William James Mawdesley, Teacher and Airman

MAWDESLEY, Flying Officer, William James, No 401073 RAAF

23 Operational Trg RAF,  Died 2nd June, 1942, aged 30

Son of James Henry and Elsie Catherine Mawdesley of Picola, Victoria.

Husband of Lorne Irene Mawdesley of East Malvern Victoria

Grave reference 4 - I - 8, Honour Roll Panel No 127 at Australian War Memorial.

William James Mawdesley was born in Picola, Victoria on October 21st, 1911. He enlisted in the RAAF at No 1 Recruiting Centre RAAF Melbourne on December 8th, 1940 at the age of 29 years and 1 month.

He was a school teacher, married but without children. At the time he was working for the Victorian Education Department as a member of the relieving staff. He was teaching just prior to his enlistment at Creswick North Primary School and staying in the British Hotel in Creswick. Prior to this he had been at the State School in Negambie.

SERVICE HISTORY IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

(Service record obtained 29.7.98)

William James Mawdesley No 28258

Born in Picola North on 21st October 1911.

Leaving Certificate 12/27 University Lists

Appointments

29 January, 1929, JT 2nd Grade on probation 1328 Traralgon

A v.g. student - interested. Has vg aptitude and ability.

10.4.29 Heathcote. A good JT (Junior Teacher)

11.9.29 A very good JT

11.7.30 Elijah. Effective class management & effectiveness in presenting a lesson marks his work. Promises to be a very capable teacher.

11.2.1931 Entered Teachers College Bendigo. Under bond

Severely reprimanded for misconduct unbecoming of a teacher and warned. MO 31/6580

1.1.32 3rd Teachers Certificate

11.12.31 Is capable of very good work & seems fairly keen and interested. Preparation vg and teaching reaches a good standard.

Exam results satisfactory but could have been even better. C

31.12.1931 Left Teachers College

1.1.1932 Appointed Head Teacher 2976 Birringama Beechworth

13.4.32 Pitcher. Possesses a very suitable teaching preference. Shows pride in his work. Painstaking in preparation. A good teacher and organizer. C (5HT)

6.2.33 Conducts his rural school sympathetically & effectively. Secures good results by careful preparation and convincing methods. C+ (5HT)

15.11.33 Friendly & encouraging in personality and presentation. An earnest teacher who has secured the full confidence of his pupils. C+ (5HT)

2.6.1934 Transferred 4243 Bellview Loch Packenham. Appointed Head Teacher

17.8.43 Has rapidly ensured a vg grasp on his new school. Enlists the full co-operation of his pupils. Needs to watch the details of organization indicated. C+ (5HT)

15.4.34 Launches a well planned attack. Has strengthened his organization. Presents the work on vg lines - generally. Has the good will of his pupile. C+ (5HT)

21.9.35 Matric

21.9.1935 Transfered Appointed HT. Allowed to exchange with R M Hutchins 26603

2468 Carnum East Warracknabeal, Stawell

13.11.35 Seems anxious to improve the status of his school; Makes good preparation and teaches effectively. C+ (5HT) prov

28.2.36 Organization thorough. Runs a purposeful session & secures co-operation of pupils. B (5HT)

15.6.36 Methodical & thorough; has his school in smooth running order; is effecting improvement & securing on the whole vg output. B (5HT)

18.3.37 Sets his pupils a very good lead in many directions; sustains his work wholeheartedly to vg effect. B (5HT)

11/37 Melb. Univ. English A

13.5.38 Weir. A steady, reliable & effeective teacher. Makes thorough preparation. Presents lessons in a clear & definite manner & secures from his pupils their co-operation & effort. Organization vg indeed. B+ (5HT)

