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Spitfire Biography

FLGOFF John Keynes Dawe 437374

Squadron/s79 SQN
Rank On Discharge/Death Flying Officer (FLGOFF)
Mustering / SpecialisationPilot
Date of Birth30 Apr 1925
Date of Enlistment22 May 1943
Date of Death18 Jul 2004
Contributing Author/sCompiled by Vince Conant
2016
The Spitfire Association


He was born in Fullarton, South Australia on 30th of April 1925. He joined the RAAF on the 22nd of May 1943.

In the RAAF John flew with 76 Squadron on Kittyhawks. On one sortie he was shot and wounded, and landed on the beach at Moratai.

After returning to active service, he trained on Spitfires. During this time the war ended. He was discharged with the rank of Flying Officer on the 2nd of July 1946.

He started his airline flying with ANA before moving to TAA where he flew for a time in New Guinea. On returning to Melbourne he flew the turboprop Viscount, and the jet DC 9 and B 727. He retired in 1982.

John Dawe passed away 18 July 2004, aged 79.



Learn more about the squadron/s in which John served.

79 SQN

79 Squadron was formed at Laverton, Victoria, on 26 April 1943. The squadron received its first Spitfire VC aircraft a month later, when it was ordered to deploy to Goodenough I...

(Read more about 79 SQN)
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