Haley, Ambrose Anthony ‘Bose’ (Flight Lieutenant, b.1920 - d.2001)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of O6307 (408173) Flight Lieutenant Ambrose Anthony ‘Bose’ Haley, 93 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, England and Australia, 1942-1945, [dates unknown].

Wallet 1 of 1 - Contains two folders of material relating to Flight Lieutenant Ambrose Anthony ‘Bose’ Haley, his service with 93 Squadron, and his time as a prisoner of war in Germany.
Folder 1 of 2 consists of one typewritten copy of a letter from Flight Lieutenant Haley to his mother, Mrs Amy Elizabeth Haley (née Thompson), dated 13 May 1945, one photocopy of the letter, and one transcript of the letter. In this letter, Flight Lieutenant Haley writes about hearing of the death of his brother 438006 Leading Aircraftman Peter John Haley, his time as a German prisoner of war, a forced march through Germany that took place over four months, harsh weather conditions, and being caught in Allied air raids. He goes on, writing about the liberation of the prisoners, being transported out of Germany, and staying in London.
Folder 2 of 2 consists of:
2x Copies of of a portraits of Flight Lieutenant Haley, [dates unknown].
2x Copies of photographs of groups of airmen including Flight Lieutenant Haley [one photograph includes annotation], c1942.
1x Copy of a sketch of Stalag Luft III, [date unknown].
1x Copy of page of flying logbook of Flight Lieutenant Haley, containing entries dated between 1 and 5 December 1942.
1x Copy of excerpt from a book referring to Flight Lieutenant Haley’s capture, [date unknown].
1x Document titled ‘The Alison Kirwan Factor’ written by Flight Lieutenant Haley’s brother, Mr Bruce Haley, [date unknown]. In this document, Mr Haley writes about the impact of war service on Flight Lieutenant Haley, and what his brother’s recollections about his experiences during the war.

Ambrose Anthony Haley was born in St Helens, Tasmania, on 5 September 1920. He worked as a clerk at the Shell Oil Co. in Launceston, Tasmania. He joined the Militia Forces in January 1939. Haley then enlisted in the RAAF on 28 February 1940, and was sent to Canada as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. Haley was trained as a pilot. He then flew Spitfires in the Middle East theatre with 93 Squadron. He was one of six aircraft on 5 December 1942, which were attacked by 9 ME 109s, after taking off from Medjez-El-Bab airfield, in northern Tunisia. Haley was shot down and taken prisoner. A Red Cross communication of May 1943, places him at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Poland, as of 19 April 1943. He remained there until January 1945, when the POWs were forced to march away from the encroaching Russian forces. Following liberation by the Allied forces near Lubeck, Germany, in May 1945, he returned to Australia and was discharged on 2 November 1945.