From the 466-462 Squadrons Association, Sydney

During June 2017, advice was received from Michael Pardy, son of Mid-Upper Gunner Bernard Peter Pardy, that his father "Bernie" is indeed the airman fourth from the left, thus clearing up previous confusion regarding the identity of Pardy and O'Donnell. Michael also supplied additional photos which are included below with his permission.

If you can assist with photos, or any additional information about this crew or individuals, please make contact.

 

Crew 64, left to right:-
Walter Henry SCOTT, 426982 RAAF, Pilot;
William Joseph COLLYER, 439396 RAAF, Rear Gunner;
David Frew DURIE (Dave), 428845 RAAF, Navigator (at rear);
Bernard Peter PARDY, 430801 RAAF, Mid-Upper Gunner;
Donald Miller REID (Don), 434268 RAAF, Bomb Aimer;
Wilfred Francis O'DONNELL (Wilf), 433128 RAAF, Wireless Operator;
J M MORRISON, 1827665 RAF (VR?); Flight Engineer.

Links to Pilot Scott, Nav Durie, B/A Reid, W/Op O'Donnell,
F/Eng Morrison, MU/AG Pardy, R/AG Collyer,
8th and 9th crew member for Special Duties;
Additional crew information, and Crew Ops, and accident 1658 HCU.

This crew photo was received from John McManus of 466-462 Association, Sydney. It is shown in Brave & True, 2nd Ed'n, page 131 with caption "Crew 110. P/O T W M Scott (captain), crew unidentified". Details for Crew 110 of 466 Squadron follow on pages 132 and 133. However, Pilot Thomas William Munro Scott of Crew 110, 466 Sqdn was KIA on 14 June 1944, as were four other members of his crew, with another dying of his injuries 9 days later. Only one of that crew of seven survived.

The same photo is published as 462 Squadron "Crew 64", preceding page 61 in "Phoenix – Book 2" (by Batten), possibly received from crew's former B/Aimer Don Reid, who is listed in Batten's acknowledgements. It is also published as 462 Squadron "Walter Scott's Crew" on page 323 in "To See the Dawn Again" (by Lax & Kane-Maguire), and acknowledged to the crew's former Nav, Dave Durie. The caption surnames for this photo in these two books match, with some variations in first names/initials and rank; however Durie and Pardy were both listed as Navs in the second book.

From the Australian War Memorial collection, ID P01523.028

Pilots of 462 Squadron, RAAF, Foulsham, ~ June 1945
outside the 'B' Flight Office.

Photo P01523.028 used with the permission of the Australian War Memorial, with the identification from the AWM as follows:
Back row, left to right:
W/O Ross Gallop 427820; F/O Jim Fleming; P/O Ferguson;
F/O Jim W Cairns; F/O Ronald (Ron) Hines 432466.

Front row, left to right:
F/O William John Frazer 422040;
F/O Walter Henry Scott 426982;
Squadron Leader Alan Gibson Swann 401175;
Fl/Lt Bruce Drinkwater 416660; F/O Owen Valentine O'Malley 422673.
More details are included on the 462 Squadron Foulsham page.

From the Australian War Memorial collection, ID P01523.016

Three Pilots of B Flight, 462 Squadron, Foulsham, June 1945.

Photo P01523.016 from the Australian War Memorial, with caption ......... (quote)

"Foulsham, England 1945-06. Three pilots of No. 462 Squadron RAAF hold the Operational Sorties Board for B Flight.
Left to right: 426982 Flying Officer (FO) Walter Henry Scott;
422040 FO William John Frazer; 427264 FO Jack Roy Smith."

Scott was posted to 462 Squadron in March 1945, and posted from the Squadron in September 1945.

Pilot Smith may also be seen on the Oakes page.
Pilot Frazer may also be seen on the De Leacy page.
More details are included on the 462 Squadron Foulsham page.
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Photo from the Bernard Peter Pardy Archives.

Above, left to right: Pilot Walter Scott, Mid-Upper Gunner Bernie Pardy, Wireless Operator Wilf O'Donnell, feeding pigeons somewhere in the UK, undated.
Scott was Commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer on 24 September 1944 while posted to 27 OTU (Flying Officer from 24 March 1945 at 462 Squadron). O'Donnell was promoted to Flight Sergeant effective 09 June 1944. Pardy appears to be at the rank of Sergeant, but was a Flight Sergeant when the crew were posted to 462 Squadron on 09 March 1945. This suggests a date sometime after 24 September 1944 but before March 1945. Records of leave for Scott, O'Donnell and Collyer have coinciding 18 days of 'Privilege Leave' from 3 to 20 October 1944, just prior to their posting to Acaster Malbis. This may narrow the time frame to October 1944.
If reader's can identify the location, please make contact.

Photo from the Bernard Peter Pardy Archives.

Above: Mid-Upper Gunner Bernie Pardy outside the crew's Nissen Hut, undated, his badges of rank not visible, and location not recorded. There seems to be snow on the ground, so it is probably December 1944 or January 1945, which points to location being 1658 HCU at Riccall, Yorkshire.

