Bombing of Darwin Veteran Unveils Plaque in Memory of Two RAAF Squadrons

City of Darwin held a ceremony at The Cenotaph today to unveil a plaque in honor of two RAAF squadrons which marks the start of Council’s program for the 77th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said Bombing of Darwin Day commemorates the sacrifices made and the lives of those lost in a series of attacks across Northern Australia.

“Tomorrow, the 19 February, it will be 77 years since the first attacks on Darwin during World War Two. Each year, on Bombing of Darwin Day, we pay tribute to the contribution and sacrifice of so many servicemen, servicewomen and civilians,” said the Lord Mayor.

”We are honored to welcome Bombing of Darwin veteran Flight Lieutenant Brian Winspear back to Darwin for the official unveiling ceremony.”

Brian Winspear was a 21 year old air gunner with the Royal Australian Air Force in Darwin during the bombings. 

As the sun dropped over the Arafura Sea the 99 year old veteran arrived in a vintage car, wearing his service medals to unveil the plaque in memory of those he fought alongside from the 2 and 13 Hudson bomber squadrons.

Winspear is the last surviving aircrew member from the squadrons.

The 2 and 13 squadrons arrived in Darwin pretty much together. The two squadrons were here from 1941-1943 and lost 200 aircrew in that time, three quarters of us were wiped out,’ explained Winspear.

“For 75 years I have been agitating to get some recognition of the terrible losses we had, so today is important,” he added.

Bombing of Darwin Day veterans will be among those honored at tomorrow’s commemorative service at The Cenotaph at 9.30am. The Darwin community is encouraged to attend this service.

For more information on City of Darwin’s Bombing of Darwin Day program visit darwin.nt.gov.au/bodd