Kenneth Mitchell Collection © 2016

Above: Kenneth Mitchell, 12 March 2016, aged 92.

 

Kenneth Mitchell Collection © 2020

 

 

Additional crew information (Sourced from the RAAF Service Files for Santich and Wilson. The RAAF Service Files for Forte, Reynolds, Schefe and Suttor had not yet been digitised as of 6 March 2016, and the RAFVR Service File for Mitchell was not accessible. Due to this crew being non-operational, little information was available from the Squadron ORBs).

Crew Formation and Service Summary

10 October 1944 – Santich's and Wilson's files both state that each was posted to 21 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on this date. The original crew of six would have formed soon after their posting there, and would have trained in 2-engine Wellington Bombers. (21 OTU Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, UK)

23 February 1945 – both Santich and Wilson were posted to 74 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor, Yorkshire for conversion to 4-engine Halifax Bombers. It is assumed that the other 4 members of the crew were also posted to 1652 HCU on the same date. Flight Engineer Mitchell would have joined them at 1652 HCU to make the complete crew of seven.

31 May 1945 – Santich and Wilson were posted from 1652 HCU, Marston Moor to 462 Squadron, Foulsham. It is assumed that they were posted as a crew, and the 462 Squadron ORB records their arrival in the June 1945 Form 540 POSTING TO the squadron with their names listed in the usual crew sequence.

18 September 1945 – Santich and Wilson were posted from 462 Squadron Foulsham to 9 Air Crew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), RAF Gamston, and again it is assumed the other 4 RAAF crew members were posted out on the same date. Their names are listed as part of a group in the September 1945 ORB Form 540 POSTING FROM the squadron.
22 September 1945 – The POSTING OUT of all remaining RAF/RAFVR personnel commenced immediately, with all RAF/RAFVR personnel to be POSTED TO RAF Station Bruntingthorpe. MItchell's name is included with a group of other crew's Flight Engineers.

Later postings during repatriation to Australia are the same for Boris Santich and Pat Wilson, and may also have been the same for the other RAAF members of this crew.

This crew was one of the Non-Operational Crews, so are not listed in Squadron Operational flights in the ORB. Such crews carried out training flights, "Cook's Tours" over the Ruhr, and bomb disposal by jettisoning over the North Sea. They may have transported Senior personnel to and from Germany or Denmark, and possibly transported of ex-Luftwaffe PoWs to the UK. Such flights were mentioned in the Squadron ORB, however Pilots were not usually listed by name, but when they were, the names of the crew were not included. Forte's name is not mentioned, and no log books for members of this crew are available, so actual flights by this crew are not known. (See Ken's memories below.)

 

Boris SANTICH 442434 RAAF, Bomb Aimer – information sourced from NAA Series A9301 RAAF Service File.

His nickname as known by the crew was "the Count" no doubt because of his ancestry, having been born in Yugoslavia, with both parents Yugoslavian. Boris arrived at Port Adelaide (South Australia) in 1926, and was a Naturalised British Subject living in Broken Hill, western New South Wales, at the time of his application for Air Crew in the RAAF. He had attended Broken Hill High School and Broken Hill Technical College. His civil occupation was Laboratory Assistant, and he had completed the 1st year of a Metallurgy Diploma course. Comments by the Interviewing Officer were that Boris was an "intelligent, well educated young man. Aptitude test Average to very good". Boris was single and his next of kin was his father Mate Santich.

17 July 1943 – enlisted in the RAAF, and posted to 4 Initial Training School (4 ITS), Victor Harbor, South Australia; rank Aircraftman 2 (photo at enlistment shown previously).
9 October 1943 – posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney; mustered as Aircrew Nav/B, rank of Leading Aircraftman.
4 November 1943 – attached to RCAF and embarked for Canada, on arrival posted to 2 BG Mossbank, Canada, Course 97, training in Anson and Bolingbroke aircraft (Bombing and Gunnery).
11 March 1944 – posted to 5 AOS Winnipeg, Canada, Courses 97 and 101; training in Anson aircraft (Air Observers School).
16 June 1944 – re-mustered as Air Bomber, awarded Air Bomber Badge, promoted to (T) Sergeant.
27 June 1944 – posted to 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
11 July 1944 – embarked from Halifax, Canada, for the UK.
19 July 1944 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK (Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre).
22 August 1944 – posted to 9 (O) AFU, Llandwrog, Gwynedd, Wales, training in Anson aircraft (Observers Advanced Flying Unit).
10 October 1944 – posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, training in Wellington aircraft (Operational Training Unit).
16 December 1944 – promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant.
23 February 1945 – posted to 74 Base, 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, training in Halifax aircraft (Heavy Conversion Unit).
31 May 1945 – posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, flying in Halifax aircraft.
18 September 1945 – posted to RAF Station Gamston, 9 Aircrew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), (same date as Pat Wilson).
24 September 1945 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, (same date as Pat Wilson).
4 November 1945 – posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Sydney, (same date as Pat Wilson).
16 December 1945 – promoted to (T) Warrant Officer.
12 February 1946 – discharged from the RAAF.

