National Archives of Australia: A9301, 431652

Above: Patrick John WILSON 431652 RAAF at enlistment July 1943, later posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham 1945.

 

Kenneth Mitchell Collection © 2016

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

 

Kenneth Mitchell Collection © 2020

 

 

Additional crew information (Sourced mainly from the RAAF Service Files for SANTICH and WILSON, and updated in June 2023 with the newly available file for REYNOLDS. The RAAF Service Files for FORTE, SCHEFE and SUTTOR had not yet been digitised as of 6 June 2023, 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). Additional sources noted in the text.

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; REYNOLDS on the 11 October 1944. 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 – SANTICH, WILSON and REYNOLDS were all 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 3 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, WILSON and REYNOLDS were all 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; REYNOLDS on 20 September 1945, It is again assumed the other 3 RAAF crew members were posted out on/about the same date. Their names were 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 was included with a group of other crew's Flight Engineers.

24 September 1945 – Postings to 11 PDRC for repatriation to Australia for Boris SANTICH and Pat WILSON. However, the posting for REYNOLDS to 11 PDRC was not until 10 November 1945. Repatriation for the other 3 RAAF members of this crew, is not yet known.

This crew was one of the Non-Operational Crews, so were 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 was 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.)

 

Bruce FORTE 429688 RAAF, Pilot – his NAA Series A9300 RAAF Service File had not been digitised as of 06 June 2023. His RAAF service information will be amended after his file becomes available online. The following information has been obtained from various online sources – Trove (Online newspapers, National Library of Aus); WW2 Nominal Roll; Commonwealth of Australia Gazettes; WA BDM and SA BDM (births deaths and marriages); Albany cemetery records; Ancestry and links therein.

25 May 1924 – Birth at Albany, WA.

07 July 1942 – WW2 Nominal Roll, Enlisted in Australian Army at Moora, WA, Army Service No W400071; next-of-kin was his mother Alva FORTE.
16 October 1942 – Discharged from the Army, at rank of Private, posting TNG Depot, AAOC, pending enlistment in the RAAF.

17 October 1942 – WW2 Nominal Roll, Enlisted in RAAF at Perth, WA, RAAF Service No 429688; next-of-kin was his mother Alva FORTE; he was discharged from the RAAF on 24 January 1946, at the rank of Flying Officer, last posting 462 Squadron.

Not yet known – Training in Australia and related postings; embarkation from Australia, and disembarkation in UK; further training in the UK and related postings.

On/about 11 October 1944 – Posted to 21 Operational Training Unit (21 OTU), Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, (similar to SANTICH, WILSON and REYNOLDS) for formation of crew of 6; training in Wellington aircraft.

24 January 1945 – Pilot Flight Sergeant 429688 Bruce Forte, appointed to commission, with the rank of Pilot Officer on probation (Source: Commonwealth of Aus Gazette, Issue 130, dated 05 July 1945, page 1456).

On/about 23 February 1945 – Posted to 74 Base, 1652 HCU, Marston Moor – with his crew of 6; and addition of F/Eng Ken MITCHELL, training in Halifax aircraft.
On/about 31 May 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, flying in Halifax aircraft.

24 July 1945 – Pilot, P/O B Forte (429688), Probationary appointment of Pilot Officer confirmed, and promoted to rank of Flying Officer (Source: Commonwealth of Aus Gazette, Issue 207, dated 25 October 1945, page 2268).

On/about 18/20 September 1945 – Posted to 9 Air Crew Handling Unit (9 ACHU), RAF Station Gamston.
Date of repatriation to Australia not yet known.
24 January 1946 – Appointment terminated on demobilization, Flying Officer B Forte (429688).
(Source: Commonwealth of Aus Gazette, Issue 97, dated 23 May 1946, page 1435).

Personal life.
1923 – Marriage of Wilson Thomas FORTE to Alva Pearl ELSEGOOD (nee JONES) at Albany, WA. (Alva’s daughter, Alva Doreen Edna ELSEGOOD, born in 1915; and son Dudley Leonard ELSEGOOD, born in 1912; children from her previous marriage to John Leonard ELSEGOOD, South Australia, in 1912.)
25 May 1924 – birth of Bruce FORTE at Albany WA, mother Alva Pearl FORTE; father Wilson Thomas FORTE.

