From the private photo collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

A. CROOT Crew of 7 in the UK 1943 – CROOT and ISAACS identified by Ted ISAACS.
Back row, standing, left to right: 1. Wireless Operator F/Sgt Roy VETTER;
2. Pilot F/Sgt Gilbert CROOT;
3. Bomb Aimer F/Sgt Edmund Seymour ISAACS;
4. Rear Gunner Sgt Desmond Ian GREENE;
Front row, left to right: 5. Unidentified Sgt Airman, possibly LEWIN(matches Airman 1 in photo B, and 6 in photo C);
6. Unidentified Sgt Airman, possibly DAVY (matches Airman 6 in photo B, and 4 in photo C);
7. Unidentified Sgt Airman, possibly MU/AG (matches Airman 5 in photo B, not in photo C).

Please refer to Terms of Use before proceeding.

This crew was posted to 462 Squadron, Middle East in late July 1943, and flew Ops from Hosc Raui, Terria, and El Adem, until they transferred with the squadron to Italy in late February 1944.

Pilot – Gilbert CROOT RAAF (Bert)
Navigator – Morton Ryan DAVY (Ryan)
Wireless Operator – Roy VETTER RAAF (Blue)
Bomb Aimer – Edmund Seymour ISAACS RAAF (Ted)
Flight Engineer – H R LEWIN (Ginger)
Temporary substitutes on Ops
Mid-Upper Gunner – Name not known
Rear Gunner – Desmond Ian GREENE RAAF (Des)

Links to Additional Crew Information with reasoning behind photo identification, including personal documents from ISAACS (diary, log book, and other memorabilia); Crew Ops.

Sources of information: WW2 Nominal Roll, Australian War Memorial (AWM), RAAF Service Files and ORB from National Archives of Australia (NAA); London Gazette; Commonwealth Gazette of Aus; Trove (National Library of Australia (NLA)); or as noted otherwise in the text; photos and documents from the private collection of Bomb Aimer ISAACS, kindly supplied with permission to use by Ted ISAACS.
Identification of names in Photo D, has been supplied by Tim CROOT (pilot's son) and forwarded by Ted ISAACS.

From the private photo collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

B. CROOT Crew 1943 – at unknown time and place; after swimming, or dinghy drill; showing 6 of the 7 Crew; photo probably taken by Bomb Aimer ISAACS, and the best photo for facial recognition of the flight crew.
Back row, left to right:- 1. Unidentified, possibly LEWIN (matches number 5 of Crew photo in England);
2. W/OP Roy VETTER
3. F/Sgt Gilbert CROOT;
4. R/AG Desmond Ian GREENE
Front row, left to right:- 5. Unidentified (matches number 7 of Crew photo in England), but is not in the 462 Squadron photo – is this the Mid-upper Gunner?)
6. Unidentified, possibly DAVY (matches number 6 of Crew photo in England;
Airman 1 above may be Airman 6 in photo C (LEWIN).
Airman 6 above may be Airman 4 in photo C (DAVY).

 

From the private photo collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

C. Flight Crew and Ground Crew at 462 Squadron, late 1943 or early 1944, somewhere in North Africa.
Back row, standing, left to right: 1. Pilot W/O Gilbert CROOT;
2. Rear Gunner Desmond Ian GREENE;
3. Bomb Aimer Edmund Seymour ISAACS;
4. Un-identified Crew member, with half-wing, possibly Ryan DAVY;
5. Unknown Ground Crew (no visible half-wing);
6. Un-identified Crew member, Sgt with half-wing, possibly LEWIN;
7. Wireless Operator Roy VETTER.
Front row, seated, left to right: 1 to 6, none of whom have any half wing, so assumed to be unidentified ground crew.

From the private photo collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

D. Flight crew on Halifax wing: Benghazi, 1943, with tents and desert conditions in the background; before or after a Op.
Left to right along wing:- 1. H R (Ginger) LEWIN (F/Eng);
2. Roy (Blue) VETTER (W/OP); 3. Bert CROOT (Pilot);
4. Ryan DAVY (Nav); 5. Ted ISAACS (B/Aimer); 6. Des GREENE (R/AG).

Crew names as recorded on the photo in Pilot CROOT's collection, with thanks to his son Tim, information via Ted ISAACS (jnr), who also has the same photo, but without names.

From the private photo collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

E. "A good bombardier always seeks feedback". Fun photo from 462 Squadron memorabilia of B/Aimer ISAACS. The photo may have been issued to aircrew as a morale booster. Unidentified Airman, and unidentified ground area.
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 415235

Pilot Gilbert CROOT 415235 RAAF, 462 Squadron, Middle East.
Note his height of 6’1”, and epaulette rank insignia (shoulder pips), which seem to be Flying Officer. The location and date was not recorded, but probably after 18 May 1944, when he was promoted to F/O.

Pilot

Name: Gilbert CROOT (Bert)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 415235
Date of Birth: 22 Jan 1916
Place of Birth: Albury, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 17 Aug 1941
Place of Enlistment: Perth, West Australia
Next of Kin: Henry CROOT
Date of Demobilization: 14 August 1945
Rank at Demobilization: Flying Officer
Posting at Demobilization: General Reconnaissance School

Note same enlistment date as ISAACS, in Sydney NSW
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Navigator (or Observer)

Name: Morton Ryan DAVY (Ryan)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1147870 (later 200692 as Officer)
Date and Place of Birth: Unknown
Date and Place of Enlistment: Unknown
Next of Kin: Unknown
Date, Rank, and Posting at Demobilization: Unknown

Information is sought from DAVY’s family, or relatives or friends. He also needs to be identified in the crew photos. Please make contact.
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Wireless Operator

Name: Roy VETTER (Blue)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 414177
Date of Birth: 13 May 1922
Place of Birth: Goondiwindi, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 16 Aug 1941
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Mary VETTER
Date of Demobilization: 28 May 1947
Rank at Demobilization: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Demobilization: Eastern Area Headquarters, Archerfield, Qld
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 413485

Edmund Seymour ISAACS 413485 RAAF – enlistment photo August 1941 (later 462 Squadron)

Bomb Aimer (or Bombardier)

Name: Edmund Seymour ISAACS (Ted)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 413485
Date of Birth: 03 Mar 1917
Place of Birth: Lismore, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 17 Aug 1941
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Edmund ISAACS
Date of Demobilization: 13 Feb 1946
Rank at Demobilization: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Demobilization: 1675 HCU

Note same enlistment date as CROOT, in Perth
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Flight Engineer

Name: H R LEWIN (Ginger)
Service: Royal Air Force (or RAF Volunteer Reserve?)
Service Number: Unknown
Date and Place of Birth: Unknown
Date and Place of Enlistment: Unknown
Next of Kin: Unknown
Date, Rank, and Posting at Demobilization: Unknown

Information is sought from LEWIN’s family, or relatives or friends. He also needs to be identified in the crew photos. Please make contact.
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Temporary substitutes on Ops

Bombardier – Gordon E BUNCE ...... RCAF x 1 Op
Flight Engineer – E J TAYLOR 926852 RAF x 1 Op
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Mid-Upper Gunner

Name not known – possibly "Jim" or "JC"
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 417363

Desmond Ian GREENE 417363 RAAF – enlistment photo April 1942 (later 462 Squadron)

Rear Gunner (or Tail Gunner)

Name: Desmond Ian GREENE (Des)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 417363
Date of Birth: 04 April 1915
Place of Birth: Bordertown, South Australia
Date of Enlistment: 25 April 1942
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide, SA
Next of Kin: Elizabeth GREENE
Date of Demobilization: 25 August 1945
Rank at Demobilization: Flying Officer
Posting at Demobilization: Air Gunners School
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Crew information

CROOT Crew – Summary of Postings, extracted from RAAF Service Files for CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE and VETTER; RAF Service Files not available for three RAF/RAFVR crew members. See further details with each under individual names. From initial crew formation at OTU, to end of Tour, it may be assumed that posting dates were the same, or similar, for each crew member.

16 Aug 1941 – VETTER enlisted in Brisbane Qld
17 Aug 1941 – CROOT enlisted in Perth WA
17 Aug 1941 – ISAACS enlisted in Sydney NSW
Was it coincidence, or fate, that they should later "crew up"?
25 April 1942 – GREENE enlisted in Adelaide SA – ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand.

23 Mar 1943 – Posted to 27 OTU, Lichfield – CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER, for initial crew formation, Wellington bomber
03 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1659 HCU, Topcliffe – CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER, conversion to Halifax 4-eng bomber, addition of F/Engineer.

