Service: RAAF
Service number: 401921
Locality on Enlistment: Colac
Duration of Service: 24 Apr 1941 – 11 Apr 1946
Prisoner of War: No
Honours: None for display
Date and Place of Birth: 6 Nov 1918 Colac
Parents: Frederick GAVENS and Mabel May KILSBY
Spouse: Deborah LEE
School/s: Colac West SS, Colac High School
Occupation: Carpenter and Joiner
Date and Place of Death: 18 Aug 1990 Melbourne
Place of Burial: Lilydale Cemetery
NOTES: Phil started a carpentry apprenticeship at age 14 during the Depression. At 22, spurred by the memory of a joy flight with Kingsford Smith, he enlisted for aircrew. He trained initially in Southern Rhodesia, and was commissioned in England, becoming a flight instructor and pilot in Bomber Command. He met Deborah, a serving WREN, who shared his dreams of a family life and building business in Colac in peacetime. Phil was described as steadfast, reliable, patient, unflappable, practical, loyal and of great integrity by family, friends and especially his flight crew. He quietly and consistently contributed to family and community throughout his lifetime.