CLARKE, Robert Mayo
| Service Numbers: | 427294, W25309 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 March 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 635 Squadron (RAF) Pathfinder Force |
| Born: | Bunbury, Western Australia, 11 March 1921 |
| Home Town: | Roelands, Harvey, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Bunbury High School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Germany, 7 January 1945, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Panel 282, Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Roelands War Memorial, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 427294 | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, W25309 | |
| 21 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 427294, No. 2 Initial Training School Bradfield Park | |
| 21 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 427294 | |
| 5 Jan 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 427294, No. 635 Squadron (RAF) Pathfinder Force, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 5 Jan 1945: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
Flight Lieutenant Robert Mayo Clarke was the son of Raymond Arthur and Marjorie Cecil Clarke, of Roelands, Western Australia.
DFC Citation: “Acting Flight Lieutenant Clarke, as pilot, has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.
Robert, or Bob as he was known was born on 11 May 1921 to parents Raymond Arthur Clarke and Marjory Cecil Clarke (nee Clifton). He proved to be a very smart student , although he only completed 3 years at Bunbury High School. He left school at 15 years of age to pursue his very keen interest in farming. He was also a first class rifle shot , and had been more than a measure for his father Ray, leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Bob had been running the family farm until he enlisted in the RAAF on 21 June 1942, then qualified as a Pilot and transferred to the United Kingdom. He had completed 15 operations in Halifax Bombers and a further 27 operations in Pathfinder Bombers, prior to being shot down during action over Munich, Germany on the night of 7 January 1945. (He and his crew of 7 were killed ).
Bob was awarded the DFC ( Distinguished Flying Cross ) only 2 days before he was shot down. He had achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant and has no known grave.
(extract: courtesy http://bunburywarheroes.com.au/clarke-robert-Mayo)
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