Similar huts were used at 1652 HCU, Marston Moor. The huts at 27 OTU (Church Broughton) had a different ridged exterior, not a smooth curve as shown here. Photos of huts at 27 OTU and 1652 HCU may also be viewed on the Taylor page.

Photo from the Bernard Peter Pardy Archives.

Above: Some members of the Scott Crew and motorcycle WE8128; photo undated, badges of rank not visible, and location not recorded; but possibly 1658 HCU Riccall(?).
Left to right:
Donny Reid, 434268 RAAF, Bomb Aimer;
Walter Scott, 426982 RAAF, Pilot;
William Collyer, 439396 RAAF, Rear Gunner;
Bernie Pardy, 430801 RAAF, Mid-Upper Gunner;
Wilf O'Donnell, 433128 RAAF, Wireless Operator.

Clothing is draped over the bushes behind them - was it washing day? or have they been swimming? Enlargement of the newspaper does not assist with attempts at dating.

Photo from the Bernard Peter Pardy Archives.

Above: Mid-Upper Gunner Bernie Pardy outside the crew's Nissen Hut, undated, his badges of rank not visible, and location not recorded. It may be outside the same Hut as the photo above, possibly 1658 HCU at Riccall, Yorkshire. He does not look happy, so may have been having trouble getting the bike kick-started.

In the photo above, and the group photo at left, the lovely old motorcycle with registration number WE8128, has been identified as a "circa 1930 Velocette KTS or KTP (model designation slightly different, depending upon specification). It had an over head camshaft motor, and was quite sporting, and expensive when new. The hand change for gears dates the bike quite closely, as Velocette were one of the first to offer foot change using a patented system. The bike is missing the usual Velocette fish tail exhaust. This model is now exceedingly rare."
Thanks go to Rowan Bond for identification of the motorcycle.
Is WE8128 still in use somewhere in the UK, perhaps restored, or in original condition? If so – owner please make contact.

Photo from the 466-462 Squadrons Association, Sydney,
via the Bernard Peter Pardy Archives.

At left: Members of the Scott crew at the 466-462 Squadrons' Association annual reunion and dinner, at the RSL Cammeray, North Sydney, in April 1995 (on 7th or 27th ?, usually held close to ANZAC Day on the 25th April).

From left to right:

1. Walter Scott, Pilot;
2. Dave Durie, Navigator;
3. Donny Reid, Bomb Aimer;
4. Bernie Pardy, Mid-Upper Gunner;
5. Wilf O'Donnell, Wireless Operator.

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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9300, 426982

Photo of Aircraftman Scott, probably taken at, or soon after enlistment on 9 September 1942, aged 20.

Pilot

Name: Walter Henry SCOTT
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 426982
Date of Birth: 8 August 1922
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Enlistment: 9 September 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Robert Schmidt
Date of Discharge: 22 January 1946
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Prisoner of War: No
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Navigator

Name: David Frew DURIE
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 428845
Date of Birth: 26 December 1923
Place of Birth: Burwood, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 10 October 1942
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: George Durie
Date of Discharge: 14 January 1946
Rank at Discharge: Flying Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Prisoner of War: No
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Bomb Aimer

Name: Donald Miller REID
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 434268
Date of Birth: 20 September 1924
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Qld
Date of Enlistment: 6 November 1942
Place of Enlistment: Brisbane, Qld
Next of Kin: Matthew Reid
Date of Discharge: 22 January 1946
Rank at Discharge: Pilot Officer
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
Prisoner of War: No
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Photo from the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 433128

Aircraftman O'Donnell, 25 February 1943 at enlistment, aged 18, after release from Air Training Corps Cadets, 26 Squadron. The previous incorrect listing of date of birth "16 Oct 1925" on the WW2 Nominal Roll, has been corrected.

Wireless Operator

Name: Wilfred Francis O'DONNELL
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 433128
Date of Birth: 16 January 1925
Place of Birth: Bowraville, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 25 February 1943
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: Jack O'Donnell
Date of Discharge: 4 February 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
Prisoner of War: No

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Flight Engineer

Name: J M MORRISON
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve?)
Service Number: 1827665
Date and Place of Birth: ......
Date and Place of Enlistment: ...... *
Posted from 462 Squadron: September 1945
Rank at Posting from 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Prisoner of War: No

* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1820001 to No. 1830000 were allocated from November 1943 at Edinburgh. This batch includes 1827665 for J M Morrison.
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Mid-Upper Gunner

Name: Bernard Peter PARDY
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 430801
Date of Birth: 18 February 1925
Place of Birth: Kew, Victoria
Date of Enlistment: 25 March 1943
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Edward Pardy
Date of Discharge: 19 January 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
Prisoner of War: No
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Photos from the National Archives of Australia: A9301, 439396

Left: Aircraftman Collyer at enlistment on 21 June 1943 after transfer from the Army, aged 24, and still in Army Uniform;
Right: AC2 Collyer, on 16 July 1943, prior to posting to No 2 Initial Training School on 17 July 1943.

