DUFF, Gordon Alexander
| Service Number: | 413078 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 August 1941, Sydney, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 57 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Leeton, New South Wales, Australia, 10 November 1919 |
| Home Town: | Yenda, Griffith, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Leeton Intermediate High School |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Flying Battle, United Kingdom, 21 September 1943, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Cambridge City Cemetery, United Kingdom Grave 13937 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Griffith Cenotaph, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Leeton ANZAC Memorial Clock Tower and Memorial, Leeton Mountford Park WW2 Memorial, Yenda WW2 War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 413078 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 413078, No. 57 Squadron (RAAF), Sydney, NSW |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Colin Edgar Brown Duff and Alice May Duff, of Farm 529, Yenda, New South Wales, Australia.
HE DID HIS DUTY AS A MAN IS BOUND TO DO
Gordon was killed in a flying battle in the UK.
WAR CASUALTIES
Killed in
Air Operations
PILOT OFFICER GORDON ALEXANDER DUFF was killed in an operational flight on September 21, aged 23 years. This sad news was received by his parents Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Duff, of Leeton, last week-end, in an official notice from the Air Board, worded as follows: "Deeply regret to inform you your son Pilot Officer Gordon Alexander Duff, has lost his life on September 21, 1943, near Stillsley, Lincolnshire, England, as a result of air operations. Minister for Air joins with Air Force in expressing sound sympathy in your sad bereavement.
Letter will follow."
More affectionately known by the nick-name of "Sandy," the late P./O. Duff was born in Leeton and attended the Leeton Intermediate High School, passing the Intermediate examination there. He was also a House Captain at L.I.H.S. After leaving school he assisted his brother David, on the latter's farm at Yenda. He was always interested in flying and even in pre-war days, had endeavoured to take up civil aviation, and had had flights at Mascot. His first application to join the R.A.A.F. did not meet with success and "Sandy" joined the militia, from which forces he transferred to the R.A.A.F. on August 15, 1941. After a year's training he sailed in August of 1942, to Capetown (South Africa) and later to England. Lately his operational flights have been with the Lancaster bombers. He received his commission this month, a cable to that effect was received on September 18.
The late Pilot Officer Duff, who was unmarried, is survived by his parents, two brothers Peter (Queensland), and Dave, and two sisters Jean (Mrs. Whereat, of Sydney) and Cathie (Mrs. Farleigh, of Sydney). A cable received from a cousin intimated that the airman was buried in England.
The flags in the Memorial Gardens and alongside the Honour Roll, were flown at half mast yesterday as a tribute to his memory.
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