In Memoriam - Those Air Force Pilots/Crews who died on this day in WW2.

LENNE, HUBERT ALBERT Pilot Officer 375 24sq 19/12/1940 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian R.C. Plot. Sec. 1. Line 1. Grave 3786A. MACKAY CEMETERY Australia Queensland



Correction to date of accident versus date of death of the pilot plus additional info about the passenger and his award of the George Medal.

CRASH OF A WIRRAWAY NEAR ST. LAWRENCE ON 29 NOVEMBER 1940

Wirraway A20-53 of 24 Squadron crashed at St. Lawrence on 29 NOVEMBER 1940, flown by Pilot Officer HUBERT ALBERT LENNE, 375 RAAF.

The pilot died in a Mackay hospital on 19 December 1940 and was buried at MACKAY CEMETERY. The passenger was awarded a George Medal in 1941.


The Air Observer, SGT GEOFFRY HENRY ELLIS – RAAF 205448 – survived the war and was discharged on 14 December 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.

The London Gazette TUESDAY, 15 JULY, 1941

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD. St. James's Palace

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the George Medal to:

205448 Sergeant Geoffrey Henry Ellis, Royal Australian Air Force.

This airman was the observer in a Wirraway aircraft which crashed and burst into flames when the pilot failed to make a successful forced landing necessitated by engine failure. The flames enveloped the whole of the fuselage. Sergeant Ellis escaped with a dislocated shoulder, abrasions to his face and arms and slight burns, but the pilot was trapped. In spite of his injuries, Sergeant Ellis re-entered the flaming aircraft, released the pilot and assisted him to escape. This most courageous act did not unfortunately save the pilot's life and the additional severe burns which Sergeant Ellis sustained almost proved fatal.

 

BATE, HAROLD Sergeant 1195168 207sq RAF 21/12/1942 34 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve UK (of Australia) Plot 13. Row 4. Joint grave 73. AMERSFOORT (OUD LEUSDEN) GENERAL CEMETERY Netherlands Utrecht



Squadron 207

Aircraft Lancaster
Code EM-Q
Serial no. W4191

Date of accident 21st December 1942

Details The aircraft took off at 17.15 from Langar

Target:

Mònchen. Shot down by a nightfighter at 00.02, it crashed between Elst and Rhenen near youth-hostel Eikelkamp.

Crew:

Sgt. H. Bate (navigator) (of Australia)
4-73

Sgt. G.J. Bentley (wop/airgnr) 4-74

Sgt. P.C. Hind (bomber) 4-72

Sgt. G.J. Dean(airgnr)
4-70

Sgt. C.A. Davey (airgnr) 4-71

Sgt. J.R. Walker (pilot)
4-73

Fl.off. D.R. Bannerman (pilot) R.N.Z.A.F. 4-69

 

DALE, JACK CRANWELL Pilot Officer 43284 224sq RAF 21/12/1940 22 Royal Air Force UK (Of Australia) Panel 7. RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

JACK CRANWELL DALE of the Royal Air Force in England, but formerly and usually of 78 Gladstone Street Kew Victoria, pilot-officer deceased who died on 21st December, 1940

Commemorative Roll - Jack Cranwell Dale
Jack Cranwell Dale

Service number: 43284

Rank: Pilot Officer

Unit: 224 Squadron

Service: Royal Air Force

Conflict: 1939-1945

Date of death: 21 December 1940

Cause of death: Killed in action

Cemetery or memorial details: Runnymede Memorial, United Kingdom

Source: AWM file
HICKEY , WILLIAM JOSEPH Squadron Leader 32035 80sq 21/12/1940 Unknown RAF UK (Of Australia) Column 239. ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Egypt Alamein

The Story of Squadron Leader Hickey

Commemorative Roll - William Joseph Hickey
William Joseph Hickey

Service number: 32035

Rank: Squadron Leader

Unit: No 80 Squadron

Service: Royal Air Force

Conflict: 1939-1945

Date of death: 21 December 1940

Cause of death: Died of wounds

Cemetery or memorial details: Alamein Memorial, Egypt
JENKINS, PETER JOHNSTONE (MID) Flying Officer 40713 224sq RAF
(Of Australia) 21/12/1940 27 Royal Air Force UK Panel 6. RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL UK Surrey

