Date of birth:

November 15th, 1914 (Heathcote/Victoria, Australia)

Date of death:

1972

Service number:

43377

Nationality:

Australian

Brian Duigan travelled in 1933 to South Africa where he worked as a mining engineer in Johannesburg. In 1937 he moved to Northern Rhodesia to work on the Hoan Antelope copper mine.
In 1938 he sensed that war was imminent and made an incredible 4000 mile motorcycle journey across Africa and made it to England in June 1939. In August he joined the Royal Air Force and gained his wings as a Commissioned Officer and was assigned to Bomber Command as a pilot on Wellingtons. After his first tour he volunteered for a second tour rather than return to Australia and flew in North Africa and the Middle East. He returned to the UK in June 1942.
Whilst back in the U.K. he spent six moths as a test pilot and was thereafter posted to a Lancaster Squadron, taking part in many of the famous raids on Cologne and Essen among others.
After the war he remained with the RAF and flew jets in Asia and the Middle East and even taught the Shah of Iran to fly. He returned to Australia flying one of the new English Electric Canberra Bombers, and retired from the RAF in.1961.
He married in 1943 and had two children, his son John became a well known filmmaker and helped lead the revival of Australian film in the 1970s. He eventually settled in Woodend, Victoria and died aged 58 in 1972.

He was also awarded the General Service Medal 1918-62, three bars, Palestine 1945-48, Near East, Malaya, Malaysia, General Service Medal.

Promotions:
April 27th, 1940: Acting Pilot Officers on probation
August 10th, 1940: Pilot Officer on probation
October 2nd, 1940: Pilot Officer
August 10th, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
August 10th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
August 10th, 1943: Squadron Leader (war sub)
September 1st, 1945: Squadron Leader (permanent)
January 1st, 1952: Wing Commander
June 6th, 1961: retirement

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 5th, 1941

Citation:
"One night in July 1941, this officer was captain of an aircraft which made a successful dive-bombing attack on shipping in Benghazi harbour, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. After dropping his bombs he silenced several of the light batteries with machine-gun fire. On the return journey he caused damage with machine-gun fire to an army encampment. On another night Pilot Officer Duigan attacked aircraft on Nasrulla aerodrome. On the fourth run over the target he was attacked vigorously from all directions by three enemy fighters. Severe damage was caused to his aircraft but, in spite of this, he manoeuvred it so as to afford his gunners the best possible firing positions, and then gave them cool encouragement over the damaged inter-communication gear. Despite lack of instruments Pilot Officer Duigan brought the aircraft through the mountains to the sea. Preferring to make for base where much needed supplies were stored, he refused to land on a flare-path at Lydda. Unfortunately he was unaware of his low air speed due to excessive drag, and was compelled to make a forced landing. He has shown great coolness, resource and tenacity of purpose."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

April 7th, 1942

Citation:
"Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has carried out a further 20 sorties the majority of which have been made from a low altitude to ensure accurate bombing. After a rest Flying Officer Duigan was recalled from leave and immediately carried out 10 sorties. On 3 successive nights he made double sorties. This officer has displayed great dash and determination and has rendered much valuable service. He has now applied to be transferred to aircraft of a heavier type."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - The London Gazette Issue 34854 published on the 21 May 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 34989 published on the 12 November 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35028 published on the 31 December 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35238 published on the 5 August 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35292 published on the 30 September 1941
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35514 published on the 3 April 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35727 published on the 29 September 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36084 published on the 6 July 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36211 published on the 12 October 1943
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37518 published on the 29 March 1946
  - Ninth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39429 published on the 28 December 1951
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 42383 published on the 13 June 1961
  - Bonhams