458 Squadron Association

Collection relating to the Second World War and post-war activities of 458 Squadron Association, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand, 1941 – 2004.

This collection consists of documents and correspondence relating to the administration and activities of 458 Squadron Association. This collection contains material dated between 1941, when 458 Squadron was formed, and 2004. The types of items in this collection include minutes, agendas, history documents, letters, and newsletters. The order that the material was originally filed in has been retained.

Wallet 1 of 24 – Consists of one book of operational records of ‘B’ Flight, 458 Squadron. This book was used by 485 Squadron between October 1941 and January 1943, during service in the United Kingdom. It contains details of operations completed by the Squadron, and the involvement of individual aircrews in each operation.

Wallet 2 of 24 – Contains two folders of records relating to the service of 458 Squadron during the Second World War.
Wallet 2 of 24, Folder 1 of 2 consists of one book containing a list of people that served in 458 Squadron, thought to have been compiled in 1949. This book contains names, service numbers and postings of aircrew and ground crew of 458 Squadron during the Second World War, including people that served in the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
Wallet 2 of 24, Folder 2 of 2 consists of one list of Royal Air Force Groups [date unknown]. This list contains details such as the stations and types of aircraft used by Groups, Headquarters, and Air Officers Commanding.

Wallet 3 of 24 – Consists of one book of minutes from meetings of the 458 Squadron Sergeants Mess Committee. This book contains minutes dated between October 1943 and January 1945, while 458 Squadron were serving in Northern Africa and Southern Europe. As recorded in the minutes, the topics discussed in meetings include the appointment of officers to committee positions, membership, the purchase of equipment and supplies for recreation, and the organisation of social events.

Wallet 4 of 24 – Consists of one book of minutes from meetings of the 458 Squadron Association Council, which were held in various Australian cities between April 1953 and April 1982. As recorded in the minutes, the topics discussed in meeting include the appointment of members to Council positions, membership, finances, the activities of state branches of the Association, the organisation of social and commemorative events, and the production of the 458 Squadron history.

Wallet 5 of 24 – Consists of nine documents concerning the history of 458 Squadron, dating between c1942 and c1995. The documents contain details relating to the 458 Squadron’s formation, training, leadership, operations, personnel, casualties, aircraft, movements, and recreation.

Wallet 6 of 24 – Consists of one draft of ‘We Find and Destroy: History of 458 Squadron’ by Peter Alexander, [date unknown].

Wallet 7 of 24 – Contains two folders of material relating to the running of the 458 Squadron Association Council between 1953 and 1998.
Wallet 7 of 24, Folder 1 of 2 consists of 65 items relating to the running of the 458 Squadron Association Council, dating between 1953 and 1962. These items include meeting agendas, meeting minutes, financial documents, and correspondence relating to the activities of the association.
Wallet 7 of 24, Folder 2 of 2 consists of 24 items relating to the organisation of conferences for the 458 Squadron Council, dating between 1981 and 1998. These items include correspondence, meeting agendas, and meeting minutes.

Wallet 8 of 24 – Consists of 201 items of general correspondence relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1971 and 1993. These items include letters regarding members, the commissioning of 458 Squadron plaques, reunions, administration, financial grants, commemorative activities, and the unit badge.

Wallet 9 of 24 – Consists of 164 items relating to the Canada, New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland Flights of the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1980 and 1996. These items include correspondence regarding reunions, conferences, meetings, and memorials.

Wallet 10 of 24 – Consists of 137 items relating to the South Australia, United Kingdom, Victoria, and Western Australia Flights of 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1980 and 1996. These items include correspondence regarding reunions, conferences, meetings, and membership.

Wallet 11 of 24 – Consists of 93 items relating to the commissioning of a memorial, and a memorial dedication service organised by the 458 Squadron Association, which took place on 17 September 1989. The correspondence dates between 1987 and 1989, and includes correspondence regarding plans for the memorial, finances, and event organisation.

Wallet 12 of 24 – Consists of 132 items of general correspondence relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1993 and 1995. These items include letters regarding conferences, reunions, membership, and Squadron news.

Wallet 13 of 24 – Consists of 89 items of general correspondence relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1994 and 1996. These items include letters regarding conferences, reunions, membership, and Squadron news.

Wallet 14 of 24 – Consists of 84 items of general correspondence relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1996 and 1997. These items include letters regarding medal eligibility for members of the Squadron, Squadron news, membership, and reunions.

Wallet 15 of 24 – Contains two folders of material relating to the 458 Squadron Association.
Wallet 15 of 24, Folder 1 of 2 consists of 17 items of general correspondence relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating from 1996. These items include letters and documents regarding membership, advocacy and reunions.
Wallet 15 of 24, Folder 2 of 2 consists of 61 items relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1991 and 1998. These items include letters and documents regarding the sale of commemorative plaques, meeting minutes, advocacy, and conferences.

Wallet 16 of 24 – Consists of 21 items relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1997 and 2001. These items include correspondence and documents regarding finances, advocacy, meetings, and reports from Flights.

Wallet 17 of 24 – Contains two folders of material relating to the running of 458 Squadron Association.
Wallet 17 of 24, Folder 1 of 2 consists of 13 agendas for 458 Squadron Association reunions and Council meetings, dating between 1979 and 1994.
Wallet 17 of 24, Folder 2 of 2 consists of 23 documents relating to 458 Squadron Association membership, dating between 1951 and 2000. This folder includes the Constitution for the 458 Squadron Association.

Wallet 18 of 24 – Contains two folders of material relating to the 458 Squadron Association.
Wallet 18 of 24, Folder 1 of 2 consists of eight items regarding memorial services relating to Bruce Roy McKenzie, who was a Commanding Officer of 458 Squadron. These items include correspondence and programmes, and date between 1978 and 1982.
Wallet 18 of 24, Folder 2 of 2 consists of 15 souvenirs and documents relating to the 458 Squadron Association, dating between 1949 and 2003. These items include the Association’s Certificate of Registration, a nominal roll of 458 Squadron, letters of congratulation, the 200th edition of 458 Squadron New, programs for memorial and commemoration services, and reunion leaflets.

Wallet 19 of 24 – Consists of 26 issues of ‘458 Squadron News’, the 458 Squadron Association quarterly newsletter, dating between late 1949 and February 1956.

Wallet 20 of 24 – Consists of 38 issues of ‘458 Squadron News’, the 458 Squadron Association quarterly newsletter, dating between May 1956 and August 1965.

Wallet 21 of 24 – Consists of 33 issues of ‘458 Squadron News’, the 458 Squadron Association quarterly newsletter, dating between November 1965 and November 1973.

Wallet 22 of 24 – Consists of 39 issues of ‘458 Squadron News’, the 458 Squadron Association quarterly newsletter, dating between February 1974 and May 1983.

Wallet 23 of 24 – Consists of 51 issues of ‘458 Squadron News’, the 458 Squadron Association quarterly newsletter, dating between October 1983 and May 1996.

Wallet 24 of 24 –Consists of 31 issues of ‘458 Squadron News’, the 458 Squadron Association quarterly newsletter, dating between August 1996 and February 2004.

Oversize Folder 1 of 1 – Consists of one laminated certificate commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the formation of 458 Squadron, dated 1991. This certificate has an illustration of a Wellington bomber over the Suez Canal by Tom Moore [exact identity unknown], and one sticker of the emblem of the World Veterans Federation. This folder also consists of one copy of the 458 Squadron crest, dated November 1999.