Brendan Simpkins

MEMBERS of Gawler’s Returned & Services League sub-branch celebrated
the centenary of the RAAF on Wednesday last week.

A small service was held at Pioneer Park, with only a handful of people in attendance, a decision made with COVID-19 protocols in mind.

Proceedings began about 11.15am with a wreath placed at the War Memorial by World War II veteran Sergeant Hugh Bower, who served in the RAAF 36 Squadron as a clerk, and Section Officer Kerrie Barrett, who served as a nursing officer/medivac with the RAAF during the Vietnam War.

The wreath was placed to honour RAAF members who had been killed or injured during their service in war and in peace.

Mr Bower turned 100 in August last year.

Current serving members of the RAAF, Squadron Leader Paul Rutherford, Warrant Officer Dale Lawrence and Sergeant Nigel Gilbert, accompanied the wreath placing.

The service coincided with a flypast of a PC-21 by Flight Lieutenant Adam Francki over the War Memorial about 11.30am.

Gawler was one of a number of towns on the aircraft’s route, which also included Mallala, Elizabeth and Salisbury.

The PC-21 and P-8A Poseidon were involvedin a flypast over Adelaide earlier in the morning as part of celebrations at the War Memorial in the city. Both aircraft were dispatched from Edinburgh.

Following the small service at Pioneer Park, members returned to the Gawler RSL, where a special cake to commemorate the occasion was presented.

RSL public officer Wayne Clarke gave a speech to members that highlighted a handful of men from Gawler who had served in the RAAF.

SGNLDR Rutherford, on behalf of the Gawler RSL, thanked all past and current members of the RAAF for their service and sacrifice over the past century.

The RAAF is the second oldest air force in the world, behind the British Royal Air Force.