Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Flying Officer Clyde Winston Rollond (Service No:407037) enlisted in the RAAF at No 5 Recruiting Centre Adelaide on 29 April 1940 as an Aircraftman II - mustered as Air Crew and re mustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG).  'He enlisted for Air Crew on 27 May 1940, and trained as a Wireless Operator Air Gunner. He graduated in non-commissioned rank on 27 June 1941, but on 1 April 1943 was granted a probationary commission in the General Duties Branch in the rank of Pilot Officer. On 1 October 1943 he was confirmed in his appointment and promoted to Flying Officer' (NAA). Flying Officer Rollond 'took part in the Test and Ferry Flights undertaken by the RAAF' (AWM) and was attached to 2 Administrative and Special Duties Branch on 4 June 1945 when his appointment was terminated (Medically Unfit).

Clyde was born in Prospect, South Australia in 1916, second of three children (and only son) of Andrew David Rollond (b1892 at Mt Pleasant, South Australia) and Bessie Violet Staples (b1892 at Mt Pleasant, South Australia) - Bessie had a young daughter when she and Andrew married in 1914 in Adelaide. Andrew and Bessie settled at Tungkillo via Mt Pleasant, where they raised their family and Andrew was a Farmer.

Clyde worked in Adelaide as an Electrician and was an Electrical Fitter with BHP Whyalla in 1940 when he enlisted in the RAAF. In 1941 in Ballarat in Victoria, Clyde married Elaine Mary Lewis (b1922 at Port Lincoln, South Australia). Following his Discharge from the RAAF, Clyde and Elaine settled in Adelaide, where they raised their family. Clyde died in 1949 - the Coroner's Report states that he 'committed suicide ... has had a number of operations for a severe back and leg injury caused whilst he was a member of the RAAF during the War in Malaya. Whilst stationed in Malaya in the RAAF the deceased received back and leg injury through an air crash' (SA Report to the Police Coroner). Elaine, a Widow with three young children, settled in Adelaide where she died in 1996.