SALUTING THEIR SERVICE

The South Australian Eagles

The South Australian Eagles

Click on the image above to access the ‘South Australian Eagles’ flip-book.

 

‘South Australian Eagles’ honours the proud history and service of 30 South Australians in the Air Force over the last 100 years.

For over a century, South Australians have served our nation’s Air Force creating a remarkable legacy of service. Produced for the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary in 2021, South Australian Eagles profiles thirty such South Australians.

GPCAPT Greg Weller, Director of Community Engagement, RAAF Edinburgh and the author of ‘South Australian Eagles’, has been researching and promoting South Australia’s Air Force heritage to help South Australians understand the Air Force story in their State.

“The centenary of the RAAF in 2021 has provided an opportunity for our community to rediscover this legacy and the South Australians who contributed so much to the Air Force over the last 100 years.” said GPCAPT Weller. “Our aim  is to profile their service and inspire our community to learn more about these brave South Australians.

“Some are decorated aircrew. Some are air aces. Others rose to the highest echelons of our air force. Some returned to South Australia serving the community in other ways in sport, indigenous reconciliation and the arts. Tragically, some did not return paying the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.”

About the Book

The book is a not-for-profit initiative. It was made possible through grants from the Federal Government and South Australia State Government as well as assistance for printing from the Air Force Association (South Australia).

Hardcopies of South Australian Eagles will be available at Air Force Centenary events in South Australia during 2021. 150 copies will also be donated to local schools.

Read online! Click on the image below to access the SA Eagles flipbook.

MORE SALUTES

Flying Officer Frederick Michael Spafford DFC DFM

World War 2 Bomb Aimer and Dambuster: 455 SQN (RAAF), 50 SQN (RAF), 617 SQN (RAF) Spafford was born Frederick Michael Burke in Adelaide, South Australia, on 16 June 1918, the only son of James Michael Burke (known as Dan), a tannery foreman, and Vida Muriel Spafford....

Reginald Jeffrey “Jeff” Barnes

Reportedly South Australia’s first Aboriginal to join the RAAF NB:This document contains imagery of Aboriginal people who have since died which may cause sadness and distress. Approximately 3000 Aboriginals and 850 Torres Strait Islanders served in Australia’s armed...

Flight Lieutenant Robert ‘Bob’ Claude Hay DFC & BAR

World War 2 Air Observer and Dambuster: 455 SQN (RAAF), 50 SQN (RAF), 617 SQN (RAF) Robert Claude Hay was born in the regional SA Riverland town of Renmark on 4 November 1913. He was the second of six children in a large family with parents John Robert Clare Hay and...

WOFF Norm Ginn

World War 2 Norman Leslie Ginn was born in Mildura on 16 August 1923. His parents were English migrating from England in 1919 to assist family fruit growers in the Riverina. He went to primary and high school in Mildura but left school at the age of 15 and worked as a...

WOFF Doug Hoile (1924 – 2021)

World War 2 Douglas Edward Hoile was born 20 May 1924 in Laura, a rural town in the mid north of South Australia. His father was a Gallipoli veteran having served with the 12th Battalion. His uncle Private Charles Valentine Hoile, served with the 14th Field Ambulance...