Lionel Abel

Lionel Abel (24 June 1922 Cape Town, South Africa - 21 March 1994 Sydney, Australia) service number 208960V, South African Air force, was the son of John Abel (1896-1987) and Sarah Abel nee Bailey (1897-1977) of Hermanus.

During World War Two, before finishing his final year at school, he volunteered in the Union Defence Force He was attested in Cape Town on the 20 February 1941 and served for 4 years and 327 days in the South African Air Force. He saw service in the Middle East and Italy. His rank was Corporal. He served with No. 2 Wing South African Air Force which comprised heavy bomber squadrons, No. 34 Squadron and No. 31 Squadron. No 2 Wing was formed in Egypt and operated in Egypt and Italy. It was equipped with Consolidated Vultee B-24 Liberator IVs. No 34 Squadron's motto was "Initasela Zasebusiuku" (We Strike by Night) and No 31 "Absque Metu "(Without Fear). He was awarded the 1939 - 1945 Star, the Africa Star with Clasp North Africa 1942-1943 / 8th Army, the Italy Star, the War Medal 1939-1945 and the Africa Service Medal. He was a member of the Springbok Legion, which was formed in 1941 to fight for the rights of soldiers during the war and in the post-war period. He married Rita Friedman (1926- 2017) in 1948. They settled in Hermanus and helped run Lionel's father's general dealership. Their son, Michael, was born in 1951. They subsequently emigrated to Australia.in 1993, to join their son Michael and his family. Source: Michael Abel, son, Australia. https://www.geni.com/people/Lionel-Abel/6000000001431746110?through=6000000001431567916. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/34_Squadron_SAAF. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31_Squadron_SAAF.