Wells, Donald James (Flying Officer, b.1923 - d.2007)

Collection relating to the Second World War Service of 427110 Flying Officer Donald James Wells, 1 Wireless Air Gunners School, Royal Australian Air Force, Victoria, Australia, 1943.

Wallet 1 of 1 – Consists of one letter from Flying Officer Donald James Wells to his friends, Mr Frederick Hilton Burrows and Mrs Elsie Burrows, dated 4 October 1943. It was written while Flying Officer Wells was undertaking training at 1 Wireless Air Gunners School, Ballarat, Victoria. In his letter, Flying Officer Wells thanks Mr and Mrs Burrows for a parcel of cake and biscuits that they had sent him. Flying Officer Wells wrote this letter while flying, anchored it with a rag, and dropped it from his aircraft while over the Burrows' property at Woodstock-on-Loddon, Victoria.

Also in the collection is a newspaper clipping; 'Landing sparks lifetime friendship'; dated August 9 1995

Flying Officer Donald James Wells enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 20 May 1942. He undertook pilot training in Victoria and New South Wales, including a course at 1 Wireless Air Gunners School, based in Ballarat, Victoria. On 8 August 1943, Flying Officer Wells and Flying Officer Keith William Gillespie made an emergency landing in a paddock of the Burrows family in Woodstock-on-Loddon, Victoria. The two men experienced great hospitality from the locals while they were waiting for the mechanics and formed a lasting friendship. The Burrows family sent food parcels to Flying Officer Wells, and he sent back several letters of thanks. After his training, Flying Officer Wells went on to serve with 3 Squadron, and was discharged on 11 December 1945.