Crew Formation and History – taking known information from the two RAAF files, the following could be surmised ...
November 1943 – Crew formation at 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU) Lichfield; training in Wellington aircraft;
BROPHY and RYAN both posted to 27 OTU on 09 November 1943.
March 1944 – Crew posted to 41 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor, training in Halifax II aircraft;
BROPHY and RYAN both posted to 1652 HCU on 22 March 1944.
May 1944 – Crew posted to 466 Squadron for Operational Duties, flying Halifax aircraft;
BROPHY posted to 466 on 20 May and Ryan on 21 May 1944.
August 1944 – Crew posted TO 462 Squadron Driffield for Operational Duties, flying Halifax III aircraft.
BROPHY and RYAN both posted to 462 on 20 August 1944.
Brophy was at the rank of Flight Lieutenant, with promotion to Acting Squadron Leader when he was immediately appointed as Flight Commander and took charge of "A" Flight on 20 August 1944.
LAUMAN held the rank of Flying Officer.
FONTAINE, RYAN, LEWIS and DAVID were all Flight Sergeants, and BARLEY was a Sergeant.
25 August 1944 – Crew's first Op with 462 Squadron
There were some naming discrepancies in the ORB – LAUMAN also recorded as LEHMANN;
D A RYAN with initials D S and L A; W C LEWIS as W T, and also once over-typed from W S;
H R P DAVID was usually recorded as H R, and once as H R P DAVIS.
The crew appears to have been a very stable and permanent crew with no substitutions of any crew members, either at 466 Squadron (crew list and Ops in later section) or at 462 Squadron. The only crew changes, for three Ops at 462 Squadron, were the addition of 2nd Pilots on their first flights.
RYAN had flown 2 Ops with another crew at 466 Sqdn, as his RAAF Service File lists 28 Ops there, not 26.
MU/AG H R P DAVID flew with the Jackson crew at 462 Squadron, on one Op to Essen on 23 October 1944.
02 November 1944 – Crew's last Op with 462 Squadron.
November 1944 – Posted FROM 462 Squadron – F/O LAUMAN, F/Sgt LEWIS and F/Sgt DAVID, their rank unchanged; and P/O FONTAINE who had been Commissioned during his service at 462 Squadron.
December 1944 – Posted FROM 462 Squadron – P/O RYAN who had been Commissioned during his service at 462 Squadron.
29 December 1944 – S/Ldr BROPHY, as Flight Commander in charge of 20 aircraft, relocated with 462 Squadron to Foulsham.
As mentioned previously, there was no record in the ORB for F/Eng S J BARLEY's Posting FROM 462 Squadron. There are no further Ops recorded for him after 02 November 1944, and he was not listed with the personnel who transferred to Foulsham on 29 December. It is presumed that he was posted out as "Tour expired" sometime in November or December 1944. He does not re-appear in 466 Squadron with a different crew.
Brophy and Ryan both ended up at 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh for Instructional Duties. Where the other crew members were posted is not yet known.
Brophy and his usual crew carried out 26 Ops with 466 Squadron, Driffield, and a further 9 Ops with 462 Squadron, Driffield, thus taking their Tour total to 35. Brophy's Service File records his personal Op total as 37, so may include Ops he carried out as a 2nd PIlot. Ops details in later sections.
Return to top
Pilot: James Thomas BROPHY (Jim), 418734 RAAF
20 December 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, 1 Recruiting Centre, (1 RC) Melbourne; Aircrew Reserve No 7839; age 27 years 11 months; civil occupation Architect at a named business address in Swanson St, Melbourne; results for vision, colour vision and hearing included; other details identical with enlistment in June 1942.
19 June 1942 – Enlisted in RAAF at 1 RC, Melbourne (see enlistment photo in previous section)
Age 28 years 4 months; born Tinamba Vic; Single, British, Roman Catholic; next-of-kin his father Thomas BROPHY, of same address, Coburg; no civil convictions; no previous armed forces service; height 5 ft 10¼ inches; weight 161 lb (11 st 7 lb / 73 kg); fair hair and complexion, hazel eyes; freckles shoulders; Medical Classification A1B.
Educational and Special qualifications – High School Intermediate and Leaving Certificates;
Diploma of Arts; Diploma of Architectural Design;
Civil Occupation prior to enlistment – Architect / Architectural Drafting Work Supervisor
19 June 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V
19 June 1942 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2) on enlistment
19 June 1942 – Posted to 4 Initial Training School (4 ITS) Victor Harbour, South Australia, for Aircrew Course 29 (P)
10 August 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (P)
11 September 1942 – Completed Aircrew Course 29 (P) at 4 ITS, "Pass" result
12 September 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (P)
12 September 1942 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
24 September 1942 – Posted to 1 Elementary Flying Training School (1 EFTS), Parafield, South Australia, for Aircrew Course 29 (P) (see LAC photo in previous section)
12 December 1942 – Completed Aircrew Course 29 (P) at 1 EFTS, "Pass" result
20 December 1942 – Posted to 6 Service Flying Training School (6 SFTS), Mallala, South Australia, for Aircrew Course 29 (P)
06 April 1943 – Received Flying Badge, at 6 SFTS
07 April 1943 – Granted a Commission
08 April 1943 – Promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer (from the rank of LAC, thereby passing over the usual qualification, then promotion sequence of Sergeant, Flight Sergeant and Warrant Officer).
