From the Michael John Stafford Archives, via Mark Weate

There were substitutions for various members of the Jackson Crew on several Ops at 462 Squadron.

Bomb Aimer SMITH failed to return from an Op with the Mitchell Crew on 02 November 1944 and was subsequently taken PoW. After that date, there were 9 different Bomb Aimers for the Jackson Crew.

W/Op TURNER carried out 3 Ops with the Jackson Crew, and 1 Op each with the Anderson Crew (November) and Cookson Crew (December), and was Posted FROM 462 Squadron in December 1944. He was replaced by W/Op BOWDEN, who also flew with Cookson (6 Ops), Finley (4 Ops), James (1 Op), and 15 Ops with Jackson. However Bowden had also previously flown with the Jackson crew at 466 Squadron.

W/Op CRAIG had flown with both the Finley Crew and Jackson Crew when both crews were at 466 Squadron, but he flew only with the Finley Crew at 462 Squadron.

Based on the presence of SMITH, the photo must be prior to 02 November 1944.

Crew 14 had been posted TO 462 Squadron Driffield, FROM 466 Squadron, Driffield in August 1944.

Crew photo at Left .....

Back, left to right: Rear Gunner Michael John STAFFORD; Mid-Upper Gunner Douglas Charles Henry FARRINGTON; Wireless Operator William Anthony BOWDEN; Flight Engineer Ernest Edward ROSE.

Front, left to right: WOp/AG Robert Thomson CRAIG; Bomb Aimer Ronald James SMITH; Navigator Edward HALL; Pilot Colin William JACKSON.

The Aircraft is from 466 Squadron, with the code HD visible on the fuselage between Bowden & Rose. The Serial Number is partially obscured, but may be MZ299, which was lost on the night of the 15 December 1944 (HD-H, of 466 Sqdn).

On posting TO 462 Squadron, the crew was made up as follows .....
Pilot: Colin William JACKSON
Bomb Aimer: Ronald James SMITH
Navigator: Edward HALL
Wireless Operator: William Anthony BOWDEN
Temporary Wireless Operator: William Argo TURNER
Flight Engineer: Ernest Edward ROSE
Mid-Upper Gunner: Douglas Charles Henry FARRINGTON
Rear Gunner: Michael John STAFFORD

Links to Additional Crew Information;
Crew Ops at 466 Squadron, Leconfield and Driffield;
Crew Ops at 462 Squadron, Driffield and Foulsham;
Gallantry Awards for JACKSON DFC, HALL DFC; ROSE DFM, and STAFFORD Croix de Guerre (France).

Reference sources – Australian WW2 Nominal Roll; The National Archives of Australia (462 Squadron Operational Record Book, RAAF Service Files); Commonwealth of Australia Gazette; London Gazette; Books "Brave and True" and "To See The Dawn Again".

 

From the 466-462 Squadrons Association, Sydney

With the presence of Bomb Aimer Smith, this photo must also be dated as prior to 02 November 1944. On that date he flew with the Mitchell Crew who Failed to Return from that Op, and Smith was taken PoW (details on the Mitchell Crew 21 page).

 

 

Photo at left was received from the 466-462 Squadrons' Association but not published in the book "Brave and True". It was taken at RAF Station Driffield, outside the Respirator Workshop.

Their photo label was abbreviated as Crew 122 (of 466 Sqdn):
Bk: FO D Farrington, MUG; FO MJ Stafford, CdeG, RG; FS EE Rose DFM, FE;
Fr: FO JR Smith, BA; FL CW Jackson DFC, Pilot; FLt E Hall DFC.

However, based on the Crew photo shown above left, and compared with enlistment photos from the National Archives of Australia, and with various group photos on the Foulsham page, it appears that the names of the two gunner had been transposed in error.

The caption can now be corrected to ....

Back, L to R: Rear Gunner Michael John STAFFORD; Mid-Upper Gunner Douglas Charles Henry FARRINGTON; Flight Engineer Ernest Edward ROSE;

Front, L to R: Bomb Aimer Ronald James SMITH; Pilot Colin William JACKSON; Navigator Edward HALL.
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 418533

Pilot

Name: Colin William JACKSON
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 418533
Date of Birth: 31 March 1913
Place of Birth: North Melbourne, Victoria
Date of Enlistment: 23 May 1942
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Mary JACKSON
Date of Discharge: 06 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron RAAF
Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No

Photo at left: Colin William JACKSON at enlistment, on 23 May 1942.
He may also be seen in the photo of Pilots, 462 Squadron, Foulsham March 1945, middle row, 3rd from left.
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 12060

Bomb Aimer

Name: Ronald James SMITH (Bunny)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 12060
Date of Birth: 24 December 1912
Place of Birth: Goulburn, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 15 January 1940
Place of Enlistment: Richmond, NSW
Next of Kin: Elsie SMITH
Date of Discharge: 05 February 1946
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: Yes

Photo at left: AC2 Ronald James Smith on 02 July 1942.
Smith became a PoW after flying with the Mitchell Crew as the substitute Bomb Aimer, on the night of 2 November 1944.
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 419042

Navigator

Name: Edward HALL
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 419042
Date of Birth: 14 December 1910
Place of Birth: Talbot, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 26 June 1942
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Iris HALL
Date of Discharge: 14 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No

Photo at left: Edward Hall at enlistment, on 26 June 1942. He later grew a moustache, as shown in the crew photos.
Edward Hall may also be seen with the Navigators at 462 Squadron at Foulsham, February/March 1945, front row, 4th from left.
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 418792

Wireless Operator

Name: William Anthony BOWDEN
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 418792
Date of Birth: 16 September 1918
Place of Birth: Clifton Hill, Vic
Date of Enlistment: 19 June 1942
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Joan BOWDEN
Date of Discharge: 05 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: RAF Mullagamore
Honours and Gallantry: ....
Prisoner of War: No

Photo at left: William Anthony BOWDEN 418792 RAAF, at enlistment, on 19 June 1942.
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, A23276
Above: LAC William Argo TURNER, at 2 Bombing and Gunnery School,
Port Pirie, South Australia, during training in October 1942. Return to Top

Flight Engineer

Name: Ernest Edward ROSE
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1701134 *
Date and Place of Birth: .....
Date and Place of Enlistment: .....
Next of Kin: .....
Date, Rank, and Posting at Discharge: .....
Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Medal
Prisoner of War: No

(* Sce No 1701134 in the series 1700001 to 1800000, allocated from September 1941 by the Inspector of Recruiting for Local Enlistments for Deferred Service at CRCs – Refer website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf)

ROSE may also be seen in the group photo of Flight Engineers at 462 Squadron, Driffield, November 1944, front row, 2nd from left. Return to Top

Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 425907

Rear Gunner

Name: Michael John STAFFORD
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 425907
Date of Birth: 19 July 1923
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 21 May 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Michael STAFFORD
Date of Discharge: 08 September 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Honours and Gallantry: Croix de Guerre (France)
Prisoner of War: No

At Left: Michael John STAFFORD, 425907 RAAF, at enlistment on 21 May 1942.
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Additional Crew Information

JACKSON and Crew 122 of 466 Squadron, Leconfield and Driffield – sourced from "Brave & True", 2nd Edition, 2007, page 135.
The names highlighted in yellow were those who were posted to 462 Squadron as the JACKSON Crew, in August 1944. Note that BOWDEN and CRAIG, as shown in the first crew photo (flying gear), had each flown as Wireless Operators for Crew 122 at 466 Squadron. However, it appears from RAAF Service Files that BOWDEN was the crew's original W/Op. (Details in BOWDEN's section below.)

Brave and True, 2nd Edn, 2007, page 135

With reference to 466 Squadron crew information (see above snip of page 135 of Brave and True) the original crew were most likely JACKSON, SMITH, HALL, BOWDEN, STAFFORD, FARRINGTON and ROSE. From the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book and Ops, this seems also to have been the permanent crew, until the loss of SMITH.

