MANN, Rex Allen
| Service Number: | 417865 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 July 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 83 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Cheltenham, South Australia, 31 July 1921 |
| Home Town: | Cheltenham, Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Woodville High School |
| Occupation: | Plumber |
| Died: | 19 February 1985, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 18 Jul 1942: | Involvement Warrant Officer, 417865 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 417865, No. 83 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 417865 | |
| 6 Nov 1945: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Woodville High School
Rex-Allen Mann was born on 31 July 1921 in Cheltenham, South Australia. His father's name was Ernest Mann of Woodville. Rex grew up in Alberton East living at 12 Railway Terrace near Adelaide. He attended Woodville High School from 1933 to 1936 where he proved to be an intelligent and capable student. During his school years, he passed in English, Latin, Arithmetic, Maths I, Physics, and Chemistry, only failing Maths II.
Outside of the classroom Rex was a very active person playing sports such as, football, soccer, tennis, cricket, swimming, and basketball.. After finishing school, he became a plumber.
According to his enlistment records, Rex was 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. He also had a small circular scar on his left shin and a small scar on his left eyebrow noted on his service papers. Mann also identified as a Baptist.
Rex Allen Mann enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 18th of July 1942 at the age of 20. After enlisting, he began his training as an airman starting at the entry level of Aircraftman (AC1). He was promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC), then to Sergeant, and finally reached the rank of Warrant Officer, the highest non-commissioned rank in the RAAF.
Throughout his training, he qualified to fly several aircraft types including the Tiger Moth, Wirraway, Moth Minor, and Boomerang, which were used for reconnaissance, training, and light fighter missions. He flew mainly during the day, also flying the Boomerang more often than the rest and was part of Australia’s defensive air operations in the South-West Pacific Air War from 1941 to 1945. Although No. 83 Squadron primarily operated within Australia’s northern territories, its role was vital in safeguarding the coastline and escorting Allied shipping during the Pacific campaign.
During his time as a Warrant Officer he was mostly in northern Australia where his Squadron carried out patrols and defence flights. The squadron was first formed in Queensland in 1943 before moving north to places like Milingimbi Island, Melville Island, and Gove in the Northern Territory.
He was officially discharged from the RAAF on 6 November 1945. He died 19 February 1985 and is buried at Cheltenham Cemetery.
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