BURGESS, Alfred Keith
| Service Number: | 83311 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 June 1943, Perth, WA |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Air Force Headquarters Western Area (Perth) |
| Born: | Mannum, South Australia, Australia, 22 May 1925 |
| Home Town: | Buntine, Dalwallinu, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 5 Jun 1943: | Involvement 83311 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Jun 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 83311, Air Force Headquarters Western Area (Perth), Perth, WA | |
| 10 May 1946: | Discharged |
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Son of Alfred Thomas BURGESS, Buntine, Western Australia.
At 18 years of age, Keith left farm work and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in June 1943. He completed recruit training at RAAF Station Busselton in Western Australia.
Keith served as an aircraft hand in No. 73 Operational Base Unit at Corunna Downs in the Pilbara refuelling bombers, and in No. 17 Repair and Salvage Unit at Pearce recovering and repairing damaged aircraft. In December 1944, Keith was posted to No. 24 Squadron, which operated B-24 Liberator bombers from Fenton in the Northern Territory. In June 1945, he became a motor transport driver and sailed with his squadron to the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), serving at Morotai and then Balikpapan, Borneo.
After the war ended, Keith was posted to No. 11 Repair and Salvage Unit, having been promoted to leading aircraftman. He returned home a few months later and was discharged from the RAAF in May 1946. Keith says he valued the lifelong friendships he made while serving.
After the war, Keith ran a farm. He married Joyce in 1971 and now has 3 children, 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Sadly, Joyce passed away in 2016.
When Keith was younger, he loved playing cricket. In later life, he and Joyce enjoyed travelling throughout Australia and overseas.
Keith credits his long life to being regimented, but also very relaxed.
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