Difference between revisions of "Colin Lindsay Ottaway DFC"
From Our Contribution
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| 1stdateofreturnfrom= 2 Jul 1945 | | 1stdateofreturnfrom= 2 Jul 1945 | ||
| 1stdateofreturnto= 8 Aug 1945 | | 1stdateofreturnto= 8 Aug 1945 | ||
| − | | 1sttransportreturn= | + | | 1sttransportreturn= [[SS Matsonia]] |
| 1sttransportreturnnote= UK to Fremantle | | 1sttransportreturnnote= UK to Fremantle | ||
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==War Service== | ==War Service== | ||
| − | Colin's original enlistment was in the CMF, more specifically the [[16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment)]] where he served from 16 Dec 1940 until his discharge on 17 Jan 1942. Six months later on 19 Jul 1942 he enlisted in the RAAF and was mustered for General Duties. | + | Colin's original enlistment was in the CMF, more specifically the [[16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment)]] where he served from 16 Dec 1940 until his discharge on 17 Jan 1942. Six months later on 19 Jul 1942 he enlisted in the RAAF at the [[No. 4 Recruit Centre RAAF]] and was mustered for General Duties. He was mustered as Air Crew level V. His first posting was to the [[No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF]] and there he was remustered on 8 Sep 1942 as Aircrew level V (Pilot) and on 10 Oct 1942 he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman. His next posting on 12 Nov 1943 was to the [[No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF]] at Cunderdin before moving on 18 Jan 1943 to the [[No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF]] at Geraldton to join the No. 36 Pilot Course. On 6 May 1943 Colin received his Flying Badge and was re mustered as Airman Pilot with the rank of Sergeant. On 15 May 1943 he was posted to the [[No. 5 Embarcation Depot RAAF]] in Subiaco who made arrangements that led to him joining the [[No. 1 Embarkation Depot RAAF]] in Ascot Vale, Victoria on 5 Jun 1943. A Week later he had arrived at the [[No. 2 Embarkation Depot RAAF]] at Bradfield Park inNew South Wales. |
| − | On 16 Jun 1943, 19 year old Colin was one of a large draft of 336 RAAF personnel who sailed for San Francisco in the United States aboard the [[SS Matsonia]], enroute to England. They arrived on | + | On 16 Jun 1943, 19 year old Colin was one of a large draft of 336 RAAF personnel who sailed from Brisbane for San Francisco in the United States aboard the [[SS Matsonia]], enroute to England. They arrived in the UK on 31 Jul 1943 having sailed via Auckland where a number of New Zealand Air Force personnel joined them. On 1 Aug 1943 he was with the [[No. 11 Personnel Depot & Receiving Centre]] in the UK. |
| − | + | 14 Sep 1943 (5) AFRU | |
| + | 6 Nov 1943 Promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant | ||
| + | 14 Mar 1944 at [[No. 27 Operational Training Unit RAF]] | ||
| + | 17 May 1944 Commissioned rank Embarked in Brisbane on 15 Jun 1943, disembarked in the UK on 31 Jul 1943 | ||
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| + | 9 Jun 1944 with No. 41 Base | ||
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| + | [[No. 635 Squadron RAF]] on 17 Sep 1944 | ||
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| + | [[11 Personnel Depot & Receiving Centre RAAF]] | ||
[[No. 635 Squadron RAF]] flew [[Avro Lancaster]]s from RAF Downham Market, Norfolk. | [[No. 635 Squadron RAF]] flew [[Avro Lancaster]]s from RAF Downham Market, Norfolk. | ||
| − | + | On 8 Aug 1945 he joined the [[No. 5 Personnel Depot]]'s Discharge Section, ahead of his discharge on 20 Nov 1945. His address was then 142 Walxott street, Mt Lawley. | |
| − | |||
==Award Citation== | ==Award Citation== | ||
"For skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy." | "For skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy." | ||
<ref> Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 26 Jul 1945, page 1599, position 25 & London Gazette of 17 Jul 1945, page 3686, position 22.</ref> | <ref> Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 26 Jul 1945, page 1599, position 25 & London Gazette of 17 Jul 1945, page 3686, position 22.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
==Post War== | ==Post War== | ||
Colin's Distinguished Flying Cross was presented to him by the Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia at Government House Perth on 3 Jan 1947. During 1952 Colin married Valma Lorraine Henderson (1929 - 1968). They had a daughter. Valma died on 29 Nov 1968 aged 39 in Floreat Park. | Colin's Distinguished Flying Cross was presented to him by the Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia at Government House Perth on 3 Jan 1947. During 1952 Colin married Valma Lorraine Henderson (1929 - 1968). They had a daughter. Valma died on 29 Nov 1968 aged 39 in Floreat Park. | ||
