Doyle, John

John A. Doyle

Flying Officer - Service Number 0211428 (423412)

RAAF 85 Squadron

Date of birth 29/9/22. Enlisted 20/6/42 to 4/1/46.

John passed away on the 13 th August, 2009. He lived at Foresters Beach (Central Coastal region) NSW and served in Number 85 Squadron. The squadron was fitted out originally with Boomerangs until they received Mark V's Spitfires, which did a much better job. 85 Squadron mainly served on the West Australian coast during the War.

John was a real gentleman and often spoke about one of his wartime experiences when his wing man decided to land on top of his Spitfire. He was seriously injured in this landing accident in February 1945 when his No 2 flying A58-137 went through him and John's A58-257 from above attempting to go around.

The result was more than a dent or two in his cockpit Perspex and to his head which required a few weeks off duty. His wingman was killed two weeks after the incident, and John did not have a chance to discuss the incident with him.

Photo: Secretary of the Spitfire Association and John Doyle.

Steve McGregor

The Spitfire Association