12 Facts About Alan Charlesworth

Air Vice Marshal Alan Moorehouse Charlesworth, CBE, AFC was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Alan Charlesworth was posted to Japan later that year as Chief of Staff, British Commonwealth Occupation Force, and organised support for RAAF units involved in the Korean War.

Alan Charlesworth died at his home in Glen Iris, Victoria, in 1978.

Alan Charlesworth was awarded the Air Force Cross for his leadership of the survey, described in the official history of the pre-war RAAF as a "milestone" in the country's exploration.

Alan Charlesworth continued to serve in this position when the group was re-formed as Central Area in March 1940.

Alan Charlesworth handed over to Group Captain Charles "Moth" Eaton in August 1943, before briefly taking charge of RAAF Headquarters Forward Echelon in Brisbane.

Alan Charlesworth was appointed Air Officer Commanding Eastern Area, headquartered at Bradfield Park, Sydney, in December 1943.

Japanese submarine activity had decreased in the months before Alan Charlesworth took command, and he was concerned that Allied ships were becoming complacent.

Alan Charlesworth observed "a general slackening off in procedure; ships are seldom where they should be, and a minority of merchant ships identify themselves to aircraft".

Alan Charlesworth was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1946 King's Birthday Honours for his "conspicuous service in operations against the Japanese" while leading North-Western Area Command.

Alan Charlesworth was then posted to Britain to undertake a course at the RAF School of Air Support.

Alan Charlesworth was then appointed a technical advisor to the committee organising the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.