DODS, William Stodart Espie
| Service Number: | 403725 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 March 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, 22 February 1909 |
| Home Town: | Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | QLD Junior Public School & The Kings School, Parramatta |
| Occupation: | Chartered Accountant |
| Died: | Accidental, Bay of Biscay, Spain (Atlantic Ocean), Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean, 29 May 1943, aged 34 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 403725 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 403725, No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 3 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 403725 | |
| 17 Jul 1941: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, 403725 | |
| 7 Nov 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer | |
| 10 Mar 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 10 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 7 May 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 403725, No. 10 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 25 May 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 403725, No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 1 Sep 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 403725, No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 1 Sep 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 461 Squadron (RAAF) |
Help us honour William Stodart Espie Dods's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Born 22 February 1909 in Brisbane, Queensland
Father Joseph Espie Dods and Mother Anna Ruth Dods,
lviing at Lambert Street, Kangaroo Point, QLD
William lived in Melbourne, VIC working as a Chartered Accountant prior to enlisting.
Family in service:
Father WWI - Driver with 5th Light Horse
later DMS 1st Division France, DSO MC
Brothers
WWII - Lieutenant R E Dods - Engineers
WWII - Lieutenant James Espie Dods - Machine Guns
later LAC Dods in RAAF
Previous service:
3 years in 9th Battalion, Queensland
Described on enlisting as 32years old; single; 6' 1" tall; 96 lbs;
fair complexion; green eyes; fair hair; Presbyterian
29/4/1940 ranked Flying Officer
1/1/1941 ranked Flight Lieutenant
3/3/1941 enlisted into RAAF in Sydney, NSW
17/7/1941 embarked from Australia
17/8/1941 disembarked into Canada
7/11/1941 awarded - "Flying Badge"
20/11/1941 embarked from Canada for UK
7/12/1941 disembarked into UK
1/5/1942 arrived on temorary duty to RAF Station, new camp Gibraltar
22/2/1943 proceeded to Mount Batten by air
23/2/1943 returned to RAF Station Hamworthy
10/3/1942 posted to No.10 Squadron (overseas) for flying duties
28/4/1942 left Mount Batten by air for special duty in Middle East
11/5/1942 left Middle East by air on completion of special duties, returned to Mount Batten
25/5/1942 posted from No.10 Squadron (overseas) to No.461 Squadron
28/5/1943 proceeded by air on operaitons at Pembroke Dock
29/5/1943 returned to No.461 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant with No.461 Squadron - Coastal Command
29/5/1943 killed in flying battle over Bay of Biscay
No known grave.
His name is commemorated on Panel 187 of Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey, England.
His name is also commemorated on Panel 108 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 7/7/2016. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.