Keith Truscott

Keith William Truscott

Keith Truscott c. 1941
Nickname(s) "Bluey"
Born 17 May 1916
Prahran, Victoria
Died 28 March 1943 (aged 26)
Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia
Allegiance  Australia
Service/branch  Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service 1940–1943
Rank Squadron Leader
Unit No. 452 Squadron (1941–42)
Commands held No. 76 Squadron (1942–43)
Battles/wars

Second World War

Awards Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
Mentioned in Despatches

Keith William "Bluey" Truscott DFC & Bar (17 May 1916 – 28 March 1943) was a World War II ace fighter pilot and Australian rules footballer with the Melbourne Football Club. He was the second highest Australian World War II ace credited with 20 confirmed victories and 5 unconfirmed victories.[1]

Early life and sporting career

The Melbourne High School cricket team. Miller is standing at right. Truscott is seated with shield.

Truscott was born in Prahran, Victoria, on 17 May 1916, to William Truscott and Maude Truscott (née Powell). He attended Melbourne High School, where he captained the First XI for the school in cricket. While there, he mentored the young Keith Miller, who entered the First XI at the age of 14 and went on to be regarded as Australia's finest all round cricketer. After completing his schooling Truscott worked as a school teacher and clerk.[1]

Truscott played 44 games (and kicked 31 goals) of VFL football as a half-forward flanker from 1937–1940, playing in Melbourne's 1939 and 1940 premiership victories.

War service

Truscott joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in July 1940, a move that attracted much publicity. He almost failed pilot training; among other problems it was ascertained that he had a poor ability to judge heights. In the words of the Australian Dictionary of Biography: "[Truscott] never fully came to terms with landing and persistently levelled out about 20 ft (6 m) too high."[2] Nevertheless, Truscott completed flight training in Canada and joined No. 452 Squadron RAAF, flying Spitfires in England on 5 May 1941.[1] He destroyed at least 16 Luftwaffe aircraft, was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and was made a flight commander.[1]

Truscott was later made acting squadron leader and in 1942, Truscott was posted back to Australia where he joined 76 Squadron, flying Kittyhawks.[1] By this stage Truscott was, along with Clive Caldwell, one of the most famous RAAF pilots.

Truscott, commanding No. 76 Squadron RAAF, taxis along Marsden Matting at Milne Bay, New Guinea in September 1942.

Truscott's squadron was posted to Gurney Field in Milne Bay, Papua and played a significant role in the Battle of Milne Bay where he was mentioned in dispatches for his actions.[1] 76 Squadron was later transferred to Darwin, Northern Territory, for a time, and then Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. Truscott was killed in an accident in Exmouth Gulf on 28 March 1943.[3] His Kittyhawk hit the sea at high speed, after he made a mock diving attack against a low-flying Catalina. The surface of the sea was unusually smooth that day, and it is believed that Truscott misjudged its proximity. His body was recovered and he was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth.[3][4]

Memorials

Truscott's life and service was honoured in a number of ways. The RAAF later named a base on the northern coast of the Kimberley region as Truscott Airfield.[5] The Melbourne Football Club's award for the Best and Fairest player was also named in his honour: the "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy.

At Melbourne High School, a scholarship is awarded in his name to a student displaying all-round achievement in academic, sporting and extra-curricular activities. For reasons unknown it was discontinued, apparently in 1948. In 1994, an Old Boy, Dr John Miller AO, winner of the 1946/47 Bluey Truscott Scholarship, Principal Ray Willis and the MHSOBA re-established the Bluey Truscott Scholarship. Dr John Miller provided the Bluey Truscott bronze plaque (hanging in the school foyer) and the "John Miller Distinguished Achievement Medal" to be awarded to all subsequent MHSOBA Bluey Truscott winners.

Truscott Street in North Ryde, Truscott Avenue in Matraville, Sydney, and Truscott Street in Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, are also named in his honour.

Honours and awards



See also

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Dennis et al (2008), p. 535.
  2. ↑ Truscott, Keith William (Bluey) (1916–1943) Biographical Entry – Australian Dictionary of Biography Online at www.adb.online.anu.edu.au
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Dennis et al (2008), p. 536.
  4. ↑ "Truscott's funeral". The Daily News (Perth, WA: 1882–1950). 5 April 1943.
  5. ↑ "Truscott Airfield". Pacific Wrecks. Retrieved 8 October 2012.

References

External links

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