The former air force pilot, navigator and gunner died in Hobart over the Anzac Day weekend, with Tasmanians and Territorians alike paying tribute to the highly respected war hero.
Brian was just 20 years old when Darwin was bombed in 1942 and was in one of the last aircraft to fly into the city on that fateful day.
Of note, one of Brian’s duties after the raid was to guard Hajime Toyoshima, a Japanese Zero pilot who was captured by local Aboriginal man Matthias.
Toyoshima would eventually play a role in the massive prison breakout in Cowra in 1944.
Brian was ultimately recommended for officer training and retrained as a navigator.
He would spend the rest of the war flying out of New Guinea and conducting anti-submarine patrols around Australia’s coastline.
Brian Winspear at Adelaide River War Cemetary.
Awarded an Order of Australia in 1993 for services to tourism and community, Brian was a regular attendee at the Bombing of Darwin commemoration.
Territory FM 
Serene