Date of birth:

October 2nd, 1917 (Sydney/New South Wales, Australia)

Date of death:

April 2001 (Salisbury/Wiltshire, United Kingdom)

Service number:

39474

Nationality:

Australian (1901-present, Federal Monarchy)

After completing school Sheen worked in the Prime Minister's Department for three years until he was old enough to apply (successfully) for a cadetship with the Royal Australian Air Force. He travelled to England in 1937 where he was commissioned in the RAF. He was wounded in the leg in December 1939 during operations in Scotland but returned to fight in the Battle of Britain. He commanded No.72 Squadron and later received staff appointments in Britain and the Middle East. He was an acting Wing Commander in 1946 when he was repatriated to Australia.

He applied for and received a permanent commission in the RAF on 14 July 1949 and commanded No.502 Squadron, later receiving senior appointments at the Central Flying Establishment, RAF Leuchars, RAF Odiham and at Transport Command. After Transport Command, his final overseas tour was as Air Adviser Delhi. He retired as a Group Captain in 1971 and joined BAC/ British Aerospace. He died in April 2001 in Salisbury, England and is buried in a 14th Century Church at Ellingham (near Ringwood), Hants with his wife Muriel.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Awarded on:

May 7th, 1940

For leading his section of three aircraft against a superior number of enemy machines. He forced one down into the sea and damaged another.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 72 (Basutoland) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1941

• Photo: ACT Memorial
  
• - The London Gazette Issue 34844 published on the 7 May 1940
  - Fith Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35318 published on the 17 October 1941
  - Flight Global - Archive
  - ACT Memorial