Item issued to Richard Noel levy RAAF No 428329. Refer Cat No 4919.3 for service history.Emergency Flying Ration RAAF, outer cover in two pieces clear plastic, inner plastic container with ration items, sterilisation tablets, small plastic bag with string attached possibly for water sterilising.On tag inside “4/44”accessory, flying ration, emergency

Uniform issued to RAAF Flying Officers serving in the Second World WarMilitary Service Uniform issued to RAAF Officers during World War TwoRAAF WWII Dress 1A Uniform - FLTLTRibbons - Distinguished Flying Medal, 1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star with laurel, Defence Medal, France and Germany Star, Australian Service Medal 1939-45. Right breast - Propeller Club of United States

00154.1 RAAF Liberator flying over RAAF Base Dubbo Strip 250 00154.2 Crashed RAF Mosquito near Narramine NSW at Strip 650 Duddo. 00154.3 Vulter Vengenance at Strip 650 Dubbo NSW 00154.4 Planes and staff at Dubbo. 00154.5 Crashed Tiger Moth suspended in trees. 00154.6 RAAF Base Dubbo Strip 250 00154.7. “. “. “. “. “ Stores Depot. 00154.8. “ Officers and other ranks thought to taken at Dubbo NSW WW2.

The Roulettes are the Royal Australian Air Force's formation aerobatic display team. They provide about 150 flying displays a year, in Australia and in friendly countries around the Southeast Asian region. The Roulettes form part of the RAAF Central Flying School at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria.In 1970, the Roulettes were formed to celebrate the RAAF's 50th anniversary to be held throughout the year of 1971. The Roulettes first air show was at Point Cook in Dec 1970Rectangular shaped glass covered picture frame with photo of the Roulettes flying in formation.RAAF 'Roulettes' aerobatic team Photographer: Cpl John McKeonraaf, roulettes, aerobatic flying team, lara r.s.l.

Item issued to Arthur Thomas MANLY, No 431130 RAAF. Refer Cat No 3710 for his service details. RAAF called the jacket, Airman Drab.RAAF flying jacket, khaki. Rank badges on arms are staff set. Air Gunner's badge on L chest. Buttons are darkened brass. Belt is stores at rear in loops. 4 pockets.Written on inside rear: 431130 MANLYuniform, raaf, jacket

F/O Frederick Attwood Wittscheibe No 89 RAAF. Refer 96P for full service details.x 2 cloth RAAF Insignia Flying Wings on cardboard backing with stand, inside rectangular gold metal photo frame.On yellow sticker at back: ML RAMMEN MADE IN GERMANY Handwritten on white sticker on backing board: Group Captain F A Wittscheibe RAAF BORN BENDIGO 1913uniform accessories, raaf, frameing

Item issued to Arthur Thomas MANLY, No 431130 RAAF. Refer Cat No 3710 for his service details. RAAF flying jacket, khaki. Sergeant rank badges on arms & holes where another badge was mounted above the chevrons. Air Gunner's badge sewn on L chest. Buttons are darkened brass. 4 pockets. On rear collar: 431130 MANLY Name written then crossed out: PHILLIP Euniform, raaf

.1) and .2) depict WW2 RAAF Wirraway aircraft flying in formation. Part of Flight Lieutenant Ian A. 'Joe' Lyons MBE Collection. See Catalogue No. 5374P for details of his service record..1) Black and white photograph of three RAAF aircraft flying in formation over a built-up landscape. Photograph is mounted on mauve coloured cardboard. A handwritten caption is attached to the bottom of the photograph. .2) Black and white photograph of four RAAF aircraft flying in formation over land. Photograph is mounted on mauve coloured cardboard. A handwritten caption is attached to the bottom of the photograph..1) Caption: 'THIS IS A "GEM", "B" FLIGHT AGAIN'. .2) Caption: 'THIS IS THE "BIG DADDY" OF FORMATIONS. HERE YOU SEE "B" FLIGHT IN CLOSE FIGHTING FORMAT'.raaf, wirraway aircraft, ian a. 'joe' lyons, photograph

