Australian War Memorial P01523.001

AWM caption:- GROUP PORTRAIT OF A B MARK III HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX CREW OF 462 SQUADRON RAAF, STANDING IN FRONT OF A HALIFAX AIRCRAFT, POSSIBLY FROM 192 SQUADRON RAF, PROBABLY AT FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. LEFT TO RIGHT: BACK: SERGEANT JIM BOWDEN, FLIGHT SERGEANT (F SGT) RAY PHILBRICK, F SGT JOHN J. O'DONOGHUE, F SGT FRANK W. HUGHES; FRONT: WARRANT OFFICER (WO) JOHN SIBBALD, FLYING OFFICER 432466 RONALD HINES, WO H. L. BROWN.

Crew 65 of 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk
Pilot – Ronald Maxwell HINES 432466 RAAF
Bomb Aimer – Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN 427183 RAAF
Navigator – Raymond Henry PHILBRICK 436664 RAAF
Rear Gunner – Francis William HUGHES 433208 RAAF
Wireless Operator – John Wilfred SIBBALD 436007 RAAF
Mid-Upper Gunner – John Jeremiah O’DONOGHUE 35752 RAAF
Flight Engineer – J J BOWDEN 2219305 RAFVR
Special Duties, WINDOW Dispensers – 7 as listed

Links to Additional crew information; and Crew Ops

Reference sources – Australian WW2 Nominal Roll; The National Archives of Australia (RAAF Service Files; 462 Squadron Operational Record Book); Australian War Memorial (AWM); and other sources as mentioned in the text.

Thanks go to the NAA for for enlistment and other portrait photos from the A9300 and A9301 series. Thanks also go to the AWM for the use of 12 photos from the Ronald Maxwell HINES collection, series P01523.001 to P01523.069, used here as small low-resolution images. They may be downloaded from the AWM as larger low-res images; or purchased as large high resolution images. Thank also go to Ron HINES (or his family) for donating the set of 69 photos to the AWM.

Crew photo at left
Additional note – The aircraft code appears to be DT-C which was a Halifax of 192 Squadron, also based at Foulsham. Photo P01523-014 (below, left) appears to have been taken at about the same time.
(192 Squadron – NA241 DT-C failed to return from S/D Op on 24 Feb 1945 before this Crew were posted to 462 Squadron. It was replaced by PN436 DT-C on 07 Mar 1945, and Struck off Charge 16 Jul 1947.)

Australian War Memorial P01523.014

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. SOME OF THE CREW OF NO. 462 SQUADRON RAAF UNDER THE WING OF THEIR HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX BOMBER AIRCRAFT. LEFT TO RIGHT: FLIGHT SERGEANT (FL/SGT) FRANK HUGHES, SERGEANT JIM BOWDEN, FLYING OFFICER 432466 RONALD HINES, WARRANT OFFICER H. L. BROWN, 35752 FL/SGT JOHN JEREMIAH O'DONOGHUE.
Additional note – missing from photo, Navigator Raymond Henry PHILBRICK, and Wireless Operator John Wilfred SIBBALD. This photo may have been taken at about the same time as P01523.001 (above), as the crew appear to be in the same uniforms; and part of a ‘C’ is visible on the fuselage near the entry hatch (i.e. possibly Halifax PN436 DT-C of 192 Squadron).

Australian War Memorial P01523.068

AWM caption:- LICHFIELD, ENGLAND, C. 1943-05. OPERATIONAL TRAINING UNIT. LEFT TO RIGHT: FLIGHT SERGEANT JOHN SIBBALD, FLIGHT SERGEANT FRANK HUGHES, FLIGHT SERGEANT 432466 RONALD HINES BESIDE A WELLINGTON AIRCRAFT.
Additional note – HINES was posted to 27 O T U, Lichfield on 18 July 1944; and SIBBALD on 23 May 1944; HUGHES posting date not yet known. Therefore the date could not have been May 1943, but was probably sometime between late July and early Oct 1944. The newly formed crew of six were posted to 41 Base (Acaster Malbis) on 20 Oct 1944, and thence to 1658 HCU for conversion to Halifax aircraft, where F/Eng BOWDEN would have joined the crew. HINES and SIBBALD were at the rank of F/Sgt however HUGHES was Sergeant until after his posting to 462 Squadron. Note code “T” on nose of aircraft.

Australian War Memorial P01523.038

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. CREW OF NO. 462 SQUADRON, RAAF IN FLYING CLOTHING PREPARED FOR AN OPERATIONAL FLIGHT. LEFT TO RIGHT: FLIGHT SERGEANT MCNISH (SPECIALIST OPERATOR IN THE CREW FOR THIS FLIGHT TO DISPENSE 'WINDOW'), FLIGHT SERGEANT FRANK HUGHES (REAR GUNNER), WARRANT OFFICER JOHN SIBBALD (WIRELESS OPERATOR), WARRANT OFFICER HARRY BROWN (BOMB AIMER), FLIGHT SERGEANT JOHN J. O'DONOGHUE (MID UPPER GUNNER), SGT JIM BOWDEN (ENGINEER).
Additional note – Missing from photo is Pilot HINES, and Navigator PHILBRICK. F/Sgt Keith Jeffrey MacNISH flew with this crew as WINDOW Dispenser on 22 April 1945. This photo appears to have been taken at a similar time to photo P01523.039 (adjacent – right)

Australian War Memorial P01523.039

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. CREW FROM NO. 462 SQUADRON, RAAF PRIOR TO COMMENCING AN OPERATIONAL FLIGHT, BESIDE THEIR HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX B MARK III AIRCRAFT 'T'. LEFT TO RIGHT: WARRANT OFFICER HARRY BROWN, SERGEANT (SGT) JIM BOWDEN, SGT PHILBRICK, FRANK HUGHES, SGT JOHN J. O'DONOGHUE, MCNISH.
Additional note – Missing from photo is Pilot HINES, and Wireless Operator SIBBALD. F/Sgt K J MacNISH flew with this crew as WINDOW Dispenser on 22 April 1945, in Halifax PN168 Z5-T. This photo appears to have been taken at a similar time to photo P01523.038 (adjacent – left)
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From the National Archives of Australia; A9300, 432466

Ronald Maxwell HINES, at enlistment in the RAAF on 02 January 1943, at 2 RC, Sydney; possibly still in Army uniform, having served at Private/Signalman N3971 in No. 6 Australian Armoured Car Regiment from 05 Sep 1940 to 23 Dec 1942.

