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Frank Shapira was born in London in 1887, and migrated with his family to Hobart, Tasmania. Educated at Launceston and Melbourne Grammar he worked as a station overseer prior to the outbreak of war. Enlisting in March 1915 and posted to the 18th Battalion, after basic training the battalion arrived at Gallipoli in mid-August, Shapira suffered a gunshot wound and was admitted to hospital. He rejoined his unit in September and was promoted to Sergeant in October. He would remain on the Turkish Peninsula until the Anzac evacuation in December 1915.

Wounded in France with a GSW to the head in June 1916 he was evacuated to England he would spend the next 5 months recovering. Upon discharge he undertook a course in instruction with the RFC and later in December he was transferred to the AFC and undertook a 6 month course in wireless and observation training.

Shapira was posted to 3 Squadron in July 1917 at Biggen Hill. A month later the squadron was flying out for France when RE8 B3421 nosed dived and caught fire killing both Shapira and Air Mechanic Sloane.

• Francis Shapira Collection

South Australian born Jack Shepherd was educated in Western Australia a the Perth Boys' School and was working as a mechanical engineer in Claremont when he enlisted in the AIF in October 1916. Sent to the AFC camp at Laverton he was promoted to acting Lance Corporal while in training.

Embarking for England in May 1917, Shepherd was taken on strenth with 5 Training Squadron AFC in July with the rank of 2AM. Embarking for France he join 2 Squadron just before Christmas in 1917. He specialised in working on magnetos and carburetors and was promoted to Corporal Mechanic early in 1918. Shepherd would remain with 2 Squadron for the duration of the war.

• John Shepherd Collection

Born is Sydney in 1893, little is known of Smith's pre war life. He was employed by the Post Master Genral as a senior mechanic in the telegraph workshops. Enlisting with the AIF in February 1916, he was posted to the 3rd Pioneer Battalion. After a posting to signals school. Smith embarked for England in June 1916. Between July and November 1916, the 3rd Pioneers carried out intensive training to prepare them for their arrival on the Western Front. Arriving in France in late November and spent a period of acclimatisation in a "nursery sector" around Armentieres.

Smith was transferred to 4 Squadon in May 1917 with the rank of 2AM and would join his new squadron in England. He would return to France with 4 Squadron in January 1918, his work as an air mechinc would increase later in February when the squadron strength was increased from 18 aircraftv to 24 aircraft. Smith would remain with the squadron through to the end of the war and would travel with them to Cologne as part of the British army of occupation at Bickendorf Aerodrome.

• Charles Smith Collection

Born on 10 May 1883 in Isfield, Sussex, England, and followed his father into the army when he enlisted in the Bedford Yeomanry as a Private. Gaining an understanding of mechanical works and upon the formation of the Royal Flying Corps in May 1912, Jack applied for a transfer to the new service, as an Air Mechanic. In September that same year he was duly transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Aero Fitter, with the rank of 2nd Class Air Mechanic, assigned to No.3 Squadron. Transferring to 5 Squadron before the outbreak of the war and the squadron was sent to Mauberge, France in August 1914.

Smith would remain with 5 squadron until January 1915 when he was prmoted to Sergeant and posted to Home Establishment. He would soon be transferred to 12 Squadron which would move to France in September 1915. Shortly after arrival Smith was involed in a forced landing and sent back to Home establishment, where he would work as an aero fitter

Smith would spend the remainder of the war with Home establishment apart from a brief posting to France with 53 Squadron and was with 52 TDS when the armistice was announced.

• James Smith Collection

Born on August 8th, 1889 in Fairfield Park, Victoria, William Treloar obtained his RAeC No. 835 prior to the war at Brooklands, England in July 1914. He returned to Australia just after the outbreak of hoistilities and was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the AFC attending the No.2 course at CFS Laverton. Selected to be part of the Half Flight Treloar arrived in Basrah in May 1915.

Treloar setup a darkroom on the banks of the Euphrates River so that aerial photographs could be developed the same day at the aerodrome. After an earlier escape when Treloar came down behind the lines, Treloar wasn't so lucky on September 16th when his aircraft suddenly descended in front of the Turkish lines. Treloar and Captain Basil Atkins of the Indian Army would become Prisoners of War and be detained at the notorious Afion Kara Hissar.

Repatriated in November 1919, Treloar returned to Australia and with Hector Lord established a joy flight service in Victoria and NSW.

• Harold Treloar Collection