ANZAC Day

Commemorative Series

First aired in 2020 due to COVID-19, we remembered the courageous men and women who flew, maintained and built this superb aeroplane in the defence of Australia.

Through the month leading up to ANZAC Day, we released biographies and stories that we hope members and people visiting our website and Facebook page will find engaging and relevant. Our month culminated in a moving tribute to the Spitfire generation, which you can find at the top of this list.

24 Apr 2020

ANZAC Day Live Video Podcast

If you missed it, our ANZAC Day tribute is still on our Facebook page.

facebook.com/SpitfireAU

24 Apr 2020

FLTLT Joseph Lysle Roberts 432618

Joseph L. Roberts, or as his mates called him, "Lysle" was born 27 May 1924 in Gordon, NSW.

He attended Knox Grammar School where in his final year he was captain of the school, senior cadet under officer and captain of all major sports teams. He was offered a commission in the AIF but refused as his desire was to fly Spitfires.

23 Apr 2020

Australian ATA Pilot First Officer Mardi Gething

Australian Air Transport Auxiliary Pilot

Margaret Helen (Mardi) was born in Melbourne, the youngest child of Sir Herbert and Lady Jessie Gepp. Perhaps the 10 years separating Mardi from her next sibling contributed to the freedom of choice allowed her by her hitherto strict father. Light aircraft flights with him sparked her lifelong dedication to aviation.

22 Apr 2020

FLGOFF Sidney Alwyn Handsaker 421992

Sid was accepted in 1941 as Air Crew Reserve and was called up in Newcastle on 26th April 1942 proceeding to Woolloomooloo Sydney and then by train to RAAF Station at Somers in Victoria. He trained there for 3 months learning the basics of Air Force procedures and was selected for Pilot training flying Tiger Moths at Western Junction Tasmania where he was successful and proceeded to Deniliquin NSW to fly Wirraways.

17 Dec 2019

A Man Called Sid

Former Spitfire pilot Sid Handsaker of No.45I RAAF squadron would have loved to have flown the Hawker Hurricane after having flown a number of Spitfire Marks but nothing eventuated.

22 Apr 2020

SMDF 2016 - Prof Frank Marino

Project Title: Simulated military dehydration and its relationship to contextual interference and cerebral oxygenation

Field: Physiology of Human Performance

21 Apr 2020

FLTLT Robert Leopold Cunningham 402493

Bob Cunningham was born at Manly, N.S.W. on the 12th of May, 1920 although when he enrolled in the RAAF Reserve in May 1940 he was residing with his parents at Chatswood. He received his call-up to enlist with the permanent RAAF on the 16th of September 1940 when he was working as a salesman in the city. Prior to joining up, Bob had spent two years as a member of the 7th Field Brigade so service life was not a new experience for him. Immediately after completing his enlistment formalities at No.2 Recruiting Centre, he was dispatched to the Initial Training School at Bradfield Park to complete his rookies, a course that lasted about two months.

20 Apr 2020

LAC Raymond Jack Hart 134322

Born at Rockdale, NSW, on 12 May, 1925 and raised at Banksia in a home that overlooked Mascot Aerodrome, it was little wonder that Ray was intrigued by planes. He was just over fourteen when the war broke out and had to wait until he was sixteen to join the Air Training Corps. By the age of seventeen he was rostered to take part in a regular ATC No. 28 Squadron activity and that was to spend Friday and Saturday nights on the roof of the Astor Private Hotel in Macquarie Street Sydney spotting aircraft, recording details and relaying the information to the relevant authorities.

19 Apr 2020

CMDR Arthur John Gould 404062

Nat, or as some of his mates call him "Natski", has had a most extraordinary career and has flown 34 types of aircraft. Single engine, twin engine and helicopters, propeller and jet. The majority of hours in flying order, Hurricanes, Spitfires Mark VC's and Mark VIII, Seafires Mark III's and XV's, Seafurys and Fireflys, all single engine top line fighters and aircraft today.

19 Apr 2020

Jack Anastas OAM

Born in Port Pirie, a city and seaport on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf in South Australia, Jack Anastas received his enlistment "marching orders" to proceed to Wakefield Park Adelaide in 1941.

18 Apr 2020

FLTLT Philip Herbert Watson 402267

Philip Herbert "Peter" (Doc) Watson was born on 9th February, 1915 in Melbourne. Educated at Hunter College in Sydney, Broughton Grammar in Newcastle, Scotch College in Melbourne and finally Shore in Sydney, his first job was in accountancy. After meeting his future wife, Betty Hyles in 1938, following the announcement of their engagement in 1940, he joined the RAAF.

18 Apr 2020

WGCDR Robert Henry Maxwell Gibbes 018233

The funeral of Bobby Gibbes was held on Tuesday, the 17th of April, 2007 at North Sydney's St Thomas Anglican Church.

Mourners arriving at the church heard the throaty roar of the famous Rolls Royce Merlin engine before they saw the heart-stopping sight of a Spitfire in the burning blue sky above the church. It was a stunning sight as rare as the man who is our most decorated World War II ace fighter pilot.

