Flight Lieutenant Roberts Dunstan
Flying Officer Roberts Dunstan, c. 1944. AWM SUK12067
Flight Lieutenant Roberts Dunstan was born in Bendigo, Victoria, on 5 November 1922. He lied about his age in order to join the army when he was just 17, and was posted to the 2/8th Field Company. In January 1941 he was wounded in the knee by a shell splinter outside Tobruk, Libya. Though it did not appear to be especially serious, the wound soon became infected and his leg was amputated.
After recovering in Egypt, Roberts returned to Melbourne in July 1941, and was discharged from the army in February 1942. Frustrated at having served for such a short time, Roberts decided to join the RAAF as a rear gunner, and embarked for overseas service once more.
Roberts served in Bomber Command, which was responsible for bombing targets in Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe. His first operation was over Dusseldorf on 11 June 1943. He later recalled how nervous he felt as his tally of completed operations grew, all the while wondering whether he would survive.
On Roberts’ second-last operation his aircraft was hit by incendiaries from another Lancaster and then by an enemy night fighter, but he managed to crash-land safely back in England. His last operation was less fraught and took place the day before his 21st birthday. Roberts returned to Australia in August 1944 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
Learn more about Roberts Dunstan.
Activities
- Being an air gunner was a dangerous job. What does this tell you about the types of people who became air gunners?
- Research the different roles in a heavy bomber’s aircrew. If you had a choice, what job would you do and why?