Pilot

Name: Ronald Maxwell HINES
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 432466
Date of Birth: 18 Jun 1920
Place of Birth: Lyndhurst, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 02 Jan 1943
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Joseph HINES
Date of Discharge: 17 Dec 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: RAF Station Gamston

Photos at left and below

Pilot HINES may also be seen in the group photo of Pilots of "B" Flight, 462 Squadron, Foulsham, 1945

Australian War Memorial P01523.066

AWM caption:- FAIR OAKS, ENGLAND, C. 1943-05. FLYING OFFICER 432466 RONALD HINES RAAF IN A DE HAVILLAND DH82 TIGER MOTH IN WINDSOR PARK (sic), NEAR WINDSOR CASTLE.
Additional note – HINES trained in DH82 aircraft at 5 EFTS at Narromine, Australia, and at “18 EFTS, pre-AFU” Fairoaks, Surrey, UK, then at the rank of Sergeant. HINES was subsequently posted to 14 (P) AFU, Banff, Scotland, for advanced training on 25 Apr 1944.
Dating error – Photo should be sometime Mar/Apr 1944. In Apr-May 1943 HINES was still training in Australia at 5 EFTS.

Why was HINES in “Windsor Park”? (Windsor being about 15 km / 9 miles from Fairoaks airport). ......... With reference to Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust website – this site was “Smiths Lawn” airfield in “Windsor Great Park”.
( https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/smiths-lawn/ )
Quote from that website..…. “The airfield proved its versatility in wartime by also acting as a Relief Landing Ground for the de Havilland Tiger Moth trainers of No 18 Elementary Flying Training School at Fairoaks …….”
For reasons unknown, while posted to 18 EFTS Fairoaks, Surrey – Sgt HINES had landed on “Smiths Lawn” in “Windsor Great Park”.

Australian War Memorial P01523.026

AWM caption:- GROVE, DENMARK, C.1945-06-23. GERMAN JNKERS JU 87 STUKA DIVE BOMBER AIRCRAFT (TAIL NO. 335) AND FLYING OFFICER 432466 RONALD HINES, 462 SQUADRON, RAAF.
Additional note – In late June and early July 1945, 462 Squadron took part in “Exercise Post Mortem” which evaluated the effectiveness of various counter-measures that had been used by Bomber Command against German radar defences. However the Squadron ORB did not name individual crews or crew members, or which aircraft were used.

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Australian War Memorial P01523.007

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. MARK XIV BOMB SIGHT OF A HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX B MARK III AIRCRAFT OF NO. 462 SQUADRON RAAF.
Additional note – The crew member in the photo appears to be the Crew’s Bomb Aimer Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN 427183 RAAF

Bomb Aimer

Name: Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN (Harry)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 427183
Date of Birth: 09 Sep 1923
Place of Birth: Leederville, WA
Date of Enlistment: 25 May 1942
Place of Enlistment: Perth, WA
Next of Kin: Harold BROWN
Date of Discharge: 19 Feb 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit

Photos at left and below

Australian War Memorial P01523.004

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945-04. HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX B MARK III AIRCRAFT, 'P FOR PETER RABBIT' (NO. MZ341), OF NO. 462 SQUADRON RAAF. HARRY BROWN INSPECTS THE BOMB BAY WHILE INCENDIARIES ARE READY TO BE LOADED.
Additional note – This crew flew in MZ341 Z5-P on 08 April 1945 (carrying WINDOW, and flares), and again on 14 April 1945 (carrying WINDOW and bombs, but not incendiaries). Bomb Aimer Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN 427183 RAAF, who may have been checking the bomb bay for another crew.

Australian War Memorial P01523.040

AWM caption:- BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. WARRANT OFFICER HARRY BROWN WITH THREE MEMBERS OF THE RODEN FAMILY, HALL GREEN, BIRMINGHAM, WHO BEFRIENDED MEMBERS OF NO. 462 SQUADRON RAAF WHILE THEY SERVED IN ENGLAND.
Additional note – undated, Bomb Aimer Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN 427183 RAAF – his rank is not visible, no details known about the RODEN family.
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Navigator

Name: Raymond Henry PHILBRICK
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 436664
Date of Birth: 01 Oct 1922
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 27 Feb 1943
Place of Enlistment: Perth, WA
Next of Kin: Audrey PHILBRICK
Date of Discharge: 31 Jan 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
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Rear Gunner

Name: Francis William HUGHES
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 433208
Date of Birth: 13 Feb 1925
Place of Birth: Cardiff, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 27 Feb 1943
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Francis HUGHES
Date of Discharge: 21 Dec 1945
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
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From the National Archives of Australia; A9301, 436007

John Wilfred SIBBALD, 436007, at enlistment in the RAAF on 28 October 1942 at Albany, WA, still wearing his Army uniform, having previously served in the Heavy Artillery Unit, Albany WA, as W3769 Gunner, from Jan 1941 to 27 Oct 1942.

 

Wireless Operator

Name: John Wilfred SIBBALD
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 436007
Date of Birth: 09 Oct 1921
Place of Birth: Albany, WA
Date of Enlistment: 28 Oct 1942
Place of Enlistment: Perth, WA
Next of Kin: William SIBBALD
Date of Discharge: 10 Apr 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit

Photo at left

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Australian War Memorial P01523.012

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. JOHN J. O'DONOGHUE IN THE REAR TURRET OF A HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX AIRCRAFT OF NO. 462 SQUADRON RAAF.
Additional note – John Jeremiah O’DONOGHUE 35752 RAAF – his usual crew position was Mid-Upper Gunner for this Crew.

 

Mid-Upper Gunner

Name: John Jeremiah O’Donoghue
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 35752
Date of Birth: 17 Apr 1920
Place of Birth: Rose Bay, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 27 Mar 1941
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: John O’DONOGHUE
Date of Discharge: 17 Jan 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre

Photo at left

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Australian War Memorial P01523.010

AWM caption:- FOULSHAM, ENGLAND. 1945. JIM BOWDEN, FLIGHT ENGINEER, UNDER THE ASTRO HATCH (NAVIGATION STATION) OF A HANDLEY PAGE HALIFAX AIRCRAFT OF NO. 462 SQUADRON RAAF.
Additional note – the Crew’s Flight Engineer, Sgt J. J. BOWDEN (Jim) 2219305 RAFVR

 

Flight Engineer

Name:  J J BOWDEN (Jim)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 2219305
Date and Place of Birth: ……
Date and Place of Enlistment: …… *
Next of Kin: ……
Date of Discharge: ……
Rank at Discharge: ……
Posting at Discharge: ……
Prisoner of War: No

* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 2213000 to No. 2220000 were allocated from October 1942 at Padgate. This batch includes 2219305 for BOWDEN.

 

Photo at left

F/Eng BOWDEN may also be seen in the group photo of Flight Engineers, 462 Squadron, Foulsham, June 1945
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From the National Archives of Australia; A9300, 424824

Kenneth Allan Saxby 424824 RAAF of 462 Squadron, at the rank of Sgt or F/Sgt, undated, location not recorded, possibly at 462 Squadron. SAXBY was usually the W/Op for the COCKERILL and PAULL Crews. He also carried out 5 Ops as WINDOW Dispenser for ROHRLACH, BYROM, HINES, PALTRIDGE, and BRITT crews. He was de-mobbed at the rank of Flying Officer.