Included in the Collection of Bill Bakker ex RNEIAAFCertificate of Merit in Frame - Bill BakkerAustralian Flying Corps and RAAF Association Certificate of Merit Presented by Federal Council to William M. Bakker as a mark of Appreciation and Recognition of Service to the Association. Federal President Howard, Federal Secretary Peter Alexander. Dated 3 November 1974.a23.17

Item issued to Geoffrey Wilkin NEVILLE No 438263 RAAF. Rank, Flying Officer. Enlisted 10.9.1943 aged 18 years. Discharged 6.3.1946, posting at discharge, 460 SQD RAAF. Neville was posted to 460 Sqd 22.7.1945 to 6.10.1945, his Sqd during operations over Europe is unknown at this time.RAAF uniform tunic. Dark blue with waist belt. Over left hand breast pocket a woven patch with the letter N (Navigator) & one wing to the side. Under are x 3 service stripes sewn on - 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, on sleeves are metal crown and wings.uniforms airforce, raaf

Suitcase issued to aircraft captains or crew by RAAF during World War II. The contents of M D Frecker's suitcase include World War II medals awarded to the owner, photographs, maps, pilots' handbooks, language dictionaries (Malay, Pidgin, Japanese), propaganda leaflets dropped by Japanese.Has historical and social significance, also research significance. Provenance known, owner piloted B-24 Liberator bombers and General Blamey's personal aircraft; item was donated by son. Great interpretive potential.Worn dark suitcase belonging to Mason Day Frekker, strong cardboard covered with 'leatherette', metal fasteners on front, with carry handle. Suitcase contains Flying Log Book RAAF, Wedding Photo, National Archives Record Search Mason Day Frecker, Distinguished Flying Medal Register WW2 x 3, Papers on Medals and Victorian Ground Crew Numbers, Files 1 - 2 - 3 - Photographs, Leaflets, Pilots' Notes, Maps - Germany (28 maps), Buttons and badges and other medals."RAAF/402653/Frecker/M.D." on top surface, "M.D.F." on front surface under handle.b24 liberator bomber, world war ii, raaf pilot, world war ii aerial photographs, a22.00

This object relates to James Robert SMART. He was born on 26/01/1921 in Lake Boga, VIC. James Robert served in the RAAF (19007) enlisting on, 30/05/1940 in Warracknabeal, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 1 PERSONNEL DEPOT as a RAAF Commissioned Flying Officer (FLGOFF) on 15/02/1946. James Smart was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1946, Australian Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945. James Robert SMART was not a prisoner of war.second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, personal items, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to James Robert SMART. He was born on 26/01/1921 in Lake Boga, VIC. James Robert served in the RAAF (19007) enlisting on, 30/05/1940 in Warracknabeal, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 1 PERSONNEL DEPOT as a RAAF Commissioned Flying Officer (FLGOFF) on 15/02/1946. James Smart was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1946, Australian Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945. James Robert SMART was not a prisoner of war.second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to James Robert SMART. He was born on 26/01/1921 in Lake Boga, VIC. James Robert served in the RAAF (19007) enlisting on, 30/05/1940 in Warracknabeal, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 1 PERSONNEL DEPOT as a RAAF Commissioned Flying Officer (FLGOFF) on 15/02/1946. James Smart was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1946, Australian Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945. James Robert SMART was not a prisoner of war.medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to James Robert SMART. He was born on 26/01/1921 in Lake Boga, VIC. James Robert served in the RAAF (19007) enlisting on, 30/05/1940 in Warracknabeal, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 1 PERSONNEL DEPOT as a RAAF Commissioned Flying Officer (FLGOFF) on 15/02/1946. James Smart was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1946, Australian Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945. James Robert SMART was not a prisoner of war.medals, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to James Robert SMART. He was born on 26/01/1921 in Lake Boga, VIC. James Robert served in the RAAF (19007) enlisting on, 30/05/1940 in Warracknabeal, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 1 PERSONNEL DEPOT as a RAAF Commissioned Flying Officer (FLGOFF) on 15/02/1946. James Smart was awarded the Australia Service Medal 1939-1946, Australian Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945. James Robert SMART was not a prisoner of war.second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, photo/pictures, ballarat rsl, ballarat

