The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (432548) Leading Aircraftman John Douglas Gardiner, No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Royal Australian Air Force, 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 Michael Kelly, the story for this day was on (432548) Leading Aircraftman John Douglas Gardiner, No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War.

432548 Leading Aircraftman John Douglas Gardiner, No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, Royal Australian Air Force
Accidental death 27 August 1943

Today we remember and pay tribute to Leading Aircraftman John Douglas Gardiner.

John Gardiner was born on 29 September 1924 to Albert and Dorothy Gardiner of Baradine, in New South Wales.

Growing up with his older brother, William, and younger sister, Pamela, the young John Gardiner attended Baradine Public School. He then went on to be a boarder at Dubbo High School.

After earning his leaving certificate in 1941, Gardiner went to work with the Commonwealth public service in Canberra. While there, he played rugby union with Canberra Easts, and enjoyed social games of tennis.

Gardiner enlisted with the Air Training Corps in late August 1942 and joined No. 43 Squadron, which had been established in Canberra. Soon afterwards, he submitted an application for air crew, hoping to be selected for training for service in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Gardiner finally joined the RAAF on 2 January 1943, three months after turning 18.

After attending initial training school at Bradfield Park in New South Wales, and wireless air gunner school at Parkes, he travelled to Port Pirie in South Australia to join No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School.
On 27 August 1943, Leading Aircraftman Gardiner was a taking part in a gunnery exercise in one of two Faiery Battles – ¬single-engine light bombers used for training.

At around 2 pm, the two aircraft were about 16 kilometres west of the aerodrome when they had a mid-air collision. All crew members on board were killed: Sergeants Robert Johns and Gordon Ninness, and Leading Aircraftman Cyril Venables, Reginald Griffith, L. Grant and John Gardiner. None were older than 19. John Gardiner was 18 years old.

John Gardiner and his crewmates were buried with full honours at Port Pirie Cemetery.

John Gardiner’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among more than 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Leading Aircraftman John Douglas Gardiner, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section