17 Apr 2020

FLGOFF Joseph Arthur Barrington 420520

I joined the RAAF as a pilot in November 1941 and got my wings as a bomber pilot after one year's training in Australia. I sailed on SS West point to San Francisco with 400 pilots we went across America by train over 10 wonderful days and went into "Camp Myles Standish" Massachusetts for 2 months.

16 Apr 2020

SQNLDR Richard Douglas Vanderfield 402068

Richard Douglas Vanderfield, or Doug as he was generally known, was born on 25.11.14 into a Sydney family of timber merchants and was a student at Newington. In his youth he was a good runner, played Rugby for Wests and enjoyed car racing.

15 Apr 2020

SQNLDR Bruce Dudridge Watson 403084

Bruce Dudridge Watson was twenty-six when he joined the RAAF having been born at Strathfield on 15 October, 1914. He enlisted at No. 2 Recruiting Centre Sydney on 9 December, 1940 and was immediately posted to Bradfield Park to do his initial training. When he'd completed his "rookies", Bruce joined No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School at Narrandera NSW, starting his course on 6 February, 1941. After a couple of months, during which he mastered the Tiger Moth, he was posted to No.2 Embarkation Depot to await his transfer to Canada where he was to undergo his service flying training. He sailed from Sydney on 22 April, 1941 after being transferred to the RCAF on that date. He disembarked at Vancouver and proceeded to No.11 SFTS arriving there on 16 May, 1941. Having successfully finished this course, Bruce was awarded his Flying Badge on 23 July, 1941 and was promoted to Sergeant Pilot four days later. Just prior to his departure from Halifax to England, Bruce was granted a commission and promoted to Pilot Officer. He disembarked in England on 29 August, 1941 and was then posted to No. 32 Squadron (R.A.F.), a unit that had a fine record defending England throughout the Battle of Britain the year before. During his time with No. 32 Squadron, Bruce flew Hurricanes and rendered valuable service. A part of his citation for The Distinguished Flying Cross states:-

14 Apr 2020

FLTLT Edward Sly 402810

The adage that "an old dog can't be taught new tricks" was not the case for FLTLT Ted Sly (ret'd) on his 90th birthday when he flew solo for the first time since stepping out of his Spitfire at the end of World War II. He has subsequently flown several times.

13 Apr 2020

AIRCDRE Peter Malam Brothers

Peter Malam Brothers was born at Prestwich on September 30 1917 and educated at North Manchester School, a branch of Manchester Grammar School. When he was 16, and still at school, he learnt to fly at the Lancashire Aero Club and gained his civil pilot's "A" licence. He joined the RAF in 1936, trained as a pilot and joined No 32 Squadron at the end of the year to fly Gauntlet biplane fighters.

13 Apr 2020

Test Pilot - Alex Henshaw MBE

Alex Henshaw MBE was one of the nicest gentlemen it has ever been my honour and good fortune to call a friend.

The son of a wealthy businessman, Alex Henshaw was born at Peterborough on November 7 1912 and educated at Lincoln Grammar School.

12 Apr 2020

FLTLT Keith Colyer 403858

Born in 1922 and educated at Knox College, Keith enlisted in the RAAF on 4th March 1941. Following Initial Training at Bradfield Park, NSW, he was posted to No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School at Narrandera. That was followed by Service Flying Training on Harvards at No1 SFTS Camp Borden in Ontario, Canada which he completed in November, 1941.

30 Nov -0001

LAC Cedric Arthur Askew 433707

Sid was born on the 9/12/24 in Auckland NZ,

He enlisted on the 8/5/43; He was working as a W/T, Wireless Telegraphist, during the War.

11 Apr 2020

SMDF 2009 - Lt Col Keirin Joyce

The 2009 recipient of the Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship was Lieutenant Colonel Keirin Joyce. His Fellowship enables him to improve the capability and support of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

09 Apr 2020

FLTLT John Russell Baxter 033449, 419922

Russ was born on the 26th November 1922 in Geelong Victoria. He enlisted on the 10th October 1942.

Initial Training at Victor Harbour, South Australia and then Elementary Flying Training at Benalla, Vic. Service Flying Training at St.Hubert, Quebec. (Near Montreal, Canada). Russ tells his story:-

09 Apr 2020

A Boyhood Dream Comes True

Those of us who grew up with the many aviation adventures of “Biggles” dreamed of one day soaring above the clouds, duelling with the enemy in a Spitfire or Hurricane Fighter

08 Apr 2020

LAC Raymond Charles Bowes 135466

Ray was born 17/5/25 in Lewisham NSW.

He enlisted into the RAAF on the 2/7/43 during his stint in the service he was a wireless operator with 10 MFU on Morotai Island. Discharged 2/4/46

07 Apr 2020

LAC Ronald John Rigg 8047

Ron was born 29th January 1923 in Perth WA and was educated at Perth Boys School. He left when 15 years old and joined a soft goods company in Perth. In December 1943 he asked for leave to attend the Australian Boy Scouts Jamboree and was refused. He therefore resigned from the company and travelled to Sydney and attended, thus showing a determination that was to show itself many times over the years to come. Among other Western Australian Scouts attending were Percy Hope, later WA Surveyor General and David Brand who was later knighted. On returning to Perth in January 1939 he applied for and accepted a position with another company.

