ROLLAND, Dr John Stothert ‘Jock’ (1920-2009) 'Jock' Rolland was a dental surgeon and, during World War II, an RAAF Flight Lieutenant. He died at Beaumaris on 25 August 2009.
The son of Robert Monteith Rolland (1887-1976) and Eveline Cope Fynney, he was the nephew of the revered, former College principal, Sir Francis William Rolland. John Rolland was born at Sale and first went to Sale High School before enrolling as a boarder at the College where he was educated from February 1937 to May 1938. He was a participant in the 1937 Athletics Team and a member in 1938, Term 1 of the Music, Tennis and
Pegasus Committees.
He enlisted in the RAAF on 1 March, 1941 to serve with 461 (Sunderland) Squadron also known as Anzac Squadron as it was raised on 25 April 1942. Pegasus
Magazine in July 1942 reprinted a letter from him in which he reported that
'I did a convoy escort last week and it was good fun: pick up a convoy at dawn and patrol nearly all day with them. It was beautiful sunshine all the time, which made it a most enjoyable day’s work. Two days before that we had a little affair with a German patrol boat off the coast of Spain. We fairly rocked them with a couple of sticks. I took some excellent photos of the actual bombing. The appearance of three enemy fighters caused us to hurry off at high speed. In two months here I have done 150 hours on operations. I have started a pipe and now cut a dashing figure with a permanent smoke screen.' In 1944 he was posted back to Australia to 40 Squadron ferrying supplies and personnel between Australia and New Guinea. He was discharged from the RAAF on 18 February 1946. His son, John, also attended the College.
During his time in the RAAF Squadron 461, Jock was part of a 'Wartime Coincidence.' The story as told by his brother Derrick is linked below.
A Wartime Coincidence, July 1943 (Told July 2021) and also featured in the
December 2021 Ad Astra.
Sources: Pegasus July 1942 p 46; James Affleck, Geelong Collegians’ in the Second World War; D. Rolland July 2021.