From dream to duty: Leading Aircraftman William Archibald’s journey in the RAAF

October 30, 2024

Leading Aircraftman William Archibald’s journey to joining the RAAF began during a significant anniversary celebration in his hometown of Mildura. 

Leading Aircraftman (LAC) William Archibald was just 16 years old when he discovered his dream job through a chance meeting.

It was 2017, and the RAAF No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU; based in Williamtown, New South Wales) visited William’s hometown of Mildura to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the unit, which began operations in Mildura as the No 2. Operational Training Unit (2OTU) at the height of the Pacific War.

William laying a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice at the Mildura War Cemetery on ANZAC Day 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Mildura RSL Sub-Branch and photographer Stacey Solomon).

2OTU had its wartime base in Mildura from May 1942. It was here that pilots who had already successfully completed Elementary Training School were provided instruction and training in the tactics of aerial warfare, practising their training in the open skies over Mildura and beyond.

As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, two F/A18 Hornets flew into Mildura and were on public display at the Mildura Airport.

William, who has a strong connection to the veteran community, visited the display with his family and spoke with the pilot and avionics technicians about a career in the RAAF.

“Before seeing the 2OCU Classic Hornet in Mildura, the RAAF hadn’t really been on my mind as a career option,” he explained.

Thinking back, it was an eye-opening experience to speak to current serving members and have an up-close look at the Hornet.

LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN WILLIAM ARCHIBALD 

“It was my first exposure to Defence life, and I was pretty sold after learning more about it. Joining the RAAF then became my main focus, and I knew it was what I was going to do after finishing high school.”

William, aged 16, visiting the display of the two F/A18 Hornets at Mildura Airport in 2017.

After joining the RAAF in May 2021, it was 18 months before William was posted to an operational squadron.

He spent 14 months at RAAF School of Technical Training in Wagga Wagga, where he completed the avionics technician course.

William is now an Avionics Technician working on the elite F/A-18F Super Hornet at No. 1 Squadron based in Amberley, Queensland.

Career highlight

On ANZAC Day this year, William experienced what he describes as a moment with special meaning and a highlight of his career, when he was invited by the Mildura RSL Sub-Branch to lay a wreath at the Mildura cenotaph after the ANZAC Day Commemoration March along with three other serving members of the RAAF.

Attending Mildura’s 2024 ANZAC Day commemorations was made even more special for William as it was the final ANZAC Day for his father, Kim Archibald, in his role as General Manager of the Mildura RSL Sub-Branch; a position he has held for 38 years. Kim retired in June this year.

Every year ANZAC Day holds a large significance for me, growing up with my father’s involvement in the Mildura RSL. Being around ex-service personnel from a younger age showed me the importance of the day and honouring those who have served.

LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN WILLIAM ARCHIBALD 

“I felt privileged to be able to attend the Mildura ANZAC Day ceremonies this year representing No. 1 Squadron.”

After the Dawn Service at Mildura’s Henderson Park, which saw a record crowd of approximately 5,000 people in attendance, a commemorative service was held at the Mildura War Cemetery, which contains the graves of 49 Australian servicemen who lost their lives while serving their country during World War II.

All but two buried in the Mildura War Cemetery were members of the RAAF who were training at 2OTU at the time of their deaths. Another eight members of 2OTU who also lost their lives are buried nearby in the public cemetery.

William joined fellow current serving RAAF members laying a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice in the war cemetery in a ceremony that has become a part of the Mildura RSL Sub-Branch’s ANZAC Day events.

“Participating in the Mildura War Graves Ceremony on the day was a surreal feeling as most of those who are laid to rest there were RAAF serving members,” said William. “Some of them were younger than myself when they were killed during their flight training. Laying a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice was a special moment.”

With a great-grandfather who served in World War I and a great-uncle who was killed in action in World War II, as well as his dad’s dedication to the RSL for four decades, William said ANZAC Day in his hometown this year would remain a highlight of his career.

“After my father’s 38 years at the Mildura RSL, being able to return home and participate in uniform for his final year was a defining moment in my Defence career.”

Author

Lisa Cooper

Dr Lisa Cooper is a historian and writer whose work focuses on Australia's wartime history. Lisa's career began when conversations with her late grandfather, a veteran of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion in the Second World War, and her late father, a veteran of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in the Vietnam War, about their wartime experiences inspired Lisa to begin writing in 2007. Lisa graduated with a PhD in 2023 with her thesis examining the role of Australia's war graves units in the Second World War. Lisa has been a writer with RSL Victoria since 2014 and enjoys sharing stories on veteran experiences of war, both historic and contemporary, stories about Australia’s homefront during wartime, and on events from Australia's military history.

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