DRABBLE, Septimus Herbert
| Service Number: | 406350 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 November 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Air Force Headquarters Western Area (Perth) |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, 29 May 1916 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Auditor/Clerk |
| Died: | Perth, Western Australia, 17 September 2008, aged 92 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Perth War Cemetery and Annex, Western Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 11 Nov 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406350, Air Force Headquarters Western Area (Perth) | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer | |
| 9 Sep 1941: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 406350, ex Australia to Middle East | |
| 1 Mar 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer | |
| 5 Jun 1943: | Wounded Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 406350, Forced landing near West Homs Village, Middle East flying Blenheim VMA599 - fractured left leg and abrasions. Admitted to No 4 General Hospital ME | |
| 29 Aug 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant | |
| 2 Sep 1943: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406350, ex Middle East to Geelong | |
| 4 Oct 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406350, Air Force Headquarters Western Area (Perth) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
The youngest of seven children (and one of three who survived infancy), Septimus was born in 1916 in Claremont, Fremantle WA to Walter (Walt) Drabble (b1874 in Perth WA) and Marion King Corbett (b1875 in Melbourne, Victoria). Walt (a Painter/Decorator) and Marion (a Teacher) married in Claremont in 1900. In 1890 Walt had established a small hardware store in Claremont, which was then managed by Marion and expanded to stores in Perth and Kalgoorlie. Initially a few cases of nails and glass comprised the stock, and the business expanded to manufacturing of shop fittings and lead lights. Walt and Marion were involved in establishing infant health clinics and supporting the Ugly Men's Association - a fundraising and charitable organisation. Walt expanded into property development and investment, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1916. Following Marion's death in 1934, Walt remarried.
Septimus worked as a Clerk/Auditor in Claremont WA and in August 1940 married Jean Mary. He served for three years with the Militia (16th Infantry Battalion) before enlisting in the RAAF in November 1940. Septimus (Service No:406350) served as a Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant in Africa and the Middle East, and was attached to the RAF. He was flying a Blenheim (VMA599) on 5 June 1943 when the aircraft made a forced landing near West Homs Village in the Middle East, and he was hospitalised (No 4 General Hospital ME) with a fractured leg and abrasions. Septimus was Discharged in October 1945. Brother Walter (Private; Service No:W31979) also served in WWII and son David (Bombardier; Service No:312636) served in the Vietnam War with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.
Returning to WA, Septimus was appointed to the Commonwealth Public Service under the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act 1920 - 1943, and was employed as a Clerk with the Repatriation Department. In 1968 he was promoted to Inspector Institutional Accounts and in May 1976 he was attached to the Department of Veterans' Affairs when he retired. Septimus died in 2008 and Jean in 2018.
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