Jul 1943 – Posted to 462 Squadron – CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER (after Ferry flight from UK, with all three having a muddle of same or similar Postings/Attachments to multiple sites, at that time)
19 Jul 1943 – Crew departed UK – CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER (Ref: Personnel Occurrence Report of 16 Sep 1943)
30 Jul 1943 – Crew arrived at 462 Squadron – CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER (Ref: From Personnel Occurrence Report of 16 Sep 1943)

01 Mar 1944 – Posted to 614 Squadron, Italy– CROOT, ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER
27 Apr 1944 – Posted to 3 BPD – ISAACS, GREENE, VETTER
26 Oct 1944 – Posted to 3 BPD – CROOT

CROOT Crew – identification of Crew members

Information received from Ted ISAACS, son of Bomb Aimer Edmund Seymour ISAACS
Crew Names – six only, perhaps indicating the longest serving members of the crew (?)
Bert CROOT – Pilot
Ted ISAACS – B/Aimer
Ryan DAVY – Nav
Jim or J C – ?
Ginger – ?
Blue – ?
Names and nick-names since supplied by Pilot CROOT's son Tim – 'Ginger' was H R LEWIN, and 'Blue' was Roy VETTER.

Based on crews of 6 being formed at Operational Training Units, the original CROOT crew of six probably formed at 27 OTU, Lichfield – with Pilot, Nav, B/Aimer, W/Op, Rear Gunner and Mid-Upper Gunner.
Pilot CROOT, B/Aimer ISAACS, Rear Gunner GREENE, and W/OP VETTER were all posted to 27 OTU on 23 Mar 1943, and all four were posted to 1659 HCU on 03 Jun 1943. This assumes the other members of the crew were also posted on the same or similar dates (allowing for leave).
At 1659 HCU Topcliffe, F/Eng LEWIN would have joined to complete the usual Halifax crew of 7.

Seven crew members would have flown in the Halifax from UK to 462 Squadron in the Middle East.
However, by July 1943, Mid-Upper turrets had been removed from all 462 Squadron Halifax aircraft, so they flew with usual crews of 6.
The names of the six usual members of the CROOT Crew have been located in the 462 Squadron ORB Forms 541 Operations. However no Mid-upper gunner was ever listed. His name is not known – he may have been re-assigned as a Rear Gunner for other Crews. However no Rear Gunner with initials J or J C is listed in the ORB from Jul 1943 to end Feb 1944.
Thus it may be assumed that the original Mid-Upper Gunner for CROOT’s Crew, was probably posted elsewhere. In the ORB Forms 540, only Officers were listed in the posting to and from 462 Squadron.

Ryan DAVY has the probable identification of Morton Ryan DAVY, RAFVR (see later section with his details).

Blue – identified as being Wireless Operator Roy VETTER. His physical description in his RAAF Service file was “fair complexion, hazel eyes, and light auburn hair”; Blue being the usual Aussie nickname of for anyone with red hair, this indicated that Blue was probably VETTER, and since confirmed by Pilot CROOT's son.

Ginger – identified as being F/Eng H R LEWIN – there is no physical description for him, and he would have been the ‘newest’ member of the crew, not in the original six; identification since confirmed by Pilot CROOT's son.

Jim or J C – None of the known members of the CROOT Crew had the initial J C or J. Using the information above, he was probably the original Mid-Upper Gunner, name unknown.
Can you help identify Jim?
Can you help identify the CROOT Crew’s Mid-Upper Gunner?
Do you have access to ORBs for 1659 HCU or 27 OTU?
Please make contact.

CROOT Crew – reasoning in identification of Crew members in photos

Photo A. Flight Crew of 7 in the UK 1943 – CROOT and ISAACS identified by Ted ISAACS

Back row, standing, left to right: 1. Wireless Operator F/Sgt Roy VETTER;
2. Pilot F/Sgt Gilbert CROOT;
3. Bomb Aimer F/Sgt Edmund Seymour ISAACS;
4. Rear Gunner Sgt Desmond Ian GREENE;
Front row, left to right: 5. Unidentified Sgt Airman, possibly LEWIN (matches Airman 1 in photo B, and 6 in photo C);
6. Unidentified Sgt Airman, possibly DAVY (matches Airman 6 in photo B, and 4 in photo C);
7. Unidentified Sgt Airman, possibly MU/AG (matches Airman 5 in photo B, not in photo C).
Back row – all four are wearing the darker RAAF uniform;
Front row – all three are wearing the lighter RAF uniform.
All seven are in Dress Uniform.
ISAACS was promoted to F/Sgt on 20 Feb 1943
VETTER was promoted to F/Sgt on 17 March 1943
Possible identification of Nav Morton Ryan DALY and F/Eng H R LEWIN by comparison with Photo D.
The Mid-Upper Gunner is still unknown.
As this is a crew of seven, it was probably taken at 1659 HCU Topcliffe, or at one of their later postings in the UK but prior to flying to the Middle East. They appear to be on a concrete road or runway, with rural scene of cattle in the background.

Photo B. CROOT Crew 1943 – at unknown time and place; after swimming, or dinghy drill; showing 6 of the 7 Crew; photo probably taken by Bomb Aimer ISAACS, and the best photo for facial recognition of the flight crew.

Back row, left to right:- 1. Unidentified, possibly LEWIN (matches number 5 of Crew photo in England);
2. W/OP Roy VETTER
3. F/Sgt Gilbert CROOT;
4. R/AG Desmond Ian GREENE
Front row, left to right:- 5. Unidentified (matches number 7 of Crew photo in England), but is not in the 462 Squadron photo – is this the Mid-upper Gunner?)
6. Unidentified, possibly DAVY (matches number 6 of Crew photo in England;
Airman 1 above may be Airman 6 in photo C (LEWIN).
Airman 6 above may be Airman 4 in photo C (DAVY).

Photo C. Flight Crew and Ground Crew at 462 Squadron, late 1943 or early 1944, somewhere in North Africa.
Back row, standing, left to right: 1. Pilot W/O Gilbert CROOT;
2. Rear Gunner Desmond Ian GREENE;
3. Bomb Aimer Edmund Seymour ISAACS;
4. Un-identified Crew member, with half-wing, possibly Ryan DAVY;
5. Unknown Ground Crew (no visible half-wing);
6. Un-identified Crew member, Sgt with half-wing, possibly LEWIN;
7. Wireless Operator Roy VETTER.
Front row, seated, left to right: 1 to 6, none of whom have any half wing, so assumed to be unidentified ground crew.
Pilot CROOT has W/O Crest visible on his on lower sleeve, so the photo can be dated as after 28 Nov 1943, so location is either Terria or El Adem. CROOT is very tall, and must be over 6 feet, when compared with GREENE and ISAACS.
The various half-wings are too small to identify each airman’s Crew Position; and most of their rank badges are not in view.
GREENE can be matched with his enlistment photo (height 5 feet 10.5 inches)
ISAACS identified by son (height 5 feet 11 inches)
VETTER can be matched with a similar photo on the “466and462squadrons” website (operated by John DANN).
Crew members 4 – possibly Nav Morton Ryan DALY (F/Sgt from 12 Dec1943), and 6 – possibly F/Eng LEWIN (with rank of Sgt (visible Sgt stripes on upper sleeve).

Photo D. Flight crew on Halifax wing: Benghazi, 1943, with tents and desert conditions in the background; before or after a Op. Crew names as recorded on the photo in Pilot CROOT's collection, with thanks to his son Tim, information via Ted ISAACS (jnr).
Left to right along wing:- 1. H R (Ginger) LEWIN (F/Eng); 2. Roy (Blue) VETTER (W/OP); 3. Bert CROOT (Pilot);
4. Ryan DAVY (Nav); 5. Ted ISAACS (B/Aimer); 6. Des GREENE (R/AG).
Known identification of crew in this photo, has assisted in possible identifications in the previous photos A, B, and C. However, if you can assist or make corrections, please make contact.

On the 462 Squadron Middle East page, in the photo "462 Squadron Aussie Rules Team, late 1943" there are named GREENE and CROOTE. However they do not look anything like R/AG GREENE or Pilot CROOT of this Crew. One may be F/Eng John Frederick COOTE 29014 RAAF of the HALLEY Crew; or both may be Ground Crew.

It you can assist with identification of any person, or the time, or place – please make contact.

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CROOT, Gilbert 415235 RAAF – Pilot

Australian War Memorial Photo AWM2020.626.3.4
Group portrait of 43 RAAF trainees with 24 signatures on the back of the print. The positions in the photo, of the men who signed the print, are unknown. The name of "G Croot (415235 Gilbert Croot)" is included. However an attempt to match anyone in the group photo, with Pilot CROOT in the crew photos (above) was not successful.

NAA A9300 RAAF Service File 415235 at National Archives of Australia was digitised and available for the 06 October 2022.
CROOT's photo may be seen in the previous section. His RAAF service follows. Note that there appear to be several clerical errors in mismatched dates of Postings and Attachments, similar to files for the other RAAF members of this crew. Some pages of CROOT’s file are very difficult to read. It appears that this Tour-expired crew may have been superfluous to requirements, but instead of being repatriated to the UK, they underwent various postings/attachments, many of which seemed to be of no useful purpose.

02 Apr 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, at 4 Recruiting Centre (4RC) Perth, WA; age 25 years 2 months; single, British Subject; born Albury, New South Wales, on 22 Jan 1916; religion Methodist; no previous military service; no civil convictions; occupation Farmer; home address Canna, WA; next-of-kin – Henry CROOT (father), of Canna, WA. Allocated Reserve Number 6190. Medical certification of same date – height 6 ft 1 inch (185.42 cm); weight 153 lb (10 st 13 lb; 69.4 kg); 6/6 vision both eyes; classification A3B.

