Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Stafford Wreghitt Tindall and Rachael May Tindall, of Rockdale, Sydney, New South Wales

Served in Royal Air Force on Vickers Wellington IC T2520 KO-A

Strayed off course on return leg and flew into high ground near to Tredegar, Glamorgan

I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH

Adding honor to R.A.F.—
PILOT-OFFICER Albert Tindall, R.A.F., of Rockdale, New South Wales, was reported killed early in January. On November 28, 1940, he wrote from England his last letter home. His parents, Mr. and Mrs.  S. W. Tindall, of Villiers Street, Rockdale, received if recently — after they had learned of their son's death;
The letter reads:
"I had taken over another crew (all of whom were veterans of over 20 raids) as their captain, and was on a raid to Hamburg. "It was a clear moonlight night. I found the docks there O.K., and dropped  my bombs fair and square on them. Coming back I was held in a bunch of search-lights, and four enemy Messerschmitt 11O's attacked me, three from the rear and one dead ahead. "They bored right  in, and made five separate attacks, shooting away my ailerons, radio, undercarriage, instrument panel, holing my starboard tanks, and generally making the machine look like a sieve. "One fellow  made a head-on attack, letting loose streams of fire. Luckily, the instrument panel saved me, but, of course, it became unserviceable. This burst also wounded my front gunner, but not before he got  the Hun, who went down out of control.
"I got away by diving at about 400 m.p.h., and doing a tight turn. Both engines then cut out, and the starboard one was pouring black smoke. I ordered the crew to put on their parachutes, and  prepare to abandon the aircraft. "However, after a few minutes, the port engine cut in again, so I set course for the Dutch coast, and then proceeded to examine the situation. I had only 175 gallons of  gas left, enough for 2 1/4 hours from home. I had only the altii meter left to fly by, and the ocean crossing produced for me more anxious inoments than the actual combat. "After flying over the North  Sea, I came in over the English coast Without any petrol, and managed to glide to an aerodrome and made a safe landing without my under carriage, which was shot away.
"Worst luck, though, my front gunner, as the result of his wounds, died on the way to hospital. The second pilot had done all he could for him by applying tourniquets, giving morphia and oxygen. "I  feel horribly embarrassed with all the attention bestowed Upon me, and everybody saying, 'Good show, old boy,' and so on. Many Royal College officers who graduated with me flew over to offer their  Congrats. "A Group-Captain sent up from Headquarters has recommended me for the D.F.C., and I will have the decoration before this letter reaches you. Still, I can't see why all the fuss— it was just a job."