Crew Formation and History – taking known information from the three RAAF files, the following could be surmised ......
Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire – SANDERSON 15 Feb, KANE 29 Feb, KENNEDY 01 Feb – formation of initial crew of 6 here, probably in early March 1944
25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire – SANDERSON, KANE & KENNEDY on same date
10 Jun 1944 – Posted to 1663 HCU, Rufforth, Yorkshire – SANDERSON on this date; KANE & KENNEDY listings undated, F/Eng ROWE would have joined the crew here.
29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, Yorkshire – SANDERSON, KANE & KENNEDY on same date
22 Aug 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire – SANDERSON, KANE & KENNEDY on same date, however officially recorded in Sep 1944 ORB Form 540, Officer SANDERSON on page 12, and NCOs LYNCH, BAVERSTOCK, KANE, KENNEDY and ROWE on page 13 – there was no record for STEPHENSON's posting TO the Squadron.
23 Dec 1944 – Posted TO 466 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire – Officer SANDERSON's posting FROM 462 Squadron Dec 1944 ORB Form 540, page 40; however there was no record in the ORB for the posting FROM 462 Squadron for the 6 NCO's in the crew. However, RAAF Service Files for SANDERSON, KANE and KENNEDY all match with date of 23 Dec 1944.
14 Jan 1945 – Last Op for crew at 466 Squadron, and Tour completed
31 Jan 1945 – Posting FROM 466 Squadron for SANDERSON
28 Feb 1945 – Postings FROM 466 Squadron for KANE and KENNEDY on same date, and to same next posting. Their later postings also coincided, up to their disembarkation in Sydney, so they may have been repatriated in the same group.
Posting details are not known for the RAF members of crew, but if the assumption is made that the crew was permanent after formation in the training system at OTU, with F/Eng added at HCU, the above dates may also be correct for them.
Pilot: Russell William SANDERSON, 428797 RAAF
27 Feb 1942 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC), Sydney, NSW; Reserve Badge No. 17900; age 18 yrs and 10 months; born on 24 April 1923 at Drummoyne, NSW; home address Beaconsfield St., Newport, NSW; single, religion Church of England; Educated at Sydney Technical High School, and Sydney Technical College, received Intermediate Certificate, subjects Maths, History, Science, Woodwork, metalwork; Civil employment as General Clerk, at Waddington Pty Ltd, Granville, NSW; no previous Naval, Military or Air Force service; height 5 ft 7 ins; weight 130 lb (9 st 4 lb; 6/6 vision; scar on right shoulder; blue eyes, dark hair; Medical Classification A1B A3B.
10 Oct 1942 – Enlisted in RAAF at 2 Recruiting Centre (2 RC), Sydney for the Duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; aged 19 years and 5 months; British Subject; single; other details as for RAAF reserve, no civil convictions; Civil employment now as Engineer/Draughtsman at Waddington Pty Ltd, Granville, NSW; Medical Classification A1B A3B, Fit Full Flying Duties; next-of-kin Norman Russell SANDERSON (father) of Beaconsfield St., Newport, NSW;
10 Oct 1942 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 428797;
10 Oct 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V;
10 Oct 1942 – Classified as Air Craftman 2 (AC 2 or AC II);
10 Oct 1942 – Posted to 2 Initial Training School (2 ITS), Bradfield Park, Sydney, Number 33 Pilot Course
30 Nov 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (P)
01 Jan 1943 – Completion of No 33 Pilot Course at 2 ITS, Pass result
02 Jan 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (P)
02 Jan 1943 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC)
07 Jan 1943 – Posted to 8 Elementary Flying Training School (8 EFTS), Narrandera, NSW; elementary flying training in Tiger Moth, DH82 aircraft; 60 hours 40 minutes
14 Mar 1943 – Posted to 5 Service Flying Training School (5 SFTS), Uranquinty, NSW, service flying training in Wirraway aircraft; 104 hours 05 minutes
28 Jun 1943 – Completion of No 32 Pilot Course at 5 SFTS, Pass result
28 Jun 1943 – Awarded Flying Badge at 5 SFTS
30 Jun 1943 – 8 days Pre-embarkation leave to 08 July 1943
01 Jul 1943 – Re-mustered as Airman Pilot
01 Jul 1943 – Promoted to (T) Sergeant
02 Jul 1943 – Posted to 2 Embarkation Depot (2 ED), Bradfield Park, Sydney
