Stephenson, Eric David (Flying Officer, b.1923 - d.1945)

Places
Accession Number PR05255
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement Extent: 1.5 cm; Wallet/s: 1
Object type Log book
Maker Stephenson, Eric David
Place made Australia
Date made 1942-1945
Access Open
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Copying Provisions Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.
Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 426262 Flying Officer Eric David Stephenson, 71 Squadron and 32 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia, 1942-1945.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of on log book of Flying Officer Eric David Stephenson, containing entries dated between 21 September 1942 and 10 April 1945. It covers the period of Flying Officer Stephenson’s flying training in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and service as a pilot with 71 Squadron and 32 Squadron in Queensland. The log book entries record details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, crewmembers, and purposes of flights. Some of the recorded purposes of flights include elementary flying training, service flying training, reconnaissance training, practice flights, anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols, cooperative exercises with the Army and Navy, search and rescue, aircraft conversion, and transportation. This log book also includes training notes and assessments for courses completed.

History / Summary

Flying Officer Eric David Stephenson enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 May 1942. After completing his pilot training in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, he served with 71 Squadron in Queensland. With this unit, Flying Officer Stephenson flew Avro Anson aircraft in anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols over the Pacific Ocean. In August 1944, Flying officer Stephenson converted to Bristol Beaufort aircraft, and went on to join 32 Squadron in December 1944. On 10 April 1945, Flying Officer Stephenson died as a result of an aircraft accident during a training flight near Lowood, Queensland. He is buried at Mount Thompson Crematorium, Brisbane, Queensland.