Page 9 - William B. Lake

Transition from Teacher to RAAF Volunteer

From Australia’s declaration of war in September 1939 the country was undergoing a
transformation in readiness to be on a war footing. In anticipation of a potential European war, the
Federal Government had in July 1939 started compiling a compulsory National Registration of all
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males between 18 and 65. Militia training started as early as October 11 1939 (i.e., soon after the
declaration of the war in Europe). Conscription training of 3 months was compulsory for eligible
men turning 21 in July 1940. It was also interesting to note that even at this early stage there was
recognition that air power could decide the outcome of the war in Europe. This meant that
thousands of Australians were to be trained as part of the air defence. This training became known
as the Empire Air Training Scheme. In Canada the air training scheme became was known as the
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).

Bill had already travelled to Sydney to be enrolled in the RAAF Reserve on the 26 Nov 1941
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(refer below). This meant that he could be called up for Initial Training Service (ITS) at any time
that they required him. Soon after his enrolment the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour occurred
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(on 7 December 1941) and this was an indication that the war effort would be quickly escalating.
It was the start of a long period of war service and would have a significant effect on Bill’s life.

From Bill’s war records, he was formally called-up for ITS training in the Royal Australian Air Force
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at the No 2 Recruiting Centre at Woolloomooloo in Sydney on 22 May 1942. At the time he
volunteered for service Bill was 27 years old which was significantly older than the average RAAF
recruit. His experience as a school teacher was to become an important factor in his future in the
RAAF service.

Bill’s recruitment photo on 22 May 1942
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