As of October 2020, there were no digitised RAAF Service Files for HALL, SMITH or FARRINGTON, and RAFVR Service File for ROSE was also not available. From the RAAF Service Files for JACKSON, BOWDEN and STAFFORD; and Crew Arrival Form for SMITH, the crew formation and subsequent postings are probable:-

23 November 1943 – Posted to 20 OTU, Lossiemouth – the usual posting for crew formation, and operational training in Wellington Bombers (same date for JACKSON, STAFFORD, BOWDEN).

14 March 1944 – Posted to 1652 HCU – addition of Flight Engineer ROSE, and conversion to 4-engine Halifax bombers (same date for JACKSON, STAFFORD, BOWDEN).

16 May 1944 – Crew of 7 posted to 466 Squadron for Operational duties (same date for JACKSON, STAFFORD, BOWDEN, SMITH). BOWDEN had sick leave and several admissions to SSQ or Hospital during May, June and July 1944, resulting in a number of substitute W/Ops for the crew.

20 August 1944 – Crew posted to 462 Squadron, with temporary W/Op TURNER (same date for JACKSON, STAFFORD)
26 September 1944 – BOWDEN posted to 462 Squadron
09 December 1944 – TURNER posted FROM 462 Squadron

29 December 1944 – Crew made up of JACKSON, HALL, BOWDEN, STAFFORD, FARRINGTON and ROSE flew on Halifax Z5-W in the 462 Squadron relocation from Driffield in Foulsham. No Bomb Aimer listed for the crew on this flight.

April 1945 – Crew posted FROM 462 Squadron as per the ORB – JACKSON (25/4 from his Service File), ROSE, FARRINGTON and STAFFORD (25/4 from his Service File); Posting FROM 462 Squadron not recorded in ORB for BOWDEN (22/04/45 from his Sce File); and not recorded for SMITH or HALL but presumably also in April 1945.

In his RAAF Service File, the Form for Operational Flying Details for JACKSON show that he carried out 37 Ops in his first Tour (01 June 1944 to 06 October 1944) at 466 (Leconfield and Driffield) and 462 Squadron (Driffield). In his immediate second Tour (06 October 1944 to 21 March 1945), he carried out another 14 Ops at 462 Squadron Foulsham. Total 51 Ops. This varies with what has been located in the ORB (which has errors; and may also not take into account any Ops at 466 Squadron by JACKSON as a second Pilot).
A similar form for R/AG STAFFORD records 32 Ops at 466 Squadron, 4 for 462 Squadron at Driffield (first Tour 26 May
1944 to 17 October 1944); followed by an immediate 2nd tour from 17 October 1944 to 22 March 1945, with a further 13 Ops. Total 49 Ops.

No equivalent forms in RAAF Service Files for BOWDEN or TURNER, and no Service Files are available for the other crew members. TURNER's File however indicates he carried out 40 Ops in Halifax aircraft (page 111, and 113), completing one Tour (page 171), but no further details were given.

TURNER had frequent postings during his tour, with his 2nd posting to 466 Squadron on 05 March 1944, over 2 months before JACKSON and Crew. TURNER was subsequently posted TO 462 Squadron on 20 August 1944 with the JACKSON crew; posted FROM 462 Squadron on 26 October 1944; then back TO 462 Squadron on 17 November 1944. He was then posted TO 76 Squadron on 09 December 1944. From these various postings, it seems that he was not a permanent member of the JACKSON Crew.

From the above one could assume that the 'Usual' crew carried out 2 Tours, with a total of about 48 to 51 Ops for each member of the crew.

Another point to note is that Bomb Aimer SMITH, Navigator HALL, and W/Op BOWDEN were each Commissioned to Pilot Officer from the rank of Leading Aircraftman, so all three showed potential early in aircrew training. Pilot JACKSON was Commissioned to P/O from rank of Flight Sergeant. Additionally, Pilot JACKSON and Nav HALL were both awarded a DFC, F/Eng ROSE a DFM, and R/AG STAFFORD a Croix de Guerre (France). Well done, and deserving our acclaim, and thanks.
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1. Pilot Colin William JACKSON 418533 RAAF – NAA RAAF service File A9300 digitised, plus information from 462 Squadron ORB, and from London Gazette.

15 December 1941 – Enrolment in the RAAF Reserve at 1 RC, Melbourne, Victoria; age 28 y 8 m
15 December 1941 – Medical Examination, height 5 ft 8½ inches; weight 146 lb; fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair; vaccination and small facial scar; 6/6 vision both eyes, normal Ishihara colour vision; medical category A1B and A3B; residence in St Kilda, Melbourne, Vic; civil occupation Master Butcher (own business in St Kilda); religion Presbyterian; married, next-of-kin wife Mary Frances JACKSON; father Frederick JACKSON of St Kilda, Vic; Special Qualifications at enlistment – Civil Pilot, “A” Licence; educated at Melbourne Technical College; no civil convictions, other than a 20/- Traffic Fine.

23 May 1942 – Enlisted in RAAF, at 1 Recruiting Centre (1 RC), Melbourne, Vic; aged 29 (birth date 31 March 1913); for duration or War and 12 months
23 May 1942 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC2)
23 May 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V
23 May 1942 – Posted to 1 Initial Training School (1 ITS), Somers, Vic
29 May 1942 – Certified that “Will” was already in existence, copies with named Solicitor, and with his wife.

13 July 1942 – Re-mustered to Aircrew V (P)
15 August 1942 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
15 August 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II, (P)
28 (or 29) September 1942 – Posted to 7 Elementary Flying Training School (7 EFTS), Western Junction, Tasmania; training in Tiger Moth aircraft; 60 hours 10m.
26 October 1942 – Pilot’s Course No. 29(P), to 07 December 1942 – PASS

19 (or 20) December 1942 – Posted to 1 Service Flying Training School (1 SFTS), Point Cook, Vic; training in Oxford aircraft; 120 hours 50m; Flying Training Course 29(P) to 21 April 1943 – PASS

21 (or 23) April 1943 – Awarded Flying Badge
22 April 1943 – Promoted to Sergeant
22 April 1943 – Re-mustered as Airman Pilot

23 April 1943 – Posted to 1 Embarkation Depot (1 ED), Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Vic
09 May 1943 – Beam Approach, 1 SFTS, training in Oxford aircraft; Course No. 18, to 16 May 1943 – PASS
21 May 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, New South Wales
24 (or 25) May 1944 – Attached to RAF
25 May 1943 – Embarked from Sydney, NSW

07 July 1943 – Disembarked in UK
07 (or 08) July 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton

10 August 1943 – Posted to 15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (15 (P) AFU,) Babdown Farm, Gloucestershire; training in Oxford aircraft; 91 hours
29 August 1943 – Attached to Satellite Ramsbury, Wiltshire, 15 (P) AFU
21 September 1943 – Attached to 50 Group
29 September 1943 – Satellite Ramsbury, 15 (P) AFU
09 November 1943 – Attached to RAF Babdown Farm, 15 (P) AFU
16 November 1943 – Attached to Castle Combe, Wiltshire, 15 (P) AFU
Beam Approach Training – undated, at 1532 BAS, and 1 BAS – training in Oxford Aircraft.

22 October 1943 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant

23 November 1943 – Posted to 20 Operational Training Unit (20 OTU), Lossiemouth, Scotland; training in Wellington aircraft; 104 hours 10m
24 January 1944 – Granted a Commission
25 January 1944 – Commissioned to rank of Pilot Officer

14 March 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 HCU), Marston Moor, Yorkshire; training in Halifax II and V aircraft; 48 hours 5m
14 (or 21) March 1944 – Attached to 4 Group, Battle School

16 May 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Leconfield, and later Driffield, Yorkshire
26 June 1944 – Appointed to rank of Acting Flying Officer
25 July 1944 – Promoted to rank of Flying Officer

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield
22 August 1944 – Appointed to rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant

17 November 1944 – Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for his action on 20 September 1944 (see later section for Crew Gallantry Awards).

