Mk IIIA flying goggles : Flight Lieutenant D Rees, 460 Squadron, RAAF

MK IIIA flying goggles made with brass frames hinged in the centre, painted black and padded with black velveteen. The goggles have a brown leather nose piece and one celluloid lens remaining on the left. The securing strap buckles at the rear and is made of brown leather with a section of cotton covered steel springs on either side. The leather strap also has the manufacturing details stamped on it reading 'P.J.K./M. (King's Crown) R.A.A.F. MK IIIA. R.A.A.F. INDENT No. 11/40'. The name 'REES' is marked in pencil on the inner side of the strap.

Daniel Rees was born in Maylands, Western Australia on 5 February 1922. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 21 July 1941 and was given the service number O51515. He trained under the Empire Air Training Scheme, graduating as a Sergeant Pilot. In June 1942 he was posted to the United Kingdom where he trained on Wellingtons and Lancasters before joining 460 Squadron at Binbrook. On 12 August 1943 Rees piloted a Lancaster during a raid on Milan, withstanding severe engine failure to complete the mission and return the bomber and his crew to safety. The same month, during a raid on Peenemunde, his bomber was badly damaged by fighter attack. However, Rees was once again able to return to base. For these actions he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal which he received from King George V in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 14 March 1944. He was later promoted to Pilot Officer and then Flight Lieutenant. He spent time during the remainder of the war instructing on Wellingtons and Lancasters, returning to Australia in January 1945. He then served in North-Western Western Australia flying transport aircraft and in 1946 served as Air Transport and Movement Officer in Iwakuni, Japan before his discharge from the RAAF on 31 October 1947. He returned to his pre-war civilian occupation as Clerk of Courts with the Crown Law Department but from August 1952 also enlisted in the Air Training Corps, serving as the Flight Commander of No. 3 Flight Fremantle. He lived much of his post-war life at Mandurah, WA and died on 21 June 2004.