DITTMANN, Lionel

DITTMANN, Lionel – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWII
SERVICE NO : 429592
RANK : Warrant Officer
UNIT : 462 Squadron
ENLISTMENT DATE : 9/10/1942
AGE : 20
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Childers, Queensland
RELIGION : Presbyterian
PRE-WAR OCCUPATION :
DATE OF DEATH : 29/11/2007
PLACE OF BURIAL : Bundaberg, Queensland

MEMORIALS :

View this person’s Service File : DITTMANN, Lionel

NOTES : Lionel’s parents were Henry August and Ellen Dittmann of Childers. He trained in the United Kingdom, Scotland and Canada and was one of the few Australians to earn the Air Bombers Badge for his service with the 462 Squadron. Lionel wanted to extend his service in the RAAF, but because of a shortage of teachers in Australia at the time he was discharged on the 24th July 1946. He married Margaret Evelyn Johnson (Ev) in Brisbane and they spent their honeymoon in Tasmania. After Evelyn’s tragic passing at just 34 years of age, Lionel raised his five young children with help from family. He was the principal of Loch Lomond from 1960 until 1962, he was then transferred to Pullenvale in Brisbane before returning to the Southern Downs once again to teach at the Yangan State School from 1967 until 1974. In addition to his service in the RAAF, Lionel also served his fellow man by devoting much of his time to Legacy. This uniquely Australian organisation founded in 1923, was dedicated to the task of caring for the widows and dependents of fallen servicemen. Legacy was there for him in his time of need after Evelyn’s death. He became a willing member of Legacy and was still a member at the time of his passing.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.