SAXBY may also be seen in the group photo of Wireless Operators,
462 Squadron, Foulsham, March 1945

 

All 9 Ops carried out by this crew were Special Duties, Spoof,
with the following WINDOW Dispensers

W/O Kenneth Allan SAXBY 424824 RAAF x 1 Op (photo at left)

The airmen below only carried out WINDOW duties at 462 Squadron. Please refer to Special Duties – WINDOW for more details, and photos of some of those named below.

F/Sgt Victor William CHAFFER 433195 RAAF x 3 Ops
F/Sgt Stanley Ernest TILLS 17596 RAAF x 1 Op
F/Sgt Garth FINK 435339 RAAF x 1 Op
F/Sgt John Francis WALL 432918 RAAF x 1 Op
F/Sgt Keith Jeffrey MacNISH 436925 RAAF x 1 Op
F/Sgt John Campbell EMSLIE 429541 RAAF x 1 Op

In the ORB, MacNISH was recorded in error as McNISH

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Additional Crew Information

With reference to the RAAF Service Files for Pilot HINES, and W/Op SIBBALD, the following Postings may be deduced for each of the RAAF members of the Crew

May/Jun/Jul 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 O T U), Lichfield, for crew formation and operational training in Wellington bombers (HINES on 18 Jul 1944; SIBBALD on 23 May 1944)

20 Oct 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis (HINES AND SIBBALD both on this date)

07 Nov 1944 – Posted to 74 Base, 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit (1658 HCU) Riccall, Yorkshire, for conversion to Halifax Bombers; addition of Flight Engineer J J BOWDEN to crew (SIBBALD on this date, HINES recorded but undated)

13 Mar 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, for Operational Duties, flying Halifax aircraft (HINES AND SIBBALD both on this date)

Operational Flying – Nine Ops at 462 Squadron, April 1945 (details in later section)

Sep 1945 – RAAF crew members posted FROM 462 Squadron TO 9 Air Crew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), RAF Gamston (HINES AND SIBBALD both on 17 Sep 1945)

From the 452 Squadron Operational Record Books (ORB)

Posted to 462 Squadron, March 1945 (HINES and SIBBALD on 13 Mar 1945, assume all of crew on same date) – at the following ranks
P/O – HINES
F/Sgt – BROWN, PHILBRICK, SIBBALD, O’DONOGHUE
Sgt – HUGHES, BOWDEN

Posted from 462 Squadron – Jul 1945, ORB
Sgt – BOWDEN

Posted from 462 Squadron – Sep 1945, ORB (HINES and SIBBALD posted out on 17 Sep 1945, assume remainder of the crew on the same date) – at the following ranks
F/O – HINES (F/O as of 22 Mar 1945), posted out on 17 Sep 1945
W/O – SIBBALD (W/O as of 14 Apr 1945), posted out on 17 Sep 1945
F/Sgt – BROWN, PHILBRICK, SIBBALD, O’DONOGHUE, HUGHES. However in the “Crew of 7” photo BROWN is clearly showing the W/O rank on his lower sleeve.

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Pilot Ronald Maxwell HINES, 432466 RAAF – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
Information sourced from RAAF A9300 Service File from the National Archives of Australia (NAA), WW2 Nominal Roll, 462 Squadron Operational Record Books.
The RAAF A9300 Service File for HINES has many torn and poorly repaired documents. There are several variations in dates of some postings, or other events – possibly due to original recording errors, or due to leave between postings, or for other reasons unknown. His file also has more “Leave” forms than usually present, as does W/Op SIBBALD’s File.
There are 69 photos in the Ronald Maxwell HINES collection deposited with the Australian War Memorial (AWM), and indexed in Series P01523.001 to P01523.069. Twelve of those photos have been used on this web page as small low-resolution images, with identification details as marked. Larger high-resolution photos may be obtained from the AWM.

Military Service prior to RAAF
05 Sep 1940 – Enlisted in the Australian Army, in the 6th Light Horse Regiment at Narromine, New South Wales; age 20 years and 2 months, birth 18 Jun 1920 at Lyndhurst, NSW; single, civilian occupation Bank Officer at Bank of NSW at Narromine; Service Number N3971; next of kin was his father, J HINES of Lyndhurst; Church of England; no civil convictions
07 Sep 1940 – Medical Examination – height 5 ft 7.5 inches (171.5 cm); weight 133 lb (60.3 kg); eyesight 6/6 both eyes; hearing normal; black hair, brown eyes, dark complexion; Medical Classification Fit, Class I
19 Sep 1940 – Allotted to “C” Sqn HQ, Parkes, NSW; Classified in trade grouping Clerk
23 Feb 1941 – Training Camp, to 23 May 1941
01 Oct 1941 – Taken on strength for full-time duty, and paybook issued
06 Dec 1941 – Unit re-designated as 6 Motor Regiment
24 Dec 1942 – To be discharged at rank of Private, being required for service with the RAAF
06 Jan 1943 – Unit re-designated as 6 Australian Armoured Car Regiment
11 Feb 1943 – Discharged in Sydney, for service with RAAF
02 Mar 1943 – Receipt acknowledged by HINES of Discharge Certificate 6429, for Army service as Trooper N3971 Ronald Maxwell HINES
07 Apr 1975 – Request by Dept of Repatriation, for details of War Service
21 Apr 1975 – Response from Central Army Records Office, giving enlistment, training and posting details for HINES

02 Jan 1943 – Enlisted in the Citizen Air Force, at 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC), Sydney, NSW; age 22 years & 6 months; dob 18 Jun 1920, born at Lyndhurst, NSW; single; British; civil occupation Bank Clerk; previous military service as Signalman in “Signal Troop, AMR”, other details as per his Army enlistment; height 5 ft 7.5 inches (171.5 cm); weight 133 lb (60.3 kg); eyesight 6/6 both eyes; dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair; birthmark, scar, and Vacc marks noted; Medical Category A1B, A3B – Fit Full Flying Duties. Education to Intermediate Certificate; Next of kin Joseph HINES, father, of The Meadows, Lyndhurst, NSW (a later document “Record of Service, Officer” records the date of enlistment as Airman and posting to 2 ITS as 24 Jan 1943)
02 Jan 1943 – Allocated RAAF service Number 432466;
02 Jan 1943 – Mustered as Air Crew V
02 Jan 1943 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2/ACII) on enlistment
02 Jan 1943 – Posted to 2 Initial Training School (2 I T S), Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW
Enlistment photo shown in previous section

22 Feb 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (P)

24 Mar 1943 – Inter-station Leave, 8 days, to 31 Mar 1943
26 Mar 1943 – Completed 36 (P) Course at 2 I T S – PASS
27 Mar 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (P)
27 Mar 1943 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC) at 5 EFTS

01 Apr 1943 – Posted to 5 Elementary Flying Training School (5 EFTS) Narromine, NSW
08 Apr 1943 – Commenced Course 35 at 5 EFTS
02 Jun 1943 – Completed Course 35 at 5 EFTS – PASS

03 Jun 1943 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, NSW
15 Jun 1943 – Embarked at Brisbane, Queensland, for destination Canada
14 or 15 Jun (or 03 Jul) 1943 – Attached to RCAF, to 23 Nov 1943

