PALMER, Colin Lindsay
| Service Numbers: | 424055, 424055 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 July 1942, Joined RAAF with rank of AC2 after discharge from Citizen Military Forces |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia , 11 October 1921 |
| Home Town: | Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Warehouseman |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia , 26 August 1993, aged 71 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 21 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 424055 | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 424055, Joined RAAF with rank of AC2 after discharge from Citizen Military Forces | |
| 20 Jan 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, Promoted while undergoing basic aircrew training with No. 2 Initial Training School, Bradfield Park NSW | |
| 15 Apr 1943: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 424055, Embarked in Brisbane for aircrew training in Canada | |
| 28 Feb 1944: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, Promoted, and mustered to Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG) whilst undergoing advanced aircrew training in Mossbank, Canada | |
| 10 Apr 1944: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 424055, Embarked at Halifax for further aircrew training in the UK | |
| 28 Aug 1944: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, Promoted while undergoing advanced training in the UK with No. 2 (Operational) Air Gunnery School, RAF Dalcross | |
| 17 Sep 1945: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 424055 , Embarked in the UK for return to Australia | |
| 16 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 424055 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS
Colin Lindsay PALMER was born in Gunnedah, NSW, on 11th October 1921, to parents William George and Eva May PALMER.
Following 9 months service in the Citizen Military Forces, Colin joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney, on 21st July 1942, with the rank of Aircraftman 2nd class (AC2), service number 424055. After completing the necessary aircrew training, he was mustered as a qualified Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (WOAG) and promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC), and embarked for advanced aircrew training in Canada, on 15th April, 1943.
Having undergone 12 months of training with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Colin embarked on 10th April 1944, for operational training in the UK, on attachment to the Royal Air Force. It was during this training that he was diagnosed with "hysteria", and a Medical Board subsequently found him unfit for further aircrew duties. Colin was then posted to No. 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Centre (PDRC) for 5 months, until embarking for return to Australia on 17th September 1945, following the end of the War. He was discharged due to demobilisation on 16th January 1946. For his service, Colin was awarded the Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal and the Australia Service Medal, as well as Returned from Active Service Badge number AF61548.
Following his discharge, Colin became well known as "Dexter" The Magician, a professional entertainer based in Homebush, Sydney. He won the trophy presented by the Australian Magicians' Club for best magic performance of 1946, and he also took his act to London and New York. Colin also performed his magic acts for thousands of servicemen, both during and after the War, including for those suffering post traumatic stress at Yaralla House Psychiatric Hospital at Concord, Sydney, where he worked with ex-soldiers in a rehabilitation role.
Colin Lindsay PALMER married June ARMITAGE at St John's Church of England, Parramatta, in December 1948. He died in Sydney on 26th August 1993, two months before his 72nd birthday. There's a memorial to him in the Garden of Remembrance at Rookwood Necropolis, Lidcombe, Sydney.
Lest we forget...
Compiled by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS from historical records kept by the National Archives of Australia, Births, Deaths and Marriages NSW, Find A Grave website and newspaper articles on Trove.
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