24 January 1939 – Death of Bruce’s father, Wilson Thomas FORTE, as the result of injuries received in a farm accident, Bruce then being aged 14 years and 8 months. (Wilson’s parents, and Bruce FORTE’s grandparents named as William James FORTE, and Catherine LYNCH.) Wilson was buried at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Albany. He was born in Victoria in 1887.
30 January 1939 – Albany Advertiser, page 5; “The funeral of the late Wilson Thomas Forte, whose death occurred under tragic circumstances last Tuesday, at the age of 52 years, took place in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Albany, last Wednesday.”
16 February 1939 – Albany Advertiser, page 3; Inquest into the death of the Late Wilson Thomas FORTE, Verdict of Accidental Death. His son Bruce was one of the witnesses to the farm accident, and gave his evidence at the Albany Coroners Court. This must have been a very traumatic time for Bruce and his mother Alva.
21 April 1940 – Sunday Times (Perth), page 9 – Letters of Administration for Wilson Thomas FORTE, late of Albany, to Alva P FORTE.

20 February 1941 – Albany Advertiser, page 4; Bruce Forte in the North's Cricket Club, secured the bowling average, attaining one wicket in a “three bounce break”.
27 February 1941 – Albany Advertiser, page 3; Bruce Forte mentioned for his cricket score.
13 March 1941 – Albany Advertiser, page 3; Bruce Forte “blossomed as a regular run-getter”.
31 March 1941 – Albany Advertiser, page 2; High School Notes – Bruce Forte listed as one of six male Prefects at the Albany High School.
11 August 1941 – Albany Advertiser, page 1; Bruce Forte of Albany left for Perth on Fri 08 Aug, to take up a position on the city staff of the Bank of Australasia (then aged 17 years and 2 ½ months).

December 1942 – The Boronia, The Albany High School Magazine, page 22, Ex-Students’ Notes – lists those who were Missing, or who were Prisoners of War of the Japanese or Germans; those who had been decorated; or who had obtained their wings, or had otherwise completed their training. Bruce FORTE was listed among those “who are in the course of training”.

RAAF, 1942-1946 – see previous section, to be amended when RAAF Service file becomes available.

21 November 1946 – Albany Advertiser, page 6; Albany Show, List of Awards, Section B – Cattle. For “Cow, any other pure breed, over 2 years” (i.e. not Aus Illawarra Shorthorn, and not Guernsey) – Bruce Forte, 1st Prize.
24 February 1947 – Albany Advertiser, page 1; Engagement of Bruce FORTE to Nancy Helen BROMWELL.
This Engagement must have been cancelled later, because in 1954, while employed as a Nurse at the Bunbury District Hospital, Nancy married Steve SHELDON. (South Western Times, 14 January 1954, page 18).

06 March 1947 – Albany Advertiser, page 5; at General Meeting of Albany Darts Assoc, Mr Bruce Forte was appointed as Secretary.
06 March 1948 – Previous publication of resumption of land owned by Bruce FORTE and Alva Pearl FORTE (among others also listed), by the Minister for Works, now amended by deleting land as listed from such resumption (WA Gov’t Gazette 1948_019 page 12).
25 October 1948 – Albany Advertiser, page 3; Bruce Forte was one of 2 who represented the Albany Cricket Assoc at the Annual Meeting of the Great Southern Associations.
23 December 1948 – Albany Advertiser, page 13; Bruce Forte tendered his resignation from the position of Hon Secretary of the Albany District Cricket Assoc, due the pressure of business.
North Albany Football & Sporting Assoc – Bruce FORTE listed as one of Life Members on the Club’s Web pages
(sourced on 04 June 2023 from website nafsc.com.au/public/pages/life-members).