03 Jul 1943 – Disembarked Canada
03 Jul 1943 – Posted to 3 Manning Depot (3 MD), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

10 Jul 1943 – Posted to 10 Service Flying Training School (10 SFTS), Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
12 Jul 1943 – Commenced Service Flying Training at 10 SFTS

26 Sep 1943 – Confined to Barracks after flying offence at 10 SFTS, Dauphin, Manitoba, rank LAC (see General Conduct Sheet for details)

29 Oct 1943 – Completed Service Flying Training at 10 SFTS – PASS
29 Oct 1943 – Awarded Flying Badge at 10 SFTS
29 Oct 1943 – Re-mustered as Airman Pilot
29 Oct 1943 – Promoted to Sergeant
30 Oct 1943 – Embarkation Leave, 10 days, to 08 Nov 1943

08 or 09 Nov 1943 – Posted to 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

23 Nov 1943 – Detached from RCAF
24 Nov 1943 – Embarked from Halifax, Canada, destination UK
24 Nov 1943 – Attached to RAF

01 or 02 Dec 1943 – Disembarked in UK
02 or 03 Dec 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK

05 Dec 1943 – Admitted to Station Sick Quarters (SSQ), 11 PDRC (no medical details recorded)
08 Dec 1943 – Discharged from SSQ, 11 PDRC
14 Dec 1943 – Leave (un-categorized), 6 days, to 19 Dec 1943

15 Jan 1944 – Attached to RAF Station Hednesford, to 06 Mar 1944

04 Mar 1944 – Reprimanded, and forfeited 2 Days pay after going AWOL at RAF Hednesford (see General Conduct Sheet for details)

17 Mar 1944 – Attached to 50 Group, 16 EFTS, to 14 Apr 1944 – possible recording error for 18 EFTS, Fairoaks, where pre-AFU flying was recorded in his “Summary of Flying Hours” (photo at Windsor Great Park shown in previous section, however photo was dated in error as May 1943, when he was still in training in Australia)
19 Mar 1944 – Admitted to SSQ, 50 Group (no medical details recorded)
23 Mar 1944 – Discharged from SSQ, 50 Group

25 Apr 1944 – Posted to 14 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (14 (P) AFU), RAF Station Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
25 Apr 1944 – Commenced No. 87 Advanced Flying Course at 14 (P) AFU

29 Apr 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant (at 14 (P) AFU)
09 May 1944 – Attached to RAF Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to 06 Jun 1944; extended to 05 Jul 1944
06 Jun 1944 – Attached to 1518 BAT Flight, to 13 Jun 1944 (Beam Approach Training)

18 Jul 1944 – Completed No. 87 Advanced Flying Course at 14 (P) AFU – PASS 60.8%
18 Jul 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, UK, for crew formation and training in Wellington aircraft
Photo at 27 OTU Lichfield shown in previous section

Sep 1944 – Interviewed by A O C 93 Group, and recommended for appointment to a Commission, Captain of aircraft (dated as 29.9.44, in error or award back-dated?)
21 Sep 1944 – Discharged from the RAAF, on being granted a Commission (74 Base, 1658 HCU, Riccall; also dated as 25 Oct 1944)
22 Sep 1944 – Appointed to the rank of Pilot Officer

04 Oct 1944 – Privilege Leave, 17 days, to 20 Oct 1944 (same dates as W/Op SIBBALD)
20 Oct 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire (same date as W/Op SIBBALD)
20 Oct 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School (later detachment not recorded)

Undated 1944 – Posted to 74 Base, 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit (1658 HCU) Riccall, Yorkshire, for conversion to Halifax aircraft, and addition of Flight Engineer J J BOWDEN

13 Mar 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, UK, at rank of Pilot Officer (same date as W/Op SIBBALD)
20 Mar 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 26 Mar 1945 (same dates as W/Op SIBBALD)
22 Mar 1945 – Promoted to the rank of Flying Officer

Operational Flying – 9 Ops at 462 Squadron, April 1945 (details in later section)
Several photos of Crew at 462 Squadron, shown in previous section

Following is the Leave taken in the UK after the War was over, many with Free Travel Warrants issued
04 May 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 10 May 1945 (same dates as W/Op SIBBALD)
08 Jun 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days plus 48 hours V E Leave, to 16 Jun 1945 (same dates as W/Op SIBBALD)

23 Jun 1945 – Photo of HINES in Grove, Denmark, as dated and shown in previous section, assumed to be as Pilot with usual Crew on “Operation Post Mortem”

19 Jul 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days to 25 Jul 1945 (same dates as W/Op SIBBALD)
21 Aug 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days plus 48 hours V J Leave, to 29 Aug 1945 (same dates as W/Op SIBBALD)
13 Sep 1945 – Privilege Leave, 4 days, to 16 Sep 1945 (similar dates as W/Op SIBBALD)

17 Sep 1945 – Posted from 462 Squadron TO RAF GAMSTON (9 ACHU), at rank of Flying Officer (same date as W/Op SIBBALD)

04 Oct 1945 – Embarked from UK, in ship “Stirling Castle”, destination Australia
03 Nov 1945 – Detached from RAF
04 Nov 1945 – Disembarked at Sydney
04 Nov 1945 – Posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW
05 Nov 1945 – Recreation Leave, 7 days to 11 Nov 1945
12 Nov 1945 – Disembarkation Leave, 30 days, to 11 Dec 1945

17 Dec 1945 – Statutory Declaration signed at 2 PD, stating overseas War Service
Undated Dec 1945 – Assessment of Leave Credits for overseas service – 38 Days War Service Leave, plus 30 days Re-establishment Leave, total 68 days as Payment-in-lieu, at 2 PD
17 Dec 1945 – Appointment terminated on demobilisation, at 2 PD; home address to be The Meadows, Lyndhurst, NSW (also recorded as 15 Dec 1945)

19 Feb 1946 – Certificates of Service (Airman, and Officer) despatched to HINES at The Meadows, Lyndhurst
Undated 1946 – HINES signed for, and acknowledged receipt of RAAF Certificate of Service and Discharge (Airman), and Officer’s Certificate of Service No. 12776
20 Feb 1946 – Home address amended to … “Feltham”, Mandurama, NSW

Character & Trade assessments – entries March and June 1943; and July, Sep, Oct 1944
Musterings as Aircrew (P), Aircrew II P – ACII and LAC – Character Very Good; Under Training.
Mustering as Pilot – Flight Sergeant – Character Very Good; Proficiency and skill – “on strength for training only”

Summary of flying hours

Training
5 EFTS, Australia, Tiger Moth DH 82 aircraft – 64 hours 35 minutes
10 SFTS, UK, Cessna Crane and Avro Anson aircraft – 150 hours 55 minutes

Advanced Training
14 AFU, UK, Oxford aircraft – 57 h 50 m
27 O T U, UK Wellington aircraft – 82 h 45 m
1658 HCU, UK, Halifax III – 54 h 25 m
462 Squadron, UK, Halifax III – 59 h 05 m

