Thread: Teddy Sheean VC at last

[QUOTE=bob10;3024659]

Originally Posted by 4bee

Not a good suggestion, last time we had one of those, it was a beautiful day, I walked to Sandgate to Jeays to buy the required parts, decided to drop into the Brighton Hotel for a wee nip on the way home, well guess the rest. That reminds me, I'd better check. Think it's still leaking. Well, it's a beautiful day, might walk to Sandgate to get the required parts........

I had an Aunt that lived in Sandgate, she'd be long gone by now. Her Hubby was the Ansett Electra Pilot I have mentioned waaaaaaaaayy back somewhere. Never got to visit her there but I did for West Preston Vic. when he was flying out of Essendon in the good old days of the DC-4 & 6.

[QUOTE=4bee;3024702]

Originally Posted by bob10

I had an Aunt that lived in Sandgate, she'd be long gone by now. Her Hubby was the Ansett Electra Pilot I have mentioned waaaaaaaaayy back somewhere. Never got to visit her there but I did for West Preston Vic. when he was flying out of Essendon in the good old days of the DC-4 & 6.

What's her name? Everyone knows everyone else in Sandgate. The sort of place where a bloke in the pub could tell you the family tree, and even the name of their dog.

[QUOTE=bob10;3024860]

Originally Posted by 4bee

What's her name? Everyone knows everyone else in Sandgate. The sort of place where a bloke in the pub could tell you the family tree, and even the name of their dog.

I don't know now, as she remarried (I think). Given name was Joan. Said Pilot was playing away years ago. So I am told.

[QUOTE=bob10;3024381]

Originally Posted by 4bee

My Late Uncle John was with 13 Sqdn & not long after Armidale, was shot down over the Celebes Sea in flames & presumed KIA. Aged 21. /QUOTE]

You may have already seen this, but in case not, 13 Squadron, RAAF, City of Darwin squadron.

Virtual War Memorial | No. 13 Squadron (RAAF)


Some images of 13 Sqn, among others.

13 squadron raaf - Bing images

For anyone interested. I mailed the AWM on Monday & promptly rcd a nice reply fom the Curator Photos last night despite them having a Notice on their website about "expect Delays".

Unfortunately, my Uncle was NOT one of the above crew although 'er indoors could also see the likeness. so was worth a go.

However she (Curator)e did give me the names of the crew ^^ so if they are of any use to any AULRO-LIAN here, in case they may be going through the same exercise as me, these may help them.. These were recorded at the time of the photos being taken.


Left to Right. > Flt Sgt Durbin. Sgt Palmer. Flying Officer Dixon. Sgt Dargan. Sgt Boyd.

Boyd was the Airman who I thought may have been my Rellie. Unfortunately, not.

Maybe one day.

[QUOTE=4bee;3024933]

Originally Posted by bob10

I don't know now, as she remarried (I think). Given name was Joan. Said Pilot was playing away years ago. So I am told.

Best to leave it there.

[QUOTE=4bee;3024938]

Originally Posted by bob10

For anyone interested. I mailed the AWM on Monday & promptly rcd a nice reply fom the Curator Photos last night despite them having a Notice on their website about "expect Delays".

Unfortunately, my Uncle was NOT one of the above crew although 'er indoors could also see the likeness. so was worth a go.

However she (Curator)e did give me the names of the crew ^^ so if they are of any use to any AULRO-LIAN here, in case they may be going through the same exercise as me, these may help them.. These were recorded at the time of the photos being taken.


Left to Right. > Flt Sgt Durbin. Sgt Palmer. Flying Officer Dixon. Sgt Dargan. Sgt Boyd.

Boyd was the Airman who I thought may have been my Rellie. Unfortunately, not.

Maybe one day.

If you have the time, you can use the AWM system to find photo's of relatives, [ but you probably know that] It can be a convoluted process, also the National Archives has information that can be useful. Have you contacted the Squadron association? Sorry if I'm telling you how to suck eggs, but I've been through this with my Grandfather, and his father, who both served in the 49th Battalion in France. Great GF landed on Gallipoli with the 9th Battalion, they split the 9th and formed the 49th and new 9th for fighting in France. I was able to clear up family myths with the facts, and the facts were even more incredible than the family myths. After months of frustrating searching suddenly I came upon a photo of my Great GF, the only one now in existence I believe.

[QUOTE=bob10;3025017]

Originally Posted by 4bee

If you have the time, you can use the AWM system to find photo's of relatives, [ but you probably know that] It can be a convoluted process, also the National Archives has information that can be useful. Have you contacted the Squadron association? Sorry if I'm telling you how to suck eggs, but I've been through this with my Grandfather, and his father, who both served in the 49th Battalion in France. Great GF landed on Gallipoli with the 9th Battalion, they split the 9th and formed the 49th and new 9th for fighting in France. I was able to clear up family myths with the facts, and the facts were even more incredible than the family myths. After months of frustrating searching suddenly I came upon a photo of my Great GF, the only one now in existence I believe.

