Wing Commander Donald Teale Saville DSO, DFC joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1927. From 1932 until 1939 he flew and tested private aircraft, was a flying instructor and then a Captain-pilot with Australian National Airways. In 1936, at the age of 36 years, he volunteered for the RAF whilst on holiday in England. He was known affectionately as 'The Mad Aussie' and was reputed to have flown 10,000 flying hours. At the time of his loss, he was on his third tour of operations.