Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alan was 3 months away from his 16th birthday when war was declared in September 1939.
He willingly accepted that he would in all probably be asked to serve in one of the armed forces.
As he had an interest in model aircraft he decided to join the Air Training Corps in preparation for a possible entry into the RAAF. So during 1940-41 he was a member of the ATC St George Rockdale Branch.
At the age of 17 1/2 Alan applied to join the RAAF, and after passing all of the preliminaries he went into the RAAF Reserve as the in-take for Air Crew was limited every month.
By February 1942 Alan received a call up for service and proceeded to be allocated to the 117th Reserve Motor Transport Co. as Private, No N239264. Alan had many months of training and after few incidents Alan qualified as a driver - International 3 ton trucks. (he had never been behind the wheel before his training). His duties mainly involved ferrying troops in the Sydney region.
By August 15th 1942 Alan had received his call to join the RAAF so it was 'off with Khaki and on with the blue".
His first posting was to RAAF No 2 station at Bradfield Park as an Aircraft man 2nd class No 424240.
After months of training and tests he was officially given the position of Wireless Op/Air Gunner.
Alan was fortunate in the friends he made during this time and the 'crew' that they became was a very close group who remained together until the end of the war and for decades after.
By October 1942 Alan as Leading Aircraft man he moved to the next stage to Maryborough Qld for 6months of training as - Wireless Telegraphy.
It was not until March 1943 that Alan had his first flight, hands on to use his skills so far.
April 1943 his next move was to the RAAF Bombing and Gunnery School at Evans Head, NSW, and by 29th April he had finished his total training, having his 'sparks' on his sleeve, A.G, half wing and sergeant stripes.
In May he was posted to Air Observer/Navigation School at Cootamundra as a staff wireless operator and told to be patient and his turn would come for his posting.
After 7 weeks he joined a crew as WOAG at East Sale, Victoria, Operation Unit; comprising of Reg Joyce (pilot), Clyde Jessup (Navigator) and Geoff Brewer (WOAG) flying in Beaufort aircraft.
By October 1943 the final period of training was completed at the Nowra Air Base for torpedo exercises.
9th November 1943 Alan and his fellow crew were given their first posting to No 32 Squadron based at Camden NSW, their first operation flight on 11 November and their last on 27th April 1945.
The continuation of Alan's war service is recorded in his memoirs that he wrote in the 1990's - which we have in our possession. At that time Alan donated his original log book to AWM and it can be accessed publicly.