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Fly Boy

Ace Pilot - A Life Cut Short
Brief Description
Fly Boy chronicles the life of Parker 'Joe' Hodge, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot who tragically lost his life in the Netherlands East Indies during World War II. Born in Beechworth, Joe's journey is marked by unwavering determination, exemplified by his persistence through five... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
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Fly Boy

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Fly Boy chronicles the life of Parker 'Joe' Hodge, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilot who tragically lost his life in the Netherlands East Indies during World War II. Born in Beechworth, Joe's journey is marked by unwavering determination, exemplified by his persistence through five applications before realising his dream of joining Australia's elite air force.

The narrative offers a vivid portrayal of aviation in Australia and the formative years of the RAAF during a pivotal historical period. Confident, ambitious, and adventurous, Joe seizes every opportunity to travel while advancing through his flying training at Point Cook.

Enriched with personal anecdotes and captivating photographsβ€”many captured by Joe himselfβ€”the story illuminates Australia's often overlooked campaign in the Netherlands East Indies. This episode, rich in individual acts of bravery, underscores the early vulnerabilities of the British Empire in the Pacific War.

Author Peter Hodge's quest to uncover Joe's story becomes a profound exploration of lost family connections and self-discovery. A compelling and insightful biography.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781923300736

Publisher: Big Sky Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 July 2025

Country: Australia

Imprint: Big Sky Publishing

DIMENSIONS

Width: 3886.0mm

Height: 5842.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Peter Hodge is an experienced teacher and freelance writer with a passion for exploring global issues. Having taught for three years as an Australian Volunteer Abroad at a rural Zimbabwean mission school, Peter’s diverse travel experiences and broad interests inform much of his work. The author ofΒ Volunteer Work Overseas for Australians and New ZealandersΒ (two editions), Peter has contributed numerous articles to respected publications such asΒ The Age, The Australian, The Guardian, andΒ Eureka Street, often focusing on social justice and international development. More recently, his writing has delved into family history, as seen in the compelling narrative ofΒ Fly Boy, which seeks to understand personal legacy while uncovering forgotten aspects of the past.

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