RAAF winter service dress tunic : Flying Officer P L McCartin, 75 (NZ) Squadron, RAF

RAAF blue other rank's winter service dress tunic worn with the rank insignia of a Flying Officer (single narrow ring) on each lower sleeve, along with an oxidised brass eagle and crown. The jacket has a pair of pleated breast patch pockets with buttoned flaps and a pair of inset waist pockets also with flaps. Above the left breast pocket is a pair of blue and white embroidered RAAF pilot's wings. At each shoulder is an embroidered blue 'AUSTRALIA' title. The tunic is closed by four large black plastic RAAF buttons, and belted at the waist. The self fabric belt is threaded through fabric loops at the rear of the tunic and has a black plastic buckle with two metal claws. An internal brass belt loop is sewn into the left hand side seam. A makers label is sewn at the collar and reads 'T.BROWN & SONS LTD 1941. A name tape is sewn above this reading 'McCarten'.

419328 Flying Officer Patrick Leo McCartin was born in Geelong, Victoria in December 1915. He was named after his uncle Lieutenant Leo McCartin, MC, who was killed in action on the Western Front in 1918. He enlisted in the RAAF as a Leading Aircraftman on 18 July 1942 and began training on DH-82, Link Trainers and Anson aircraft in Australia and England from December 1942 to November 1943. In April 1944, with the rank of Flight Sergeant, McCartin began training on Wellington and Stirling bombers and then, after a promotion to Flying Officer, began flying Lancasters with 75 (NZ) Squadron, RAF in August 1944. He flew numerous operations over occupied Europe and was listed missing, later confirmed killed, on an operation over Homberg on 20 November 1944, flying Lancaster III, JN-V. He is buried at Reichswald Forest war cemetery at Kleve, Germany.