17 Aug 1941 – Enlisted in RAAF at 4 Recruiting Centre (4 RC) Perth, WA; (same date as ISAACS, and day after VETTER); date of birth 22 Jan 1916; age 25 years and 6 months; single; medium complexion, green eyes, dark hair; one body scar; medical classification A1B, A3B (A/O only); other details as per the enrolment in RAAF Reserve
17 Aug 1941 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 415235
17 Aug 1941 – Classified as ACII (Aircraftman II or 2) on enlistment
17 Aug 1941 – Mustered as Air Crew V
17 Aug 1941 – Posted to 5 Initial Training School (5 ITS) Pearce, WA; for No 19 (P) Course – PASS

07 Oct 1941 – Re-mustered to Aircrew V (P)
08 Nov 1941 – Re-mustered to Aircrew II P
08 Nov 1941 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
13 Nov 1941 – Posted to 9 Elementary Flying Training School (9 EFTS), Cunderdin, WA; for No 19 (P) Course – PASS

09 Feb 1942 – Posted to 4 Service Flying Training School (4 SFTS), Geraldton, WA; for No 19 (P) Course – PASS

14 Apr 1942 – Awarded Flying Badge, at 4 SFTS, having trained in aircraft – Tiger Moth DH82A (29 hours 15m dual, and 31 hours 55m solo) and Anson (24 hours 55m dual, and 47 hours 5m hours solo)

28 May 1942 – Re-mustered to Airman Pilot at 4 SFTS
28 May 1942 – Promoted to Sergeant at 4 SFTS
29 (or 30) May 1942 – Posted to 5 Embarkation Depot (5 ED), Perth, WA
30 May 1942 – 10 days pre-embarkation Leave, to 08 Jun 1942

26 Jun 1942 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED) Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW

24 Aug 1942 – Embarked from Sydney, for the UK
24 Aug 1942 – Attached to RAF (UK, later Middle East, and Italy)

03 Oct 1942 – to 19 Oct 1942; Attached to “TC Retreat C P (Rhod)” [Meaning unknown, and not found on the Internet – was this an Attachment to somewhere in Rhodesia (?), OR a clerical error? He was in transit from Sydney to the UK at this time.]

18 Nov 1942 – Disembarked in the UK
18 Nov 1942 – Posted to 3 Personnel Reception Centre (3 PRC), Bournemouth, UK

29 Nov 1942 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant

26 Jan 1943 – Posted to 14 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (14 (P) AFU), UK; 20 Feb 1943 – to 01 Mar 1943
Attached to 1514 BAT Flight (Beam Approach Training Flight) for BAT Course
23 Mar 1943 – Completed Course 32 at 14 (P) AFU, result 67.5%

23 Mar 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 O T U) Lichfield, UK (crew formation, and training in Wellington 2-eng Bombers)

03 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit (1659 CU or HCU), Topcliffe, UK, with crew for training in Halifax 4-eng Bombers; addition of Flight Engineer to make a crew of seven.

02 Jul 1943 – Posted to RCAF Base, Topcliffe, UK
03 Jul 1943 – Attached to Lyneham, to 16 Jul 1943 [Assume similar to ISAACS, GREENE and VETTERS file entries of same dates – 30 IFTU (or 301 FTU), Topcliffe 1943 [possibly Instrument Flying Training Unit OR Intensive Flying Trials Unit OR Ferry Training Unit – acronym meaning not known – was the Unit part of 5 Air Navigation School – 5 ANS – at Topcliffe? Or a part of 1659 HCU at Topcliffe? Info via Contact page please]
19 Jul 1943 – Posted to 2 ACRC; transferred to Nth Africa (Please refer to notes from ISAACS Log Book – Ferry Flights UK to 462 Squadron)
19 Jul 1943 – Attached/Transferred to 22 Personnel Transit Centre (22 PTC), Middle East to 20 Jul 1943; and again from 23 Jul 1943 to 27 Jul 1943
22 Jul 1943 – Attached to 161 Maintenance Unit (161 MU), Middle East – to 24 Jul 1943

30 Jul 1943 – Posted to 462 Squadron RAAF, Middle East (dates from 462 Sqdn Personnel Occurrence Record); moved with 462 Squadron to various operational locations (Aug/Sep 1943 Hosc Raui; Oct/Nov/Dec 1943 Terria; Jan/Feb 1944 El Adem)
(July 1943 – Possible clerical errors with misalignment of Posting and Attachment Dates for Middle East; similar to file for ISAACS, GREENE and VETTER, of same crew)

28 Nov 1943 – Promoted to Warrant Officer, at 462 Squadron, Middle East (also recorded as 28 April 1943)
17 Nov 1943 – Discharged from RAAF as Airman, on being granted a Commission
18 Nov 1943 – Appointed to rank of Pilot Officer (see also Comm Gazette listing)
(Commission apparently pre-dated the Warrant Officer promotion of 28 Nov 1943, as recorded in his Airman’s file; in the Squadron’s Form 541 Ops he was recorded as F/Sgt from Aug 1943, and as W/O from 08 Dec 1943 to 23 Jan 1944).
31 Dec 1943 – Character and Trade Proficiency at rank of Warrant Officer – Character Very Good; and Proficiency Excellent for A. Skill in Trade; and Superior for B. Ability as Technical Warrant or Non-Com Officer.

CROOT carried out 35 Ops in 462 Squadron – 3 as second Pilot (1 with BIRMINGHAM, and two with BROWNE); and 32 with his usual crew (with some substitutions)

Aug and Sep 1943 – 12 Ops from Hosc Raui
Oct, Nov and Dec 1943 – 19 Ops from Terria
Jan 1944 – 4 Ops from El Adem
23 Jan 1944 – Final Op number 35, at 462 Squadron, El Adem (Ops details in later section)

21 Feb 1944 – Moved with 462 Squadron RAAF to Celone, Italy (where 462 Squadron was renamed as 614 Squadron RAF)
23 Feb 1944 – Attached to RAF Heliopolis, to 27 Feb 1944
01 Mar 1944 – Posted to 614 Squadron RAF, Celone, Italy [near Foggia, southern Italy] flying duties
27 Apr 1944 – Posted to 614 Sqdn Training Flight, as supernumerary

18 May 1944 – Promoted to rank of Flying Officer (refer photo in previous section)
19 Jul 1944 – Posted to 22 PTC (as supernumerary)
19 Jul 1944 – Posted to HQ ME, for ---- Course (illegible)
11 Aug 1944 – Posted to 1675 HCU, Abu Sueir (as supernumerary)
04 Sep 1944 – Posted to HQ MAAF, Malta (MAAF – Mediterranean Allied Air Forces)
04 (or 07) Sep 1944 – Posted to 22 PTC
14 Sep 1944 – Posted to MAAF
17 Sep 1944 – Posted to 614 Squadron
26 Oct 1944 – Posted to 3 BPD (as supernumerary) [No.3 Base Personnel Depot, located at Naples, Italy [refer
very old RAFCommands.com Archive post …. http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/10358.php .... ]

26 (or 27) Oct 1944 – Posted to HQ RAF ME for repatriation to Australia
29 Oct 1944 – Posted to 21 PTC
23 Nov 1944 – Posted to Australia (possibly the date of embarkation from the Mediterranean area)
29 Dec 1944 – Posted to 1 PD, Melbourne, ex overseas
31 Dec 1944 – 7 days leave, to 06 Jan 1945
07 Jan 1945 – 14 days leave, to 20 Jan 1945
21 Jan 1945 – 8 days leave, to 28 Jan 1945

30 Jan 1945 – Posted to 5 Personnel Depot (5 PD) Perth, WA
26 Feb 1945 – Posted to 5 PD
26 Feb 1945 – Admission to 110 (P) MH (Admission to Hospital, no other details)
19 Mar 1945 – Posted to 4 Medical Rehabilitation Unit (4 MRU) Yanchep, WA, as non-effective, medical grounds

24 Mar 1945 – Posted to G R S (General Reconnaissance School), Cressy, Victoria, for 21 G R P Course (no other details, assumed to be General Reconnaissance Pilots Course?)
16 Apr 1945 – Posted to 7 OTU, flying duties; subsequently cancelled on 18 Apr 1945
13 Aug 1945 – Posted to 5 PD Perth

14 Aug 1945 – Appointment terminated at 5 PD on Medical grounds, wef 17 Aug 1945; home address Canna WA.
14 Aug 1945 – 5 PD – Certified for Payment in lieu of leave on discharge, disembarked Ex Overseas – 21 days
Recreation Leave, 38 days War Service Leave, Total 82 days payment in lieu.
14 Aug 1945 – Stat Dec for dates of Service Overseas – 24 Aug 1942 to 28 Dec 1944
31 Aug 1945 – Certificate of Service and Discharge for time as Airman, and Certificate for time as Officer

Service Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" for Postings in Aus prior to embarkation – 5 ITS Pearce, WA; 9EFTS Cunderdin, WA; 4 SFTS Geraldton, WA; also "Certified No Entry" on 28 March 1944 by RAF Records (overseas).

