COLE, Arthur Ronald Stanley
| Service Numbers: | S32678, 429847 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 September 1940, Saddleworth, SA |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 466 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Riverton, South Australia, 28 March 1920 |
| Home Town: | Riverton, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Illness, Riverton, South Australia, 2 October 1947, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Riverton General Cemetery Lot 1508 |
| Memorials: | Riverton & District High School Roll of Honor WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Sep 1940: | Involvement Private, S32678 | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Saddleworth, SA | |
| 19 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, S32678 | |
| 16 Sep 1942: | Discharged | |
| 17 Sep 1942: | Involvement Flying Officer, 429847 | |
| 17 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 429847 | |
| 17 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 8 May 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 429847, No. 466 Squadron (RAAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 12 Sep 1945: | Discharged |
Air-Gunner
He was born in Riverton SA on 28 Mar 1920, the son of Arthur James Albert Cole of Ross Ck, Kapunda & Elizabeth Thirza Parnell of Riverton
Arthur was working as a Cream & Milk tester for the Taylor Bros. Creamery, when at age 20, he enlisted in the Australian Military Force on 19 Sep 1940
He was allocated S/No. S32678 & posted as Private with the Australian Army Service Corps, 108th Reserve Motor Transport Company
He was called up for full–time duty in Sep 1941 & re–allocated to the 121st Reserve Motor Transport Company in Jul 1942
On 16 Sep 1942 he was discharged from the AIF to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force & the following day was allocated S/No. 429847 as Aircraftman to train as an Air–Gunner
He completed training at No. 2 Service Flying Training School (Parafield); No. 4 Initial Training School (Victor Harbor); No. 1 Wireless Air–Gunners School (Ballarat) & No. 3 Bombing & Air–Gunnery School (West Sale)
On 10 Sep 1943 he embarked at Brisbane & sailing via the US, he arrived in the UK on 19 Oct where he was posted to No. 21 Operational Training Unit, which was used to train night bomber crews using the Vickers Wellington
On 15 Feb 1944 he was posted to No. 41 Base in West Yorkshire, which was the training base for No. 4 Group, Bomber Command, consisting of Heavy Conversion Units; No. 1652 at RAF Marston Moor; No. 1663 at RAF Rufforth & No. 1658 at RAF Riccall
On 19 Apr he was posted to No. 466 Squadron RAAF who were operating the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber
Arthur flew 37 operational sorties as a Halifax III, Mid–Upper Air–Gunner, or raids in France, Belgium, Netherlands & Germany between 9 May & 11 Sep 1944
He was appointed to commissioned rank of Pilot Officer on the 25 Sep & posted to No. 27 Operational Training Unit on the 28th
He was posted to No. 21 Operational Training Unit, attached to the Air–Crew Officers School on 16 Dec 1944 & promoted Flying Officer on 29 Mar 1945
He returned to Australia on 7 Jul 1945 & transferred to the Reserves on 12 Sep
Arthur, having now returned to civilian life in Riverton, sadly passed away on 2 Oct 1947 at 27½ years old
He was interred at the Riverton Cemetery & is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Submitted 24 November 2024 by James Coleman
Biography contributed by David Barlow
Arthur Cole 429847 served with 466 Squadron flying more than 40 bombing missions over Europe during WW2
He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in September 1942 and was discharged in September 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer while serving at Number 21 Operational Training Unit
He was the son of Arthur James Albert and Elizabeth Thirza Cole of Riverton, SA
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