Frederick George Thornton
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 17 Mar 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 20 Jun 2002, aged 76 |
| Place of Death | Balcatta, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description |
5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 136lb "lb" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property. ; olive complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair ; scar on left leg |
| Occupation | Plant operator |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Kalgoorlie, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Francis Thornton |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 84549 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Mar 1944 |
| Rank | Leading Aircraftman |
| Unit/Formation | No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Attended the Werribee (WA) State School and the Perth Boy's School to 8th standard. Was employed for two years by Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie Ltd as a Solutionist - operator in their treatment plant.
War Service
On 18 Mar 1944 Fred enlisted in the RAAF at No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre in Perth, musterd as a Trainee Technical TG V. The same day he was sent to No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF to undertake the No P269 Recruit Drill Course. On 19 Apr 1944 he was posted to No. 4 Stores Depot RAAF at Maylands, and on 29 Apr 1944 he was transferred to No. 5 School of Technical Training RAAF in Perth to participate in the No. 399 Trainee Fitter Course. With this stage of his training completed, Fred was transferred on 5 Aug 1944 to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF in Ascot Vale, Melbourne to undertake the No 399 Trainee Flight Rigger Course which he completed with distinction. On completion of his training he was remustered as a Flight Rigger TG II.
He was then posted back to Western Australia on 15 Nov 1944 to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF where he remained until 30 Jan 1945 when he transferred to No. 1 Operational Training Unit RAAF at East Sale in Victoria, where on 5 Feb 1945 he was promoted Leading Aircraftman. On 5 Mar 1946 Fred was posted back to Western Australia to join No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF, and soon after on 20 May 1946 he was posted to the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF to prepare for his discharge which took place on 23 May 1946.
Post War
During 1955 Fred married Felicia Alford Moreland (1918 - 1982) in Mundijong. Felicia died on 14 Aug 192 in Balcatta.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 4 Hare street, Kalgoorlie, labourer; 1958 at 'Pencoed' Mundijong, driver; 1963 at 17 Molloy street, Bunbury, cartage contractor; 1968 at 111 Pratt street, Bunbury, cartage contractor; 1980 at 80 Amelia street, Balcatta, contractor.
Notes