Conrad Lawrence GEHRIG

GEHRIG, Conrad Lawrence

Service Numbers: 1635, 3953
Enlisted: 4 January 1939
Last Rank: Flying Officer
Last Unit: Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots
Born: Cootamundra, New South Wales, 27 February 1920
Home Town: Toronto, New South Wales
Schooling: Cootamundra Intermediate School
Occupation: Aeroplane Mechanic
Memorials:
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Non Warlike Service

4 Jan 1939: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 3953, Laverton, Victoria

World War 2 Service

4 Jan 1939: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 1635
10 Apr 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 1635, No. 10 Squadron (RAAF)
1 Nov 1945: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 1635, Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots
1 Nov 1945: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 1635

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Biography contributed by Julianne Ryan

Born 27 February 1920

Wife Betty Florence Gerhig, lived at 12 Moore Street, Toronto, NSW

Worked for 4 years as an Aeroplane Mechanic with Butler Air Transport, prior to enlisting.
Children:   Gillian Elizabeth Gehrig (b. 22/1/1943)
                David Martin Gehrig (b. May 1944)

Described on enlisting as 8yrs 11mths old; single; 6' tall; 164 lbs;
dark complexion; blue eyes; brown hair; Roman Catholic

4/1/1939        enlisted into RAAF at Laverton, Victoria
                     posted as Flying Fitter

13/3/1939      posted to No1. Squadron, Laverton

1/10/1939      posted to No1. Squadron, Laverton  ranked Temporary LAC

11/11/1939    posted to No.10 Squadron, ranked Temporary LAC

21/11/1939    embarked from Port of Melbourne, VIC onboard RMS Orontes for active service
                     overseas
21/12/1939    disembarked into Marseilles, France
                     proceeded by rail and boat to Southampton
26/12/1939    disembarked into Southampton, England
                     proceeded by rail to Pembroke Dock

7/3/1940        completed Air Gunners Course, No.10 Squadron, England

24/9/1940      awarded - "Air Gunners Badge"

1/1/1941        promoted to Flight Sergeant

9/2/1941        completed Flight Enginer's Training course

28/4/1941      Flight Engineer - Sergeant with No.10 Squadron Sunderland I T9075 RAAF (Coastal Command)
                     Operation:  Crossover Patrol - 100 miles off Brest, Bay of Biscay

***Survived flying crash, Short Sunderland III, over Irish Sea***

Crew:
Captain:            Fling Officer Victor Alean Hodgkison RAAF - survived injured
Pilot 1:              Flight Sergeant Tom A Egerton (1941)- survived injured
Pilot 2:              Flight Sergeat Thomas Gracie Joyce (513) - killed
Navigator:         Sergeant J Bradbury RAF (938198) - severely injured
Flight Eng:         Sergeant Con L Gehrig RAAF (3953) - survived injured
2nd Flight Eng:   L.A.C Ralph Douglas Bell RAAF (207712) - killed
1st W/Operator:  Corporal Clifford Oswald William Amos RAAF (3332) - killed
2nd W/Operator: Corporal Francis Hewitt RAAF (205727) - killed
Fitter IIA:           L.A.C Norman Raine RAAF (3683) - killed
Armourer:          ACI John Charles Francis RAAF (15774) - killed
Air/Gunner:        Corporal Len G Cocoran RAAF (4503) - survived injured

22/10/1941        "Married" - Bettey Florence Gehrig  (nee Cooper)

12/11/1941        posted to STF at Rathmines

10/1943             Warrant Officer Engineer - Ascot Vale No. IES, Melbourne, Victoria

1/1944               Warrant Officer Engineer - No.30 TU, at Rathmines

Flying Officer in 2 Flying Boat Repair Depot

1/11/1945         discharged from service

Medals:             1939-45 Star; Atlantic star; Returned from Active Service Badge

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  9/7/2016.  Lest we forget.

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