State Library of South Australia

Flying Officer Dave Croston [SRG 873/1/463] • Photograph

Info

Share
- facebook
- twitter
- pinterest
- google+
- email
Buy
Download
Permanent link
Print

Prev Next

Summary

Flying Officer Dave Croston, number 463 Squadron RAAF, killed in action Lille, Belgium, 11th May 1944.

Restrictions

This image has no known copyright restrictions.

Please refer to the State Library's Conditions of use.

Learn more about copyright and our collection.

Physical description

1 photograph : black and white ; 14.6 x 19.6 cm

Dates / Publication details

Approximately 1944

Collection

Part of Port Adelaide Rowing Club Collection

Subject

Croston, Dave
Port Adelaide Rowing Club

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

Historical information

Flying Officer David Payne Croston, born 31.12.1911, son of Roland John and Alice Maude Croston of 16 Collins Street, Exeter, and husband of Kathleen Stalby Croston of Kensington Park. He was educated at St Peters College, Adelaide. He was employed by Walter & Morris, Timber merchants, Port Adelaide until the time of his enlistment. His interest in rowing undoubtedly developed during his years at college and resulted in him joining the PARC in 1928. He held the position of Assistant Secretary in 1938/39 and became Secretary in 1939/40. He volunteered for service with the RAAF, was accepted and placed on the Reserve before August 1940, and was eventually enlisted on 6th January 1941. He trained as an Air Gunner and was commissioned on graduation. During his training at No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners' School at Ballarat, Victoria, Dave organised rowing training for RAAF personnel. They were coached by Wing Commander C.O. Fairbairn (nephew of Steve, former Cambridge oarsman) and were successful in winning eights and fours at the RAAF Regatta held in Melbourne in June 1941. He was embarked for Britain and served with No. 463 Squadron when he was posted missing in air operations over Lille, France, on 11th May 1944. He is interred at Wevelgem cemetery, West Flanders, between Menin and Courtrai, where his grave, with those of a few other Australian airmen, is regularly tended by Belgian airmen.

Digitisation information

Date

18/12/2015

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

3,609 x 4,716 pixels (17.0 MP)

Size

51.08 MB

Ask Us

If you would like further information about this image, please Ask Us