29 December 1944 – Relocation with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group

12 (or 13) January 1945 – Appointed to rank of Acting Squadron Leader

25 January 1945 – 7 days leave, until 31 January 1945 (same as for R/AG STAFFORD)

20 February 1945 – Attended an un-named person’s Court Martial, under Instruction.

08 March 1945 – 7 days leave, until 14 March (same as for R/AG STAFFORD, and BOWDEN)

22 March 1945 – Last Op with crew at 462 Squadron, Foulsham – 18 Ops as Pilot at 462 Squadron, one Op with a second Pilot in training (D J ROBERTSON 419444 RAAF, Crew 18)

25 March 1945 – 14 Days Leave to 07 April (similar for R/AG STAFFORD, and BOWDEN)
11 April 1945 – 7 days Leave to 17 April (similar for R/AG STAFFORD, and BOWDEN)

25 April 1945 – Posted FROM 462 Squadron TO 11 PDRC

01 May 1945 – Presentation of DFC by His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace, London
02 May 1945 – Issued Tropical Clothing Coupons
30 May 1945 – Embarked from UK
07 July 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney (detached from RAF)
07 July 1945 – Posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Bradfield Park, Sydney
09 July 1945 – 7 Days leave, until 15 July
16 July 1945 – 30 days leave until 14 August
15 August 1945 – Posted to 1 PD, Melbourne

06 September 1945 – Discharged from RAAF, relinquished Acting rank of Squadron Leader; to be transferred to RAAF Reserve, home address 78 Park St, Parkville, Vic; Paid in Lieu of 60 days Leave (30 Days War Service Leave, and 30 Days Re-Establishment Leave).
25 September 1945 – Statement of Service No. 4004 as Officer, and 3758A as Airman, transferred to Reserve – Surplus to present personnel requirements; Distinguished Flying Cross, eligible for Returned for Active Service Badge.

01 September 1960 – Letter of advice that F/O JACKSON had reached the retirement age for RAAF General Reservists, appointment and service therefore to be terminated, unless requested to be transferred to the RAAF Retired List.

Character and Trade Proficiency as LAC, Sgt, and F/Sgt – VG
General Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry for all listed postings in Australia – 1 ITS, 7 EFTS, 1 SFTS, 1 ED, 2 ED.
General Conduct Sheet – at Miles Standish Camp, USA, on 16 June 1943 – Offence “in that he was absent without leave from 2230hrs on 16/06/43 to 0900 19/06/43” (2 days 10½ hours) – Court Martial on 24 June 1943, Severely Reprimanded, and forfeited 3 day’s pay. (Where did he go, and what was he doing while AWOL? Whatever the reasons, it did not affect his later commission and subsequent promotions.)
General Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry for all listed postings in UK – 11 PDRC; RAF Ramsbury; 20 OTU Lossiemouth; and 1652 HCU, Marston Moor (1 missing sheet for Operational Postings)
Service Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry, by RAF Records

Tour 1 – 01 June 1944 to 06 October 1944 – 466 Squadron (Leconfield and Driffield) and 462 Squadron (Driffield), Bombing, 4 Group; 37 Ops, 158 hours 40m
Tour 2 – 06 October 1944 to 21 March 1945 – 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Special Duties 100 Group; 14 Ops, 67 hours 20m (variations between 2 versions of the same form covering Tour 1 and Tour 2)
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2. Bomb Aimer Ronald James SMITH 12060 RAAF – NAA RAAF Service File A9300 not yet digitised – information from
Australian WW2 Nominal Roll; Air Crew Arrival Form at 466 Squadron; NAA A705 RAAF Casualty File, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, and 462 Squadron ORB.

15 January 1940 – Enlisted in the RAAF, Service Number 12060.

02 July 1942 – Photo of AC2 Ronald James SMITH (location not indicated)

Note: The photo as AC2 Ronald James SMITH was dated 2½ years after his enlistment. His RAAF Service number is also not of the usual 6 digit sequence for aircrew. There were 5 RAAF Servicemen from 462 Squadron in the Middle East, who had also enlisted in the first 6 months of 1940, with a similar 5 digit sequence RAAF Service Number – they were all originally ground crew, had all subsequently re-trained as Aircrew, and were posted to 462 Squadron (Middle East) for air operations in early 1943. Perhaps SMITH may also have trained and served as ground crew, later retraining as Observer/Bomb Aimer. Digitisation of his Service File for research access, would confirm or reject this supposition.

11 June 1943 – Pilot Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 09 September 1943, Issue 200, Page 2056, Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Airmen Navigators “B” appointed to commission on probation with the rank of Pilot Officer with effect from the date indicated:- (Leading Aircraftmen) …. No. 12060 Ronald James Smith (11 June 1943).
(Note that SMITH was commissioned from the rank of Leading Aircraftman, so he showed potential early in training.)

11 December 1943 – Flying Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 15 June 1944, Issue 118, page 1233
Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch. The probationary appointments of the following Pilot Officers are confirmed and they are promoted to Flying Officers, with effect from dates indicated:- (Navigators “B” — R J Smith (12060) 11 December 1943.

16 May 1944 – SMITH arrived at 466 Squadron, on posting from 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor (same date as other members of this crew). His Service Type was Aircrew General Duties, for Duration of Present Emergency, with Aircrew Category Air Bomber. His next-of-kin was his wife, Elsie SMITH, 20 Moore Park Road, Paddington, Sydney, NSW, whom he married on 06 June 1938. His religion was Church of England. Types of aircraft previously flown were Anson, Bolingbroke, Wellington, and Halifax.
May to August 1944 – SMITH, with Pilot/Captain Colin William JACKSON, & Crew 122 carried out 31 Ops at 466 Squadron.

20 August 1944 – SMITH, with F/O Colin William JACKSON and Crew 122 were posted TO 462 Squadron, Driffield, to become Crew 14. (See Crew photos including SMITH in previous section.)
27 August 1944 – SMITH's first Op at 462 Squadron with Pilot JACKSON and Crew 14 in Halifax III LL600, target Homberg.

SMITH carried out 6 Ops with the JACKSON Crew in August, September and October 1944;
plus 2 Ops with F/O Paul Dean WILSON and Crew 22;
plus 1 Op with F/L Peter Hamilton FINLEY and Crew 15.

02 November 1944 – SMITH replaced the usual Bomb Aimer F/Sgt J F LATIMER, for MITCHELL Crew 21, on a night Op to Düsseldorf, in Halifax III MZ401 Z5-D. The aircraft and crew failed to return, and SMITH was subsequently a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft 3, PoW Number 8818. His Casualty File also records that he was initially taken as PoW to Dulag Luft (Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe – air force transit camp), then sent to Stalag Luft 3 in Belaria.

17 May 1945 – Safe in UK
30 May 1945 – Embarked from UK for repatriation to Australia.

11 June 1945 – Temporary Flight Lieutenant – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 23 August 1945, Issue 161, page 1819; Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch; Flying Officers promoted to temporary rank of Flight Lieutenants with effect from dates indicated:- Navigators “B” – R J Smith (12060) 11 June 1945

07 July 1945 – Disembarked in Australia, and proceeded on Leave until 30 July, with posting to 2 Med. Rehab. Unit recommended on return from leave.

05 February 1946 – Demobilization at rank of temporary Flight Lieutenant – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 30 May 1946, Issue 100, page 1513, RAAF, CAF, Gen Duties Branch, The appointments of the following officers are terminated on demobilization with effect from the dates indicated: – R J Smith (12060) 05 February 1946.

