RAAF battledress blouse : Flight Lieutenant K G Robertson, 97 Squadron, RAF

RAAF blue wool serge battledress blouse with fold down collar and two pleated patch breast pockets with concealed button closure. The blouse is fastened down the centre by five concealed black plastic buttons, and at the throat by a pair of metal hooks and eyes. The belted waist is gathered and fastened by a chromed brass buckle. The cuffs of the sleeves are fastened by concealed buttons. The blouse also has a strap on each shoulder, bearing the rank stripes of a Flight Lieutenant, and secured by a black plastic button. Below the shoulder on each sleeve is a machine embroidered 'AUSTRALIA' title in blue cotton. Above the left hand breast pocket is a pair of machine embroidered RAAF pilot's wings. The inside of the collar, cuffs, waist and placket are lined with blue cotton fabric. The fabric lining the rear waistband has two button holes for attachment to the battledress trousers. There is a side opening internal pocket on the left hand side. A white cotton label stitched inside the right side reads 'SUITS AIRCREW BLOUSE, R.A.A.F. Size No 12' followed by sizing details, the maker's name 'Montgue Burton Ltd. LEEDS', the date '1944' and a Broad Arrow. A black ink War Department stamp is inside the right hand placket.

Kenneth Gordon Robertson was born at Merungle Hill, NSW, in February 1921, son of an Australian Army Nursing sister and a soldier of the 1st AIF, who had become soldier settlers. After education at Yanco Agricultural High School, he was employed by the Rural Bank, and also served part-time with 56 (Militia) Battalion at Leeton. Aged 18 when the Second World War commenced in 1939, Robertson remained in Militia service until 1942, at which time he volunteered for aircrew training in the RAAF. Selected to become a pilot, with the service number 423408, he completed his initial flying training at Temora, NSW, before sailing to Canada to continue his instruction as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) with 7 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) near Lethbridge, Alberta. After graduation as a pilot in July 1943, Robertson was selected for further training in the United Kingdom to become a member of the RAF's elite 'Pathfinder Force'. After this training, he was posted to 97 (Pathfinder) Squadron, RAF, based at Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, as a Lancaster pilot, and completed a tour of operations with this unit. Returning to Australia with the rank of flight lieutenant, he was discharged in September 1945. Ken Robertson returned to Merungle Hill, where, as a successful citrus grower and turkey farmer, he became involved in many local community associations and charities. He died in April 2001.