VICKERS, Colin Lindsay
| Service Number: | 416731 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 August 1941, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | RAF Base (Beccles, UK) |
| Born: | Lenswood, South Australia, 19 May 1921 |
| Home Town: | Lenswood, Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Orchardist |
| Died: | Drowned, Balhannah, South Australia, 17 September 1998, aged 77 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bonney Flat Methodist Cemetery, South Australia Bonney Flat Cemetery Balhannah |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 16 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 416731, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 416731 | |
| 17 Aug 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 416731, Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 1 May 1944: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, No. 34 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 29 Aug 1944: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 416731, Brisbane (for the UK) | |
| 17 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 416731, RAF Base (Beccles, UK) |
Help us honour Colin Lindsay Vickers's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Kimberley Grosser
Pop drowned on his property at Balhannah aged 77, and was cremated
Biography contributed by Kimberley Grosser
Colin was the first born child of Alan and Ella Vickers. He had three siblings Margorie,Brian and Nancy.
He was enlisted into WWII on the 16th August 1941.
His above average abilities would help him to workout near impossible calculations navigating through difficult airspace and along different routes to avoid enemy fire during the war.
Some of the people that worked along side Colin during the war have stated that they believe his exceptional abilities as a navigator saved them from enemy fire. Even during times with low fuel they made it safely back with his guidance. It was said by one man that he owed his life to Colin because many other planes had taken the same route again and been blown up by enemy fire.
Colin made friends easily during his time in the war and was highly regarded by many. He met Evelyn Gilruth from the Royal Airforce. Evelyn worked in communications and would regularly speak to Colin over the radio. Evelyn would after the war move to Australia from Scotland and marry Colin. They lived on acerage in Balhannah South Australia where Colin grew prize winning apples. They had four children Alan,Monica,Denise and Susan.
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