Through the generosity of Eric Jewell's family, the Eric J. Jewell Award page is dedicated to telling his story and to offer financial support to Australian youth, and specifically to Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC).
Commanding Officers of AAFC squadrons can apply for support (for Projects, or Activities, or to assist cadets) via the submission process detailed further below. Submission period is 26 April 2024 to 25 April 2025, with selection and announcement of the Award recipient/s for 2025 by June/July 2025.
LIFE AND WAR SERVICE
Flying Officer (FLGOFF) Eric John Jewell (RAAF Service no. 410161) was second pilot in the Vickers Wellington aircraft with 458 Squadron. His life story is outlined on the Servicemen’s Stories page.
Eric took part in a number of operations, and perhaps most notable is his and 458 Squadron’s involvements in Operation Dragoon, starting the 15th of August, 1944. This Operation came to be known as the “second D-Day landings”, and was spearheaded from the Mediterranean Sea, into southern France and Nazi-occupied French ports. Page 611 of the 458 Squadron's Unit History confirms the Squadron’s involvement in commenting, “This has been a momentous week. The Squadron is really in the “front line” of the invasion.” The operation Eric and his crew flew on 16th of August 1944 in aircraft with serial no. HF360 is the same Mk. X (“Mark 10”) variant of the Wellington as aircraft HF344 shown below.
Photo of Eric with crew members, Bone (Algeria) early 1944
Photo of Eric with crew members, Alghero (Sardinia) mid-1944
Extract of 458 Unit History, page 632, operation on 16-Aug-1944. Note the flight details, and the ports of Sète, Toulon and Port-Saint-Louis(-du-Rhone)
Two Mk. X Vickers Wellingtons at Alghero, Sardinia. Aircraft with serial no. HF344 is in the foreground (image courtesy Australian War Memorial)
The invasion pathways Southern France, Aug 1944. Click to enlarge for the ports of Sète and Toulon, and the Rhone river’s entry point to the Mediterranean Sea (Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone)
THE 2024 ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD
Joint Winners this year!
Delighted to receive the Award, including certificate, are (L to R): CO of 327 SQN, Gary Johnston and Cadet Flight Sergeant Wilson
Shown in the three photos above are CO of 604 SQN Paul Rosenzweig, Cadet Under Officer Buerano and Cadet Sergeant Naik
The Award this year directly supports Cadet Flight Sergeant Wilson of 327 SQN, and allows 604 SQN to purchase display cabinets to house the Squadron library and the Squadron’s trophies, shields & memorabilia. Eric and family are well pleased the difference this will make to these cadets and their Squadrons!
THE 2023 ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD
The Eric J. Jewell Award this year goes to 232 Squadron - Robina (near the Gold Coast, QLD)
Delighted to receive the Award, including certificate, are (L to R): CCPL(AAFC) Morris, FLGOFF(AAFC) CO Janeczek, and CFSGT(AAFC) Astic.
The Award allows the purchase of ceremonial drill uniform & equipment for Cadets and Staff that will not only bolster Squadron pride, but also increase their service to the local community, assist the local Sub-Branch, and participate in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Eric and family are well pleased the difference this makes to 232 Squadron and its community!
THE 2022 ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD
The Eric J. Jewell Award this year goes to 314 (City of Wollongong) Squadron. The CO, FLTLT (AAFC) Paul Adams, presents the winner of the Award to Cadet, Nevaeh.
Nevaeh is a worthy recipient. She was understandably very excited, along with her parents, when the good news was delivered. Eric’s Award will provide financial support for her unique circumstances, and will help her realise growth & development, and her dreams. 458 applauds her and says, “Fly high, Nevaeh, fly high!” Eric would be very proud!
THE 2021 ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD
In the 80th Anniversary of 458 Squadron RAAF, the Eric J. Jewell Award is presented to 3 Wing AAFC in support of AAFC's 80th Anniversary, "AAFC80".
THE 2020 ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD
The Coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic continues to be a tragedy for many families and has affected us all. The suspension of Air Force Cadet activities, including parades, and other restrictions in 2020 resulted in no applications for Eric's Award. These circumstances meant no Award was given in 2020.
THE 2019 ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD
The 2019 Eric J. Jewell Award was presented to twenty-one Cadets from 303, 304, 305, 307, 314, 315, 318, 322, 324, 330, 331, 336, 345, 507, and 508 Squadrons, and to three AAFC staff attending the 103rd International Four Days Marches Nijmegen, in the Netherlands, during the month of July.
The group, alongside many other military participants from around the world, will follow the green arrow sign posts, covering about 40 kilometres each day, with a total of 166.6 km over the four days. Their itinerary separately includes visiting Arnhem, located about 25 km north of Nijmegen. Nearly 75 years after Operation Market Garden during World War II, they will be crossing the rebuilt Arnhem road bridge. In September 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division and the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade were given the task of securing this bridge which spans the Lower Rhine river.
Cadets and staff will be proudly wearing the funded team shirts with Four Days Marches patches, and the FLGOFF Eric J. Jewell patch (the same as those worn by the cadets in 2018) near to heart on the left side of the chest. Each participant has been kitted with two shirts to alternate over the four days of the march.
THE INAUGURAL ERIC J. JEWELL AWARD RECIPIENT
The inaugural Eric J. Jewell Award was presented to number 3 Wing AAFC and Flight Lieutenant Sharon O’Donnell for their 2018 Western Front Tour of France and Belgium. This tour will notably mark the centennial year since the signing of the Armistice in 1918 to end WWI. Fifteen Cadets and ten AAFC adult staff are currently on tour from the 14th to the 26th of April 2018. The tour is tracing a number of the significant battlefields, cemeteries, and memorials of WWI, and also the site of the Normandy D-DAY Landings of WWII. ANZAC DAY 2018 will be held at Villers-Bretonneux, with Flight Lieutenant O’Donnell and 4 cadets taking part in official ceremonial proceedings.
The Award has contributed to the purchase of official AAFC clothing to be provided to all participants, with the design on each participant’s Hoodie shown below.
Embroidery for Cadet 'Seth' on his AAFC clothing, and tribute to Eric Jewell
AAFC Submissions for Funding
For prospective Award recipients for year 2024, AAFC Squadron representatives are invited to submit an application for funding for new or current Cadets, or Cadet programs. Here is the Application Form.
Send your completed application form to president@458raafsquadron.org (see instructions in the form). Note that applications who have previously received the Eric J. Jewell Award are ineligible to apply two years in a row.