Flying Details – Aircraft Types and hours flown

Training in Aus (Times and aircraft at variance from those recorded on a different document)
9 EFTS Cunderdin WA – Tiger Moth – 60 hours
4 SFTS Geraldton WA – Anson – 90 hours 50 minutes

Advanced Training – UK
14 (P) AFU – Oxford – 53 hours
27 OTU – UK – Wellington III – 77 h 20 m
1659 HCU – UK – Halifax II – 46 h

Other Training
1675 HCU – Lydda and Abu Sueir, Middle East – Liberator – 16 h
Training Total – 343 h 10 m

Special Courses
1415 BAT Flight, UK – BAT Course – Oxford aircraft – 10 h 30 m

Operational Flying, First Tour – 01 Aug 1943 to 01 Mar 1944
462 Squadron, Bomber squadron, Middle East – Halifax II aircraft – 36 Ops – (35 in ORB)
18 h 50 m as second pilot
221 h as Pilot;
Total Operational Flying – 239 h 50 m

Non-Operational Instructional Flying – from 01 Mar 1944 to 12 Oct 1944
Training / Flying – 614 Squadron – Halifax – 56 h 05 m
CMF – Liberator – 16 h 15 m

Other Non-Op flying – 73 h 25 m
Total Non-Op Flying – 145 h 45 m
Total All Flying – 739 h 15 m

Honours and Awards: 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Returned from Active Service Badge (AF 134928).

1987 – Correspondence between Gilbert CROOT and Air Force regarding Service Medals, which were subsequently inscribed and received by him; also by request as Next-of-kin, medals for his deceased brother Douglas CROOT 415020.

Rank at 462 Squadron from Operational Record Books at the NAA

05 Aug 1943 – first Op, as a second Pilot, rank of Flight Sergeant, and from this date.
28 Nov 1943 – Promoted to Temp Warrant Officer (ref: Personnel Occurrence Report 20/12/1943)
08 Dec 1943 – Ops recorded at rank of Warrant Officer from this date
23 Jan 1944 – last Op at 462 Squadron, rank of Warrant Officer

Promotions

Pilot Officer

Commonwealth of Australian Gazette, Thurs 20 Jul 1944, Issue 145, page 1481
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
His Excellency the Governor-General in Council has approved of the following changes being made:-
CITIZEN AIR FORCE
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH
The following non-commissioned officers (Pilots) are appointed to commissions on probation with the rank of Pilot Officer with effect from the dates indicated:-
………….
No. 415235 Gilbert Croot, 18th November, 1943
………….

Flying Officer

Commonwealth of Australian Gazette, Thurs 19 Oct 1944, Issue 206, page 2358
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
His Excellency the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth in Council has approved of the following changes being made:-
CITIZEN AIR FORCE
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH
The probationary appointments of the following Pilot Officers are confirmed and they are promoted to the rank of Flying Officer with effect from the dates indicated:- (Pilots)
………….
G. Croot (415235), 18th May 1944
………….

Commonwealth of Australian Gazette, Thurs 25 Oct 1945, Issue 207, page 2261
The appointments of the following officers are terminated on medical grounds with effect from the dates indicated:-
………. (Flying Officers) G Croot (415235), 14 August 1945 ………..
This date matches the date of demobilization/discharge from the RAAF, as noted in the Australian WW2 Nominal Roll. His RAAF Service File was not digitized as of 06 August 2022, so no further information is yet available.

Ops for CROOT at 462 Squadron, as recorded in the 462 Squadron Operational Record Books
(See also Ops table in later section)

Op 1. 05 Aug 1943 – second Pilot for BIRMINGHAM and Crew (that crew failed to return from an Op on the night of 18/19 August 1943, flying from Hosc Raui)
Op 2. 11 Aug 1943 – second Pilot for BROWNE and Crew
Op 3. 14 Aug 1943 – second Pilot for BROWNE and Crew
Op 4. 5, 6 – August 1943 – Pilot with usual Crew (3 Ops)
Ops 7 to 12 – September 1943 – Pilot with usual crew (6 Ops)
Ops 13 to 18 – October 1943 – Pilot with usual crew (7 Ops)
Ops 19 to 26 – November 1943 – Pilot with usual crew (8 Ops)
Ops 27 to 31 – December 1943 – Pilot with usual crew (5 Ops)
Ops 32 to 35 – January 1944 – Pilot with usual crew (4 Ops)
Total Ops for CROOT in 462 Squadron, according to the ORB – 35 (32 with his usual crew)

Personal Information – from Trove, National Library of Australia digitized newspapers ….

The West Australian (Perth), Fri 11 May 1945, page 7
Part of article “WOMAN’S REALM”
The engagement is announced between Lorraine Ellen Wadsworth, second daughter of Mr and Mrs R Bates, of Perth, and Gilbert, third son of Mr and Mrs H Croot, of Canna, WA.

A further search of Trove was not successful in locating any marriage between BATES and CROOT. However an online website “Winters Family History” (accessed 01 Aug 2022) indicated that Lorraine Ellen BATES and Gilbert CROOT married in 1945.

Death of Gilbert CROOT – 28 October 2002, aged 86 years.

More information is sought from the CROOT family, or relatives or friends. Please make contact.

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VETTER, Roy, 414177 RAAF – Wireless Operator

RAAF A9300 Service File from NAA – Note that there appear to be several clerical errors in mismatched dates of Postings and Attachments, and many deletions and insertions of written information. Some pages are almost illegible due to low-res scans.

15 Apr 1941 – Enrolment in the RAAF Reserve, at 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC) Brisbane, Queensland; age 18 years and 11 months; single; British subject; born 13 May 1922 in Goondiwindi, Qld; No previous military Service; civil occupation as Tailor; no civil convictions; address Bowen St, Goondiwindi, Qld; religion Roman Catholic. Reserve Badge Number 13130.
15 Apr 1941 – Medical examination and certification Height 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm), weight 147 lb (10 st 7 lb or 66.7 kg); difference in vision for eyes; Medical category A1B only.

16 Aug 1941 – Enlisted in the RAAF, at 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC) Brisbane, Qld, for duration of war and 12 months thereafter; age 19 years 3 months, single, Civil Occupation Tailor; other details as per the Reserve application. No enlistment photo in file. Next-of-Kin (father) Mr Francis Valentine VETTER, postal Address, Goondiwindi, Qld; Education at Convent of Mercy, Goondiwindi.
16 Aug 1941 – Medical examination and certification Height and weight as per the Reserve application; complexion fair, hazel eyes, light auburn hair; some hand and shin scars.
16 Aug 1941 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 414177
16 Aug 1941 – Classified as AC2 (AC II)
16 Aug 1941 – Mustered as Air Crew V
16 Aug 1941 – Posted to 3 Initial Training School (3 ITS), Sandgate, Qld

15 Sep 1941 – Course 19 (P) at 3 ITS, to 10 Nov 1941 – result PASS
08 Oct 1941 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (P) at 3 ITS

08 Nov 1941 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (P), for training as Pilot
08 Nov 1941 – Promoted to rank of LAC (Leading Aircraftman)
13 Nov 1941 – Posted to 2 Elementary Flying Training School (2 EFTS), Archerfield, Qld, for training as Pilot
03 Jan 1942 – Course 19 (P) – Result FAIL

03 Jan 1942 – Posted back to 3 ITS, Sandgate, Qld
03 Jan 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (G) at 3 ITS (for training as Wireless Operator / Air Gunner)

02 Feb 1942 – Completed 22 (G) Course at 3 ITS, result PASS
04 Feb 1942 – Posted to 3 Wireless and Gunnery School (3 WAGS), Maryborough, Qld
05 Mar 1942 – Commenced 23 Wireless Air Gunner’s Course at 3 WAGS, to 19 Aug 1942 – Result PASS

20 Aug 1942 – Posted to 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (1 BAGS), Evans Head, NSW
20 (or 24) Aug 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (G) at 1 BAGS

17 Sep 1942 – Awarded Air Gunner’s Badge at 1 BAGS
17 Sep 1942 – Re-mustered as WOAG at 1 BAGS
17 Sep 1942 – Promoted to Sergeant at 1 BAGS

28 Sep 1942 – Marriage, wife Mary Josephine VETTER – name added to file as Dependant; postal address Goondiwindi, Qld; name added to file as Next-of-Kin; (Status of previous Next-of-Kin (father) Mr F V VETTER, postal Address, Goondiwindi, Qld changed to Person to be notified in event of casualty)

30 Sep 1942 – Posted to 3 Embarkation Depot (3 ED), Sandgate, Qld
04 Oct 1942 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, NSW

17 Oct 1942 – Embarked from Sydney NSW, for the UK
17 Oct 1942 – Attached to RAF (to 15 Jan 1945)

16 Dec 1942 – Disembarked in the UK
16 Dec 1942 – Posted to 3 Personnel Reception Centre (3 PRC), Bournemouth, UK

11 Jan 1943 – Posted to 9 (O) Advanced Flying Unit (9 (O) AFU), Wales UK
17 Mar 1943 – Promoted to rank of Flight Sergeant
23 Mar 1943 – Completed 55 Wireless Operators/ Air Gunner Course at 9 (O) AFU – result PASS

