Sgt Marius Byrge Hanneval Haagensen

Marius Byrge Hanneval Haagensen is born in Denmark, but as his father is a naturalised British Subject in 1884. He volunteers for the Royal Australian Air Force and serves as telegraphist in a number of units.

Marius Byrge Hanneval Haagensen is born on 3 February 1908 in Gunnestrup, Denmark. He is the son of Julius Sorinus Haagensen (b. 23.7.1860) and Mary Wilhelmsen (b. 27.2.1876). [1]

In 1878 the father emigrates from Denmark arriving in Brisbane, Australia, in July 1879. He becomes naturalised on 6 September 1884. The father returns to Denmark where Marius is born; a British subject as his father even if he is born in Denmark. [2]

In the 1930’s he works as a postal clerk and is a qualified telegraphist.[3]

Trained in the Royal Australian Air Force

Marius Haagensen enlists for the Royal Australian Air Force at No. 4 Recruitment Centre in Perth on 11 September 1940 in Perth (AUS17652). In the enrolment papers he indicates, that he has previous military experience as Sergeant in 103rd How. Battery.

At enlistment he is mustered as W/T Observer (G) with the rank of Aircraftman 1st Class. He is posted to No. 4 Recruit Depot, Pearce, and from here to No. 1 Signals School, Point Cook. He is posted to No. 1 School of Technical Training for further training on 2 November 1940 and on 19 November 1940 to No. 1 Air Observers’ School, Cootamundra.

In Active Duty

On 19 February 1941 he is posted to Station HQ, RAAF Station Pearce. He is posted here for the next two years until 7 March 1943. On 1 September 1941 he is appointed Leading Aircraftman and on 12 June 1942, he is re-mustered to Telegraphist. On 1 August 1942 he is further appointed Temporary Corporal.

The next two years, Marius Haagensen is posted to a long range of units. On 7 March 1943 he is posted to No. 4 Embarkation Depot, Adelaide. From here he is posted to No. 55 Operational Base Unit (personnel pool) on 19 March 1943, four days later to No. 11. Signals Unit, and five days later to No. 53 Operational Base Unit.

On 20 November 1943 he is posted to No. 79 Wing Headquarters and on 14 January 1944 he is posted to No. 18 (N.E.I.) Squadron, RAAF Batchelor. Only a few days later, on 25 January 1944 he is posted to No. 52 Operational Base Unit, Darwin. He stays here for nearly a year. He is appointed Temporary Sergeant on 1 December 1943.

On 18 December 1944 he is posted to No. 5 Personnel Depot and on 1 February 1945 he is posted to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School, RAAF Cunderdin, Western Australia, and on 10 March 1945 he is posted to No. 76 Operational Base Unit, RAAF Learmonth.

On 22 October 1945 he is discharged via No. 5 Personnel Depot. [4]

Sources

1. Tranbjerg parish record, 1906 Census
2. Haagensen Family Tree via ancestry.co.uk
3. Service record NAA A9301 17652
4. Service record NAA A9301 17652