BREARLEY, Maurice
| Service Number: | 439349 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 June 1943 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, 1 February 1920 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Jun 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 439349, Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 439349, Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Robert Johnson
Maurie Brearley, son of Australian WW1 hero Norman Brearley DSO, MC, AFC (later Sir Norman, CBE) was an engineer in a reserved occupation at De Havilland's in Sydney when WW2 broke out. He left De Havilland's without permission and presented himself at a depot for pilot training in June 1943. He gave the false name of Maurice Burnett to evade manpower restrictions and, when asked his profession, replied that he was a priest in training at the Benedictine Monastery in New Norcia, WA. This is how his nickname "The Scrubbed Monk" came about.
Maurie wrote a letter to his father and confessed, and after some debate the RAAF decided that it would take the fully trained pilot. His father presented Maurie's wings to him at his passing out parade at 5STFS, Uranquinty, NSW, in May 1944.
Sources: Author Bill Edgar and Maurie's NAA service record, see https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5377561 , pages 5-9.
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