october australian aviator flying ace second world war born suburb sydney employed clerk enlisted royal_australian_air_force accepted pilot empire air training scheme completed training australia transferring service north_africa subsequent aerial engagements officially credited destruction axis aircraft awarded appointed command squadron raf transferred killed october aircraft developed engine trouble forced bail parachute failed open early life born sydney suburb new_south_wales wife née educated going study later gained employment clerk credit department youth active scouting sport particularly hockey member gordon district hockey club represented new_south_wales second world war training september enlisted royal_australian_air_force service second world war accepted flight training empire air training scheme received initial flight instruction initial training school completing course november advanced leading posted depot december embarked sydney bound africa disembarked january following week voyage allocated completed week stint unit proceeding graduating school posted advanced flight instruction march promoted acting sergeant following day april awarded flying badge fully qualified pilot north_africa promoted substantive rank sergeant june transferred middle_east following day spent weeks headquarters prior moving operation training unit july posted squadron raf flying north_africa commissioned pilot officer march promoted acting flight lieutenant july appointed flight commander squadron following month commanding officer squadron later commented time man born leader required enthusiasm aggression humour life energy november led squadron sortie formation dive bombers escorted ensuing engagement seven shot additional probably destroyed damaged shot axis aircraft hit fire forced landed aircraft minefield safely extracted formation british_army area returning squadron evening resumed flying duties following morning subsequently awarded actions engagement announcement accompanying citation award published supplement london gazette december reading 4th december royal_air_force king pleased approve following awards recognition gallantry displayed flying operations enemy distinguished flying cross acting flight lieutenant royal_australian_air_force squadron day november officer led squadron attack formation dive bombers heavily escorted fighters combat shot probably destroyed damaged flight lieutenant displayed great skill daring destroyed enemy aircraft hit landed safely joined squadron night following morning resumed flying duties officer participated large number sorties displayed inspiring leadership squadron continued undertake sorties squadron late march operational tour came end promoted acting squadron leader posted staff officer headquarters group located palestine service headquarters lasted october appointed commander squadron raf based town squadron equipped consisted mixture commonwealth personnel addition contingent pilots administered led squadron operated north_africa middle_east noted outstanding fighter pilot commander time consequently mentioned despatches awarded wings king squadron equipped february year aircraft scored final victory war june involved sweeping sortie crete engaged ensuing battle managed shoot opposing aircraft libya october squadron relocated greece october returning base following operation developed engine trouble islands attempted bail aircraft altitude low parachute open consequently killed body later recovered buried sea commemorated malta memorial younger brother royal_australian_air_force navigator killed operation berlin previous february time death officially credited tally axis aircraft shot command squadron appointed officer order british empire posthumously announced supplement london gazette january february father edward attended ceremony sydney presented late son decorations duke gloucester
Russell Foskett