Date of birth:

December 16th, 1915

Date of death:

June 18th, 2008

Service number:

36129

Nationality:

Australian

Jack French was the first Australian airman to be decorated for valour in World War II.

Promotions:
10th September 1939: Flying Officer;
10th September 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
1st December 1941: temporary Squadron Leader;
9th February 1943: Squadron Leader (war subs.).

Career:
4th June 1943: Transfer to the Royal Australian Air Force.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 19th, 1940

Citation:
"Flying Officer French successfully attacked, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, a German cruiser in the Bergen roadstead, enabling his navigator and bomb aimer, Pilot Officer Mulloy, to secure a direct hit on the cruiser. This operation necessitated more than 1,000 miles flying over the sea."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

Awarded on:

June 26th, 1942

• - The London Gazette of 14th November 1939, Issue 34733
  - The London Gazette of 19th April 1940, Issue 34833
  - The London Gazette of 22nd October 1940, Issue 34833
  - The London Gazette of 16th December 1941, Issue 35383
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 23rd June 1942, Issue 35609, dated 26th June 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st June 1943, Issue 36041, dated 4th June 1943
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 16th July 1943, Issue 36100, dated 20th Juny 1943
  - Australian war Memorial
  - Australian Breaking News Headlines & World News Online | SMH.com.au