Len Waters was our only aboriginal fighter pilot in World War – and one of an estimated 4,000 aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders who served in our armed forces in that war. Born on an aboriginal reserve, he left school at 14, but was smart, ambitious, and dedicated, and at age 20 was flying Kittyhawks in the Pacific campaign. But in Postwar Australia, he was denied the chance to be part of Australia’s emerging commercial airline industry – he wasn’t granted a civilian pilot’s licence despite applying five times. This is a fascinating account of life as a World War 2 pilot, where Len didn’t feel any racism, and post-war civilian life, where he was treated as a second class citizen. A great read by Peter Rees who has written some fabulous military histories over the years.
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook