An 81-year mystery has been solved and a family united with an Air Force war hero's medals thanks to a routine search and a curious historian.
Warrant Officer William 'Billy' Kinloch, a navigator in 464 Squadron, was killed during an early-morning mission on January 13, 1945, when his Mosquito fighter-bomber crashed near the German border with Belgium. His close friend and pilot, Pilot Officer Justin Mulligan, was also killed.
Both men were posthumously awarded the Commendation for Gallantry in 2024, following the Defence Honours and Awards review, but the whereabouts of Kinloch's wartime medals remained a family mystery.
Enter Air Force History and Heritage's Wing Commander Richard MacNeil, head of the Living History Program, who said a routine historical check while researching the two aviators unexpectedly uncovered a family mystery.
"We always check with the Directorate of Honours and Awards whether personnel received all the medals they were entitled to, and on this occasion, I was surprised to find Billy had been awarded medals but they had never been presented to his family," Wing Commander MacNeil said.
"I contacted the CO [Commanding Officer] of 464 Squadron, who reached out to the Kinloch family and discovered they believed the medals had been presented to the family years ago and had gone missing."
'It's important that young people understand what those young men went through.'
Wing Commander MacNeil said moments like the presentation ceremony, which included a profile from History and Heritage on the two fallen aviators and 464 Squadron, were a powerful reminder of why preserving Air Force history matters.
"These young men were only in their early 20s. When you hear their voices, read their stories and understand what they were doing at that age, it really brings home just how much they gave," he said.
"It's incredibly moving to know that, even after more than 80 years, we can still help honour their service and ensure their families receive the recognition they deserve."
Warrant Officer Kinloch's nieces, Margaret Hilton and Anne Burton, and Mrs Burton's husband Dennis, received the medals and said the moment brought deep pride to their family.
"We are just so thankful," Mrs Burton said.
"It means so much to be able to receive these medals and place them alongside the Commendation for Gallantry he was awarded two years ago.
"Billy's loss was felt deeply in our family, and to hold his medals in our hands today, surrounded by members of the modern-day squadron, is an incredibly proud moment for us."
The young airmen were on their second operational tour with the squadron and had flown more than 60 missions before they were killed in action.
'These young men were only in their early 20s - when you hear their voices, read their stories and understand what they were doing at that age, it really brings home just how much they gave.'
Justin Mulligan's nephew, Justin Newberry, who was also a guest at the presentation with his wife Kaye, said hearing the story of the two men during the presentation was deeply moving.
"They were incredibly brave young men," Mr Newberry said.
"To hear what they went through at such a young age really brings home what their generation faced."
Mr Newberry said his family had long carried pride in their uncle's RAAF service.
"We've always had a photo of Justin above our fireplace at home," he said.
"It's important that young people understand what those young men went through.
"They were about the same age as many of the people in the room today, and I hope they take from it the importance of camaraderie and looking out for one another."
Warrant Officer Kinloch's wartime medals included the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945, War Medal 1939-1945, 1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal, and the France and Germany Star.
The medals were presented by Commanding Officer 464 Squadron at a ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown on March 10. The presentation was attended by the families of the pilots, as well as others with family connections to the squadron, and included the presentation of a Fallen Warrior Quilt from Aussie Hero Quilts and the launch of History and Heritage's profile on 464 Squadron.