Rear Gunner

Name: William Joseph COLLYER
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 439396
Date of Birth: 19 February 1919
Place of Birth: Mudgee, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 21 June 1943
Place of Enlistment: Sydney, NSW
Next of Kin: George Collyer
Date of Discharge: 21 March 1946
Rank at Discharge: Warrant Officer
Posting at Discharge: 9 Aircrew Holding Unit
Prisoner of War: No

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Special Duties
This crew carried out 8 Ops, all of which were Special Duties (details in later section).

6 Spoof Ops (Special Duties WINDOW), Crew of 8, with 8th man to dispense WINDOW –

2 Ops with Ronald George IRMINGER, 437308 RAAF (in group photo of SD - WINDOW 462 Squadron Foulsham)
2 Ops with Garth FINK, 435339 RAAF (later A11415)
2 Ops with Robert Ernest BURNS, 430838 RAAF.

1 Protective Patrol (PP), Crew of 8, with 8th man to operate Radio Counter Measures equipment –

W F KEEHN, R.164634 RCAF (first names and Service Number not yet verified).

1 Spoof Op with Radio Counter Measures, on 30 March 1945, Crew of 9 in Halifax NA240 –

Ronald George IRMINGER, 437308 RAAF to dispense WINDOW, and
J H COHEN, J.43638 RCAF, to operate Radio Counter Measures equipment (first names & Service Number not yet verified).

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Additional Crew Information (Sourced from National Archives of Australia – 462 Squadron Operational Record Books; and the Service Files of Scott, O'Donnell and Collyer. Files for the other RAAF members of this crew had not been digitized as of 30 June 2017; and RAF file for Morrison was not accessible. Information was also supplied by Michael Pardy, son of the Mid-Upper Gunner Bernard Peter Pardy.)

Summary of crew formation and postings – dates from the Service Files.

Postings to 27 Operational Training Unit (27 OTU), Lichfield UK; Crews of six usually formed at an OTU, for training in Wellington bombers.
06 June 1944 – Collyer, 27 OTU
18 July 1944 – Scott, 27 OTU
18 July 1944 – O'Donnell, 27 OTU
No info for Durie, Pardy or Reid, but assumption is that they were posted to 27 OTU at about the same time, and this crew was formed soon after.

Postings to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire
20 October 1944 – Scott, 41 Base
20 October 1944 – O'Donnell, 41 Base
20 October 1944 – Collyer, 41 Base
No info for Durie, Pardy or Reid, but assumption is that they were posted on the same date, as part of this crew.

Postings to 74 Base, 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit (1658 HCU), Riccall Yorkshire, for conversion to and training in Halifax bombers. A Flight Engineer usually joined the crew at the HCU.
07 November 1944 – Scott, 74 Base
Undated – O'Donnell, 74 Base
Undated – Collyer, 74 Base, 1658 HCU
No info for Durie, Pardy or Reid, but assumption is that they were posted on the same date, as part of the crew.
No info for Flight Engineer Morrison, who joined the crew at 1658 HCU (name listed in an accident report, see later section).

Posting to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, 100 Group
09 March 1945 – Scott, 462 Squadron
09 March 1945 – O'Donnell, 462 Squadron
09 March 1945 – Collyer, 462 Squadron
No info for Durie, Pardy, Reid, or Morrison, but assumption is that they were posted on the same date, as part of the crew, which is verified by the the following ......

March 1945 – Squadron Operational Record Books, Forms 540, Postings To 462 Sqdn:-
P/O Scott listed with the incoming Officers, page 65.
F/Sgts Reid, Durie, O'Donnell, Collyer, Pardy, and Sgt Morrison listed in sequence, with the incoming NCOs, page 65.

462 Squadron – see later section for Operational Duties, 8 Ops.

Postings from 462 Squadron – from Service Files
17 September 1945 – O'Donnell, 9 Air Crew Holding Unit (9 ACHU, RAF Gamston)
17 September 1945 – Collyer, 9 ACHU (RAF Gamston)
19 September 1945 – Scott, RAF Gamston, 9 ACHU
No info for Durie, Pardy, Reid, or Morrison, but assumption is that they were posted on the same dates, as part of the crew, which correlates with the following ......

September 1945 – ORB Forms 540, Postings From 462 Sqdn:-
NCO listings – W/O Reid, page 117; W/O O'Donnell page 118; and W/O Collyer page 119; and F/Sgt Pardy page 119, so probably all Posted From the Squadron on 17 September 1945, to RAF Gamston.
Officer listings – F/O Scott and P/O Durie on page 116, so probably both Posted From the Squadron on 19 September to RAF Gamston.
Sgt Morrison listed with the group of Flight Engineers, page 117, probably all on 22 September 1945 when "The POSTING OUT of all remaining RAF/RAFVR personnel commenced immediately, with all RAF/RAFVR personnel to be POSTED TO RAF Station Bruntingthorpe." Morrison's later postings are not known.

Posting to 11 Personnel Despatch & Reception Centre (11 PDRC), Brighton, prior to repatriation to Australia.
24 September 1945 – O'Donnell, 11 PDRC
Undated – Scott, 11 PDRC
10 November 1945 – Collyer, 11 PDRC
Details for the other RAAF crew members Durie, Pardy and Reid are not known.

Service Details for this crew – sourced from RAAF Service Files at NAA if available, or from 462 Squadron ORBs.

