Jack M Powers

Jack Milton POWERS was born on 12 February 1924 in Sydney, Australia, the son of Jack Powers and Mary Madeline Mannix. After spending ten months in the Australian Army, Jack enlisted in Royal Australian Air Force on 15 January 1943 (Service Number 432674).

Jack served as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner as part of an all Australian crew flying Mk XIV Leigh Light Wellingtons with 38 Squadron Royal Air Force. He was sent on detachment to Rosignano on the east coast of Tuscany in Italy to patrol an area in the Gulf of Genoa and to prevent German E-Boat crews from moving supplies along the coast to their troops at the front in Northern Italy.

In April 1945, a Baltimore medium bomber had spotted a small submarine that had surfaced at dusk in the Adriatic and a call went out for a Leigh Light Wellington to seek and destroy. Jack's crew were dispatched and the mission was a success with the Italian CB class submarine destroyed. Five survivors were later rescued by Allied forces.

Jack survived the war, returned to Australia and was discharged on 21 January 1946 with the rank of Warrant Officer. Following his return to Australia, Jack married his sweetheart, Maria Jewelette Tolmie, who had herself contributed to the war effort by working at the De Havillands aircraft factory doing electrical wiring on Mosquito bombers. Jack studied at the University of Sydney and became a dentist.

Jack made the long journey from Australia to the European theatre of war via the USA where he enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of the American people in San Francisco and in New York, the birthplace of his Great Grandfather.

This record is dedicated with love and admiration by his four sons, John, Lindsay, Anthony and Brendan.