14 July 1943 – Posted to Overseas Headquarters (OSHQ); Embarked from Brisbane, Qld, Australia for the UK
26 Aug 1943 – Disembarked in UK
27 Aug 1943 – Posted to 11 Personnel Despatch & Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, UK
27 Aug 1943 – Attached to RAF
21 Sep 1943 – Posted to 20 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (20 (P) AFU), UK; advanced flying training in Oxford aircraft, 141 hours 45 min (a second document has the time as 154 hrs 45 m)
01 Jan 1944 – Promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant
15 Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 Operational Training Unit (21 OTU), Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellington aircraft, 101 hours 55 min
10 May 1944 – Discharged as Airman on being granted a Commission
11 May 1944 – Commissioned, to the rank of Pilot Officer
25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis
25 May 1944 – Attached to No. 4 Group Battle School
10 Jun 1944 – Posted to 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit (1663 HCU), Rufforth, conversion training in Halifax II and V aircraft, 37 hours 30 min
29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, operational flying, Halifax III, 21 hours 15 min
29 Jul 1944 – Acting Flying Officer at 158 Squadron
22 Aug 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 143 hours 05 min
11 Nov 1944 – Promoted to Flying Officer at 462 Squadron
23 Dec 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 16 hours 50 min
14 Jan 1945 – Last Op, and first Tour completed – combined total listed as 32 Ops in Service File
31 Jan 1945 – Posted to No. 4 Group, RAF Carnaby, Air Crew Reception Centre, Yorkshire; duties as Aircrew Receptionist (report below, dated 23 May 1945)
16 May 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
21 May 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, as Supernumerary
23 May 1945 – Confidential Report on Officer, Rank of Flying Officer, duty as Aircrew Receptionist at Carnaby, from 31 Jan 1945 to 21 May 1945; Conduct Satisfactory, and of Temperate Habit. All assessments rated as 5 or 6; with 5 for "zeal and energy in performance"; "initiative"; "ability on present duties "; and "general standard of professional ability'. He rated 6 for "Personality, force of character and leadership" and also 6 for "Reliability and judgement".
Special remarks .......... "This officer has been engaged on aircrew receptionist duties which necessitated only occasional flying on Station aircraft. He has carried these rather uninteresting duties out with reliability and willingness. Pleasant personality and a good all round sportsman, he has been as asset to the Unit during the short period of posting. No special qualification except as an Australian Country cricketer."
Hand-written and signed on 23 May 1945 by Reporting Officer W/Cdr J M Viney D.S.O., D.F.C.
Additional comment by next-senior officer .... "I agree with the remarks of the Station Commander" ... hand-written and signed on 25 May 1945 by Air Vice Marshal H S P Walmsley C.B., C.B.E., M.C., D.F.C.
SANDERSON had obviously impressed his highly ranked superiors, but was it his Air Force service, or his cricketing ability, which had influenced them the most?
25 May 1945 – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) promulgated in London Gazette – details and Citation in later Awards section
29/30 May 1945 – Embarked from UK, for Australia
07 Jul 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, Australia, ex overseas service
07 Jul 1945 – Posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Sydney
08 Jul 1945 – 7 days Recreation Leave to 15 July
16 Jul 1945 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave to 15 August
14 August 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney
01 Sep 1945 – Transferred to RAAF Reserve, surplus to current personnel requirements, at rank of Acting F/O.
12 Sep 1945 – Advice 3496B – Eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge
23 Sep 1945 – Despatch of Certificate of Service and Discharge for Service as Airman; and Certificate of Service as Officer
06 Oct 1945 – SANDERSON's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Discharge (Form P/P.83A), and Officer's Certificate of Service No. 3605.
