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KEITH WILLIAM TRUSCOTT, DFC & Bar

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SLV: H2017.192/2


NAA: A9300, TRUSCOTT K W

General Information

Service(s):
Royal Australian Air Force
Service No:
400213
Rank:
Squadron Leader
Date of Birth:
17 May 1916
Place of Birth:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date of Death:
28 March 1943
Age at Death:
26 Years
Roll of Honour:
Second World War - No. 76 Squadron, RAAF
Prisoner of War:
No
Honours:
Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar
Mentioned in Despatches

Service Timeline

21 Jul 1940
Enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Mustered as Air Crew V (P).
Aircraftman 2nd Class on Enlistment.
Posted to No. 1 Initial Training School, RAAF.
19 Aug 1940
Remustered as Air Crew II (P).
Promoted to Leading Aircraftman.
22 Aug 1940
Posted to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, RAAF.
18 Oct 1940
Posted to No. 2 Embarkation Depot, RAAF.
31 Oct 1940
Embarked at Sydney.
20 Nov 1940
Disembarked Canada.
1 Dec 1940
Posted to No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RCAF.
11 Feb 1941
Awarded Flying Badge.
Posted to RCAF Rockcliffe.
12 Feb 1941
Promoted to Pilot Officer.
24 Feb 1941
Posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, RAF.
Embarked Canada.
10 Mar 1941
Posted to No. 57 Operational Training Unit, RAF.
5 May 1941
Posted to No. 452 Squadron, RAAF.
12 Aug 1941
Promoted to Flying Officer.
26 Mar 1942
Embarked United Kingdom.
14 May 1942
Disembarked at Melbourne.
Posted to No. 1 Embarkation Depot, RAAF.
3 Jun 1942
Attached to No. 2 Operational Training Unit, RAAF.
Posted to No. 76 Squadron, RAAF.
20 Jun 1942
Ceased attachment to No. 2 Operational Training Unit, RAAF.
13 Aug 1942
Promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
1 Oct 1942
Promoted to Squadron Leader.

Map of Service

Award Citations

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

Skilful courageous fighter pilot since May 1941 participated large number sorties and convoy escorts. Throughout shown fine fighting spirit. Destroyed eleven, probably destroyed three, damaged two hostile aircraft. In February 1942 Truscott participated in attack on destroyer which left damaged condition black smoke issuing behind bridge. Next day assisted destruction German floatplane.

Unit: No. 452 Squadron, RAAF

Distinguished Flying Cross

This officer joined the squadron in May, 1941, after a period of training in Australia and Canada. He has participated in many operational sorties against the enemy and has displayed great courage and determination throughout. Pilot Officer Truscott has destroyed at least 6 enemy aircraft.

Unit: No. 452 Squadron, RAAF

Gazetted: The London Gazette, 17 October 1941

Mentioned in Despatches

Gazetted: The London Gazette, 23 March 1943

Archival Material

National Archives of Australia

Series No. Control Symbol Item Title Digitised Item Item ID
A705 166/40/19 TRUSCOTT, Keith William - (Squadron Leader); Service Number - 400213; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Kittyhawk A29-150; Place - Bay of Rest, Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia; Date - 28 March 1943 1082026
A705 32/24/148 Kittyhawk A29-150 - Court of Inquiry re accident on 28.3.43 (Late Squadron Leader K W Truscott) 698003
A9300 TRUSCOTT K W TRUSCOTT KEITH WILLIAM : Service Number - 400213 : Date of birth - 17 May 1916 : Place of birth - MELBOURNE VIC : Place of enlistment - MELBOURNE : Next of Kin - TRUSCOTT WILLIAM 5240643

Burial Details


D.J. Leahy, 2013
Cemetery:
PERTH WAR CEMETERY AND ANNEX
Grave:
H. A. 0012
Epitaph:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DARLING KEITH HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE

External Links

References

Dennis, P., J. Grey, E. Morris, R. Prior, and J. Bou 2008, The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (2nd ed). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Record Published:

New Book Release:
8 October 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging.

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New South Wales, Australia