The patches and insignia belonged to Arthur COWLEY RAAF. He enlisted on 22.1.1942 age 18 years 6 months as No 50704 which was a ground staff No. From 12.2.1942 to 12.9.43 he went through various courses at Sale, Lake Boga, Somerset, Richmond and Adelaide. Finally accepted into Aircrew he embarked from Melbourne for Canada for training as a Bomb Aimer on 27.9.1943, arriving Canada via San Francisco 19.10.1943. He then attended Bomb Aimers Courses at Mossbank and Edmonton. Granted a Commission as a Flying Officer on 24.3.1943, embark for England 10.4.1944 and posted to various bases for advanced training. Finally on 7.3.1945 he is posted to No 462 Sqd RAAF flying Halifax Bombers in Bomber Command and begins operations from Foulsham. Arthur completes 8 missions before the war is over with Germany. Departs England 28.11.1945 for Australia and is discharged on 11.1.1946. .1) Bomb Aimers Wings, Cloth, dark blue background with White "B" and Wing. .2) Shoulder Badge, cloth, dark blue with light blue "Australia"& Eagle. .3) Rank Badge, light blue propellor on dark blue background. .4) Badge Shoulder, cloth, Australia light blue on a dark background. .5) Badge Shoulder, cloth, light blue eagle on a dark blue background.air force, raaf, badges uniform

Refers to the service of "Lt. R. Baker" 5/13385..1) Jacket, black wool. Four front pockets. Rising Sun on Collars. Lieut. pips (2) on each epaulette. Four brass buttons on front. Button Motif - Australian Military Forces. On left chest are two ribbons, War medal 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal, and an RAAF Flying wings badge. .2) Trousers, black wool, Red stripe down outside of legs. Button fly, striped lining around waist line inside. Two side and one rear pocket. .3) Shirt - off white cotton, long sleeves, one breast pocket. .4) Cap - peaked black, red band, Rising Sun Badge. .5) Tie - black .6) .7) Shoes - pair of black leather, rubber soled shoes L & R.Inside jacket - “Lt. R. Baker 5/13385 2/11/51”ww2, post ww2, mess dress uniform, r. baker, passchendaele barracks trust

Given that the photo is 1936 the first two are possibly, F/O Joshua Roger McDONALD No 86, enlisted 15.1.35. At his death on 10.12.1941 he was Wing Commander No 13 Sqd RAAF Darwin. Flying Hudson No A16-69 himself and 3 crew members were killed when the plane crashed into the sea near Ambon Island, Indonesia. Fl/Lt Robert Frederick DALTON No 37, no details of enlistment date. When he was discharged from the RAAF on 16.12.1947 he was Wing Commander at RSTN Laverton (TD & RS) F/O Frederick Attwood WITTSCHEIBE No 89 enlisted on 15.1.1935. At discharge from the RAAF on 21.5.1946 he was Wing Commander at Station HQ East Sale. There is only one WITTSCHEIBE listed on the nominal role. Refer also Reg No 97.Black & white photo of 3 members of A Flight No 21 Squadron in rectangular black timber frame with wire hanger.Hand written on rear: F/O McDonald, FL/Lt R F Dalton, F/O F A Wittscheibe (Born Bendigo 1913, died Bendigo 1998) A Flight No 2 Squadron, circa 1936.military history, photography - group photograph, raaf

William Ellis NEWTON VC enlisted in the RAAF no 250748 on 5.2.1940 age 20 years 8 months. Serving with No 22Sqd RAAF flying Boston Bombers he arrived in New Guinea in May 1942. Along the way he was promoted to Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and then Flight Lieutenant. On the 18.3 1943 during a low level attack on Japanese positions around Salamaua he hit his target but his plane was hit several times by flack and burst into flames but he landed it in the sea. Sgt B.G Eastwood No 13055 a crew member went down with the aircraft. Newton and Flt Sgt J Lyon No 401706 swam to shore but were captured by the Japanese. Newton was taken to Lae for interrogation and then returned to Salamaua and was executed by decapitation and his body thrown in bomb crater on 29.3.1943. His body was later recovered in late 1943 when Australian troops captured Salamaua. Lyons was executed at Lae by bayoneting in the back. The award to Newton of the Victoria Cross was for low level attacks in the Salamaua area which inflicted heavy losses on Japanese installations one of which his plane was hit by flak heavily and he successfully flew it back some 180 miles and landed. The award also included the attack for which he was executed. Newtons and war crimes records are some 800 plus pages with photos, statements etc. Refer also Cat No 3456.Black & white photo, head & shoulders portrait of F/LT W. E. NEWTON V.C. He is wearing a peaked cap, collar & tie with RAAF wings badge on L side of jacket. In a green / gold wooden frame with glass front. Fawn paper backing. Gold plaque in middle beneath photo.Engraved on plaque: “F/LT W. E. NEWTON V.C. 22 Squadron RAAF”photograph, raaf, vc, newton

