Kevin Daly
Selecting just one veteran was an incredibly difficult task; there have been former State Presidents, D-Day and Bomber Command veterans, numerous who have been awarded gallantry medals or honours for their community service. A lifetime of service without seeking or receiving recognition is testament to this honourable man who “does the right thing” each and every day.
Kevin was born at Esk, Queensland, in June 1930 and worked as a fitter and turner in the Ipswich railway workshops before enlisting in the Royal Australian Navy in Brisbane during May 1952.
As an Engine Room Artificer 4th Class aboard HMAS Sydney, Kevin served in the Korean War in the Yellow Sea and other waters off Korea between October 1953 and June 1954. His duties included watch keeping in the engine rooms as well as performing maintenance and repairs on the ship’s machinery. Recalling his time on board HMAS Sydney during this period of operational service, Kevin referred to how busy life was, with the need to constantly monitor the ship’s pumps and motors. On Anzac Day 1954 he and many other members of the ship’s company visited the Yokohama War Cemetery in Japan, which was ‘a very sad but a memorable visit’.
Today Kevin is the President of the Kenmore Senior Citizens Association, for fourteen years he was treasurer of the Sub-Branch and is still on the committee today. Prior to it folding, he was an active committee member of Indooroopilly Bowls Club and an AMP Insurance representative.