Pilbara brothers’ wartime commemorated

Five brothers who served during World War II were commemorated at a ceremony at Whim Creek Memorial yesterday.

Arnold, Edgar, Elbert, Elliot and Eric Lockyer grew up in the Whim Creek area and served their nation in the Army and in the Air Force.

The memorial was led by Royal Australian Air Force personnel, who had been travelling through the region as part of an exercise called Kummundoo, delivering free dental services to students in Roebourne.

Flight Lieutenant Luke Pitt said the Lockyer brothers joined at a time when indigenous people were socially, economically, and politically disadvantaged.

“This is a significant site because we have five brothers from the same family,” he said.

“The defence force was the Nation’s first equal opportunity employer, providing a beacon of hope for indigenous people seeking a fair go in a white Australia.”