The RAAF Service File for Boris Santich is one of the most complete that this author has seen, with many more documents than is usually seen in other National Archives Series A9301 RAAF Service Files. Totaling 126 pages, the file includes Aptitude-Test Result Sheets; ITS training result sheets; several different Personal Particulars and Aircrew Entry forms; several interview letters and references to accompany his Application; several pages of documents which list "Conditions Governing Enlistment, Promotion, Re-Muster, Transfer and Discharge"; Physical Fitness test result sheets for the RAF (UK); multiple Air Bomber training reports over time from the RAAF, RCAF and RAF. (Was all the extra documentation included because he was a Naturalised Australian, so was observed more closely than usual? Or was it simply better filing at the time?)

 

Patrick John WILSON 431652 RAAF, Rear Gunner – information sourced from NAA Series A9301 RAAF Service File.

Patrick John was known by the crew as Pat. He was aged 19 years and 3 months, and living in Newport, Victoria at the time of his application for Air Crew in the RAAF on 27 May 1943. He had attended Williamstown High School and gained his Intermediate Certificate in December 1940. He had also passed an Examination in Telegraphy in October 1942, as examined by the Victorian Railways Commissioner, and his civil occupation was Junior Clerk in the Victorian Railways. Pat was single and his next of kin was his father Patrick Wilson (his mother was Elsie Mary, nee Tippins).

16 July 1943 – enlisted in the RAAF at 1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne, and posted to 4 Initial Training School (4 ITS), Victor Harbor, South Australia; rank Aircraftman 2 (photo at enlistment shown previously). Pat and Boris were both posted there at the same time. They probably met during their early training, which may have contributed to their later crewing together when they were posted to the same OTU in the UK.
11 September 1943 – posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney; mustered as Aircrew (G), rank of Leading Aircraftman (LAC).
21 September 1943 – posted to 1 Embarkation Depot (1 ED), Ascot Vale, Victoria.
27 September 1943 – embarked from Melbourne for Canada, disembarked at San Francisco.
16 October 1943 – attached to RCAF.
20 October 1943 – posted to 3 B & G S, Macdonald, Manitoba, Canada.
30 October 1943 – posted to 4 WAGS, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, training in Moth, Yale and Norseman aircraft.

27 February 1944 – General Conduct Sheet – one offence, the only offence in his RAAF service. His rank was LAC, and his age was 20 years & 2 weeks. The offence occurred at 3 WAGS Guelph, Ontario, and was recorded as "WOAS Failed to report on Church Parade on February 27th 1944". The Witness was Documentary (? Roll call or similar ?), and the punishment "3 days C.B." i.e. Confined to Barracks for 3 days, possibly a good option in the Canadian winter. Did he deliberately skip the Church Parade to avoid the cold? (WOAS = While On Active Service)

11 March 1944 – remustered to Wireless Op (Air).
19 April 1944 – received Wireless Operator's Badge (a 2nd document dates this as 19 May 1944).
19 May 1944 – posted to 4 B & G S, Fingal, Ontario, Canada, training in Bolingbroke aircraft (Bombing and Gunnery School).
30 June 1944 – received Wireless Op / Air Gunner's Badge, remustered as Wireless Air Gunner; promoted to (T) Sergeant (photo with Sgt stripes, and Air Gunner's Badge shown previously).
12 July 1944 – posted to 1 "Y" Depot, Lachine (sic), Canada.
20 July 1944 – embarked from Halifax, Canada, for the UK.
27 July 1944 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK.
23 August 1944 – attached to Air Crew NCO's School, until 19 September 1944,
10 October 1944 – posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, training in Wellington aircraft.
30 December 1944 – promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant.
23 February 1945 – posted to 74 Base, 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, training in Halifax aircraft.
31 May 1945 – posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, flying in Halifax aircraft.
18 September 1945 – posted to RAF Station Gamston, 9 ACHU (same date as Boris Santich).
24 September 1945 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton (same date as Boris Santich),
4 November 1945 – disembarked at Sydney from UK, posted to 2 PD, Sydney (same date as Boris Santich).
13 December 1945 – posted to 1 PD.
30 December 1945 – promoted to (T) Warrant Officer.
3 January 1946 – discharged from the RAAF.

