Difference between revisions of "Charles Douglas Pailthorpe DFC"
From Our Contribution
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
| caption2 = | | caption2 = | ||
| dateofbirth = 9 Jul 1909 | | dateofbirth = 9 Jul 1909 | ||
| − | | placeofbirth = Edinbridge, England | + | | placeofbirth = Edinbridge, Kent, England |
| death = | | death = | ||
| placeofdeath = | | placeofdeath = | ||
| − | | enlistmentage = | + | | enlistmentage = 31 years |
| − | | description = | + | | description = 5' 10½" (1.79m); 154lbs; fair complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair; vaccination marks on left arm |
| − | | height = | + | | height = 5' 10½" (1.79m) |
| − | | weight = | + | | weight = 154lbs |
| − | | complexion = | + | | complexion = fair |
| − | | eyes = | + | | eyes = hazel |
| − | | hair = | + | | hair = dark brown |
| − | | descriptionnote = | + | | descriptionnote = Appendix scar, vaccination marks on left arm |
| occupation = Farmer | | occupation = Farmer | ||
| religion = Church of England | | religion = Church of England | ||
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
| 2ndtransportreturn2tran= | | 2ndtransportreturn2tran= | ||
| 2ndtransportreturnnote2tran= | | 2ndtransportreturnnote2tran= | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | | fate1 = Returned to Australia | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | | fate1 = | ||
| fate2 = | | fate2 = | ||
| fate3 = | | fate3 = | ||
| Line 153: | Line 101: | ||
| monumentothernote = | | monumentothernote = | ||
| medal1 = Distinguished Flying Cross | | medal1 = Distinguished Flying Cross | ||
| − | | medal2 = | + | | medal2 = 1939-45 Star |
| − | | medal3 = | + | | medal3 = Africa Star |
| medal4 = | | medal4 = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 164: | Line 112: | ||
==War Service== | ==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 | + | Charles enlisted in the Citizen Airforce on 16 Apr 1940, mustered as Aircrew I at the [[No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre]]. He had earlier served as a member of the Militia [[16th Australian Infantry Battalion]] for 3 years from 1937 until 1940, and had held the rank of Sergeant when discharged in order to join the Airforce. |
| − | |||
| − | On 17 Apr 1941 Charles embarked for service in the Middle East, where he was in June 1941 | + | 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. 4 Air Observers Course on Anson aircraft from 12 Jul 1940 until 19 Sep 1940 recommended to serve as an Astro Navigator. He was then 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 flew in Fairy Battle aircraft and 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. They trained using Anson aircraft. 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 joined the Middle East Pool RAF on 6 May 1941, undertaking Operational training with [[No. 72 Operational Training Unit RAF]] at Wadi Gazouza in Sudan. Charles was posted in June 1941 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. | 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 then in October with Spitfire PRX.1 aircraft. From 3 Nov 1943 Charles was paid as an Acting Squadron Leader, transferred to [[AHQ Bengal RAF]]. He remained with the headquarters unit until 1 Jun 1944 when he transferred to [[Eastern Air Command RAF]] promoted to Temporary Squadron Leader. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | Charles was posted home, joining the [[No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF]] from 24 Nov 1944 until 26 Dec 1944. He was then posted to [[GRS Victoria RAAF]] where he attended the No. 10 General Service and Trop Course from 12 - 29 Mar 1945. Charles was next posted to [[No. 86 OBU RAAF]] as its Commanding Officer on 10 Jun 1945, before being transferred to [[No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF]] on 23 Jul 1945. On 25 Jul 1945 Charles was discharged at his own request with a post discharge address of 11 Havelock street, West Perth. | ||
| − | |||
==Award Comment== | ==Award Comment== | ||
| − | + | "In March 1943 Flying Officer Pailthorpe under took an Operational flight and achieved outstanding success. This officer has completed much operational flying, displaying great skill, courage and devotion to duty". | |
==Post War== | ==Post War== | ||
Revision as of 21:13, 5 March 2025
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 9 Jul 1909 |
| Place of Birth | Edinbridge, Kent, England |
| Age at Enlistment | 31 years |
| Description |
5' 10½" (1.79m) tall ; 154lbs 69.853 kg ; fair complexion ; hazel eyes ; dark brown hair ; Appendix scar, vaccination marks on left arm |
| 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 | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Distinguished Flying Cross 1939-45 Star Africa Star |
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 at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre. He had earlier served as a member of the Militia 16th Australian Infantry Battalion for 3 years from 1937 until 1940, and had held the rank of Sergeant when discharged in order to 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. 4 Air Observers Course on Anson aircraft from 12 Jul 1940 until 19 Sep 1940 recommended to serve as an Astro Navigator. He was then 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 flew in Fairy Battle aircraft and 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. They trained using Anson aircraft. 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 joined the Middle East Pool RAF on 6 May 1941, undertaking Operational training with No. 72 Operational Training Unit RAF at Wadi Gazouza in Sudan. Charles was posted in June 1941 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 then in October with Spitfire PRX.1 aircraft. From 3 Nov 1943 Charles was paid as an Acting Squadron Leader, transferred to AHQ Bengal RAF. He remained with the headquarters unit until 1 Jun 1944 when he transferred to Eastern Air Command RAF promoted to Temporary Squadron Leader.
Charles was posted home, joining the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF from 24 Nov 1944 until 26 Dec 1944. He was then posted to GRS Victoria RAAF where he attended the No. 10 General Service and Trop Course from 12 - 29 Mar 1945. Charles was next posted to No. 86 OBU RAAF as its Commanding Officer on 10 Jun 1945, before being transferred to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF on 23 Jul 1945. On 25 Jul 1945 Charles was discharged at his own request with a post discharge address of 11 Havelock street, West Perth.
Award Comment
"In March 1943 Flying Officer Pailthorpe under took an Operational flight and achieved outstanding success. This officer has completed much operational flying, displaying great skill, courage and devotion to duty".
Post War
Notes
External Links
[[Category:]][[Category:]] [[Category:]] [[Category:]] [[Category:]] [[Category:]]