09 Aug 1946 – Insignia of Distinguished Flying Cross presented to SANDERSON by The Governor-General, at Government House, Sydney
General Conduct Sheet – dated, and signed "Certified No Entry" at each posting of 2 ITS, 8 EFTS, 5 SFTS, 2 ED, 11 PDRC, 20(P)AFU, 21 OTU, 1663 HCU.
Service Conduct Sheet – Signed and "Certified No Entry" – 23 Jul 1943 and 16 Apr 1945
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Wireless Operator: Myles Joseph KANE, 429578 RAAF
12 Jan 1942 – Application for Air Crew, single, British Subject, born on 15 Jul 1923 at Recruiting Centre, Toowoomba, Qld; home address 194 James St., next-of-kin James David KANE, a Journalist, of the same address; no flying experience; no previous Naval, Military or Air Force service; height 5 ft 10 ins; weight 10 st 8 lb; signed 12 Jan 1942; permission signed by his father on 14 Jan 1942; also signed by 2 referees from Toowoomba (one from Commonwealth Bank, and one from Downland's College). Civil employment as Bank Officer at Commonwealth Bank, Toowoomba.
Education – St Mary's Christian Brothers College, Toowoomba, Jan 1931 to Dec 1937; Downland Sacred Heart College, Feb 1938 to Dec 1940; Junior Public Exam Certificate in Nov 1938 (Passes in English, Physics, Latin, French, English History; 1st Class Passes in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry; Senior Public Exam Certificate in Nov 1940 (A for Maths I, and Logic; B for English, and Maths II, C for Physics and Latin); Commenced First Year Commerce at Qld University as External Student but studies discontinued in Sep 1941; Granted exemption from Barrister's Preliminary Exam. Sports – Rugby Union football, cricket, tennis, swimming, athletics. Application rubber-stamped 22 Jan 1942 and again on 27 Jan 1942, Approved.
27 Mar 1942 – Enrolled in the RAAF Reserve, Toowoomba, Qld; Reserve Badge No. 3644; age 18 yrs and 8 months; single, religion Roman Catholic; civil employment as Bank Officer, Commonwealth Bank, Toowoomba; other details as per the Application for Air Crew; height amended to 5 ft 7½ ins; weight 146 lb (10 st 6 lb); 6/6 vision; Fair complexion, blue eyes, Light brown hair; scar on right pelvic joint; Medical Classification A3B.
09 Oct 1942 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 3 RC, Brisbane, Qld: for the duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; aged 19 years and 2 months; British Subject; single; no civil convictions; Civil employment as Bank Clerk; other details as per RAAF Reserve and Application for Air Crew
09 Oct 1942 – Allocated RAAF Service Number 429478
09 Oct 1942 – Mustered as Aircrew V
09 Oct 1942 – Classified as Air Craftman 2 (AC 2 or AC II);
09 Oct 1942 – Posted to 3 ITS, Kingaroy, Qld
04 Nov 1942 – Re-mustered as Aircrew V (G)
07 Nov 1942 – Reclassified as LAC
10 Nov 1942 – Posted to 3 Wireless & Air Gunnery School (3 WAGS), Maryborough, Qld; Wackett aircraft, 22 hours
19 Jun 1943- Completed Course 34, at 3 WAGS, Pass
23 Jun 1943 – Posted to 1 Bombing & Air Gunnery School (1 BAGS), Evans Head, NSW; Fairey Battle aircraft, 9 hrs 45 m
24 Jun 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew II (G)
25 Jun 1943 – Certified that a valid Will was held by the RAAF
22 Jul 1943 – Completed Course 34 at 1 BAGS, Pass
22 Jul 1943 – Received Air Gunner's Badge
22 Jul 1943 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner II
22 Jul 1943 – Promoted to (T) Sergeant
23 Jul 1943 – Posted to 3 ED, Sandgate, Qld
24 Jul 1943 – 8 days pre-embarkation leave, to 01 Aug 1943
01 Aug 1943 – Posted to 3 ED, Sandgate
08 Aug 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Sydney
11 Aug 1943 – Attached to OSHQ (UK)
11 Aug 1943 – Embarked from Sydney for the UK
