Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

At first he was stationed at the RAAF base in Point Cook (Victoria) from 17 Nov 1943
then was relocated to Somers on 4 Dec 1943; then Benalla 1 Mar 1944.
On 7 Aug 1944 went to 1PD' then 4 S.T.T on 24 May 1944.
He ws then posted to 102 Fighter Control Unit on 25 June 1944then on 1 August 1944 posted to 2 PD Bradfield PArk (NSW - now Lindfield).
On 11 Sep 1944 he was posted to No 1 RPP then on 5th October embarked for the Admiralty Islands to join the No 114 Mobile Fighter Control Unit which was under the control of the 5th American Airforce.
On 23 January 1945 he then was transferred to AD HQ in Port Moresby and then subsequently discharged on 2 February 1946.

No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit was formed as No. 114 Mobile Fighter Sector HQ at Camden (NSW) on 23 May 43, under the command of Wing Commander Gordon H. Steege, DSO, DFC. The unit deployed to Goodenough Island (PNG), where it became operational on 27 June 43 under the control of 71 (Fighter) Wing.

At this time, 114's assigned radar stations were RS 401, a US Army Signal Corps unit, and RS 305, a RAAF unit that had deployed to nearby Kiriwina - many months before that island had been cleared of Japanese.

On 14 Aug 1943, 114 deployed to Kiriwina (PNG) where it came under the control of 73 (Fighter) Wing. The Kiriwina area was the scene of the unit's heaviest air defence activity of the war, with numerous air raids being carried out by the Japanese forces, with a similar number of interceptor and air defence artillery engagements under 114 control. It was during this phase of operations that 114 achieved its GCI "kills", the first of which occurred on 31 Oct 43, when FSGT Ian Callister of 79 SQN (Spitfire) destroyed a reconnaissance bomber.

On 15 Oct 43, the unit's first change of title occurred, when it was changed to No. 114 Mobile Fighter Sector HQ. The title again changed on 7 Mar 1944, when the unit was re-titled No. 114 Mobile Fighter Control Unit.

In Mar 1944, 114 began deploying to Los Negros Island (Admiralty Group). The unit advance party landed with the US 2nd Cavalry Regt (1st Calvary Division) on 2 Mar, the third day of the invasion, and were involved in the heaviest fighting of the campaign. The remainder of the unit arrived on 13 Mar and operations commenced on 2 Apr 1944. Under 114's operational control were Radar Stations 337, 340, 345, 346 and 347, which were deployed around the island group, often in areas still contested by the Japanese.

As enemy activity in the area continued to slacken the unit returned to Australia in Jan 45 to be re-equipped.

Early in Apr 1945, 114MFCU, with six radar stations (167, 168, 308, 309, 354 and 355), 35 officers and 779 other ranks, left Brisbane and moved to Morotai to come under the command of 1st Tactical Air Force RAAF and under the direct control of No. 78 (Fighter) Wing. On 26 Apr 1945, 114 left Morotai for Tarakan (Borneo, Netherlands East Indies) to take part in Operation OBOE 1, the assault echelon landing on 2 May.

Returned to Australia.

On discharge from the RAAF, Kelvin rejoined the Public Service in the Ministry of Munition where he met Elizabeth, studied Accountancy part-time and upon successful completion in 1950, was admitted as an Associate of the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants (subsequently absorbed by the Australian Society of Accountants).

Kelvin enjoyed a successful career ending it with the Prices Justification Tribunal. Kelvin took early retirement and eventually settled in Alfredton, Ballarat.