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3SQN says goodbye
Volume 49, No. 15, August 23, 2007 |
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WGCDR Ken McRae
July 1910 – July 2007 |
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WGCDR Ken McRae
July 1910 – July 2007 |
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Number 3 Squadron farewelled one of its own on July 31 when a solo F/A-18 honoured the late WGCDR Ken McRae (ret’d).
WGCDR McRae died at his home at Kurrajong, NSW, on July 23. He was buried on his 97th birthday at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Windsor, and the Hornet made a spectacular low-level pass of the church before departing in a vertical climb with afterburners engaged.
Kenneth McRae enlisted in the RAAF in March 1936 as an aircraftman, completing his general fitters and aero fitters courses. By 1940, he was a FSGT and teaching flight mechanics and fitter
courses.
In 1941, he posted to Parkes as the senior NCO in charge of maintenance of DC2 and Tiger Moth aircraft, and while there, was promoted to a commissioned warrant officer and subsequently became a FLGOFF in 1942.
In April, he posted to 3SQN in northern Africa, Malta, and then in Italy. He became the squadron’s senior engineering officer, and the wing engineer and served throughout the North Africa campaign.
FLGOFF McRae gained fame when he captured an intact German Messerschmitt Bf-109G2 fighter aircraft, ironically at 3SQN’s former base that had been overrun previously before the Germans were forced to retreat. Having recovered the aircraft, he restored it to flying condition and presented it to the squadron CO, WGCDR Bobby Gibbes (who also died earlier this year).
For his efforts, FLTLT McRae was Mentioned in Despatches.
He also organised the first ‘fly-up’ of squadron maintenance personnel.
In September 1945, FLTLT McRae returned to Australia and, until 1950 when he posted to 38SQN at Changi, Singapore, served with a range of units at RAAF Stations Richmond, Amberley and Canberra, including 78WG and 2OCU.
SQNLDR McRae retired from the Air Force in 1962, and was awarded the honorary rank of WGCDR by the Air Force Board. Later, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his service in World War II.
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