AUSTIN, Ronald Albert
| Service Numbers: | 2930, V379553 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 March 1916, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Lake Bolac, Victoria, Australia, 21 June 1893 |
| Home Town: | Lake Bolac, Ararat, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, Ambridge University. |
| Occupation: | Station Manager |
| Died: | Ararat, Victoria, Australia, 20 July 1965, aged 72 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lake Bolac Civil Cemetery, Victoria, Australia |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Lake Bolac & District Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2930, 8th Light Horse Regiment, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Sep 1916: | Embarked Private, 2930, 8th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Hymettus, Melbourne | |
| 12 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 2930, 8th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hymettus embarkation_ship_number: A1 public_note: '' |
World War 2 Service
| 18 Apr 1942: | Enlisted V379553 |
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Help us honour Ronald Albert Austin's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Albert Sidney AUSTIN and margaret Jane Robertson AUSTIN nee MCKENZIE, 'Eilyer', Lake Bolac, Victoria
Military Cross
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was one of two pilots who carried out a remarkable series of photographs in one flight which covered an area of 45 square miles. On an earlier occasion he alone had photographed in the completest detail an area of 20 square miles in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire. During recent operations he had led all important bombing raids, and his skill and gallantry have been largely responsible for the excellent results obtained. Previous to this he had landed in enemy country and rescued another pilot, who had been forced to land through engine trouble.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 191
Date: 12 December 1918
Taken from Early Pioneer Families of Victoria and Riverina.
Educated Melbourne C of E Grammar School and Cambridge Uni. Served in Great War with 8th Light Horse in Palistine from which he transferred to No. 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps; with Sir Ross Smith, took aerial photographs of country surrounding Jerusalem for preparation of maps to assist troops in capture of city. Eight months before termination of war, while attempting to pick up a fallen comrade, one of the wheels of his plane was broken and he was captured by the Turks. Promoted to rank of Captain in Australian Air Force and awarded M.C.
On return to Australia, his father gave him a portion of Eilyer Station, where he now resides. Married Valerie, daughter of Admiral Hall-Thompson, and has issue a son, Derick Albert.
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