Ivan Henry DAVIES DFC OAM

Ivan Henry DAVIES DFC OAM Update Details

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DAVIES, Ivan Henry

Service Number:	400528
Enlisted:	15 September 1940
Last Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit:	Operational Training Units (RAAF)
Born:	Albert Park, Victoria, Australia, 16 July 1909
Home Town:	Camberwell, Boroondara, Victoria
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Sheep Farmer post WW2
Died:	Nedlands, Western Australia, 12 February 1992, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia
Memorials:

World War 2 Service

15 Sep 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 400528
9 Nov 1940:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman
9 May 1941:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, Discharged as an Airman on 8 May 1941 having been grnated a Commission.
27 May 1941:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 400528, Attached to RAF (UK) from 27 May 1941 to 20 November 1943. During this time he was posted to 50 Squadron (RAF) and 158 Squadron (RAF).
9 Nov 1941:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer
9 May 1943:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant
31 Aug 1945:	Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 400528, Operational Training Units (RAAF), Service Medals: 1939-45 Star; Aircrew Euope Sta + Clasp; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; ASM 1939-45. Returned from Active Service Badge.

Brief Histroy

IVAN HENRY DAVIES DFC, OAM, KAM (Belgium), was born on July 16, 1909 in Victoria and passed away on February 12, 1992 in Perth.
With the outbreak of the second world war, he enlisted in the RAAF Empire Training Scheme and put his age back to be trained as a navigator.
Ivan served in England in the RAF 51 Squadron and 158 Squadron where he flew mainly in Whitley and Halifax bombers.
He served with distinction over Europe until shot down on August 7, 1942 over Germany.
Eluding German forces he made his way into Belgium and befriended a Belgium farmer who hid him until he became No. 34 on the Comete line escape route to Spain.
Ivan never forgot those that helped him and his fellow airmen and later sought out and brought the grandchildren of the Belgium farmer to Perth for a holiday. He also provided a holiday to Perth for the woman responsible for the development of the Comete line escape route, Countess Andre De Jong and her companion.
After the war, Ivan and his wife Mercy, took up farming in the South West centre of Nyamup where they stayed until the mid-sixties before deciding to retire to the city of Perth.
Ivan became a passionate fighter for the rights of the widows and children of Australian servicemen and was responsible for rectifying a large number of injustices in the repatriation system.

Biography contributed by Rob McAllister

Early Life and Service

Ivan Henry Davies DFC, OAM, KAM (Belgium), was born on 16 July 1909 in Victoria and died on 12 February 1992 in Nedlands, Perth.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted in the RAAF Empire Air Training Scheme and understated his age to train as a navigator. He later served in England with RAF No. 51 Squadron and No. 158 Squadron, flying mainly in Whitley and Halifax bombers.

WW2 Wartime Escape and Evasion

Ivan served with distinction over Europe until he was shot down over Germany on 7 August 1942. After evading German forces, he made his way into Belgium, where a Belgian farmer hid him. He eventually became No. 34 (maybe No. 47 ?) on the Comète Line escape route to Spain crossing the Pyrenees.

Gratitude and Legacy

Ivan never forgot those who helped him and his fellow airmen. In later years, he invited the grandchildren of the Belgian farmer to Perth for a holiday. He also hosted Countess Andrée de Jongh, who was instrumental in developing the Comète Line, along with her companion.

Post-war Life and Advocacy

After the war, Ivan and his wife, Mercy, took up sheep farming near Manjimup in Southwest Western Australia. They remained there until the mid-1960s, when they retired to Perth.

Ivan became a committed advocate for the widows and children of Australian servicemen and played a significant role in correcting many injustices within the repatriation system. In the Queen's Birthday 1989 Honours, he was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) for his advocacy of war widows.

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