Pilot – Walter Henry SCOTT 426982 RAAF (RAAF Service File). His details were all listed correctly in the ORBs.

09 September 1942 – enlisted in Citizen Air Force at No 3 Recruiting Centre (3 RC), Brisbane, Qld; age 20 yrs 1 month; single; height 5 ft 8 inches, weight 147 lb., 6/6/ vision both eyes; fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, 2 scars; residence Maryborough, previous civil occupation Lad Porter & Railway Clerk, Qld Railways; religion Church of England; medical category A1B2, A, B; previous education at Urangan Primary State School, Maryborough State High School, received Public Service Scholarship; next-of-kin step-father Robert J Schmidt, of Urangan via Maryborough, Qld; birth father Walter Henry Scott deceased. (See enlistment photo in previous section)
09 September 1942 – appointed as Aircraftman 1 (AC1), mustered as Aircrew V (Guard)
10 September 1942 – posted to 3 Recruit Depot (3 RD), Maryborough, Qld
02 October 1942 – promoted to rank of Aircraftman 2 (AC2)
03 October 1942 – posted to 3 Stores Depot (3 SD), Brisbane, Qld

08 November 1942 – posted to 3 Initial Training School (3 ITS), Kingaroy, Qld
25 December 1942 – remustered to Aircrew V (Pilot)
30 January 1943 – promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC), remustered as Aircrew II (Pilot)

04 February 1943 – posted to 5 Elementary Flying Training School (5 EFTS), Narromine, NSW; training in DH82 aircraft

11 April 1943 – posted to 5 Service Flying Training School (5 SFTS), Uranquinty, NSW, training in Wirraway aircraft

26 August 1943 – awarded Flying Badge at 5 SFTS; promoted to (T) Sergeant, remustered as Airman Pilot, General Duties

27 August 1943 – posted to 3 Embarkation Depot (3 ED), Sandgate, Qld
16 September 1943 – posted to 1 ED, Ascot Vale, Melbourne, Victoria
01 October 1943 – posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, NSW
13 October 1943 – attached to OSHQ (UK)
13 October 1943 – embarked from Australia for the UK

21 November 1943 – disembarked in UK
21 November 1943 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK

26 February 1944 – promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant

Undated – attached to 18 EFTS, Fairoaks, Surrey, training in DH82 aircraft

25 April 1944 – posted to 15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (15 (P) AFU), Babdown Farm, Gloucestershire, UK, Beam Approach Training (BAT) in Oxford aircraft

18 July 1944 – posted to 27 OTU, Lichfield, UK, training in Wellington X aircraft

Interviewed by the Air Officer Commanding, 93 Group, and recommended for appointment to a Commission
23 September 1944 – discharged pending re-appointment to a Commission
24 September 1944 – appointed a Commission, at rank of Pilot Officer, effective 29 September 1944

20 October 1944 – posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire

07 November 1944 – posted to 1658 HCU, Riccall, Yorkshire, training in Halifax III aircraft

09 March 1945 – posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham (see later section for Ops)
24 March 1945 – promoted to Flying Officer, 462 Squadron

19 September 1945 – posted to RAF Gamston, 9 ACHU
Undated – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, prior to repatriation to Australia
Undated – embarked for Australia

29 November 1945 – disembarked Sydney and posted to 2 Personnel Depot (2 PD), Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW
09 January 1946 – posted to 3 PD, Redbank, Qld
22 January 1946 – appointment in RAAF terminated on demobilisation, 3 PD, Sandgate Qld; future address listed as Sussex Street, Maryborough

01 May 1946 – Listing of Service Medals – 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal; eligible for Returned from Active Service Badge

Service Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry from Records.
General Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry from each posting.

Flying Hours for Walter Henry Scott
Elementary Flying Training 5 EFTS, Aus, DH 82, 65 hours 20m
Service Flying Training 5 SFTS, Aus, Wirraway, 125 hours 20m
Advanced Flying Unit 15 (P) AFU, UK, Oxford, 83 hours
Operational Training Unit 27 OTU, UK, Wellington X, 82 hours 55m
Heavy Conversion Unit 1658 HCU, UK, Halifax III, 50 hours 20m
Other training 18 EFTS, UK, DH82 9 hours 40m
Other training 462 Squadron, UK, Halifax III, 66 hours 50m

Sub-total training 483 hours 25m

Special Course BAT, 15 (P) AFU, UK, Oxford, 10 hours 10m

Operational Flying 462 Squadron, 100 Group, Foulsham, Halifax III, as 1st Pilot, 8 ops, 51 hours 5m

Walter Henry Scott – Total Flying Hours 544 hours 40m

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Bomb Aimer – Donald Miller REID 434268 RAAF – also recorded in ORBs as L M Reid, and Service number of 418524 (that was the Sce No for B/Aimer Creswick of Britt crew), and Sce No of 426982 (Sce No for Pilot Scott), and Sce No 432268. Service File not digitized.

Navigator – David Frew DURIE 428845 RAAF – also recorded in ORBs as D F DURRIE, and Service Number 427845. Service File not digitized.