23 Mar 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, UK

03 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1659 Conversion Unit (1659 Cu or HCU) Topcliffe UK

02 Jul 1943 – Posted to RCAF Base, Topcliffe
03 Jul 1943 – Attached to RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, to 16 Jul 1943
19 Jul 1943 – Posted to 2 ACRC
19 Jul 1943 – Attached/Transferred to 22 Personnel Transit Centre (22 PTC), Middle East to 20 Jul 1943; and again from 23 Jul 1943 to 27 Jul 1943
19 Jul 1943 – Transferred to Middle East (Ferry Flight with Crew)
20 (or 27) July 1943 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Middle East, various locations (arrived on 30 Jul 1943)
22 Jul 1943 – Attached to 161 MU, to 24 Jul 1943
(July 1943 – Possible clerical errors with misalignment of Posting and Attachment Dates for Middle East; similar to files for ISAACS and GREENE, of this crew)

Feb 1944 – Moved with 462 Squadron RAAF to Celone, Italy (where 462 was renamed as 614 Squadron RAF)
23 Feb 1944 – Attached to RAF Heliopolis, to 27 Feb 1944

01 Mar 1944 – Posted to 614 Squadron RAF, Celone, Italy (near Foggia, southern Italy)
9 (or 11) Mar 1944 – Re-mustered as W/Op (Air)
17 Mar 1944 – Promoted to rank of Warrant Officer
25 Mar 1944 – Discharged from RAAF as Airman, on being granted a Commission
26 Mar 1944 – Appointed to rank of Pilot Officer

27 Apr 1944 – Posted to 3 BPD (3 Base Personnel Depot, Naples, Italy)
09 May 1944 – Posted to 203 Group
08 Jun 1944 – Posted to 21 PTC
20 Jun 1944 – Embarked from Egypt, for the UK

05 July 1944 – Disembarked in the UK
06 Jul 1944 – Posted to 1 P D C, UK
27 Jul 1944 – Posted to Air Crew Allocation Centre (ACAC) Braekla, UK (sic, possibly Brackla, Scotland?)
14 Aug 1944 – Posted to 9 (O) AFU, staff WOP/Air Flying duties

26 Sep 1944 – Pilot Officer Appointment confirmed, and promoted to Flying Officer

16 Oct 1944 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia
24 Oct 1944 (?) – embarked from UK (date error?)
15 Jan 1945 – Ceased Attached to RAF
16 Jan 1945 – Disembarked in Brisbane, Qld
16 Jan 1945 – Posted to 3 Personnel Depot (3 PD), ex Overseas
17 Jan 1945 – 7 days Recreation Leave, and 14 days Disembarkation Leave
07 Feb 1945 – 7 days Special Leave

29 Jun 1945 – Posted to 1 WAGS Holding Pool, Ballarat, Vic
19 Jul 1945 – Attached to AFHQ, Melbourne, Vic, to 25 Jul 1945
17 Aug 1945 – Posted to 3 Personnel Depot (3 PD), Sandgate Qld
21 Aug 1945 – Posted to 1 RPP, Townsville, Qld

22 Sep 1945 (or 10 Aug 1945) – Posted to 34 Squadron, Morotia, flying duties (sic, possibly Morotai?)
30 Oct 1945 – Birth of son John Francis VETTER, name added to file as Dependant
25 Nov 1945 – Posted to 81 Fighter Wing HQ, Borneo

11 Jan 1946 – Posted to 381 Base Squadron, Borneo, flying duties
30 Jan 1946 – Posted to 81 Fighter Wing HQ, Borneo, flying duties

26 Mar 1946 – Promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant

02 Jul 1946 – Posted to 1315 Flight (RAF) Iwakuni, Japan, to 31 Jul 1946, Flying Duties (Yamaguchi Prefecture, 30 miles from Hiroshima)
01 Aug 1946 – Posted to BC AIR STN, Iwakuni, Japan, to 15 Mar 1947 (BC AIR British Commonwealth Air Forces)

02 Apr 1947 – Posted to Eastern Area Head Quarters (EAHQ), Archerfield, Completion of Tour
24 Apr 1947 – Admitted to SSQ (Station Sick Quarters) to 28 Apr 1947
05 May 1947 – Posted to EAHQ, Termination of Appointment, arrival 22 May 1947
28 May 1947 – Appointment terminated on demobilization, postal address Goondiwindi, Qld
27 Jun 1947 – Certificate of Service and Discharge for time as Airman (2484A), and Certificate 34336 for time as Officer; postal address Goondiwindi, Qld
10 Jul 1947 – Signed receipt for Certificates of Service and Discharge (Airman, and Officer)
08 Feb 1948 – Signed for receipt of Commission form

Service Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" for Postings in Aus at 3 ITS, 2 EFTS. 3 WAGS, 2 ED, during 1941 and 1942; also "Certified No Entry" on 14 Sep 1944 by RAF Records (overseas).
General Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" on 29 Oct 1945 and 07 Nov 1945, by RAF Records (overseas).
Character and Trade Proficiency at rank of F/Sgt, Trade WOP/Air – 31 Dec 1943 – Character very Good; Proficiency Superior for A. Skill in Trade; and Superior for B. Ability as Technical Warrant or Non-Com Officer

Character and Trade Proficiency at rank of Warrant Officer, Trade WOP/Air – 25 Mar 1944 and 04 Nov 1945 – Character very Good; Proficiency not recorded for A. Skill in Trade; and not recorded for B. Ability as Technical Warrant or Non-Com Officer

Aircraft Types and hours flown
Training in Aus
3 WAGS – DC2 Wackett – 56 h 40 m
1 BAGS – Fairey Battle – 4 h 40 m
Advanced/Operational Training
9 (O) AFU – UK – Anson – 48 h 20 m
27 OTU – UK – Wellington – 80 h
1659 HCU – UK – Halifax – 43 h 45 m
301 FTU – UK – Halifax – 11 h (sic, perhaps 30 IFTU?)
Training Total – 244 h 25 m

Non-Operational or Instructional Flying – from 08 Aug 1944 to 11 Oct 1944
9 (O) AFU – UK – Anson – 64 h 30 m

Operational Flying, First Tour – 30 Jul 43 to 23 Jan 1944
462 Squadron, Bomber squadron, Middle East – Halifax aircraft – 33 Ops – 221 h (32 in ORB)
614 Squadron, Italy – Halifax aircraft – nil recorded
Total All Flying – 529 h 55 m (maths error in original)

Honours and Awards: 1939-43 Star Ribbon, 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Defence Medal; Returned from Active Service Badge.

From the Ryerson Index Online –
01 June 1976 – Death of Roy VETTER, death notice published in the Goondiwindi Argus on 02 Jun 1976.
29 Sep 1976 – Probate Notice published in the Goondiwindi Argus.

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DAVY, Ryan – Navigator – RAFVR Service

No RAF service file available; known as Ryan to the crew, and as recorded with Bomb Aimer ISAACS memorabilia and photos. He has been identified in the Halifax wing photo.
The 462 Squadron Forms 541 (Ops) list him variously with the initials ......
M A – 7 times in Aug and Sep 1943;
M R – 2 times in Sep 1943;
R – 20 times in Oct, Nov, Dec 1943, and Jan 1944 (matches with the known Ryan)
M, and M A, and M – Jan 1944
At no stage was any Service Number listed, and only Officers were recorded in the Form 540 Postings to and from the Squadron.

According the 462 Squadron ORB, Ops for DAVY were ……
21 Aug 1943 – Op 1 as Observer, at rank of Sergeant
11 Dec 1943 – Last Op at rank of Sergeant
12 Dec 1943 – from this Op, now recorded at rank of Flight Sergeant,
23 Jan 21944 – Last Op with 462 Squadron,, rank of F/Sgt
Total Ops at 462 Squadron – 32 (in ORB)
Aug to Nov 1943 – listed as Observer; from mid-November onwards, sometimes listed as Navigator.

London Gazette – using search term “Ryan Davy” ………

London Gazette Number 37289, Tuesday 02 October 1945, page 4852
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH
Appointment to commission.
As Plt. Offs. on prob. (emergency):-
Wt. Offs
24th July 1945
1147870 Morton Ryan DAVY (200692)

Thus – Ryan DAVY was commissioned from the rank of Warrant Officer to the rank of Pilot Officer.
Further searches in the Gazette were not successful.
He may have been promoted to Warrant Officer sometime in Dec 1944, after serving for 12 months as F/Sgt (and as first recorded in 462 Squadron Ops in Dec 1943)

RAF Lists – Name not located up to July 1945 issue
CWGC – not listed under either service number, so he survived the War.

From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 965000 to No. 1149977 were allocated from September 1939 at Padgate. This batch includes 1147870 for Morton Ryan DAVY. However this not identify when he actually enlisted.

From the information located – the following is assumed to be the Ryan DAVY of the CROOT Crew in 462 Squadron – Morton Ryan DAVY, RAFVR; 1147870 (later 200692 as Officer)

Information is sought from DAVY’s family, or relatives or friends. He also need to be identified in the crew photos. Please make contact.

