Lot 4548

Description

British Empire Medal for courage, (GRIV with GRI cypher), (Military). 411354 F/Sgt. W.Mackie R.A.A.F. Engraved. Toned extremely fine.

BEM: LG 7/9/1943, p3971, posn 1; CAG 16/9/1943, p2081, posn 3 to Flt Sgt W. Mackie 461 Sqn RAAF.

Citation: Displaying great courage in saving life at sea.

Report of action: Flight Sergeant Mackie was a member of a Sunderland crew on air-sea rescue work which crashed while on a mission. The second pilot was thrown from the wreckage and, being severely injured, floated away from the remainder of the crew, who were standing on a mainplane endeavouring to inflate the dinghy. Flt Sgt Mackie dived into the sea, and after reaching his companion, supported him for 30 minutes until they were both rescued by the others, who had inflated the dinghy and manoeuvred it into position to pick them up.

Award presented by the Governor-General at Government House, Sydney on 9 Aug 1946.

Wallace Mackie, born 02May1916 at Grafton, NSW; Enl.28Apr1941 at Sydney; Disch.04Mar1946 as WOFF ex 3 Operational Training Unit.

With research.