Edward Harry Tasker
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Jun 1916 |
| Place of Birth | Battersea, London, England |
| Death | 23 Oct 2004, aged 88 |
| Place of Death | Maida Vale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 9 months |
| Occupation | Bus Driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Karragullen |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Florence Eileen Tasker |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W24287 & 436488 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 Jan 1943 |
| Rank | Flight lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | No. 75 Squadron RAAF |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 25 Jun 1945 ‒ 26 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | aircraft Townsville to Morotai |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | ? Nov 1945 ‒ 5 Nov 1945 |
| Transport Details | aircraft Tarakan to Adelaide |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Pre war Edward had served 2 years in the Militia's 44th battalion.
War Service
Edward first saw service in the CMF, mobilised on 7 Mar 1941 as a Gunner (Reg. No. W24287). On 17 Sep 1941 he was posted to the 109th Anti-Tank Regiment and allocated to the 34th Anti Tank Battery. Initially part time service, Edward was called up for full time service on 16 Dec 1941. His early service was as a Driver Mechanic given his background as a Bus Driver. In August 1942 he spent time in the 110th Australian Base Hospital before being medically reclassified on l November 1942 with a restriction on marching. On 14 Jan 1943 he was discharged in order to enlist in the RAAF. His NOK at that time was a step brother but by the time he enlisted in RAAF he had married Florence Eileen (1921 - 2 Aug 1986) on 3 Jan 1942, his daughter Sandra Paquita Tasker was born on 8 Jan 1943.
Edward enlisted in the RAAF on 15 Jan 1943 at No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF Perth with the rank of Aircraftman Grade II, mustering as aircrew V (Guard). On 17 Jan 1943 he joined the No. P209 Recruit Drill Course, completing training on 12 Feb 1943. On 19 Feb 1943 he was posted to State Headquarters at RAAF Base Pearce until 27 Mar 1943 when he was transferred to No. 4 Initial Training School RAAF at Victor Harbour in South Australia to participate in the No. 37 Aircrew Course. From there, on 10 May 1943 he graduated to the No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF at Parafield in South Australia where on 19 Jun 1943 he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman and re-mustered as aircrew II (Pilot). On 31 Jul 1943 he was posted to No. 7 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Deniliquin in New South Wales where he was placed on an Intermediate Training Course. Course completed, he then participated in the Advanced Training Course between 27 Sep and 18 Nov 1943. With the completion of his early flight training he was discharged as an enlisted man, awarded his Flying badge and commissioned as a Pilot Officer. His next move was on 11 Dec 1943 when he moved to the No. 4 Operational Training Unit RAAF at Williamstown in Victoria to prepare for posting to an operational Squadron.
On 24 Feb 1944 he joined the No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF at RAAF Pearce where he was promoted to Flying Officer on 18 May 1944. He moved with the Squadron to Cunderdin on 10 Jan 1945. Shortly afterwards (29 Jan 1945) he was posted to the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Perth before transferring to the No. 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF at Mildura in Victoria on 8 Mar 1945. From there he was posted to the No. 3 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF on Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies, with a stop over in Brisbane's No. 3 Personnel Depot RAAF from 1 - 17 Jun 1945 and Townsville's No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF from 20 - 26 Jun 1945. From Morotai, on 3 Jul 1945 he was posted to the No. 75 Squadron RAAF then based on Tarakan. On 1 Nov 1945 Edward was promoted again, this time to Temporary Flight Lieutenant.
With hostilities at an end, he was then posted home, first to Adelaide No. 4 Personnel Depot RAAF on 5 Nov 1945 and then to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Perth on 18 Jan 1946. Edwards' appointment was terminated on 21 Jan 1946 with his discharge address given as 26 High Street, Fremantle.
Post War
On 27 Sep 1974 Edward wrote to the Defence Department from 3 Hubert street, Darlington requesting his medals from ww2 service. His son was then attending the AIr Force Academy, so it appears he followed in father's footsteps.
Notes