The Scottish War Memorials Project :: View topic - PETER JENKINS

Memorial is a stained glass window situated within Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dunfermline.
UKNIWM 46421


Could not photo transcriptions due to lights on ledge.
The figure on the right window is St Michael.
The transcription is
"To The Glory of God And In Loving Memory of
Constance Edith Jenkins Died 22.3.43
And Her Son Flying Officer Peter Johnstone Jenkins R.A.F.
Born N.S.W. 9.10.13
Killed In Action 21.12.40
May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Them"
Name: JENKINS, PETER JOHNSTONE
Initials: P J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 224 Sqdn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 21/12/1940
Service No: 40713
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Son of Edward Johnstone Jenkins and Constance Edith Jenkins, of Sydney, Australia.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 6.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

 

DRURY, ROBERT WILLIAM Pilot Officer 207698 453sq 22/12/1941 27 Royal Australian Air Force Australian 3. B. 11. TAIPING WAR CEMETERY Malaysia Taiping PETERSON, ERIC ANTON Sergeant 402951 453sq 22/12/1941 24 Royal Australian Air Force Australian 3. B. 12. TAIPING WAR CEMETERY Malaysia Taiping READ, MALCOLM NEVILLE Sergeant 402952 453sq 22/12/1941 24 Royal Australian Air Force Australian 3. B. 7. TAIPING WAR CEMETERY Malaysia Taiping





The war in Malaya: Sgt Buntain's diary

Monday, 22 Dec 1941 -- Buffaloes on patrol this morning. Had no sooner landed when Japs appeared overhead. Twelve of our kites engaged them; very big dog fight. Shot down 25 Japs with a loss of 6 of our kites. [Sgt S.G.] Scrimgeour forced to bail out and was machine gunned on the way down in his parachute. This afternoon 4 Navy Zero fighters straffed us. Not so good a feeling either and worst of all my machine which Peterson was flying was shot down while he was trying to get off the deck and was killed (burnt). Poor B-- and this morning poor P/O Bob Drury while in the dog fight got shot up bad. Half his aileron shot away and crashed on landing.

Southeast Asia
When the war broke out, the British had four Buffalo squadrons at Singapore and in Northern Malaya. Another was stationed in Burma.

The pilots included only 15 who actually served in the Royal Air Force. The others were officers or (the majority) sergeant-pilots from Australia and New Zealand. Altogether, the Buffalo pilots numbered 118, of whom 28 were killed and another was captured--25 percent lost in less than two months. Several others were badly injured.

U.S. Army equivalent ranks: squadron leader = major, flight lieutenant = captain, flying officer = 1st Lt, pilot officer = 2nd Lt
RAAF 21 ("City of Melbourne") Squadron
The "City of Melbourne" squadron had 12 Buffaloes at Sungei Patani, Northern Malaya, on 8 Dec 1941. 8 destroyed on the ground that day, and the squadron withdrew to Butterworth. 2 more Buffs were shot down on 9 Dec in the first air-to-air combat for RAF fighters in the Pacific. The squadron was then withdrawn to Ipoh and merged with 453 Sq under S/L Harper (see below). Squadron embarked for Australia 27 Jan.

 

DIVE, PETER BENJAMIN Sergeant 401273 69sq 23/12/1941 21 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Prot. Sec. (Men's). Plot F. Joint grave 70. MALTA (CAPUCCINI) NAVAL CEMETERY Malta Rinella



401273 Sergeant DIVE, Peter Benjamin
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/102/39 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Maryland
Serial number: BS766
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 69 SQN RAF
Summary:
Maryland BS766 when returning from night air operations on 23rd December 1941, was
shot up by an enemy night fighter and as a result crashed on landing at Luqa Aerodrome,
Malta. All the crew were killed.
Crew:
RAF Flt Sgt P C Wells, Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 401273 Sgt P B Dive, (Observer)
RAF Flt Sgt H B Metcalfe, (Wireless Air Gunner)
All the crew are buried in the Malta (Cappucini) Naval Cemetery, Malta.
173

 

DAY, GRAHAM FOWLER Flight Sergeant 433717 460sq 24/12/1944 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave. OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD Netherlands Noord-Brabant

