These profiles and stories were donated to the RAAF Museum by the Gold Coast Branch of the Air Crew Association.

Service Profile: Jeff Wilkinson

Flight Lieutenant William Jefferson Wilkinson DFC (ACA 14670) served in the Royal Australian Air Force from July 1940 to November 1945.

After completing his introductory course at No. 2 Initial Training School (ITS) at Bradfield Park, NSW, he was categorized for training as a pilot and posted to No. 6 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) at Tamworth, NSW, to begin his flying on Tiger Moths.

Under the auspices of the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), the next part of his training took place at No. 1 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) at Camp Borden, Ontario, Canada.

Following his graduation as a pilot, he was posted to RAF No. 57 Operational Training Unit (OTU) Harwarden, Cheshire, UK, for training as a Spitfire pilot to operate in the European theatre.

While in the UK, Jeff served with RAAF No. 457 Spitfire Squadron at Baginton, near Coventry, and at Jurby, Isle of Man. He also served with RAAF No. 452 Spitfire Squadron at Kenley and Red Hill, Surrey, before being posted back to Australia on 3 April 1942.

After his return to Australia, Jeff served operationally in the South-West Pacific with No. 75 (Kittyhawk) Squadron based at Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, and then Horn Island. He also flew with No. 79 (Spitfire) Squadron at Goodenough Island and the Trobriand Islands, New Britain. That was followed by a period, from February to May 1944, instructing at Central Flying School (CFS) Parkes, NSW, and at Air Gunnery School (AGS) West Sale, Victoria.

In June 1944, Jeff rejoined No. 75 Squadron at Noemfoor in (then) Dutch New Guinea, moving on in conjunction with the United States 'island hopping' air offensive to Morotai, Halmahera Islands and to Tarakan island, Borneo, remaining with No. 75 Squadron until the end of July 1945.

Aircraft flown by Jeff during his RAAF service were Tiger Moths, Harvards, Yales, Miles Masters, Spitfires, Miles Magisters, Wirraways, Kittyhawks, Gypsy Majors, Fairey Battles and Avro Trainers.

During his operational service, Jeff's prowess was recognised through the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He was discharged on demobilisation in November 1945.

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