William John (Jack) Hart MID
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 31 Oct 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5' 10" (1.78m) tall ; 133 lbs 60.328 kg ; fresh complexion ; green eyes ; light brown hair |
| Occupation | Telephone operator |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Urch road, Roleystone |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr William Hart |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | [recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5524608 415653] |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Dec 1941 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer |
| Unit/Formation | No. 22 Squadron RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 29 Mar 1945 Returned to Australia |
| Monument(s) | Roleystone Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Mentioned in Despatches |
Pre War
Jack attended the Roleystone State School from Oct until December 1935, then the Junior Technical School from January 1936 until December 1937, and the Perth Technical College from January 1938 until December 1938 when he completed his Junior Certificate. While Jack's enlistment paperts mention him as a Telephone Operator at the Fremantle Post Office from 20 May until 4 Sep 1940, later documents describe him as an orchard worker.
War Service
Jack enlisted in the RAAF as an Aircraftsman Grade 2 at No. 4 Recruit Centre RAAF on 7 Dec 1941 and was posted to No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF for basic training and on 28 Mar 1942 promoted to Leading Aircraftsman. On 28 May 1942 he was posted to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF and remustereds as Aircrew. Having successfully completed early flight training he was posted to [[No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF] on 21 Sep 1942 where he completed the course and was awarded his Pilot's Badge on 23 Dec 1942. On 21 Jan 1943 Jack was promoted to Sergeant (Pilot) and the next day was posted to No. 5 Embarkation Depot RAAF.
On 6 Feb 1943 Jack was transferred to No. 1 Air Observer's School RAAF at Cootamundra, and while with them he was detached to the No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF from 10 Dec 1943 until 10 Apr 1944. In the meantime, on 21 Jul 1943 he had been promoted to Flight Sergeant.Returned to his parent unit, he was transferred to No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF on 28 May 1944. Jack was promoted as a Warrant Officer (Pilot) on 21 Jul 1944. He undertook a conversion course to Boston aircraft with No. 5 Operational Training Unit RAAF.
Following the completion of this training, Jack spent two days with No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF enroute to No. 22 Squadron RAAF where he was taken on strength on 19 Sep 1944. Jak's file at Australian Archives includes an assessment of his suitability, dated 17 Mar 1945, for promotion to Commissioned rank. At that time he had clocked up 952 hours of flying time, with 43 hours and 5 minutes described as Operational. Commissioned rank was deferred until he has further service experience. His final totals were 961 hrs 35 minutes, including 11 strikes and 1 other operational flight
On 29 Mar 1945 Jack was wounded during air operations with a bullet wound to his right leg and left heel while operating out of Lian Strip on Ambonia Island. As a result, on 30 Apr 1945 Jack was posted to No. 3 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF. A spell in No. 6 RAAF Hospital was completed on 14 Jun 1945 when he was sent to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF. He was discharged on 15 Jan 1946.
Award Comment
"On his twelth operation with No. 22 Squadron, WAarrant Officer HART was leading a flight into Liang on a dawn straffing attack when his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, and he was hit in both legs. While the Navigator steadied the aircraft, Warrant Officer HART appled emergency field dressings to his wounds and, despite intense pain and although weakened by loss of blood, he flew his aircraft for two and a half hours across 350 miles (585 km) of ocean to his base at Morotai. He then made a perfect landing despite the fact that he was unable to use his legs, and kept the aircraft straight by use of the throttle.""
Post War
Jack married Mavis Jean During 1953 Jack made an unsuccesful application for a Commissioned position as an Aircraft Controller with RAAF's Special Duties Branch. 113 Peet road, Roleystone
Notes