Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

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