dinomartino1
Well-Known Member
Keith "Bluey" Truscott was the second highest scoring RAAF ace of ww2, he was well known before the war as a football player with Melbourne FC.
"Bluey" or "Blue" are Aussie slang words for a person with red hair.
Every year the MFC awards it's best player the Keith "Bluey"Truscott memorial trophy.
"From 1937 'Bluey' Truscott played for the Melbourne Football Club. A half-forward flanker in Melbourne's premiership team in 1939, he kicked two goals and was among the best players. His decision to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force on 21 July 1940 attracted much publicity. Curiously, for someone of his mental and physical ability, he struggled with flying lessons; had he not been a prominent sportsman he would have been suspended from pilot training. Given extra time denied to others, he began to demonstrate the qualities of co-ordination, anticipation, judgement and determination which had made him a champion footballer. He eventually earned his wings despite becoming known for his poor landings.
Granted leave by the air force in September 1940, he again played in Melbourne's winning grand-final side.
Returning to Australia on leave in May 1942, Truscott turned out one last time for the Melbourne Football Club. He was unfit and out of touch, and struggled to keep up with the play, but he was given a hero's reception by thousands of supporters and kicked a goal much to the fans' delight. Several days later he encountered his former teacher, Bill Woodfull, who asked him how he had enjoyed his return to football. 'Not for me. Too dangerous', Truscott answered."
The actual Spitfire Mk.IIa that he flew in England and scored his first victory in is on display at the the Australian War Memorial.
https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.co...permarine-spitfire-of-air-ace-bluey-truscott/
AMERICAN SOLDIERS HAVE BECOME INTERESTED IN THE AUSTRALIAN GAME OF FOOTBALL. HERE A FEW OF THEM MEET SQUADRON LEADER ("BLUEY") TRUSCOTT, WHO ON HIS RETURN TO AUSTRALIA AFTER SERVICE WITH THE RAAF CAPTAINED HIS OLD TEAM. SQUADRON LEADER TRUSCOTT WHILE ABROAD WAS DECORATED WITH THE D.F.C. AND BAR.
"MELBOURNE CHAIRMAN Glen Bartlett has paid tribute to one of Melbourne’s great names: Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott.
Truscott, whose name is honoured in the club’s best and fairest award, was a dual premiership player (1939-40) with Melbourne before he tragically lost his life in a flying accident in Western Australian off the Exmouth Gulf, aged 26, in 1943.
Given it’s 75 years since Truscott’s passing, Bartlett said it was appropriate to acknowledge ‘Bluey’ in the lead-up to Melbourne’s second preliminary final against West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Bartlett said it was important to keep Truscott’s spirit alive, while he said visiting the site was a moving experience."
The Perth War Cemetery at Karrakatta is very close to where I live.
"Bluey" or "Blue" are Aussie slang words for a person with red hair.
Every year the MFC awards it's best player the Keith "Bluey"Truscott memorial trophy.
"From 1937 'Bluey' Truscott played for the Melbourne Football Club. A half-forward flanker in Melbourne's premiership team in 1939, he kicked two goals and was among the best players. His decision to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force on 21 July 1940 attracted much publicity. Curiously, for someone of his mental and physical ability, he struggled with flying lessons; had he not been a prominent sportsman he would have been suspended from pilot training. Given extra time denied to others, he began to demonstrate the qualities of co-ordination, anticipation, judgement and determination which had made him a champion footballer. He eventually earned his wings despite becoming known for his poor landings.
Granted leave by the air force in September 1940, he again played in Melbourne's winning grand-final side.
Returning to Australia on leave in May 1942, Truscott turned out one last time for the Melbourne Football Club. He was unfit and out of touch, and struggled to keep up with the play, but he was given a hero's reception by thousands of supporters and kicked a goal much to the fans' delight. Several days later he encountered his former teacher, Bill Woodfull, who asked him how he had enjoyed his return to football. 'Not for me. Too dangerous', Truscott answered."
The actual Spitfire Mk.IIa that he flew in England and scored his first victory in is on display at the the Australian War Memorial.
https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.co...permarine-spitfire-of-air-ace-bluey-truscott/
AMERICAN SOLDIERS HAVE BECOME INTERESTED IN THE AUSTRALIAN GAME OF FOOTBALL. HERE A FEW OF THEM MEET SQUADRON LEADER ("BLUEY") TRUSCOTT, WHO ON HIS RETURN TO AUSTRALIA AFTER SERVICE WITH THE RAAF CAPTAINED HIS OLD TEAM. SQUADRON LEADER TRUSCOTT WHILE ABROAD WAS DECORATED WITH THE D.F.C. AND BAR.
"MELBOURNE CHAIRMAN Glen Bartlett has paid tribute to one of Melbourne’s great names: Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott.
Truscott, whose name is honoured in the club’s best and fairest award, was a dual premiership player (1939-40) with Melbourne before he tragically lost his life in a flying accident in Western Australian off the Exmouth Gulf, aged 26, in 1943.
Given it’s 75 years since Truscott’s passing, Bartlett said it was appropriate to acknowledge ‘Bluey’ in the lead-up to Melbourne’s second preliminary final against West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Bartlett said it was important to keep Truscott’s spirit alive, while he said visiting the site was a moving experience."
The Perth War Cemetery at Karrakatta is very close to where I live.
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