2020 marks 75 years since the end of the Second World War. To commemorate this important year, the NSW Government interviewed WWII veterans about their experiences. Read our 75th Anniversary Stories.
The memorial is a series of items related to F/Lt Jack 'Slim' Yarra, presented in a wooden frame mounted on the wall of the administration office of Grafton Public School. It contains a photograph of Yarra seated in the cockpit of his Spitfire fighter, a brief account of his active service and a small brass plaque that was originally sited on a tree in the school grounds.
Jack 'Slim' Yarra, ex pupil Grafton Public School.
Jack Yarra was an ace Spitfire pilot based in the Mediterranean early in World War II. He shot down over a dozen enemy fighter planes. Following his action, he was posted to England to train younger pilots.
Based in England, he was a Squadron Leader leading attacks against German flak ships off the coast of Holland. On the 10th December, 1942 Jack Yarra was shot down and his body washed ashore at Flushing.
This plaque was originally sited on a tree in the school grounds to commemorate his bravery:
In Memory F/Lt J. W. Yarra DFM Enlisted April 1940 Killed in Action 10-12-1942 Off Flushing - Coast of Holland.
Rank | Given Name | Family Name | Conflict/s | Fate | Service No. | Service | Unit | Campaign | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F/Lt | John W | Yarra | World War 2 | KIA | RAAF | 453 Sqn | European | view |
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