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LEWIN, H R – Flight Engineer – RAF or RAFVR Service

The 462 Squadron Forms 541 (Ops) lists LEWIN variously with the initials ……..
H P (10 times) – H R (15 times) – H (2 times) – N (3 times)
Variance may also be due to difficulty in reading details due to illegibility of some of the ORB.
10 Sept 1943 – recorded as KEWIN, H P as F/Eng with the CROOT Crew
At no stage was any Service Number listed, and only Officers were recorded in the Form 540 Postings to and from the Squadron. Therefore further identifying information is unknown.

According the 462 Squadron ORB, Ops for LEWIN were ……
21 Aug 1943 – Op 1 as Flight Engineer, at rank of Sergeant
23 Sep 1943 – no Flight Engineer was listed – so LEWIN or a substitute may have flown that Op
23 Jan 1944 – Last Op with 462 Squadron, at rank of Sgt
Total Ops at 462 Squadron – 30 (possibly 31) all at the rank of Sergeant

London Gazette – using search term “H R Lewin” and Lewin, H. R.” – no results.
RAF Lists – Name (with the various initials) not located up to July 1945 issue.
No RAF service file available.
CWGC – Name (with the various initials) not listed, so he survived the War.

Information is sought from LEWIN’s family, or relatives or friends. He also needs to be identified in the crew photos. Please make contact.

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Edmund Seymour ISAACS – 413485 RAAF – Bomb Aimer

FROM NAA A9300 RAAF Service File 413485 – Note that there appear to be several clerical errors in mismatched dates of Postings and Attachments.

12 Feb 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, at 2a Mobile Recruiting Unit, Glen Innes, New South Wales; age 23 years 11 months; single, British Subject; born Lismore on 03 Mar 1917; religion C of E; no previous military service; no civil convictions; employed as Analytical Chemist by Colonial Sugar Refining Co, Sydney; home address "Bilimbin", Pitt St, Glen Innes, New South Wales; allocated Reserve Number 4803.

17 Aug 1941 – Enlisted as Airman in the RAAF, at 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC) Sydney, for duration of war and 12 months thereafter; age 24 years and 5 months; Date of Birth 03 March 1917; single; similar details to enrolment in RAAF Reserve; height 5 feet 11 inches (180.34 cm); weight 163 lb (11 stone 9 lb or 74 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair; Medical Category A1B/A3B. Enlistment Photo on, or about this date.
Next of kin – (father) Edmund Rogers ISAACS, 181 Gray (or Grey) St, later Wentworth St, Glen Innes, NSW (Uncle – Arthur Rogers ISAACS of Mosman NSW listed as additional person to be notified in case of casualty). Education – Intermediate Certificate, Leaving Certificate.
17 Aug 1941 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 413485
17 Aug 1941 – Classified as ACII (Aircraftman II or 2) on enlistment
17 Aug 1941 – Mustered as Air Crew V
17 Aug 1941 – Posted to 2 Initial Training School (2 ITS), Lindfield, NSW

06 Oct 1941 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (O) at 2 ITS

08 Nov 1941 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW
08 Nov 1941 – Promoted to rank of LAC (Leading Aircraftman) at 2 ED
08 Nov 1941 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (O) at 2 ED
08 Nov 1941 – 10 days Leave, to 17 Nov 1941

05 Mar 1942 – Posted to 2 Air Observer's School (2 AOS), Mt Gambier, South Australia
28 May 1942 – Completed Course 22 (Observers) at 2 AOS, Result – Pass

01 Jun 1942 – Posted to 2 Bombing and Gunnery School (2 BAGS), Port Pirie, SA
23 Jul 1942 – Completed Course 22 (Observers) at 2 BAGS, Result – Pass
23 Jul 1942 – Awarded Air Observer’s Badge, at 2 BAGS

26 Jul 1942 – Posted to 2 Air Navigation School (2 ANS), Nhill, Victoria
13 Aug 1942 – Declaration completed at 2 ANS at rank of LAC, that a "Will" had been made and lodged at 2 ITS.
20 Aug 1942 – Completed Course 22 (Observers) at 2 ANS, Result – Pass
20 Aug 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Observer, at 2 ANS

20 Aug 1942 – Promoted to rank of Sergeant at 2 ANS

21 Aug 1942 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW
21 Aug 1942 – 11 days Pre-embarkation Leave, to 31 Aug 1942

18 Sep 1942 – Embarked from Sydney, NSW for the UK
18 Sep 1942 – Attached to RAF ((UK, later Middle East, and Italy)

15 Jan 1943 – Disembarked in UK

15 Jan 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre, Bournemouth UK

25 Jan 1943 – Re-mustered as Navigator (B)

20 Feb 1943 – Promoted to rank of Flight Sergeant, 11 PDRC, UK
10 Mar 1943 – Cessation of Attachment to "22 Inf Bde (Army)" during Posting at 11 PDRC (reason unknown, or clerical error?)

23 Mar 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, UK

03 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit (1659 CU or HCU), Topcliffe, UK

02 Jul 1943 – Posted to RCAF Base, Topcliffe
03 Jul 1943 – Posted to 30 IFTU (or 301 FTU), Topcliffe – to 15/16 July 1943 (Possible typographical error in original files? Was it ITFU – Instrument Flying Training Unit OR Intensive Flying Trials Unit; or was it FTU – Ferry Training Unit? Acronym translation not known – was the Unit part of 5 Air Navigation School (5 ANS) at Topcliffe? Or a part of 1659 HCU at Topcliffe? Info via contact page please)
19 Jul 1943 – Attached/Transferred to 22 Personnel Transit Centre (22 PTC), Middle East to 20 Jul 1943; and again from 23 Jul 1943 to 27 Jul 1943
22 Jul 1943 – Attached to 161 Maintenance Unit (161 MU) – to 24 Jul 1943
20 Jul 1943 (or 27 Jul 1943) – Posted to 462 Squadron, Middle East, various locations (arrived on 30 Jul 1943)
(July 1943 – Possible clerical errors with misalignment of Posting and Attachment Dates for Middle East; similar to file for GREENE, of same crew)

From ISAACS Log Book – Ferry Flights UK to 462 Squadron Middle East (see scan of the Log Book below)

16 Jul 1943 – Up at 1030 – Halifax BB415, Pilot F/Sgt CROOT; Ferry Trip from 301 FTU, Lyneham, Wiltshire to Hurn, Dorset, UK; 35 minutes
19 Jul 1943 – Up at 0400 – Halifax BB415, Pilot F/Sgt CROOT; Ferry Trip from Base UK to Raz el Ma; 9 hours 30 minutes (sic, Ras el Ma, Morocco, North Africa)
20 Jul 1943 – Up at 0700 – Halifax BB415, Pilot F/Sgt CROOT; Ferry Trip from Raz el Ma to Castel Benito; 6 hours 45 minutes (Tripoli, Libya, North Africa)
21 Jul 1943 – Up at 0600 – Halifax BB415, Pilot F/Sgt CROOT; Ferry Trip from Castel Benito to Cairo West; 7 hours 15 minutes
22 Jul 1943 – Up at 0830 – Halifax BB415, Pilot F/Sgt CROOT; Ferry Trip from Cairo West to Fayid; 1 hour
Total flying time 25 hours and 5 minutes

This Halifax BB415 was used by 462 Squadron for at least 27 Ops from 21 Aug 1943 until 09 Feb 1944 (possibly more, but undetermined due to illegibility of some ORB pages); three of those Ops were flown by the CROOT crew. All Ops were without a MU/AG, as the Mid-Upper Turrets had been removed from the 462 Squadron Halifax aircraft by July 1943, with last Op recording a MU/AG on 12 June 1943. Presumably the Mid-Upper Turret was also removed from Halifax BB415 after its arrival at the Squadron.
Halifax BB415 transferred with 462 Squadron to Italy, where it was also used by the renamed 614 Squadron from 15 March 1944.

ISAACS carried out at least 31 Ops in 462 Squadron – 30 with Pilot CROOT, 1 with Pilot BROWNE, and another probable Op with Pilot CROOT when several members of the crew were not named in the ORB (see later table).
Ops in Aug and Sep 1943 – from Hosc Raui (August Ops see scan of the Log Book below)
Ops in Oct. Nov and Dec 1943 – from Terria
Ops in Jan 1944 – from El Adem

From the private document collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

Above: Edmund Seymour ISAACS – Log Book for July and August 1943 (462 Squadron) –
Ferry Trip from UK to Middle East, via Raz el Ma, Castel Benito, Cairo West and Fayid (transcribed in ISAACS Service File information above); and his first four Ops at 462 Squadron, based at Hosc Raui. Log Book signed by S/Ldr W R KOFOED OC “B” Flight 462 Squadron.

 

From the private document collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

Above: Edmund Seymour ISAACS – diary of Ferry Flight, July 1943 to 462 Squadron, Middle East – detailing the flight from RAF Hurn in Dorset UK, to Raz el Ma (sic) in Morocco, north-west Africa.

Transcription follows .........