16 Oct 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
17 Oct 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
17 Oct 1943 – Attached to the RAF
28 Dec 1943 – Posted to 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (4 (O) AFU), West Freugh, Scotland, Anson aircraft, 53 hours
22 Jan 1944 – Promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant
29 Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellington aircraft, 102 hours 30 min
11 Mar 1944 – Re-mustered as Wireless Operator (Air)
25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis
25 May 1944 – Attached to No. 4 Group Battle School
Undated (? 10 Jun 1944) – Posted to 1663 HCU, Rufforth, conversion training in Halifax aircraft, 36 hours
29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, operational flying, Halifax III, 21 hours 15 min, 5 Ops
22 Aug 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 140 hours 55 min, 24 Ops
23 Dec 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 16 hours 50 min, 3 Ops
14 Jan 1945 – Last Op, and first Tour completed – combined total listed as 32 Ops in Service File
22 Jan 1945 – Promoted to Warrant Officer
28 Feb 1945 – Posted to Air Crew Allocation Centre (ACAC), Catterick, North Yorkshire
25 Apr 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, for repatriation to Australia
Undated 1945 – Embarked from UK for Australia
17 Jun 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney. Australia
17 Jun 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Bradfield Park, Sydney, ex-overseas service
25 Jun 1945 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave to 24 July 1945
29 Jul 1945 – Posted to 3 PD, Sandgate, Qld
28 Aug 1945 – 3 PD, transferred to RAAF Reserve, at rank of Warrant Officer, being surplus to current personnel requirements.
28 Aug 1945 – Demobilisation Wing, 3 PD, Sandgate, Qld – all outstanding leave paid out in lump sum in lieu of 7 days recreation leave, 30 days war service leave, and 30 days re-establishment leave.
08 Oct 1945 – KANE's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Transfer (Form P/P.83A)
14 Jul 1946 – KANE's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Discharge (Form P/P.83A)
13 Mar 1947 – Discharged from the RAAF Reserve, 3 PD, on demobilisation, character listed on Certificate of Service as "Very Good"; Trade Proficiency as "Satisfactory"
Medals – 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45
General Conduct Sheet – not in RAAF Service File
Service Conduct Sheet – Signed and "Certified No Entry" – 19 Aug 1943 and 27 Apr 1945
KANE's Post War Life
As recorded on his Application for Air Crew dated 12 Jan 1942 – KANE had
commenced First Year Commerce at Qld University as External Student but had discontinued his studies in September 1941. It was also noted that he had been granted exemption from Barrister's Preliminary Exam. It would seem that after the war he entered the Legal Profession. On the National Library of Australia's Trove website (online searchable newspapers, among other things), a search for the name Myles Joseph KANE gave three results which seem to be the former Wireless Operator of 462 Squadron.
1. Brisbane Telegraph, Thursday 03 April 1952, page 30 – "Notice previous to Admission as Solicitor" application for Admission to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court scheduled for 16 April 1952; calling for any objections; applicant MYLES JOSEPH KANE, of Hawthorne, Brisbane, who was currently articled to Hilary Vincent George PETRIE, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court, in business at AMP Building in the City of Brisbane.
His application must have been successful.
