Over 6,000 RAAF personnel were trained at 1 W.A.G.S Ballarat during WW2. Approximately 20% of the trainees died in action or on active service.
No. 1 Wireless Air Gunnery School [W.A.G.S] Ballarat was established on the 22nd April 1940 as part of the Empire Training Scheme. This scheme was to support RAF Bomber Command during WW2.
There were 58 Wireless Air Gunner Courses and 12 Navigator Courses conducted from 1940 to 1945.
The MEMORIAL ROLL commemorates to date 1,182 RAAF 1 W.A.G.S. trainees who were killed in action or on active service during WW2.
Fight Sergeant Dennis Leslie BAULDERSTONE 416112. Courses 13 and 15
Flight Sergeant Baulderstone was aboard the Avro Anson AW878 when it crashed at Lady Julia Percy Island off Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia.
The aircraft had set off on a navigation sortie from its Mt Gambier base. He, together with 3 other crew members, was killed.
He was 22 years old.
The FEATURED STORY pays tribute to a person and/or event connected to 1 W.A.G.S Ballarat.
The story commemorates the valiant RAAF 1 W.A.G.S trainees who served in WW2 in all theatres of war – those who lost their lives and those who returned.
The FEATURED STORY honours -
We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of Bomber Command veteran,
AFA-SA member and friend, 103-year-old Ray Merrill DFC.
Ray left and his brother Fred
Born in Port Augusta in 1922, Ray initially worked with the Commonwealth Railways before enlisting in the RAAF on ANZAC Day 1943. After completing basic training at Victor Harbour, he completed initial training at No 1 Wireless Air Gunnery School, Ballarat, [Course 27] and No 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, before proceeding overseas for service in the European theatre.
We acknowledge and thank Greg Weller Vice President of Air Force Association South Australia
for sharing this Feature Story on Ray and the accompanying photos.
Ray in older years
