Pilcher, John Milton (Squadron Leader, b.1912 – d.2006)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 402880 Squadron Leader John Milton Pilcher, 458 Squadron, 70 Squadron and 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Second Australian Infantry Battalion, Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, Malta, Egypt, 1940-1995.

Wallet 1 of 2 - Consists of personal material relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 1941 to 1945.

Folder 1 of 1 - Contains one notebook, five letters and one autobiography relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, Canada, Australia, England, 1941 to 1945.

The letters are written by Squadron Leader Pilcher during his service in Canada, Australia and Scotland, dated from 1941 to 1943. Four letters are written to his mother, Mrs Katrina Alice Pilcher (neé Schaumann), from Australia and Scotland and are dated 7 February 1941 to 28 October 1943. In these letters he informs her of his movements, postings, health, fellow servicemen, recreational activities, asks about friends and family and sends his well wishes. One letter is written to his wife, Mrs BarBara Jeanne Pilcher (neé Rump), from Canada and is dated 18 May 1941. In this letter he gives details of his observations of Canada and his recent flight training.

The notebook contains hand written notes by Squadron Leader Pilcher, relating to his experience in Bradford Technical College’s Wool and Textiles course, London, England, c 1945. Within this notebook is a list of contacts, addresses, numbers, names and administrative notes. This notebook also contains files of servicemen relating to this course.

The autobiography is a typed account written by Squadron Leader Pilcher [undated]. This personal narrative details a timeline of his life, from childhood to service with the Royal Australian Air Force, up to his final return to Melbourne in 1946.

Wallet 2 of 2 – Consists of service documents relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 1940 to 1995.

Folder 1 of 2 - Contains service documents, official telegrams and letters relating to service of Squadron Leader Pilcher, Australia, England, dated 1940 to 1995.

1x Certificate of the Service and Discharge issued to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 11 November 1940 to 27 July 1941. This certificate was issued upon Squadron Leader Pilcher’s promotion to Pilot Officer on 28 July 1941.
1x Telegram sent from Air Vice-Marshal F L Hopps, addressed to Squadron Leader Pilcher, Kent, England, dated 22 May 1944.
1x Letter written by the Air Vice Marshall from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), London, England, dated 29 May 1944. In this letter addressed to Squadron Leader Pilcher, he is congratulated on his recent award of a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
1x Telegram sent from the Minster of Air and Air Board, to Mr E J Pilcher [Ernest James Pilcher], New South Wales, Australia, dated 12 January 1945. In this telegram he is congratulated for his son’s award of a Bar to the DFC.
1x Telegraph sent from Headquarters of the Air Officer Commanding to Squadron Leader Pilcher, Dallachy, Scotland, dated 3 January 1945. In this telegram he is congratulated for his award of the Bar to the DFC.
1x Letter written by the Air Vice Marshal, RAAF, to Squadron Leader Pilcher, Morayshire, Scotland, dated 11 January 1945. In this letter he is congratulated and forwarded a rosette for his DFC ribbon.
1x Statement of Account and Statement of Special Force Deferred Pay relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, 25 February to 1 April 1946.
1x Officer's Certificate of Service issued to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 25 February 1946.
1x Letter written by an Air Commodore of the RAAF, to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 25 March 1946. In this letter he is thanked for his services, and wished luck in his future civilian life.
1x Entitlement to War Gratuity document relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, Queensland, Australia, dated 14 August 1946.
1x ‘History of 458 Squadron, RAAF’ document, completed by Squadron Leader Pilcher, c January 1953. This document contains Squadron Leader Pilcher’s personal stories and knowledge of 458 Squadron during his service with the squadron in England and Malta from 27 December 1941 to 26 April 1943.
1x Letter written by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Malta, to Mr John M Pilcher, New South Wales, Australia, dated 28 March 1995. In this letter he is advised of the gifting of his National Commemorative Medal, on the occasion of the 50 year anniversary of the award of his George Cross to Malta.

Folder 2 of 2 - Contains service documents relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, Australia, Canada, dated 1940 to 1946.

1x Members Pay Book relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 11 November 1940 to 25 February 1946.
1x Flying log book relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated from 1941 to 1945. Entries record details of his service, training, certificates, exam results, duties and operations. This log book was used during his service in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Egypt and Malta. Entries relating to operations and duties note numerous successful attacks that lead to his award for the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. This log book also contains hand written papers recording flight logs during training in Narrandera, New South Wales, and remarks from his trainer regarding his progress during this period.
1x New Testament Bible relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, [undated].

Oversized Item 1 of 1 – Consists of one commissioning certificate relating to Squadron Leader Pilcher, dated 8 October 1942. This certificate was issued by the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief, on the occasion of Squadron Leader Pilcher’s commissioning as an Officer of the Citizen Air Force.

Squadron Leader John Milton Pilcher enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, in Sydney, New South Wales on 11 November 1940. He completed flying training in New South Wales, Australia, from 9 January to 17 April 1941. He was then posted to Calgary, Canada, where he underwent further flight training on 24 July. From August 1941 he was posted to Scotland and England, completing operational training with No 27 Operational Training Unit. Squadron Leader Pilcher served with 458 Squadron from 2 January 1942, and 70 Squadron in Gibraltar, Malta and Egypt from March to April 1943. He was then transferred to Scotland to serve with 455 Squadron until 31 March 1945. It was during this time that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for ‘courage and devotion to duty in flying operations against the enemy’. Following the end of the war in June 1945, he was posted to the RAAF headquarters in London, England. He returned to Melbourne 3 January 1946. Squadron Leader Milton was discharged on 25 February 1946.