Item in the collection of Gilbert John Mitchell (Jack) Pre WW2 Jack had service for a brief time in the 38th BN Bendigo No 447203. He enlisted in the RAAF on 31.1.1942 No 410686 age 20 years. Embarked for England on 6.1.1943 for further Training. Posted to 166 Sqd RAF Wellington Bombers then posted Operational to No 466 Sqd RAAF flying Halifax Heavy Bombers. On 18.7.1944 he and his crew in MZ313 were on a mission to attack Railway Sidings at Vaires. This was new Aircraft on 11.6.1944. They were hit by Anti Aircraft shells exploding in the fuselage. The Bomb Aimer Flt/Lt Finley advised the crew to leave by parachute as it was possible the craft could disintegrate. The Pilot Officer R.J. Evans decided to try and get the aircraft back to England, once there they abandoned the craft which was seen to disintegrate in mid air. Both were awarded the DFC. Jack was taken POW and sent to Stalag Luft 1 near Barth on the Baltic Sea for Allied Airmen. The Crew were; Roger John Evans No 410202, enlisted 5.12.1941 age 31 years. Peter Hamiliton Finley No 412294, enlisted 22.6.1941 age 22 years. L.C. Abbott, British/Allied. G.J. Mitchell, POW. Keith Mossman Tranent POW, No 426402, enlisted 20.6.1942 age 19 years 2 months. J.P.T. Finn RAF (Paddy) T.W. Wild British/Allied. On 30.4.1945 The Germans vacated the Camp Jack was in and 2 days later the Russians released them and he was placed in a British Hospital weighing 6 stone. He arrived home in Sept 1945. He stayed in the RAAF No 033130 and served in No 35 Sqd flying VIPs. He was in the Berlin Airlift 1948 - 1949, he also went on exchange with the RAF and flew in No's 24 & 511 Sqd's one a transport the other VIP transport. He was discharged from the RAAF with the rank of Flt/Lt on 6.7.1956 in No 11 Sqd. "Maunder and Sheean". In the article Jacks says that Lofty Maunder always had a joke etc when near the target to settle everyone down. The crew of Halifax LV875 were shot down by a Night Fighter near the target "Terngier" north of Paris 0n 11.4.1944. There was 157 Halifax's on the raid with 10 being lost. The Crew were; John Henry Maunder No 412562, Navigator, enlisted 19.7.1941 age 19 years 10 months. Brian Leo Sheean, No 409855, Wireless Operator, enlisted 1.10.1941 age 18 years. Research shows there were at least 3 more of the Crew KIA. Cecil John Bond No 420433, Pilot, enlisted 8.11.1941 age 19 years 11 months. John Neville Keys No 426112, Bomb Aimer, enlisted 23.5.1942 age 19 years 6 months. Clifford Young Warren No 427047, Rear Gunner, enlisted 26.4.1942 age 19 years 3 months. J.A. White, Flight Engineer, British/Allied. D.K. Messenger, Mid Upper Gunner, British/Allied. Newspaper article Herald Sun 19.4.2002, copy. Article re Jack Mitchell. The article has 6 photo insets 3 of Jack, 2 show Airmen beside an aircraft. The one with 2 Aircrew is "Lofty" Maunder and Jack. The article is mostly about "Maunder and Brian Sheean" mates of Jack. The inset photo of a women in uniform is believed to be "Maunders" English wife who he had married previously. Maunder and Sheean were KIA. "FLY THE FLAG FOR A MATE"newspaper, article, 466 sqd

