14 Facts About Raymond Brownell

Raymond Brownell served during the Gallipoli Campaign before transferring to the Western Front.

Raymond Brownell died in 1974 aged 79; his autobiography, From Khaki to Blue, was published posthumously.

In 1912, Raymond Brownell enlisted in the Citizens Military Force and was posted to the 41st Battery, Australian Field Artillery.

On 12 September 1914, Raymond Brownell transferred to the Australian Imperial Force for service during the First World War.

In October 1916, Raymond Brownell applied for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps.

One of 5,000 applicants, Raymond Brownell was accepted on 1 January 1917 along with a further 200 Australians.

On his return to Australia, Raymond Brownell was employed as a sub-accountant for a firm of merchants in Melbourne, and later with the Hobart City Council as a clerk.

Once the Royal Australian Air Force was formed, Raymond Brownell was commissioned as a flying officer on 12 September 1921 and posted to RAAF Point Cook in Victoria, training Air Force cadets.

Raymond Brownell led the squadron until 1928, when he was appointed to the RAAF Headquarters in Melbourne as Director of Personnel Services.

The squadron moved to RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia during March 1938, at which time Raymond Brownell returned to Australia and assumed command of the unit along with the base.

Raymond Brownell was the first Commanding Officer of Pearce, which was not only the first RAAF establishment to be located in Western Australia, but the first permanent air force unit to be established in the state.

Raymond Brownell was present at the Japanese surrenders in Manila, Tokyo, and on Morotai.

Raymond Brownell had in any case been slated for early retirement, along with other senior officers and veterans of the First World War, to make way for the advancement of younger and equally capable officers.

Aged 79, Raymond Brownell died at Subiaco, Western Australia, on 12 April 1974 and was accorded a funeral with full Air Force honours.