Historic 12 Squadron RAAF Australian flag returns to Darwin
At 10.00 am today [31 August 2006] the Lord Mayor, Peter Adamson, will take delivery of No 12 Squadron’s 1942 Australian Flag in the forecourt of Council’s Civic Centre.
Lord Mayor, Peter Adamson said that on behalf of Council and the people of Darwin, it was an honour to accept, on permanent loan, the Australian flag of 12 Squadron, RAAF, from the Darwin Defenders Association in Victoria.
The flag, which sustained aircraft gunfire damage, was flying at the Darwin aerodrome on the morning of 19th February 1942 when the first Japanese attack on Darwin took place.
Photo, above: After over 64 years, the 12 Squadron Flag that was damaged in the first raid on Darwin on 19th February 1942 arrives back in Darwin. It was transported from Clifton Springs in Victoria to Darwin by Australia Post. There to receive the flag were Darwin Lord Mayor Peter Adamson, Group Capt. Kelton, RAAF, and Ron Marsh,Mgr Australia Post, Darwin.
The Lord Mayor said “What happened in Darwin in 1942, the loss of life and the extent of the devastation, was largely unknown to most Australians.
“With the return to Darwin of precious items such as this flag, more and more people will have the opportunity to see and learn about this significant chapter in Australian historyâ€.
The flag which also bears the signatures of those who survived the raid, was salvaged by Darwin Defender member (the late) Jim Wilkins. The 12 Squadron came to Darwin from Laverton in Victoria in 1939 equipped with Avro Anson Bombers, Wirraway fighter aircraft and a Supermarine Walrus amphibious aircraft.
It was the first RAAF Squadron permanently based in the Northern Territory. When the Japanese raided Darwin the Squadron lost two Wirraways on the ground and considerable equipment and ammunition when its new hangar was gutted and the 1934 Qantas hangar badly damaged. Group Captain Mark Kelton, RAAF was also on hand to day to witness the flag’s return to Darwin.
The ‘Darwin Defenders’ who represent veterans from all services who served in Darwin in 1942, offered the flag to Darwin City Council on permanent loan so that it is more accessible to the public to view. It has been in storage other than when on display at exhibitions at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
The civilian population was also greatly affected by the Japanese attack on Darwin and the Darwin Post Office was bombed in the raid and staff members killed. On learning about the need to get the fragile flag to Darwin, Australia Post arranged for the packing, transportation and delivery of the 2metre by 1metre crate.
The flag will initially be on display at the Civic Centre, with plans for display in a permanent WW11 museum in progress.
Judie Brennan,
Darwin City Council
Public Relations Office,
Ph. (08) 8930 0516
Fax (08) 8930 0669
This is the text of a media release from the Darwin City Council – view the original PDF document on the Council’s web site.
The damaged flag was salvaged by the late Jim Wilkins of 12 Squadron, and we must commend his foresight.
The 12 Squadron Flag
The RAAF aerodrome and its buildings were severely damaged in the first raids on February 19, 1942.
One of the 12 Sqn men there on that day was the late Jim Wilkins, of Geebung, Queensland. Geebung achieved some fame when Banjo Patterson published his poem “The Geebung Polo Club”. If you have never read that poem your education has been sadly neglected.
There is one other thing about Jim Wilkins – his given name was not “Jim”. He absolutely hated his given name and would only use it on official documents. He said he courted his nearest and dearest for two years, and it was not until she saw his signature on their wedding certificate that she realised his name was not “Jim.”
The air raids set fire to the hangars and stores buildings at the RAAF aerodrome. Jim Wilkins had the foresight to salvage the fire damaged flag, and for over 60 years he kept it in an ice-cream container at his home. In 2004 he donated it to Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc with the express wish that we care for it in the future.
If you look closely at the white stars on the flag, you will see signatures. They are the signatures of the 12 Sqn personnel who were there on that fateful day. Jim and most of his mates are no longer with us, but their names will live for many years on the 12 Sqn flag.
It is one of Australia’s national treasures.
To preserve it for future generations, Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc have had the flag mounted in an air space within a frame, glazed with perspex. The recommendation is that it be kept in a dry air conditioned atmosphere.
It was exhibited in the Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc Exhibition in the Shrine of Remembrance in February 2005 and 2006. Our Committee then considered means of having the flag on public display. The feeling of our Committee was that the flag is really a historic relic of “Darwin’s Battle For Australia” and the suggestion was made that an approach be made to the Darwin City Council, with the end result that they have been appointed as custodians of the flag for the foreseeable future.
On behalf of Darwin Defenders 1942-45 Inc, the Vice President of Darwin Defenders Neil Webb, Committee man Tom Stevens, and I had much pleasure in officially handing over the 12 Squadron Flag to the custody of the Darwin City Council on the eve of 19th February, 2007, 65 years to the day since it was damaged and salvaged from the wreckage at the RAAF aerodrome.
Rex Ruwoldt
8.6.2009
I am the Convener of a local community orgaization which has for years supported the development by the NT Government of a new World War II Museum at East Point, Darwin. This is now with the co-operation of the present RAAA museum, but will be a new building and rehabiliate the various existing sites.
Being a member alos of the government’s steering committee, I would like to be in touch with one of your members to talk discuss how Darwin Defenders might be involved.
I have lived in Darwin since 1972, and have a strong interest in history, and a commitment to a more appropriate recognition of the role of North Australia and its defenders in the war.
My address is Miss M A Clinch, PO Box 1998, Darwin, NT 0801.
Margaret Clinch
Magaret, Glad to see that you are involved in keeping the Darwin Defenders “alive”. A couple of years ago I got the Melbourne branch of theDarwin Defenders to talk to our Probus Club. Great stuff! But, as you say, there needs to be a permanent home for this marvellous piece of history. Anyway, when we eventually get back to Darwin. hopefully next year, we would like to catch up. Sad news has probalby reached you that Jim Thomson passed away – we just knew he would not survive a year without his Diana. Love. Connie and Paul
Just found out the Wirraway frame I am helping to restore at the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown Sydney is A20-454 a 12 Sqn machine which served in Darwin from early March 42 thru to mid 43. Cheers Rod Mountford