Robert H. Kelly
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-47 Dakota Pilot and Author

Background
Robert Henderson Kelly was born October 25, 1925 in North Sydney, NSW. On June 20, 1942 enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Sydney with serial number O22179 (443555). During World War II, he was trained as a crew member aboard the B-24 Liberator at the end of the Pacific War and did not see combat duty.

Postwar, he remaind in the RAAF and served as a radio operator aboard C-47 Dakotas flying as VIP transports and P2V Neptunes performing maritime reconnaissance. He served in the Malayan Emergency (1953) and was stationed in Malaya again during 1963-1965 and Vietnam (1969-1970) then returned to Malaysia (1972-1975). Postwar, he remained in the RAAF. He retired on November 9, 1976 with the rank of Squadron Leader from RAAF SUCAN.

Allan H. Kelly adds:
"He was awarded the Air Force Cross for service during the Malayan Emergency and subsequent flying activities, and served throughout southeast Asia, including postings to Malaya (1963-65), Vietnam (1969-70), and Malaysia (1972-75). Having begun as a lowly Aircraftsman Second Class in 1943, he retired as a Squadron Leader in 1976 and now lives on Queensland's Sunshine Coast just north of Brisbane. On a couple of occasions, Dad has acted as local guide on Peleliu for dive groups from author Dan E. Bailey who has written books on wreck diving in the Marshalls, Truk and Palau. He was actively involved in aircraft preservation with the Queensland Air Museum (QAM).

He wrote a three part authoritative book series about Allied air transport in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA):
Allied Air Transport Operations South West Pacific Area In WWII Volume One (2003)
Allied Air Transport Operations South West Pacific Area In WWII Volume Two (2006)
Allied Air Transport Operations South West Pacific Area In WWII Volume Three (2008)
Allied Air Transport Operations South West Pacific Area In WWII Volume Four (2013)

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Robert Henderson Kelly, O22179 (443555)
Thanks to Allan H. Kelly for additional information

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