“Tom the  Pom” served with 459 RAAF Squadron from the end of their Hudson days and conversion to Lockheed Venturas (for some four months) and then Baltimores after.

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His rank was LAC, and his trade was Flight Mechanic Engines.  He was seconded to the RAAF at the formation of 459 at Burg-el-Arab and the C.O was Squadron/Ldr. Howson. 

Tom is in possession of one of the Black Pennants with the RAAF, embroidered in silk, complete with a gold fringe surround, presented to members by the C/O at the time.

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Bill Longhurst wrote to the 454 & 459 Association's Secretary recently (2006) to say:- 

 

"Tom and I went to school together! since about the age of 7 yrs, he is 83 this year and I will be 82,quite a long friendship"?, and we both volunteered to join the R A F together but they called on him first, I still ended up in Palestine Aqir, Egypt, Benghazi, Iraq, and Khartoum.

 

Tom was a great Aero-Modeller, Flying models, and his last effort was a WW2 Wellington Bomber, complete with two engines, retractable undercarriage all operated from the ground, also shown is him wearing the 459 Sqdn Badge " THE SCORPION" along with the black silk banner given to him by the Padre, at the Sqdn formation at Burg-el Arab, 1942."