Colin Lindsay Ottaway DFC

{{infobox soldier ww2 | image = | caption = At brother Maxwell's wedding in 1941. In 16th (Cameroon Highlanders) Battalion kit. | image2 =[[File:Ottaway_Colin_Lindsay_1.jpg]|400px] | caption2 = | dateofbirth = 2 Nov 1923 | placeofbirth = Bedfordale, Western Australia | death = 29 Aug 1996, aged 72 | placeofdeath = Safety Bay, Western Australia | enlistmentage = 17 years, 1 month | description = 5'10" (1.78m) tall; fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair | height = 5'10" (1.78m) | weight = | complexion = fresh | eyes = blue | hair = brown | descriptionnote = | occupation = Clerk | religion = Church of England | address = Mount Lawley, Western Australia | relation = Father | nextofkin = Mr Kenneth Ottaway | regnumber = W8865 & 427543 | enlistmentdate = 16 Dec 1940 (CMF) 19 Jul 1942 (RAAF) | rank = Private & Flying Officer | unit = 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) & No. 635 Squadron RAF | 1stembarkationdatefrom= 15 Jun 1943 | 1stembarkationdateto= 31 Jul 1943 | 1sttransportembarked= | 1sttransportnote= Brisbane to the UK

| 1stdateofreturnfrom= 2 Jul 1945 | 1stdateofreturnto= 8 Aug 1945 | 1sttransportreturn= SS Matsonia | 1sttransportreturnnote= UK to Fremantle

| fate1 = Returned to Australia | fate2 = | fate3 = | fate4 = | monument1 = | monumentnote1 = | monument2 = | monumentnote2 = | monument3 = | monumentnote3 = | monument4 = | monumentnote4 = | monument5 = | monumentnote5 = | monument6 = | monumentnote6 = | monument7 = | monumentnote7 = | monumentawm = | monumentawmnote = | monumentother = | monumentothernote = | medal1 = Distinguished Flying Cross | medal2 = 1939-45 Star | medal3 = France & Germany Star | medal4 = Defence Medal | medal5 = Australian Service Medal 1939-45 }}

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 RAAF Recruiting Centre 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 Embarkation 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, and a Week later he arrived at the No. 2 Embarkation Depot RAAF at Bradfield Park in New 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."

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.