Total Training – 469 h 35 m

Special Courses
Beam Approach, 1548 Unit, UK, Oxford aircraft – 11 h 05 m
Pre AFU, 18 EFTS, UK, DH 82 – 10 h 25 m
Total Special Courses – 21 h 30 m

Non-operational Flying – Nil recorded
Post-War flying (e.g. "Operation Post Mortem") possibly included in 462 Squadron Training hours

Operational Flying
462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, UK – Halifax III aircraft – 9 Ops, 58 h 16 m
from 02 Apr 1945 to 25 Apr 1945

Total all flying hours – 549 h 21 m

General Conduct Sheet – for all listed postings "Certified No Entry" – 2 ITS Bradfield Park, NSW; 2 ED Bradfield Park; RAF Station Banff (14 (P) AFU) Scotland; 27 OTU; RAF Station Acaster Malbis, England

However – 2 Charges on file ............
General Conduct Sheet –
26 Sep 1943 – 10 SFTS, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada; at rank of LAC, was Charged with Offence “While on Active Service at 1401 hours 26 Sept 1943, in Crane 8109, Took off on No. 1 Runway when No. 3 was in use”
Punishment – 3 Days Confined to Barracks
"Certified No Further Entries" at 10 SFTS, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada

General Conduct Sheet –
04 Mar 1944 – RAF Station Hednesford, UK, at rank of Sergeant, was Charged with Offence “While on Active Service, being absent without leave from 08.30 hours on 4.3.44 until 08.30 hours on 6.3.44 (Absent 2 days)
Punishment – Reprimanded on 20 Apr 1944 by W/Cdr A D SWAN, CO of 11 PDRC, RAF Brighton; and “Forfeits two day’s pay”

Of interest – this same AWOL offence as recorded for HINES, was also recorded for Sergeant Pilot Harold Eric GRANT 432151 RAAF. The charge was noticed in the recently acquired A9300 file for GRANT. The information for each offence for both, was identical in all respects – same charge, location, and dates, and same handwriting by same personnel with same signatures. Where did they go and what did they do while AWOL? Whatever the reasons – it did not seem to affect their Commissions on the same day in Sep 1944, and their subsequent promotions to F/O. One could assume that HINES and GRANT were mates who went AWOL together – it seems to be more than a co-incidence. Their Service Files are very similar. They were posted to 2 ED in Sydney on the same date, and from then until their posting to 1658 HCU, their posting dates, locations, attachments, travel and Commissions were the same. After completion of training, GRANT was posted 462 Squadron with his Crew on 06 March 1945 (Crew 62); HINES on 13 March 1945 (Crew 65). Grant was about 18 months older than HINES.

Service Conduct Sheet –"Certified No Entry" – at 10 SFTS, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada (RCAF); and RAF Records 08 Aug 1945

Medals – France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge (1939/45 Star, War Medal 1939/45 not mentioned, but assumed to have been awarded, as all were received by W/Op SIBBALD)

Personal details (require verification by HINES family)

From NSW bdm online ....
Birth – 1920, Ronald M HINES, father Joseph, mother Ilma E (apparent match with service file birth-date, and next-of-kin)
Marriage – 1956, Ronald Maxwell HINES to Margaret Doris FORAN

From Ryerson Index online ….
06 Jul 2006 – Death of Ronald Maxwell HINES (Ron) age 86, late of Port Macquarie, formerly of Mandurama, Lyndhurst; Death Notice published in Port Macquarie News on 07 Jul 2006

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known. If you can assist with further information or photos of Ronald Maxwell HINES, please make contact.
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Bomb Aimer Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN (Harry) 427183 RAAF – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
At the time of writing for 06 Nov 2023, the A9301 Service File for PHILBRICK had not been digitised by the NAA. Information as known is detailed below.

No Military Service prior to RAAF, as checked on the Australian WW2 Nominal Roll

25 May 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF, Perth WA; Service Number 427183

From the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) – BROWN’s rank on Posting to 462 Squadron in March 1945 was Flight Sergeant, and he was recorded as F/Sgt throughout all of the crew’s Ops. He was posted from 462 Squadron as F/Sgt.

From WW2 Nominal Roll
19 Feb 1946 – Discharged from the RAAF at the rank of Warrant Officer

Item of interest – Link with Pilot Alfred Desmond James BALL, pilot of Crew 59, 462 Squadron, Foulsham
BALL enlisted in the RAAF at 4 Recruiting Centre, Perth WA on 25 May 1942, and was issued the Service Number 427182.
BROWN enlisted at Perth on 25 May 1942, and was issued the Service Number 427183.
They were most likely adjacent in the same queue at enlistment.
They may also have been on-posted at the same time to 4 Recruit Depot, before following different training routes.
BALL was living in Leederville when he enlisted, as were his parents.
BROWN was born in Leederville, WA.

Later life event ......

Government Gazette of Western Australia, Friday 03 May 1963, Issue 32, page 1178
Crown Law Department, Perth, 1 st May 1963

THE Hon. Minister for Justice has appointed the
following persons as Commissioners for Declarations
under the Declarations and Attestations Act,
1913-1953:–
……….
Harold Lewis Spencer Brown, Roleystone.
…………
Authorised by
R. C. GREEN,
Under Secretary for Law.
(BROWN was one of 8 men and 2 women named.)

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known, nor are personal details of marriage and death. However, there is at least one great-grandson who recently made contact, thus prompting the creation of this Crew’s web page.
If you can assist with further information or photos of Harold Lewis Spencer BROWN, please make contact.
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Navigator Raymond Henry PHILBRICK 436664 RAAF – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
At the time of writing for 06 Nov 2023, the A9301 Service File for PHILBRICK had not been digitised by the NAA. Information as known is detailed below.

Military Service prior to RAAF – sourced from WW2 Nominal Roll. His ARMY B883 Service File was not yet digitised at the time of writing for 06 Nov 2023.
09 Aug 1942 – Enlisted in the Australian Army, at Fremantle, Western Australia; age 19 years 10 months, birth 01 Oct 1922 at Collingwood, Victoria; Army Service Number VX107369; served with 116 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment; next of kin was Edward PHILBRICK
25 Feb 1943 – Discharged from Army at rank of Bombardier, on enlistment in RAAF

27 Feb 1943 – Enlisted in the RAAF, Perth WA; Service Number 436664

From the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) – PHILBRICK’s rank on Posting to 462 Squadron in March 1945 was Flight Sergeant, and he was recorded as F/Sgt throughout all of the crew’s Ops. He was posted from 462 Squadron as F/Sgt.

