GISSING, Frederick William
| Service Number: | 425637 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 April 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No.104 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 31 May 1922 |
| Home Town: | Clayfield, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Brisbane Boy's College |
| Occupation: | Apprentice to R.S. Exton & Co. |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Italy, 16 April 1944, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bari War Cemetery XV B 31, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 425637 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 425637, No.104 Squadron (RAF), Brisbane, Qld. | |
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 425637 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Sydney William and Ella Gissing, of Clayfield, Queensland, Australia.
Flight Sergeant Frederick William Gissing was at the College during the years 1937-38. He left school to be apprenticed to the firm of R.S. Exton and Co., with whom he remained until he entered the R.A.A.F. on Anzac Day, 25th April 1942. Training under the Empire Training Scheme, he received his Pilot's Wings in Alberta. In May, 1943, he arrived in England and was able to spend his 21st Birthday with Clif Tucker in Scotland. Having completed his operational training on Wellingtons he ferried bombers from England to North Africa, and after a short period he was attached to an R.A.F. Wellington Bomber Squadron in Italy. His brother, Syd, also a pilot in the R.A.A.F. had arrived in England just before Fred left for Italy, and the two brothers spent a few days together. Fred lost his life on the 16th April, 1944 in air operations 'when returning from having successfully carried out an important mission in the north'. He and his crew are buried in the British section of the Italian cemetery at Foggia, Italy, where there are the graves of 18 other Australians. We join with many others in extending out sympathy to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Gissing, and to all members of his family, including Stg. S.W. Gissing (1938-41)
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