About the author: Born in Melbourne, David Crotty has worked in museums since 1984. He has a long-standing interest in aviation history and has worked as a curator with the Australian War Memorial and the RAAF Museum. He is currently (2010) a curator in the History and Technology Department of Museum Victoria. Story of John Robertson Duigan and his flying creer, from his early years as a Melbourne school boy to his heroic activities as a pilot on the Western Front in World War One. He was the first Australian to fly a powered Australian-made aeroplane in Australia.Front cover: Top - Duigan's aeroplane in flight, Spring Plains Station, Mia Mia, Victoria, in 1911. Below - John Duigan at the controls of his aircraft at Spring Plains Station, Mia Mia, Victoria, in 1911.

Number stamped on leather strapping around the bottle is “435891” This matches Flying Office Mervyn Albert Henry Schramm who enlisted 8/10/43 and was discharged 20/12/45 and was posted to RAF Station Gampston. The name written on the felt bottle cover possible “lowein” ?? Does not match any on the DVA rolls.Military Issued Water Bottle. Bottle in blue tin metal but is fully bound in brown felt material. Wrapped around felt is a leather strap that hooks over the shoulder. The water bottle is capped by a cork top with a metal hook into a wooden top on the cork. Lid is attached to the case by a piece of string. Written on the felt case cover in black pen a name appears to be "Denis Lowein". Stamped on leather strap No. “435891”, also on side strap "R.A.A.F K.W (over)194?"raaf, gampston

Items in the collection re Jack Mitchell, refer Cat No 7467 for full service details. Field Marshall Montgomery visited Australia in 1947. Jack Mitchell was flying VIP flights. The Berlin Airlift was called "Operation Pelican". The crew. Flt Sgt J.H. Moor No 418451 RAAF, discharged 25.3.1948. Flt Lt O.W, Friend No 406291 RAAF, discharged 5.2.1948 W Com H. C. Plenty No 03103 RAAF, DFC & Bar, discharged 2.2.1976. Flt Lt M Palmer (unknown at this point).1) Photo B & W laminated, shows "Montgomery" shaking hands with Jack Mitchell with 4 other Aircrew around. .2) Photo B & W laminated showing "Montgomery" standing with the same crew. .3) Photo B & W laminated showing the 5 Aircrew with "Montgomery", text at the bottom and on rear.At bottom, "Montgomery of Alamein" On rear, "Monty's crew - L - R - Flt Sgt J.H. Moor - Flt Lt O.W. Friend - W. Com H Plenty - Flt Lt M Palmer - Flt Lt G.J. Mitchell"photographs, montgomery

The uniform belonged to Wing Commander "Leonard Bacon", born 11 June 1906. He enlisted in the RAAF on 31 May 1926 No. 03305 with the rank AC.1. In 9 postings in Vic, QLD and WA he rose through 11 ranks to Sgt Maj Class 2 by 1940. He was commissioned as Flying Officer on 1.8.1940. He rose through the ranks to be Wing Commander on 1.7.1951. During WW2 from 1941 he was explosives Inspecting Officer at Northern Area 5 then to Explosive Inspecting Officer for the whole RAAF in the S/W Pacific. This role took him to some 21 places in the North from Townsville - Darwin to across the islands many several times. Leonard was awarded a "Mention in Despatches" on Morotai in 1945. Post WW2 in 1950 Leonard was appointed Chief Inspector of explosives in the RAAF, one of these roles was the supervision of the disposal of large quantities of War Stock. On 13.6.1958 he was recommended for an “OBE” which he received in the 1959 New Years Honors List. Leonard retired from the RAAF on 11.6.1960 after 34 years. This is a very brief record of his service documents.Dark Blue Service Dress Uniform comprising of jacket (.1) Pants (.2) gold buttons with RAAF emblems. Ribbons on the coat are as follows; Left to Right: OBE, 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, British War Medal with clasp "MID". Australian Service medal, Long Service and Good Conduct medal. Jacket has black inside lining with belt connected to back. Three stripes of Wing Commander rank on the sleeves. Size "M".raaf, uniform, leonard bacon

