McDowell, Frederick 'Darkie'
Frederick John 'DARKY' McDOWELL
457 Squadron, RAAF
Number 403070, Pilot Officer
Darky was born 4/12/1917 and enlisted on 9/12/1940. His mate Roy (Gus) Parton had a request which I am pleased to carry out. He asked that during his funeral service we honor the memory of a close and dear friend from his Air Force days.
Roy and his friend 'Darky' McDowell served together in 457 Spitfire Squadron. Roy was a Leading Aircraftsman and 'Darky; was a Pilot Officer. They served in Darwin during the period when it was continually bombed by enemy forces.
Roy kept a diary from which we have been able to piece together some facts about 'Darky' and their time 'up North'.
In an entry dated Tuesday 6th July 1943 Roy records that 25 enemy bombers and 23 fighters raided Millingimbi where 457 Spitfire Squadron were stationed. The last part of the entry reads Three of our pilots are still missing,
P/O'Darky'McDowell
F/O 'Bush' Hamilton
P/O 'Robbo' Robinson'
Roy always had an immaculate and distinctive hand and this entry was written in his familiar hand writing.
There are no more entries until Friday 16th July 1943 where he wrote: 'Darky' - 'Bush' and 'Robbo1 have been gazetted 'DEAD'. THE'VE HAD IT!'
It's easy to see from the change in handwriting in this entry and future entries how upsetting this news was for Roy.
The final 2 entries relating to 'Darky' were on:
Tuesday 20th July 1943 - 'FOUND DARKY'S BODY TODAY - ALL BURNT UP - SHOT UP TOO.'
And ... Wednesday 21st JULY 1943 - 'BURY DARKY TO-DAY - I HELPED LOWER THE COFFIN INTO THE GRAVE. STILL TWO MISSING.
Again both of these entries reveal from the handwriting just how upset Roy was at the death of his very close friend and comrade.
We're not sure if Roy ever got over 'Darky's' death. We do know for sure that he never ever forgot him.
Darky, we honor your memory and acknowledge with sincere gratitude the ultimate sacrifice made by you in the defence of our country.
After 63 years they are now together. Well done brave men, reunited at last.
