McNamara was born in Rushworth, Victoria. He enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps in 1915 and became one of the members of the third training course at Point Cook. Once McNamara graduated he was quickly sent off of join the newly formed No.1 Australian Flying Corps squadron in Palestine. It was while flying over the deserts of the Middle East that Frank McNamara was to earn a Victoria Cross. The only Australian flier in World War I to do so.
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The RE8 was the most widely used of the Corps and Army squadrons in the British and Australian services through 1917 and 1918. Despite its less than scintillating performance, the aircraft was workman-like and used effectively by the aircrew who manned it. The Australian Flying Corps used the RE8 in No.1, No.3 and No.7 Squadrons.
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