RAAF Station Williamtown, New South Wales, in Australia during WW2

Station Headquarters Williamtown was formed at Williamtown Airfield on Saturday 15 February 1941. Squadron Leader John Reginald Paget (O210891) was the Commanding Officer. Flying Officer Staveley Frederick Norton Hickson (261091) was the Equipment Officer and Barracks Officers. Flight Lieutenant Kennett was the Medical Officer amid he assumed the duties of acting Adjutant on 16 February 1941. There were 96 Other Ranks located at the Station at that time.

On 17 February 1941, P/O A.G. Smith assumed duties as Acting Barracks Officer relieving F/O Hickson who took over duties as Officer in Charge of Transport. The Wireless Telegraphy Communications were established and W/O Murden transmitted and received the first outgoing and incoming signals that day. The Station Headquarters first parade was held on the parade ground on 17 February.

P/O Alfred Roy Gorrie (261937) took over duties as Acting Adjutant from F/O Hickson on 19 February 1941.

19 personnel of 450 Squadron marched in on 23 February and a further 40 personnel arrived on 24 February. A further 47 personnel arrived on 25 February. 450 Squadron held an inspection parade on 25 February.

Williamtown Station Headquarters strength on 25 February 1941 was 5 Officers and 107 Airmen.

A further 48 personnel from 450 Squadron marched in during the night of 26 February 1941.

Plans were prepared by the Station Commander on 28 February 1941, for the laying of lawns, gardens and the planting of trees. The Medical Officer commenced vaccination and inoculation of 450 Squadron personnel.

On 1 March 1941, 36 airmen volunteered and assisted at the "Greek Day Appeal" in Newcastle. A voluntary swimming parade was held at Stockton Beach.

On 2 March 1941 two squadrons comprising 4 Officers and 175 Airmen paraded through the streets in aid of the "War Savings Rally"

On 3 March 1941, F/O Robert Henry Maxwell Gibbes (O18235) reported to 450 Squadron from 23 Squadron, at Archerfield. This was RAAF WWII Ace Bobby Gibbes. F/Lt Bruce McRae Shepherd (251025) reported as Temporary Commanding Officer of 450 Squadron.

On Tuesday 4 March 1941, the Commanding Officer accompanied by the Adjutant visited the Commanding Officer at Rathmines and the Mayor of Greater Newcastle. P/O Eric Henry Post (262208) reported for duty and took over as Adjutant, Headquarters. P/O Alister Maxwell McMullin (262203) reported for duty and became the Barracks Officer. The Commanding Officer made arrangements with the Old State Nursery at Gosford for the supply of trees and shrubs for planting at RAAF Station, Williamtown.

A cricket Match was organised against Fort Wallace on Wednesday 5 March 1941. Fort Wallace organised a Tennis afternoon for the Officers from RAAF Williamtown. A voluntary swimming parade was held at Stockton Beach.

The Commanding Officer organised a Concert Party on 6 March 1941 for the Airmen which was held in the Recreation Hut. The Newcastle Branch of the Womens' Air League presented a piano to the Airmen's Recreation hut.

A sewerage plant for the Station was commissioned on 12 March 1941. Twelve more Airmen of 450 Squadron marched in to the Station.

Major General Fewtrell, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Banby, and attended by Lieutenant Lee A.D.C. visited the Station Commander on 13 March 1941. 10 Airmen from 450 Squadron marched in. The Station Commander and the temporary Commanding Officer of 450 Squadron, F/Lt. Shepherd visited Central Area Headquarters.

9 Airmen of 450 Squadron marched in on 14 March 1941 and further 11 Airmen the following day.

The Newcastle Branch of the RAAF Comforts Fund loaned a piano to the Sergeants' Mess on 15 March 1941.

51 Airmen of 450 Squadron marched in on 17 March 1941. Men of 450 Squadron continued to arrive at Williamtown over the folliwng weeks.

200 Officers and Other Ranks attended a Church Parade at the Church of England Cathedral in Newcastle on 23 March 1941.

The Minister for the Army, Hon. P.C. Spender, accompanied by Major General Fewtrell visited the Station on 30 March 1941.

An Operation Plan for the movement of 450 Squadron to embark was issued on 8 April 1941. A total of 7 Officers, and 267 Airmen of 450 Squadron marched out on 9 April 1941.

The Sergeant's Mess was broken into on 13 April 1941 and the cash receipt for the bar were stolen. An Airmen's Dance was held in the Recreation Hut on 24 April 1941.

A.O.C. Air Commodore Anderson, arrived by Seagull A2-19 at 1500 hours on 30 April 1941 and inspected the Station. He departed at 1636 hours for Central Area.

The Marcus Clarke Concert Party visited the Station on 20 May 1941 and a Concert was held in Hut 36.

