Charles Douglas Pailthorpe DFC

Charles Douglas Pailthorpe DFC

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
Rank	Acting Squadron Leader
Unit/Formation	various
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	17 Apr 1941 ‒ 4 May 1941
Transport Details	unknown Fremantle to Port Tewfik
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	Sep 1944 ‒ 27 Oct 1944
Transport Details	unknown India to Melbourne
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	Distinguished Flying Cross 1939-45 Star Africa Star Burma Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

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 (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) 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 after which he was promoted Leading Aircraftman and recommended to serve as an Astro Navigator. He was then posted to No. 1 Air Observers School RAAF at Cootamundra having been remustered as Aircrew II. Charles was next posted to No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School 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 Air Navigation School RAAF at Parkes, NSW on 13 Feb 1941. They trained using Anson aircraft. He remained with them until 6 Mar 1941 when he was posted to RAAF Base Pearce to enjoy pre-embarkation leave. 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 (probably aboard one of the ships in Convoy US10). On arrival, 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 on Blenheim Mk 1 and Mark IV's.. Charles was posted in June 1941 to No. 211 Squadron RAF which was then based in Palestine, and 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 with Blenheim aircraft before he spent from 30 Apr 1942 until 25 Dec 1942 flying operational missions over Burma as a member the No. 3 Photo Reconnaissance Unit RAF based at Dum Dum in Kolkata (Calcutta), India. Their aircraft were North American B 25 Mitchell's. On 25 Jan 1943 Charles was posted as one of the inaugural members of to No. 681 Squadron RAF which also flew B 25's.. 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. Charles was paid as an Acting Squadron Leader, before transferring to HQ RAF Bengal and Burma on 3 Nov 1943. He remained with the headquarters unit until 1 Jun 1944 when he transferred to the Third Tactical Air Force Air Command, South East Asia, promoted to Temporary Squadron Leader,, remaining withthem until 8 Sep 1944.

Charles was posted home via Melbourne, returning to Perth on 27 Oct 1944 and joining the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF from 24 Nov 1944 until 26 Dec 1944. He was then posted to General Reconnaissance School RAAF where he attended the No. 10 General Service and Tropical Course from 12 - 29 Mar 1945. Charles next posting was to No. 86 Operational Base Unit 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.