ARMITT, George
| Service Number: | 421699 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 March 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 44 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia, 7 May 1914 |
| Home Town: | Myocum, Byron Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Myocum Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Dairy Farmer |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Germany, 14 January 1944, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Hanover War Cemetery 2 B 6. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Maryborough No. 3 Wireless Air Gunners' School Memorial Wall |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 421699 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 421699 | |
| 18 Nov 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 421699, No. 44 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 14 Jan 1944: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 421699, No. 44 Squadron (RAF), K.I.A. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Maurice Kissane
George Armitt was born in New South Wales in 1914. He was the son of Frances Ann Armitt. His father is not named. George attended Myocum Public School until he reached the age of 14 years. He worked on farms and became a Dairy Farmer. He could have avoided overseas service because of his occupation. However George volunteered for RAAF Aircrew in 1942 after Darwin was bombed.
His only option with the RAAF was to be an Air Gunner due to his limited education. He was trained overseas for RAF Bomber Command.
F/SGT George Armitt RAAF was sent to No 44 Sqn RAF. He was the rear gunner on RAF Lancaster R5729 KM-A. George was the only RAAF member in that RAF Lancaster Bomber combat crew. For his life expectancy as a RAF Rear Gunner was five missions. However his luck run out on mission number four. The target was Braunswchweig (Brunswick).
George had departed from RAF Dunholme Lodge in Lincolnshire at 16:43 on 14 Jan 1944. RAF Lancaster R5729 was interecepted by a Night Fighter. R5729 was shot down during a fierce air battle overhead Bieboldehausen at 20:00. R5729 crashed 21 Km ENE of Gottingen, Germany. There were no survivors.
The crew including George were re-interred post war in Hanover War Cemetery. His mother was his NOK.
His Commonwealth War Grave's RAAF Headstone dedication states that he was the son of Frances Ann Armitt of Mullumbimby, New South Wales.
George only had to stay at home and milk cows to avoid combat and survive that war. However, women in England had been conscripted to milk cows. That was the Land Army's Dairy Industry role in that war.
Men were expected to fight for King and Country. Men could be conscripted for militia service in Australian Territory. However, men could not be conscripted to fight outside Australian Overseas Territory. That issue had been resolved by two Great War Referendums.
Hence, George could not be compelled to enlist under the Empire Air Training Scheme for overseas service in RAF Bomber Command. However, he did so. For he could not stay at home and milk cows while RAF Bomber Command needed his help to defeat Hitler.
George the Dairy Farmer was one of the 55,000 plus Aircrew who died in RAF Bomber Command in WWII.
Lest We Forget.
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