Officers and Airmen from 452, 454 and 455 Squadrons started reporting for duty at the Station from 26 May 1941. By the end of May the total strengths for these three squadrons were:-

Officers and Airmen from 452, 454 and 455 Squadrons continued to report for duty at the Station.

A dance was held in the Recreation Hut on 12 June 1941. An Athletics Sports meeting was held at the Station on 14 June 1941.

An Athletics Sports meeting was held at the Station on 28 June 1941 which was attended by Alderman Young, the Mayor and his wife and Alderman Russell, the President of Port Stephens Shire.

Airmen attended a dance at the Mental Hospital at Stockton on 3 July 1941 with proceeds donated to the Williamtown Recreation Club. The Commanding Officer and Airmen attended a picture night at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle on 4 July 1941.

2 Officers and 231 Airmen of 455 Squadron embarked overseas on 16 July 1941. 2 Officers and 184 Airmen of 456 Squadron embarked overseas on 17 July 1941. 457 and 458 Squadrons were allocated new huts and the remainder of the huts were cleaned and closed up on 18 July 1941.

Airmen attended Rylands Dance at the Towns Hall on 19 July 1941 with proceeds in aid of the Williamtown Recreation Club.

457 and 458 Squadrons commenced musketry practice and bayonet exercises on 28 July 1941.

Personnel for No. 2 Recruit Depot started marching in to the Station in September 1941.

An advanced party of the 9th Pursuit Squadron, USAAF arrived comprising 3 Officers and 30 men on 13 February 1942. Seven P-40-3 Warhawks of the 9th Pursuit Group arrived. One of them nosed over on landing. Main party of 9th Pursuit Squadron consisting of 45 Officers and 129 men arrived on Station on 17 February 1942. They were stationed at Williamtown for training purposes.

2nd Lt Wade Holman (#41-5533 damaged) and 2nd Lt Ken Glassburn (#41-5586 written off) both crash landed at Williamtown Airfield on 13 February 1942. They were both part of "B" Flight of the 13th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) from Amberley/Archerfield. They were on route to Maylands in Western Australia for loading on the USS Langley.

Two more P-40-E Warhawks of the 9th Pursuit Squadron arrived on 22 February 1942.

A P-40E Warhawk #41-5649 of the 9th Pursuit Squadron flown by 2nd Lt John Livingstone on 23 February 1942 nosed over on landing there. A day later, 2nd Lt Don McGee (also the 9th PS) nosed over when he hit a hole and sat her on its back with P-40E-1 Warhawk #41-24796 (Written off). 2nd Lt B W Hendricks also crash landed in #41-5462 on 2 April 1942.

A P-40-E Warhawk of the 9th Pursuit Squadron nosed over on landing on 25 February 1942. A P-40-E Warhawk made a forced landing at West Maitland and another made a forced landing at Broadmeadow.

His Excellency the Governor General, Lord Gowrie, accompanied by Brigadier General Anderson visited the Station on 5 March 1942.

The 9th Pursuit Squadron departed Williamtown on 8 March 1942 but returned due to adverse weather. They departed again on 10 March 1942.

Lieutenant Roberts and party and Anti-aircraft Guns arrived at the Station on 24 March 1942.

Lieutenant Hess, USAAF and advance party arrived on Station on 31 March 1942. Captain Berry and 101 Officers and men of the 39th Pursuit Squadron USAAF arrived on 2 April 1942. The first practice interception for 39th Pursuit Squadron and Air Sector (I assume this means Fighter Sector Headquarters) was held on 3 April 1942. The 39th Pursuit Squadron left the Station on 8 April 1942.

Personnel of the Anti-aircraft Battery reported for duty on 13 April 1942. Major Ford reported with 8 Anti-aircraft guns and the balance of personnel on 14 April 1942. Lieutenant Hess and the remainder of the 39th Pursuit Squadron left the Station on 14 April 1942. Lieutenant Roberts with two 3" Anti-aircraft guns were transferred to Rathmines.

RAAF Station Williamtown received instructions from Southern Area on 27 April 1942 to commence arrangements for disbanding the Station preparatory to handing it over to the USAAF. Colonel Wells USAAF visited the Station on 28 April 1942. Work commenced on extensions to 135º runway on 28 April 1942.

Lieutenant Summers USAAF reported on 29 April 1942 to commence taking over the Station. Work commenced on extensions to 90º, 180º and 315º runways on 30 April 1942.

RAAF Station Williamtown was disbanded on 16 May 1942. The control of RAAF Station Williamtown was handed over to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) on 16 May 1942. The Yanks referred to the airfield as "Pursuit Field".

The 9th Pursuit Squadron USAAF left Williamtown Airfield at the end of September 1942 and the RAAF resumed control of the Station when 4 Operational Training Unit RAAF was formed in October 1942.

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