Difference between revisions of "Charles Douglas Pailthorpe DFC"
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Charles enlisted in the Citizen Airforce on 16 Apr 1940, mustered as Aircrew I. He had earlier served as a member of the Militia [[16th Australian Infantry Battalion]] for 3 years, and had held the rank of Sergeant when discharged so he could join the Airforce. | Charles enlisted in the Citizen Airforce on 16 Apr 1940, mustered as Aircrew I. He had earlier served as a member of the Militia [[16th Australian Infantry Battalion]] for 3 years, and had held the rank of Sergeant when discharged so he could join the Airforce. | ||
| + | He was transferred on 22 Jul 1940 to the No. 2 Initial Training School RAAF, located at Bradfield Park, Sydney. There he completed the No. 1 Air Observers Course from 12 Jul 1940 until 19 Sep 1940 when he was posted to [[No. 1 AOS RAAF]] at Cootamundra having been remustered as Aircrew II. Charles was next posted to [[No 1. BAGS RAAF]] at Evens Head on 16 Dec 1940. There he was awarded his Air Observer's Badge on 9 Feb 1941 before transferring to [[No. 1 ANS RAAF]] at Parkes, NSW on 13 Feb 1941. He remained with them until 6 Mar 1941, and on 14 Mar 1941 Charles was discharged from the RAAF enlisted ranks in order to be granted a Commission as a Pilot Officer. | ||
| − | + | On 17 Apr 1941 Charles embarked for service in the Middle East, where he was in June 1941 posted to [[No. 211 Squadron RAF]] which was then based in Palestine. From 23 Jun 1941 until 4 Nov 1941 Charles undertook a number of training flights in [[Bristol Blenheim]] long range fighters. During this time he was promoted to Flying Officer on 14 Sep 1941. Fortunately for Charles he was posted out of the Squadron before it was sent to Sumatra to act against the Japanese where it suffered heavy casualties. | |
| − | No. | + | Posted to [[No. 45 Squadron RAF]] on 14 Sep 1941, from 28 Nov 1941 until 2 Feb 1942 Charles participated in operational flights as part of [[No. 45 Squadron RAF]]. Charles then spent from 3 May 1942 until 25 Dec 1942 flying operational missions over Burma as a member of both the [[No. 5 PRU RAF]] and [[No. 3 PRU RAF]] based at Dum Dum in India. |
| − | No | + | On 25 Jan 1943 Charles was posted as one of the inaugural members of to [[No. 681 Squadron RAF]]. This squadron was a Photo-reconnaissance Squadron equipped at that time with Hurricane PR.Mk.II and Spitfire PR.Mk.IV fighters. He was promoted whilst with the Squadron on 14 Mar 1943, this time to Temporary Flight Lieutenant. On 7 Jul 1943 Charles was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]]. In August 1943 the unit was re-equipped with Mosquito PRX.1 aircraft and with Spitfire PRX.1 aircraft in October. From 3 Nov 1943 Charles was paid as an Acting Squadron Leader. The Squadron moved to RAF Allpore, Bengal in May 1944. His status changed when he was promoted to Temporary Squadron Leader on 1 Jul 1944 |
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| − | + | In June 1945 the squadron relocated to RAF Mingaladon in Burma and were re-equipped with Spitfire PR.XIX aircraft during August | |
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==Award Comment== | ==Award Comment== | ||
Revision as of 20:26, 5 March 2025
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9 Jul 1909 |
| Place of Birth | Edinbridge, England |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | "Aberbechan", Rowley road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Jessie Pailthorpe |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 406091 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Jul 1940 |
| Post War Details | |
| Medals | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Pre War
Studied at the School of Agriculture (probably Muresk Agricultural College), achieving the Leaving Certificate
War Service
Charles enlisted in the Citizen Airforce on 16 Apr 1940, mustered as Aircrew I. He had earlier served as a member of the Militia 16th Australian Infantry Battalion for 3 years, and had held the rank of Sergeant when discharged so he could join the Airforce.
He was transferred on 22 Jul 1940 to the No. 2 Initial Training School RAAF, located at Bradfield Park, Sydney. There he completed the No. 1 Air Observers Course from 12 Jul 1940 until 19 Sep 1940 when he was posted to No. 1 AOS RAAF at Cootamundra having been remustered as Aircrew II. Charles was next posted to No 1. BAGS RAAF at Evens Head on 16 Dec 1940. There he was awarded his Air Observer's Badge on 9 Feb 1941 before transferring to No. 1 ANS RAAF at Parkes, NSW on 13 Feb 1941. He remained with them until 6 Mar 1941, and on 14 Mar 1941 Charles was discharged from the RAAF enlisted ranks in order to be granted a Commission as a Pilot Officer.
On 17 Apr 1941 Charles embarked for service in the Middle East, where he was in June 1941 posted to No. 211 Squadron RAF which was then based in Palestine. From 23 Jun 1941 until 4 Nov 1941 Charles undertook a number of training flights in Bristol Blenheim long range fighters. During this time he was promoted to Flying Officer on 14 Sep 1941. Fortunately for Charles he was posted out of the Squadron before it was sent to Sumatra to act against the Japanese where it suffered heavy casualties.
Posted to No. 45 Squadron RAF on 14 Sep 1941, from 28 Nov 1941 until 2 Feb 1942 Charles participated in operational flights as part of No. 45 Squadron RAF. Charles then spent from 3 May 1942 until 25 Dec 1942 flying operational missions over Burma as a member of both the No. 5 PRU RAF and No. 3 PRU RAF based at Dum Dum in India.
On 25 Jan 1943 Charles was posted as one of the inaugural members of to No. 681 Squadron RAF. This squadron was a Photo-reconnaissance Squadron equipped at that time with Hurricane PR.Mk.II and Spitfire PR.Mk.IV fighters. He was promoted whilst with the Squadron on 14 Mar 1943, this time to Temporary Flight Lieutenant. On 7 Jul 1943 Charles was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In August 1943 the unit was re-equipped with Mosquito PRX.1 aircraft and with Spitfire PRX.1 aircraft in October. From 3 Nov 1943 Charles was paid as an Acting Squadron Leader. The Squadron moved to RAF Allpore, Bengal in May 1944. His status changed when he was promoted to Temporary Squadron Leader on 1 Jul 1944
In June 1945 the squadron relocated to RAF Mingaladon in Burma and were re-equipped with Spitfire PR.XIX aircraft during August
Award Comment
Post War
Notes
External Links
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