The Final Roll Calls.

On the eighteenth of March 2003 as many of the ex members of the squadron gathered at Gawler for the sixteith anniversary its formation of those attending the main were members of the original group, I was a member of the of the group that reformed the squadron in 1945. It was a wonderful event to be in the company of this group in the main octogenarians with others rapidly approaching this mark. To be there and witness for myself that sense of camaraderie that I known over sixty years ago, my main interest in attending that there was the chance to meet up with the person who above most has given me the information compile this site, he is standing on the right of the Jim Davey and myself.

These two have maintained the friendship over this period and now reside a few kilometers from each other in Western Australia. The highlight of the day the display of by the P40 owned and restored a of Wangarratta Victoria Australia. The sound of its engine as it made its initial pass brought a cheer of every one there. Its roll and climbs along with its full bore low took every one who had worked on the P40 back in time, some of these good and others not so good. When we could get near the Kitty again another cheer captured in the insert below.

The day opened with a civic reception nd welcome by the Shire at the civic centre and concluded with a fine dinner and socal arranged again by The Gawler RSL their efforts were a credit to all its members.Another group,The 608 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force Cadets carried out their role to perfection as the Catafalque Party at Squadrons plaque and the parading of their Squadron Colors at the Dinner toped the event. I will edit this page when I receive an update on the Cadets in the near future. The inserts below are of Civic Reception as the assembled group and the Shire Secretary addressing the meeting with Brian Hall President of the 86 Sqn South Australian Club standing to his lelt. Other inserts below of the general scene at the Gawler Strip.

Go to Chapter three.