This photo relates to Ronald Leslie Schorey Dickinson RAAF, refer Cat No 7260 for service details. This is a black and white photo of a twin engine Beaufort Bomber in flight. It is flying low to the ground. Under the plane is flat ground with a few gum trees. In the background is a water way of some sort.Written on the back in blue ink is; "Beaufort Bomber being flown at Sale by Flying Officer Peter John Gibbs D.F.C in 1942. When I was at RAAF Laverton as a RAAF Cadet in 1942, F/O Peter Gibbs took me for my first ever flight in a similar plane".ww2, photo, aircraft, beaufort bomber

These badges are hat or cap badges used by the Royal Australian Air Force . These badges may date from before World War Two but the ones used today are of similar design. The basic design mirrors the equivalent design of the badges of the Royal Air Force of Britain. The Royal Australian Air Force was established in 1921 and is the second oldest Air Force in the world, being formed from the Australian Flying Corps which was established in 1912.These cap badges are of interest as early examples of those worn by members of the Royal Australian Air Force..1Bronze badge featuring a crown, a wreath of leaves and berries enclosing stylised RAAF. There are two small rings on the reverse each with a two pronged brass pin inserted in the rings. .2 Identical to .1 except the brass pins are missing. RAAF

Awarded to Alan Bowers (A236814) who was a R.A.A.F. dental mechanic who serverd during WWII including service in Darwin, and then continued in the R.A.A.F. for some years after the end of WWII The Royal Australian Air Force (and all Commonwealth Air Forces) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: Awarded to NCOs and ORs of the RAAF (RAF, RCAF etc) for 15 years service. A cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). Officers are eligible for the award provided they have served a minimum 12 years in the ranks. The riband is dark blue and maroon with white edges. This medal ceased to be awarded in Australia in 1975 when it was replaced by the National Medal (and sbsequently the DFSM and DLSM) in the Australian system of honours and awards. http://www.heritagemedals.com.au/medals-1/service-long-service/air-force-long-service-and-good-conduct-medal.html History of the RAAF Dental Branch It took six years following the formation of the RAAF in 1921 for the first Dental Clinic to be established at Point Cook, Victoria. On 10th June 1927 Flying Officer James Carl Rosenbrock commenced work as an RAAF Dental Officer for the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. As personnel numbers were still relatively small, Rosenbrock was also responsible for the dental care of all Victorian RAAF units, which involved treating members at 1AD Laverton, as well as Air Force Headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. As Army Dental Officers were currently caring for RAAF personnel at Richmond, NSW, the Senior Dental Officer of the 3rd Military District in Victoria (SDO 3MD) requested through the military board that a similar arrangement be established, where that the newly appointed RAAF Dentist provide part time dental services to the Army units stationed at Queenscliff. This was seen as an effective reciprocal arrangement, with both units having a Dental Officer in attendance for, in total, around 3-4 weeks a year. Rosenbrock continued to serve as the sole RAAF Dental Officer until the middle of 1933, when the Air Board asked for his service to be terminated following ‘behaviour unbecoming of a RAAF officer'. He had borrowed several sums of money, of around 40 Pounds or so, from junior ranks on base (as well as from the Regimental Sergeant Major) and had failed to pay the money back. He was replaced by a fellow Victorian, FLGOFF Norman Henry Andrews, on the 18th Sep 1933, who went on to become our first Director of Dental Services, and was instrumental in establishing the organisations and conditions of the Branch that are still present today. Through a fair amount of persistence and hard work on the part of Norman Andrews, the RAAF Dental Branch began to expand from 1937, with the introduction of 2 additional positions, at RAAF station Richmond, and at the FlyingTraining School at Point Cook. This gave the RAAF 3 uniformed Dental Officers, which was expanded to 5 in the months leading up to WW2. 