In 1946 Valerie married Jim Robinson - their children Gillian born 1948; Jennifer born 1951; Blair born 1956. Jim joined the Royal N.Z. Air Force as a trainee pilot 25 May 1941. He trained at Levin and Harewood in N.Z. and Dunnville, Ontario in Canada. Joined the Royal Air Force in England March 1942. Operational training on Spitfires at Grangemouth, Scotland. Post ed to 485 (N.Z.) Squadron at Peterborough August 1942. Oper≠ational service flying Spitfires with 485 Squadron in United Kingdom and 81 Squadron in North Africa, Malta, Sicily, Italy, India/Burma and Ceylon. Returned to N.Z. via Australia mid 1945.

Valerie was runner up to Dux @@ Timaru South School. Then to Waitaki Girls High School.