Robert Henderson Kelly
in Kuala Lumpur, next to a
DC-3 in Malaya 1953

Allan Kelly shares about his father's servince:

Dad didn't see action in WWII as his operational training on B-24 Liberators finished just as the war ended. During his career he served as radio operator in C-47 Dakotas (transport and VIP squadrons) and P2V Neptunes doing maritime reconnaissance.

He was awarded the Air Force Cross for service during the Malayan Emergency and subsequent flying activities, and served throughout southeast Asia, including postings to Malaya (1963-65), Vietnam (1969-70), and Malaysia (1972-75). Having begun as a lowly Aircraftsman Second Class in 1943, he retired as a Squadron Leader in 1976 and now lives on Queensland's Sunshine Coast just north of Brisbane.

Peleliu Dive Guide
On a couple of occasions, Dad has acted as local guide on Peleliu for some of Dan Bailey's dive groups. As you may know, Dan has written a couple of solid books on wreck diving in the Marshalls, Truk and Palau.

Forthcoming Book - Air Transport Operations
He is writing an authoritative work on Allied Air Transport Operations in the Pacific in WW II, and is actively involved in aircraft preservation with the Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra.