#hamiltonchan — Public Fediverse posts

#Australia #WWII #RAAF #HamiltonChan

i have lifted this post from the Minister for Veteran’s Affairs facebook page - posted by matt Keogh. I know Mr Chan — a truly lovely man — who turns 100 today.
i have spoken to him in the past about his service in Japan as part of the Australian Occupation Forces. (my father was serving in Japan at the same time, though their paths did not cross).
He would never say it in polite company, but his daughters told me he was haunted by the work he did in Japan, and the turth is there between the lines of this tribute if we would like to acknowledge it.

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Part 1 of 2

Hamilton Chan is celebrating his 100th birthday today. Hamilton was born in Hong Kong and migrated to Melbourne in 1937.
Hamilton is a Second World War veteran, and one of more than 1,000 Chinese Australians who served in the war. Hamilton was employed as a machine operator and also worked in his father’s market garden before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force in July 1944.
After his basic training, Hamilton completed trades training at No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 1 Engineering School, which were both in Melbourne. In March 1945, he graduated as a flight mechanic and was posted to No. 1 Operational Training Unit at East Sale. Hamilton serviced Beaufort bombers used for training many bomber crews. In recognition of his skills, he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman in June.
Hamilton volunteered to continue serving in the RAAF after the war ended in August 1945. He served at East Sale until February 1947 when he was sent to Japan for service in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Hamilton was posted to No. 481 (Maintenance) Squadron, which supported the RAAF’s three RAAF fighter squadrons in Japan by repairing and servicing their Mustang fighters, engines, and equipment. Hamilton also inspected and repaired aircraft before they were flown back to Australia.
While in Japan, Hamilton had the honour of helping with the recovery of the remains of Australian prisoners of war who died in Japan and were reburied in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at Yokohama.

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