3.9.1938 Transferred. Appointed Relieving Head Teacher Lillimur, Kaniva, Horsham. Ceased 7.1.39

8.1.39 Appointed 1836 Molga East, Pyramid Hill, Echuca. Ceased 29.5.39

1.4.39 Education for 2nd Honours

30.5.39 Appointed Temporary Head Teacher 3252 The Sisters, Warrnambool. Ceased 11.9.39

3.5.39 Burleigh. Makes effective preparation, teacher with quiet assurance & manages his school in a capable manner. B (5RHT) (prov)

12.9.39 Temporary Head Teacher 954 Talbot, Prince Albert, Maryborough.

3.5.40 Temporary Head Teacher 1957 Won Ron, Leangatha, Ceased 3.5.40

14.11.39 A diligent relieving teacher who plans soundly & displays vg powers of control, organization & instruction indeed. B+ (5RHT)

4.3.40 Transferred to 3188 Tintuldra, Corryong, Beechworth. Ceased 27.5.40

28.5.40 Transferred to 1104 Nagambi. Ceased 9.9.40

10.9.40 Transferred to 2041 North Creswick.

2.12.40 On leave with RAAF

Nom for promotion to 756 from 20.1.42

Killed in Action 2 June 1942.

He had participated in compulsory training at Shepparton in 1929 & 1930 and listed himself as a British subject and as a Presbyterian. He was married on August 31st, 1940, 4 months before  he enlisted. He initially enlisted and took the oath on June 18th, 1940 but actually enlisted in December. In the interim he had shifted from Negambie to Creswick and married Lorna. His wife, Lorna Irene Mawdesley is listed as residing at 3 Thomas Street Traralgon, Victoria. This appears to have been her parent’s address as she was listed c/o Mr JR Mitchell at that address. He maiden name was probably Mitchell.

William had three brothers and a sister. When his mother died in 1965, (11th June) Francis William, the eldest, was 61, John was 59, Ivy Agnes was 56 and James Henry, who died in 1971, was 49.

He is described as 5 ft 11inches (178cm) tall, weighing 155lbs (70kg or 11 stone). His chest measurement was 34 inches (87cm) and he had a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. There was a scar on his left testicle and one on his lower right leg. He also had a scar under his chin.

DATE	POSTING
8.12.40	Enlisted at No 1 Recruiting station in Melbourne.
9.12.40 - 31.1.41	No 2 Initial Training School, Bradfield Park.
6.2.41 - 3.4.41	No 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Mascot
7.4.41-21.8.41	No 2 Service Flying Training School
8.4.41	No 3 SFTS Amberley
22.8.41	No 1 E D Ascot Vale
18.9.41	Embarked from Melbourne for Canada
23.10.41	Disembarked in Canada
23.10.41	Embarked in Canada
3.11.41	Disembarked in U.K.
18.9.41	Disembarked No 3 Personnel Receiving Centre
29.11.41	RAF College
29.12.41	No 1515 BAT Flight
5.1.42	No 3 PRC
13.1.42	No 23 Operational Training Unit
2.6.42	Listed MFB - presumed dead

There were no adverse reports, awards or special information in the file or William James Mawdesley. His service and general conduct sheets show regular “No Entry” certifications at each of his postings.

While at Amberley he was awarded the Flying Badge on 26.6.41

He had 13 days leave from 10.12.40 to 22.12.40, the day after he enlisted until he joined his unit. This is listed as personal duties. We can surmise that he spent this time with his wife before leaving for training.

He also took leave from 22.8.41 to 27.8.41 This is listed as pre embarkation leave.

He took leave in England on 8.11.41 to 16.11.41 and on 25.1.42 for three days and on 27.2.42 for 4 days.

He was issued with 26 clothing vouchers on 28.3.42

He was presumed dead by the air ministry on June 2nd, 1942.

William’s widow was awarded a fortnightly pension of £4/4/- on February 26th, 1943 

The First Man to Die: Sergeant Angus Milne, 407091, 51 Squ, RAF

Sergeant Angus Milne, 407091, 51 Squ RAF

Born 21/6/1913, Died 19th August, 1941 aged 28.

Angus was the son of Arthur and Eva Milne, Box 45, Wirrabara in South Australia.

