Davis, Clive Selwyn

Date of birth:: April 15th, 1916
Date of death:: October 29th, 2009
Service number:: 81380
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

Before the war Clive Davis obtained Honours degrees in Mathematics, Physics and Science.
He became member of the Sydney University Air Squadron in 1936. After graduation Davis was employed by the Australian Government, and was sent to England to undertake research on aircraft instruments and aerodynamics at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. He later transferred to the RAAF, and returned to Australia. Davis also served on the Air Staﬀ, and he is mentioned in the oﬃcial war
history as being prominent in the development of Operations Research in air operations. In the later stages of the war, Davis commanded 103 squadron of Liberator heavy bombers in operations from North Queensland and Papua New Guinea, retiring with the rank of Wing Commander.
After the war he completed a PhD in mathematics and served in the Mathematics Department of Queensland University for 27 years until retirement in 1983.

Promotions
25 May, 1940: Pilot Officer (probation)
25 May, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
1 June, 1942: relinquishes his commn. on appt. to a commission in the R.A.A.F.
25 May, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 38 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Citation:
"One night in June, 1941, this officer carried out a successful attack on a target at Benghazi, afterwards flying on to Benina where, in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he machine gunned aircraft on the ground from a low altitude. This officer has carried out 34 operational flights, and has at all times displayed exceptional keenness, skill and determination."