Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

David Edwin Dean was born at Adelaide on the 12th of November 1912. He was the oldest of 5 children, to parents George (Skipper) and Ellice.

David grew up at ‘Koorine’ near Kalangadoo, South Australia. He was educated at St Peter’s College in Adelaide where at the age of 14years he won the Meccano International Inventors medal for a working model of a roller bay hay rake. Mitchell’s of Melbourne took up the plan and manufactured a model along the same principles which was the first power driven hay rake made. This was the first of many inventions made by David.

David met Jessie Ann McBain and were married in Melbourne in 1941.

In March 1939 Trooper David Dean joined the 3rd Light Horse at Mount Gambier. Trooper Dean was discharged from the 3rd Light Horse in January 1940 as war had been declared and his eyes sight was not suitable for service in the army.

On the 25th of June 1940 David applied to join the R.A.A.F but records show this application was rejected due to the large numbers of applicants applying for Mechanical Trades in the R.A.A.F. This did not deter David who reapplied on the 17th January 1941. David received a letter from R.A.A.F stating that he had been accepted to do a medical and interview in Melbourne.

On the 12th February 1942 David was accepted and to be at R.A.A.F Recruiting Shepparton Victoria on the 2nd March 1942 as Aircraftsman David Dean, Group V Trainee Mechanic.

On the 25th of April 1942 Aircraftsman Dean arrived at number 172 Engineering School Ascot Vale.

On the 11th July, course completed, Leading Aircraftsman David Dean had achieved a distinguished pass as a Flight Mechanic.

On the 3rd November 1942 L.A.C Dean was posted to Number 1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra, NSW.

L.A.C Dean still had higher ambitions and by the 20th April 1943 had entered Number 1 Engineering School Ascot Vale and just one year later graduated with special distinction as a Fitter 2E.

On the 15th May 1944 L.A.C Dean was posted to the Number 2 Aircraft Depot Richmond NSW to work on aircraft engines.

On the 27th June 1944 L.A.C Dean was posted to Number 4 Personnel Depot Adelaide prior to posting to the Northern Territory.

By the 3rd of November 1944 L.A.C Dean was on active service at Number 14 Aircraft Repair Depot R.A.A.F Base Gorrie NT.

R.A.A.F Base Gorrie was established to service, repair and overhaul a wide variety of combat aircraft from Australia and USA, including Hudsons, Beauforts, Mitchells, Spitfires, Dakotas, Lightnings Mosquitos, Beaufighters and Liberators. L.A.C David Dean excelled on all types of aircraft and specialised in aircraft engine installations.

R.A.A.F records that show his Flight Lieutenant Commander specially recommended L.A.C David Dean be for promotion and was suitable for reclassification “an airman of very good character”.

On the completion of the war L.A.C David Dean was honourably discharged on the 17th December 1945.

L.A.C Dean had served 1385 days service.

Leading Aircraftsman David Dean was awarded the following War Medals
War Medal 1939—1945
Australian Service Medal 1939—1945
Returned from Active Service Badge

In 1949 David and his wife Jessie were allotted a Soldier Settlement block south of Penola and later purchased the adjoining block of farmland. Here they lived and raised their two children, Christopher and Katherine.

David was actively involved in many organisations over the years including a member of the Penola District Council, the SE Drainage Board and Life Member of the Agriculture Bureau. He was elected to the Board of Management of the Penola War Memorial Hospital in July, 1954, twelve months prior to the opening of the new hospital in 1955. In 1957 he was elected vice chairman of the Board, a position he held until he was elected chairman of the Board in 1970. David initiated meals delivery and the District Nurse. The Rodeo as a fundraiser was one of his many ventures. David was also member and past president of local groups such as the Liberal Party Committee, St Mary’s Church of England and a Charter Member of the Penola Loins Club, and was awarded the highest order of Lions for service to the club.

In 1978 David was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the town and district of Penola.

David Edwin Dean O.A.M. died on the 18th October 1988, aged 76 years and is interred at the Penola Cemetery.