 In light of his business closure , McAloney was forced to seek alternate employment and he consequently enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 1 July 1936 . Ranked aircraftman , he completed a fitters course and qualified as an aero fitter and turner before being attached to No. 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Laverton , Victoria , in September . He was employed in a maintenance role within the unit , working on the Jupiter Gipsy and Rolls @-@ Royce Kestrel engines of Bristol Bulldog and Hawker Demon aircraft respectively . During 1937 , McAloney completed a part @-@ time air gunner course . His first child , a son named William , was born later that year . 