19/1/43
Left for middle-east feeling very sick and sorry after a night vomiting.
Awakened at 2.30 a.m. A.D.S.T. just as the dawn broke with leaden sky and misty rain with intermittent showers. Felt absolutely hellish as I had only had about 1½ hrs sleep. Could not face breakfast & was sick again after a glass of milk. Felt lousy in the hot smoky air of the briefing room but recovered a bit on the way out to the kite.
We took off at 6 a.m. in a drizzle of rain with low cloud. I was a bit nervous as we lined up on the runway but did not have much time to ruminate for Bert said "All set?" & began to open up the throttles & I got down to my jobs during takeoff.
Slowly the old Hallibag gathered speed and after what seemed a terrifically long run slowly took the air climbing almost imperceptably. The exhausts were red hot and we were flat out at +12 3000 – Bert was

a bit worried (me too for we had the absolute maximum load – a little extra in fact!) Suddenly a thought struck me and I looked out the side window – sure enough the undercart was still down. We hoisted it up & things improved immediately.
We set course climing through cloud for the first lap of our journey. With a tinge of regret I watched patches of Devon & Cornwall passing behind through holes in the cloud until we crossed the coast & headed out to sea. I very gingerly eat a few pieces of barley sugar and later a few biscuits, chocolate & some coffee (I was on the mend.)
Slowly time passed and we doged huge cumulus clouds and thunderstorms until we eventually reached the African coast where we came down and headed in for Raz-el-Ma where..... (page ends)

 

From the private document collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

Above: Edmund Seymour ISAACS of 462 Squadron – Log Book entry of WW2 "Units at which Served". Note that the entries are not in strict chronological order, but match his RAAF Service File, with a few variations in date by one or a few days.

From the private document collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

Above: Edmund Seymour ISAACS of 462 Squadron, based then at Terria – Menu for Sergeant’s Mess, Christmas 1943. Artist unknown. Menu probably issued to all NCOs in attendance. ISAACS was then at the rank of Flight Sergeant, but about to be Commissioned..
For similar Xmas 1943 menus – see also Hogan Crew page for WARD’s menu with signatures (possible 462 Sqdn Officer’s Mess?) and the R H V Thomas Crew page for AINLEY’s menu at T M E.

26 Dec 1943 – Discharged from RAAF as Airman, on being granted a Commission (also dated in error elsewhere as 26/4/44)

27 Dec 1943 – Appointed to rank of Pilot Officer (also dated in error elsewhere as 27/4/44)

20 Feb 1944 – Cancellation of T/W/O (Temporary Warrant Officer) to correct a possible Clerical error – as already Commissioned)
21 Feb 1944 – moved with 462 Squadron RAAF to Celone, Italy (where 462 was renamed as 614 Squadron RAF)

23 Feb 1944 – Attached to RAF Heliopolis, to 27 Feb 1944

01 Mar 1944 – Posted to 614 Squadron RAF, Celone, Italy (near Foggia, southern Italy)

27 Apr 1944 – Posted to 3 BPD = No.3 Base Personnel Depot, located at Naples, Italy (from very old RAFCommands.com Archive post …. http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/10358.php .... )

09 May 1944 – Posted to HQ MAAF, Malta (MAAF – Mediterranean Allied Air Forces/s)
27 May 1944 – Posted to MEC, Middle East (MEC – Middle East Command)

23 Jun 1944 – Posted to 1675 HCU, Lydda, Palestine (for instructional duties) to 30 Jul 1944 (now Lod, south-east of Tel Aviv)

31 Jul 1944 – Posted to 1675 HCU, Abu Sueir, Egypt, to 07 Aug 1944 (near Ismailia, Egypt)

27 Jun 1944 – Promoted to rank of Flying Officer

07 Aug 1944 – Attended Bombing Leaders Course, El Ballah, Egypt, Middle East, to 08 Sep 1944; result "B" (south-west of Alexandria, Egypt)

16 Sep 1944 – Posted to 1675 HCU, Abu Sueir, Egypt, to 03 Sep 1944

From the private document collection of E S ISSACS, used with permission.

Above: Edmund Seymour ISAACS log book – March and April 1945; Instructional duties at 1675 HCU, including Casualty on 30 April 1945, when the Liberator aircraft crashed into the sea off Gaza, Liberator (details below).

30 Apr 1945 – Casualty – injured in aircraft accident while posted to Gaza, Palestine (Instructional duties)

Transcription of ISAACS Log book (above) provides the following information:

30 Apr 1945 – Up at 0530 hours at 1675 H C U, Abu Sueir, Egypt, in Liberator "GI", Pilot F/O Berrigan; duty to "Screen Bomb Aimer"; flight from Base to Gaza, W 15 Miles (D R Position at sea); 1.5 hours
30 Apr 1945 – 0700 hours, Bomb Aimer ISAACS, "swimming to shore"; 4 hours; "Dislocated hip and ruptured knee"

NAA A705 Casualty File not digitised; however the Index records the aircraft as "Liberator Mk6 KG857, Gaza, Palestine".
Info from his son, Ted – "He was Instructing with 1675 HCU, on a training flight in Liberators – I think it was an American pilot, and they crashed into the sea 15 miles off Gaza – he got out of the plane – dislocated hip (and knee too – I think), and spent 4 hours in the water till he was rescued by some fishermen."

02 Sep 1945 – Transferred to 11 PDRC, UK for repatriation to Australia

04 Oct 1945 – Embarked from Liverpool, UK, destination Australia

04 Nov 1945 – Attachment to RAF ceased (UK, Middle East, Italy)
04 Nov 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, Australia
04 Nov 1945 – Posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD, Bradfield Park, Sydney

27 Dec 1945 – Promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant

13 Feb 1946 – 2 PD, Appointment terminated on demobilization, at rank of Flight Lieutenant.
2 PD – Certified for Payment in lieu of leave on discharge, disembarked Ex Overseas – 7 days Recreation Leave, 45 days War Service Leave, 30 days Re-establishment Leave, Total 82 days payment.

22 May 1946 – Certificate of Service and Discharge for time as Airman, and Certificate for time as Officer; address c/o COR Company, Connell St, Sydney (sic, possibly CSR Co. as per his pre-war employment)

Service Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" for each and all Postings in Aus prior to embarkation – 2 ITS, 2 ED, 2 AOS, 2 BAGS, 2 ANS, 2 ED; also "Certified No Entry" on 11 Sep 1944 by RAF Records (overseas).

Character and Trade Proficiency at rank of Flight Sergeant, Trade Nav B / Obs – 27 Jul 1943, 31 Dec 1943, and 26 April 1944 – Character Very Good; and Proficiency Superior for A. Skill in Trade; and Satisfactory for B. Ability as Technical Warrant or Non-Com Officer.

Aircraft Types and hours flown
Training in Aus
2 AOS – Anson – 54 hours 35 minutes
2 BAGS – Battle – 13 h 20 m
2 ANS – Anson – 23 h

Advanced Training
27 OTU – UK – Wellington 78 h 40 M
1659 HCU – UK – Halifax – 30 h 15 m
30 IFTU UK Halifax 12 h 30 M
Training Total – 212 h 20

Special Courses
2 A B & G S, El Ballah, Egypt – Bombing Leader Course – Wellington and Baltimore aircraft – 13 h 15 m

Operational Flying, First Tour – July 1943 to Jan 1944
462 Squadron, Bomber squadron, Middle East – Halifax II aircraft – 33 Ops – 221 h 25 m (32 in ORB)

Non-Operational Instructional Flying – from 08 Jun 1944 to 01 Sep 1945
1675 HCU – Lydda and Abu Sueir, Middle East – Liberator aircraft – 147 h 25 m
Miscellaneous Ferry flights – Middle East – Halifax, Liberator and Wellington aircraft – 70 h
Total 217 h 25 m

Total All Flying – 664 h 25 m

Honours and Awards: 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 19439-45; Returned from Active Service Badge.

From the Ryerson Index Online –
12 Nov 1990 – Death of Edmund Seymour ISAACS, death notice published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 15 Nov 1990.
21 Dec 1990 – Probate Notice published in Gold Coast Bulletin.
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GREENE, Desmond Ian 417363 RAAF – Rear Gunner

A9300 RAAF Service File from NAA – Note that there appear to be several clerical errors in mismatched dates of Postings and Attachments, with particular variance between original forms and later “transcribed” documents. Some forms are in very poor conditions, and some copies were to replace missing originals “presumed lost in transit”. Some Postings with two dates, may be indicate Leave between postings.

07 Aug 1941 – Enrolment in the RAAF Reserve, at 5 Recruiting Centre (5 RC) Adelaide, South Australia; age 26 years and 4 months; single; British subject; born 04 April 1915 in Bordertown, SA; No previous military Service; civil occupation as Farm Labourer, no civil convictions other than a traffic fine; address Uren St, Magill, SA; religion Roman Catholic.

