Keith Robert Mills

Keith Robert Mills

AWM photo 203820999
Personal Information
Date of Birth	2 Jul 1923
Place of Birth	Victoria Park, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 5 months
Description	5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 152lbs 68.946 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; tip of right thumb amputated
Occupation	Carrier
Religion	Congregational
Address	Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Emanuel Mills
Military Information
Reg Number	46267
Date of Enlistment	13 Jan 1942
Rank	Leading Aircraftsman
Unit/Formation	12th
Post War Details
Medals	Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Keith enlisted in the RAAF on 13 Jan 1942 at No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF. Having completed the basic Recruit Drill Course, on 8 Feb 1942 Keith was transferred to No. 5 School of Technical Training RAAF at Pearce to begin the No. 38 Trainee Fitter Course, before being transferred on 6 May 1942 to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF at Ascot Vale in Melbourne to undertake the No. 74 Trainee Flight Mechanic Course. While in Melbourne Keith had been hospitalised from 9 - 13 May 1942 in the No. 2 RAAF Hospital.On 31 Jul 1942, with early training completed he was now a Flight Mechanic and was posted to the No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Geraldton on 31 Jul 1942 where he was promoted Leading Aircraftsman on 19 Oct 1942.

Following a period back with No. 1 Engineering School RAAF to undertake a Fitter IIE Conversion Course followed by the No. 126 Fitter IIE Conversion Course. Keith was posted to No. 7 Aircraft Depot RAAF at Tocumwal on the NSW side of the Murray River on 26 Mar 1943. As a result of remustering, his rank was reduced to AC1, but he was again promoted to Leading Aircraftsman on 1 Sep 1943. On 5 Feb 1944 Keith transferred to the Base Torpedo Unit RAAF at Nowra to undertake the No. 9 Fitter 2E Course. On 20 Jun 1944 Keith was again transferred, this time to No. 7 Operational Training Unit RAAF to work on Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft. Keith's next posting was on 9 Aug 1944 to No. 12 Aircraft Repair Depot RAAF before which he was granted Pre-embarkation Leave from 16 - 21 Aug 1944. He joined the unit on 28 Oct 1944 in Darwin.

With the war over, on 7 Dec 1945 Keith was transferred to RAAF Base Darwin, remaining with them until he left for No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Perth on 4 Mar 1946. There his discharge was progressed and subsequently it took place on 12 Apr 1946.

Post War

On 8 Feb 1998 Keith was living at 33 Dance drive, Middle Swan, Western Australia.