Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Victor Norman Pascoe

(8 July 1914 – 3 September 1988)

Royal Australian Air Force – World War II

Victor Norman “Vic” Pascoe was born on 8 July 1914 near Kapunda, South Australia, the son of Norman Edwin Pascoe and Florence Hilda Pascoe (née Gwynne). He spent his early life in South Australia’s rural districts, growing up during a period marked by agricultural work, economic hardship, and strong community ties.

Early Life and Occupation

Before the Second World War, Victor worked primarily as a farm labourer and general handyman, skills well suited to the rural environments in which he lived. Records and personal references from the early 1940s describe him as reliable, efficient, and mechanically capable, with particular aptitude in:

Motor engines and machinery
Radiator and mechanical repairs
Welding and soldering
Wireless and electrical work
Several handwritten character references from employers at Pimba, Tarcoola, Wintinna, and surrounding West Coast districts attest to his strong work ethic, honesty, and practical skill. These references were submitted in support of his wartime enlistment and form part of his National Archives service file.

World War II Service – Royal Australian Air Force

Victor applied for entry into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1941. His enlistment process involved multiple interviews, medical assessments, and correspondence with No. 5 Recruiting Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide.

Although initially advised that no immediate vacancies were available despite successful testing, Victor persisted and was eventually enlisted:

Service Number: 47159
Enlisted: 14 October 1941, Adelaide
Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Branch: Royal Australian Air Force
Trade Group: Group V (with training pathways toward mechanical and technical musterings)

His service records indicate training in mechanical, and support roles aligned with his civilian experience. He remained in service throughout the latter half of the war and was:

Discharged: 26 January 1945

Disciplinary Record

Victor’s service file records one disciplinary incident:

3 July 1944 – Tried by District Court Martial at Bankstown, NSW, charged under Air Force Regulations.
Found not guilty of the primary charge but guilty of using insubordinate language.
Sentence: 56 days detention

This episode appears isolated and does not overshadow his overall contribution or service record.

Post-War Life

Following his discharge, Victor returned to civilian life in South Australia. Electoral and residential records place him primarily in the West Coast and Adelaide metropolitan areas, including Ceduna and later Semaphore.

He continued working in practical and labour-based roles, consistent with his pre-war experience and wartime training.

Death

Victor Norman Pascoe died on 3 September 1998 at Semaphore, South Australia, aged 74 years, from natural causes.

Family Connections

Victor was the son of:

Norman Edwin Pascoe
Florence Hilda Pascoe (née Gwynne) – whose life and death were also documented in South Australian newspapers and Police Gazette notices

His life reflects the experiences of many Australian men of his generation—rural upbringing, wartime service, skilled labour, and quiet post-war life.

Sources

South Australian Birth Registration: Kapunda District (Book/Page 940/343)
National Archives of Australia: NAA: A9301, 47159
Royal Australian Air Force Service Records
Handwritten employer references (1941) – Pimba, Wintinna, West Coast SA
South Australian Death Notice – The Advertiser, 9 September 1988
Electoral Rolls and civil registrations

Disclaimer

This biography has been compiled from primary archival records, civil registrations, and contemporary documents. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, future discoveries may add further detail or context. Corrections or additional information are welcomed in the spirit of preserving an accurate historical record.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 2/01/2025