25 April 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF, at 5 Recruiting Centre (5 RC) Adelaide, SA, for duration of war and 12 months thereafter; age 26 years, single, of Uren St, Magill, SA, prior to enlistment residing at Port Broughton; next of kin Mrs Elizabeth May Green (sic, assume this should be GREENE), of Nile St, Glenelg SA (mother); sister – S LYON, of same address listed as additional person to be notified in case of casualty; Civil Occupation Share Farmer (dairy farming and wheat farming); other details as per the Reserve application.
25 April 1942 – Medical examination and certification Height 5 feet 10.5 inches (179 cm), weight 169 lb (12 st 1 lb or 76.7 kg); normal vision and colour vision; normal hearing; complexion medium, green eyes, dark hair; some chest scars; Medical category A1B, A3B
25 Apr 1942 – Enlistment Photo
25 Apr 1942 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 417363
25 Apr 1942 – Classified as AC2 (AC II)
25 Apr 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V
25 Apr 1942 – Posted to 4 Initial Training School (4 ITS), Victor Harbor, SA

15 Jun 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (G)
19 Jun 1942 – Completed 27 Gunnery Course at 4 ITS; Result PASS
20 Jun 1942 – Promoted to rank of LAC (Leading Aircraftman) at 1 WAGS
25 Jun 1942 – Posted to 1 Wireless and Gunnery School (1 WAGS), Ballarat, Victoria

12 Oct 1942 (or 16 Nov 1942) – Posted to 3 BAGS, West Sale, Vic
16 Nov 1942 – Attended 26 Gunnery Course at 3 BAGS, to 10 Dec 1942; result PASS
16 Nov 1942 – Attended Modified Musketry Course at 3 BAGS, result PASS

10 Dec 1942 – Awarded Air Gunner’s Badge at 3 BAGS
10 Dec 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Gunner
10 Dec 1942 – Promoted to rank of Sergeant at 3 BAGS
11 Dec 1942 (or 22 Dec 1942) – Posted to 4 Embarkation Depot (4 ED), Mitcham, SA
11 Dec 1942 – 6 days pre-embarkation leave, to 16 Dec 1942

06 Jan 1943 – Embarked from Adelaide, SA, for the UK
09 Jan 1943 – Attached to RAF, UK

06 Mar 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
07 Mar 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC)

23 March 1943 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, UK

03 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1659 Conversion Unit (1659 CU) Topcliffe
10 June 1943 – Promoted to rank of Flight Sergeant

02 Jul 1943 – Posted to RCAF Base, Topcliffe (recorded as “603 Sqd”, possible clerical error?)
02 Jul 1943 – Posted to Lydeham (sic, Lyneham, Wiltshire)
03 Jul 1943 – Posted to 301 FTU (sic, or 30 IFTU)
03 Jul 1943 – Attached to RAF Lyneham, to 16 Jul 1943
22 Jul 1943 – Posted to RCAF Topcliffe
22 Jul 1943 – Posted to 2 ACRC (Air Crew Reception Centre?)
19 Jul 1943 – Attached/Transferred to 22 Personnel Transit Centre (22 PTC), Middle East to 20 Jul 1943; and again from 23 Jul 1943 to 27 Jul 1943
22 Jul 19436 – Attached to 161 MU, to 24 Jul 1943
20 July 1943 (or 27 Jul 1943) – Posted to 462 Squadron, Middle East, various locations (arrived on 30 Jul 1943)
(July 1943 – Possible clerical errors with misalignment of Posting and Attachment Dates for Middle East; similar to files for ISAACS and VETTER of same crew)

Extracts from Flying Log Book (as recorded in A9300) – 462 Squadron, Middle East, flying in Halifax a/c. The original Log Book is not included in the file.

17 Aug 1943 – First Flight (this flight was possibly non-Operational as no Ops were listed for 462 Squadron on 17 Aug 1943; and the ORB lists the first Op for GREENE as 21 Aug 1943)
25 Aug 1943 – Grotone (sic, Crotone)
31 Aug 1943 – Grottaglie
03 Sep 1943 – Grottaglie
10 Sep 1943 – Portenza (sic, Potenza)
22 Sep 1943 – Calata Drome, Rhode Island (sic, Calato)
24 Sep 1943 – Calata Drome, Rhode Island
25 Sep 1943 – Hassani Drome, Athens
27 Sep 1943 – Larissa
12 Oct 1943 – Maritza
Other Operations also carried out
22 March 1944 – last Flight (date anomaly – according to the ORB, the last Op for this Crew at 462 Squadron, was 23 Jan 1944; so perhaps 22 March was a non- operational flight at 614 Squadron in Italy?)

Feb 1944 – Moved with 462 Squadron RAAF to Celone, Italy (where 462 was renamed as 614 Squadron RAF)
23 Feb 1944 – Attached to RAF Heliopolis, to 27 Feb 1944

01 Mar 1944 – Posted to 614 Squadron RAF, Celone, Italy (near Foggia, southern Italy)
25 Mar 1944 – Discharged from RAAF as Airman, on being granted a Commission
26 Mar 1944 – Appointed to rank of Pilot Officer
27 Apr 1944 (or 01 May 1944) – Posted to 3 BPD (No.3 Base Personnel Depot, Naples, Italy)
09 May 1944 – Posted to HQ ME
02 Jun 1944 (or 08 Jun 1944) – Posted to 22 PTC

20 Jun 1944 – Posted to 21 PTC
20 Jun 1944 – Embarked from Egypt, MAAF, for the UK
05 Jul 1944 – Disembarked in UK
06 Jul 1944 – Posted to 1 PDC, UK
27 Jul 1944 – Posted to ACAC, UK (Air Crew Allocation Centre)

23 Aug 1944 – Posted to 1 AGS (Air Gunner School) – possible clerical error, see entry for 02 Apr 1945.
26 Sep 1944 – Pilot Officer Appointment confirmed, and promoted to Flying Officer
17 Oct 1944 – Posted to 11 PDRC
Undated – Embarked form the UK, for repatriation to Australia

Undated – Disembarked in Australia
16 Jan 1945 – Posted to 3 PD, ex overseas
18 Jan 1945 – Posted to 4 PD
15 Feb 1945 – Posted to 4 PD

02 Apr 1945 – Posted to 1 Air Gunnery School (1 AGS), for Instructional Duties
19 May 1945 – Attendance at 29 Gunnery Leader Course at CGS, to 27 Jun 1945
09 Jul 1945 – Posted to AGS, Holding Pool

20 Aug 1945 – Posted to 4 Personnel Depot 4 PD (for transfer to Reserve)
24 Aug 1945 – Appointment terminated on demobilization, at 4 PD, rank of Flying Officer
24 Aug 1945 – Certified for Payment in lieu of leave on discharge, disembarked Ex Overseas – 14 days Recreation Leave, 30 days War Service Leave, 30 days Re-establishment Leave, Total 74 days payment in Lieu.
25 Aug 1945 – Transferred to Reserve as “Surplus to present personnel requirements”.
27 Sep 1945 – Certificate of Service and Discharge for time as Airman, and Certificate 4165 for time as Officer; address 30 Nile St, Glenelg, SA
15 Nov 1945 – Signed receipt for Certificates of Service and Discharge (Airman, and Officer)

Service Conduct Sheet – "Certified No Entry" at 4 ITS (South Aus) on 19 Jun 1942; also "Certified No Entry" on 19 Sep 1944 by RAF Records (overseas).
Character and Trade Proficiency at rank of Flight Sergeant, Trade Air Gunner – 31 Dec 1943 and 25 March 1944 -
Character very Good; Proficiency Satisfactory for A. Skill in Trade; and Satisfactory for B. Ability as Technical Warrant or Non-Com Officer

Aircraft Types and hours flown
Training in Aus
3 BAGS – Demon Battles – 9 h 05 m

Advanced/Operational Training
27 OTU – UK – Wellington 85 h 40 m
1659 HCU – UK – Halifax – 30 h 15 m
30 IFTU – UK – Halifax – 18 h 05 m
Training Total – 143 h 05 m
Non-Operational or Instructional Flying – from 23 Jan 1944 to 16 Oct 1944
614 Squadron – Italy – G T (General Transport?)
1 AGS – G T and Flying Instructor – 6 h 35 m (Air Gunnery School?)
Operational Flying, First Tour – 27 Jul 43 to 23 Jan 1944
462 Squadron, Bomber squadron, Middle East – Halifax II aircraft – 33 Ops – 221 h (32 in ORB)
Miscellaneous flying 83 h
Total All Flying – 453 h 40 m

Honours and Awards: 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 19439-45; Returned from Active Service Badge.

From the Ryerson Index Online –
15 Nov 1997 – Death of Desmond Ian GREENE (Des), age 82, death notice published in the Adelaide Advertiser on 17 and 18 Nov 1997.
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Mid-Upper Gunner – name unknown – may be "Jim" or "JC", from the RAF or RAFVR.
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CROOT Crew Ops at 462 Squadron – transcribed form the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book. Some of the pages are badly faded, or are very poor quality carbon copies (some 1943 originals had been created using very worn carbon paper), so some words are almost illegible. My apologies for any transcriptions errors.

Pilot CROOT and his usual crew – 32 Ops together; Croot having flown 3 previous Ops as a second pilot. Differences in Op totals between those recorded in the crew's Service File documents, and those in the ORB, may be accounted for as a possible DNTO (did not take off), not included in ORB.

Halifax BB425 - 14 Ops
Halifax JN892 - 9 Ops
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to Squadron Crews Middle East