William Stanley Dickinson, 459 Squadron, RAAF
By Marg Powell, Specialist Library Technician, Metadata Services | 6 December 2023
Brothers Harry and Stan Dickinson both saw service during the Second World War, although their journeys were vastly different
Their collection contains not only the letters, medals and memorabilia associated with two young men who went to war, but also their hopes, dreams and aspirations, along with their families love and concern as they waited to learn their fate.
James 'Harry' Dickinson, left with his brother William 'Stan' Stanley Dickinson at right., c1940.
34140 James and William Dickinson collection, State Library of Queensland
In November 1940 Stan Dickinson, age 19, previously a carpenters' assistant, enlisted in the Australian Army and was assigned to the Anti Tank Training Depot, Grovely, Brisbane, and was soon after promoted to Sergeant. In January 1941 Stan was discharged at his own request, to join the Royal Australian Air Force and was accepted a month later. Stan embarked in April 1941 for Canada where he attended the Commonwealth air-training program. After graduating he was transferred to England and attached to 500 Squadron (RAF) then in June 1942 Stan was attached to 459 Squadron (RAAF) in the Middle East.
Gambut, Cyrenaica, Libya. c. January 1944.
Fitters work on the maintenance of a Lockheed Hudson aircraft of No. 459 Squadron RAAF.
Accession MEB0115, Australian War Memorial
On 9 December 1942, while flying in a Hudson FH284 over RAF Gambut Airfield No.2 (RAF Kambut), east-south-east of Tobruk, he and all aboard were killed when the pilot lost control of the aircraft as it dived into the ground from a height of 700 feet, attempting a second landing ... Stan Dickinson age 21, and his comrades are buried at Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya.
His family chose this as the inscription on his headstone: "He served, his laughter and his life bestowing"
Collection items from 34140, James and William Dickinson collection, State Library of Queensland, relating to the service of Flight Sergeant William 'Stan' Dickinson, 459 Squadron, RAAF
Stan's collection of letters, telegrams and memorabilia, has been housed together with his brother Harry's and can be viewed at the John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.
View the collection …
34140 James and William Dickinson collection
- Collection guide
Read more ...
Service Records : William Stanley Dickinson
- National Archives of Australia: Q9321 / 1938
- National Archives of Australia: Q70109 / 1940
- National Archives of Australia: 405125 / 1941
Service Record: James Harry Dickinson
See also ...
- Desert Scorpions: A History of 459 Squadron RAAF 1942-1945. by Leon Kane-Maguire. Loftus : A.H.M.P., 2007.
- No.459 Sqn RAAF ORB., The RAAF Hudson Story Book One. By David Vincent. Highbury : Author, 1999.
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