Wireless Operator – Wilfred Francis O'DONNELL 433128 RAAF – (RAAF Service File). His details were all listed correctly in the ORBs.

02 May 1942 – commenced training at No 2 Training Centre, ATC, Cadet No 11536, (having previously joined the Air Training Corps in High School); 01 August 1942 enrolled at 2 Wing, 26 Squadron, HQ ATC, Sydney; enrolment terminated 27 February 1943 on enlistment in RAAF.

15 October 1942 – completed application for air crew RAAF; single, height 5 ft 8½in, weight 145lbs; address at Beach Road, Bondi, NSW, previously Edgecliffe Road, Bellevue Hill; next-of-kin father, John (Jack) O'Donnell, a soldier in the AMF; education at Coff's Harbour High School NSW from 1939 to 1942, gaining his Intermediate Certificate in 1941 with 'B' result in all 8 subjects studied (Maths I and Maths II, English, Science, Geography, Metalwork, Business Principles, Tech Drawing); civil occupation Clerk; hobbies and sports were fishing, football and swimming. As he was under the age of 21, his application was also signed by his father, and by two other persons certifying his suitability for the RAAF.
Note: On one page of his Service File, O'Donnell's date of birth is incorrectly recorded as 16.10.25 i.e. October. This date has then been used in his online listings for the NAA Service File and the WW2 Nominal Roll. Five other pages in his Service File correctly record this as "16-1-25" or "16.1.25" or "16th Jan 1925".

25 February 1943 – enlisted in RAAF at 2 RC Sydney; single, aged 18 years and 1 month (birth 16 January 1925); fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, 6/6 vision both eyes, some scars, Medical Classification A1B A3B (Fit Full Flying Duties); religion Roman Catholic; Next-of-kin father, Corporal Jack O'Donnell, AMF; additional person, mother, Ivy O'Donnell of Beach Road, Bondi, NSW; other details same as his application of 15 October 1942. Extra qualification – Bronze Medallion (qualified water life saver). (See enlistment photo in previous section)
25 February 1943 – appointed at rank of AC2 on enlistment, mustered as Air Crew V
25 February 1943 – posted to 3 ITS, Kingaroy, Qld

14 April 1943 – remustered as Air Crew V (G) at 3 ITS
24 April 1943 – promoted to LAC
27 April 1943 – posted to 3 Wireless and Gunnery School (3 WAGS), Maryborough, Qld
11 October 1943 – remustered as Air Crew II (G) at 3 WAGS

11 November 1943 – commenced No 39 Air Gunner's Course at 1 Bombing and Gunnery School (1 BAGS), Evans Head, NSW, completed on 8 December 1943
15 November 1943 – posted to 1 BAGS (date may be an error, or paperwork was delayed)
09 December 1943 – qualified as Air Gunner at 1 BAGS; awarded Air Gunner's Badge; promoted to (T) Sergeant; remustered as Wireless Operator Air Gunner
09 December 1943 – posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, NSW

27 January 1944 – embarked from Sydney for the UK
11 March 1944 – remustered as Wireless Operator (Air)
12 March 1944 – disembarked in the UK, attached to RAF, posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK
19 April 1944 – attached to 20 (P) AFU, to 9 June 1944 (no details listed)
09 June 1944 – promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant

20 June 1944 – posted to West Freugh, UK (no details listed, possibly advanced training at 4 AFU, Wigtownshire, Scotland)

18 July 1944 – posted to 27 OTU, Lichfield, UK, training in Wellington X aircraft

20 October 1944 – attached to Aircrew School; posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire

Undated 1944 – posted to 1658 HCU, Riccall, Yorkshire, training in Halifax III aircraft (probably 7 November, as for Scott)

09 March 1944 – posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, 100 Group (see later section for Ops)
09 June 1945 – promoted to (T) Warrant Officer at 462 Squadron

17 September 1945 – posted to 9 ACHU, RAF Gamston, UK
24 September 1945 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, prior to repatriation to Australia
Undated – embarked for Australia

28 November 1945 – disembarked Sydney, posted to 2 PD, Bradfield Park, Sydney, NSW

4 February 1946 – discharged from the RAAF on demobilisation, future address listed as Hall Street, Bondi Beach, NSW
01 March 1946 – received official Certificate of Service in the RAAF

Service Medals – 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45

Service Conduct Sheet – Certified No Entry from Records.
General Conduct Sheet – not in file.

The sheet listing Flying Hours for Wilfred Francis O'Donnell is not included in his Service File, so his training hours are not known. However his Op hours would be the same as for Pilot Scott and R/AG Collyer, as they all flew together on the same ops.

Operational Flying 462 Squadron, 100 Group, Foulsham, Halifax III, as Wireless Operator, 8 ops, 51 hours 5m

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Rear Gunner – William Joseph COLLYER 439396 RAAF – (RAAF Service File); also recorded in ORBs as W I Collyer, W J COLLIER, W T COLIER.

Prior service in the Australian Army (July 1940 to June 1943)
1. 2nd 18th ITB, AIF from July 1940 to November 1940, rank of Private, Service Number NX56031.
2. 1/54th AASL Coy, AIF, from November 1940 to September 1942, and
3. 57th AASL Coy, AIF, from September 1942 to June 1943, Sapper W J Collyer, Service Number N99396.
Service in various location in NSW, and also in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Specialist Trade Group III Butcher, later Specialist Trade Group II Cook.

