Kirk, Edward 'Ted'
Edward Gladstone Gilchrist (Ted) KIRK
RAAF, 1908 and 451 Squadron and others
426808, Pilot Officer
Some of the 451 Squadron fellows - on a cold day in England.
E.G.G. (Ted) Kirk was born 6/2/1924 in Gayndah, Queensland. He was accepted into the ranks of the RAAF on the 31/7/1942.
Ted saw service with RAAF 451 Squadron. Although of brief duration, at the conclusion of hostilities in Europe. he served with the R.A.F. in the U.K. And the Middle East flying Hurricane 11's and Spitfire Mk V's and Mk. V111's. The Mark V Spit was, in his humble opinion, the nearest thing to a perfect aircraft from a pilot's point of view, due to it's effortless response to controls.
Ted then flew Typhoons with 198 Sqdn. 2nd TAF, in Europe and at times acted as 'Pick up man' with an Auster V.
When 198 Squadron departed Wunstorf Airfield near Hanover in Germany, he was transferred to 451 Sqdn. R.A.A.F. Who were based at the same field and attached to 123 Wing under command of BAFO, BOAR and flying Mk X1V Spits. In his opinion the Griffon powered aircraft, despite their superior speed, were not as pleasant to fly as earlier Marks,
451 Sqdn. Then moved to Gatow Airfield Berlin, via the narrow air corridor over Russian held territory. At the time, there were reports of Russian Ack Ack opening up on Allied aircraft that strayed outside of the corridor.
Next, the Squadron moved back to Wunstorf before returning to Coleme in the U.K. Where Ted began the process of returning to Australia on the aircraft carrier 'Victorious'. At Colombo, the Navy loaded aboard many Corsair aircraft, which were later dumped in the sea under the U.S. Lend Lease agreement.
Ted finished his service on the 6/6/1946 and returned to civilian life.
'HAZLETON'
Gayndah Qld. 4625.
By Ted Kirk, edited Bruce Read and Paul Carter
The Spitfire Association