DEED, CYRIL KEITH Flight Sergeant 30953 460sq 24/12/1944 25 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave. OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD Netherlands Noord-Brabant

DICKIE, ROBERT JOHN Flight Sergeant 430773 460sq 24/12/1944 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave. OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD Netherlands Noord-Brabant

SKARRATT, MICHAEL CARLETON Flying Officer 420763 460sq 24/12/1944 22 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave. OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD Netherlands Noord-Brabant

STEWART, RUSSELL IAN Flight Sergeant 434335 460sq 24/12/1944 21 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave. OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD Netherlands Noord-Brabant

WARD, JOHN MICHAEL Flying Officer 437237 460sq 24/12/1944 21 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave. OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD Netherlands Noord-Brabant


NEWMAN , THOMAS CHARLES Sergeant92355424/12/1944 UnknownRoyal Air Force Volunteer ReserveUnited KingdomColl. grave.OOSTELBEERS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHYARD




A Dutch woman tends with great care the graves of the crew of Lancaster bomber (PB255) from RAAF 460 Squadron which crashed and exploded on impact at Oostelbeers, Holland on the night of 24 December, 1944. The remains of the crew (six RAAF and one RAF) buried in a common grave in the local Roman Catholic churchyard in Oostelbeers include: 420763 Flying Officer (FO) Michael Carleton Skarrat (Pilot); 430773 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Robert John Dickie (Navigator); 437237 FO John Michael Ward (Bomb Aimer); 30953 Flt Sgt Cyril Keith Deed (Mid Upper Gunner); 433717 Flt Sgt Graham Fowler Day (Rear Gunner); 434335 Flt Sgt Russell Ian Stewart (Wireless Operator, Air) and 923554 Sergeant Thomas Charles Newman (Flight Engineer, RAF). Oostelbeers is located 13 kilometers north-west of Eindhoven, Holland.
460 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 24 December 1944
Source:
AWM 64 (1/295); AWM 64 (1/294) Appendix C74; AWM 237 (63) (64)
NAA: A705, 166/37/674
Aircraft Type:
Lancaster
Serial number:
PB 255
Radio call sign:
AR – E
Unit:
460 Sqn RAAF
Summary:
Lancaster PB255 took off from RAF Binbrook at 1450 hours on 24 December 1944 to bomb Cologne. Bomb load was 1 x 4000lb, 1 x 1000lb and 8 x 500lb bombs. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Eleven aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid and one PB255 failed to return.
Crew:
RAAF 420763 FO Skarratt, M C Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 430773 Flt Sgt Dickie, R J (Navigator)
RAAF 437237 FO Ward, J M (Bomb Aimer)
RAAF 434335 Flt Sgt Stewart, R I (Wireless Operator Air)
RAF Sgt Newman, T C (Flight Engineer)
RAAF 30953 Flt Sgt Deed, C K (Mid Upper Gunner)
RAAF 433717 Flt Sgt Day, G F (Rear Gunner)
A Canadian Chaplain reported that on 24 December 1944 at 1850 hours an aircraft crashed at Oostelbeers, Holland. An explosion occurred, the aircraft disintegrated and occupants were killed. The aircraft and crew were identified by the watch of Flt Sgt Stewart. Their remains are buried at the Roman Catholic Churchyard Cemetery, Oostelbeers, Holland.

 

ARTHUR, KEITH Sergeant 416736 1 ANS PARKES 25/12/1942 22 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Plot A. Row D. Grave 1. PARKES GENERAL CEMETERY Australia New South Wales



CRAVEN, GEORGE EDWARD JAMES Sergeant 405721 RAF FERRY COMMAND DORVAL 25/12/1942 21 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Panel 2. Column 1. OTTAWA MEMORIAL Canada Ontario



405721 Sergeant CRAVEN, George Edward James
Source:
NAA : A705, 166/8/13
Aircraft Type: Catalina
Serial number: FP 266
Radio call sign:
Unit: Royal Air Force Ferry Command RCAF
Summary:
Catalina FP 266 of RAF Ferry Command on a delivery flight from Canada to the UK was
reported missing after it’s last contact with base at 0400 hours GMT on 25 December
1942. No passengers were carried on the aircraft which did not reach its destination.
Crew:
RAFFC Captain Benson, H C Civilian, (Pilot)
RAF Sgt Harding, R (1st Officer)
RCAF Sgt Bevan, D O (Navigator)
RAFFC Mr Auld, J H Civilian (Radio Operator)
RAAF 405721 Sgt Craven G E J (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt Thompson, R E (Flight Engineer)
In 1949 it was recorded that the missing crew had lost their lives at sea.

