100 years of the RAAF celebrated
AFTER serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, there was no way Bill Penson was going to miss out on the 100th anniversary commemorations of the RAAF in Toowoomba.
A member of the RAAF No. 78 Wing in Townsville during World War II, the 98year-old said the 100 year commemoration of the service was an eye opener, especially considering it was his first time to such an event.
“It’s a very special day, (the war) is behind us now and thank god because we don’t want another one,” he said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the service and it meant a lot to me to be here.”
Fellow World War II veteran Barbara Thelander, 98, served with the Women’s Auxiliary Australian air force, also in Townsville, where she was a wireless telegraphist, receiving and sending Morse code messages to pilots and ground crew across the Pacific, before being redeployed to Richmond air force Base in Sydney until the end of the war.
“Mum was on duty when it was announced the war was over and she couldn’t leave her station so she didn’t get to go with all the others and celebrate,” Mrs Thelander’s daughter Felicity Grant said.
Mrs Thelander laid the wreath on behalf of the Toowoomba branch of the RAAF Association, which she said was a great honour.
“Something like this, it reminds you of everything, and about the very many lovely people you meet,” she said.
“The 100th birthday of the air force is very important, and I still remember my Morse code.
“I found it was very nice being a telegraphist and we were all just doing our part really.”
A guest of honour at the 100th anniversary was former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce, and Toowoomba RAAF Association branch president John Bushell said he was thrilled she was able to attend the ceremony.
“It was a great pleasure to have her there and it meant a lot to everyone that she was able to make it from Brisbane for the occasion.
“We were also privileged to have two veterans of World War II, as well as a veteran of the Korean War, which was great to see.
“It was with great pleasure I was able to look out and see so many people come to the service to commemorate the first 100 years of the Royal Australian Air Force.”