KAUS, William Bernard
| Service Number: | 414803 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 November 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 161 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 21 May 1923 |
| Home Town: | Coorparoo, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Truck Driver |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 9 Nov 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 414803 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 161 Squadron (RAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Ned Young
This biography is an extract from 'ANZAC Muslims: An Untold Story' by Dr Dzavid Haveric
(Haveric, Dzavid. "ANZAC Muslims: An Untold Story." Australian Journal of Islamic Studies 3, Iss 3 (2018): 78-102.)
William Bernard ‘Bill’ Kaus, from the Abdul Kaus Muslim family of Brisbane, served in the Australian Army in World War II. He served in Unit No. 161 Squadron (RAAF) having the rank of Flying Officer. He was a wireless air gunner in Halifax for three and a half years. Flying Officer Kaus completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he “invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage, and devotion to duty" [90]. Bill Kaus was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his“skill and fortitude in operation against the enemy,” [91] the insignia for which was presented by the Governor of Queensland at Government House, Brisbane, on 20 November 1946. In 1945, theBrisbane Telegraph and Maryborough Chronicle articles read, respectively:
Flying Officer W. B. ‘Bill’ Kaus, second son of Rahman Kaus, of 36 Raby Road, Brisbane, has been awarded the DFC in recognition of gallant service [92].
When paraded, before 600 people at Sandgate F/O, ‘Bill’ Kaus, of Brisbane, one of the 110 men who reached Brisbane received ‘a pleasant shock’ when told he had won the Distinguished Flying Cross. The award of DFC was promulgated after Kaus had left England, on hias way home [93].
Bill Kaus was also awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest honour [94]. He was a businessman, joining his
father in business. His father was a mattress-maker with an imposing shop, the walls of which were lined with quilts, making a very gorgeous display. Bill Kaus was a keen sportsman, especially in cricket, football, shooting and bowls. He was an inaugural member of the Queensland Cricketers Club and president of the Queensland Rifle Association. He also had a successful political career [95]. In 1966, he was elected as Queensland Liberal member for Hawthorne. He later represented the state seat of Mansfield from 1972 until 1986, switching to the National Party in 1983.
[90] “D.F. C. Awaiting Him Here”, Courier - Mail (Brisbane, Qld.: 1933-1954), Tuesday 31 July 1945, p.3.
[91] Bill Kaus:https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C275322.
[92] “Service Awards”, Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.: 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 1 August 1945, p.7.
[93] “D.F. C. was surprise for Brisbane F/O”, Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907-1954), Tuesday 31 July
1945, page 1. 94
[94] Kim Landers, Australian vets honoured with French Legion of Honour, Interview/ transcript, ABC, 2005.
[95] Wikipedia Former Members.Parliament of Queensland.2015;William Bernard Kaus (1923-2006)—Heaven Address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kaus.
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