BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
Air Force Association (SA) marked NAIDOC Week 2024 by attending the unveiling and dedication of the new RAAF Base Edinburgh Keeping Place on 11 July and releasing a biographical profile of one of the few Indigenous South Australians that served in the Air Force in World War 2.
The RAAF Edinburgh Keeping Place is the latest Defence Indigenous initiative with Kaurna and the broader local First Nations community.
Developed through collaboration with Kaurna Custodians, the Keeping Place is designed to be the central place on base for Defence, Kaurna and broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to come together for ceremony, education, kinship, and heritage.
During RAAF Edinburgh redevelopment, artefacts of cultural significance were uncovered. These discoveries identified the need for a Keeping Place to not only ensure all items of cultural significance were documented and kept safe, but, also a space which RAAF Edinburgh could use to enhance cultural understanding for all members working on Kaurna land.
The Keeping Place comprises six key areas: A Welcome Area which displays information about the space and includes a Scarred Tree, an Education Space, Yarning Circle, Indigenous War Memorial, and two ceremonial spaces, one for men’s and women’s business.
The intent is for the Keeping Place to be widely used by Defence and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to enhance understanding of traditional culture and strengthen the relationship of Defence, Kaurna and broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It is a fantastic initiative, and AFA-SA hopes to participate in ceremonies and events at the RAAF Edinburgh Keeping Place in the future.
Although approximately 3,850 Indigenous Australians served in the Army, Navy and Air Force in World War 2, little is known about indigenous South Australians who served in the Air Force. Air Force Association (SA) has been working with RAAF Edinburgh and other stakeholders addressing this significant omission in our military aviation heritage. Over recent years, we have identified over 25 indigenous South Australians who served in the Air Force during World War 2. The great majority served in roles such as mechanics, general hands, nurses and cooks
LAC Alex Taylor was one of those Indigenous South Australians. From humble beginnings growing up in the outback, to prospering at primary school and living in the Colebrook Children’s Home in Quorn, he enlisted in the RAAF in 1943 as a Flight Rigger. He completed three years of operational service in southern and northern Australia including service at three units including No 2 Air Observers School, No 7 Repair and Salvage Unit and No 20 Squadron. He was discharged from the RAAF in March 1946 and was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939 – 1945, and the Australian Service Medal 1939 – 1945.
Sadly, not much is known about Alex Taylor’s life post-war. It is believed he initially returned to Adelaide possibly working as a labourer. Having been highly trained in World War 2 in a trade working with aircraft, it seems he was unable to secure such work in Australian aviation post-war. Returning to Adelaide, he was inspired to serve his people in a different way, becoming part of South Australia’s significant aboriginal anti-discrimination movement in the 1950s and contributing to some of its successful initiatives. However, tragically, his health declined to the point where he died suffering alcohol abuse and significant mental health issues at the early age of 48 in the 1970s.
You can read more about LAC Alex Taylor by reading his new AFA-SA biographical profile available on the AFA-SA Website at the link: alex-taylor-ww2-aboriginal-veteran.pdf (afasa.org.au)
Pictures –
The wonderful new Keeping Place at RAAF Base Edinburgh
Robert Black, (AFA-SA Vice-President) with Lawrence Ng (President AFA-SA) and GPCAPT Greg Weller (Deputy Senior Air Force Representative SA and AFA-SA Vice President) at the new RAAF Edinburgh Keeping Place War Memorial (AFA-SA)
Portrait image of LAC Alex Taylor (State Library of South Australia)