03 May 1943 – application for air crew RAAF; prior education at Mudgee District High School from 1930 to 1934, gaining Intermediate Certificate in 1933, passing subjects Maths I, Maths II, and English, with a first class pass in Elementary Science. Other subjects were History, Geography, and Woodwork; sports Football, swimming and cricket; current occupation soldier.

21 June 1943 – enlisted in the RAAF at 2 RC, Sydney; transferred to RAAF after discharge from the AIF; single, age 24 years and 4 months; height 5ft 1½ inches (or 5ft 2 inches on application form), weight 9st 6lb, vision 6/- both eyes, fair complexion, blue eyes, 'fair' hair, some scars; Medical Category A3B AG (suitable for W/Op AG only); religion Church of England; civil occupation butcher; Next-of-kin father George Francis Collyer, of Gladstone Street, Mudgee; additional person, mother Amy Collyer of Service Street, Ashfield, NSW (also listed as dependant).
21 June 1942 – posted to 2 RD; mustered as Air Crew V; classified as AC2 on enlistment (See enlistment photo in previous section)

17 July 1943 – posted to 2 ITS, Bradfield Park, NSW (See photo in previous section)

20 July 1943 – posted to 6 ITS, Bradfield Park, NSW
4 August 1943 – Army Discharge Certificate and Active Service Badge, property of Collyer, were received by staff at 6 ITS, delivered by staff from 2 ITS, and were subsequently lost. Extensive searches failed to locate them.
09 September 1943 – investigation into loss of the Certificate and Badge revealed failures in procedures and actions at 6 ITS.
4 October 1943 – remustered at Air Crew V (G), at 6 ITS
08 October 1943 – passed No. 44 Course at 6 ITS

9 October 1943 – posted to 3 WAGS; promoted to LAC, at 3 WAGS

12 December 1943 – posted to 1 ED, Ransford

07 January 1944 – posted to AGS, West Sale, Victoria, training in Anson aircraft
03 Feb 1944 – completed No 41 Air Gunner's Course; qualified as Air Gunner; awarded Air Gunner's Badge; promoted to (T) Sergeant, at AGS, West Sale
04 Feb 1944 – posted to 2 ED, Bradfield Park, NSW

01 March 1944 – embarked from Brisbane, for the UK (from 2 PD)

07 April 1944 – disembarked in the UK, attached to RAF, posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK

06 June 1944 – posted to 27 OTU, Lichfield, UK, training in Wellington X aircraft

03 August 1944 – promoted to (T) Flight Sergeant, at 27 OTU

20 October 1944 – attached to Aircrew School; posted to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire

Undated 1944 – posted to 1658 HCU, Riccall, Yorkshire, training in Halifax III aircraft (probably 7 November, as for Scott)
01 March 1945 – slightly injured in aircraft accident, 1658 HCU, Riccall (see later section for accident details)

09 March 1945 – posted to 462 Squadron, Foulsham, 100 Group (see later section for Ops)
03 August 1945 – promoted to (T) Warrant Officer, at 462 Squadron

17 September 1945 – posted to 9 ACHU, RAF Gamston, UK

10 November 1945 – posted to 11 PDRC, Brighton, UK prior to repatriation to Australia
Undated – embarked for Australia

22 Jan 1946 – disembarked at Melbourne, Vic; posted to 1 PD
02 March 1946 – posted to 2 PD

21 March 1946 – discharged from the RAAF on demobilisation, at 2 PD, at Rank of Warrant Officer, mustering Air Gunner

Various admissions to hospital – RAAF Hospital Dec 1943; Ship's Hospital March/April 1944 during travel to the UK; Station Sick Quarters (SSQ) 27 OTU, June 1944; SSQ 1648 HCU, Feb 1945; SSQ 462 Sqdn, July 1945; RAF Hospital Halton July 1945 (all were only for one or a few days, or up to a week).

General Conduct Sheet – missing from Collyer's file. His Record of Service has the notation that on 12 January 1944 at West Sale, he was confined to Barracks for 5 days, and forfeited 2 days pay. Details of his "offence" which resulted in this punishment, would have been on the General Conduct Sheet. However, whatever his misconduct was, it did not appear to affect his later promotions and postings.
Service Conduct Sheet – as of 5 November 1945 – Certified No Entry from records.

At discharge his Character was recorded as "Good"; and his Trade Proficiency as "Satisfactory".

Service Medals – 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 Australia Service Medal 1939-45; issued with Returned from Active Service Badge 86434

Flying Hours for William Joseph Collyer
Training, Air Gunnery School 1 AGS, Aus, Anson, 16 hours 50m
Advanced Training, Operational Training Unit 27 OTU, UK, Wellington X, 97 hours
Advanced Training, Heavy Conversion Unit 1658 HCU, UK, Halifax III, 45 hours 10m
Other training, 462 Squadron, UK, Halifax III, 51 hours 33m

Sub-total advanced training 173 hours 43m
Sub-total all training 190 hours 33m

Operational Flying 462 Squadron, 100 Group, Foulsham, Halifax III, as Rear Gunner, 8 ops, 51 hours 5m

William Joseph Collyer – Total Flying Hours 241 hours 38m

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Mid-Upper Gunner – Bernard Peter PARDY 430801 RAAF – also recorded in ORBs as B D Pardy, D P Pardy, V P Pardy, P D PURDY. Service File not digitized as of 01 July 2017.

