Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Known as PAT.      
Born:  21 Jan 1923 in Port Broughton, South Australia
(Birth Record:  South Australian Births 1907 - 1928, Book : 110A Page : 252 District : Dal.)

Grand father: Philip TOD  and  Grand mother: Mary ROGERS.

Father Philip Anstruther-TOD  (d. 15/5/1967  71 yrs old)
Born:  31 Oct 1895 in North Adelaide, South Australia
(Birth record: South Australian Births 1842 - 1906 Book: 573 Page: 392 District: Ade.)
and
Mother Grace Vivien Anstruther-Tod (nee WALL).  (d. 12/7/1962   64 yrs old)
Born:  15 Aug 1897 in Tickera, South Australia
(Birth record: South Australian Births 1842 - 1906 Book: 609 Page: 82 District: D)
Grace's  Father: William Uriah WALL and Mother: Ellen Jane SMITH.
(Father Philip and Mother Grace are both buried next to Philip and his wife Margaret, in the Port Broughton Cemetery).

Siblings:
Janice, Gillian, David and Diana

Prior to enlisting he lived at 'BAY FARM', Port Broughton with his parents.

Philip was involved in:  Tennis, Football, Billards, Rifle Shooting, Athletics and Rowing.

Prior to enlistment he attended schools at:
- 1935-46 Port Broughton Higher Primary School
- 1937-38 St Peters College
- 1939-41 Roseworthy Agricultural College

Previous service:
Private - 6th Cavalry Mobile Veterinary Service

Described on enlisting as  19 years 4 months old; single; 5' 9 1/4" tall; 168 lbs;
fair complexion; blue eyes; auburn hair; Church of England.

23/5/1942     Enlisted in Adelaide (No.5 Recruitment Centre, RAAF, Adelaide)
                    Completed medical - fit for service
                    Aircrewman (V)

23/5/1942     Enlistment Officer appointed Philip to
                    No.4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour Training Camp

13/7/1942     Aircrewman (V - O)

15/8/1942     Aircrewman (II)
                    Promoted to Lance Corporal

19/8/1942     Based in Mount Gambier

14/11/1942    Based in Port Pirie

4/2/1943       Observer
                    Promoted to Sergeant

5/2/1943       Based in Mitcham

5/3/1943       Embarked at Melbourne
17/4/1943     Disembarked into UK

4/8/1943       Promoted to Flight Sergeant

9/10/1943     Based with 620 Squadron

No 620 Squadron was formed at RAD Chedburgh on 17 June 1943 as a heavy bomber squadron equipped with the Short Stirling. It was a part of No.3 Group of RAF Bomber Command and carried out night bombing missions until November 1943 when it was transferred to No.38 Group RAF and moved to RAF Leicester East in preparation for airborne forces operations.

16/10/1943    Acted as a BOMBER, on a Stirling aircraft, in the UK

12/1943         Navigator

By March 1944 the squadron had been moved to RAF Fairford to prepare for DDAY and completed many practice missions in Gloucestshire area such a parachuting and glider towing.

On D-Day (6/6/1944) itself, the squadron took part in Operation Tonga and dropped paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Division near Caen. After these events, the squadron was used to resupply Allied forces in France, mainly SOE and the French Resistance.  No 620 Squadron also took part in Operation Market Garden,  where they towed gliders and dropped paratroopers belonging to the 1st Airborne Division. They also flew operations to resupply the struggling ground forces in and around Arnhem. After these operations the squadron flew some missions in support of the resistance in the Netherlands and in Norway.

4/8/1944       Promoted to Warrant Officer

10/8/1944     RAAF Station Fairford

11/8/1944     Hospital in Cherbourg

5/9/1944       620 Squadron

Throughout Operation Varsity in March 1945 the 620 Squadron towed 30 gliders, carrying anti tank and artillery weapons to their destination near the Rhine.

16/4/1945     Finished as a Bomber, on a Stirling aircraft, in the UK

After VE Day (8/5/1945), the squadron helped to transport ex-POW's, troops and supplies around Europe. The Stirlings which they had used throughout the war began to be replaced in May 1945 by Halifaxes.

Overall flying hours 623.35

Returned to Australia
10/8/1945     disembarked into Australia
                    39 days leave

3/10/1945     discharged from service

MEDALS:
Air Observers Badge (13/1/1943);  Mention in Despatches (Jan 1943);  1939/43 Star Ribbon;
1939/45 Star; Air crew Europe Star & Clasp; Defence medal; War medal.

Married        Margaret (nee _________) -  (b. _____ - d. 16/9/2006 85yrs old)
Father to:     Philip, Fiona, Alistair and Iain.

30/3/1978     Philip passed away   (55 years old)
buried in:      Plot 568N
                    (with his wife Margaret)
                    Port Broughton Cemetery, Port Broughton, SA

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  21/1/2015.  Lest we forget.