TREMAYNE, SYDNEY HORATIO Aircraftman 1st Class 128944 12 ARD 25/12/1944 19 Royal Australian Air Force Australian D.C.13. ADELAIDE RIVER WAR CEMETERY Australia Northern Territory



Sydney Horatio b 21 Apr 1925 Bairnsdale, Victoria.
Died 25 Dec 1944 WW11
Roll of Honour - Sydney Horatio Tremayne

Sydney Horatio Tremayne

Service number: 128944
Rank: Aircraftman Class 1
Unit: 12 Aircraft Repair Depot Kiriwira
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of death: 25 December 1944
Place of death: Darwin, Northern Territory
Cause of death: Illness
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force





GEE, HOWARD WALTER Flying Officer 413980 38sq 25/12/1945 23 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. 73. Grave 26. BRISBANE (LUTWYCHE) CEMETERY Australia Queensland



FRANK EASTHOPE killed in Motor Vehicle accident on Christmas eve 25DEC1945 along with Flying Officer Howard Walter GEE Service Number 413980 RAAF – also buried in BRISBANE (LUTWYCHE) CEMETERY

Frank Easthope of RN was killed outright - Service Number L/FX98561 H.M.S. Nabsford / Son of Frank and Marion Easthope, of Liverpool, England; husband of Margaret Easthope, of Wavertree, Liverpool


GEE was admitted to 112 AGH BMU (Australian General Hospital - Brisbane Military Unit Greenslopes). Died of injuries received as result of accident – fractures and shock. Motor accident marked on casualty file. Vehicle 212595 turned over on Ipswich Road, Annerley at 0300 25Dec. Frank Easthope, William Watson, Henry Roper, Howard Barton, Alex Gove of Royal Navy and FLGOFF GEE & FLGOFF BRENNAN injured. {BRENNAN, David Brenden - (Flying Officer); Service Number – 411001 (discharged 18 Mar 1962 – FLTLT O21991)}

 

BRAYE, ROBERT ALLAN ROSS Leading Aircraftman 6137 3sq 26/12/1941 24 Royal Australian Air Force Australian 15. B. 17. KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY, ACROMA Libya Acroma

Robert Alan Ross Braye was born in 1917 in Waratah, NSW, Aust.1 He was the son of Thomas Alfred Inglis Bray and Sarah Brewer Williams.1 Robert Alan Ross Braye served in the RAAF as LAC no 6137. On 26/ 12/1941, while collecting a new coil for his truck which had broken down, he was killed instantly when a single enemy aircraft bombed No.121 M.U. (Maintenance Unit). Leading Aircraftman Braye was buried the next day by the 118 kilometer post on the Tobruk to Derna road near Gazala No.2 airstrip. in Lybia in 1941.2 He died on 26 December 1941 in Lybia; Killed in Action, Buried Acroma Military Cemetery Grave 15 B 17.

FISHER, GEOFFREY WALTER Sergeant 400555 39sq RAF 26/12/1941 22 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Column 246. ALAMEIN MEMORIAL Egypt Alamein

400555 Sergant FISHER, Geoffrey Walter
Source:
AWM 237(65) NAA : A705, 163/112/93 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Beaufort
Serial number: N 1092
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 39 SQN RAF
Summary:
On 26th December 1941, Beaufort N1092 was reported missing at sea in the vicinity of
Koufonisi Island, Crete. At the time the Squadron was based at Maryut, Egypt.
In 1945 it was reported that the body of Sgt Fisher had been washed ashore on the island.
A search party later visited the island to locate Sgt Fisher’s grave but it could not be
found. As the grave was reported to be close to the shore, it was thought that the site had
been obliterated by storms and high tides.
Crew:
RAF PO Wallington, L G R Captain (Pilot)
RAF Flt Sgt V Miles, (Observer)
RAF Sgt C W Townsend, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAAF 400555 Sgt G W Fisher, (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sgt Fisher and Flt Sgt Miles have no known grave and their names are commemorated on
the Alamein Memorial, Egypt. The Memorial forms the entrance to the El Alamein War
Cemetery. Alamein is a village bypassed by the main coast road, approximately 130kms
west of Alexandria on the road to Mersa Matruh.
PO Wallngton is buried in the Tripoli (Victoria) Naval Cemetery, Lebanese Republic
Commonwealth War Graves do not record any details re.Sgt Townsend.

