Bigelow, James Edgar (Flying Officer, b.1925 - d.2004)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 435801 Flying Officer James Edgar 'Jim' Bigelow, 12 Squadron and 24 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Australia, 1943–2004.

This collection consists of biographical accounts, correspondence, and other material compiled by Flying Officer James Edgar 'Jim' Bigelow between the early 1990s and the early 2000s. Flying Officer Bigelow compiled this material as part of a project to record the experiences of people that had served in the RAAF during the Second World War.

Wallet 1 of 15 – Consists of a brief history of 24 Squadron, a list of aircrews of 12 Squadron, a laminated map of the south-west Pacific region, and 39 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with 'A' – 'B'. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples' service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their log books and service documents.

Wallet 2 of 15 – Consists of 40 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with 'C' – 'D'. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples' service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their log books and service documents.

Wallet 3 of 15 – Consists of 33 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with ‘E’ – ‘G’. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples’ service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their log books and service documents.

Wallet 4 of 15 – Consists of 38 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with ‘H’ – ‘J’. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples’ service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their service documents.

Wallet 5 of 15 – Consists of 49 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with ‘K’ – ‘M’. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples’ service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their service documents.

Wallet 6 of 15 – Consists of 39 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with ‘N’ – ‘R’. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples’ service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their service documents.

Wallet 7 of 15 – Consists of 69 short biographical accounts of people that served in the RAAF during the Second World War, with last names beginning with ‘S’ – ‘Z’. The biographical accounts include details such as names, enlistment and discharge dates, service numbers, ranks, and units, as well as notes on the peoples’ service. Some accounts also include correspondence from the subjects, and copies of their log books and service documents.

Wallet 8 of 15 – Consists of 12 items gathered by Flying Officer Bigelow as part of his project to record the experiences of RAAF service persons of the Second World War. This wallet contains one list of 12 Squadron personnel killed in the South-West Pacific in the Second World War, one timeline of deployments to 12 Squadron in 1939, two lists of aircraft accidents, one photocopy of a logbook relating to 416386 Flight Lieutenant Edward Horace O'Shaughnessy, one photocopy of a logbook relating to 422858 Flying Officer John Andrew Huxtable, one photocopy of a logbook relating to 438726 Flight Sergeant Dennis Geoffrey Featherstone, one photocopy of a logbook relating to 443299 Flight Sergeant Francis Allan Bushell, one story relating to the death of 440787 Flight Sergeant Brendan Michael Heslin, one photocopy of a portion of the Operations Record Book for 12 Squadron, one photocopy of a photograph of a Liberator crew, and one copy of a manuscript titled 'Memories of No. 3 Initial Training School, Kingaroy, South East Queensland' by Flying Officer Bigelow.

Wallet 9 of 15 – Consists of 34 items gathered by Flying Officer James Edgar Bigelow as part of his project to record the experiences of RAAF service persons of the Second World War. This wallet contains one roll of crews that were lost in 1945, seven lists of Liberator aircraft crews, one copy of a manuscript titled ‘Memories of No. 3 Initial Training School, Kingaroy, South East Queensland’ by Flying Officer Bigelow, 24 pages of photocopied photographs relating to 12 Squadron, and one photocopy of the logbook of Flying Officer Bigelow.

Wallet 10 of 15 – Consists of one copy of a document titled ‘From Where it All Began’, compiled by Flying Officer Bigelow. This document is a collection of memories and stories relating to 12 Squadron, RAAF. This version of the document includes photocopies of photographs, a history of 12 Squadron, and copies of letters from veterans of 12 Squadron in which they relate their experiences of service.

Wallet 11 of 15 – Consists of one copy of a document titled ‘From Where it All Began’, compiled by Flying Officer Bigelow. This document is a collection of memories and stories relating to 12 Squadron, RAAF. This version of the document includes a list of contributors, and copies of letters from veterans of 12 Squadron in which they relate their experiences of service.

Wallet 12 of 15 – Consists of one copy of a document titled ‘From Where it All Began’, compiled by Flying Officer Bigelow. This document is a collection of memories and stories relating to 12 Squadron, RAAF. This version of the document includes copies of letters from veterans of 12 Squadron in which they relate their experiences of service.

Wallet 13 of 15 – Consists of one copy of a document titled ‘From Where it All Began’, compiled by Flying Officer Bigelow. This document is a collection of memories and stories relating to 12 Squadron, RAAF. This version of the document includes letters from veterans of 12 Squadron.

Wallet 14 of 15 – Consists of one portion of a copy of a document titled ‘From Where it All Began’, compiled by Flying Officer Bigelow. This document is a collection of memories and stories relating to 12 Squadron, RAAF. This version of the document includes a list of contributors, copies of letters from veterans of 12 Squadron, and photocopies of photographs.

Wallet 15 of 15 – Consists of one logbook and two pay books of Flying Officer James Edgar Bigelow. The log book contains entries dated between March 1944 and August 1999. This log book covers Flying Officer Bigelow’s training as a wireless operator and air gunner in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, service with 12 Squadron in Queensland and the Northern Territory, and later flights taken as a civilian. The log book entries record details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, pilots, and purposes of flights. Some of the recorded purposes of flights include wireless operator training, air gunnery training, operational training, bombing operations, patrols, leaflet drops, and recreation. The first pay book contains entries dated between September 1943 and April 1946, and the second pay book contains entries dated between April and July 1946. They contain information relating to Flying Officer Bigelow’s postings, rates, earnings, next of kin, and medical history.