12 April 1943 – Posted to 1 Embarkation Depot (1 ED), Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria
28 April 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney
04 May 1943 – Entrained from Sydney to Brisbane
05 May 1943 –
Detrained in Brisbane
05 May 1943 – Attached to RAF (UK) and posted as Supernumerary to 11 PDRC
06 May 1943 – Embarked from Brisbane for USA, on USAT "William A Holbrook" (? ship's name not fully legible)
23 May 1943 – Disembarked at San Francisco
28 May 1943 – Entrained to Barracks Camp Myles Standish (Massachusetts, departure details not included but possibly from there to Halifax, Nova Scotia to embark for the UK)
07 July 1943 – Disembarked in UK, at Glasgow (probably at Gourock, then by train via Glasgow to Brighton)
08 July 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch & Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK
July 1943 – Additional person for notification in event of casualty – Miss N Hughes, of Brunswick, Vic
07 August 1943 – Posted to 3 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (3 (P) AFU), South Cerney, advanced flying training, until 09 November 1943
09 August 1943 – Attached to ECFS, Hullavington
14 September 1943 – Attached to 1531 BAT Flight
08 October 1943 – Promoted to the rank of Flying Officer
26 October 1943 – Attached to 1540 BAT Flight, until 01 November 1943
09 November 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, crew formation and operational training
20 January 1944 – Attached to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor
22 March 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, for conversion training (possibly also with training at Acaster Malbis)
30 March 1944 – Attendance in a District Court-martial at Base Station Driffield (no details of who else attended, who was charged, reasons for charge, whether Brophy's attendance was required for the prosecution or for the defence, and no results of court-martial).
20 May 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield for operational duties
30 June 1944 – Appointed to rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant
20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield for operational duties
20 August 1944 – Appointed as Flight Commander in charge of 'A" Flight
20 August 1944 – Appointed to rank of Acting Squadron Leader
08 December 1944 – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross (see later section for details and Citation)
07 February 1945 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, for Instructional Duties
07 February 1945 – Termination of Appointment as Acting Squadron Leader
08 February 1945 – Re-appointed as Acting Flight Lieutenant
08 February 1945 – Attached to OATS, RAF College, Cranwell, for 22 Junior Comd. Course, until 28 February 1945
28 February 1945 – Completed 22 Junior Comd. Course
28 February 1945 – Posted to BATS, 11 PDRC
11 March 1945 – 5 R/E Conversion Course at 7 FTS, until 26 March 1945
08 April 1945 – Promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant
22 Jun 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia
14 September 1945 – Embarked from UK, for repatriation to Australia
17 October 1945 – Disembarked from "Stratheden", ex-United Kingdom
17 October 1945 – Posted to 1 Personnel Depot (1 PD), Melbourne, ex overseas
18 October 1945 – Recreation Leave, 7 days, to 24 October 1945
25 October 1945 – Special Leave, 30 days to 23 November 1945
30 November 1945 – Appointment terminated on Demobilisation at 1 PD, Melbourne
25 January 1946 – Received from RAAF – Airman's Certificate of Service and Discharge, and Officer's Certificate of Service, No 9393; home address at Coburg, Vic.
Medals – Distinguished Flying Cross, 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge
General Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" for each posting 4 ITS, 1 EFTS, and 6 SFTS
Flying Training, Australia
1 EFTS, Aircraft DH82, 65 hours
6 SFTS, Aircraft Anson, 127 hours
Advanced Flying Training UK
3 (P) AFU, South Cerney, Aircraft Oxford, 85 hours
27 OTU, Lichfield, Aircraft Wellington X, 93 hours
1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Aircraft Halifax II, 47 hours
Special Course – single engine conversion. Peterborough, Aircraft Master/Spitfire, 10½ hours
Operational Flying Duties
466 and 462 Squadrons, Driffield and Foulsham, 37 Ops in aircraft Halifax III, 160 hours as 1st Pilot, 6½ hours as 2nd Pilot.
Instructional Flying Duties
21 OTU Moreton-in-Marsh, Aircraft Wellington X, 39 hours as Pilot, 44 hours as 2nd Pilot
No other details known of his post-war occupation or family life. Please make contact if you can assist.
Return to top
Wireless Operator: Desmond Allan RYAN (Des), 419341 RAAF – some dates vary by a few days, for the same entry on different documents
18 Sep 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, 1 Recruiting Centre, (1 RC) Melbourne; Aircrew Reserve No 4535; age 19 years 6 months; civil occupation railway employee at North Melbourne Locomotive Sheds; results for vision, colour vision and hearing included; except for weight, all other details identical with enlistment in July 1942; Medical Classification A1B;A3B.
