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Sydney Morning Herald Army News Monday 19 July 1943 Wednesday 21 July 1943 Pilot Officer Francis Edwin Mathers Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY MEDAL (FLYING) Francis Edwin Mathers (413221) Royal Australian Air Force 77 Squadron One night in June, 1943, Sergeants French and Spedie were the wireless operator/air gunner and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft piloted by Flight Sergeant Mathers, which attacked Mulheim. Whilst over the target area, the bomber 50 was subjected to heavy fire from the ground defences and was repeatedly hit. Two engines were rendered unserviceable in quick succession. While the starboard aileron control was shot away and 3 petrol tanks were pierced, all of which leaked rapidly. In spite of this, Flight Sergeant Mathers flew clear of the defences and set course for this country. On the return flight, the bomber gradually lost height and all movable equipment, including the guns of the mid-upper turret and some ammunition, were jettisoned. Shortly after crossing the enemy coast, the disabled aircraft was intercepted by an enemy fighter. In the ensuing engagement, Sergeant Spedie skilfully used his guns and, eventually with a devastating burst from close range, he shot the attacker down into the sea. The bomber was down to 500 feet but, displaying superb airmanship, Flight Sergeant Mathers, receiving much assistance from Sergeant French who diligently worked his wireless apparatus to obtain direction fixes, struggled on to reach an airfield near the coast. Although the undercarriage could not be lowered, this pilot successfully effected a crash-landing. In most harassing circumstances, Flight Sergeant Mathers displayed exceptional skill, courage and fortitude, while Sergeants French and Spedie displayed conduct worthy of the highest praise. Sergeants Edward George Owen French and William Spedie were both awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal Francis Mathers father was presented with his CGM at Government House, Sydney on 13 April 1946 by the Governor General of Australia, Lord Gowrie.
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https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=693872&c=WW2#R
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https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3133116&isAv=N
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WW1 Meritorious Service L- R Military Medal (MM), 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
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https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=123632
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“Major Kestel arrived in New Guinea in September 1943 with 24 Australian Army Nursing Service personnel. During the ensuing period, the hospital was working to its capacity, and there were frequent enemy air raids in the near vicinity. She has at all times carried out her duties as matron with energy, tact and control. In consequence of Matron Kestel untiring devotion to duty, the work of nursing staff has beyond praise”.
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Lieutenant Leonard Gurner of the 60th Bn AIF: KIA Morlicourt France 18 July 1918
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Don Walch did indeed serve on 226 Sqn. He was 39236 S/L Graham Reese 'Digger' Magill's regular navigator. A snippet from Norman Frank's, "The Greatest Air Battle Dieppe, 19 August 1942 (p.40): "Magill got back safely although his machine (226 Sqn Boston III Z2295 MQ-A), was damaged. Not for the first time did the crest on his Boston get them Home. His usual crew was Pilot Officer Donald Walch, from Tasmania, as navigator, and 'Taffy' Gubbins, air gunner. (Gubbins was away on 19 August, his place being taken by Sergeant S Praeger). The crest consisted of a kangaroo, a kiwi and a welsh dragon on a boomerang, ensuring a return ticket, they hoped!"
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RAAF Fighter Pilots with 56SQN RAF (L to R): Flying Officer Kenneth Watts 420315; Flying Officer Laurence John Henderson 413935; Flying Officer Alexander Stuart Miller 410130
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https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5262985
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https://www.bcar.org.uk/scampton-history
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Tom Tobin at this investiture for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Jane Eblen private collection
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https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1972683&isAv=N
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https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=138077
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'During the operations at Villers-Bretonneux on the night of 24/25th April, 1918, this N.C.O. was conspicuous for his courage, coolness and devotion to duty. When all his officers had become casualties he at once took command of the company and showed great judgement in the selection of position, etc. He kept his company well in hand and in touch with the adjoining companies, and saw that the position selected was strongly consolidated. By his timely assumption of command, and the excellent spirit he displayed throughout, the morale of his men was maintained and his coolness, cheerfulness and energy set a spelndid example to all ranks.'
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https://www.centennialpark.org/memorial-search/?surname=Brakenridge&firstname=Hamilton
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https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1943276
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https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8193808
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An Australian digger searches for his mate's grave amid the shell-torn landscape that was Pozieres. The fact that so many men have no known grave is unsurprising given field burials like these which could be subsequently obliterated by more fighting and shellfire. After the war these ad hoc burials were concentrated into the cemeteries we know today.
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An account of one of the many otherwise unheralded acts of courage and the underlying sense of duty that is so evident in so much of the available literature, exhibited from the highest to the lowest ranking soldier.
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This photograph is of the 4th Pioneer Battalion New Zealand Army but it serves to illustrate the extent of preparation before the battle - this is rehearsal conducted prior to the battle of Messines. These men are advancing towards the start line for an attack. As they approach it in columns of route, they spread out quickly into 'artillery formation' as seen here so they are less vulnerable . This photo should be viewed in conjunction with the adjacent diagram and explanation. Image from tumatauenga.webs.com
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https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8214671
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THE STAFF OF THE DENTAL SECTION, 105 CASUALTY CLEARING STATION. IDENTIFIED PERSONNEL ARE:- CPL F. JAMES (1); STAFF SERGEANT C.H. FERRIS (2); CAPT W.J. STONEY (3); PTE C.F.W. SPAR (4).
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https://explore.history.sa.gov.au/organisation/fort-glanville-historical-association
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https://vwma.org.au/collections/home-page-stories/hill-60-gallipoli
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The AE1 submarine went missing on September 14, 1914.
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Details from his recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Bckingham Palace April 1917: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He made a daring reconnaissance, and led raiding parties across "No Man's Land" to the point of assembly. Later he carried five wounded men back to a place of safety". Extract from the History of the 43rd Battalion by Capt E.J. Collyer, MC and Lieut BH. Richardson - P232 "To know him was to like and admire him. His buoyant, sunny nature pulled the slow along in times of stress and hardship. As a scout and raid leader, he had no equal in the battalion Thus died one of the finest specimens of the Australian soldier ever to set foot in France". He was killed during the period of small scale raids seizing German forward posts and pushing their font line back in what was called 'Peaceful Penetration", for which the AIF became renowned, in the months preceding the great attack on the 8th August 1918. He was initially buried in the field "In the shadow of the Monastery in the heart of Bois l'Abbe, just west of Villers". He was later re-interred at the Adelaide Cemetery, in Villers Bretonneux."
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https://archives.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/public/images/GRG24_157_index%20cards%20to%20recipients%20of%20coronation%20medals.pdf
Page 46 of 76
This page is supported by a grant from the ANZAC Day Commemoration Council