Memories of Raymond Eric Hepworth (OSC 1944) and Walter Allan Hepworth (OSC 1935) 

We’re celebrating Vicki Weston’s recent donation of photographs and memorabilia belonging to her father Raymond Hepworth (OSC 1944).

The donation includes photographs of Raymond and his older brother Walter, who attended Scotch College in the 1930s. Their father worked for the Department of Mines in the Goldfields, and both brothers boarded as a result. The brothers can be seen in their school uniform outside their various homes in towns such as Ora Banda, Coolgardie, Meekatharra. 

Amongst the memorabilia are prize books won for General Proficiency and signed by Headmaster P. C. Anderson, testimonial letters, report cards, class photographs of the Cadet Core, Football team and Athletic team, a 1930s wooden tennis racquet, and an intricate silver trophy for winning the Scotch College ‘Doubles’ Tennis Competition. Walter Hepworth was also awarded the positions of Prefect, Captain of Cricket and Vice-Captain of Football during his time at Scotch.

  

The Hepworth brothers at their family home in the Goldfields. [From left to right]: Unknown man in Australian RAAF uniform (left), Raymond Eric Hepworth (OSC 1944) in Scotch College school uniform (centre) and Walter Allan Hepworth OSC1935 in suit (right); Family portrait of Walter Allan Hepworth (OSC 1935) and Raymond Eric Hepworth (OSC 1944) as children, 1930; Raymond Eric Hepworth (OSC 1944) pictured with Scotch College school friend out the front of the M-Block building, 1940

In this poignant photograph, taken on Easter Sunday (13 April 1941), the brothers are pictured out the front of their family home, possibly in Meekathara or Coolgardie. Fourteen-year-old Raymond wears his winter uniform alongside his brother Walter, who was twenty-two years at the time – the brothers smile as they look directly at the camera. A family friend of the Hepworth’s is also featured, wearing a tailored RAAF uniform. This photograph marks one of the last images of the brothers together and was taken shortly before Walter enlisted in the RAAF in April of that year. Tragically, he never returned home and lost his life while in action in Timor on 9 July 1943; serving the No. 2 Flying Squadron as Officer 406851.

Raymond served in the Army Reserves and kept his brother’s memory alive by volunteering for the RSL Honour Avenue Committee, which preserves memorial plaques in Kings Park. Raymond became Committee Chairman in the 1980s and oversaw the creation of a commemorative plaque for Walter, located at Marri Walk. The archival donation features a photograph of the plaque stating: “In Honour of F/O [Flying Officer] W.A. Hepworth RAAF Killed in Action Timor 9 Jul 1943 Aged 25 Dedicated by His Family”.

The Weston-Hepworth family’s donation offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the Hepworth brothers. Walter’s sacrifice in serving our country in World War II resonates deeply at Scotch College, and reminds us of the many Masters and Old Scotch Collegians who never made it home.

Ms Yasmin McDonald
Archivist

Scotch College Football XVIII team, 1934