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Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 142 Walcott street, Maylands, Insurance agent; 1954 at 90 Bagot road, Subiaco, newsagent; 1958 - 1980 at 14 Dunblane road, Floreat Park, newsagent then representative and finally a clerk. | Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 142 Walcott street, Maylands, Insurance agent; 1954 at 90 Bagot road, Subiaco, newsagent; 1958 - 1980 at 14 Dunblane road, Floreat Park, newsagent then representative and finally a clerk. | ||
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===Notes=== | ===Notes=== | ||
Colin appears to have given a false date of birth to join the Army, but corrected it on joining the RAAF as he was 18 by then. | Colin appears to have given a false date of birth to join the Army, but corrected it on joining the RAAF as he was 18 by then. | ||
Revision as of 17:55, 26 February 2022
 At brother Maxwell's wedding in 1941. In 16th (Cameroon Highlanders) Battalion kit. | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Nov 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Bedfordale, Western Australia |
| Death | 29 Aug 1996, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Safety Bay, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 17 years, 1 month |
| Description | 5'10" (1.78m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Mount Lawley, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Kenneth Ottaway |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W8865 & 427543 |
| Date of Enlistment | 16 Dec 1940 (CMF) 19 Jul 1942 (RAAF) |
| Rank | Private & Flying Officer |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) & No. 635 Squadron RAF |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 Jun 1943 ‒ 31 Jul 1943 |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 2 Jul 1945 ‒ 8 Aug 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Matsonia UK to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Distinguished Flying Cross 1939-45 Star France & Germany Star Defence Medal Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Colin's original enlistment was in the CMF, more specifically the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) where he served from 16 Dec 1940 until his discharge on 17 Jan 1942. Six months later on 19 Jul 1942 he enlisted in the RAAF at the No. 4 Recruit Centre RAAF and was mustered for General Duties. He was mustered as Air Crew level V. His first posting was to the No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF and there he was remustered on 8 Sep 1942 as Aircrew level V (Pilot) and on 10 Oct 1942 he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman. His next posting on 12 Nov 1943 was to the No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF at Cunderdin before moving on 18 Jan 1943 to the No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Geraldton to join the No. 36 Pilot Course. On 6 May 1943 Colin received his Flying Badge and was re mustered as Airman Pilot with the rank of Sergeant. On 15 May 1943 he was posted to the No. 5 Embarcation Depot RAAF in Subiaco who made arrangements that led to him joining the No. 1 Embarkation Depot RAAF in Ascot Vale, Victoria on 5 Jun 1943. A Week later he had arrived at the No. 2 Embarkation Depot RAAF at Bradfield Park inNew South Wales.
On 16 Jun 1943, 19 year old Colin was one of a large draft of 336 RAAF personnel who sailed from Brisbane for San Francisco in the United States aboard the SS Matsonia, enroute to England. They arrived in the UK on 31 Jul 1943 having sailed via Auckland where a number of New Zealand Air Force personnel joined them. On 1 Aug 1943 he was with the No. 11 Personnel Depot & Receiving Centre in the UK.
14 Sep 1943 (5) AFRU 6 Nov 1943 Promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant 14 Mar 1944 at No. 27 Operational Training Unit RAF 17 May 1944 Commissioned rank Embarked in Brisbane on 15 Jun 1943, disembarked in the UK on 31 Jul 1943
9 Jun 1944 with No. 41 Base
No. 635 Squadron RAF on 17 Sep 1944
11 Personnel Depot & Receiving Centre RAAF
No. 635 Squadron RAF flew Avro Lancasters from RAF Downham Market, Norfolk.
On 8 Aug 1945 he joined the No. 5 Personnel Depot's Discharge Section, ahead of his discharge on 20 Nov 1945. His address was then 142 Walxott street, Mt Lawley.
Award Citation
"For skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy." [1]
Post War
Colin's Distinguished Flying Cross was presented to him by the Lieutenant Governor of Western Australia at Government House Perth on 3 Jan 1947. During 1952 Colin married Valma Lorraine Henderson (1929 - 1968). They had a daughter. Valma died on 29 Nov 1968 aged 39 in Floreat Park.
During 1958 Colin and Valma enjoyed a cruise, arriving in Fremantle from Singapore on 10 May 1958 aboard MV Gorgon.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 142 Walcott street, Maylands, Insurance agent; 1954 at 90 Bagot road, Subiaco, newsagent; 1958 - 1980 at 14 Dunblane road, Floreat Park, newsagent then representative and finally a clerk.
Notes
Colin appears to have given a false date of birth to join the Army, but corrected it on joining the RAAF as he was 18 by then.
- ↑ Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 26 Jul 1945, page 1599, position 25 & London Gazette of 17 Jul 1945, page 3686, position 22.