Robert Stringer DFC. Pilot, 460 Squadron

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A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven.

We part with another one of the greats.

Sadly on the 05th July 2017 Robert Stringer passed away age 97. His daughter kindly informed us.

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Page prepared for Aircrew Remembered by Linda Ibrom.

With thanks to Robert Stringer DFC and Imelda Broatch, wife of David Broatch, with special thanks to Christine Spencer.

Flight Lieutenant Robert Kenneth Stringer DFC RAAF (428030) was born at Prahan, Victoria on the 25th of August 1920. He enlisted on the 11th of September 1942 at Hobart.

Between 1944 and 1945 he flew 36 ops. and received the DFC on the 25th of September 1945.

Among the many incidents on his ops, on January 7th 1945, on a raid to Hanover the rear turret was hit and put out of action and rear gunner David Broatch’s flying suit was torn and a short circuit in the heating caused a slow burn to his foot, hospitalising him for a few weeks.

On January 8th 1945 for an op to Hanau Fl/Sgt. Page replaced Broatch as as rear gunner.

Robert Stringer was discharged on the 7th of December 1945, his posting at discharge being 1653 Communications Unit

Flight Engineer - John Dart, A.L. Barlow, E.F. Spiers, S. Teasdale

Bomb Aimer - Leslie Pearse DFC

Navigator - Albert.W. Jenkinson DFC

Wireless operator - Cecil “Eddie”. Noble RAAF

M/U Gunner - Don Betton

Rear Gunner - Sergeant David Clifton Broatch RAFVR

Above Bob with his wife Vivienne at Anzac Parade in 2008 and right in 2009

Left: Don Broatch middle row, extreme right, Right: Sgt's David Broatch and Eddie Noble.

Left: David Clifton Broatch

David Clifton Broatch was born in 1925 at Burnley, Lancashire. Before enlisting in the air force he worked as an apprentice draughtsman at an Aircraft Works.

He enlisted when he was under seventeen and finally succeeded when he was about eighteen in December 1943.

Married Imelda Bennett at the church of Christ the King, Springhill, Manchester Road, Burnley, Lancashire on the 5th of December 1944 with Don bretton, the mid upper gunner of the crew as best man and some of the crew attending.

After the war he became the Chief design Engineer at G.E.C. London.

Sadly he passed away in April 1983 in Brentwood.

Left to right: Eddie Noble, Don Betton and David Broatch with his bride.

Robert Stringer also flew with the same crew but with the following different Flight Engineers - William George Warden, C. Entwhistle DFM, C. David, and A.L. Barlow

Robert “Bob“ Stringer had lived in Yungaburra, Australia with his wife Vivienne.

Officer Aircrew Training School, Sidmouth 1943 (This is available at a higher resolution - please contact us)

Above Left: Bob Stringer at the Suez Canal on his way home, 1945. Right: One of his dear friends, Tony Slugoski RCAF.

His friends, Luci Seens, Jack and Tony Slugoski at Fraserburgh

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LI - RIP Notice placed 28.08.2017