Date as yet unknown – marriage of Bruce FORTE to Beryl Irene ...... (not located in Trove, or other online sources)

17 December 1980 – Death of Bruce’s mother, Alva Pearl FORTE, aged 87 at Albany, WA; Buried at Allambie Park Cemetery, Albany (Alva’s parents, and Bruce’s maternal Grandparents Jonah JONES and Jean Elizabeth KERR). Alva was born in South Australia, in 1893. The headstone lists 3 children – Dudley and Alva from her first marriage, and Bruce.

11 April 2001 – Death of Bruce FORTE, aged 76, at Albany WA; Buried at Allambie Park Cemetery, Albany; husband of Beryl, and father of Kerry and Graham.
31 March 2008 – Death of Beryl Irene FORTE, aged 75 (birth 25 January 1933) at Albany Regional Hospital, Ryerson Index, and Albany Advertiser; funeral 04 April 2008; Buried at Allambie Park Cemetery, Albany; wife of Bruce, and mother of Kerry and Graham.
Contact from FORTE family members would be welcome.

 

Henry SCHEFE 435414 RAAF, Navigator – information sourced from 462 Squadron Personnel Occurrence Report. His NAA Series A9301 RAAF Service File was not available as of 06 June 2023.

Data below as recorded in POR Vol 3

Serial No 50, Page No 1, Date 8.8.45
PERSONNEL OCCURRENCE REPORTS – R.A.A.F. AIRMEN
Part I
“F” MARRIAGES
3. A.435414 F/Sgt. Nav. Schefe, H.
Married to Joan Marquerite May Hopkins, (sic) at Parish Church, Highams Park, Hale End, Essex, on 28.7.45.
Auth: Marr Cert:- D.3.841231 dated 28.7.45

Serial No 50, Page No 2, Date 8.8.45
PERSONNEL OCCURRENCE REPORTS – R.A.A.F. AIRMEN
Part II
“I” CHANGE OF NEXT OF KIN
6. A.435414 F/Sgt. Nav. Schefe, H.
WIFE Mrs J. M. M. Schefe, 13, Handsworth Ave, Highams Park, E.4.
Additional person to be notified
MOTHER Mrs J. Schefe, Murra Murra, Via Crows Nest, Queensland, Australia.

Both pages signed off by F/Lt D.G.HIGHMAN, for Officer Commanding No. 462 (RAAF) Squadron.
(HIGHMAN was Adjutant)

No other personal information has been located in Australian online sources. Did SCHEFE remain in the UK post-war?
Contact from SCHEFE's family would be welcome.

 

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?)

Contact from SANTICH's family would be welcome.

 

Donald REYNOLDS 427941 RAAF, Wireless Operator – information sourced from NAA Series A9301 RAAF Service File.

Donald was aged 18 years and 3 months, and living in Subiaco, Western Australia, when he enlisted in the RAAF. He had previously been a student, and had been enrolled in the RAAF Reserve for 3 months. He was single, and his next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Amy Isabella REYNOLDS (nee BIGLOWE) of Subiaco, WA. On later documents, his father, William Henry Bristowe (sic) REYNOLDS of Subiaco, was named as next-of-kin. Donald had been born in Dwellingup, WA on 06 July 1924. His education had been at Subiaco State School, then Perth Boys’ School, and Perth Modern School.

11 October 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 4 Recruiting Centre (4 RC) Perth, WA; posted to 5 Initial Training School (4 ITS) at Clontarf, WA, at the Rank of Aircraftman 2 (AC2), mustered as Aircrew V. His photo at enlistment is shown in the previous section.
07 January 1943 – Posted to 9 Elementary Training School (9 EFTS), Cunderdin, WA.
29 April 1943 – Posted to 1 Wireless and Gunnery School (1 WAGS) Ballarat, Victoria.
18 October 1943 – Posted to Air Gunnery School (AGS) West Sale, Vic.

11 November 1943 – Awarded Air Gunners Badge; promoted to rank of Sergeant, and re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG).
26 November 1943 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED) Sydney, New South Wales.

27 January 1944 – Embarked from Sydney, NSW.
11 March 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air).
12 March 1944 – Disembarked in UK, and posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK on same date.

