William James (Jim) Morcombe
From Our Contribution
 1651 Conversion Course Morcombe second row, second from left | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 10 Jan 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Ceduna, South Australia |
| Death | 18 Nov 1943 |
| Place of Death | France |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 7 months |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Phillip Thomas Morcombe |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 415264 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Aug 1941 |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Unit/Formation | No. 622 Squadron RAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Killed in Aerial battle, France |
| Australian War Memorial | Australian War Memorial |
Pre War
Had worked as a clerk for Elder Smith & Co Ltd.
War Service
Enlisted as an Aircraftsman Level 2, and mustered as Aircrew V on 17 Aug 1941 at No.4 Recruiting Centre, Perth. On 7 Oct 1941 following basic training he was remustered as Aircrew V (Pilot) at No. 5 Initial Training School at Pearce. Progressing to the No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at Cunderdin, he was again successful and was re-mustered on 8 Nov 1941 as Aircrew II (Pilot). Further training followed with a posting to No. 4 Service Flying Training School in Geraldton on 9 Feb 1942, and on 28 May 1942 he was again re-mustered, this time as Airman Pilot, having won his Flying Badge on 14 Apr 1942.
Posted to No.5 Embarkation Depot, Perth on 3 Jun 1942, they moved him on to the No.2 Embarkation Depot at Bradfield Park, Sydney on 26 Jun 1942. On 24 Aug 1942 William embarked in Sydney, and as he did not arrive in the UK until 18 Nov 1942, it is likely that he travelled via the US or Canada. Initially held by the No 3 Personnel Reception Centre on the south coast of England, he was sent first to the No 15 Advanced Flying Refresher Unit on 15 Mar 1943, and then No. 26 Operational Training Unit on 4 May 1943. On 12 Aug 1943 he was posted to the No. 1651 Conversion Unit.
Finally on 10 Sep 1943 he reached No. 622 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. This was a new Squadron, only created on 10 Aug 1943. It was equipped with Stirling Mk III bombers. William was appointed to Commissioned rank of Pilot Officer on probation on 23 Oct 1943.
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