Daughters lead tributes to Evan Hobley, one of Albany’s last World War II veterans, after his death at 101

Albany has lost one of its last World War II veterans, a man who fought fascists in the skies over Africa and Europe and survived to lead a life of service. Evan Hobley died on Tuesday at the age of 101 as the Albany RSL sub-branch was in the final stages of preparations for Friday’s Remembrance Day commemorations. Mr Hobley grew up in Nyabing, on land his World War I veteran father George had cleared with the use of only one arm after being seriously injured in war. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940 at the age of 19 and served as a wireless operator-air gunner on a Baltimore bomber with the RAF’s No.55 Squadron. He fought in the battle of El Alamein — where he said the artillery barrage was so fierce it looked like a sunrise — and later joined the Allied effort to take Italy. Mr Hobley had fond memories of his bomber crew and of the moment he returned home, but other memories haunted him. After returning from the war, he married his late wife Violet and served as a councillor with the Shire of Nyabing-Pingrup. He moved to Albany in the 1960s, and three of his children still live there. “He was a wonderful father,” his eldest child Carole Atkin said. “We didn’t suffer any hardship. I suppose he did, but he never passed it on.” Mr Hobley was a father of four, grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of 11. His youngest child, June Woodcraft, described him as a “true gentleman”. “The only time you thought you were in any trouble was when he raised his left eyebrow,” she said. Mr Hobley lived in the house next to Albany RSL headquarters on Stirling Terrace. Every day for about 20 years, he raised and lowered the Australian flag outside the sub-branch. That flag flew at half-mast on Tuesday in his honour. A fine example of why he and his peers were called the “greatest generation”, he was always happy to pitch in, even when his help was not expected. “He would do things for us without any kind of prompting,” Albany RSL president Helen Tasker said. “Because he lived so close, he would always make sure the flag was taken care of, he would put the rubbish bin out and take care of the garden. “We are just really going to miss him and miss having him there right next door.” Albany RSL services director Michael Tugwell said he was sad to say goodbye to one of the region’s last WWII veterans. “Evan was a quiet, unassuming and helpful member of the RSL with no pretence,” Mr Tugwell said. “He was always ready to give a hand, even in his later years when he was literally struggling to walk.” A public service in honour of Mr Hobley will be held at 11.30am on November 21 at Bethany Funeral Home.