Ivan Lindsay Dunn

Ivan Lindsay Dunn

Personal Information
Date of Birth	2 Jun 1921
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Death	8 Mar 2015, aged 93
Place of Death	Ocean Reef, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years old
Description	5'11" (1.80m) tall ; 147lbs 66.678 kg ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair
Occupation	Orchard Hand
Religion	Seventh Day Adventist
Address	Bickley
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Clara Jane Dunn
Military Information
Reg Number	29980
Date of Enlistment	4 Jun 1940
Rank	Leading Aircraftsman
Post War Details
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star Italy Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Attended Bickley Private School from 1930 until 1934.

From 1 Jun 1939 until 29 Apr 1940 or beyond, Ivan was employed by GM Clayton, Lieutenant RANVR of 'Kelvingrove', Carmel.

War Service

Initial enlistment was with the RAAF Reserve seeking an apprenticeship Fitter & Turner opportunity, but failed fitters test. Suitable for recruitment as aircrafthand. He was then enlisted in the RAAF on 24 Feb 1941 as an Aircraft Hand V, and sent to the No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at Cunderdin. While there on 9 Feb 1942 he was charged with having been absent from a place of parade. Guilty he was awarded 14 days confined to barracks. At 9 EFTS he had 10 hours dual flying experience, but did not progress to flying solo. While there he was remustered as a DMT (motor cyclist).

On 6 Sep 1942 he was transferred to No. 1 School of Technical Training. This training was followed by a transfer on 9 Oct 1942 to No. 31 Squadron RAAF as they were relocating from Wagga Wagga to Batchelor airfield in the Northern Territory to operate Bristol Beaufighter aircraft. In November they moved to Coomalie Creek Airfield, where on 28 Nov 1942 he applied for aircrew, but was found unsuitable. On 6 Feb 1943, still at Coomalie Creek he used abusive language towards a Corporal and was given 14 days detention. However, this was not served in full as on 10 Feb 1943 he was transferred to the No 4. Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF. On 5 May 1943 he moved to the No. 1 Repair & Salvage Unit RAAF attached to 12th Squadron which was based at Merauke in western New Guinea until 26 Nov 1943 when he was transferred to the No. 5 Embarkation Depot at Subiaco. No 12 Squadron operated Vultee Vengeance aircraft during this period.

On 22 Jan 1944 his posting had changed to No. 17 Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF, and on 11 Apr 1944 to No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF, at Pearce who at that time were flying Vultee Vengeance dive bombers. During 1944 Ivan married Muriel (Merle) Grace Parker and their son Ronald Lindsay was born 6 Oct 1944.

On 8 Sep 1944 Ivan was again posted to No. 5 Embarkation Depot, and on 23 Dec 1944 he was sent to the Middle East where he joined No. 454 Squadron RAAF which was operating Martin Baltimore Mk V aircraft. They were committed to the Italian Campaign, and following the surrender of German forces in Italy the Squadron moved to Villorba about 35 km north of Venice. In Venice, Italy on 7 Jun 1945 while a member of No. 454 Squadron RAAF he was charged with having left a 3 ton Dodge vehicle No RAF 91042627 unattended in an unguarded vehicle park contrary to Orders. Penalty was 7 days confined to camp.

On 14 Aug 1945 he left the Squadron for a personnel depot in England and had been warned that he may go to Germany as a member of the occupying forces. Given wind of him being away from home for a further 12 months his wife complained bitterly, and the final outcome was that Ivan departed England on 28 Dec 1945, and was discharged ahead of his normal turn for compassionate reasons on 25 Feb 1946.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Edward street, Cottesloe, constable; 1954 at 12 Algar street, Cottesloe; 1958 - 1977 at 2 May street Scarborough, Inspector in 1977;