my name is Sian Gard and I am researcher on the ABC Television series Can We Help? I was wondering if someone from the Darwin Defenders organisation could please contact me? my email address is gard.sian@abc.net.au

Thank you in advance

Kind Regards

Sian

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

Contributions of articles and photos of veterans and their activities pertaining to the Defence of Darwin will be appreciated.

Rex Ruwoldt, Honorary Secretary.

Suggest you contact Maxine Dowley at the Darwin City Council and ask her if you could get copies of the DVDs they produced of the event.

Rex Ruwoldt, Honorary Secretary.