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 
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