Beaufort Mosman Hunter Palmer

Beaufort Mosman Hunter Palmer, (14 December 1919 – 22 November 2011) was an Australian aviator of the Second World War who was recognised as one of Australia's finest wartime pilot instructors.

Early life Beau was born in Toowong, Brisbane, the son of Carl Beaufort Hunter Palmer and Florence (née Robinson), and the grandson of Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer KCMG, an Irish-Australian politician and a Premier of Queensland.

Palmer "pulled every string he could to gain a battlefield posting" and in 1944 assumed command of No. 5 Squadron RAAF.

In other operations Palmer achieved a direct hit on a Japanese hut at the southern end of Bouganville Island and in February and March 1945 supported the attacks at the Battle of Tsimba Ridge.

Palmer's war ended in late May 1945 when he stepped on an old American anti-personnel mine. His leg was subsequently amputated.

Post-war career After two years of medical treatment, Palmer purchased Kareelah, a property at Warra in the Darling Downs. Almost 30 years later he regained his wings in the 1970s. Aged 91, Palmer died on 22 November 2011.