No. 1 Air Observers School RAAF
From Our Contribution
 Admin buildings | |
 Commemorating those who served and trained at RAAF airbase Cootamundra during WW2 - photo Sandra Brown | |
Brief History
No. I Air Observer's School was formed at Cootamundra, New South Wales, on 15 Apr 1940, with the first course of 70 air observer trainees commencing on 29 April. The unit was quartered! in the Cootamundra showground. awaiting the completion of new buildings at the a1rport. The first Anson aircraft arrived on 25 Jun 1940, and there were several fatal accidents in which this type of aircraft was involved whilst serving with the School.
Personnel of the unit were involved when 73 (Reserve) Squadron was formed at Cootamundra on 1 Jul 1942. By December 1942, the strength of the unit had grown to 88 off1cers, 765 airmen and 313 trainees. On 9 Dec 1943, the un1t was reformed at Evans Head, New South Wales. The unit, during its period at Evans Head, operated Anson, Battle, Ventura, Gannet, Tiger Moth and Fox Moth aircraft, and there were losses of aircraft and crews. No. 1 Air Observers School ceased to function on I June 1945, and was disbanded on 15 August 1945.
Unit Personnel
- Eric William Mills 27 Jan - 15 Feb 1943
- William John (Jack) Hart MID 6 Feb 1943 - 27 May 1944
Trainees
- Gerard Henzell Straughan Hemy 6 Feb - ? April 1941
- Robert (Mick) Bunney 12 Nov 1942 - 8 Jan 1943 (Aircraft & Ship Recognition Course)
- † Vernon Harold Minchin 25 May - 22 Aug 1943
Notes
Source of information - Units of the Royal Australian Airforce - A Concise History - Vol 8 Training Units - Australian Government Publishing Service - 1995