2. Brisbane Telegraph, Monday 07 July 1952, page 14 – "MAYOR TAKES A PARTNER" – (quote from article) .....
The Lord Mayor (Ald. Roberts, M.L.A.) has taken into partnership in his legal practice Mr. Myles Kane. Ald. Roberts said he had done this to enable him to devote his time fully to his civic and parliamentary duties. The partnership will be known as Frank Roberts and Kane. Mr. Kane, a son of the former State Labour member for East Toowoomba (Mr. J. D. Kane), served in the R.A.A.F. during the war. ..... (end of quote)
3. Brisbane Telegraph, Thursday 25 February 1954, page 16 – photo of a "star-gazing quartette", including Myles Kane. This newspaper picture may be viewed with his RAAF photos in a previous section. (Any relationship between the four people in the photo, is not known by this author.)
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Rear Gunner: Donald KENNEDY, 436467 RAAF (later swapped to Mid-Upper Gunner) – his Service File has several discrepancies in dates for the same event, as recorded in different documents.
22 Jul 1942 – Application for Air Crew at RC, Perth, Western Australia; single, British Subject, born on 17 Jan 1924; home address North Beverley, WA; next-of-kin Alexander KENNEDY (Irish nationality) of the same address; no flying experience; previous Military service from 05 Feb 1942 and present occupation Private W48780, in "Y" D.I.D., 3 Aust Corps, Aust Militia Forces; height 5 ft 11 ins; weight 170 lb (12 st 02 lb); signed 22 Jul 1942; permission signed by his father on 25 Jul 1942; Previous civil employment as Civil Service Clerk in the WA Public Health Dept.
Education – Beverley State School, WA from Jan 1936 to Dec 1937; Northam High School from Feb 1938 to Dec 1939; Junior Public Exam Certificate in Nov 1937 and 1938 (Passes in English, Maths A, Physiology, Hygiene, Drawing A, History, Geography; Leaving Certificate in Nov 1939 (Passed English, History, Geography, Biology, Agricultural Science); Further part-time study for Commonwealth Accountancy Course. Sports – football and cricket. Application rubber-stamped 28 Jul 1942 and again on 29 Jul 1942, Approved.
17 Dec 1942 – Application for enlistment in the RAAF, 4 RC Perth, WA; age 18 years 11 months; single; Methodist; now 10 months Military Service in 3 Aust Corps.; other details as for Application for Aircrew; amended height 5 ft 10½ ins, and weight 162 lb (11 st 08 lb); 6/6 vision; scar on right leg; fair complexion, green eyes, fair hair; Medical Classification A1B A3B.
15 Jan 1943 – Enlisted in the RAAF at 4 RC, Perth, WA, for the Duration of the War and 12 months thereafter; discharged from Military service at 3 Aust Corps for enlistment in the RAAF; now aged 19 years; single; other details as per 17 Dec 1942 application; next-of-kin Alexander KENNEDY of Beverley, WA; Airman's Record Sheet also lists Miss O CROFT, of Moora, WA as additional person to be informed in case of casualty.
15 Jan 1943 – Allocated Service Number 436467
15 Jan 1943 – Mustered as Aircrew V (Guard)
15 Jan 1943 – Classified as Aircraftman 2 (AC 2)
15 Jan 1943 – Posted to 4 Recruit Depot (4 RD), Busselton, WA
17 Jan 1943 – P209 Recruit Drill Course at 4 RD
12 Feb 1943 – Completed P209 Course, Pass
21 Feb 1943 – Posted to 4 SFTS, Geraldton, WA (or 19 Feb)
27 Mar 1943 – Posted to 4 ITS, Victor Harbor, SA
20 May 1943 – Re-mustered as Aircrew (G)
22 May 1943 – Promoted to LAC
27 May 1943 – Posted to 1 WAGS, Ballarat, Vic
23 Aug 1943 – Posted to 3 BAGS, West Sale, Vic; Fairey Battle aircraft, 3 hrs; Oxford aircraft, 7 hrs 35 min
23 Aug 1943 – Commenced No. 36 Gunnery Course, 3 BAGS
16 Sep 1943 – Completed No. 36 Course, Pass
16 Sep 1943 (?) Completed Modified Musketry Course, at 3 BAGS, undated but with consecutive Authority Number to the Gunnery Course
