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Dad in the RAAF


From the personal file of AC2 Brian Joseph Phelan (Service no 450649), obtained from the National Archives of Australia:

Three days after turning 18, Brian Joseph Phelan filled out an application form to join the Royal Australian Air Force. Character references were provided by the Mayor of South Melbourne, and the Staff Superintendent of the Ministry of Munitions (where Brian had been working for 18 months). Brian underwent a series of tests on 1 June 1944: at his medical examination he was recorded at 67 inches (170cm) and 140 pounds (63.5kg); his complexion was described as dark, eyes brown and hair dark. Vision results differ between eyes: his right had a visual acuity of 6/9, left 6/6. In his aptitude test, he scored ‘very good’ for numerical calculation, capacity for plans and designs, and mechanical aptitude; ‘good’ for general intelligence and borderline ‘average’/’good’ for speed and accuracy at routine. Overall he was considered ‘educationally qualified’ for Air Crew.

On his interview form, Brian’s previous service experience was listed as two to three months’ ATC (Air Training Corps), No 104 Squad, which he had not been able to attend regularly on account of work. When asked if he would be willing to serve in the ground staff, his answer was no, he would prefer the Army. He was described as neatly dressed, good-mannered and well (but quietly) spoken, with above average intelligence/accuracy/alertness. He listed sporting interests of football, swimming and handball. His personality was ‘reserved’ but overall was a ‘pleasant youth.’ Recommendations from the Recruit Centre report were that he was ‘suitable’ and ‘good material.’

A week later, permission was given for Brian to be enlisted, and he swore the oath to serve on 13 June. A police check was carried out, and from enquiries made, Brian was thought to be a ‘sober, honest and respectable man.’ He then waited several months before being called for a further medical examination on 15 January 1945. Brian eventually officially enlisted in the RAAF at the No. 1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne, on 23 February 1945 aged 18 years and 9 months. He was assigned the rank of Aircraftman 2 in Air Crew V. The following day he was posted to the No. 2 Initial Training School in Bradfield Park, Sydney, for training. On 11 June he moved to 'ISD' (Inter-Allied Services Department?) then on 17 July he was posted back to Melbourne to the No 1 Engineering School at Ascot Vale. The war ended within two months, on 2 September 1945. He was moved to 1 PD (Personnel Depot) on 7 September, before being discharged on demobilisation on 14 September.

Several years later Brian received his Certificate of Service and Discharge on 2 August 1953, and badge 11 August.


This service record also is notable in that Brian lists the subjects he studied when obtaining his Intermediate (Dec 1940) and Leaving (Dec 1941) Certificates, while at Christian Brothers College, East Melbourne: in both years he studied English, Latin, French, Chemistry and Physics; for his Intermediate he also took Algebra, Arithmetic, British History & Civics and Geometry, while for his Leaving he also took Maths II & III.




Above is a drawing Brian made describing a typical day during his training at Bradfield Park, sent back to his future wife Amy in Melbourne



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