Patrick, Sydney Denis (Flight Lieutenant, b.1920 - d.1961)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 403468 Flight Lieutenant Sydney Denis Patrick (alias Rupert Bert Patrick), 233 Squadron, 32 Squadron, and First Tactical Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, New Guinea, 1941-1945.

Wallet 1 of 2 – Consists of one diary of Flight Lieutenant Patrick, with entries dated between 13 June 1941 and 20 June 1945. In his diary, Flight Lieutenant Patrick records his experiences of service in the Royal Australian Air Force. Some of these experiences include his journey to Canada via New Zealand, life on board ship, undertaking pilot training courses in Alberta, completing tests and exams, seeing films in the cinema, attending a special navigation course on Prince Edward Island, going to local dances, embarking for the United Kingdom, a storm at sea, arriving in the United Kingdom, being on leave in London, going out with girls, converting to Lockheed Hudson aircraft, completing operational training, learning to fly Handley Page Hampden aircraft at a station in Scotland, leave in Bournemouth, flying through storms and enemy occupied territory to Russia, assisting the Russian air force with special operations, returning to the United Kingdom via cruiser, patrolling the coasts of Norway, completing further training in Scotland, missing friends that had died in operations, and completing his first operational tour. He then travelled back to Australia via the United States and New Zealand. After a period of leave at home in Sydney, Flight Lieutenant Patrick writes that he was posted to 32 Squadron based at Lowood, Queensland, where he helped to train new crews, and was subsequently posted to First Tactical Air Force in New Guinea. He writes of experiences such as doing desk work, transporting large amounts of personnel and supplies, being posted to 11 Communication Flight, flying a Ventura aircraft for the first time, and thinking about what his life would be like after the war. This diary also contains poems, pressed flowers, telegrams and letters from family members, and a list of names and service numbers of acquaintances met while in service. Note: Flight Lieutenant Patrick began his entries on 13 June 1941, in the centre of the book, continued until the end of the book, and resumed in January 1942, at the beginning of the book.

Wallet 2 of 2 – Consists of one Flying Log Book of Flight Lieutenant Patrick, with entries dated between 19 April 1941 and 15 September 1945. In his log book, Flight Lieutenant Patrick records details of flights such as dates, times, types and numbers of aircraft, crewmembers, and purposes of flights. Some of these purposes include basic and advanced training, ferrying aircraft, patrols, search and rescue, shipping strikes, fighter diversion, convoy escorts, and transport of troops and supplies. This log book also includes certificates of courses completed and several photographs.

Sydney Denis Patrick enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 6 January 1941 using the identity of his older brother, Rupert Bert Patrick. He trained as a pilot in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Flight Lieutenant Patrick went on to serve with No. 233 Squadron in the United Kingdom, No. 32 Squadron in Queensland, and First Tactical Air Force in New Guinea. He was discharged on 25 February 1946.

• Wallet 1 of 2 - Diary of Denis Patrick (alias Rupert Bert Patrick), 1941-1945
• Wallet 2 of 2 - Flying log book of Sydney Denis Patrick (alias Rupert Bert Patrick), 1941-1945