11 May 1944 – Promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.
18 July 1944 – Posted to 3 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (3 (O) AFU), for No 27 WOAG Course (location not named but assumed to be Halfpenny Green, Staffordshire, UK).

11 October 1944 – Posted to 21 Operational Training Unit (21 O T U), Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire – one day after SANTICH and WILSON; formation of crew of 6; training in Wellington aircraft.

23 February 1945 – Posted to 74 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor – same date as SANTICH and WILSON; addition of F/Eng Ken MITCHELL, training in Halifax aircraft.
11 May 1945 – Promoted to rank of Warrant Officer.
31 May 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, flying in Halifax aircraft – same date as SANTICH and WILSON.

20 September 1945 – Posted to 9 Air Crew Handling Unit (9 ACHU), RAF Station Gamston, (2 days later than SANTICH and WILSON on 18 September 1945).
10 November 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC Brighton, (SANTICH and WILSON were both posted there 7 weeks earlier on 24 September 1945).
Undated Nov/Dec 1945 – Embarked from UK; disembarked in Fremantle, WA on 28 December 1945; posted to 5 Personnel Depot (5 PD) Perth on same date.

06 February 1946 – Re-engaged for a period of 2 years in the Interim Air Force.
22 July 1946 – Posted to 111 ASRF, Port Moresby; then to RAAF Station, Port Moresby, PNG on 18 October 1946 (Papua New Guinea).
29 September 1947 – Posted to RAAF Pearce, WA.
01 December 1947 – Posted to 37 Sqdn, RAAF Schofields, NSW.
27 January 1948 – Posted to RAAF Pearce, WA.
17 February 1948 – Discharged on demobilization at RAAF Pearce, WA; later documents amended this to Discharged “At Own Request”.

Service Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry, for both Australian and UK service.
General Conduct Sheet – not included in file, however another working copy of a certificate of Service and Discharge was clearly annotated “Crimes NIL”.
Awards & Medals – Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, returned from Active Service Badge; and Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp ‘PNG’.
Correspondence in 1998 regarding non-receipt of medals, was from an address in Scarborough WA.

His wife (Ella REYNOLDS, nee GIBBS) also served in the RAAF; eligible for Australian Service Medal 1939-45). Information from WW2 Nominal Roll – Ella GIBBS, 113172 RAAF, date of birth 16 May 1925, born North Fremantle, WA; enlisted in RAAF on 05 April 1944, at Perth WA, then living at Shenton Park, WA; next-of-kin Marianne GIBBS; discharged at rank of Aircraftwoman on 22 January 1947 from RAAF Station Pearce, WA.

Marriage date for Donald REYNOLDS and Ella GIBBS not yet located.

Death records from Ryerson Index –
Donald REYNOLDS of Mandurah, WA, formerly of Scarborough; death 21 January 2014, age 89; Death Notice published in “The West Australian” on 23 January 2014.
Wife, Ella REYNOLDS, late of Scarborough; death 01 November 2011; Death Notice published in “The West Australian” on 02 November 2011, with funeral on 08 November 2011.

Contact from family of Donald and Ella REYNOLDS would be welcome.

 

William SUTTOR 432904 RAAF, Mid-Upper Gunner – His NAA Series A9301 RAAF Service File was not available as of 06 June 2023, and no other personal information has been located in Australian online sources.

Contact from SCHEFE's family would be welcome.

 

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 – Re-mustered to Wireless Op (Air).
19 April 1944 – Awarded 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.

Contact from WILSON's family would be welcome.

 

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.

02 May 2023 – Received the sad news of the death of Kenneth MITCHELL. Ken had celebrated his 99th birthday on 30 January 2023. His son-in-law Peter DICKINSON advised that Ken had lived a great life, and was strongly independent to the end. His funeral was on 25 May 2023 at Blue Bell Hill, with a British Legion standard bearer in attendance. When he was more mobile, Ken would march with the RAFFA on Remembrance Day. What a grand age he reached!
My condolences go to his family and friends.

This page will be updated when more information becomes available.

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