After the loss of Bomb Aimer Ronald James SMITH, there were 9 different Bomb Aimers who flew on 12 Ops with the
JACKSON Crew, with no apparent permanent replacement Bomb Aimer –

F/Sgt J F LATIMER x 2 Ops (ex-MITCHELL Crew 21);
F/O A F CLARK x 3 Ops (ex-FINLEY Crew 15);
and one Op by each the following:-
F/O P MILLHOUSE (KIA 24 February 1945, ELY Crew 39);
F/O D N KEHOE (KIA 24 February 1945, RATE Crew 13);
F/O W K WATSON (PoW 24 February 1945, RIDGEWELL CREW 37);
F/Sgt J MORTIMER (BOYD Crew 40),
F/Sgt W W MAXWELL (BYROM Crew 16),
F/Sgt G F HICKS (ANDERSON Crew 45) and
F/Sgt J CUNNINGHAM (UTHER Crew 26).
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3. Navigator Edward HALL 419042 RAAF – NAA RAAF Service File not yet digitised. Information from Aus WW2 Nominal Roll, and London Gazette, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, and 462 Squadron ORB.

23 July 1943 – Pilot Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 28 October 1943, Issue 230, page 2376
Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Airman Navigators, Leading Aircraftmen, appointed to commissions on probation with the rank of Pilot Officer, with effect from the dates indicated:— …. No. 419042 Edward Hall (23 July 1943)
(Note that HALL was commissioned from the rank of Leading Aircraftman, so he showed potential early in training.)

23 January 1944 – Flying Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 29 June 1944, Issue 127, page 1320
Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Navigators, Pilot Officers confirmed in their Probationary appointments, and promoted to Flying Officers, with effect from dates indicated:- probation with the rank of Pilot Officer, with effect from the dates indicated:— …. E Hall (419042) 23 January 1944

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Driffield

13 September 1944 – Acting Flight Lieutenant – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 04 January 1945, Issue 2, page 35 – Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Flying Officers granted acting rank of Flight Lieutenants whilst occupying Flight Lieut posts, with effect from dates indicated:- E. Hall (419042) 13 September 1944 (also lists C W Jackson DFC 418533 to Acting F/Lt as of 22 August 1944 as per his RAAF Service File)

29 December 1944 – Relocation with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group

Flew 18 Ops with the JACKSON crew, no substitutions, plus one Op with Shannon Crew 01.
Total 19 Ops at 462 Squadron.

23 July 1945 – Flight Lieutenant – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 06 September 1945, Issue 171, page 1936 – Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Flying Officers promoted to temp rank of Flight Lieutenants, with effect from dates indicated (Navigators):- (Acting Flight Lieutenant) E. Hall (419042) 23 July 1945

21 September 1945 – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross (see later section for Crew Gallantry Awards).

14 September 1945 – Demobilization at rank of Flight Lieutenant – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Thursday 29 November 1945, Issue 229, page 2574, RAAF, CAF, Gen Duties Branch, The appointments of the following officers are terminated on demobilization with effect from the dates indicated:— E. Hall (419042) 14 September 1945

10 July 1947 – DFC Awarded by Governor of Victoria, at Government House, Melbourne
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4A. Wireless Operator 1 – William Anthony BOWDEN 418792 RAAF – from NAA RAAF A9300 RAAF Service File, and ORB. There was some variation in dates for the same event, as recorded on different forms. Travel time, or Leave between postings may account for the differences; or dates had been mis-transcribed between documents, due to original poor hand-writing.

Based on his Service File postings, it appears that BOWDEN was the permanent Wireless Operator for the JACKSON Crew, but due to health issues, was temporarily replaced by TURNER. There were no other Wireless Operators for JACKSON crew – only TURNER and BOWDEN.

29 December 1941 – Application to enrol in the RAAF Reserve, at 1 RC, Melbourne, Victoria; age 23 y 3 m (dob 16 September 1918); single, civil occupation Unregistered Chemist; height 5 ft 9¾ inches, weight 149 lb; medium complexion, hazel eyes, medium colour hair; 6/6 vision both eyes with Normal Ishihara colour vision; 20/20 hearing both ears; Medical classification A1B A3B; birthmark on right cheek; address Camberwell, Victoria.

19 June 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF, at 1 RC, Melbourne, for the Duration of the war, and 12 months thereafter; age 23 y 9 m; single, civil occupation Unregistered Chemist, previously apprenticed for 4 years; previously sworn and Under Training for Service; medical details as per 29 December 1941; religion Roman Catholic; education to Intermediate Certificate; address Clifton Hill, Victoria; next-of-kin, mother Catherine Frances BOWDEN, (later BLAIR), of Camberwell, Vic; additional contact in case of Casualty, sister Miss J BOWDEN, of Melbourne, Vic.
19 June 1942 – Classified as AC2
19 June 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V
19 June 1942 – Posted to 1 ITS, Somers, Vic

14 August 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (G)
15 August 1942 – Promoted to LAC

15 (or 17) September 1942 – Posted to 2 Wireless and Gunnery School (2 WAGS), Parkes, New South Wales
15 October 1942 – Commenced No. 31 G Course at Parkes, until 31 March 1943 – PASS

31 March 1943 – Awarded Wireless Badge, at 2 WAGS
01 April 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (G)

03 (or 05) April 1943 – Posted to 2 Bombing and Gunnery School (2 BAGS), Port Pirie, South Australia
05 April 1943 – Commenced No. 31 Air Gunner’s Course at 2 BAGS, until 28 April 1943 – PASS

28 April 1943 – Discharged from RAAF, “on being granted a Commission” at 2 BAGS (from the rank of LAC)
29 April 1943 – Awarded Air Gunner’s Badge, at 2 BAGS
29 April 1943 – Awarded a Commission and appointed to the rank of Pilot Officer (from A9300 RAAF Service File)
(Note that he was commissioned from the rank of Leading Aircraftman, so he showed potential early in training.)
Record of Commission to the rank of Pilot Office noted as being published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 130, however his name was not located there – perhaps a different issue?)

03 May 1943 – Marriage; next-of-kin amended to wife Joan Margaret BOWDEN, Clarendon St, Melbourne, Vic.

09 May 1943 – Posted to 1 ED, Melbourne (also listed as 30 April)
21 May 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Sydney

24 (or 25) May 1943 – Posted to O/S HQ (Overseas Headquarters)
25 May 1943 – Embarked from Sydney

08 July 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
08 July 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton

06 August 1943 – Attached to RAF Stn Bridgenorth, (Shropshire) until 20 August 1943

24 August 1943 – Posted to 10 (O) AFU (Dumfries, Scotland) as WO/AG

29 October 1943 – Promoted to rank of Flying Officer
29 October 1943 – Flying Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 71, Thursday 13 April 1944, page 816,
RAAF, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch – The probationary appointments of the following Pilot Officers are confirmed, and they are promoted to rank of Flying Officer with effect from the dates indicated :- W A Bowden (418792) 29 October 1943

23 (or 22) November 1943 – Posted to 20 OTU, Lossiemouth, Scotland, as WO/AG, formation of Air Crew

14 March 1944 – Attached to 4 Group Battle School
14 (or 21) March 1944 – Posted to 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, Conversion training

16 May 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, (the first of 5 W/Ops to fly with the JACKSON crew at 466 Squadron)

The following health issue seems to explain the substitution of W/Op BOWDEN at 466 Squadron, and 462 Squadron; and BOWDEN’s later return to the JACKSON crew. The dates in the Medical Board section, match up with sick leave dates in his Record of Leave Form 381.
29 May 1944 – Posted to Station Sick Quarters (SSQ), Molescroft (near Leconfield, Yorkshire)
27 June 1944 – Posted to SSQ, 466 Squadron
27 June 1944 – Transferred to RAF Hospital, Northallerton
24 July 1944 – Transferred to RAF Hospital, Northallerton (until 18 August 1944)
24 July 1944 – Posted to 43 Base (HQ, RAF Driffield)
18 August 1944 – Released from RAF Hospital, Northallerton
18 August 1944 – Medical Board, Northallerton, Tonsillitis, to proceed on 11 days Sick Leave, to return for Tonsillectomy
29 August 1944 – Return to RAF Hospital, Northallerton, for Tonsillectomy.
12 September 1944 – Medical Board, Northallerton, proceed on 10 days Sick Leave to 22 September 1944

22 September 1944 – Re- Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire

26 September 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire (catch up with JACKSON crew)

06 October 1944 – First Op at 462 Squadron with the JACKSON Crew

29 December 1944 – Relocation with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group

08 March 1945 – 7 days leave, until 14 March (same as for JACKSON and STAFFORD)

22 March 1945 – Last Op with crew at 462 Squadron, Foulsham

27 March 1945 – 14 Days leave to 09 April (similar for JACKSON, and STAFFORD)
11 April 1945 – 7 days leave to 17 April (similar for JACKSON, and STAFFORD)

15 Ops with the JACKSON Crew from 06 October 1944 to 22 March 1945; 4 Ops as W/Op for FINLEY Crew 15 (Oct-Nov 1944); 5 Ops as W/Op for COOKSON Crew 23 (Dec 1944 – January 1945); 1 Op as Window Dispenser for JAMES Crew 24, and similarly 1 Op (WINDOW) for COOKSON Crew 23; total 26 Ops at 462 Squadron.

