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Location:
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71 Somerville Road, Yarraville, MARIBYRNONG CITY, 3013
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Local Government Area:
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MARIBYRNONG CITY
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Heritage Type:
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Memorial Artwork, Window
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Description:
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Subject
Our Lady of the Sky
Text
Gratia Plena Ave Maria
Inscription
Erected by the members of No. 615 Squadron AAF and Friends to the memory of Squadron Leader David William McCormack D.F.C. and Bar Killed 10th August 1944 whilst serving the Mother Country
Description & History
The new church dedicated to St. Augustine was blessed and opened by Melbourne's Archbishop Mannix on 1 February 1925. Many years later, Brooks, Robinson & Co. prepared a new cartoon as a memorial to Squadron-Leader David W. McCormack DFC and Bar. The design incorporated an unusual combination of religious and secular subjects, Australian Airmen, Spitfires and the Virgin Mary- Our Lady of the Sky. Each light measured 149 x 24 inches with tracery pieces above. It was unveiled on 14 July 1946.
David McCormack trained in Australia and then gained advanced pilot training as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme before taking up his post in England where he was awarded the DFC for outstanding courage and leadership. 615 Squadron was formed as an Army Auxillary Squadron in 1939 but became a fighter squadron taking offensive, defensive and escort roles throughout the war. It was the first squadron to land in France and took part in the Battle of Britain. Disbanded in 1945 it was reformed in 1946 as an Auxillary Air Force squadron once again. Squadron Leader McCormack, aged 26, was killed during operations in Burma where he commanded the squadron known as 'Churchill's Own'. He was commemorated at Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata, India.
References & Acknowledgements
Argus, 2 February 1925, p.12; 3 July 1946, p.4; West Australian, 26 June 1945, p.3; Brooks, Robinson & Co. job books (1923-c1966); http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/SUK14087; CWGC.
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Year Construction Ended:
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1946
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Conflicts Commemorated:
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Second World War 1939-45
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Designers/Architects:
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Kerr-Morgan, William (attributed)
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Brooks, Robinson & Co
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