Related to Elijah and Millie through their grandfather Graham Rawlings
Rita May Johnston was the daughter of Harry and Charlotte Johnston of Beaufort Victoria. She was born on 31 May 1915. She was one of 13 children Harry and Charlotte raised. Rita did not go to school until she was 8 years old and left when she was 15 years old when she went to work in the pantry of the local Methodist Minister and his wife. The Minister was soon moved to Daylesford so Rita packed up and moved with them. It was there she affirmed her faith in Christianity.
Evrey weekend though Rita rode her bicycle the 96km round trip back to her family in Beaufort.
Melbourne and the Salvation Army
At 22 years of age in 1937 Rita took herself to Melbourne and became completely separated from her family. She worked at the Salvation Army Peoples Palace accommodation centre. Whilst working at the Peoples Palace, she met a handsome young Salvation Army Cadet named Keith Rawlings. Keith and Rita developed their relationship.
She joined the Salvation Army and her life of service began. She commenced her training on 10 March 1938, graduating on 9 Jan 1939 in the rank of Lieutenant. She was posted to Nedlands in Perth WA working at the Nedlands Eventide Home (a Nursing Home) and Seaforth Boys Reformatory. Whilst In Pert Rita found Keith who was posted to Geralton supporting the RAAF base during the war years of WW2.
Rita (right) as a Salvation Army Cadet in Melbourne
Marriage, Family and Service
Rita and Keith married on 25 July 1942 in Leederville Perth WA. Together they has 8 children, all boys, which is lot by modern standards, but consider their service to the Salvation Army saw them move around Australia with all 8 children in tow as follows:
1942 Collie WA
1944 Heywood Vic
1946 Ararat Vic
1949 Portland Vic
1950 Horsham Vic
1952 Warnambool Vic
1955 Thebarton SA
1958 Murray Bridge SA
1961Col Light Gardens SA
1964 South Yarra Vic
1965 Merlynston
1968 Sunshine Vic
1974 Ulverston Tas
1977 retired
Imagine raising you 8 children in this environment, no wonder her nickname was ‘Ripper’ Rita. She had tragedy strike in 1968 when her son David was killed in a car accident at age 17.
Retirement
After a life of service to others, Keith and Rita retired in 1977 and bought a house in Everard Park, a suburb of Adelaide. Keith passed away in 1985, but Rita kept soldiering on until on her 99th birthday, 31 May 2014 she was ‘promoted to glory’ as the Salvation Army say.
A life of service to others and raising a wonderful family.