22 April 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, RAF Mullaghmore (However that RAF Station was near Ballymoney, in County Antrim in Northern Ireland, so the entry may not be correct, as he was about to be repatriated to Australia. More likely it was 11 PDRC, Brighton, as recorded for his crew mates.)

25 April 1945 – Posted TO 11 PDRC

26 April 1945 – Issued with Tropical Clothing Coupons
29 April 1945 – Promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant
29 April 1945 – Flight Lieutenant – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 158, Mon 20 August 1945, page 1775
RAAF, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch – Flying Officers promoted to temporary rank of Flight Lieutenant with effect from date indicated:- W A Bowden (418792) 29 April 1945

08 May 1945 – Embarked from the UK
20 June 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney
20 June 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney

19 July 1945 – Posted to 1 PD

05 September 1945 – Discharged from the RAAF, 1 PD, at rank of Flight Lieutenant, and “Transferred to Reserve, surplus to present personnel requirements”. (S.P.P.R.). Home address at Hurstbridge, Vic
05 September 1945 – Transfer to RAAF Reserve – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 229, Thursday 29 November 1945, page 2577:- Officers transferred from Active List to Reserve, General Duties Branch, with effect from dates indicated Temporary Flight Lieutenants – W A Bowden 05 September 1945

04 October 1945 – Receipt of Airman’s certificate of Service and Discharge, and Officer’s Certificate of Service No 4039; Service “Satisfactory”; home address at Hurstbridge, Vic

01 September 1963 – Termination – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 2, Thursday 09 January 1964, page 96
RAAF, Air Force Reserve, General Duties Branch, Appointment of Officers terminated as of 01 September 1963 – Temporary Flight Lieutenants – W A Bowden (418792)

Character and Trade Proficiency – at Airman Ranks of AC2 and LAC, Mustering Aircrew V (G) – Character assessments VG; all Proficiency assessment “Under Training”.
General Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry for Australian postings – 1 ITS Somers Vic; 2 WAGS, Parkes, NSW; 2 BAGS, Port Pirie, SA. (No similar sheet for overseas Postings)
Service Conduct Sheet – Not included in File

Campaign Awards: 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Australia Service Medal 1939-45, Returned from Active Service Badge.

26 June 1969 – Death of former F/Lt William Anthony BOWDEN, aged 50 y 9 m (correspondence 05 August 1969 from Melbourne Legacy to Dept of Air, regarding BOWDEN’s Widow and family).
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4B. Wireless Operator 2 – William Argo TURNER 410108 RAAF – from NAA RAAF A9300 RAAF Service File, and ORB.
His RAAF Service File (173 pages) includes information from his WW2 Service, but most information is from his second enlistment in the RAAF in the early 1950s, including service in Singapore. The various documents were not in sequence by date, but appeared to be in a complete muddle, so difficult to follow. The file was initially difficult to locate, as it was stored under his later Service Number 34276. There was some variation in dates for the same event, as recorded on different forms. Travel time, or Leave between postings may account for the differences; or dates had been mis-transcribed between documents, due to original poor hand-writing.

19 June 1941 – Application for Aircrew, with details of school and college subjects, sports and hobbies; medical similar to the later Application for RAAF Reserve. Approved by Man Power Office, RAAF Recruiting Centre. Also signed with permission from parent, as well as signatures and names and address of 2 referees.

01 July 1941 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, at 1 RC, Melbourne; aged 18 y 1 m (dob 03 June 1923); single; Religion Presbyterian, previous civil occupation – Commercial Printer at Richmond Chronicle; height 5 ft 7½ inches, weight 128 lb; fair complexion, blue eyes, fair/medium hair; 6/6 vision both eyes; Normal Ishihara colour vision; 20/20 hearing both ears; Medical Classification A1B, A3B;; scar on palm of left hand.

08 November 1941 – Enlisted in the RAAF, at 1 RC, Melbourne, Vic, for the duration of the War and 12 months, age 18 y 8 m; single; no civil convictions; no previous armed forces service;. Home address at Auburn, Vic; next-of-kin mother Williamena Alexandrina TURNER of Auburn, Vic; father Archibald Bannatyne TURNER; education at Auburn South State School, and to Junior Technical Certificate, and Merit Certificate, at Swinburne Technical College, Melbourne. Other details as per the Enrolment in the Reserve on 01 July 1941.

08 November 1941 – Mustered as Air Crew V
08 November 1941 – Classified as AC1
08 November 1941 – Posted to 1 ITS, Somers (Please refer to Photo at 1 ITS)

26 February 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (Gunner)
28 February 1942 – Promoted to LAC

02 April 1942 – Posted to 2 WAGS, Parkes, NSW
30 April 1942 – Commenced No 25 (G) Course as 2 WAGS, until 14 October 1942 – PASS

14 October 1942 – Awarded Wireless Badge
15 October 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (Gunner)
18 (or 19) October 1942 – Posted to 2 BAGS, Port Pirie, SA (Please refer to photo at 2 BAGS)
19 October 1942 – Commenced No 25 (G) Course as 2 BAGS, until 12 November 1942 – PASS

12 November 1942 – Awarded Air Gunner Badge
12 November 1942 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG)
12 November 1942 – Promoted to Sergeant
13 (or 22) November 1942 – Posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Vic

15 January 1943 – Attached to RAF
15 January 1943 – Embarked from Melbourne
17 March 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
17 (or 18) March 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Bournemouth

12 May 1943 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant

01 June 1943 – Posted to RAF Station, West Freugh, Scotland, 4 (O) Advanced Flying Unit (4 (O) AFU)

06 July 1943 – Posted to 27 OTU, Lichfield – Training Report – Ground Training Exam 64%, average operator with all 11 exercises completed satisfactorily (different OTU from Jackson Crew).

20 September 1943 – Posted to 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire – Report of 75% result for W/Op Ground Instruction Syllabus; PASS for Morse; assessed as keeping a comprehensive log, but weak on Marconi.

09 November 1943 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air) = (WOP (Air))
09 November 1943 – Posted to 466 Squadron (however marked as 460 Squadron on 2 documents)
17 December 1943 – Posted to 43 Base (Non/Effective Sick)

05 March 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron

12 May 1944 – Promoted to Warrant Officer

03 June 1944 – Marriage to Cynthia Patricia Smithies at Leeds, England – next-of-kin now recorded as Mrs Cynthia P TURNER, of Armley, LEEDS UK.

Health – While at 466 Squadron, TURNER had several admissions to Squadron Sick Quarters (SSQ) or Hospital between 09 December 1943 and 20 June 1944 (4 days in SSQ Molescroft; 3 weeks at Kirkham; 1 day in Driffield Base Hospital; 4 days in Driffield SSQ; and another 4 days in Driffield SSQ after posting to 462 Squadron in August 1944).

20 August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire, with JACKSON Crew, from 466 Squadron.
Flew in 3 Ops with the JACKSON crew in August and September 1944; and then one Op ANDERSON Crew 45 in November 1944, and one Op with COOKSON Crew 23 in December 1944.
Total 5 Ops at 462 Squadron.

