Painting, William James (Flying Officer, b.1919 - d.2013)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 423863 Flying Officer William James ‘Bill’ Painting, 320 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia, Canada, England, Belgium and Germany, 1942-2008.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one manuscript relating to the service of Flying Officer William James ‘Bill’ Painting. This manuscript was compiled by Flying Officer Painting’s nephew, Daryl Thompson, in c2004-2008. It contains a memoir of Flying Officer Painting, a transcript of his diaries (containing entries dated between July 1942 and October 1945), transcripts of conversations between Flying Officer Painting and Daryl Thompson, and additional notes. This manuscript includes details of Flying Officer Painting’s childhood, his life on the family farm, enlistment, initial training as a wireless air gunner, travelling to Canada, further training, activities while on leave, travelling to England, being posted to 320 Squadron, participating in bombing operations over Europe, outcomes of operations, moving to a camp in Belgium, fellow airmen being killed on operations, an incident in which his aircraft was severely damaged during an operation, doing test flights, hearing news of the end of the war, travelling in countries previously occupied by Germany, staying with families in England while on leave, assisting his hosts with farm work, returning to Australia, and his life after service.

Flying Officer William James ‘Bill’ Painting enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 18 July 1942. After his initial training in New South Wales, he travelled to Canada to complete his training as a Wireless Air Gunner. In mid-1944, Flying Officer Painting travelled to England to complete his operational training. He was posted to 320 Squadron in September 1944. With this squadron, Flying Officer Painting served in many bombing operations over France, the Netherlands and Germany. He was discharged on 17 December 1945.