Liberator air service to Australia, Major General W Bridgeford inspects 29th Infantry Brigade & service of remembrance held at Torokina war cemetery

On 14 October 1945, at 0700 hours, a Liberator aircraft took off from Torokina Airstrip for Brisbane, Qld. This was the start of daily air service for high priority personnel to be flown direct to Australia. The journey, non-stop, takes eight hours. 36 (VX38969) Major General William Bridgeford CB CBE MC, General Officer Commanding 3 Australian Division, carried out an inspection at a ceremonial parade and march past of 29 Australian Infantry Brigade, held 22 October 1945, at Torokina Airstrip. Service of remembrance and thanksgiving in honour of the men of 3rd Australian Division who died and those who served in the campaign on Bougainville, November 1944 - August 1945, held at Torokina War Cemetery 24 October 1945. Also identified: 386621 (NX12221) Brigadier Noel William Simpson DSO; WX11125 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Walter Michael Court; Lieutenant D G Wright, Aide De Campe; QX53253 Sergeant Richard George Dolan, 15 Australian Infantry Battalion.