COMMANE, Matthew Gregory
| Service Number: | 56107 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 May 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Cleve, South Australia, 12 July 1921 |
| Home Town: | Middle Park, Port Phillip, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Aircraft Gasket Maker |
| Died: | 18 March 1994, aged 72 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Mornington Public Cemetery, Victoria |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 19 May 1942: | Involvement 56107 | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 May 1942: | Enlisted Melbourne, VIC | |
| 19 May 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 56107 | |
| 11 Oct 1945: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by tony griffin
LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN MATTHEW GREGORY COMMANE
SERVICE No: 56107
Born at Cleve on 12 July 1921, Matthew was the son of Cleve hotel-keepers Jane Catherine White and Thomas Ambrose Joseph Commane. Matthew moved to Melbourne with his parents in about 1940 and found employment making gaskets for aircraft with Tuck’s Asbestos and Engine Packing Manufacturers, 469-71 Flinders Street, Melbourne. The 20 year old was living with his parents at 59 Canterbury Road, Middle Park, when he enlisted in the Citizens Air Force at 1 Recruitment Centre, Melbourne on 19 May 1942.
On enlistment he was awarded the rank of Aircraft Hand. Over the next three years he would have numerous postings beginning with 5 months at 1 Engineering School, Ascot Vale. From Ascot Vale he was posted to 1 Aircraft Depot at Laverton where the depot assembled and tested new aircraft, and ferried them to operational areas such as northern Australia and New Guinea. It was also responsible for the maintenance of in-service aircraft, including their engines, instruments, and armament. As well as RAAF equipment, No. 1 AD repaired battle-damaged US aircraft such as B-17 Flying Fortresses.
In January 1943 Matthew undertook an 11 week Electroplater Course at 1 School of Technical Training, Collingwood Technical School, and on a successful pass was mustered as an electroplater. A short one month posting to 3 Aircraft Depot at Amberley, Queensland, in May 1943 followed. The prime function of 3 Aircraft Depot was the assembly and despatch of combat aircraft from the United States as well as performing salvage operations.
Matthew’s final posting, on 21 May 1943, was to 5 Aircraft Depot at Wagga Wagga where the unit handled the major maintenance work on aircraft including the Bristol Beaufort, Bristol Beaufighter, Lockheed Ventura and the B-25 Mitchell. During his posting to Wagga Wagga he returned to 1 Engineering School in Melbourne where he passed a Junior NCO Course followed by a 6 week Advanced Electroplating Course at 1 School of Technical Training.
Seven days after the surrender of the Empire of Japan was announced by Japanese Emporer Hirohito on 15 August 1945, Matthew married Nancy “Annie” Mary Hogan of Emerald.
“The bride will live at Wagga, where her husband is at present stationed”. Fern Tree Gully News, Friday 7 September 1945
Matthew was discharged on 11 October 1945
In 1947 Matthew and Annie were living at Emerald where they had three daughters, Barbara Mary (1946), Maureen Patricia (1947) and Loretta Anne (1954). They moved to Dandenong in 1954. Matthew died on 18 March 1994 and is buried in the Mornington Cemetery, Mount Martha, Victoria. Annie died on 14 May 2001 and is buried with Matthew.
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