The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
RAAF PEAKED CAP, NAVY-BLUE WITH BLACK HAT BAND WITH EAGLE BADGE AND CROWN.
Worn by Flying Officer Douglas Payne Billman, 100 Squadron RAF. Billman was born in Melbourne on 25 November 1922. Before enlisting in the Commonwealth Military Forces on 9 August 1940, he worked as a salesman at David Jones in Sydney. He served with the 30th Battalion until being discharged on 29 December 1941. Billman enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 22 June 1942. After going through initial training in Australia, he continued his pilot training in Canada and Britain and was commissioned as a pilot officer on 13 May 1944.
Billman was posted to 100 Squadron, RAF on 13 June 1944. The squadron was based in Grimsby and flew Lancaster bombers. Taking off at 9:38pm on 25 July 1944, Billman piloted Lancaster LL915 as part of a 15-bomber raid on Stuttgart. Sometime during the raid the plane crashed near Verrieres, France. The entire crew was killed in the crash, and buried by the people of Verrieres. Billman was retrospectively promoted to Flying Officer, backdated to 26 June 1944.
Distinguished Flying Cross (Geo V). Engraved reverse with year of award. Awarded to 424414 Flying Officer Rodney Simes Hoy,born in Sydney in August 1923 and educated at North Sydney High School. Hoy
Defence Medal. Impressed around edge with recipient's details. Awarded to 424414 Flying Officer Rodney Simes Hoy,born in Sydney in August 1923 and educated at North Sydney High School. Hoy was a tra
1939-45 Star. Unnamed as issued. Awarded to 424414 Flying Officer Rodney Simes Hoy,born in Sydney in August 1923 and educated at North Sydney High School. Hoy was a trainee civil engineer when he en
Distinguished Flying Cross (Geo VI). Engraved reverse lower arm with year of award and engraved cross arms with recipient's details. Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded to Flying Officer W P Ry
Officer's RAAF blue wool peaked cap with padded badge. The leather sweatband of the cap is impressed with the maker's name 'L. Silberston & Sons LONDON'. The crown of the hat is padded with quilted co
Royal Australian Air Force blue peaked officer's cap. The cap has a black head band and padded RAAF badge made from gold bullion thread and embroidered velvet attached. The badge depicts a King's crow