18 July 1942 – Enlisted at 1 RC, Melbourne (see enlistment photo in previous section)
Age 20 years 4 months; single, Railway Employee (Fireman); British, Roman Catholic; no civil convictions; no previous armed forces service; height 5 ft 9 inches; weight 147 lb (10 st 7 lb / 66.7 kg); fair/medium hair and complexion, hazel eyes; scars on right eyebrow and right knee; Medical Classification A1B; next-of-kin – father, Victor RYAN of Footscray, Vic.
Educational – Merit Certificate from Our Lady's Convent, Woodend, Vic; 18 months at Marist Brothers College, Kyneton, Vic.
18 July 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V
18 July 1942 – Classified as AC2 on enlistment
18 July 1942 – Posted to 1 ITS, Somers, Vic
11 Sep 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (G)
12 Sep 1942 – Promoted to LAC
15 Sep 1942 – Posted to 2 Wireless and Gunnery School (2 WAGS), Parkes, NSW
17 Sep 1942 – Commenced Course 30 (G) at 2 WAGS
03 March 1943 – Completed Course 30 (G), Passed,
03 March 1943 – Received Wireless Badge at 2 WAGS
04 March 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (G)
08 March 1943 – Posted to 2 Bombing and Gunnery School (2 BAGS), Port Pirie, South Australia
08 March 1943 – Commenced Course 30 Air Gunners at 2 BAGS,
31 March 1943 – Completed Course 30 Air Gunners, Passed
01 April 1943 – Received Air Gunner's Badge at 2 BAGS
01 April 1943 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG)
01 April 1943 – Promoted to Sergeant
02 April 1943 – Posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne
24 April 1943 – Marriage, wife Alison Emily RYAN next-of-kin; father now listed as person to be notified in event of casualty
28 April 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park Sydney
05 May 1943 – Embarked from Brisbane for UK
07 July 1943 – Disembarked in UK
07 July 1943 – Attached to RAF
07 July 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
10 Aug 1943 – Posted to 9 (O) AFU, Llandwrog, Wales
01 Oct 1943 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant
09 Nov 1943 – Posted to 27 OTU, Lichfield, crew formation and operational training
11 March 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air)
22 March 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School, Driffield until 31 March
22 March 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, 1652 HCU, Marston Moor (possibly also with training at Acaster Malbis)
31 March 1944 – Attached to 1652 HCU, until 20 May 1944
21 May 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield for operational duties (also listed as 20 May)
20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield for operational duties
18 Sep 1944 – Granted a Commission
19 Sep 1944 – Promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer
20 Dec 1944 – Posted to 43 Base, Driffield
05 Jan 1945 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, for Instructional Duties
19 March 1945 – Promoted to Flying Officer
25 April 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC as Supernumerary, for repatriation to Australia
25 April 1945 – RAF Report on role as Pilot Officer, Instructional, age 23, for Repatriation – "Satisfactory, of temperate habit. An average Officer with sound technical knowledge."
20 June 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, ex-UK (also listed as 30 June)
20 June 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney
29 July 1945 – Posted to 1 PD, Melbourne; 67 days pay granted in lieu of leave
08 Sep 1945 – Discharged; "Transferred to Reserve, surplus to Present Personnel Requirements";
home address Footscray, Vic
10 Oct 1945 – Received from RAAF, Airman's Certificate of Service and Discharge; Officer's Certificate of Service, No 4119
Medals – 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal; Returned from Active Service Badge
General Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" for all postings
Service Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry"
Flying Training, Australia
2 WAGS,
Parkes, Wackett Trainer, 28 hours 35 m
2 BAGS,
Port Pirie, Fairey Battle, 13 hours 55 m
Advanced Flying Training, UK
9 (O) AFU, Llandwrog, Avro Anson, 32 hours 35 m
27 OTU Lichfield,
Vickers Wellington, 95 hours 30 m
1652 HCU Marston Moor, Handley Page Halifax II, 46 hours 20 m
Operational Flying Duties, UK
466 Squadron Driffield, Halifax III, 28 Ops, 128 Hours 50 m
462 Squadron Driffield, 9 Ops Halifax III, 33 hours 20 m
Total 37 Ops
Non-Operational or Instructional Flying
466 Squadron Driffield, Halifax III, 15 Hours 35 m, Non-Operational
462 Squadron Driffield, Halifax III, 9 hours 50 m, Non-Operational
21 OTU Moreton-in-Marsh, Aircraft Wellington X, 45 hours 15 m, Instructional
14 Nov 1950 – Application for Commission in RAAF Reserve; post-war occupation, Owner of Car Hire Service.
05 November 1977 – Death of Desmond Allan Ryan, aged 55 years; buried at Fawkner; Widow Lois Ryan, North Box Hill, Vic
No other details known of his post-war occupation or family life. Please make contact if you can assist.
Return to top
to Squadron Crews UK 
