BUNGEY, Robert Wilton
| Service Numbers: | 257414, 40042 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 July 1936, Point Cook, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Squadron Leader |
| Last Unit: | Aircrew Training Units |
| Born: | Fullarton, SA, 4 October 1914 |
| Home Town: | Brighton, Holdfast Bay, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Adelaide High School |
| Occupation: | Pilot |
| Died: | Suicide, Brighton, Brighton, South Australia, Australia, 10 June 1943, aged 28 years |
| Cemetery: |
St Judes Cemetery, Brighton, South Australia St Jude's Cemetery, Brighton, South Australia, Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 15 Jul 1936: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Point Cook, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 257414, Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Squadron Leader, 257414 | |
| 14 Aug 1940: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 257414, No. 145 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 13 Apr 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 257414, No. 452 Squadron (RAAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 25 Jan 1942: |
Involvement
Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 257414, Air War NW Europe 1939-45, RAF Hawkinge and RAF Shoreham |
|
| 25 Jan 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 257414 | |
| 25 Jan 1943: | Involvement Squadron Leader, 257414 | |
| 25 Jan 1943: | Enlisted | |
| 10 Jun 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 40042, Aircrew Training Units, Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour Robert Wilton Bungey's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography
40042 (257414) Wing Commander Robert Wilton Bungey, DFC
Robert Wilton Bungey DFC, of Glenelg, South Australia was an Australian fighter pilot serving with the RAF and Commanding Officer of No. 452 Spitfire Squadron, RAAF, based at RAF Station Kirton-in-Lindsey.
He had trained with Lesley Redford Clisby (/explore/people/13447), who was to become Australia's first ace of WW2 before being killed in action in May 1940.
Like his colleague Clisby, Bungey served in the Battle of France. He served with 226 Squadron RAF then 79 Squadron RAF during the Battle of France and was one of a very few Fairey Battle pilots to survive. He flew with 145 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain and later commanded 452 Squadron RAAF then two major RAF air stations before returning to Australia.
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation: "This officer has been almost continually engaged on operations against the enemy since the war began. During operations in France, he carried out many bombing and reconnaissance missions and later fought in the Battle of Britain. Since July 1941, Squadron Leader Bungey has led the squadron, and occasionally the Wing, on many operational sorties over Northern France. Brilliant successes have been achieved, and during August, the unit shot down 24 hostile aircraft. Throughout, this officer has displayed gallant and efficient leadership."
Following the sudden death of his wife, on 10 June, 1943 at Brighton, SA while attached to No 4 Embarkation Depot, and in desperation at his incapacity to care for his infant son, he shot his baby son and himself at Brighton Beach, SA. His son survived the injury.
Date of birth 1914-10-04 Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1936-07-15 Air cadet at Point Cook. Date promoted 1937 Pilot officer. Other units 1937-06 Short service commission RAF. Other units 1938 No 226 Squadron. Other units 1939 No 79 Squadron. Other units 1940-08-19 No 145 Squadron. Other units 1941-04-13 Commanding Officer No 452 Squadron. Other units 1942 Commanding Officer RAF Station Hawkinge. Other units 1942-01-25 Commanding Officer RAF Station Shoreham. Date of death 1943-06-10
Click images to start slideshow.