30 Facts About Keith Truscott

Keith Truscott returned to Australia in early 1942 and served in New Guinea, where he fought during the climactic Battle of Milne Bay.

Keith Truscott attended Melbourne High School, where he captained the First XI in cricket and First XVIII in football as well as being a prefect and house captain.

Keith Truscott enlisted at the age of 24, a day after his team Melbourne defeated Richmond and with five rounds of football remaining for the year.

Keith Truscott played 44 games of VFL football as a half-forward flanker from 1937 to 1940, playing in Melbourne's 1939 and 1940 premiership victories, taking leave from military duties to play in the 1940 Grand Final in September.

Keith Truscott starred in Melbourne's 1939 Grand Final victory against Collingwood in front of 78,000 people.

The Argus reported that Melbourne was down in the first quarter "and only a gallant effort by Keith Truscott redeemed Melbourne"; after kicking a goal in the third quarter, "Keith Truscott reached his greatest heights" and Melbourne went on to win the match.

Keith Truscott was made Captain for the game against Richmond and wore No 1 on his jumper instead of his usual No 5.

Bisset and Keith Truscott both agreed to enlist while sharing a beer after work one Friday night.

Bisset later recalled that he and Keith Truscott were thinking deeply about the war and that people were giving up everything to participate; they had an intense patriotic feeling towards Britain and decided that it was up to them to not to wait for the enemy to come but rather to fight where they had a better chance of winning, "and so that's what we did".

In 1940, Keith Truscott undertook his Initial Training Course, passing the two-month course in one month with Distinction before moving on to No 3 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF.

Keith Truscott was instructed by Pilot Officer Roy Goon who instructed over 800 pilots in his career, and served as Squadron Leader of No 83 Squadron.

Keith Truscott was awarded his Wings after completing flight training in Canada under the Australia and the Empire Air Training Scheme graduating 8th from a Class of 52 and passing with Distinction.

Keith Truscott joined No 452 Squadron flying a RAF Supermarine Spitfire in England on 5 May 1941.

Keith Truscott formed a strong and binding friendship with another fighter ace, Wing Commander Paddy Finucane.

In 1941, after destroying several Messerschmitts, Keith Truscott's Spitfire had its tail shot off and fuel tanks ruptured.

Keith Truscott attempted to bale at 4,000 feet but was caught in his cockpit; he broke free only 400 feet above the sea with his chute opening moments before he hit the water.

In October 1941, Keith Truscott destroyed two Messerschmitts over occupied France during a series of engagement and one of those pilots managed to bale out.

Keith Truscott had earlier seen a German pilot shooting at a parachuting RAF pilot and vowed to return the favour.

Keith Truscott destroyed at least 16 Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109s, was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and was promoted to acting squadron leader in January 1942.

Keith Truscott was promoted to Commanding Officer in June 1942 before being posted back to the RAAF in Australia after the Bombing of Darwin, and he joined No 76 Squadron, flying Kittyhawks.

However, political interference saw Keith Truscott retain his rank upon his posting to No 76 Squadron.

That placed Keith Truscott in what his Commanding Officer wrote was "an invidious position", and the matter was formally escalated with Group Command.

The loss of Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull inadvertently resolved the matter as Keith Truscott was promoted as Turnbull's replacement in January 1943.

Keith Truscott's squadron was posted to Gurney Field in Milne Bay, Papua, and played what was described as "the decisive factor" in winning the Battle of Milne Bay.

However, Keith Truscott refused his orders, mindful of how his Ground Crew would feel being left behind after all officers had evacuated.

Keith Truscott was Mentioned in Dispatches for his distinguished service in the battle.

One night in January 1943, Keith Truscott intercepted three bombers head-on over Darwin and, with just one gun operating effectively, shot down a Betty Mitsubishi G4M.

Keith Truscott was killed on 28 March 1943, during a RAAF training exercise with the US Navy off Exmouth, Western Australia.

Keith Truscott's body was recovered and he was buried with military honours at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth.

NB: Squadron records from Milne Bay indicate 220 sorties were flown comprising 340 flying hours, of which Keith Truscott flew 60 hours.