ARNOTT, Alan Ross Airly
| Service Number: | 426819 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 August 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 2 Operational Training Unit Mildura |
| Born: | Northbridge, New South Wales, Australia, 25 June 1924 |
| Home Town: | Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Toowoomba Grammar School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Mildura, Victoria, Australia, 16 July 1943, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mildura (Nichols Point) Public Cemetery, Victoria War Graves Plot C. Row A. Grave 4 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Merrinee P/O Alan "ARNOTT" Memorial Plaque, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW2, Toowoomba WW2 Roll of Honour Book, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial) |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 426819 | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Aug 1942: | Enlisted Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | |
| 14 Aug 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 426819 | |
| 7 Nov 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman | |
| 6 May 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer | |
| 16 Jul 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 426819, No. 2 Operational Training Unit Mildura |
Killed in Crash
BRAIDWOOD PILOT Killed In Crash
Word of the death of Pilot Officer Alan Arnott, of Braidwood, was received with deep regret throughout the district yesterday; he was the son of, Mr. "Bill" Arnott; who is so well known in the Braidwood and Captain's Flat districts. The young flyer met his death when an aircraft crashed during training exercises in the south of N.S.W.
Only three weeks ago he was awarded his "wings" after an excellent record in the service. He was 19 years of age, and had displayed exceptional ability in his work.
Goulburn Evening Post Friday 23 July 1943 page 3
Submitted 19 October 2015 by Faithe Jones
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
2 Operational Unit. Plane was Kittyhawk A29-117
Son of Alan William Airly Arnott and Ethel Norah Arnott, of Mount Isa, Queensland
Pilot Officer Alan Ross Airly Arnott of Toowoomba, was the first Queensland A.T.C. cadet to receive a commission.
This is Alan Ross Anly Arnott, first Air Training Corps cadet in Queensland to win his 'wings' and commission in the R.A.A.F. He tied with P. J. Miller, of West Australia, for first in Australia.
With the cadet course as a preliminary, they won their 'spurs' in nine months.
Arnott, who was educated at Toowoomba Grammar School, began training at Toowoomba in January, 1942, in the first month of A.T.C. No. 58 Squadron's exist ence. In February he passed his preliminary examination. In March he became an acting corporal, and in June he passed his proficiency examination with distinction.
On June 13, which was 12 days before his 18th birthday, he applied for enlistment in the R.A.A.F., was enlisted in air crew with proficiency certificate, on August 14, and on May 6 this year received his 'wings' and his commission. 'The A.T.C. gave me a flying start,' says Pilot-Officer Arnott.
Mathematics and Morse I learnt in the corps allowed me to devote my time to other subjects when I went to the initial training school.' 'Arnott's success,' says the Air Training Corps, 'should be an incentive to all A.T.C. cadets.'
Preliminary training facilities are available to all Queensland youths aged between 16 and 18. Many new enrolments are required for existing squadrons and for the formatlon of new squadrons.
Pilot Officer Alan Ross Arnott, pilot of Rushcutter Bay, Sydney, was killed when an aircraft crashed during training exercies in Southern New South Wales.
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