Information from his son Michael, who identified his father in the photo of the crew in flying gear beside their Halifax, and also kindly supplied the extra photos now included with his permission – Bernie Pardy died on 26 June 2016, aged 91 years and 6 months (date of birth 18 February 1925). He was married, and his wife is still living. They had nine children. Like many Veterans of the RAAF, Bernie did not talk about his experiences in WW2.

Flight Engineer – J M MORRISON 1827665 RAF (VR?) – also recorded in ORBs as Service Number 1927665. Service File not accessible.

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Crew Ops (Sourced from National Archives of Australia – 462 Squadron Operational Record Books.)

The following table lists the 8 Ops for Scott and his crew. There were no substitutions or changes for the usual crew of 7.
On seven Ops they carried one extra crew member for Special duties. On 1 Op they carried two extra crew. See Comments column below.

Aircraft Serial as listed in the Operational Record Book, Forms 541.
Aircraft Code numbers Z5- were not listed in the ORB, but are believed to be correct, based on photos and other log book entries, and compared with other sources.
Times up and down in red are night flights.
Target "Bremerhaven x 9" means 9 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Bremerhaven, with Scott's crew being one of those 9 (and so on for the other dates).
Target "Schönebeck x 11 (of 12)" means 11 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Schönebeck, with Scott's crew being one of those 11; with a different target for the extra 462 Squadron aircraft (and so on for the other dates).
There was some variation in the spelling of Target names in the original ORB. Ingoldstadt (sic) was probably Ingolstadt.
Code for Op Type – SD Special Duties; SP Spoof; W WINDOW; TI Target Indicators; I Incendiaries; F Flares; B Bombing;
PP Protective Patrol (Radio Counter Measures using Special Equipment); MF Main Force.
Comments include names of extra crew members to dispense WINDOW and/or for RCM duties.
This crew did not have any early returns, but once landed away after being diverted from Foulsham due to low cloud.

Halifax MZ341 Z5-P and NR284 Z5-Q and PN433 Z5-A may be seen on the Halifax page.
More details on the crews and Ops of Halifax NA240 Z5-V may also be seen at the end of the Halifax page.
NA240 Z5-V was lost 10 April 1945, on a Radio Counter Measures flight with the Main Force to Leipzig, Pilot Ball & crew.
Crew with PN433 Z5-A may be seen on the Walker page.

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Accident at 1658 HCU, Riccall, Yorkshire

07 November 1944 – this Crew were posted to 1658 HCU Riccall, from 27 OTU Lichfield
01 March 1945 – Air Gunner F/Sgt William Joseph Collyer was "slightly injured" with "minor abrasions" in an aircraft accident at Riccall, with a brief notation in his A9301 Service File. A separate A705 Casualty File has more details.

Cypher message IMMEDIATE 3 March 1945 from AIRMIN KINGSWAY to RAAF ...... (quote) ...

(A) HALIFAX LW445
(C) RICCALL AIRFIELD 2110 HOURS 1 MARCH
(D) AUS 439396 F/SGT WJ COLLYER SLIGHTLY INJURED MINOR ABRASIONS KINNOT FATHER OF COLLYER 28 SERVICE AVENUE ASHFIELD SYDNEY NEW SOUTH WALES RAF 1827665 SGT MORRISON SLIGHTLY INJURED 4 OTHERS UNINJURED
(B) 1658 CONVERSION UNIT
(E) RNF RICCALL
(G) AIRCRAFT SWUNG ON TAKE OFF

Telegraph to next-of-kin, Mr G F Collyer, 28 Service Avenue, Ashfield, NSW ........ (quote) ...

439396 FLIGHT SERGEANT W.J. COLLYER INJURED STOP REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT
YOUR SON FLIGHT SERGEANT WILLIAM JOSEPH COLLYER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED ON
1ST MARCH 1945 SUFFERED MINOR ABRASIONS RECEIVED AS RESULT AIRCRAFT
ACCIDENT STOP KNOWN DETAILS ARE HE WAS MEMBER OF CREW HALIFAX AIRCRAFT
WHICH BECAME INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AT RICCALL YORKSHIRE ENGLAND WHILST
TAKING OFF TO CARRY OUT NON OPERATIONAL FLIGHT STOP AS INJURIES ONLY
SLIGHT NO FURTHER INFORMATION IS ANTICIPATED.
AIR FORCE, 391 LT. COLLINS ST., MELBOURNE.

"Report on Flying Accident or Forced Landing Not Attributable to Enemy Action" – dated 2 March 1945, F29750/51.
(Report is very difficult to read as the digitised copy is reduced in size from the original, has very small print, and is out of focus on enlargement. The old typewriter letters are also very 'inky' so individual letters are indistinct – apologies for the omissions or errors in the following transcription. ? mark illegible letters or words.)

