Harold John (Mort) MORTIMER

Harold John (Mort) MORTIMER Update Details

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MORTIMER, Harold John

Service Numbers:	S2650, SX27307, 442847
Enlisted:	9 December 1942
Last Rank:	Leading Aircraftwoman
Last Unit:	No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier
Born:	Adelaide, South Australia, 30 January 1921
Home Town:	Findon, Charles Sturt, South Australia
Schooling:	Adelaide High
Occupation:	Salesman
Died:	Natural Causes, Klemzig, South Australia, 17 October 2005, aged 84 years
Cemetery:	Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Cremated Remains Returned to Family
Memorials:

World War 2 Service

9 Dec 1942:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, S2650
14 Feb 1944:	Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, SX27307
15 Feb 1944:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 442847
27 Nov 1945:	Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftwoman, 442847, No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier

Help us honour Harold John Mortimer's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Heathfield High School

Completed by Mortimer's grandson

Harold Mortimer also known as “Mort” was born on the 30th Jan 1921 in Hindmarsh South Australia. His parents were Arthur Harold and Isabella McArthur. He had two sisters which. He became a father at the age of 23 having three children, John Mortimer, Lynnette Mortimer, and Grant Mortimer. Harold started his schooling career at Nailsworth Primary school, after his 6 years their he graduated and moved to Adelaide High up until the age of 13 where he was expelled for truancy and stealing of property (Information courtesy of Lynnette Ruxton)

After completing high school, he enlisted at the Royal Australian Air Force as an Aircraftman. He didn’t do very well in some of Aptitude test results, falling below average in his numerical skills but making up for that in his Mechanical aptitude. Before the war he became a warehouse store assistant where he was in charge for the selling and sourcing of shoes for customers. He worked their up until he was able to join the army.

Harold enlisted on the 25/3/41 at Oaklands Park. Although Harold was never posted to active combat, he still contributed towards the war efforts.

Harold’s main role in the army was the testing of military vehicles. Harold’s job included the testing of newly produced tanks. He would check and cleared them before transporting them to Islington rail yards. The tanks I can assume were used were the AC1 Sentinel, a tank which was only made, designed, and produced in Australia. These tanks would be being shipped for overseas use, in countries like Europe because everyone in the world was afraid of the Japanese taking over.

He would discharge himself 2 years later on the 14th of Feb 1944 achieving the status rank of a Corporal. On the 15th the next day later he re-enlisted as an aircraftman. He was posted to the No. 2 Air Observers School in Mount Gambier.

On December 1939, Australia signed the Empire Air Training Scheme agreement where the RAAF would setup an extensive training organisation to supply aircrew for the rapidly expanding Royal Air Force. There were only two Air Observer Schools established in Australia. These where schools were used to provide specialised navigator training to recruits. There were two air school locations one in Mount gambier and another in Cootamundra, NSW. (No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier 2024)

These schools were designed to teach navigation in accordance with the standard RAF syllabus, they used twin-engine aircraft for most trainings because it allowed them to experience the different forms of bomber planes the air force had to offer. The DH-84 along with the Avro Ansons were the most commonly used planes at the base.

No. 2 Air Observers School was formed at the newly built Mount Gambier base on 6th February 1941 under Squadron Leader Shaw, an officer lent from the RAF. The first training course commenced in March, comprising of 540 men. (No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier 2024)

Mortimer was discharged 27th November 1945.

References:

1. Interview with Mr Darren Toy the grandson of my great grand father, on 15 May 2024.

2. Terrace V (2024) View digital copy. In: Naa.gov.au. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5536176. Page 7. Accessed 15 May 2024

3. Air crew interview form. View digital copy. In: Naa.gov.au. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5536176. Page 39. Accessed 15 May 2024

4. Royal Australian Airforce R.G Form. View digital copy. In: Naa.gov.au. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5536176. Page 42. Accessed 15 May 2024

5. Confidential inquiry form. Terrace V (2024). Digital copy: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5536176. Page 48. Accessed 15 May 2024

6. Service History. (2024) Harold John MORTIMER. In: Vwma.org.au. https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/582628 . Accessed 15 May 2024

7. (2024) No. 2 Air Observers School Mount Gambier. In: Vwma.org.au. https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/2771. Accessed 16 May 2024

8. Enlistment statistics, Second World War | Australian War Memorial 2019, Awm.gov.au, viewed 4 June 2024, https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/enlistment/ww2

9. Interview with daughter of Harold Mortimer. Lynnette Ruxton. Information about enlistment and service in the war.

10.Wikipedia Contributors 2024, Sentinel tank, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, viewed 4 June 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel_tank