26 October 1944 – Posted to ACRS, Norton, (Air Crew Refresher School) until 17 November 1944;
26 October 1944 – Commenced Aircrew Refresher Course (ACRC) – PASS, obtained 64 %, Class “B”
17 November 1944 – Posted back to 462 Squadron
09 December 1944 – Posted to 76 Squadron

28 March 1945 – Awarded a Commission, and appointed to rank of Pilot Officer
28 March 1945 – Commission & Pilot Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 207, Thursday 25 October 1945, page 2268; Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch:- Warrant officer and NCOs (Wireless Operators Air “G”) appointed to Commissions on probation with the rank of Pilot Officer with effect from the dates indicated:- ….. Warrant Officers, No. 410108 William Argo Turner 28 March 1945

20 April 1945 – Posted to Aircrew Allocation Centre (ACAC)
27 April 1945 – Report at ACAC – TURNER had carried out a total of 40 Ops at 466, 462 and 76 Squadrons, a total of 220 hours in Halifax aircraft; with last Op on 25 March 1945 at 76 Sqdn. He had married in the UK, and a child was expected in May/June 194. He indicated a desire to remain in UK for family reasons. Comment from G/C J Butler, Officer Commanding RAF Stn Catterick “This airman has carried out his duties as Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner in a superior manner. His character and general conduct have at all times been very good”.

04 June 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, pending repatriation to Australia
17 September 1945 – Embarked from UK

28 September 1945 – Promoted to Flying Officer
28 September 1945 – Flying Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Issue 245, Thursday 20 December 1945, page 2740; Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Probationary appointment of Pilot Officer confirmed, and promoted to rank of Flying Officer with effect from date indicated:- (Wireless Operators Air “G”) W A Turner (410108), 28 September 1945

17 October 1945 – Disembarked in Melbourne
17 October 1945 – Posted to 1 PD, Ransford, Melbourne, then proceeded on Leave.

17 October 1945 – Discharged from the RAAF (ex 76 Squadron) on demobilisation (erroneous entry from WW2 Nominal Roll)
13 December 1945 – Discharged from the RAAF from A9300 Service File, on demobilisation (a second documents records the erroneous date of 13 December 1946); received pay in lieu of 75 days Leave (30 days re-establishment, 38 days war service leave, and 7 days accumulated leave).

18 February 1946 – Receipt of RAAF Airman’s Certificate of Service and Discharge, and Officer’s Certificate of Service No. 12591, for period from 28 March 1945 until 13 December 1945. Eligible for 1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, Returned from Active Service Badge.

Character and Trade Proficiency – all Airman Ranks of AC2, LAC, Sgt, F/Sgt, W/O; and all Musterings – all Character assessments as VG; all Proficiency assessments either “Under Training”; and “Satisfactory” or “Superior” as WOP/AG or Wireless Op (Air).

Service Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry at 1 ITS Somers.
20 July 1942 – at 2 WAGS, Parkes, NSW, LAC TURNER was charged with the Offence of being “Absent without Leave” from RAAF Station Parkes, from 1200 hrs on 20 July 1942 until 0800 hours on 21 July 1942, a total of 20 hours. Trial on 22 July 1942, awarded punishment 14 days Confined to Barracks, and loss of one day’s pay.
Certified No Further Entry for 2 BAGS, Port Pirie, SA; and 1 ED Melbourne.

General Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry at 1 ITS Somers
20 July 1942 – AWOL, as above on Service Conduct Sheet
No Further Entry for 2 WAGS Parkes, 2 BAGS Port Pirie; 1 ED.
19 May 1943 – at 11 PDRC, Bournemouth, Sgt TURNER was charged, with the Offence “While on Active Service, being Absent without Leave from Naval School, from 0815 hrs on 19 May 1943 until 1300 hrs on 19 May 1943, absent 4 hours 45 minutes”. Reprimanded on 21 May 1943.
Certified as No Further Entries from 11 PDRC; 4 (O) AFU West Freugh; 27 OTU Lichfield; 1652 HCU; 466 Sqdn Leconfield; 466 Sqdn Driffield; 462 Sqdn Driffield; 76 Sqdn Holme-on-Spalding-Moor; ACAC RAF Catterick.

(Two times on record as being AWOL, as LAC and as Sgt – where did he go? What did he do there? And why? It did not affect his later Commission and promotions.)

Campaign Awards: 1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star and Clasp; Defence Medal; Returned from Active Service Badge
Service – Satisfactory

Post War occupation as Machinist, later Letterpress Machinist at Commercial Printing Companies.

25 September 1950 – Re-enlisted in the RAAF, new service Number A34276, mustered as Trainee Signaller; married, with wife Cynthia P TURNER and 4 children – 2 daughters and 2 sons.

20 April 1951 – re-mustered as Signaller, promoted to Sergeant, then promoted to Warrant Officer.
Postings to Laverton; School of Air Navigation East Sale; Air Ground Radio School Ballarat; 6 Squadron Amberley;
1 Squadron, Tengah, Singapore (27 May 1954 to 02 March 1955); Amberley; Richmond; 36 Squadron Canberra.
24 September 1956 – (or 01 November 1956) – Discharged from the RAAF on Termination of period of enlistment, home address Inala, Brisbane, Qld.
Campaign Award: General Service Medal Malaya
Service – “Satisfactory” (However, there are many pages of reports from 1950 to 1956, which have conflicting assessments of W/O TURNER. Some of the comments appear to be quite discriminatory, and would not be acceptable in today’s ‘politically correct’ language. Some of the 1950s reports also seem to be in direct conflict with his WW2 Service Reports.)
In 1984, Turner gave evidence at McClelland Royal Commission into radioactive sampling in the early 1950s, carried out during his RAAF Service in 1953.
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5. Flight Engineer Ernest Edward ROSE 1701134 RAFVR – RAFVR Service File not available; info from 462 Squadron ORB, and London Gazette.

August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield with JACKSON Crew

29 December 1944 – Relocation with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group

April 1945 – Posted from 462 Squadron

16 Ops with JACKSON crew, being substituted twice – once by F/Sgt H P MURRAY 1866940 RAFVR, and once by F/Lt W F READHEAD 50956 RAF. ROSE carried out one Op as F/Eng with SMITH Crew 51, and 3 Ops as Special duties WINDOW Dispenser with UTHER CREW 26; Total 20 Ops at 462 Squadron.

25 September 1945 – Awarded DFM (see later section for Crew Gallantry Awards).

Later postings, promotions, or receipt of Commission are not known – his name was not located in Air Force List of July 1945.
If you can assist with further information, please make contact.
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6. Mid-Upper Gunner Douglas Charles Henry FARRINGTON 427235 RAAF – NAA RAAF Service File not yet digitised. Information from 462 Squadron ORB, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, and WW2 Nominal Roll.

From WW2 Nominal Roll, FARRINGTON was born in Dover, England, but enlisted in Perth, Western Australia.

August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, with JACKSON Crew

11 September 1944 – Commission, to rank of Pilot Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 66, Thursday 05 April 1945, page 808 – Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Warrant Officers and NCOs (Air Gunners) appointed to commissions, on probation with rank of Pilot Officer, with effect from date indicated:- No. 427235 Douglas Charles Henry Farrington No. (427235) 11 September 1944. (Consecutive with No. 425907 Michael John Stafford on same date)

29 December 1944 – Relocation with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group

11 March 1945 – Flying Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 119, Thursday 14 June 1945, from page 1324 – Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Probationary appointment of Pilot Officer confirmed, and promoted to rank of Flying Officer with effect from date indicated :- D C H Farrington (427235) 11 March 1945

April 1945 – Posted from 462 Squadron

From ORB, FARRINGTON carried out 15 Ops with the JACKSON Crew, with four substitutions – one each by F/Lt L S REES, F/Sgt DAVID, Sgt TOEWS, and Sgt A GORDON. Crew position with R/AG STAFFORD seems to have been transposed in error for at least one Op, but FARRINGTON appears to have been STAFFORD's substitute on another occasion. FARRINGTON also carried out 1 Op as MU/AG for MARCHANT Crew 32; 2 Ops as WINDOW Dispenser for BYROM Crew 16, and one WINDOW Op for McGINDLE Crew 19. Total 19 Ops at 462 Squadron.
03 October 1945 – Demobilisation at Rank of Flying Officer

If you can assist with further information, please make contact.
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7. Rear Gunner Michael John STAFFORD 425907 RAAF – information from NAA RAAF Service File A9300, the 462 Squadron ORB, and the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. In the Service File, there was considerable variation in dates for the same event, as recorded on different forms. Travel time, or Leave between postings may account for the differences; or dates had been mis-transcribed between documents, due to original poor hand-writing.

