MBHS Darlinghurst ~
Historical Tributes ....
Air Commodore Arthur Edward Mather DFC AFC AE
Royal Australian Air Force
Arthur Edward Mather, “Mick” to his mates, was born at Parramatta,
Sydney, New South Wales on the 3rd of May 1918. He studied at
Marist Brothers High School, Darlinghurst from 1929 to 1933 – passing
his intermediate certificate with 1st class in English, Maths
(2), Physics and Chemistry in October 1932. He also passed exams in
History, Latin, Maths (1) and French. He was a Roman Catholic.
After school, Mather became an apprentice Fitter and Turner – achieving
a Higher Trade Certificate in Marine Engineering and Applied Mechanics
at Sydney Technical College in 1937. He played 1st Grade
Rugby League at South Sydney Football Club and 1st Grade
Water Polo at Maroubra Surf Life-Saving Club where he was a club
Vice-Captain. Before enlisting in the Air Force, Mather had served as a
Lifesaver at Maroubra (where he lived) and was employed as an engineer
at H.M. Naval Establishments at Garden Island, Sydney Harbour.
He enrolled in the R.A.A.F. Reserve at Grafton NSW on the 10th
of April 1940 and was called to Active Service on the 16th of
September of the same year. At the time of his enlistment, Mather’s
next-of-kin was recorded as being his father, Robert Mather. His
next-of-kin later became Coralie Mather, whom he married and had three
children with.
After training as a Pilot at Tamworth, New South Wales and Amberley,
Queensland, Mather graduated a Pilot Officer on the 5th of
May 1941 and embarked for active service overseas. Pilot Officer Mather
first served at Bomber Command in the United Kingdom in 1941-42 and from
there was posted to the Desert Air Force in North Africa and the Middle
East in 1942. Whilst serving in the Middle East he “completed numerous
operational sorties” against the German Luftwaffe and received the
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for displaying great daring and
courage:
“On one occasion he accomplished a daring bombing attack on Tobruk from
a height of only 2000 feet [610 metres] as weather at a higher altitude
was adverse. As captain of aircraft Flying Officer Mather has displayed
outstanding efficiency and determination.”
The award of his DFC was announced on the 23rd of January
1943. He returned to Australia in 1943 and served as a Flying Instructor
until 1945 [Details pending]. He served in Papua New Guinea in No 33
Squadron from 1945 until the end of the Second World War and was
honourably discharged in December 1945.
For 12 months after the war, Mather became a pilot for Australian
National Airways (which later merged with Ansett Airways) and actively
sought a permanent commission with the R.A.A.F., which he received in
1947.
His career in the Royal Australian Air Force was to last another 26
years, in which he performed many important duties both in Australia and
overseas. He was appointed a Chief Flying Instructor and later was the
Commanding Officer of several Squadrons. Ultimately he held many high
positions within the Department of Air, becoming a Director of several
subsequent Departments. As well as receiving the Distinguished Flying
Cross in 1943, Mather also received the Air Efficiency Award (AE) and
the Air Force Cross (AFC) in 1965 for his part in the successful
introduction of the Mirage 1110 Aircraft (nicknamed the French Lady)
into the Royal Australian Air Force.
Historian: Scott Coleman (photo courtesy of S. Coleman & MCC )
Email: scottandrhondacoleman(a)live.com.au