From WW2 Nominal Roll
31 Jan 1946 – Discharged from the RAAF at the rank of Warrant Officer

Personal details (require verification by PHILBRICK family)

From Victoria bdm online ....
Birth – 1922, Raymond Henry Thomas PHILBRICK, father Edward, mother Olive (apparent match with service file birth-date, and next-of-kin)
Marriage – 1947, Raymond Henry PHILBRICK to Dorothy May HUMPHRYS

From Ryerson Index online ….
19 Sep 2004 – Death of Raymond Henry Thomas PHILBRICK; Death Notice published in Herald Sun, Melbourne, on 25 Sep 2004

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known. If you can assist with further information or photos of Raymond Henry PHILBRICK, please make contact.
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Rear Gunner Francis William HUGHES 433208 RAAF – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
At the time of writing for 06 Nov 2023, the A9301 Service File for HUGHES had not been digitised by the NAA. Information as known is detailed below.

No Military Service prior to RAAF, as checked on the Australian WW2 Nominal Roll

27 Feb 1943 – Enlisted in the RAAF, Sydney, NSW; Service Number 433208, date of birth 13 Feb 1925
(same enlistment date as PHILBRICK, but in Perth)

From the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) – HUGHES was at the rank of Sergeant when Posted to 462 Squadron in March 1945; and he was recorded as Sergeant throughout all of the crew’s Ops. He was posted from 462 Squadron in Sep 1945 as F/Sgt.

From WW2 Nominal Roll
21 Dec 1945 – Discharged from the RAAF at the rank of Warrant Officer

Personal details (require verification by HUGHES family)

From NSW bdm online....
Birth – 1925 – not yet searchable online (Service File – birth 13 Feb 1925, next-of-kin was his father, Francis)
Marriage – 1956, Francis William HUGHES to Shirley Anne WALKER (plus marriages of 2 other Francis HUGHES)
Death – (age not given)
EITHER – 1979, Francis William HUGHES, father Francis George, mother Rebecca
OR – 1992, Francis William HUGHES, father Francis James, mother Irene

From Ryerson Index online ....
21 Oct 1992 – Funeral Notice for Francis William HUGHES, late of Seaforth; published in Sydney Morning Herald, 20 Oct 1992

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known. If you can assist with further information or photos of Francis William HUGHES, please make contact.
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Wireless Operator John Wilfred SIBBALD 436007 RAAF – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
The A9301 Service File for SIBBALD was sourced from the NAA, with details summarised below.
There are variation in dates of some postings, or other events – possibly due to original recording errors, or due to leave between postings, or for other reasons unknown. His file also has more “Leave” forms than usually present.

His rank on arrival at 462 Squadron was Flight Sergeant, and by the date of his last Op on 24 Apr 1945, he had attained the rank of Warrant Officer. He was de-mobbed as W/O.

Military Service prior to RAAF
27 Jan 1941 – Enlisted in the Australian Army, age 19 years, at Albany, Western Australia; single, civilian occupation Clerk; Service Number W3769; served with 124th Heavy Battery, Albany, WA; next of kin was his father, William Eric SIBBALD of the same home address in Albany; birth 09 Oct 1921 at Albany WA, Methodist; auburn hair, hazel eyes, Medical Classification Class I. (Note that his Army file listed his name as John Wilfrid SIBBALD, not Wilfred as in RAAF file).
14 Feb 1942 – Classified in trade grouping Clerk
18 Feb 1942 – Placed in RAAF Reserve
03 Aug 1942 – Promoted to Bombardier
27 Oct 1942 – Released on enlistment in RAAF, Discharge Certificate 255, at rank of Bombardier
19 Oct 1946 – A Will (Army Form A131) lodged for safe custody at enlistment, was returned to SIBBALD, and receipt for same signed by him.

27 April 1942 – Application for Aircrew in RAAF, at RAAF Recruiting Centre, Perth, WA; named as John Wilfred SIBBALD; age 20 years and 6 months; date of birth 09 Oct 1921; next-of-kin was his father W E SIBBALD, Road Board Secretary, Albany WA; single, British subject of pure European descent; father Australian, mother English; schooling at Albany High School from Jan 1935 to Aug 1937; also studying a Book-keeping Course commenced in early 1940 and continuing (part-time tuition, correspondence course); sports – tennis and cricket; height 5 ft 9 inches (175.3 cm), weight 10 st (63.5 kg); 15 months service with Heavy Artillery, Albany, currently serving as W3769 Gunner at Princess Barracks Albany; Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony experience of 8 months Signalling Morse Buzzer (15 words per minute); previous employment as Clerk for 3 years at Albany Road Board; no previous flying experience; Application was co-signed by his father, W E SIBBALD, on 27 April 1942 certifying his agreement of the application; 2 referees named, who certified that SIBBALD had “moral courage and suitability for service in the RAAF” – the first a neighbour from Albany who had known him for 12 years, the second being the General Manager of a Business, who had known him for ten years.
05 May 1942 – File stamped as “Received”
06 May 1942 – File stamped as “Approved”
10 Aug 1942 – Medical for Aircrew – Medical Classification A1B, A3B

11 Aug 1942 – Agreement to serve in the RAAF, signed at 4 Recruiting Centre, (4 RC) Perth, WA; age 20 years and 10 months; previous service 19 months with Heavy Artillery; other details similar to Application for RAAF Aircrew on 27 April 1942 and Army enlistment on 27 Jan 1941;
Medical examination – height and weight variation from Application for Aircrew; vision 6/6 left eye, and 6/9 right eye; vaccination scar; fair complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair; Medical Classification A1B, A3B

28 Oct 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 4 RC, Perth, WA; age 21 years; single; previous service in Heavy Artillery, discharged for enlistment in RAAF; no civil convictions; other details same or similar to the Agreement signed on 11 Aug 1942
28 Oct 1942 – Issued RAAF Service Number 436007
28 Oct 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V (Guard)
28 Oct 1942 – Appointed as Aircraftman 2 (AC2/ACII) on enlistment
28 Oct 1942 – Posted to 4 Recruit Depot (4 RD), Busselton, WA
Enlistment photo shown in previous section.

29 Oct 1942 – Commenced Recruit Drill Course, at 4 RD
19 Nov 1942 – Completed Recruit Drill Course, 4 RD – PASS

22 Nov 1942 – Posted to 4 Service Flying Training School (4 SFTS), Geraldton, WA
06 Feb 1943 (or 30 Jan 1943) – Posted to 4 ITS, Victor Harbour, SA (sic, Victor Harbor, SA)
25 Mar 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (G) at 4 ITS

27 (or 29) Mar 1943 – Re-classified as Leading Aircraftman (LAC) at 1 WAGS
01 Apr 1943 – Posted to 1 Wireless and Gunnery School (1 WAGS), Ballarat, Victoria
01 Apr 1943 – Commenced No. 37 WAG Course at 1 WAGS

15 Sep 1943 – Completed No. 37 WAG Course – PASS
16 Sep 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (G) at 1 WAGS
20 Sept 1943 – Posted to 3 Bombing and Gunnery School (3 BAGS), West Sale, Vic
20 Sept 1943 – Commenced No. 37 (G) Course at 3 BAGS

