The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (404692) Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan, No. 79 Squadron RAAF, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Charis May, the story for this day was on (404692) Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan, No. 79 Squadron RAAF, Second World War.

404692 Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan, No. 79 Squadron RAAF
Accidentally killed 13 June 1943
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 14 June 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan.

Virgil Brennan was born on 6 March 1920 to solicitor Edgar James Brennan and his wife Katherine. He grew up in Warwick, Queensland, where he attended the Christian Brothers’ School, and later went to Brisbane State High School. Brennan went on to study law at university, while working as a law clerk.

Brennan enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 8 November 1940, aged 20. He underwent initial training in Australia before being sent for further training to Canada and the United Kingdom under the Empire Air Training Scheme. He proved to be a keen student of flying, and his records note that he “progressed steadily, learns quickly and has no outstanding faults”.

As a pilot Brennan was “well-disciplined, confident, aggressive and self-reliant”, which made him an ideal candidate for Fighter Command. In March 1942 he was sent to Malta with No. 249 Squadron. There he proved to be a “most courageous and determined pilot”. He was reported to be an excellent shot, and his aggression in the air saw him always press home the attack with vigour.

Between 7 March and 27 July Brennan flew just over 20 sorties against the enemy, and was credited with the confirmed destruction of ten enemy aircraft, and was probably responsible for at least two more. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in May 1942 and the Distinguished Flying Cross in October of the same year.

Following his exploits in Malta, Brennan returned to the United Kingdom where he served as an instructor. At this time he was writing a book, Spitfires over Malta, in conjunction with another pilot from his squadron.

In April 1943 Brennan returned to Australia and became a founding member of No. 79 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force. In June 1943 he and his squadron were in the process of relocating to New Guinea. Around 2 pm on 13 June 1943 he flew into Garbutt Aerodrome at Townsville on the way north. He appeared to cut in front of another aircraft while landing, and failed to respond to radio signals from the second plane. Apparently unaware of the aircraft coming up behind him, he cut his landing run short, and turned across the runway into the path of the other plane, causing a serious collision. He died on the way to hospital.

The talented and much-decorated pilot died at the age of 23.

The name of Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with around 40,000 others from the Second World War. There is no photograph in the Memorial's collection to display beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Flight Lieutenant Virgil Paul Brennan, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.