Grave Reference: No 5 - D - 6. Australian War Memorial panel No 127.

Angus enlisted for active duty as Aircrew v (0) on May 27th, 1940 at the Adelaide Recruiting Centre No 5. He was a month short of his 27th birthday at the time and listed his occupation as “farming”. He was single and signed his enlistment form in a stylish hand using a fountain pen. His enlistment was for the duration of the war plus twelve months.

Angus was educated at Unley High School, Kyre Avenue, Kingswood, Sth Australia from 1926 to 1929. In 1928 he completed his Intermediate Certificate supervised by the University of Adelaide in English, Maths 1, Maths 11, French, Book Keeping, Short Hand, Arithmetic and Geography. The following year his Leaving included English, French, Geography, Book Keeping and Economics. He was obviously an intelligent man.

Angus had had some flying experience with the Spencer Gulf Aero Club at Port Perie where he had logged 5 hours and 35 minutes under dual control. He did not, however, hold a pilot’s licence. He had applied for a position in the Civil Air Rescue on September 27th, 1939. He was physically examined for Civil Flying at this time.

He lists his sporting interests as tennis, cricket, golf and swimming.

He is described as 5 ft 9 inches (173cm) tall, weighing 159lbs (72kg or 11 stone 5lbs). His chest measurement was 36 inches (90cm) and he had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and medium brown hair. On the form filled in by hand he was recorded as missing 2 joints on the middle finger of his left hand and had scars on his left buttock and his right chest although the typed copy of this form which he later signed omits these details. He was a member of the Church of England.

Angus took the oath to serve his King on April 16th, 1940.

Two people certified that Angus was know to them from birth and attested to his “moral courage" and suitability for service in the Royal Australian Air Force. These were one A. P. Blesing of 16 Stuart Road, Prospect and Wes Robinson of 48 Hughes Street, North Abuley.

The medical officer declared him free of a frightening list of diseases and disfigurements and he was assigned to No 1 Air Observers’ School, Cootamundra, NSW.

From there he was assigned to 1 Bombing and Air Gunner School at Evans Head on October 21st, and then to No 1 Air Navigation School at Parks on December 19th. On January 17th, 1941 he transferred to HED and on February 5th to 1ED. On May 15th he set out for the United Kingdom arriving on May 23rd joining the 19 OTU. He joined the RAF 51st squadron on August 12th and was listed as missing a week later.

DATE	POSTING
27.5.1940	Enlisted at No 5 Recruiting station in Adelaide.
27.5.1940	No 1 Air Observers’ School, Cootamundra, NSW.
21.10.40	No 1 Bombing and Air Gunner School at Evans Head
19.12.40	No 1 Air Navigation School at Parkes
17.1.41	No 4 Emb D Adelaide
5.2.41	No 1 E D Ascot Vale
23.2.41	Travelled from Australia to U.K.
14.5.41	Disembarked No 3 PRC Uxbridge
23.5.41	19 OTU Vunloso
12.8.41	51 Squadron
19.8.41	Reported Missing in active operations

Angus was in hospital from July 4th to 10th in 1940. This was during the time when he was training at the Air Observer School at Cootamundra. He was in England for three months and a member of the 51st squadron for a week before being lost on active duty.

Entries in his record show that his conduct was always “very good”.

How It All Happened

CHAPTER 1: UDEN CEMETERY, 1997

My father-in-law, Frank Vogels, was born in a little town in central Holland called Uden where there is a War Cemetery. This cemetery contains the remains of nineteen Australian Airmen who died in combat during World War 2. There, I’ve told you. I’m not one who likes surprises so you can guess that this story is not about mysteries. No, it’s about people; live people and dead people.

My parents-in-law, Frank and Dorothy asked if our daughter Michelle, then 11 years old, could accompany them on their trip to Holland. During the trip Frank, Dorothy and Michelle were hosted and cared for by Frank’s relations. 

