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Son of Louise and Harold. Husband of Nita. Father of Kym and Craig. Brother of Blair and Joan. Long and valuable service to the Cowell RSl Sub Branch.

On the 13th of September 1922, Rodney Coombs Tonkin was born in Cowell, the son of Louise and Benjamin Harold Tonkin and the brother of Blair (RAAF) and Joan. Rodney grew up in the Cowell area. He attended the Cowell Public School and the Cowell Higher Primary School, where he passed the Intermediate & Intermediate Commercial Certificates, while studying English Literature, Arithmetic, History, Geography, Geology, and Bookkeeping, but he failed Algebra. Some sports that Rodney liked while he was growing up were football, cricket, boxing, and shooting. Rodney ('Rod' or Poddy' as he was known) became close friends with Allen Stening and on weekends they would go bird nesting, camping and chase kangaroos with their kangaroo dogs.  After finishing school, Rod had several jobs - being a Store Assistant, Tally Clerk and Petrol Depot Assistant.

Rodney Coombs Tonkin enlisted for the RAAF reserve on the 12th of September 1942 along with many of his Cowell mates, including Allen Stening who went on to become a Spitfire pilot. Rodney completed the enlistment process, enrolling in the RAAF on the 25th of April 1942 in Adelaide at the age of 19 years and 7 months. Once he joined the RAAF, he went through many training courses, including the  Wireless Air Gunner Course 27 and Bombing and Gunnery School. 

Rodney Tonkin embarked Australia on the 10/1/1943, arriving in England on the 7/3/1943. He attended Aircrew Commando School and then joined 1485 BG (Bomber) Gunnery Flight RAF. After this time, Rodney joined the 50th Squadron, flying Avro Lancaster bombers. Flight Sergeant Tonkin was an air gunner and had the important job of sending and receiving wireless signals during flights. Tonkin was aboard the Lancaster EE189, which took off from RAF Skellingthorpe at 1931 hours on the night of 27/28th September 1943, detailed to bomb Hanover, Germany.  Nothing was heard from the aircraft after takeoff off and it failed to return to base. A report by a Missing Research & Enquiry team stated “the aircraft crashed at approximately 2200 hours near the village of Gross Forste, 12 miles southeast of Hanover”.  Six crew members were killed, and one became a Prisoner of War. 

Flight Sergeant Tonkin became a prisoner of war; his POW number was 638. 

In October 1943, the Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune reported:

‘It was with regret that news was received during the week, to the effect that Flight Sergeant Rodney Tonkin, elder son of Mr and Mrs HB Tonkin, is reported missing from air activities over Europe.  It was only a few weeks ago that we mentioned that Flight Sergeant Tonkin took part in a large-scale air attack on Berlin. It is hoped that news as to his safety will shortly be received.' 

While in a German POW camp, Rodney met up with Allen (Nab) Stening, a fellow pilot from Cowell. Nab's Spitfire had been shot down and he was captured after parachuting to land. On Nab's entry into Stalag Luft VI, Heydekrug, Rodney recognised his old friend and called out to Nab in typical Aussie style, 'I know you, you long legged bastard'. Rodney and Nab were in different compounds at the POW camp but they agreed to meet twice a week at 11 o'clock. They both looked forward to that chat. The only problem was a 15 foot fence of rolled barbed wire which they weren't allowed to be any closer that ten feet of. Rodney had been in the POW camp for 6 months and hadn't received any mail. Nab was able to pass on to him, among other news, the sad news that Rodney's father had passed away during that time. Rod organised for Nab to come to his compound for a concert party they were putting on. It took a great deal of organisation to get this approved but they did get to see each other for a few hours on this night. There was not much food and what parcels of food they received were rationed. On this night Rod had prepared a celebration 'feast' for Nab. It was a 'cake' made of crushed biscuits and a few raisins along with condensed milk.  Rodney and Nab shared the Cowell news they each received from their families and they remained in the camp together until Nab's escape.  

A few days after VE Day, Rodney got in touch with Nab to tell him he'd arrived safely in London from Germany.  The two friends were reunited again. They spent the rest of their leave together and both were keen to get home as soon as possible. Rod and Nab sailed back to Australia together on the 'Stirling Castle' with thousands of other ex-prisoners of war crowded on board with little food. They had no duties and spent their time mainly playing cards. Rod and Nab spent a few days in New Zealand where they did some shopping, Rodney brought a watch for his brother and some goodies for his sister.  They all cheered as they passed under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Rod and Allen then took a train to Adelaide and then finally, returned to Cowell.  

The Eyre’s Peninsula Tribune reported in August 1945 that: ‘W/O Rodney Tonkin, RAAF, elder son of Mrs and the late Harold Tonkin, who was a prisoner of war in Germany for a considerable period, is now spending leave in Cowell. He is looking particularly well considering the experiences and severe ordeal through which he has passed.’

After a short leave, Rodney and Nab had to report to Victor Harbour to a rehabilitation centre for returned soldiers. They were medically examined, had leisure and 'pub time'. Rod and Nab borrowed a couple of .22 rifles from the local policeman and convinced the commanding officer to lend them a truck and everyone enjoyed spotlighting for rabbits. While at Victor Harbour, Rod and Nab found out as they had joined the RAAF before they were 21, they were entitled to learn a trade. Rod decided to become a carpenter and Nab became a plumber. They went on to work together on many buildings in Cowell and remained great mates forever. 

Warrant Officer Tonkin was discharged from the RAAF on 19/11/1945.  Rodney, known locally as ‘Poddy’, married Nita and they had two sons, Kym and Craig. Rodney lived on the esplanade in Cowell. He was an active and valued member of the Cowell RSL sub-branch, giving many years of service.  Rodney Coombs Tonkin died aged 75years. He is buried at the Cowell cemetery.

Reference List

National Archives Australia NameSearch 

VWMA

Trove - Eyre's Peninsula Tribune

NAB the book of a young Spitfire pilot. Stening A. (The story is taken from the Pilot's diary and log book).

Australian War Memorial website 

World War 2 Biography, Stocker B, Cowell RSL