No. 4 in the Australian Air Campaign Series
The inaugural Royal Australian Air Force Oral Histories series publication, First Nations Aviators, will introduce you to a number of First Nations People who have proudly served the Air Force, in various capacities, from the Second World War through to today. Albeit brief, their stories are particularly inspirational considering the discrimination that occurred on enlistment, and their treatment after separating from the Armed Services, at that time. Their stories should help to reveal and acknowledge those First Nations People for the heroes that they are and the recognition that their families are due.
First Nations Aviators provides the perfect backdrop to introduce this series as we start with ‘First Nations People’, the very people who have already been protecting Australia and its interests for more than sixty thousand years!
Neville Taylor – The RUSI Vic Library –
This is a very readable record of First Nations aviators in a collection that intentionally ignores to gender, date of service and rank. It is pleasing that so early in this RAAF series attention has been turned to their First Nations members.
The RUSI – Vic Library –
This is an impressive collection of ‘pen pictures’ of 33 men and 21 women who have served or are still serving in the RAAF. A brief childhood history, education, adult life before enlistment and what tempted them to enlist, their RAAF career (so far) and is supplemented by numerous high-quality photographs. The oldest was born in 1910, and the youngest in 1994. The first enlistee was in 1940, and the latest in 2021. Both men and women have occupied all the ranks available from aircraftman/aircraftwomen to wing commander.
Neville Taylor – The RUSI Vic Library –
There are representatives in all Australian campaigns since World War II. Outstanding service has been recognised by the award of the British Empire Medal, the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), the Distinguished Flying Cross and Member of the Order of Australia (AM) to those listed in this title. Warrant Officer Leonard Waters was the only First Nation fighter pilot in World War II [see Rees, Peter (2018),The Missing Man. Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW]. It is interesting to read of numerous changes of speciality/branch by individuals as their service in the RAAF has progressed.