They began talking about the years of World War II when Frank and his siblings and cousins were growing up in Holland. They could remember the war years and the constant danger and fear which ruled their lives. Frank’s cousin Martin Vogels took Frank and Michelle to the war cemetery which contained the graves of those who died in the fighting. Frank struck up a conversation with the caretaker of the cemetery and became very interested in the graves of nineteen Australians buried there. The caretaker told him that there were many visitors to the cemetery to view the graves of the Americans and the British buried there and there was a good deal of information on hand about them. There was little, however, about the Australians and because Frank was from Australia, he agreed to see if there was some way of finding out about them.

Back in Australia Frank received from the caretaker the information held by the Uden Cemetery on these nineteen men. It contained their full name, their rank, service number and the date on which they died. It also contained their parent’s names, spouses if they were married and the town they came from.

The information captured our interest and we made contact with the War Graves Commission, the RAAF, the War Memorial in Canberra and the Australian Archives. These contacts encouraged a trip to Canberra between Christmas and New Year to do a bit of research on these men. The RAAF had recently declassified the documents which might contain information about these men.

The information we had was considerable but an important gap existed in that we had no information about the squadron to which these men belonged. This, the RAAF had assured us, was the vital link into any area of research for that service. We hoped to search the “Honour Roll” cards at the research section of the War Memorial to fill in this gap.

Our visit to the War Memorial started badly and ended well. We arrived at 9.00am on Tuesday December 30th. I had rung from Ballarat weeks earlier to confirm that the research section would be open at this time. They had assured me that it was business as usual. Hence, when we arrived and saw the notice declaring it to be shut our jaws dropped. We were standing in stunned disbelief when we were approached by a young female staff member obviously in the process of retrieving objects from her car in anticipation of the start of her working day. She assured us that the sign was correct but that she was not party to the decision making process. I explained that we had travelled from Victoria to do the research and had confirmed the availability of the facility.

She obviously felt sorry for us. She informed us that we had arrived on a lucky day as she and her colleague were in the process of setting up a family history research unit within the Memorial itself and the Honour Roll cards would be available on micro fiche cards in that facility. We helped her to set up the boxes of cards and the other references and in return she retrieved the cards of each of the nineteen men on whom we sought information. We were able to confirm their details and discover their regiments.

With this head start, and armed with the information we needed, we headed for the Australian Archives in Mitchell. On arrival there we were greeted by very helpful staff who gave us a run down on what was available. We could search on their computers for any reference to the men, we could obtain the records of their squadrons and we could request the personal files of these men.

The computer records and the personal records turned out to be exactly the same thing and we lodged requests for these. They were then retrieved from the RAAF and photocopied for us and sent to us by mail. We waited for three months and were amazed at receiving over 400 pages. These gave us minute detail about the lives and service of the men. The documents had been declassified since 50 years had elapsed since the war. Some even contained photos of the men.

While we were at the Archives, the staff searched for and found some squadron records covering the periods when the men were lost. It was a very emotional moment to sit in the reading room holding the records of the 460 Squadron which detailed the flight of a Lancaster bomber which was sent out to bomb Essen on January 4th, 1934. The plane did not return. We knew what happened to that plane.

Frank remembered, as a boy of eight years, all the children of the village inspecting the burned out wreckage of this plane with the bodies of the men still in it.

So the sequence of information about the nineteen men now extends unbroken from their enlistment and  their service through their personal records to their fatal flight recorded in the squadron records, to their final destination observed by Frank as a curious child, to the cemetery where they now rest. The information trail which now needs to be followed proceeds backwards to the families and lives of these men before they enlisted.

The Story Begins

There are 19 Australian Airmen buried in a cemetery in the small town of Uden in southern Holland. The content of this Blog will be to publish their stories and invite others to augment the information. They all died flying over Holland while bombing Germany during World War II.
Both their stories and the story of how they became important to my wife, Jenni and me will unfold in the near future. For the moment, some photos.
Gerard Bourke