16 April 1942 – Completed documentation to enlist in the RAAF, 3 RC, Brisbane, Qld; age 18 y 8 m (dob 19 July 1923); no civil convictions; single, religion Roman Catholic, previous civil occupation Junior Clerk (Public Servant) at the Public Curator’s Office, Brisbane; education to Junior Certificate; no previous Service, but registered and sworn; Medical examination – height 5 ft 8 inches; weight 133 lb; 6/6 vision both eyes; medical classification A1B and A3B.
next-of-kin – Father, Michael Thomas STAFFORD (Mick), of No.1 Garrison Battalion, Enoggera (Home Forces), home address Hansen St, Moorooka, Brisbane, Queensland; and mother Ellen Adelaide STAFFORD (Nell) of same home address. (Also later listing of brother for contact in the UK, Peter Burns STAFFORD, 435795 RAAF)

21 May 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 3 RC, Brisbane, Qld, for the duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; age 18 y 10 m; previous application to join the Royal Australian Navy, but rejected in February 1942 due to eyesight; fair complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair; other details as per Application of 16 April 1942.
21 May 1942 – Classified as AC2
21 May 1942 – Mustered as Air Crew V (Guard)
21 (or 22) May 1942 – Posted to 3 Recruit Depot (3 RD), Maryborough, Qld
22 May 1942 – No. 114 Recruit Drill Course, at 3 RD, until 09 June 1942 – PASS

10 (or 12) June 1942 – Posted to C F S (Central Flying School) Tamworth, New South Wales
08 (or 09 or 13) November 1942 – Posted to 3 ITS, Kingaroy, Qld

24 (or 25) December 1942 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (P)

30 January 1943 – Promoted to LAC
30 January 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (P)

04 (or 06 or 07) February 1943 – Posted to 5 EFTS, Narromine, NSW, under training as Pilot
Extract from Pilot’s Flying Log Book – Flying training discontinued, 5 EFTS

07 April 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew II (N)
07 (or 08) April 1943 – Posted to 1 Air Observers School (1 AOS), Cootamundra, NSW, under training as Navigator

06 (or 13 or 23) August 1943 – Posted to 1 BAGS, Evans Head, NSW, under training as Air Gunner
13 August 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Crew V (G)
19 August 1943 – No. 36 Air Gunners Course, 1 BAGS, training in Battle aircraft, 9 hrs 40 m; to 16 September 1943 – PASS

16 September 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Gunner
16 September 1943 – Awarded Air Gunner’s Badge (at 1 BAGS)
16 September 1943 – Promoted to Sergeant

15 (or 17) September 1943 – Posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Vic
27 September 1943 – Embarked from Melbourne, for the UK

17 October 1943 – On board ship “H.M.T. Nieuw Amsterdam”, Severe Reprimand (details of misdemeanour not recorded, and event not recorded on his General Conduct Sheets, or Service Conduct Sheet; and it did not affect his later promotions and Commission.)

09 November 1943 – Attached to RAF
09 November 1943 – Disembarked in UK
09 (or 10 or 06) November 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton

23 (or 20) November 1943 – Posted to 20 OTU, Lossiemouth, Scotland, training in Wellington aircraft, 109 hrs 40 m (assume formation of crew, with Pilot Colin William JACKSON)

14 (or 17) March 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, training in Halifax II aircraft, 43 hrs 35 m (assume addition of Flight Engineer ROSE to crew)
14 March 1944 – Attached to 4 Group, Battle School, until 21 March 1944
16 March 1944 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant
21 March 1944 – Attached to 1652 Conversion Unit, until 16 May 1944

16 (or 19) May 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Leconfield, and later at Driffield, Yorkshire, 4 Group

20 (or 26) August 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, 4 Group

11 September 1944 – Appointed a Commission to the rank of Pilot Officer
11 September 1944 – Pilot Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 66, Thursday 05 April 1945, page 808 – Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Warrant Officers and NCOs (Air Gunners) appointed to commissions, on probation with rank of Pilot Officer, with effect from date indicated:- No. 425907 Michael John Stafford, 11 September 1944. (Consecutive with No. 427235 Douglas Charles Henry Farrington on same date)

29 December 1944 – Relocation with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group

11 March 1945 – Promoted to rank of Flying Officer
11 March 1945 – Flying Officer – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 130, Thursday 05 July 1945, from page 1461 – Royal Australian Air Force, Citizen Air Force, General Duties Branch, Air Gunners, Probationary appointment of Pilot Officer confirmed, and promoted to rank of Flying Officer with effect from date indicated :- M J Stafford (425907) 11 March 1945

25 January 1945 – 7 days leave, until 31 January 1945 (same as for Pilot JACKSON)
08 March 1945 – 7 days leave, until 14 March (same as for JACKSON, and BOWDEN)

22 March 1945 – Last Op at 462 Squadron

27 March 1945 – 14 days leave until 09 April (similar for JACKSON, and BOWDEN)
14 April 1945 – 10 days leave until 23 April (similar for JACKSON, and BOWDEN)

20 April 1945 – Prior to Repatriation, Officer Assessment Report from 20 August 1944 to 25 April 1945, Air Gunner, at rank of Flying Officer, age 21 y 9 m – General Conduct Satisfactory; of Temperate habit;
score of 6 each for – zeal and energy in performance of duties; and general standard of professional ability;
scores of 5 each for – personality and force of character and leadership; reliability and judgment; initiative; ability in present duties.
Written comment by W/Cdr P M Paull of 462 Squadron, signed on 21 April – “A keen and conscientious officer who requires more experience at administrative duties to become a very good officer. He is an above average gunner and is good at instructing the Junior gunners of the squadron. Has a very pleasant personality.”
Comment of “I. K.” by Group Captain V Willis, signed on 23 April 1945. (Charles Victor Douglas WILLIS, DSO, DFC, 33354 RAF, Commander of RAF Station Foulsham, photo on Foulsham page).
["I. K. = Insufficient Knowledge. Instructions for completing Form 1369, Item 2 (v) – "If for any reason the reporting officer feels that he has an insufficient knowledge of the officer under report to assess him in any of the items in Sections 9 and 10, he should put the letters "I. K." in place of an assessment". An instruction sheet for Form 1369 was included in another Officer's file, but not in STAFFORD's file.]

From the 462 Squadron ORB, STAFFORD carried out 16 Ops at 462 Squadron with the JACKSON Crew – 7 Ops at Driffield, and 9 at Foulsham. He also flew once with SWANN Crew 55 as Special Duties WINDOW Dispenser. Total Ops at 462 Squadron – 17. Stafford as replaced once by F/Lt A RUDD. Crew position with MU/AG FARRINGTON seems to have been transposed in error for at least one Op, but FARRINGTON appears to have been STAFFORD's substitute on another occasion.

25 April 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
26 April 1945 – Issued Tropical Clothing Coupons

Date not recorded 1945 – Embarked from UK
20 June 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, ex UK
20 June 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney
29 July 1945 – Posted to 3 PD, Sandgate, Qld

08 September 1945 – Termination of RAAF Service, surplus to present personnel requirements; Service “Satisfactory”
08 September 1945 – Transferred to RAAF Reserve, home address Graceville, Brisbane, Qld
08 September 1945– Transfer to Reserve – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 23, Thursday 07 February 1946, page 313 – Royal Australian Air Force, Reserve, General Duties Branch; list of Officers being transferred from the Active List, with effect from the date indicated:- included Flying Officer M J Stafford (425907), 08 September 1945.

