Black Magic - Len Waters

Black Magic port honours the life of Len Waters. Len was a quiet and intelligent Aboriginal boy who became enthralled by flying after reading about the exploits of aviators like Kingsford-Smith and Hinkler.

When war broke with Japan, Len decided to join the RAAF in order to fulfill his dream to fly. However, aboriginals were not permitted to serve in defence of their country. This view soon changed due to pressure from the Americans.

By August 1942, Len was admitted into the RAAF. Due to Len’s limited education, he was initially relegated to ground crew. Len was determined to educate himself in order to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot. He took every opportunity to become airborne, even entering a boxing tournament at the request of his CO with the promise of inclusion in the next air crew re-muster.

After graduating in the top five of his course, on the 15th November 1944, Len walked out onto the airstrip at Noemfoor, a pilot with 78 Squadron. By coincidence his Kittyhawk was named “Black Magic”, after the previous ace pilot named Blackmore.

By the end of the war Len had flown 95 combat missions over New Guinea and Borneo and was honoured with the 1939-45 Star, the Pacific star and commendations for bravery. Prior to being discharged from the RAAF on January 18 1946, Len was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer.

After the war he settled in St George where he married Gladys Saunders. He became a gun shearer and fencing contractor and raised a family of six.

As Buddy Thomson sings “He was proud of his country and proud of his name. A hero of Australia, a black man standing proud.”

Len Waters is a true ambassador for his country and his achievements as an Indigenous Australian will never be forgotten.