Lesley Gent OAM - RAAF Family Energetic Wife

Introducing LESLEY GENT  OAM

Lesley whilst having never been in the Air Force is part of the Air Force “fabric”, as have been officers, airman and families since 1921.

She grew up in Country NSW.  After schooling, she moved to Sydney and worked at David Jones as a Press Relations Officer.  A most exciting job.  Maharaja of Mysore, Rolling Stones, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones

Her Father was Superintendent of Police in the North Eastern District: he had been Mounted Police.  In Newcastle she accompanied her father to the Winter Ball at RAAF Williamtown .  This is where she met her future husband Garry: he was in a striking uniform and was walking around with a bottle of Champagne under his arm.  She and Garry were married the following December(1969).

Her first encounter with the hierarchy of the RAAF was when the Commanding Officer’s wife invited her and another new wife for afternoon tea.  She was “lectured” formally on her responsibility to her husband and to the RAAF.  Lesley says she adhered to these requirement, within reason,  until Garry retired.   He has always maintained he didn’t know what hit him that day. 

Lesley believes conditions have improved enormously over the years for families of servicemen and women.  In the 70s/80s, she visited the airmen’s homes on numerous occasions,  and found it hard to believe the poor conditions.

Garry served 30 years in the RAAF and then they went farming!!   The Rural Fire Brigade was one of Lesley’s main interests and she spent many years on the Education Advisory Panel.  

She was talked into being Researcher/Secretary/Treasurer of 77 Squadron Association, and then Fighter Squadrons Branch.   During this time she worked solidly in support of veterans and their families.  She had close contact with 77 Squadron RAF and wrote a book for them “Killed in Service”.  

Lesley now provides all the research for Air Force Association NSW.  For example her current work is trying to locate the family of Flight Sergeant Kenneth Morrison killed whilst piloting  Halifax JD126 over Arum, Holland on 10 July 1943.

And so her Air Force associated life continues – just differently