1. 1658 HCU, 7 Group, Bomber Command
2. 1st March 1945, at 2110, Riccall aerodrome, Yorkshire
3. Non Operational, Night flying, for Training
4. Halifax III, Serial LW445, fitted with four Hercules engines (all listed with their Serial numbers)
Three engines Category A (Repairable on site?); one engine port outer Category B? (Repairable at Manufacturer's works); airframe Category E? (E = not repairable, write off ?)
5. Occupants of aircraft
Pupil Pilot Scott, W H, P/O A.426982 Uninjured (previous flying experience for day and night flights listed)
Pupil Nav Durie, D, F/Sgt A.428845 Uninjured
Pupil A/B Reid, D, F/Sgt, A.434268 Uninjured
Pupil W/OP O'Donnell, W. F/Sgt, A.433128 Uninjured
Pupil A/G Collyer, W J, Sgt, A.439396, I(S) ("Injured Slightly" not requiring admission to Station Sick Quarters)
Pupil F/E Morrison, J M, Sgt, 1827665, I(S) ("Injured Slightly" not requiring admission to Station Sick Quarters)
6. State of plane – Taking Off
7. Did fire occur – No
8. Level of light – E – Moonlight
9. Incident taxying, taking off or landing on runway – Yes
10. Summary of Pilot's Report for a description of circumstances which terminated in the accident ...
"When the throttles had been opened during the take off run the pilot was temporarily
blinded by the beam of an Aldis lamp flashed from an aircraft taxying down the
northern perimeter track adjacent to the runway in use, 23. It was decided to
throttle back and in doing so, the pilots glove was hooked on the throttle friction
lock causing the throttle lever for the port outer engine to be locked at approximately
the ?.?.? position. The resultant swing to starboard was of course violent and
uncontrollable, and, the undercarriage collapsed when the aircraft swung off the
runway. The port outer throttle was closed, fuel and ignition switches turned off.
P/O Scott is a capable and competent pilot and prior to the accident had been given
1½ hrs dual instruction by F/Lt Elder. During this time P/O Scott's flying had in
every way proved satisfactory and he was fit for solo."
Signed S/L W A Downes (?), Officer Commanding 'B' Flight (?)
11. Report by appropriate specialist if technical failure is involved
"No Technical Report"
Signed W R Peake (?), Wing Commander, C.T.O. (?)
12. Remarks
A. Circumstances of the incident
"Accident occurred while taking off at night. A/c swung off runway to starboard
and undercarriage collapsed. Standard Mk.II Dews (?) lighting in use."
B. Diagnosis of contributing factors
Light wind – about 5 mph blowing from stbd, 30° – 40° off runway aggravated
natural tendency of a/c to swing to stbd. Aldis lamp from a taxying a/c
temporarily blinded pilot. The main contributing factor to the accident was
the fact that on throttling back, the pilot only partially pulled back the
P.O. throttle and this rapidly swung a/c round.
C. General remarks including recommendations
Use of Aldis lamp for a/c taxying on this section of perimeter track will be
discontinued. As tail of a/c was already off the ground is my opinion the pilot
should have carried on with his take-off and not have attempted to throttle
back. Recommend that pilot's log book be endorsed in red.
Signed by Wing Commander Peter Gaskall (?), Officer Commanding 1658 HCU, 2 March 1945
13. Remarks of Station Commander
"I do not consider that the Aldis lamp beam was responsible for this accident
although it may have disturbed the pilot, who was already flustered by a swing
which he had allowed to commence. The swing, not the Aldis beam, probably
warranted the pilot's decision to close throttles and upset his judgement to
an extent which caused him to grab at the throttles in a careless manner. As
this swing was to starboard, it was primarily essential to close the port outer
throttle. A red endorsement is recommended."
Signed by Group Captain R A C Barclay (?), Officer Commanding RAF Riccall, 2 March 1945

Comments: Only 6 crew were mentioned – the crew's Mid-Upper Gunner Pardy was not included, nor was a substitute MU/AG.
Why was there no MU/AG on that night training flight? Was this an error by omission in the report, or was Pardy on sick leave?
The initial report (Item 10) by the Officer Commanding (the Pilot's Flight), says that the lamp flash occurred, blinding the Pilot who then throttled back, but due to his glove catching on the throttle friction lock, the aircraft then swung.
The final comments (Item 13) say that the swing had already been "allowed to commence" before the throttle back, and the lamp flash then "disturbed" the Pilot, who grabbed at the throttles in a "careless manner". These are two very different interpretations of what had occurred.

The use of the Aldis lamp for taxying aircraft in that section of perimeter was discontinued, thus preventing similar repeat events.

Pilot Scott and crew were posted to 462 Squadron a week later, and carried out 8 successful Ops, all involving special duties, with no accidents, no early returns, and only one ordered diversion due to low cloud at base on return.

A photo of Halifax B.Mk.III LW440 Z5-B of 462 Squadron is shown on the Halifax page. LW445 of 1658 HCU would have looked similar, but without the Z5-code and vertical yellow stripes on the tail fins.
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