Beard, Gordon Keith (Flying Officer b. 1918 – d. 2009)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 403852 Flying Officer Gordon Keith Beard, Advance Flying and Refresher Unit, Royal Australian Air Force, 1941-1944.

Wallet 1 of 3 – Consists 2 folders of material and correspondence relating to the service of Flying Officer Beard, dated 1941 to 1945.

Wallet 1 of 3 – Folder 1 of 2 contains postcards, greeting cards and letters [with associated envelopes] relating to Flying Officer Beard, dated 1941 to 1944.

1x Greeting card from ‘Daisy’ Gordon [exact identity unknown] to Mrs Beard, Winnipeg, Canada, dated 11 November 1941. In this card ‘Daisy’ Gordon sends her regards to Mrs Beard.
1x Newspaper article titled ‘Finding Their Way in Trackless Ether’, c1941. This article relates to Flying Officer Beard’s flight training in Canada.
1x Postcard (depicting Senior High School, Post Chester, NY) from unknown servicemen and civilians to the Beard family, New York, United States of America, dated 25 December 1942.
1x Letter from Miss Richards [exact identity unknown] to Flying Officer Beard, Bournemouth, England, c1942. This letter relates to information regarding Flying Officer Beard’s boarding accommodation in England. Attached to this letter is two business cards of Miss E Patterson and Mrs Sutherland.
1x Christmas greeting card from Bill [thought to be Flying Officer Beard’s cousin] to Aunt, Mabel and Uncle [the Beard family], Temora, New South Wales, c1943.
1x 1 Australian Armoured Regiment, Australian Imperial Force Christmas greeting card from Norman Bent [thought to be 2139046 Captain Norman Hector Bent] to Flying Officer Beard, dated December 1944.
1x Photograph postcard (depicting The Square, Bournemouth) from Gordon [exact identity unknown] to Flying Officer Beard, Kingsway, London, [date unknown].
1x US Army postcard from Stavy [exact identity unknown] to Flying Officer Beard, Townsville, Queensland, dated 20 December 1944. In this postcard Stavy sends Flying Officer Beard’s well wishes regarding a recent injury during a flying accident.
1x Christmas greeting card from Nall [exact identity unknown] to the Beard family, Cootamundra, New South Wales, [date unknown].

Wallet 1 of 3 – Folder 2 of 2 contains service documents and flying log books issued to Flying Officer Beard, dated 1941 to 1945.

1x Royal Canadian Air Force pass, c1941.
1x Royal Australian Air Force Reservist’s Tramway Concession Fair Certificate, dated 31 March 1941.
1x Royal Air Force identity card, dated 13 February 1942.
1x Royal Air Force Leave Pass, dated 19 July 1942.
1x The Ninety-first Psalm book, [date unknown].
1x Canadian Passport, dated 5 November 1943. This passport contains a portrait of Flying Officer Beard.
1x Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, dated 1941 to 1943. This flying log book contains information regarding aircraft types, hours and dates, duties, remarks and summary of flights.
1x Royal Australian Air Force Flying Log Book, dated 1943 to 1945. This flying log book contains entries regarding aircraft types, duties, locations and dates. Duties include circuit and landings, formations, bombings, patrols and tests. This logbook also contains two documents. The first document is titled ‘No 10 Elementary Flying Training School Tiger Moth Cockpit Drill’, and on the reverse an illustration of a standard circuits for DH82, dated 1 October 1943. The second document contains a signed checklist titled ‘Training Sequences’, c1943.
1x Royal Canadian Air Force honorary membership card issued to Flying Officer Beard, [date unknown].

Wallet 2 of 3 – Consists of 2 folders containing letters and telegrams written by Flying Officer Beard to the Beard family [Mr and Mrs Arthur Edwyn Beard and his sister Mable Beard], Drummoyne, New South Wales, dated from 1941 to 1944.

Wallet 2 of 3 – Folder 1 of 2 contains 10 letters and one telegram written by Flight Officer Beard during his training and service in Australia and Canada, dated from 26 April to 15 December 1941. In these letters he writes to his family to inform them of his movements, postal addresses, local weather, receipt of parcels and mail, his health and periods in quarantine, daily and air operations, first impressions of Canada and New Zealand, accommodation and food rations, capturing and sending photos, recreational activities (including attending dances and sightseeing tours), attending training school and exam results, graduation from courses, travelling Canada and America with fellow servicemen and first experiences with snow.

Wallet 2 of 3 – Folder 2 of 2 contains 13 letters and four telegrams written by Flight Officer Beard during his service in Canada and the United Kingdom, dated from 4 January to 12 November 1942. In these letters he writes to his family to inform them of his movements, first impressions of England and Scotland, postal addresses, accommodation and food rations, local weather, receipt of parcels and mail, Christmas and New Years celebrations, air operations, seeing fellow servicemen, capturing and sending photos, recreational leave in London and attending operational training units.

Wallet 3 of 3 – Consists of 2 folders of letters written by Flying Officer Beard to the Beard family [Mr and Mrs Arthur Edwyn Beard and his sister Mable Beard], Drummoyne, New South Wales, dated from 1943 to 1944.

Wallet 3 of 3 – Folder 1 of 2 contains 19 letters and one telegram written by Flight Officer Beard during his service in Australia, dated from 18 February to 29 December 1943. In these letters he writes to his family to inform them of his movements, postal addresses, local weather, receipt of parcels and mail, recreational activities (including playing sports and attending parties), daily duties, his health, photography and sending photos, air operations and flights, accommodation and food rations, aircraft crashes, impressions of Indigenous and Aboriginal people, promotions, training school and exams, recreational leave with fellow servicemen and Christmas celebrations. He also enquires after his father’s health and requests personal items.

Wallet 3 of 3 – Folder 2 of 2 contains four letters written by Flight Officer Beard during his service in Australia, dated from 6 January to 5 February 1944. In these letters he writes to his family to inform them of his movements, postal addresses, local weather, receipt of parcels and mail, accommodation and food rations, daily operations, attending parades, flight training and exams, recreational activities (including attending dances and picture shows). He also enquires about news of friends and family.

Oversized item 1 of 1 – Consists of one certificate relating to the appointment of Flying Officer Beard to Warrant Officer, dated 3 January 1944.

Flying Officer Gordon Keith Beard enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 3 August 1940 in Sydney, New South Wales. He was posted to Canada on 22 April 1941, where he completed training in Operational Training Units. On 24 January 1942 he was posted to the United Kingdom where he continued further flight training, and later back to Canada on 9 December 1942. He returned to Australia on 22 February 1943, where he continued to serve until being discharged on 7 August 1945.