Thanks Bob, to be honest I wasn't aware of that, but on other subjects I have found it can be like pulling Teeth which was why I was surprised to receive a reply so fast. I'll give the SQN Assoc. a try & see where that takes me. As a matter of interest when we passed through Evans Head (was a bombing Range there) some years back I checked with the local RSL bods who had in their possession folders of photos supposedly of all the Aircrew who had passed through Evans Head Base.


Problem was, I was relying on a memory of some 60+ years at the time & at that stage I did not have any idea of his appearance back in circa 1940. It was only when I was put in touch with the author of a book dedicated to 13 SQN who coincidentally lived aprox. 4 km from my old home that he gave me a group photo of the aircrews. You know the type, arms folded some standing some sitting in front of a Sqn Hudson. Then I knew what he looked like in '41. It is an AWM print but it has no identifying details ie. Photo # otherwise I would be well on the way to discoveryland. I quoted his Reg no & other details hoping they would show up in the AWM system but she made no mention of those in reply so assume NIX.

The other opportunity I missed out on was when on the way home from SEQ we stopped at a small aerodrome down near the NSW/Vic border (??) Wodonga way?)which had Museum aircraft on display one of which was the Hudson that used to live in a park with other misc. RAAF a/c just north of the Coolangatta Airport, inland & near a river.. Seeing the Hudson in a roped off area I made a beeline for it & noticed by the rear entry hatch a stand with a Hudson image with 5 air crew standing adjacent. One I was positive was Unc.

When I asked about the a/c & queried the photo I had seen at this "new" aerodrome, I drew a complete blank. It had been with the a/c prior to it's removal to this new airfield but no one could remember it. BUGGER!


I think it might be easier if I was looking for the Wreck of the Hesperus.

The Wreck of the Hesperus by Henry Wadsworth… | Poetry Foundation



!3 Sqn Members Asscn. doesn't appear to exist these days according to links from TROVE. Onwards & upwards.

[QUOTE=4bee;3025054]

Originally Posted by bob10

Thanks Bob, to be honest I wasn't aware of that, but on other subjects I have found it can be like pulling Teeth which was why I was surprised to receive a reply so fast. I'll give the SQN Assoc. a try & see where that takes me. As a matter of interest when we passed through Evans Head (was a bombing Range there) some years back I checked with the local RSL bods who had in their possession folders of photos supposedly of all the Aircrew who had passed through Evans Head Base.


Problem was, I was relying on a memory of some 60+ years at the time & at that stage I did not have any idea of his appearance back in circa 1940. It was only when I was put in touch with the author of a book dedicated to 13 SQN who coincidentally lived aprox. 4 km from my old home that he gave me a group photo of the aircrews. You know the type, arms folded some standing some sitting in front of a Sqn Hudson. Then I knew what he looked like in '41. It is an AWM print but it has no identifying details ie. Photo # otherwise I would be well on the way to discoveryland. I quoted his Reg no & other details hoping they would show up in the AWM system but she made no mention of those in reply so assume NIX.

The other opportunity I missed out on was when on the way home from SEQ we stopped at a small aerodrome down near the NSW/Vic border (??) Wodonga way?)which had Museum aircraft on display one of which was the Hudson that used to live in a park with other misc. RAAF a/c just north of the Coolangatta Airport, inland & near a river.. Seeing the Hudson in a roped off area I made a beeline for it & noticed by the rear entry hatch a stand with a Hudson image with 5 air crew standing adjacent. One I was positive was Unc.

When I asked about the a/c & queried the photo I had seen at this "new" aerodrome, I drew a complete blank. It had been with the a/c prior to it's removal to this new airfield but no one could remember it. BUGGER!


I think it might be easier if I was looking for the Wreck of the Hesperus.

The Wreck of the Hesperus by Henry Wadsworth… | Poetry Foundation



!3 Sqn Members Asscn. doesn't appear to exist these days according to links from TROVE. Onwards & upwards.

Don't give up. The AWM will assist your search , you have to make the first move. You may have to move from the AWM to the National Archives, ad nauseam . Dive into the depths of the AWM , it's a fascinating journey. I found myself flying off on tangents, chasing interesting stories. It does take up a fair whack of your time. But every service member has a story, and that story will be in the AWM's records. Or they will have a link . The 13th Squadron was designated ' the city of Darwin ' squadron, after the war, still is. That would be a good place to start. They will have a history of the Squadron. Some links.

RAAF Museum: Royal Australian Air Force: No 13 Squadron

No.13 (City of Darwin) Squadron | Monument Australia

A 13 Squadron 50th year publication;

https://booksonwaraustralia.com/2432...dron-story.jpg

Happy hunting.