The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (456) Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Eric Shaw Knowles, 3 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial every day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Charis May, the story for this day was on (456) Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Eric Shaw Knowles, 3 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War.


**Due to technical issues this recording is of poor quality and not for public display.**

Lieutenant Lindsay Eric Shaw Knowles, No. 3 Squadron RAAF
KIA 22 November 1941
Photograph: P09317.003

Story delivered 11 September 2013

Today we remember and pay tribute to Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Knowles.

Born in Melbourne in August 1917, Knowles was raised and educated in Canberra. He was the second eldest son of Sir George Shaw Knowles, the solicitor general and later Australia's first High Commissioner to South Africa.

After the Second World War was declared, Knowles - then a university student - enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force. He became a Tomahawk pilot with No. 3 Squadron, stationed in North Africa. His older brother, George, also joined the RAAF and became a flying officer, serving abroad in the Pacific. Another brother, Mervyn, served in the army during the war.

On 22 November 1941, Knowles took off with 13 other aircraft to sweep the Tobruk-El Adem area, but they were met by over 20 German fighters. In the ensuing dogfight, Knowles was killed.

After the Second World War, the family of Lindsay Knowles established a number of memorials around Canberra to celebrate his life and military service.

A memorial trophy was established at the Canberra Amateur Swim Club, where he had been a champion. And at his old school, Canberra High, the Lindsay Knowles Prize for Citizenship was established; it is still awarded annually to a male student in his final year there.

The name of Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Knowles is listed on the Roll of Honour on your right, along with around 40,000 others from the Second World War. His story is also featured in the Memorial's new exhibition Salute: Canberra's military heritage, which has been produced as part of this year's Centenary of Canberra celebrations.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Knowles and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.