Irvin flying jacket : Sergeant W S Hardwick, 457 Squadron RAAF

Brown leather thermally insulated 'Irvin' flying jacket lined with a thick layer of brown pile fleece. The jacket has long sleeves with zippers running from the wrist to the elbow along the inner arm. A triangular leather patch with eight metal ventilation eyelets is located under each armpit. The jacket fastens by a brass zip up the centre, and a belt with a nickel plated buckle at the waist. Under the collar there is an elastic strap and two metal loops for a leather belt to fasten to. A white cotton makers' label inside the collar is printed with a crown and 'AM', size details and year of make.

William Stanley Hardwick was born in Broken Hill, NSW on 16 January 1922. He was 18 and training to be a metallurgist with North Broken Hill Ltd before he enlisted in the RAAF at on the 6 January 1941.

He went on to become a Sergeant pilot, joining 452 Squadron RAAF in south east England as part of 11 Group on the 3 March 1942, flying Spitfires. On the 15 April Hardwick transferred to 457 Squadron RAAF which was operating out of Redhill south east of London.

The squadron conducted patrols over south-east England and the English Channel, escorted bombing raids and conducted sweeps to engage enemy aircraft in the skies above occupied France and Belgium.

As a result of the war in the Pacific the Squadron was ordered to return to Australia. Hardwick embarked from England on the 18 June 1942 and arrived in Melbourne on 13 August. The Squadron returned to active duty on the 31 January 1943 in the Northern Territory, as part of Number One fighter Wing, flying against the Japanese. Two days later Hardwick was promoted to Flight Sergeant.

He flew with the squadron until the 18 November 1943 after which he served at 55th Operational Base Unit, then at No 2. Air Park Bankstown. Hardwick went on to gain his commission as a Pilot Officer in December 1943, and began his elementary flying instructor training on 10 April 1944.

He was promoted to Flying Officer on 1 June during his instructor training. Hardwick qualified in July 1944 and spent the next year training pilots at No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) at Benalla, Victoria and No. 10 EFTS at Temora, NSW. Hardwick undertook an instructor refresher course in July 1945, gaining promotion to Flight Lieutenant on its completion. He spent the rest of his service as instructor before being discharged on the 14 January 1946.