Skip to main content
Spitfire Association
R.H.S. Ewins on the left and Patrick V. McDade on the right, share a laugh while in England.

SQNLDR · 405117

Russell Herbert Sydney Ewins

ACES

Squadron/s
453 SQN
Rank On Discharge/Death
Squadron Leader (SQNLDR)
Mustering / Specialisation
Pilot
Date of Birth
18 Mar 1917
Date of Enlistment
02 Feb 1941
Contributing Author/s
Vince Conant

June 2013

The Spitfire Association


Russell was born on the 18/3/1917 in Ballarat, Victoria.

He enlisted into the RAAF on the 2/2/1941 and very quickly rose through the ranks to Squadron Leader.

He was discharged on the 8/8/1945.

Photographs on pages 2-3-4 copied from the tribute website of Russell's nephew Peter Holm.

Squadron Leader Russell Herbert Sydney Ewins – A truly remarkable man!

Squadron in which Russell served

Photographs

Russell and his motorbike
Russell and his motorbike
Russ in his dinghy after parachuting out of his plane over the English Channel
Russ in his dinghy after parachuting out of his plane over the English Channel
The Air Crew Europe Star (ACES)
The Air Crew Europe Star (ACES)
Pilots of 453 Squadron at Drem, Scotland in June 1942. L-R PLTOFF TA Swift, PLTOFF FT Thornley (KIA 15/8/43), PLTOFF RJ Darcey, PLTOFF RHS Ewins and Sgt LJ Hansell.
Pilots of 453 Squadron at Drem, Scotland in June 1942. L-R PLTOFF TA Swift, PLTOFF FT Thornley (KIA 15/8/43), PLTOFF RJ Darcey, PLTOFF RHS Ewins and Sgt LJ Hansell.
Russ on board a Royal Navy destroyer after being picked up in the English Channel, 8 October 1943.
Russ on board a Royal Navy destroyer after being picked up in the English Channel, 8 October 1943.