Emery, Denis Joseph

Stoker Denis Joseph Emery - HMAS Pioneer Royal Australian Navy and W233183 7th Heavy Artillery Brigade

Denis Joseph Emery was born in Hawthorn Victoria to Isaac and Isabella Emery on 7th August 1894. He had twelve siblings but tragically six died at an early age. 

Not long after Denis was born the family moved across to Western Australia and initially took up residence in Midland Junction before moving to take up residence at Canning Road East Fremantle.

On the 1st February 1913, Denis enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy. He listed his mother who was living in Beaconsfield as his next of kin.  For his initial training Denis was sent to Victoria to train at the Naval Base HMAS Cerberus.

On the 20th February 1913 he was posted aboard HMAS Encounter and served on this ship until the 7th August 1913 when he was transferred to HMAS Pioneer. Denis served on HMAS Emery for three years before having stints on HMAS Franklin, HMAS Psyche and HMAS Fantome.

Denis was serving on HMAS Fantome when hostilities ceased in November 1918. He then returned to Cerberus and was demobilised from the Royal Australian Navy on the 22nd March 1919.

After leaving the service of the Royal Australian Navy Denis returned to Fremantle and like his brother Doug, began working as a butcher.

In 1920 Denis married Alvan Roust and in 1921 they had a son James Roust Emery. They took up residence in Solomon Street Palmyra before moving to Cottesloe in the 1930's, living at 12 Stirling Highway.

In World War Two, Denis offered his services on the 27th May 1940 and was accepted for home service. Through 1940 to 1946 Denis served in WA at Swanbourne, Fremantle and Rottnest Island. He was demobilised in 1946.

Denis Joseph Emery died on the 24th June 1963 and is buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.