06 Apr 2020

FLTLT John Rodney Jenkins 405210

John Rodney Jenkins known as Rod, was born in Maryborough in Queensland on the 22/1/1921, where his father Henry Jenkins was a school headmaster. The family moved to Bowen, where Rod attended primary school then completed secondary schooling at Ipswich Boys Grammar School. Rod then lived in Newmarket in Brisbane where he worked for International Harvester before joining the Commonwealth Bank.

06 Apr 2020

SMDF 2019 - Dr Elena Sitnikova

The 2019 Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowship was awarded to Dr Elena Sitnikova to conduct research on a cyber-physical approach to improve mission assurance for remotely operated aerial systems and aircraft payloads.

05 Apr 2020

FLTLT Charles Walter Hack 136816

Charles Walter Bewick Hack was known to many of his friends as Bewick (pronounced Buick). Bewick is a family name and Thomas Bewick, a famous English wood engraver in the late 1800s was a distant relative.

05 Apr 2020

Spitfire Memorial Defence Fellowships

What are they, why should you apply for one or donate in support of our efforts to help keep Australia resilient?

Over the past 20 years, we have awarded prestigious Fellowships to some of Australia's most distinguished engineers and academics, and have helped support a number of important research programs that are contributing to the future defence of Australia.

04 Apr 2020

FLTLT William Ronald Cundy 402732

Ron Cundy first felt a spark of determination to become a pilot after viewing the landing of an aircraft with two pilots at Moonan Flat sixty kilometres North East of Scone, when he was just six years old.

03 Apr 2020

Founding Committee - Where It All Began

As week 1 of this ANZAC Day Commemorative Series draws to a close, we pay our respects to the air and ground crew of WWII who inaugurated the Spitfire Association.

02 Apr 2020

Ron Lambert 14877

Frederick Ronald Lambert number 14877 – The photo below shows me at Kenley RAF Station for 2 weeks in Surry England 1941 at age 19 years and 9 stone. I volunteered for the RAAF in Sydney when war was declared, at age 17 years and 9 months, but after some hold ups was enlisted 29/4/1940.

01 Apr 2020

FLTLT John Henry Eric Bisley 402720

John Henry Eric Bisley; his nick name was pronounced Biz, yet whether it was spelt with a “z” or an “s” is a moot point. Born 7th May 1920 in Molong NSW Bis named his mother, Janet, as next of kin when he joined up on the 14th October, 1940. On that day he first met his lifelong friend Ron Cundy at Bradfield Park, Sydney where they occupied adjoining beds in a 30 bed Nissan hut. After the Initial Training Course Bis went to Mascot for Elementary Flying Training School in December 1940, flying Tiger Moth, and in February 1941 to Service Flying Training School, Wagga, NSW where he trained on Wirraway. He achieved his Wings qualification on 31st March 1940, graduating as Sergeant Pilot.

01 Apr 2020

PLTOFF Arthur Evan Batchelor 411729

Arthur was a native of New South Wales.

Served with No 242 Squadron July – August 1942, then repatriated to Australia.

Posted to 457 SQN, 5 Reserve Pool - December 1942 to October 1943

31 Mar 2020

FLTLT John Sefton Newton 400730

John (known as Snapper to his mates) was born on 14th August 1913 at Naitmuk, Vic. He became a jackeroo and impressed all in the UK with his whip cracking displays.

31 Mar 2020

SGT James Brodie Grant 15461

Jim Grant served as a Signalman with 1st. Division Signals from January 1939 (Army Service Number 2658067) until he transferred to the RAAF in June 1940, becoming an Aircraftman Class One Trainee Instrument Maker and began his training at Ascot Vale Melbourne.

25 Mar 2020

FLGOFF Paul John Dehlsen 14071

Paul was born on the 28th April 1920 in Concord, New South Wales. His father, an engineer, came from Denmark in 1909, married and had five sons. He insisted that all the children attended school through the Great Depression.

25 Mar 2020

GPCAPT Clive Robertson Caldwell 402107

Born in Sydney Clive became the highest scoring fighter pilot of the RAAF. Clive “Killer” Caldwell always wanted to fly; he became an outstanding airman and a popular national hero. After working for the Bank of NSW for a time he enlisted when World War II broke out. At thirty years he was considered to be too old for flight training but there was no way that he was going to miss out, and so he reduced his age by three years on his application to enlist and was accepted.

24 Mar 2020

ANZAC Day Commemorative Series 2020 - The Spitfire Generation

Fellow Members and Friends,

I hope this finds you and your families well, evading the current coronavirus pandemic and remaining healthy into the future. With ANZAC Day commemorations being cancelled this year due to COVID-19 we will still remember the courageous men and women who flew, maintained and built this superb aeroplane in the defence of Australia.