The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Photograph album containing images relating to the service of Wing Commander, Richard Cresswell, No. 77 Squadron RAAF. The majority of images are official photographs taken by the Royal Australian Air Force in the 1950's. Richard Cresswell was born in Launceston, Tasmania on 27 July 1920. He enlisted in the RAAF at Potts Point, Sydney on 19 July 1938 and trained as a pilot. He was appointed Squadron Leader and posted to 77 Squadron on 20 April 1942. The Squadron had been formed in Pearce in Western Australia earlier in the year. In July of that year, the Squadron moved to Darwin and in February 1943 relocated to Milne Bay, New Guinea, the first of several bases in Oceania. Cresswell was appointed Wing Commander on 26 September 1944. He continued serving with the Squadron after the end of the Second World War. In 1946 the Squadron became part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan and was based at Iwakuni. From July 1950 the Squadron played an active role in United Nations operations in Korea, relocating to Korea in October. During the Korean War, Cresswell received a number of awards including the US DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and the US Air Medal. He received a DFC for 'Leadership of high order on 98 sorties 301 flying hrs', cited in the London Gazette on 8 January 1952, and Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 January 1952. Cresswell died in December 2006.
A small silk Communist Chinese flag. The early form of international symbol of Communist China consisting of a yellow five pointed star over a yellow hammer and sickle, is silk screened onto the red
Gold bullion embroidered RAAF wings of the 1937 - 1938 pattern featuring the King's crown Gold bullion RAAF pilot's brevet worn by Squadron Leader, later Wing Commander, Richard Cresswell. Cresswell
Depicts an Australian ground crew from the 77 Squadron loading rockets onto a Meteor jet on a runway in Korea, during the Korean War . The work has a pen and ink study, 'Loading rockets, 77 Squadron,
Two Australian ground crew loading rockets onto a Meteor jet on a runway in Korea. The work is a study for the painting, 'Adjusting rockets on jets, 77 Squadron, Kimpo, Korea'. The 77 Squadron was for
Cresswell speaks of his academic and military background including Second World War service in the South West Pacific area primarily as a fighter pilot; his role as Commanding Officer No 21 (Citizens
IWAKUNI, JAPAN. 1950-08. THE COMMANDING OFFICER NO 77 SQUADRON RAAF WING COMMANDER L T SPENCE DFC (CENTRE, IN FLYING SUIT) AND SQUADRON MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL DISCUSS DAMAGE TO HIS MUSTANG AIRCRAFT FRO
