James Reginald VERNON DFC

VERNON, James Reginald

Service Number: 407143
Enlisted: 22 June 1940, Adelaide
Last Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit: RAAF Headquarters (Melbourne / Brisbane)
Born: Adelaide, South Australia, 3 January 1921
Home Town: Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

22 Jun 1940: Enlisted Adelaide
22 Jun 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 407143
1 Jul 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 407143, No. 211 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45

Middle East Area of Operations Service

10 Jul 1941: Involvement Middle East - Libya and Western Desert with 211 squadron/45 squadron and then to India with45 squadron. Served in Burma campaign till return to Australia early 1945. Navigator.

World War 2 Service

14 Sep 1945: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 407143, RAAF Headquarters (Melbourne / Brisbane)

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Biography contributed by Barbara Boon

Jim Vernon was a skilled navigator and known for his calm and humorous ways. He was a practical joker on the squadron and into much non operational mischief. He had a quick mind and was skilled at situational awareness. His overriding quality was his absolute mateships and loyalty He died suddenly in his mid forties, leaving behind a wife and 2 young daughters. He also left a wartime mate, a grieving pilot, who had flown with him throughout the war.  Jim was laconic, easygoing, funny, generous of spirit and gentle hearted. He was probably the archetypical Aussie. He and my father, Wal McLellan, kept each other alive and sane for 4 years in the North African desert and then Burma. 

 

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