HUMPHRIES, Wilba James
Service Number: | 437520 |
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Enlisted: | 27 February 1943 |
Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
Born: | Millicent, SA, 20 December 1924 |
Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
27 Feb 1943: | Involvement Warrant Officer, 437520 | |
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27 Feb 1943: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
27 Feb 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 437520 | |
30 Nov 1945: | Discharged |
Warrant Officer Wilba James Humphries
Born in Millicent, Wilba lived in Tantanoola and attended the Tantanoola School. Wilba was Dux of his Year 7 class and received a calf as his reward, which he called Alva. Wilba attended Millicent High School gaining the student leadership role of Prefect.
On the 23rd of February 1942, Wilba joined the Air Training Corps and in just 1 year was promoted to Sargeant. The following year, on the 27th of February Wilba was discharged from the Air Training Corps and on this day joined the RAAF as aircrew. After his initial training, Wilba arrived at No 2 Wireless / Air Gunnery School (WAGS), in Parks, NSW, on the 29th of April 1943 with the rank of Leading Aircraftsman.
On the 18th of October 1943Wilba was posted to No. 2 Bomber and Air Gunnery School (BAGS) at Port Pirie, SA. He was promoted to Sargeant and issued with his Wireless and Gunners badges.
Sargeant Wilba Humphries embarked Australia on the 26th of November 1943. Less than one year after leaving Air Training Corps, he had joined the RAAF, as aircrew, he was 18 years and 11 months of age and on his way to Bomber Command R.A.F. England. What an outstanding achievement.
Sargeant Humphries arrived in the UK on the 10th of January 1944. From the 28th of March 1944 to the 9th May 1944 Sgt Humphries was posted to No. 4 Advanced Flying Unit at West Freugh, and on leaving was promoted to Flight Sargeant. His next posting was to No. 27 Operational Training Unit, where he stayed till 27th August 1944, his preparation for war has been completed.
Flight Sargeant Humphries was posted to 41 base, Bomber Command, flying out of the UK over France. On the 23rd of October 1944 Flight Sargeant Humphries was posted to 192 Squadron Bomber Command. This squadron conducted bombing flights over Germany and Europe at the same time Radar Countermeasures were conducted. These flights were extremely hazardous. 192 Squadron flew more sorties and suffered more losses than any other Radar Countermeasures squadron. On the 11th of May 1945 he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.
Warrant Officer Wilba Humphries completed in excess of 320 hours flying time on active duties, some 26 sorties over Germany and Europe. On the 22nd of August 1945, 192 squadron was disbanded, the war was over.
Warrant Officer Humphries returned to Australia on the 17th of October 1945 and was honourably discharged on the 30th of November 1945.
Warrant Officer Wilba Humphries was awarded the following medals:
1939-1945 Star
1939-1945 War Medal
The France Germany Star
Australian Service Medal Defence Service Medal
Wilba returned home and got his job back at Millicent ES & A Bank, and not long after met Jean McDonald and they were married in 1948. They moved to several locations until John McDonald, Jean’s brother, and Wilba went into business together in1956, a business partnership that would last some 30 years. During this time Wilba and Jean had two sons, Peter and Ian.
Wilba played football on return after the war and won the Best and Fairest for Tantanoola and then for the following 4 years for Kalangadoo.
Wilba held all positions at the Kalangadoo RSL and was awarded Life Membership in 1976. Wilba marched every year in the ANZAC Day Parade in Adelaide with the 460 Squadron and was a dedicated Legatee. Wilba was also known to conduct Remembrance Day services every year at the Primary School.
Wilba was treasurer at his church for 30 years and audited all clubs and committees in Kalangadoo.
Wilba and Jean moved to Mount Gambier in 1986 and were very active members of the Meals on Wheels, with Wilba holding the position of secretary.
Wilba James Humphries passed away on the 17th of June 1994, aged 70 years. Wilba now lies at rest in the Mount Gambier Cemetery.
What a wonderful Australian.
Submitted 26 May 2025 by Peter Savage