The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Pencil sketch of an explosion in the night sky (First World War). Artist's notes accompany image and have been hand written on the manila folder to which the sketch is adhered. In these notes the artist relates this image to an incident that occurred one night at an advanced landing ground where he was stationed. Notes read "[o]ne of our planes forced landed here and was wrecked, came in engine off crew were unhurt...We were asleep at the time, gave us a devil of a fright."
This sketch is one of a series of images produced from memory by Private Frank Ronald Rawlinson that relate to the events recorded in his manuscript, 'Wood and Wire' or 'Two for the Old Flying Corps'. Also in the War Memorial's collection, this manuscript provides a narrative of Rawlinson's experiences in the First World War and his service in the AIF (Australian Imperial Force), RFC (Royal Flying Corps) and AFC (Australian Flying Corps).
The AFC was established in 1913. In 1915 Australia was asked by Britain to form compile squadrons for service with the RFC . Australia responded by despatching No. 1 squadron to Egypt. During the next two years the squadron operated first from Heliopolis and later in Palestine and Syria. More squadrons were raised in Australia for the Western Front. No. 2, 3 and 4 squadrons arrived in France during August, September and December 1917 respectively. No. 2 squadron (flying DH5s) was attached to the Third Army and during the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 carried out patrol duties, ground strafing of enemy troops and bombing. No. 3 squadron (flying RE8s) was supporting the last phase of the Passchendaele campaign in Flanders. The last Australian squadron to arrive (No. 4 flying Sopwith Camels) took up its duties with the First Army. At the end of the First World War, the AFC was disbanded and replaced by the Australian Air Corps which became the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1921.
Pencil sketch of a First World War aircraft taking off over a row of poplar trees. An airship and cluster of buildings are depicted on the ground below the aircraft. Artist's notes accompany image and
Pencil sketch of a First World War aircraft flying through telephone lines. Artist's notes accompany image and have been hand written on the manila folder to which the sketch is adhered. In these note
Pencil sketch of a First World War aircraft and crew returning from an attack. Artist's notes accompany image and have been hand written on the manila folder to which the sketch is adhered. Those that
Pencil sketch of a grounded First World aircraft with crew standing beside it. Artist's notes accompany image and have been hand written on the manila folder to which the sketch is adhered. Those that
Pencil sketch of a First World War French Nieuport. Artist's notes accompany image and have been hand written on the manila folder to which the sketch is adhered. In these notes the artist recalls how
Pencil sketch of a First World War fighter plane showing the plane crashing and the pilot being thrown from the cockpit. The sketch relates to an incident where the artist, Private Frank Rawlinson, wa