🇦🇺WWII uncovered: John William Goffage from the Royal Australian Air Force to the Silver Screen.

According to the Australian War Memorial: "John Goffage had done a variety of jobs ranging from deck-hand, drover and shearer to operating an ice-cream parlour. However, he also had an interest in the arts, including poetry, painting, and acting. He entered show business as a magician’s assistant and also worked as a film extra. Eventually he became an actor, famous by his screen-name, “Chips Rafferty” and a role in the 1940 film "Dad Rudd MP" which brought Rafferty to public's attention. From there he was cast in a leading role in Charles Chauvel’s Australian Light Horse classic, "Forty Thousand Horsemen."

"The following year, at 32 years of age, on 29 May 1941 Rafferty enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and eventually saw service in Australia, New Guinea, and the Netherlands East Indies, including Milne Bay and Morotai."

"In April 1943 Rafferty was commissioned in the RAAF Administrative and Special Duties Branch, and performed a variety of welfare and entertainment duties. The wartime need for entertainment meant he was in demand. He was released to act in films for the Department of Information and had a leading role in Chauvel’s "The Rats of Tobruk" portraying the character of Milo Trent in 1944. Rafferty was discharged from the RAAF on 13 February 1945, having reached the rank of Flying Officer." - AWM

"Rafferty grew in popularity after the war. He became a solid supporter of the local film industry. He was acclaimed for his work in The Overlanders (1946) and went on to roles in British and American productions made in Australia. He also took work overseas and appeared in The Desert Rats (1953), Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), and even worked with Elvis Presley in Double Trouble (1967)."

(AWM)

In the 1971 New Years' Honours, Rafferty was made a Member of the Order of British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the performing arts. Chips worked consistently through 1971 until his death of a heart attack on 27 May 1971 in Sydney Australia at the age of 62. Lest We Forget.

#ww2uncovered #honorourveterans #worldwar2 #WorldWarII #worldwartwo #royalaustralianairforce #WWIIveteran #RAAF #ww2veteran #greatestgeneration #lestweforget

Original description and photos sourced by the following: the Australian War Memorial Collection/OG0068 and IMDb (Fair Use Photos). don't forget to comment on the comment section.

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