Squadron Leader William Palstra was born in South Africa in 1892 but much of his life was spent in Australia after his father was sent there in his role as a Commissioner in the Salvation Army. He originally served in the infantry in WW1 but joined the Australian Flying Corps in 1917 and shot down six enemy aircraft. He was also the holder of a Military Cross.
Tragically, lost his life in the loss of the R101 on 5th October 1930.
*With grateful thanks to Nicole Kearney of the Melbourne Museum in Australia for providing this information.