| Accession Number | AWM2018.1016.6 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Place made | Australia: New South Wales, Sydney |
| Date made | c1941-1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Photograph of 413825 Flight Sergeant Harold ‘Paul’ Clancy and 92478 Sergeant June Clancy (nee ...
Description
Photograph of 413825 Flight Sergeant Harold ‘Paul’ Clancy and 92478 Sergeant June Clancy (nee Garside, later Stone) at a ball. Paul enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 13 September 1941, going on to serve in No. 216 Group (RAF), No. 4 Ferry Control Unit. June enlisted in the Womens Auxilary Australian Air Force on 29 September 1941, and served in a variety of locations and positions across the Royal Australian Air Force including; 101 Fighter Control Unit, 6 RAAF Postal Unit, Orderly Room Sergeant, Confidential Secretary to Rear-Admiral Leighton Bracegirdle and Official Secretary to His Royal Highness the Governor-General, The Duke of Gloucester, until discharge in October 1946.
June and Paul met in December 1941, while they were both posted to RAAF Bankstown. Paul had been hesitant to start a relationship, due to fears of what could happen if he was posted overseas. Nevertheless, they continued to see each other and in June 1942 they became engaged. Paul received notice on 11 October 1942 that he was to report to embarkation depot. Arriving at June’s home at 8am on 12 October 1942, they were married by 6pm that evening. Having married on the Monday, he departed on the Friday for service in Iraq.
On 21 July 1943, Paul was aboard Wellington aircraft HE790 as the wireless air gunner, when the aircraft crashed near Habbaniya, Iraq. All crew members were killed in the accident. Harold was 22 years old.