Club historian Lynda Carroll is currently undertaking extended research into the Truscott story, with a view to ultimately creating an updated biography of him.
THE PHOTOS of Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott always portray him in the same way.
When playing his 50 games between 1937 and 1940 for Melbourne - and one last, memorable foray in 1942 - he is what could charitably be called stocky.
A smoker and a joker who was nevertheless a dedicated and talented sportsman, Truscott is always smiling, a glint in his eye, the world his stage.
There is contained joy in one shot of him peering over his shoulder, guernsey on, football in hand, wavy auburn hair firmly brushed back.
In the 1939 and 1940 Melbourne team shots, a member of two premiership sides, he is sitting cross-legged in the front row, happy and busy in this life of his.
Teacher trained, he also worked as a clerk with William Angliss Hospitality before enlisting.
The enlisted Truscott was a different man again. Still lit up and cheerful in the early years, he was eventually, as school friend and St Kilda player Len Boyd-Gerny would say in later years, made ‘sick, and tired from what he saw’.
The brilliance and larrikin good humour that was once characteristic would only be on display for special occasions. It is said that a flame burns brightest before it tires and is ultimately extinguished, and for nobody was this truer than Truscott.
The furrows in his brow deepen in later portrayals, and the strong face becomes leaner and more set, contradicting his habitual good humour. He is weary - but he is also determined, and this determination would help to carve his name into the histories of many.
Over the decades since his untimely death in 1943, Truscott has been at the forefront of many minds, even being spoken of by then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in his Battle For Australia speech, delivered at the Australian War Memorial in September 2008. Of Truscott, he said:
‘ The Royal Australian Air Force played a critical role in supporting the troops at Milne Bay. At Milne Bay the RAAF’s 76 Squadron was led by Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott. Truscott was one of Australia’s best-known flying aces during the Second World War.
Before the war he had been a well known Aussie Rules player. He had played in Melbourne’s 1939 Premiership team. We all make mistakes. In fact he was nominated as one of the best on the ground and finished the match with two goals.
But like so many young Australians, then and since, he answered the call to arms. He enlisted in the RAAF in 1940 and, after training, he joined the war in Britain. In 1941 and 1942 he flew and fought over the skies of Europe. And, by the time he returned to Australia in early 1942, he was a decorated hero who had destroyed at least 11 German aircraft over Europe.
Truscott deployed to Milne Bay with Number 76 Squadron in August 1942 - just before the Japanese landing. And the Squadron flew out of Milne Bay throughout the conflict.
In terrible weather, on metal landing strips that were slippery and dangerous, the aircrews of 75 and 76 Squadrons flew “beyond the point of exhaustion” in support of the ground forces.
They flew so much and fired so many rounds in support of the ground forces that the barrels of the guns on their aircraft were worn smooth from the number of rounds that were fired.
The aircraft would land, refuel, re-arm and immediately take to the skies again - day after day after day. Bluey Truscott, the other pilots and the ground crews showed the sort of dedication that was required to turn the tide in this great Battle for Australia. Their commitment to the task was the equal of any unit throughout the war.
And to people like them and thousands more, we as a nation, owe a profound debt of gratitude. There are many such heroes in the Battle for Australia. Heroes of battle. And heroes on the home front as well.'
Rudd finished his speech with the statement that:
‘On Bluey Truscott’s grave in the Perth War Cemetery are the following words:
"In loving memory of our darling Keith, his duty nobly done.”
Today we honour all those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Battle for Australia, their duty was nobly done.’
Truscott, of course, was and remains about far more than noble duty.
Many were - are still - impacted by him, in whatever field of their lives he happened to make his mark. Whether in the air, on the football field, or in daily life, Truscott was a forceful personality. To this day, the world is still seeking Keith William ‘Bluey’ Truscott out.
Truscott, of course, was and remains about far more than noble duty.
Many were - are still - impacted by him, in whatever field of their lives he happened to make his mark. Whether in the air, on the football field, or in daily life, Truscott was a forceful personality. To this day, the world is still seeking Keith William ‘Bluey’ Truscott out.
Truscott’s early pilot training was less than perfect. However, some of this was due to the lack of training equipment, and the exigencies of early wartime chaos.
His service records show that he had just one month at Initial Training School (ITS) after being called up in July 1940, and that he had no navigational training during this month.
From ITS to Elementary Flight Training School (EFTS), he had had no experience on the link trainer, which was an early form of flight simulator.
This helped to achieve a ‘below average’ rating for Truscott in visual training. It was noted that he was ‘selected as advanced ITS trainee for earlier EFTS. Passed with special distinction. Is outstanding in all essential qualities as officer.’
This was in August 1940. Truscott had been enlisted for just over three weeks, yet with all his perceived faults, was being earmarked for what would now surely be known in football circles as a ‘leadership role’.
He finished eighth in his class of 52, and further confirmation of his standing came at the end of this report, accompanied by an interesting connection.
The officer commanding No. 3 EFTS was one Rollo Kingsford Smith, nephew of the great aviator, and a brilliant Air Force identity in his own right. Kingsford Smith and Truscott - both were and remain names to charm a nation.
The former also signed off on Truscott’s early progress, with the general remarks being made that he was an ‘Average type who has shown great keeness [sic] and desire to work which is definitely reflected in results. Possess [sic] determination and fighting spirit. Recommended for commission’.
The pressure on Truscott to succeed was immense. As Stanley Brogden, renowned aviation writer, said of him:
‘For more than any other single man, Truscott had been accepted by the public as the prototype of Australian flying men....Probably no other Australian was so dear to the public as Bluey Truscott. He was more than a hero...Bluey was one of the mob. Every man in Australia felt that Bluey was part of him, but much bigger. He was idolised and idealised, but not put on a pedestal.’
Brogden was writing this as the war was still in play, and memories of Truscott were fresh in the minds of many, not least of all the Melbourne Football Club. Struck hard by the deaths of Ron Barassi Snr, Sid Anderson, Noel Ellis and John Atkins, the death of Truscott particularly hurt his coach, ‘Checker’ Hughes, who was very fond of ‘Bluey’.
Melbourne had only had a Best and Fairest award since 1935, with no identity attached to it. This was all changed by Hughes’ actions. In the Club’s 1943 Annual Report, it was noted that:
‘Particular reference should be made to “The Bluey Truscott Memorial Cup,” of which a similar award will be made each year for Melbourne’s fairest and best footballer.
This is the result of the thought and generosity of our esteemed friend, Mr. “Checker” Hughes, to whom we are greatly indebted, and will serve to keep fresh the memory of our beloved pal. “Bluey” - Sqd.-Ldr. Keith Truscott, D.F.C. and Bar - whose untimely death on service early last year was mourned throughout Australia and the Allied Nations.’
The inaugural winner of the award was one of the Cordner clan - in this case, Donald, who went on to captain the Club to the 1948 premiership and win the 1946 Brownlow. His was the first in a long name of Melbourne legends who have had their name engraved on not only an individual trophy, but also the Shield that is the centrepiece of Truscott remembrance in the V/AFL arena.
Since 1943, it has grown in stature, and literally in size, until it is beyond the limits of one person to lift it.
Two further layers of solid timber have been added to the original base; the small silver footballs attached are individually engraved with the particular name of the Best and Fairest winner, and at the heart is the Truscott name.
His service records show that he had just one month at Initial Training School (ITS) after being called up in July 1940, and that he had no navigational training during this month.
From ITS to Elementary Flight Training School (EFTS), he had had no experience on the link trainer, which was an early form of flight simulator.
This helped to achieve a ‘below average’ rating for Truscott in visual training. It was noted that he was ‘selected as advanced ITS trainee for earlier EFTS. Passed with special distinction. Is outstanding in all essential qualities as officer.’
This was in August 1940. Truscott had been enlisted for just over three weeks, yet with all his perceived faults, was being earmarked for what would now surely be known in football circles as a ‘leadership role’.
He finished eighth in his class of 52, and further confirmation of his standing came at the end of this report, accompanied by an interesting connection.
The officer commanding No. 3 EFTS was one Rollo Kingsford Smith, nephew of the great aviator, and a brilliant Air Force identity in his own right. Kingsford Smith and Truscott - both were and remain names to charm a nation.
The former also signed off on Truscott’s early progress, with the general remarks being made that he was an ‘Average type who has shown great keeness [sic] and desire to work which is definitely reflected in results. Possess [sic] determination and fighting spirit. Recommended for commission’.
The pressure on Truscott to succeed was immense. As Stanley Brogden, renowned aviation writer, said of him:
‘For more than any other single man, Truscott had been accepted by the public as the prototype of Australian flying men....Probably no other Australian was so dear to the public as Bluey Truscott. He was more than a hero...Bluey was one of the mob. Every man in Australia felt that Bluey was part of him, but much bigger. He was idolised and idealised, but not put on a pedestal.’
Brogden was writing this as the war was still in play, and memories of Truscott were fresh in the minds of many, not least of all the Melbourne Football Club. Struck hard by the deaths of Ron Barassi Snr, Sid Anderson, Noel Ellis and John Atkins, the death of Truscott particularly hurt his coach, ‘Checker’ Hughes, who was very fond of ‘Bluey’.
Melbourne had only had a Best and Fairest award since 1935, with no identity attached to it. This was all changed by Hughes’ actions. In the Club’s 1943 Annual Report, it was noted that:
‘Particular reference should be made to “The Bluey Truscott Memorial Cup,” of which a similar award will be made each year for Melbourne’s fairest and best footballer.
This is the result of the thought and generosity of our esteemed friend, Mr. “Checker” Hughes, to whom we are greatly indebted, and will serve to keep fresh the memory of our beloved pal. “Bluey” - Sqd.-Ldr. Keith Truscott, D.F.C. and Bar - whose untimely death on service early last year was mourned throughout Australia and the Allied Nations.’
The inaugural winner of the award was one of the Cordner clan - in this case, Donald, who went on to captain the Club to the 1948 premiership and win the 1946 Brownlow. His was the first in a long name of Melbourne legends who have had their name engraved on not only an individual trophy, but also the Shield that is the centrepiece of Truscott remembrance in the V/AFL arena.
Since 1943, it has grown in stature, and literally in size, until it is beyond the limits of one person to lift it.
Two further layers of solid timber have been added to the original base; the small silver footballs attached are individually engraved with the particular name of the Best and Fairest winner, and at the heart is the Truscott name.
