Russell Foskett

Russell George Foskett, (7 May 1917 – 31 October 1944) was an Australian aviator and flying ace of the Second World War. Born in a suburb of Sydney, Foskett was employed as a clerk in 1940 when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. Accepted as a pilot under the Empire Air Training Scheme, he completed his training in Australia and Southern Rhodesia, before transferring for service over North Africa. In subsequent aerial engagements, Foskett was officially credited with the destruction of 6 Axis aircraft and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Appointed to command No. 94 Squadron RAF, he was transferred to the Mediterranean Theatre in 1944. Foskett was killed on 31 October 1944, after his aircraft developed engine trouble and he was forced to bail out over the Aegean Sea, where his parachute failed to open.

Early life Foskett was born in the Sydney suburb of Roseville, New South Wales, on 7 May 1917 to Edward George Foskett, an accountant, and his wife Dora Mabel (née Cotterill). Foskett was educated at Hornsby Junior Technical School, before going on to study accountancy. He later gained employment as a clerk in the credit department of Shell Co. of Australia Pty Ltd. In his youth, Foskett was active in scouting as a Rover as well as sport, particularly hockey; he was a member of the Gordon district hockey club and represented New South Wales.

Second World War Training On 18 September 1940, Foskett enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force for service during the Second World War. Accepted for flight training under the Empire Air Training Scheme, he received his initial flight instruction at No. 2 Initial Training School, Bradfield Park. Completing this course on 9 November, Foskett was advanced to leading aircraftman and posted to No. 2 Embarkation Depot. On 10 December, he embarked from Sydney bound for Africa.

Foskett disembarked at Southern Rhodesia in January 1941, Forced down, Foskett landed his aircraft in a minefield, where he was safely extracted by a formation of the British Army in the area. The announcement and accompanying citation for the award was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 4 December 1942, reading: The squadron was re-equipped with Supermarine Spitfires during February that year, and it was while piloting one of these aircraft that Foskett scored his final victory of the war. On 6 June, Foskett was involved in a sweeping sortie over Crete when he became engaged with a Junkers Ju 52. In the ensuing battle, Foskett managed to shoot down the opposing aircraft over Tmimi, Libya. During October 1944, No. 94 Squadron was relocated to Kalamaki, Greece. Foskett's younger brother Bruce William, a Royal Australian Air Force navigator, had been killed in an operation over Berlin the previous February. By the time of his death, Foskett had been officially credited with a tally of 6 Axis aircraft shot down. On 16 February 1946, Foskett's father, Edward, attended an investiture ceremony at Government House, Sydney, where he was presented with his late son's decorations by the Governor-General of Australia, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester.