Tom Shelley Griffiths
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Apr 1920 |
| Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Death | 5 Mar 1981, aged 60 |
| Place of Death | Applecross, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 5 months |
| Description |
5'5½" (1.66m) tall ; 134lbs 60.781 kg |
| Occupation | Draughtsman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Mills road, Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr George Albert Griffiths |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 415322 |
| Date of Enlistment | 14 Sep 1941 |
| Rank | Flight Lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | No. 1 Operational Training Unit RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Worked as a draughtsman for Forward Down (WA) Ltd at John street, Welshpool from 22 May 1936 until September 1941. Electoral Roll entry: 1943 at 'Carinya', Mills road, Gosnells, draftsman.
War Service
Tom enlisted at No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF in Perth as an Air Crew Aircraftsman, on 7 Apr 1941 and a week later was sent to No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF at Pearce Airbase. Following the completion of his initial training he was transferred on 13 Nov 1941 to No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School RAAF at Ballarat, Victoria. Next he was posted on 1 Jun 1942 to No. 3 Bombing & Air Gunnery School RAAF at West Sale, Victoria where he earned his Air Gunners Badge on 25 Jun 1942. The previous day he had been discharged from the RAAF in order to be granted a Commission. After which he returned on 4 Jul 1942 to Western Australia posted to No. 5 Embarkation Depot RAAF. Transferred again on 22 Jul 1942. this time to the No. 1 Embarkation Depot RAAF at Ascot Vale, but 31 Jul 1942 saw Tom posted to No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF in Geraldton. Following training, on 10 Nov 1942 Tom was appointed probationary Pilot Officer Wireless Operator / Air Gunner.
On 20 Jan 1943 Tom joined No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF, and on 13 Apr 1943 his appointment was confirmed and back dated to 25 Dec 1942. Next Tom was sent to the No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School RAAF from 18 May to 29 Jun 1943. Tom then joined No. 1 Operational Training Unit RAAF in East Sale on 29 Jun 1943 before transfering on 20 Sep 1943 to No. 55 Operational Base Unit RAAF at Birdum in the Northern Territory. Five days later, on 25 Sep 1943 he relocated to Hughes (Northern Territory) to join No. 2 Squadron RAAF in Darwin. He flew his first Operational Sortie on 5 Oct 1943 and his last on 5 Jan 1944.
On 18 Jan 1944 Tom was posted to No. 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron RAAF and was promoted to Flying Officer with effect 25 Jun 1944. While with No. 13 Squadron, Tom participated in one attack and 20 other sorties, totalling 219 hours flying from bases at Cooktown (Qld) and Gove (NT). He was posted to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Perth on 26 Mar 1945. He undertook one last transfer from 8 June to 10 Sep 1945 to the No. 1 Operational Training Unit RAAF in East Sale before returning on 11 Sep 1945 to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF where he was discharged on 22 Nov 1945. In total he was involved in 11 Operational Sorties totalling 104 hours.
Post War
On 22 Dec 1945 in Maffra, Victoria Tom married Roma Jean Dunlop. Roma died on 17 Aug 2011 in Bull Creek, aged 86. They had four children. Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 'Carinya" Mills road, Gosnells, draftsman; 1968 at Station street, Gosnells, storekeeper; 1977 - 1980 at 4 Lilian avenue, Applecross, retired
Notes