16 Sep 1943 – Received Air Gunner's Badge, at 3 BAGS
16 Sep 1943 – Re-mustered as Air Gunner
16 Sep 1943 – Promoted to (T) Sergeant
17 Sep 1943 – Posted to 5 ED, Subiaco, Perth, WA (incorrectly named in one document file as 5 ED Sydney, variously dated as 04 Oct and 14 Oct)
14 Oct 1943 – Posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, Sydney
04 Nov 1943 – Embarked from Sydney, for the UK
10 Dec 1943 – Disembarked in the UK
11 Dec 1943 – Posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton
11 Dec 1943 – Attached to RAF
26 Dec 1943 – Hospitalised to 14 Jan 1944; reason not recorded, but 20 days so possibly serious; hospital name illegible
01 Feb 1944 – Posted to 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh, Wellington aircraft, 118 hrs 50 min
23 Feb 1944 – Service File – Slightly injured in Air Accident near Enstone, UK (satellite airfield for 21 OTU, Moreton-in-Marsh)
23 Feb 1944 – RAAF A705 Casualty File for Sgt Donald KENNEDY 436467, Aircraft Wellington, near Eastone (sic, Enstone); file not digitised, so details of event not known. KENNEDY must have been flying with a different crew, as there was no mention of any casualty or air accident in the RAAF Service Files of Pilot SANDERSON (posted TO 21 OTU on 15 Feb) or KANE (posted TO 21 OTU on 29 Feb).
16 Mar 1944 – Promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant, at 21 OTU
25 May 1944 – Posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis
25 May 1944 – Attached to No. 4 Group Battle School
Undated (? 10 Jun 1944) – Posted to 1663 HCU, Rufforth, conversion training in Halifax aircraft, 37 hours 30 min
29 Jul 1944 – Posted to 158 Squadron, Lissett, operational flying, Halifax III, 21 hours 15 min, 5 Ops
22 Aug 1944 – Posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, operational flying, Halifax III, 139 hours 50 min, 24 Ops
For the first 19 Ops/flights at 462 Squadron, KENNEDY was Rear Gunner; but for the last 7 he was Mid-Upper Gunner. He had exchanged crew position with STEPHENSON, who conversely, had been MU/AG for the first 19, then R/AG for the last 7. At 466 Squadron, both KENNEDY and STEPHENSON carried out their Ops in their new "swapped" roles. The Crew photo outside a Driffield Hangar, labelled by the Squadrons' Association, has KENNEDY and STEPHENSON tagged with their later crew position, not their original role. (Why the role change? KENNEDY was already 5 ft 10½ ins at enlistment, and in the crew photos appears to be several inches taller than STEPHENSON. If KENNEDY had grown in height in the 2 years since enlistment, perhaps he had become too tall for the rear turret? Did this cause them to swap roles, or was there some other reason?)
23 Dec 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire, operational flying, Halifax III, 16 hours 50 min, 3 Ops
14 Jan 1945 – Last Op, and Tour completed (Service File lists total of 32 Ops)
28 Feb 1945 – Posted to ACAC, Catterick, North Yorkshire
16 Mar 1945 – Promoted to (T) Warrant Officer
19 Apr 1945 – Posted to 11 PDRC, for repatriation to Australia (also recorded as 25 April)
Undated 1945 – Embarked from UK, for Australia (perhaps 25 April ?)
17 Jun 1945 – Disembarked in Sydney, ex overseas service
17 Jun 1945 – Posted to 2 PD, Sydney
02 Jul 1945 – Posted to 5 PD, Subiaco, Perth, WA
03 Jul 1945 – 7 days recreation leave, to 09 Jul 1945
10 Jul 1945 – 30 days Disembarkation Leave to 08 Aug 1945
01 Aug 1945 – Posted to 5 PD, Subiaco, Perth, WA
30 Aug 1945 – Transferred to RAAF Reserve, 5 PD; surplus to present personnel requirements; for indefinite period; subject to recall for Active Service at 10 days notice; qualified for returned from Active Service Badge.