4 of these Dental Officers were based in Victoria and 1 at Richmond, with the other two RAAF units being cared for by the Army (as in the case of Pearce in WA) or by civilians (as in Darwin). With the sudden increase in RAAF personnel required at the outbreak of WW2, the number of RAAF Dental Officers increased dramatically, from 5 in 1939, 28 in 1940, 64 in 1941, 147 in 1942, 193 in 1943, 219 in 1944, and peaking at 227 in 1945. RAAF Dental Officers were required to work in a variety of locations, both in and out of Australia. Between 1940 and 1942 a massive construction programme occurred, with new dental clinics being established around Australia. Priority was given to aircrew training units in order to get these personnel dentally fit for operational deployment, but Dental Officers could equally find themselves posted to recruit depots, fixed stations, medical clearance stations, mobile dental sections, and RAAF and civilian hospitals. RAAF Dental Officers were posted to the large dental centres at Ascot Vale (Vic) and Bradfield Park (NSW) when first appointed, where they received military and clinical training, before being deployed to their needed location. Mobile Dental Units When Japan entered the war in 1941, the rapid deployment of troops to northern operational areas with less than ideal dental fitness was extremely high. As a result, the RAAF deployed a range of mobile dental units, either alone or with medical sections, to support the increasing number of isolated deployed personnel within Australia and overseas. There were three types of mobile unit used: a. Mobile Dental Unit – relied on using either a semi-trailer to get around or by building a surgery directly on to the truck chassis, and installing hydraulic chairs, units, x-rays, and laboratory equipment. They were able to move around between small units, such as RAAF radar stations, where they could plug into the local power supply and work immediately. b. Transportable Dental Units – used for stops of longer duration, where field equipment was carried in panniers from one unit to another by road or rail and housed in whatever accommodation was available at the destination. They were often carried within Australia on Tiger Moths and Dakota aircraft. c. Itinerant Dental Units – in some areas, the dental equipment was installed at the RAAF unit and the Dental Officer and their staff would travel from unit to unit, using the equipment available at each location. RAAF Dental BadgeAs the war developed in Europe, it soon became obvious that the RAF Dental support was not capable of supporting the increasing numbers of RAAF aircrew that were being sent for service with the RAF, with only enough Dental Officers available to provide one to every 2000 men ( instead of the preferred 1 to 600). As a result, the RAAF provided a mobile dental unit, fitted out in a caravan and pulled by a Ford V8 Coupe, to travel around England in support of RAAF personnel at various squadrons. Some degree of tact was needed to ensure that the RAF did not take this as a comment on the treatment they were providing, but it proved successful in maintaining a satisfactory state of dental fitness in RAAF personnel, and a second mobile unit was soon dispatched. They were also set up with a laboratory on board as well as the surgery, which was a major difference between the RAF and RAAF, as the RAF did not provide dentures for their troops (the RAAF would, providing they had served for 6 years). In 1943 the RAF was no longer able to provide Dental support to Australian troops in the Middle East, which resulted in the need for a transportable dental unit to be deployed from Australia. It functioned in a similar manner to the RAF, by moving from one squadron to another. It served in the Middle East and Africa, from Cairo across North Africa, to Italy, and eventually back to England to treat returned prisoners of war. GPCAPT Norman Andrews The growth and development of the RAAF Dental Branch owes a debt to one man in particular, GPCAPT Norman Andrews. As the second RAAF Dental Officer to enlist on 18 Sep 1933, Andrews became the principal architect of the structure and organisation of the RAAF Dental Branch leading up to and during WW2. Until early 1940, the RAAF Dental Branch was administered by the Director of Medical Services (Air), which placed it under the control of the Army Medical staff. The Army would provide their Inspector of Dental Services for advice whenever needed. In April 1940, the RAAF Medical service separated from the Army, resulting in the control of the RAAF Dental Branch shifting back to the RAAF. Andrews became the first Director of Dental Services, when the position was created in 1943 as recognition of the higher profile the Dental Branch was now playing in the RAAF Medical service. Until this time, Andrews's title had been as the Dental Staff Officer to the RAAF Medical Service. Andrews was responsible for the establishment of the war-time structure of the Dental service, establishing new dental centres at all major bases, creating mobile and transportable dental units, ensuring the continual growth of the Branch, maintaining professional development of staff through the establishment of a professional journal, and by organising renowned lecturers to speak at RAAF bases. He also believed in visiting as many dental units as possible to see for himself what conditions were like and to talk first-hand to staff in remote units. His itinerary