2 Squadron was reformed at Laverton in Victoria on 10 January 1937. At the outbreak of the Second World War the unit searched for enemy vessels in Australian waters using Anson aircraft. After being re-equipped with Hudson aircraft, the squadron moved to Darwin in April 1941 to perform anti-submarine activities and general reconnaissance.

A detachment of four aircraft was sent to Koepang on 7 December 1941 and then to Penfoie on 11 December. The detachment provided cover to Australian troops moving within the islands and attacked Japanese shipping at Menado and Kema early the following year. A Japanese bombing raid on the Koepang base on 16 January damaged a number of planes. Further losses of aircraft, equipment, and men saw the detachment withdrawn to Darwin on 20 January 1942 and to Daly Waters on 18 February.

A total of 13 crew members were lost during 1942, the squadron’s most active period of operations. Between May and October, No 2 Squadron attacked Japanese positions and shipping at Ambon, Timor, Koepang, and other islands in the Banda Sea. In recognition of No 2 Squadron's heroic stand in this, Australia's Darkest Hour, the unit was awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation for “outstanding performance of duty in action” - The highest honour that can be bestowed on a combat unit by the United Sates Government.

In 1943, as the Allies gained control of the sky, 2 Squadron made daily attacks on Koepang, Lautem, Penfoei, and Dili. Training on Beaufort bombers commenced late in the year. Working in concert with other units, the squadron opened the new year with attacks on enemy shipping and villages in Timor used by the Japanese and native informers. A combined attack on a Japanese convoy on 6 April saw a cruiser and several other vessels seriously damaged. Between May and June 1944 the squadron was withdrawn from operations and re-equipped with Mitchell aircraft, commencing its first operations on targets in Lautem West on Timor Island on 27 June 1944.

The end of 1944 was spent targeting enemy barges and freighters, now relied upon to supply their outer garrisons. In early 1945 these tasks were continued in conjunction with 18 Squadron. 2 Squadron moved to Borneo shortly after the end of the war and played an important role in locating prisoner-of-war camps and dropping supplies to camps in the Celebes. The squadron assumed transport operations until it moved to Laverton in December, when it was reduced to a cadre basis and eventually disbanded on 15 May 1946.

 RAAF Museum

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MY FAMILY STORY  (So far)

My father, Cyril Frederick Henry Burnell married my mother, Victoria Winifred Wray in 1936 and they had a daughter named Winifred, who was unfortunately still-born in 1937. This shattered them at the time but, ... 

Soon after Roy Burnell (that's me)  was born in 1938, just prior to World War II. My father served in No 2 Squadron with the Royal Australian Air Force from 1941-45 and fortunately survived after suffering shrapnel wounds following an air raid on Darwin Airport by the Japanese.

For the first seven years of my life, I really only knew my mother and sister Beryl, who was born in 1941 while we lived at Chandos Street, Crows Nest NSW during the War.

Following the war, we moved to Willoughby, where I completed my schooling. I also had a brother Fred (born 1945) then another sister Jennifer (born 1948). 

By 1955 we moved to the beachside suburb of Dee Why. It was here in my teenage years, where I spent most of the summer months surfing, playing tennis or attending dances each week either at the Dee Why Swimming Club or at other venues around Sydney. I also played Rugby League football during the winter months, which was a sport that I really loved. I later became a Rugby League Referee.

Then in my late 20's, I became involved in Scuba diving and underwater photography, which was quite adventurous to say the least.

My career started in the Banking Industry where I worked for 8 years and then for another 28 years in the Insurance Industry. I also worked various part-time jobs such as driving a taxi, as a waiter serving food and wine in clubs and restaurants to make additional money.

In 1995 I began market research which I found quite interesting and it gave me an opportunity to meet many people. Because I have a deep interest in historical matters, I am now a volunteer worker at the Redcliffe Museum.

Life in retirement is really quite wonderful !

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