25 Sep 1945 – KENNEDY's signature on Receipt for RAAF Airman's Certificate of Service and Transfer (Form P/P.83A)
19 Sep 1947 – Discharged from RAAF Reserve, on demobilisation, character listed on Certificate of Service as "Very Good"; Trade Proficiency as "Satisfactory"; address c/o Post Office, Beverley, WA
Medals – 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45
General Conduct Sheet – not in RAAF Service File
Service Conduct Sheet – Signed and "Certified No Entry" – 27 Oct 1943 and 27 Apr 1945
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RAF (VR?) Crew Members – some assumptions made in previous "Crew Formation and History" section, but not verified.
Bomb Aimer: Colin Ronald LYNCH, 1578063 RAF (VR?) – the following information was supplied by his son Robert Colin LYNCH, for the site renewal on 06 April 2020, as below, in Robert's own words .........
"I have additional details for COLIN RONALD LYNCH 1578063."
"He was born on 6th July 1923 and attended James Watt Technical School, Smethwick. In 1925 he lived at 9 Slade Lane, Sparkhill, West Midlands. In 1927 he lived at 196 Poplar Avenue, Edgbaston, West Midlands, which remained his postal address where he was on the electoral register until 1953.
It is believed he worked as an apprentice at the factory of 'New Conveyor Ltd' in Smethwick. He was a member of the Smethwick Squadron Air Training Corp and volunteered to join the RAF at 16 years of age in circa July 1939, but his mother would not sign his consent form. He volunteered to join the RAF at 18 years of age in circa July 1941.
After basic RAF training he sailed on the Queen Mary to the USA. He spent some time receiving aircrew training in Canada, where he also took part in athletics and cross country, representing the RAF against other sections of various armed forces also receiving training.
He spent at least one winter in Canada billeted with a Canadian family whilst posted to a Canadian Air Force camp. He told a story about asking a Canadian Officer about the point of him being posted to Canada, and was told that he would be busy enough on his return to the UK. He also told a story about complaining about his UK RAF uniform not being appropriate to the deep snow in Canada, and was told to go to stores and draw out anything he wanted. Amongst other things, he drew out of stores what he called a ‘Wind Cheater’ which he wore as casual as it had no badges or insignia. He also spoke about how the wooden houses creaked in the extreme cold.
He spoke very little about his missions other than a couple of stories.
On one occasion they managed to get their plane back to the airfield from a completed mission although on fire. Some Officer complained about the plane coming in when on fire, but he punched the Officer to the ground. When told he would be on a charge and imprisoned, he told the Officer ‘good luck with that, I already have my orders to fly tomorrow!’ The particular Officer was not air crew and did not fly. No further action was taken.
The one other story he told was about a raid routed via Cologne. Planes flew along railway tracks to Cologne cathedral, which is a tall building visible from miles away. Planes would then follow railway tracks from Cologne station, which is directly opposite the cathedral, onwards to their bombing target. All planes were ordered not to bomb Cologne cathedral because of the importance of the spires to navigation. Apparently, one plane on a raid dumped bombs which hit the cathedral. That crew was put on a charge.
Before discharge, he spent some time in the desert where they washed their mess plates and cooking pots in sand. This posting did not involve flying.
When he was demobbed in London, he picked up his Burtons suit and went to a restaurant for lunch. The waiter did mention when taking his order that he was also formerly in the RAF. No bill was presented at the end of the meal!
He subsequently got a job again with ‘New Conveyor Ltd’ but this time at the Head Office in central London, and subsequently married in 1953, living in Crawley, West Sussex and commuting to London from 1953 to 1958. In 1958 the family relocated back to the West Midlands where he worked for Dunlop Tyres, Fort Dunlop, Erdington in the West Midlands, until he retired.
He remained in contact with Russell William Sanderson (Pilot) after the war. He received numerous job offers from Russell with invitations to emigrate to Australia. However, his wife would not consider relocating abroad.
He missed uniformed life and joined the Police Special Constabulary as a volunteer Police Constable, serving from 7th April 1962 through to 29th November 1989. He was also an active trade unionist, Convener at Fort Dunlop, and at one time elected Secretary of the Birmingham Trades Council. Through his trade union activities he knew Arthur Scargill, General Secretary, National Union of Mineworkers.
He died on 11th January 2012 aged 88.
At his funeral on 25th January 2012 his eulogy included some statements he had made during his life. He had said that the war were the best days of his life. He had said he wished the war had not ended. He had said that he had wished he had been taken as a prisoner of war because he would have caused more harm to the Germans from behind the lines. At that funeral a representative from the Bomber Command RAF Museum spoke up to say he agreed with these words.
The crew pictures show him wearing an RAF Forage Cap – I have that cap in front of me right now."
...........
Robert LYNCH
[At 462 Squadron Driffield – This crew's only "engine troubles" were –
an early return on 17 September 1944, but there was no mention of a fire in the ORB, and LYNCH was not flying with the crew for that Op;
and another Op on 23 September 1944, when they landed away at Stradishall.
This crew's only Op to Cologne was on 21 December 1944. No mention was made in the ORB of inaccurate bombing by any of the 11 crews detailed for the bombing attack, or of any resulting charges.
The 2 incidents mentioned may have taken place either at the crew's previous posting, 158 Squadron, Lissett; OR their later posting to 466 Squadron, Driffield.]
Colin Lynch also wanted his son Robert to get a job in the RAF. At the age of 16, he secured an RAF apprenticeship and had his date to commence basic training, only to have his mother refuse to sign the consent form just as Colin's mother refused to sign his. Robert later attended Sheffield University, to gain several tertiary qualifications, and subsequent careers as an electronics design engineer; and in urban regeneration; and as a local government "Job Support" officer; now retired.
Navigator: Donald Leighton BAVERSTOCK, 1655437 RAFVR – named as Donald/Don by one Author, no other information, except for the following .......
RAF List of July 1945 – D L BAVERSTOCK, 190549, General Duties Branch, Navigator, Pilot Officer effective 13 January 1945.
London Gazette, Issue 36967, Tues 06 March 1945, 2nd Supplement to Fri 02 March 1945, page 1254
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, General Duties Branch,
Appointment to Commission, as Pilot Officer, from rank of Sergeant
1655437 Donald Leighton BAVERSTOCK (190549) effective 13 January 1945.
London Gazette, Issue 37206, Fri 03 August 1945, 3rd Supplement to Tues 32 July 1945, page 3975
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, General Duties Branch,
Pilot Officer, to be Flying Officer
D. L. BAVERSTOCK (190549) effective 13 July 1945
Mid-Upper Gunner: A C STEPHENSON, 1592780 RAF (VR?) – named as Arthur Cyril by one Author, no other information.
For the first 19 Ops/flights at 462 Squadron, STEPHENSON was Mid-Upper Gunner; but for the last 7 he was Rear Gunner, so he had exchanged crew position with KENNEDY, who conversely, had been R/AG for the first 19, then MU/AG for the last 7. At 466 Squadron, both KENNEDY and STEPHENSON carried out their Ops in their new "swapped" roles. The Crew photo outside a Driffield Hangar, labelled by the Squadrons' Association, has KENNEDY and STEPHENSON tagged with their later crew position, not their original role. ...... See previous comments for Rear Gunner KENNEDY.
STEPHENSON was not recorded in postings TO or FROM 462 Squadron, and his name only appears in the Ops records.
Flight Engineer: R ROWE, 1059639, RAF (VR?) – named as Robert/Bob by one Author, no other information. ROWE has been identified in the group photo of Flight Engineers at 462 Squadron, Driffield.
If anyone has additional photos/information relating to the RAF crew men, please make Contact.
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