14 Oct 1943 – Completed No. 37 (G) Course – PASS
Undated – also completed Modified Musketry Course at 3 BAGS – PASS

14 Oct 1943 – Awarded Air Gunner’s Badge at 3 BAGS
14 Oct 1943 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG) at 3 BAGS
14 Oct 1943 – Promoted to Sergeant at 3 BAGS

15 Oct 1943 (or 04 Nov 1943) – Posted to 5 Embarkation Depot (5 ED), Subiaco, Perth, WA
20 Nov 1943 – Posted to 1 Embarkation Depot (1 ED), Ascot Vale, Vic
23 Nov 1943 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney NSW

Embarkation from Australia for the UK – 3 dates – which is correct? probably 12 Dec?
16 Nov 1943 – Embarked from Sydney (possible error for 26 Nov 1943)
26 Nov 1943 – Left Australia (as per P/P 15 flying details)
12 Dec 1943 – Embarked from Australia

26 Jan 1944 – Disembarked in UK
26 (or 27) Jan 1944 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK

Leave in UK – most had Free Travel Warrants issued

10 Feb 1944 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 16 Feb 1944
23 Feb 1944 – Attached to 6 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (6 (P) AFU), to 30 March 1944 (RAF Little Rissington, Gloucestershire? Possible recording error, this posting not included on all forms)

11 Mar 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air)
04 Apr 1944 – Posted to 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (4 (O) AFU), RAF West Freugh, Wigtownshire, Scotland, for advanced training

14 Apr 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant (at RAF West Freugh)

23 May 1944 – Posted to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield, for crew formation and operational training in Wellington bombers

03 Jul 1944 – Discharged from “Wissage Isol Hosp” during posting at 27 OTU, Lichfield; (admission date not recorded, medical details not recorded); [Wissage Isolation Hospital, Lichfield used as Isolation Hospital from 1941 to 1949; previously it was a Girls’ Industrial School 1889-1925, used as a Remand Home in 1950s, demolished in 1980s]
(www.childrenshomes.org.uk/LichfieldGirlsIS/ OR www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol14/pp170-184 OR search online for “Wissage Isolation Hospital”)
05 Jul 1944 – Sick Leave, 7 days, to 11 Jul 1944 (after release from Hospital)
12 Jul 1944 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 18 Jul 1944
22 Jul 1944 – Privilege Leave, 11 days, to 02 Aug 1944
03 Sep 1944 – Privilege Leave, 6 days, to 09 Sep 1944

04 Oct 1944 – Privilege Leave, 17 days, to 20 Oct 1944 (same dates as Pilot HINES)

20 Oct 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis (same date as Pilot HINES)
20 Oct 1944 – Attached to Aircrew School

07 Nov 1944 – Posted to 74 Base, 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit (1658 HCU) Riccall, Yorkshire, for conversion to Halifax Bombers; addition of Flight Engineer J J BOWDEN to crew

18 Nov 1944 – Marriage to Alma Betty ….. (her birth surname not recorded in the file), who was also in military service, as Private, ATS, Royal Artillery, Sheffield (marriage during his posting at 74 Base (1658 HCU), however there is no matching period of Leave).

07 Dec 1944 – Privilege Leave, 14 days, to 20 Dec 1944

13 Mar 1945 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, for Operational Duties, flying Halifax aircraft; at the rank of Flight Sergeant (same date as Pilot HINES)

20 Mar 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 26 Mar 1945 (same dates as Pilot HINES)

Operational Flying – 9 Ops at 462 Squadron, April 1945 (details in later section)

14 Apr 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer at 462 Squadron

Following is the Leave taken in the UK after the War was over, most with Free Travel Warrants issued
04 May 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 10 May 1945 (same dates as Pilot HINES)

08 Jun 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days plus 48 Hours V E Leave, to 16 Jun 1945 (same dates as Pilot HINES)

23 Jun 1945 – Photo of HINES in Grove, as dated and shown in previous section, assumed to be as Pilot with usual Crew on “Operation Post Mortem”

19 Jul 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days to 25 Jul 1945 (same dates as Pilot HINES)
21 Aug 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days plus 48 Hours V J Leave, to 29 Aug 1945 (same dates as Pilot HINES)
13 Sep 1945 – Privilege Leave, 5 days, to 17 Sep 1945 (similar dates as Pilot HINES)

17 Sep 1945 – Posted FROM 462 Squadron (at the rank of Warrant Officer) TO 9 Air Crew Holding Unit (9 ACHU), RAF Gamston (same date as Pilot HINES)

21 Sep 1945 – Privilege Leave, 14 days, to 04 Oct 1945
10 Oct 1945 – Privilege Leave, 9 days, to 18 Oct 1945
19 Oct 1945 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 25 Oct 1945
26 Oct 1945 – Embarkation (almost illegible) Leave, 8 days, to 02 Nov 1945

10 Nov 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia (recorded in error as 10.11.48)
13 Nov 1945 – Attached to 9 ACHU (out of sequence; possible dating error; or in error for “Detached from 9 ACHU”)

18 Jan 1946 – Embarked from UK

16 Feb 1946 – Disembarked at Perth, WA
16 Feb 1946 – Posted to 5 Personnel Depot (5 PD) Subiaco, Perth WA
18 Feb 1946 – 7 days Recreation Leave, to 24 Feb 1946
25 Feb 1946 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave, to 26 Mar 1946

10 Apr 1946 – Assessment of Leave Credits for overseas service – 30 Days War Service Leave, plus 30 days Re-establishment Leave, total 60 days as Payment-in-lieu, at 5 PD
10 Apr 1946 – Discharged from RAAF on demobilisation, rank of Warrant Officer, at 5 PD

22 May 1946 – Receipt signed by SIBBALD for “Certificate of Service and Discharge” from RAAF

09 Feb 1976 – Request to Dept of AIR, from Dept of Repatriation, for Statement of Service for John Wilfrid SIBBALD, address Pinjarra, WA
24 Feb 1976 – Statement of Service supplied

Character & Trade Assessments – One file marked as “No character and Trade Proficiency Assessments or Recommendations on posting available from records”; and on 10 Apr 1946, marked “as above” (i.e. no records) and “on strength for disposal, and discharge” …….