04 November 1945 – Receipt of RAAF Airman’s Certificate of Service and Discharge, and Officer’s Certificate of Service 5820. Eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge.

Aircraft – D.H. 82; Anson, Wellington, Halifax
Character and Trade Proficiency – all Airman Ranks of AC2, LAC, Sgt, F/Sgt, and all Musterings – all Character assessments as VG; all Proficiency assessments either “Under Training”, or “Satisfactory” after qualified as Air Gunner.

General Conduct Sheet 1 – Certified No Entry for Australian and UK postings – 3 RD Maryborough, CFS Tamworth, 3 ITS Kingaroy, 5 EFTS Narromine, 1 AOS Cootamundra, 1 BAGS, 1 ED; 466 Squadron Driffield UK; 462 Squadron Driffield.
General Conduct Sheet 2 – Certified No Entry for UK postings – 11 PDRC, 20 OTU Lossiemouth, 1652 HCU Marston Moor, 462 Squadron Foulsham.

Service Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry 13 October 1943; and again 15 May 1945.

Non-Operational Flying – First Tour, Halifax III; 466 Squadron 6 hr 55 m; 462 Squadron 2 hr.
Non-Operational Flying – Second Tour, Halifax III; 462 Squadron 50 m.
Operational Flying – First Tour, Halifax III; 26 May 1944 to 17 October 1944 – 466 Squadron, 32 Ops, 142 hrs; 462 Squadron, 4 Ops, 16 hrs 45 m; Total 36 Ops.
Operational Flying – Second Tour, Halifax III; 17 October 1944 to 22 March 1945 – 462 Squadron, 13 Ops, 61 hrs 40 m
Total 49 Ops over 2 Tours
Total all Flying time – 393 hrs 5 minutes.

Campaign Medals – 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star with Franc and Germany clasp; Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, and Australian Service Medal 1939-45.

1946 – Award of Croix de Guerre (France) – photo and details in later section on Crew Gallantry Awards.

1948 to June 1965 – M J STAFFORD resident in England

17 September 1964 – Letter from Dept of Air to Michael STAFFORD’s (out of date) Graceville address, requesting confirmation of current enrolment in Air Force Reserve; responded to by STAFFORD’s brother Peter, who provided a forwarding address in the UK for official correspondence.

22 February 1965 (postmarked letter-gram) – STAFFORD attested to willingness to remain enrolled as member of the RAAF Reserve, rank Flying Officer, current address in London (nearing completion of 4 month medical treatment, with expectation of return to full health). Letter-gram received by Dept of Air 26 February 1965.

01 May 1965 – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 50, Thursday 24 June 1965, page 2444 – Royal Australian Air Force, Reserve, General Duties Branch; List of Officers Appointments terminated on 01 May 1965:- included Flying Officer M J Stafford (425907), and others. (Reason for Termination not given.)

06 August 2011 – Death of Michael John STAFFORD in Sydney, after a short illness; Funeral Mass held at St Canice's Catholic Church, Sydney; Interment at Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane on 03 September 2011. He was not married, and had no children, but was a much loved Brother, Uncle and Great-Uncle. He was a friend to many, who regarded it "an honour and privilege to have known him".
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8A. Special Duties – WINDOW.

From the 462 Squadron ORB, the JACKSON crew carried out 11 Special Duties WINDOW Ops flying from Foulsham between 01 January 1945 and 22 March 1945. The WINDOW was dispensed by
F/Sgt J F LATIMER x 1 Op (ex-MITCHELL Crew 21)
F/Lt F M BARKLA x 4 Ops (SHANNON Crew 01)
F/Lt L S REES x 2 Ops (various Crews)
Sgt G A E SANDAY x 1 (ex-FRIEND Crew 36; survivor of ASTILL Crew 52; KIA ELY Crew 39)
F/Sgt J D FRASER x 1 (ex-JAMES Crew 24)
F/Sgt S E TILLS x 1 (Special Duties WINDOW Group)
W/O C K BARNETT x 1.(ex-Uther Crew 26)
(Details of those Ops in later 462 Squadron Ops table).
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8B. Special Duties – RCM. From the 462 Squadron ORB, the JACKSON crew did not carry out any Special Duties Radio Counter Measures Ops flying from Foulsham between 01 January 1945 and 22 March 1945.
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Crew Ops at 466 Squadron – transcribed from "Brave & True", 2nd Ed'n (pages 95 and 135), target names as recorded there.
Dates – e.g. 09/10 June 1944, they departed in the evening of the 9th, and returned in the early hours of the 10th (and so on for other dates).
466 Squadron moved from Leconfield, East Yorkshire back to Driffield on 03 June 1944, so the first 2 Ops listed below would have been from Leconfield. (Refer to "Brave and True" for History of 466 Sqdn).
Total Ops for JACKSON Crew at 466 Squadron = 31

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Crew Ops at 462 Squadron – sourced from the 462 Squadron ORB.

The following table lists the Ops for Jackson and crew – with three missions abandoned by Master Bomber; and one landing away. There was 1 Op with a 2nd Pilot, D J Robertson.
These 18 Ops at 462 Squadron brought Pilot JACKSON's total Op tally to 49.
Ops 1 to 7 were from Driffield for Bombing, and Ops 8 to 18 were from Foulsham on Special Duties.

Serial Numbers are from the ORB; Z5 Code from various Log books (matching known Halifax identification), however Aircraft Code numbers are incomplete until they can be verified. (There are discrepancies within the ORB, and between the ORB and various authors.)
There were the usual variations in spelling of Surnames, initials, and Service Numbers for crew members.

Times up and down in black are day flights, and times in red are night flights.
Target "Homberg (1 of 10)" means 10 aircraft were tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Homberg, with JACKSON's crew being one of those 10 (and so on for the other dates, some ops had two Targets and show a higher aircraft total).
There is some variation in the spelling of Target names in the original ORB.
Code for Op Type – B Bombing; SD Special Duties; SP Spoof; W WINDOW; F Flares; TI Target Indicators; I Incendiaries.
This crew did not carry out any Ops using Special Equipment for Radio Counter Measures (RCM).
The 8th crew member for dispensing WINDOW is named in the comments column.

LL600 Z5-C – overshot runway when landing at Sudbury, 23 Sept 1944, Robertson Crew; photo on Halifax page.
MZ448 Z5-W – lost on night of 24/25 February 1945, RIDGEWELL and Crew 37, painting on Halifax page.
NA148 Z5-Z – photo on Halifax page.
NR284 Z5-Q – photo on Halifax page.
PN168 Z5-T "Tommy" – photo of model on Halifax page.
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Gallantry Awards – 2 Distinguished Flying Cross; 1 Distinguished Flying Medal, 1 Croix de Guerre

Pilot Colin William JACKSON – Distinguished Flying Cross

17 November 1944 – London Gazette, Number 36799, page 5281 – Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on a night Op in September 1944 (target Neuss, 23 September 1944, in Halifax MZ792 Z5-P).

23 November 1944 – Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, Issue 233, page 2609, His Majesty the King has approved, Awards on 17 November, Royal Australian Air Force, Distinguished Flying Cross ….
Flight Lieutenant Colin William JACKSON, No. 418533 (first of list of 30 Officers receiving this Award)

Refer also news article with photo, in The Argus, Thursday 09 November 1944, page 6, “DFC for Former Civil Pilot”

01 May 1945 – DFC Presented to JACKSON by His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace

Australian War Memorial record card RCDIG1068956 – "For skill and courage during attacks on enemy objectives".

Australian War Memorial, ref RCDIG1068956

Above: Distinguished Flying Cross record card at Australian War Memorial, for Flight Lieutenant Colin William Jackson 418533 RAAF, Pilot at 462 Squadron, Driffield and Foulsham.

See also Rear Gunner Neville Owen REED for photo of, and documents relating to his award of "Croix de Guerre avec Palme", Belgium.
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