Scrapbooks of 463-467 Squadrons RAAF, 1943-1983

MLMSS 9649/Boxes 1X-2X

fonds

1943-1983

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Ephemera, Photographs

1206270

0.53 metres of textual and pictorial material (2 outsize boxes)

No. 467 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force was formed at Scampton in the United Kingdom on 7 November 1942. Initially, the majority of its personnel were British but they were gradually replaced with Australians. The squadron commenced operations on 2 January 1943 in Bottesford and a year later moved to Waddington, which remained the squadron’s home until the end of the war. The squadron's operational focus for much of the war was the strategic bombing offensive against Germany, operating almost entirely at night.

No. 463 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force was formed from C Flight of 467 Squadron RAAF at Waddington in the United Kingdom on 25 November 1943. Its focus was also on night bombing raids over Germany. Both squadrons were equipped with Lancaster heavy bombers.

John Cole and John Nedwich, former members of the Squadrons, were President and Secretary respectively of the 463-467 (RAAF) Squadrons Association.

References:
Compiled from the collection
Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/units/ (accessed 2 March 2015)

The scrapbooks, which were created after World War II, record the history of 463 and 467 Squadrons, the men who served in them and the Lancaster bombers they flew. They also document reunions organised by the 463-467 Squadrons Association and other groups. Included are photographs, news clippings, letters, circulars and ephemera.

Scrapbook 1
Compiled by John Nedwich and John Cole, 60 pages, 1943-1976. Includes records of squadron activities at Waddington, aerial photographs of bomb targets, squadron reunions and balls, Lancaster flight from Australia to United Kingdom in 1965, reunion tour to Waddington and Europe in 1975.

Scrapbook 2
Compiled by John A. Cole, 51 pages, ca. 1944-1983. Includes records of wartime squadron activities, target photographs, visit to Berlin in 1945 with photographs showing extensive bomb damage, visit to Waddington in 1975, correspondence regarding the installation of squadron plaques in St Clement Danes Church in London, signed letter from Sir Arthur Harris, fundraising for purchase of Middleton Victoria Cross, reunions in Melbourne and Adelaide 1977, Brisbane 1981, Sydney 1983. Also contains loose photograph of Staff Officers, Royal Air Force, Lichfield, October 1944.

Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners
Out of copyright: Applies to photographs in this collection created before 1955.
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Book 1 - Inscribed on verso of cover 'Book compiled by John Nedwich & John Cole, book donated by Bill Homer'
Book 2 - Inscribed on verso of cover 'Book compiled by John A. Cole, President, book donated by Bill Homer, Committeeman & V/Pres'