Wilson family and the RAAF – On the 1st of November 1940, Patrick Wilson, father of Patrick John Wilson, also made an Application for Enlistment as an Airman. Patrick senior was born on 17 March 1897, so was aged 43 years and 7 months at application date. He was married, and his civil occupation was Fitter. He had 19 years employment at an Engineering Establishment, with prior education at the Footscray Technical School. He had previously served in the AIF between 1914 and 1918 as Private 6119, and had a partial disability from his WW1 Service, having been wounded and taken PoW at Bullecourt. His RAAF Application was stamped in red with "Reserved Occupation, Certificate No. V. H. 680". His son Patrick John later substituted for him in the RAAF with a successful application and overseas service.

 

Kenneth MITCHELL 1813502 RAFVR, Flight Engineer – information sourced from Ken and his family.

Ken was in the ATC and his Certificate of Service is shown in the previous section. After joining the RAFVR, he completed his training as a Flight Engineer at RAF St Athan, Glamorgan, Wales. He later crewed up with already formed RAAF crew of 6, Pilot/Captain Forte, who, after training in Halifax Bombers, were posted to 462 Squadron RAAF Foulsham.

Ken recalls flights over Norway and northern Europe, and the dropping of pamphlets on some flights, but these flights may have been during the later stages of HCU training. He also has memories of the VE Day celebrations. Ken also recalls "Cook's Tours" while based at 462 Squadron i.e. flights over Germany after cessation of hostilities to view the damage. These tours are mentioned in the 462 Sqdn ORB, but only as, e.g. "6 aircraft with crew, and 7 passengers". Rarely, the Pilot was named, but not the crew or passengers. Pilot/Captain Forte was not mentioned in the ORB for any of those anonymous flights.

After posting from 462 Squadron in September 1945, Ken was posted to a Transport logistical operation in Italy and Austria, where he served for a couple of years before being returned to the UK. His Flying Log Book was retained by the RAF when he was demobbed in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire in 1947, so dates and details of his training flights, "Cook's Tours", and later flights are not available.

Ken's most recent email stated that he was "alive and kicking" and had recently celebrated his 92nd birthday (30 January 2016) at his local Pub with his family. He also said it was interesting to revive memories of the time when they were only 21, with some "scary flights and good times in the Pub afterwards". His email was sent from his IPad so he is up-to-date with modern technology, as one would expect from a Flight Engineer.

Late March 2020 – photo (shown in previous section) of Ken aged 96, looking at this website on his IPad. Son-in-law Peter also recorded a "No Brakes" event which occurred at Foulsham, sometime between June and September 1945.
A transcription of Ken's audio is included below, as originally spoken (along with much laughter during and after the telling).

"We’re onto the approaches of the aerodrome
And we’re just going to test the brakes
And the Skipper tests the brakes .....
“We ain’t got no brakes”, the Skipper says
So what do we do .....
The engineer says” full flap, cut engines on impact with the drome”
So he hits the drome at 140 mile an hour
We go along the runway and still ..... he tries the brakes again ..... and still no effect  
So we’re losing speed but we hit the end of the runway,
Through the peripheral fence,
Over the road,
Through the other fence into a cabbage field.
Then we get towed out by two David Brown tractors
Amid a lot of consternation of the crew
And they’re all hanging on, being thrown about in the fuselage
Trying to stand up.
We were summonsed to the Control Tower,
And this Officer addresses the crew,
And he says
“We wish you and your crew to apologise to the WAAF Personnel in the Control Tower for your bad language”
So our Skipper, he shrugs his shoulders, and he gives the Officer a salute, and says
“It’s all right with you,” he said, “but me and my crew don’t apologise to no Sheilas, end of story”.
“Crew dismissed” he says."

[Further advice from Ken and Peter – the "David Brown" tractors were from the airfield, and had various uses on site. The road that they crossed after they crashed through the hedge, had some sort of traffic lights to stop vehicles during aircraft movements. With six Aussies and one English Flight Engineer in the crew – one could imagine a bit of “bad language” slipped out. No doubt the WAAFs had heard worse. "Sheilas" – Aussie and Kiwi slang for "young women, or girls"]
A Google satellite image (May 2019) of the airfield may be viewed on the 462 Squadron Foulsham page.

Thanks for sharing your memories, Ken.

 

This page will be updated when more information becomes available.

Return to top of page

to Squadron Crews UK