| William Simpson McAloney | |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 May 1910 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 31 August 1995 (aged 85) |
| Allegiance | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Service/branch | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1936 – 1966 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands held | Engineering Squadron, Aircraft Research and Development Unit |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | George Cross Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
William Simpson McAloney GC, OBE (12 May 1910 – 31 August 1995) was an Australian recipient of the Albert Medal, formerly the highest decoration for gallantry awarded to civilians or to military personnel for actions "not in the face of the enemy" in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. An aircraftman in the Royal Australian Air Force, McAloney was decorated with the Albert Medal after he attempted to rescue an officer trapped in the flaming wreckage of an aircraft. With the establishment of the George Cross, the Albert Medal was discontinued and, in 1971, living recipients of the decoration were invited to exchange their medal for the George Cross; McAloney took up the offer and formally became a recipient of the George Cross.
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McAloney was born on 12 May 1910, in Adelaide, South Australia. He was educated at Thebarton Technical High School and the Adelaide School of Mines. In 1935, McAloney married Dora Winifred Johnson; the pair later had seven children. On 1 July 1936, McAloney enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force.[1]
On 31 August 1937, three aircraft from No. 1 Squadron RAAF were engaged in flight training, during which they landed at an airbase in Hamilton, Victoria. Recommencing their journey, the first aircraft had already taken off when the second was seen to have difficulties. Out of control, the second aircraft struck the ground; bursting into flames. McAloney—who was a passenger in the third aircraft—immediately leapt out of his plane and ran towards the wreckage. Dashing into the flames, he began searching for Pilot Officer K.W. McKenzie, the aircraft's pilot who was trapped. McAloney continued his attempts to rescue McKenzie, until he fell unconscious from severe burns to his body and was dragged out of the aircraft. Due to his wounds, McAloney spent the following four weeks in hospital receiving treatment.[1][2]
Although McAloney's rescue attempt was unsuccessful, his actions were recognised with the award of the Albert Medal.[1][2] The notification and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in the London Gazette on 18 February 1938, reading:[3]
Whitehall, February 4, 1938.His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to award the Albert Medal to Aircraftman William Simpson McAloney, Royal Australian Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry in attempting to rescue an officer from the burning wreckage of an aircraft at Hamilton, Victoria, on the 31st August, 1937.
Despite the fact that the aircraft was ablaze from nose to rudder, Aircraftman McAloney dashed into the flames and continued his efforts at rescue until pulled away in an unconscious condition, having received severe burns which necessitated his removal to hospital.
Recovering from his burns, McAloney continued to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force. During the Second World War, he was posted to New Guinea, where he served as an engineering officer. Between 1960 and 1966, he served as Officer Commanding Engineering Squadron, Aircraft Research and Development Unit, based at Laverton. For his services with the unit, McAloney was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1966 New Year Honours List.[1][4] He retired from the air force on 9 December 1966 with the rank of wing commander.[5]
During 1971, the British Government announced that all living recipients of the Albert Medal and Edward Medal would in future be treated as recipients of the George Cross, and were invited to exchange their medals for the latter award. As such, those who wished to exchange their insignia were invited to attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive their George Crosses.[6] McAloney was among five Australian Albert Medal recipients who received their George Cross from Queen Elizabeth II on 12 July 1972.[1]
Aged 85, McAloney died on 31 August 1995. He was survived by his wife and six of their seven children.[1] The seventh child, John Douglas McAloney, had served as an army officer during the Vietnam War and was decorated with the Military Cross on 1 August 1967 for rescuing one of his men who had been wounded by a Viet Cong sniper, and then personally clearing several caves defended by Viet Cong, despite himself having been wounded in the right temple; he died in 1991.[1][7][8]