BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
A moving ceremony in Adelaide has marked the continuation of a treasured RAAF tradition, with No. 10 Squadron presenting the prestigious Dudley Marrows Trophy.
The annual dinner, now jointly hosted by 10 Squadron in South Australia rather than Sydney, recognised outstanding service while paying tribute to the ageing veterans of Coastal Command’s 10 and 461 Squadrons who flew the Short Sunderland flying boats during World War II.
In 2019 the original Sunderland Award was modernised and renamed the Dudley Marrows Trophy in honour of the late Flight Lieutenant Dudley Marrows, a decorated 461 Squadron pilot.
This year’s recipient was Flight Sergeant Anthony French of 10 Squadron, applauded for his exemplary leadership and dedication to maritime patrol operations.
The 2025 presentation – the 56th annual event – brought together descendants of the original Sunderlanders. Among those present were Marilyn Marrows Voullaire (daughter of Dudley Marrows), John MacKellar and Pamela Urquhart (son and daughter of Wireless Air Gunner Ron MacKellar, 461 Squadron), Tim Jensen (son of WAG Peter Jensen, 461 Squadron), Rick Hattam (son of WAG Rick Hattam, 461 Squadron), and Peter Dowling (son of WAG Ken Dowling, 10 Squadron, and nephew of pilot Bill Dowling, 461 Squadron).
Also attending was Dennis Smith, nephew of 10 Squadron veteran Uncle Percy.
Peter Dowling, current president of the NSW Sunderlands Branch and president of the Ballarat Air Force Association, helped organise the event alongside squadron representatives.
A separate photograph captured Mr Dowling with Mick Morris, recipient of the original Sunderland Award in 1980.
A third photograph showed Marilyn Marrows Voullaire with her father Dudley Marrows in happier times before his passing, a touching reminder of the personal legacy the trophy now carries.
The dinner ensures the courage and sacrifice of the Sunderland crews continue to inspire today’s RAAF aircrew.
To learn more about Dudley Marrows visit https://vwma.org.au/collections/home-page-stories/an-outstanding-pilot—dudley-marrows-dso-dfc