HOWEVER another form has multiple listings, as follows ……………

Character & Trade Assessments –
Mustering Aircrew V Guard or II Gunner – 31 Dec 1942; 31 Jan 1943; 26 Mar 1943, 15 Sep 1943
Under Training – AC2, LAC – Character Very Good
Mustering WOAG and WOP (Air) – dates from 20 Oct 1944 to 10 Apr 1946 – F/Sgt, and W/O – Character Very Good; Proficiency in Trade satisfactory; proficiency as non-commissioned officer satisfactory

Summary of flying hours

Training

1 WAGS, Australia, Wacket (sic, Wackett) aircraft – 23 hours
3 BAGS, Australia, Battle and Oxford aircraft – 8 hours 35 minutes

Advanced Training
4 AFU, UK, Anson aircraft – 33 h 40 m
27 O T U, UK Wellington aircraft – 91 h 50 m
1658 CU, UK, Halifax – 57 h
462 Squadron, UK, Halifax – 50 h 35 m

Total Training – 264 h 40 m

Non-operational Flying – Nil recorded
Post-War flying (e.g. "Operation Post Mortem") possibly included in 462 Squadron Training hours

Operational Flying
462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk, UK – Halifax aircraft – 9 Ops, 58 h 20 m
from 02 Apr 1945 to 24 Apr 1945

Total all flying hours – 323 h

General Conduct Sheet – Missing from file

Service Conduct Sheet –
Certified No Entry by Officer in Charge of Records, 12 Nov 1943 (Australia training)
Certified No Entry by Air Officer I/C Records RAF, on 05 Nov 1945, overseas service

Medals – France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Australia Service Medal 1939-45, Returned From Active Service Badge

Personal details (require verification by SIBBALD family)

From WA bdm online ....
Birth – 1921, John Wilfrid, father William Eric, mother Susie (apparent match with service file birth-date, and next-of-kin)
Death – 1976, John Wilfrid, age 54, father William Eric, mother Susie

18 Nov 1944 – Marriage to Alma Betty (as noted in RAAF Service File)
Jun 1950 – Divorced from Alma Betty SIBBALD (Trove online)

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known. If you can assist with further information or photos of John Wilfred/Wilfrid SIBBALD, please make contact.
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Mid-Upper Gunner John Jeremiah O’DONOGHUE 35752 RAAF – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
At the time of writing for 06 Nov 2023, the A9301 Service File for O’DONOGHUE had not been digitised by the NAA. Information as known is detailed below.

No Military Service prior to RAAF, as checked on the Australian WW2 Nominal Roll

27 May 1941 – Enlisted in the RAAF, Rose Bay, NSW; Service Number 35752

The Service Number 35752 was not of the usual sequence for aircrew, and O’DONOGHUE was in the RAAF for several years. He may have enlisted as ground staff, and later re-trained as Air Gunner for Aircrew. From the WW2 Nominal Roll, persons with the Service Numbers 35751 to 35759 have a range of ranks and postings, so don’t give any clues about O’DONOGHUE’s early service.

From the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) – O’DONOGHUE’s rank on Posting to 462 Squadron in March 1945 was Flight Sergeant, and he was recorded as F/Sgt throughout all of the crew’s Ops. He was posted from 462 Squadron as F/Sgt.

From WW2 Nominal Roll
17 Jan 1946 – Discharged from the RAAF at the rank of Warrant Officer

Personal details (require verification by O'DONOGHUE family)

From NSW bdm online ....
Birth – 1920, John J O'DONOGHUE, father John H, mother Ada H (apparent match with service file birth-date, and next-of-kin)
Marriage – not located
Death – 1973, John Jeremiah O'DONOGHUE, father John Heath, mother Ada

From Ryerson Index online ....
13 Oct 1973 – Death of John Jeremiah O’DONOGHUE, late of Clovelly, NSW; Death Notice published in Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 15 Oct 1973
17 Oct 1973 – Funeral Notice for John Jeremiah O’DONOGHUE, late of Clovelly, NSW; published in Daily Telegraph (Sydney) 15 and 16 Oct 1973

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known. If you can assist with further information or photos of John Jeremiah O’DONOGHUE, please make contact.
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Flight Engineer J J BOWDEN (Jim) 2219305 RAFVR – 462 Squadron Foulsham UK
At the time of writing for 06 Nov 2023, the RAFVR Service File for BOWDEN was not available. Information as known is detailed below.
BOWDEN enlisted in the RAFVR sometime after October 1942 at Padgate (refer http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf)

His training is assumed to have been at St Athan in Wales.
It is also assumed that he would have joined the Crew at 1658 HCU, Riccall, on or soon after 07 Nov 1944.

He would have been posted to 462 Squadron with the HINES Crew on 13 March 1945 (ref: HINES and SIBBALD files)

From the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) – BOWDEN’s rank on Posting to 462 Squadron in March 1945 was Sergeant, and he was recorded as Sergeant throughout all of the crew’s Ops. He was posted from 462 Squadron in Jul 1945 at the rank of Sergeant.

The RAF List for July 1945 has been checked – no listings for J J BOWDEN (other “J” initials for Officers and Warrant Officers, but dates and promotions too early for Sgt J J BOWDEN).
Not located in CWGC so assumed to have survived after July 1945.
Not located in London Gazette by initials/name or Service Number.
Not located in the International Bomber Command Centre's Digital Archive (Lincoln).
Checks in the 1939 Register gave many with the name J BOWDEN, but insufficient knowledge to know which one might be the later Flight Engineer J J BOWDEN of 462 Squadron. Similarly, use of genealogy sources to ascertain details of birth, marriage, and death, also yielded too many similar names.

Details of his post-war employment are not yet known. If you can assist with further information or photos of J J BOWDEN (Jim), please make contact.
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Crew Ops – carried out by this crew during their posting to 462 Squadron, "B Flight" at Foulsham.

The following table lists the 9 Ops for this crew, during April 1945. On all nine Ops they carried an extra 8th crew member for Special Duties to dispense WINDOW. All WINDOW dispensers were RAAF. Six carried out one Op each with this crew, and the 7th (CHAFFER) carried out 3 Ops.

This crew did not carry out any RCM Ops.

There is no record of Pilot HINES in the role of 2nd Pilot at 462 Squadron.
There were no substitutions for any of the usual crew members, and all flew on the same 9 Ops with Pilot HINES. None flew with any other crews.

Aircraft Serials as listed in the Operational Record Book, Forms 541, from the National Archives of Australia.
Aircraft Code numbers Z5- were not listed in the ORB, but were compared and cross-referenced with other sources.
Times up and down in red were night flights.
Target "Stade x 10" means 10 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Stade, with HINES' crew being one of those 10 (and so on for the other dates).
Target "Berlin x 9 (of 11)" means 9 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Berlin, with HINES' crew being one of those 9; but with different duties for the extra two 462 Squadron aircraft.
Code for Op Type – SD Special Duties; SP Spoof; W WINDOW; I Incendiaries; TI Target Indicators; F Flares; B Bombs.
Comments include names of additional 8th crew member to dispense WINDOW.

This crew did not have any early returns, and apparently did not have any other trouble during their Ops (i.e. none recorded in the ORB).
They had one Op when they "landed away". All twelve 462 Squadron aircraft on return from that Op were diverted to other airfields due to low cloud at Foulsham. 3 landed at Lindholme, 2 at Wickenby, and 7 at Tangmere (including HINE and Crew).

MZ913 Z5-N – "Jane" photo and artwork on Halifax page (aka "Nan")
MZ341 Z5-P – "Peter Rabbit" photo of Bomb Aimer BROWN checking the bomb bay of this aircraft shown previously on this web page; also artwork and same photo on Halifax page
NR284 Z5-Q – "Queenie" photo on Halifax page
NA148 Z5-Z – "Zebra" photo on Halifax page
PN168 Z5-T – "Tommy" picture of scale model on Halifax page

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