during the war years, both in and out of Australia, shows a large number of trips in a variety of modes of transport in order to reach remote areas where units were serving. He was promoted to GPCAPT in July 1944, as the numbers of Dental Officers soon peaked at 227 towards the end of the war (1 GPCAPT, 9 WGCDRs, 60 SQNLDRs, and 157 FLTLTs). After the war, with the reduction in RAAF personnel required in uniform, the Dental Branch also reduced its numbers significantly. By 1947 there were only 18 Dental Officers serving (many part-time), with 1 GPCAPT, 1 WGCDR, 10 SQNLDRs, and 6 FLTLTs, and only 13 by 1950. With the decrease in Branch personnel numbers, the ‘powers to be' saw fit to reduce the Director of Dental Service rank to WGCDR, and as a result Norman Andrews found that in order to continue serving in the RAAF he would have to wear a reduced rank. This appears to have been a contributing factor in his decision to discharge at the relatively early age of 43 and accept an administrative job as Director of the Victorian Government's School Dental Service. Norman Andrews holds the proud honour of being the founder of the RAAF Dental Branch, which during the war was instrumental in educating servicemen of the importance of dental health and maintaining the dental fitness of troops in a variety of areas. Dental Orderlies (Assistants) The dental orderly mustering was first introduced in 1937. Until that time, medical orderlies were assigned to assist the Dental officer with their duties. As early as 1931 it had been noted by both RAAF and Army Dental Officers working in Victoria and Richmond that a lot of the troubles they were having would be solved by appointing a permanent Dental Orderly. Often they would find that the medical orderly they were assigned was a different one each day, and as a result the administration and work in general was very inefficient. By 1937, with the increase in Dental Officers to 3, it was realised that a Dental Orderly mustering needed to be created. Dental Mechanics/Technicians Before WW2, dental laboratory work was provided by civilian laboratories, as most RAAF units were stationed around metropolitan areas. At this time, service personnel were still required to pay for their own dentures, unless they had served for six years or had their dentures damaged during performance of their duties. In July 1940, mainly in response to the development of more remote RAAF dental units and the increasing demand for dental prostheses, the Dental Mechanic mustering was established. Unfortunately there was a very limited pool of civilian dental mechanics to recruit from, and as a result the RAAF set up a training school at Laverton (which was later moved to Ascot Vale) in June 1941 which conducted an intensive 6 month course in Dental mechanics. Dental mechanics were quickly in demand. In all fixed and mobile dental units at least 1 Mechanic was supplied for each Dental Officer, and indeed the RAAF supplied Dental Mechanics throughout all its deployments, something the RAF were unwilling, or unable, to do. Two grades of dental mechanic existed: the Senior Mechanic (with the rank of NCO), who was competent in all phases of laboratory work; and the Junior Mechanic, who could only handle routine work and not more advanced denture work. The progression to Senior required a further trade test in techniques including setting up, clasp-forming, casting and backing teeth. During the course of the War, two special courses were held for Mechanics. The first, directed at senior mechanics so that they could instruct others, was in 1942 when Acrylic Resin was first introduced as a denture base material, as an alternative to the current option of vulcanite. Later, towards the end of the War, a ‘refresher' course was provided for those that had served for the greatest period of time in order to allow them retraining in techniques that they had not practised during their service and which were common in civilian life. This included cast base dentures, crowns and bridges, partial dentures, and retainers. Towards the end of the War, a course was held with WAAAF trainees to train them as Mechanics. However, as the War was soon to end they never had the opportunity to progress within the mustering to become Senior Mechanics. The RAAF Dental Branch has survived 75 years of turbulence, with reviews of its viability occurring regularly every few years from as early as 1937. The Branch continues to provide excellent service to the ADF community and, despite reduced manpower, will continue to play an important role in Air Force Health operations. http://www.defence.gov.au/health/about/docs/RAAFDental.pdf40cm cupro-nickel plated medal, the obverse features the sovereign's head, the reverse features the crown and eagle emblem of the RAAF (and RAF). A23814 BOWERS.A. A. F.r.a.a.f long service medal, r.a.a.f good conduct, r.a.a.f. dental service medal