Branch - Sunderland Squadrons

From the Editor: Anzac Day has come and Sunderlanders in two states and in Pembroke Dock in Wales, UK, commemorated the occasion and remembered the original Sunderlanders who have gone before us. A report on the Victorian march and some photos from the NSW and Pembroke Dock in Wales, commemorations are included.

From the Editor: Since the last Newsletter there have been a few changes at 10 Sqn. We welcome the new Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Daniel Beurich, and Squadron Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer Paul Shepherd...

2023 marked the 74th Sunderlanders Dinner and the awarding of the 2023 Dudley Marrows Memorial Trophy.

From the Editor:

The last month or so has been busy. On the way to Adelaide for the Dudley Marrows Memorial Trophy Dinner, Min and I visited the RAAF Memorial Museum at Mildura airport with Marilyn Marrows-Voullaire and Kel. During WWII between 1942 and 1946, Mildura airport was the home of the RAAF No.2 Operational Training Unit (2OTU) providing operational fighter conversion
training for pilots before they were posted to their operational Squadrons..........

From the Editor:

Some of the recipients of this Newsletter will have already received the NSW Branch Newsletter. Sorry for some duplication in this Newsletter. In August the NSW Branch recently conducted a wreath laying at Roseville.

I recently visited the RAAF museum at Point Cook, and a brief report is provided below............

From the Editor:

This Newsletter includes a number of appropriate Anzac articles from various sources. Thank you to the providers of all the articles; Sqn Ldr John Rattenbury ex CO 10 SQN RAF; Jill Turner, daughter of Les Clough 461 Sqn; and the Victorian Shrine of Remembrance team........

From the Editor:

This Newsletter provides details of the Anzac Day Commemoration March in Melbourne. See Coming Events.

There is also an update about the young lady, Olivia, the winner of the South AustralianPremier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize with her story of her Great Great Uncle 407986 Warrant Officer Joseph Colwyn Kelly, 10 Squadron RAAF......

From the Editor:

Just before Anzac Day I received a communication from Flt Lt Richard (Dick) King of 10 Squadron RAF. He was seeking assistance for a young lady in South Australia who was seeking information about her Great Great Uncle, Joseph Colwyn Kelly who served as an Air Gunner with 10 Squadron and was lost over the Bay of Biscay in 1943. I have provided a brief outline of WO Kelly’s service history below...........

From the Editor:

Just before Anzac Day and after my previous Newsletter we lost 411160 Flt Lt Ron MacKellar of 461 Sqn. one of the stalwarts and long-time Treasurer of the NSW Branch...........

From the Editor:

I appreciate that this Newsletter follows close behind the previous Newsletter, but details of the Anzac Day Commemorations in Melbourne are only recently to hand. See Coming Events for details.........

From the Editor:

The last few months have seen 10 Squadron involved in several events. On 19th November the Air Force Association, South Australian Division, Elizabeth/Salisbury Branch and the Salisbury RSL Sub Branch hosted an Air Force Centenary Commemorative Service.......

From the Editor:

I am advised by AFA – Vic President Max McGregor that unfortunately the traditional Remembrance Day Commemoration Service at Point Cook on the Sunday before Remembrance Day will again not be held this year. However the Service at The Shrine will go ahead with restrictions. See Coming Events below..........

From the Editor:

Well Sunderlanders and friends, Covid challenges are still with us and I suspect may be so for some time yet. Please remember in these difficult times to keep in touch regularly with friends and family. Maybe call someone with whom you haven’t had recent contact. We all need the contact and support from time to time. It is also very important to ensure your own safety........

Distinguished Sunderlander and Air Force Association Life Member, Dudley Marrows DSO DFC Legion de Honor was an aircraft pilot during the Battle of the Atlantic. Read his remarkable story here. 

From the Editor:

It appears that once again this year Anzac Day Commemorations will be significantly affected by the Covid 19 restrictions. Early media has indicated that the Melbourne commemorations may be similar to last year. There may be a restricted March and a restricted Dawn Service. Given this uncertainty I will not parade our banners this year. I bet the football and various protest marches will still go ahead. Each State seems to be handling the Commemoration in different way and change the rules on a daily basis........

Although it now seems like a long time ago, Anzac Day commemorations are behind us., I know many of our Sunderlanders remembered our brave Sunderlanders and servicemen and women in different ways. I know many of us “stood to” at the front gate or attended small informal gatherings within the constraints of the various jurisdictions. In Geelong, I was able to attend, socially distanced Court Service listening to the ABC Service. Following soon after the service I privately laid a wreath at the Geelong Boer War Memorial on behalf of our Rotary Club. By the end of the day there were several wreaths in place obviously laid independently by others who normally do so at our Dawn Service.........

WWII war hero and Sunderland flying boat captain with 461 Squadron, Dudley Marrows, passed away on 11 March, aged 101.

The prototype Short Sunderland flying boat first flew on 16 October 1937, and nine Mk I versions were ordered for the RAAF under the A18 designation. However, when No 10 Squadron accepted the first aircraft, P9048, at Pembroke Dock on 11 September 1939, the squadron remained in the UK with RAF-serialled Sunderlands, and was later joined by No 461 Squadron. From the first confirmed submarine "kill" by Flight Lieutenant W. N. Gibson's crew on 1 July 1940, the two squadrons destroyed almost a dozen U-boats.