergency’.  During his life after the Navy Ron returned to Asia multiple times, taking trips to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong twice a year or more.  He thoroughly enjoyed wandering the streets, eating the food and interacting with people in Asia and fondly remembered his times ashore in all of the countries he visited. 

For his sacrifices for country Ron was awarded nine medals, citations and clasps from Australia, Korea and Malaysia.  A reference written for him on January 25th, 1958 by the Commanding Officer R.A.N. states that;  “Petty Officer Telegraphist Ronald Percy Hoare was in charge of the radio department of HMAS Anzac for about 12 months service on the Far East Station in 1957. Due to circumstances the staff of 6 telegraphists was young and inexperienced but by his own example, intelligence and energy Hoare managed to maintain a very high standard of efficiency in his department.  He has a strong but pleasant personality that gets the best from his subordinates as well as gaining the confidence of senior officers”.

Perhaps a more important award gained through his Naval service was the love of his wife Freda Lillian Robinson. Ron and Freda met at HMAS Cerberus in 1951/52 where Freda was a WRAN telegraphist.  They married in Launceston in 1954.  He was 26 and she 24.   Their only child, Lynnel Hoare came along five years later in 1959.  Lynnel was named after the daughter of an American Officer with whom Ron stayed whilst ashore during his time on HMAS Anzac in the Philippines.  In later years, Ron and Lynnel would enjoy many holidays together in the Asian region, Ron having infected her with his love of the area to the point she also worked in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Ron and Freda enjoyed sixty-one years of marriage before Freda passed away following a long battle with cancer in 2015.   Ron was never to return to Asia after Freda’s passing, although he continued to adore being close to the sea and frequently reminisced about the times he enjoyed in Asia.  Ron passed away in January 2021 after a mercifully brief battle with cancer.  He was about to turn 93.  As a TPI Veteran Ronald Percy Hoare is remembered at the Perth War Cemetery, Karakatta, Western Australia.- ^{Courtesy of Daughter Lyn}