Bertram John (Middy) MIDDLETON DFM

MIDDLETON, Bertram John

Service Number: 408052
Enlisted: 15 August 1940, Enlisted at Hobart, Tasmania
Last Rank: Flying Officer
Last Unit: No. 24 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Subiaco, Western Australia, 15 December 1918
Home Town: Hobart, Tasmania
Schooling: St Virgils College, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Occupation: Legal Clerk
Died: Flying Battle, Banka Island, Netherlands East Indies, 5 August 1944, aged 25 years
Cemetery: Adelaide River War Cemetery, NT
Plot D, row B, Grave 1 (D.B.1.)
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 2 Service

15 Aug 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 408052, Enlisted at Hobart, Tasmania
1 May 1943: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 408052, No. 49 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45
18 May 1943: Honoured Distinguished Flying Medal, Air War NW Europe 1939-45, Awarded for attacks on Berlin, Essen and the Ruhr
5 Aug 1944: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 408052, No. 24 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SE Asia 1941-45

Help us honour Bertram John Middleton's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Carol Foster

"408052 Pilot Officer Bertram John Middleton, No. 24 Squadron RAAF, of Subiaco, WA. A clerk prior to the war, he enlisted on 15 August 1940. While attached to No. 49 Squadron RAF in the United Kingdom, Flight Sergeant Middleton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) on 18 May 1943 for successful raids on Berlin, Essen and Ruhr. Later attached to No. 24 Squadron RAAF in Australia, PO Middleton was killed in action on operations over Banka Island on 5 August 1944, aged 25." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

Son of Roland John and Katherine Bridget Middleton; husband of Jean Alice Middleton of Hobart, Tasmania

Plane was Liberator A72-41 which crashed at Banka Island

DFM Medal was presented to his wife after Bertram's death

 

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Biography contributed by David Barlow

Flying Officer Bertram John Middleton 408052 was the only casualty when Liberator A72-41 of Number 24 Squadron RAAF was hit by Anti-Aircraft fire during an attack run over an enemy freighter near the Banda Islands - the aircraft returned to Darwin after the engagement.