PAROISSIEN, Jim Cunningham
| Service Number: | 407801 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 458 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Mount Gambier, South Australia, 31 December 1910 |
| Home Town: | Kybybolite, Naracoorte and Lucindale, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Mount Gambier High School & Adelaide University |
| Occupation: | School Teacher |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Sicily, Sicily, Italy, 28 April 1943, aged 32 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Malta Memorial, Malta |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kybybolite Memorial Gates, Malta Memorial, Floriana, Naracoorte War Memorial, Port MacDonnell Memorial Walk, Port MacDonnell War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 17 Jun 1940: | Enlisted | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 407801, Adelaide, SA Air Crew | |
| 6 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 407801 | |
| 17 Oct 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant | |
| 17 Apr 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant | |
| 15 Apr 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer | |
| 28 Apr 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 407801, No. 458 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Jim Cunningham PAROISSIEN was born on 31st December, 1910 in Mount Gambier, South Australia
His parents were Thomas PAROISSIEN and Bertha Sarah CUNNINGHAM
Jim married Mabel Doreen JOHNSON & had one son Brian James who never got to meet his father
He enlisted in the Reserves on 17th June, 1940 & was previously with the 3rd Light Horse for 1 year & 11 months & was discharged to join the RAAF - he then enlisted in the RAAF on 6th January, 1941 in Adelaide and sailed for overseas in November, 1941
Jim died in a Flying Battle in Sicily on 28th April, 1943 when the plane he was in ( Wellington MK IC AD593) was shot down and crashed into a cliff - he was stated as missing, believed Killed in Action - he has no known grave and his name is memorialised on the Malta Memorial ,Valetta, Malta & the Australian War Memorial
His brother Leonard Tom PAROISSIEN served in WW1 (SN684) and also WW2 in the Army (SN S31359) & discharged in 1947.
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On enlistment he was in Air crew V (p)
Air crew II (o) 23.4.41
Air observor 17.9.41
267 squadron 1.8.42 -458 squadron 9.10.42
attached to RAF 6.1.41
458 squadron, RAF Malta 6.1.43 - 221 Squadron
His last rank was Navigator on Wellington MK IC AD593
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In 1938 Jim received a Certificate of Merit from the Royal Humane Society in recognition of his gallantry & bravery for rescuing a 6 year old girl from heavy surf at Orwell Rocks in South Australia
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Narracoorte Herald (SA) 7th May, 1943, page 1
Sergeant - Observor Jim Pariossien Missing
Mrs. B Pariossien of Port MacDonnell has received word from the Air Board that her son, Sergent - Observer, J.C. Paroissien is missing in air operations in the Middle East on April 28, 1943
He joined the RAAF in June 1940 & sailed for overseas in November 1941. He had been in the Middle East, Kenya & Malta for the last four months
Sgt-Obs Paroissiens wife, formerly Miss Johnson of Kybybolite is living at Port MacDonnell with his small son Brian, whom Jim has never seen. Before enlisting Jim was teacher in charge of the Kybybolite School
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