Rentell, John Lachlan (Flight Lieutenant, b.1914 - d.1966)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 35779 Flight Lieutenant John Lachlan Rentell, Royal Australian Air Force, Australia and the Netherlands East Indies, 1935-1945.

Wallet 1 of 2 consists of two log books of Flight Lieutenant John Lachlan Rentell. The first log book contains entries dated between 23 November 1935 and 30 April 1941, and covers the period of his pre-war civilian flying experience and early Royal Australian Air Force flying training. The second log book contains entries dated between 3 April 1941 and 31 March 1943, and covers Flight Lieutenant Rentell’s flying training and service as a flying instructor at 5 Elementary Training School, Narromine, New South Wales. The log books contain details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, and names of other crewmembers and students.

Wallet 2 of 2 consists of one log book of Flight Lieutenant John Lachlan Rentell, containing entries dated between 30 March 1943 and 19 December 1945. It covers the period of Flight Lieutenant Rentell’s service as a flying instructor at Mallala, South Australia, his conversion to Liberator aircraft, and his service as a pilot for General Sir Thomas Blamey. The log books contain details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, and names of other crewmembers, students, and passengers. This log book also includes a letter from General Blamey, dated 6 December 1945, a recommendation, an envelope, and two commemorative certificates issued to the members of the Allied Forces present at the surrender of the Japanese on Morotai, September 1945. This log book is in a fragile condition.

Flight Lieutenant John Lachlan Rentell enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 31 March 1941. He served as a flying instructor at 5 Elementary Flying School at Narromine, New South Wales, and Mallala, South Australia. In 1944, Flight Lieutenant Rentell converted to Liberator aircraft and went on to serve with 12 Squadron and 11 Communications Unit. He became the pilot of General Sir Thomas Blamey, and transported him to various locations in Australia and the Netherlands East Indies. Flight Lieutenant Rentell was discharged on 12 February 1946.