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, were 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 -
Warrant Officer Frank Windmill was born on the 20 April 1920 in Coburg, Melbourne. He was the only child of Aubrey George Beddes Windmill and Amy Margeurite Astall.
Prior to enlisting in the Royal Australian Airforce Frank’s occupation was listed on his enlistment document as ‘carpenter’.
Frank Windmill enlisted on the 12 September 1941 in Melbourne Victoria and completed his Initial Training at Victor Harbour South Australia. On the 13 November 1941 Frank commenced training at No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School Ballarat Course 20. It should be noted that of the eighty trainees who completed 1 WAGS Course 20 , thirteen were killed in action or on active service. Only Frank became a POW.
