| In
loving memory of John Thomas Dollisson
My father, Jack Dollisson passed away peacefully on the evening of 6 December 2003. He was 81 years old. He would like to be remembered for his service to his country and his family. He proudly served with the Royal Australian Air Force as a pilot during WWII in England in Bomber Command (RAF 15 4(B) Sqn) and until his retirement at age 55. He retired as a Group Captain. He lived to fly! In retirement Jack and his beloved wife of 53 years, Marjorie (Marj) developed a lime orchard and machinery business in the Noosa hinterland. Jack's other interests included motor racing in all forms, music, cricket, reading, and fiddling with machinery. Jack is survived by his wife, four children, four grandchildren, two brothers and sister. He will be sorely missed. |
Dad's RAAF Service as written by him shortly before his death.
I joined the RAAF in May 1942, my initial training was completed at Bradfield Park, Sydney. Basic flying training at Narrandra, NSW and Service Flying Training at Uranquinty, NSW. Graduating a Pilot Officer on 29th Junly 1943. I was posted to the UK on 11th August, arriving in the UK in late September.
Several short courses were completed while awaiting further training. Once started, several months were spent flying Oxford aircraft and completing a Beam Approach flying course plus navigating in the UK (somewhat different from the sunburnt country) and also carrying out level bombing techniques, training then continued through Operational Training unit (OTU) at Wings in Wellington III and X aircraft with the first part of my new crew. Then to Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) at Stradishall flying Stirling aircraft - now with a complete crew.
Final training was on Lancaster I aircraft at Feltwell. Next employment was with No. 15(4B) Sqn at RAF Mildenhall. Part of No. 3 Group RAF Bomber Command. Here my crew was selected for specialist blind bombing training and upon completion I was appointed Deputy Sqn Leader on daylight formation missions, eventually becoming No 15 Sqn Leader then Base and Group Leader. Additionally, we ocassionally marked night targets for No 3 Group, completing 35 operations by February 1945. Received the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) for this activity.
I was posted to 1354 HCU at Woolfox Lodge after completing a Flying Instructors course at Lullsgate Bottom. Here I taught engine theory and instructed crews on Lancaster aircraft for Bomber Command until VJ day when we were repatriated to Australia for demobilization in November 1945.
I married Marjorie Celia Cale at St Josephs RC church Parramatta, Cairns, Queensland on January 14 1950. Later this year I joined the RAAF Reserve and returned to the services on 8 January 1951 posted to Central Flying School (CFS) East Sale, Victoria. Here I completed a short refresher flying course and transferred to the Flying Instructors Course then beginning. Upon completion of this course I was retained on the staff of CFS due to my experience on four engined aircraft. I remained in this posting until February 1955.
While improving my instructors rating to A1 I flew some 13 different types of aircraft including C-47, Lincoln, Mosquito, Mustang and Vampire fighter and Mk35 Trainer. I was appointed to train instructors and carry out the first two Jet Advanced Flying Training courses. The success of these is now history, the system still operates - AFC (Australian Flying Cross awarded to Dad for this work).
Next move was to No 11 Sqn based at Richmond, NSW. Here I was employed as Squadron Flying Instructor operating Neptune P2V5 aircraft. Next move was to Brisbane, Queensland to command the Queensland University Squadron from June 1956 until May 1958 when I moved to No 82(B) Wing Amberley, Queensland. After conversion to the Canberra Bomber I joined No 6 Sqn for a period before taking command of the newly formed N1(B) OCU.
On 1st January 1961, complete with family we sailed from Brisbane for Penang, Malaya where I served as Flight Commander of No 2(B) Squadron, again flying Canberras. In late October 1962 we returned to Australia so that I could attend the 1963 RAAF Staff College, Canberra, ACT. Upon completion of the Staff College, I was promoted to Wing Commander and was posted to Headquarters Operational Command (HQOC),Glenbrook, NSW where I served as Bomber Operations Officer. This posting held for four years when on 1st January 1968 the family sailed for a two year exchange posting with Headquarters Pacific Air Force (HQPACAF) at Hickham AFB, Hawaii, USA.
We returned home on 1st January 1970 for me to assume a post in the then Department of Air, Canberra, ACT. On 1st January 1971 I was promoted to Group Captain and appointed Director of Organisation DEPAIR and later in the year was posted as Director of Establishments, a position I held until January 1974. My final appointment in the RAAF was as CO Base Squadron, Amberley, Queensland a position retained until retirement in July 1977.
Group Captain J T Dollisson, DFC, AFC
 |
| 'Dollisson's Dead-Beats' from left to right: Sgt Syd Haynes, W/O Graeme House, F/S Jack Rose, F/Lt Jack Dollisson (pilot), Sgt Duke Earl-Davies, F/S Joe Thornhill, Sgt E. Jackson "Jacko". Photograph found among Dad's things after his death. One member of this crew is still living and is based in Tasmania. Dad's crew flew the marker missions to light the targets for the bombers - a most exacting task only given to the best crews! |
 |
| A Lancaster of No 15 Squadron RAF, the squadron Dad served with during WWII. He (and his crew, Dollisson's Deadbeats) was highly regarded for his war time flying and instruction. He was 19 when he joined the RAAF and just 20 when he began his Lancaster flying in England. At 23 he was home, demobilized and 'lost' trying to make a life in north Queensland running his own transport business. But he wanted to be flying...even the rush of motor bike racing didn't offer the joy and thrills of flying... |
 |
| GAF Canberra A84-236 during air-to-air photograph session. A sleek and modern aircraft, even today if you visit Temora and see the museum's English Electric Canberra fly. Dad enjoyed display flying the Canberra at air shows - he just loved them. |
 |
| GAF Canberra A84-236 during air-to-air photograph session. |
 |
| GAF Canberra A84-215 flying over Brisbane's Story Bridge - something Dad and Bruce Hunt (his navigator) did many times. |
 |
| GAF Canberra A84-235 of No 2 Squadron at Amberley, Queensland. |
 |
| GAF Canberra A84-236 of 2 Squadron Amberley - I think on approach to Amberley Base for landing. Beautiful, isn't she? |
