Studio portrait of 407339 Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Robert Maitland Rees, who was born on 22 ...

Studio portrait of 407339 Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Robert Maitland Rees, who was born on 22 November 1915 in Kapunda, SA. Rees enlisted in the RAAF on 14 September 1940. During 1941 he qualified as an air observer, bomb aimer, air gunner and Astro navigator. In April 1942 he joined 83 Squadron, RAF in Scampton, England, where he was a navigator aboard Avro Manchesters and Lancasters. In August 1942 Rees moved with 83 Squadron to Wyton, becoming part of the newly formed Pathfinder Force. Rees completed more than two months operational flying service and in March 1943 was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his skill, courage and devotion to duty. His citation reads 'Flight Lieutenant Rees has had a long and distinguished record of operational flying. On one occasion, during a daylight attack on Danzig, this officer displayed superb navigational ability in appalling weather, with constantly changing winds. In these conditions, he located the target, and pressed home the attack from below 1,000 feet, many hits being obtained. On another occasion, on the return journey from Berlin, this officer's aircraft was engaged by ground defences and two engines put out of action. With great skill Flight Lieutenant Rees navigated the crippled aircraft many hundreds of miles back to the base. throughout his long operational career, he has displayed courage and devotion to duty worthy of the highest praises.'. Flt Lt Rees was discharged from 3 Air Observer School on 25 June 1945.