WWII veteran Brian Winspear reflects on Bombing of Darwin service

WWII veteran Brian Winspear was just 20 when Darwin was bombed but he remembers the terrifying day vividly. The centenarian shares his memories ... and his love for Lexus cars.

Reflecting on the Bombing of Darwin 81 years ago, veteran Brian Winspear said he was saddened to be the tragedy’s last survivor.

The now 102-year-old was attached to the No 2 Squadron RAAF as a wireless gunner stationed in Darwin and was flying every day to defend ships in the Timor Sea.

Mr Winspear was just 20 when Darwin was bombed.

“It was a very new experience because I joined the Air Force when I was 19,” he said.

“(I) did some training and was sent to Darwin from Tasmania, and I’d never been out of Tasmania before.”

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Mr Winspear said at that time, only one person in every four came home.

The raids in Darwin killed more than 230 people.

He will not be travelling to the Top End for this year’s commemoration but will mark the day with an afternoon tea in Hobart.

World War II veteran Brian Winspear celebrated his 102nd birthday in September at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The veteran now lives in Tasmania once more and is “still living alone and cooking and shopping and doing everything”.

“I’m still buying new cars, because I love cars,” he said.

“I just bought my 17th Lexus.”

Mr Winspear said he “just walked in and did a test drive and drove out” of the Lexus dealership.

“A friend of mine and I have been driving two or three times a week to all sorts of various places just to get back into the system of driving and liking it,” he said.

Royal Australian Artillery 8th/12th Regiment GNR Mia Johns will be participating in the 81st Bombing of Darwin commemoration. Picture: Mike D

Although Mr Winspear will be commemorating the historic day in Hobart, thousands of Territorians will gather at various events across the Top End throughout Sunday morning. The Royal Australian Artillery 8th/12th Regiment will be participating in a service at The Cenotaph.

The regiment spent Friday morning rehearsing a military simulation of the attack on the city.

Gunner Mia Johns said it would be her first time taking part in the display.

“It’s definitely an absolute honour to be able to do this, especially being so young as well,” she said.

“I am a gun member, so I will be firing on the day.”