 

Would be grateful for any information on this lad and details of his death.

CHISHOLM, JOHN NORMAN Pilot Officer 104513 77sq RAF 27/12/1941 29 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve UK (of Australia) 1. C. 13. RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY GERMANY Son of John and Elsie Chisholm; husband of Margery Chisholm, of Mornington, Victoria, Australia.

 

Would be grateful for any information on this lad and details of his death.

CHISHOLM, JOHN NORMAN Pilot Officer 104513 77sq RAF 27/12/1941 29 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve UK 1. C. 13. RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY GERMANY Son of John and Elsie Chisholm; husband of Margery Chisholm, of Mornington, Victoria, Australia.

View attachment 42616

Not many details Geoff, but.....

27-28 December 1941

77 Squadron
Whitley V Z9226 KN-
Op. Dusseldorf

The aircraft took off from Leeming at 1652 hrs. All are buried in Dusseldorf War Cemetery.

Crew.
P/O. A D. Scott-Martin +
P/O. J N. Chisholm +
Sgt. P G. Clark +
Sgt. S G. Thompson +
Sgt. W. Jowett RCAF +

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.2 - W R. Chorley.

.............................

The Dusseldorf raid of 27-28 December 1941.

132 aircraft - 66 Wellingtons, 30 Hampdens, 29 Whitleys, 7 Manchesters. 5 Whitleys and 2 Wellingtons lost
96 aircraft claimed to have bombed Dusseldorf but the city reports only 32 high-explosive bombs and 3 batches of incendiaries. There was only very light damage and no casualties.

' The Bomber Command War Diaries' - Middlebrook / Everitt

 

Not many details Geoff, but.....

27-28 December 1941

77 Squadron
Whitley V Z9226 KN-
Op. Dusseldorf

The aircraft took off from Leeming at 1652 hrs. All are buried in Dusseldorf War Cemetery.

Crew.
P/O. A D. Scott-Martin +
P/O. J N. Chisholm +
Sgt. P G. Clark +
Sgt. S G. Thompson +
Sgt. W. Jowett RCAF +

'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.2 - W R. Chorley.

.............................

The Dusseldorf raid of 27-28 December 1941.

132 aircraft - 66 Wellingtons, 30 Hampdens, 29 Whitleys, 7 Manchesters. 5 Whitleys and 2 Wellingtons lost
96 aircraft claimed to have bombed Dusseldorf but the city reports only 32 high-explosive bombs and 3 batches of incendiaries. There was only very light damage and no casualties.

' The Bomber Command War Diaries' - Middlebrook / Everitt

That is great info Peter.

This is one of those Aussies in the RAF that I can find absolutely bugger all about. No Flight Mag, Newspapers Australia, Gazette, nothing on the AWM site or NAA.

Cheers

Geoff

 

DAVIES, ERNEST ARTHUR
Aircraftman 2nd Class
406347
5 ITS
28/12/1940
23
Royal Australian Air Force
Australian
Anglican. Lot A. Grave 446.
FREMANTLE CEMETERY
Australia
Western Australia

View attachment 43432

TWO R.A.A.F. DEATHS
Deaths in Australia of two aircraftmen are announced in the 31st R.A.A.F. casualty list issued yesterday. They were:
Aircraftman Ernest Arthur Davies, of Mosman Park (W.A.), formerly attached to No. 5 Initial Training School, Pearce, died December 28.

Aircraftman George Athelston Layland, of Darlinghurst (N.S.W.), formerly attached to No. 2 Recruiting Centre, died at his home December 20.

 

BACKHOUSE, GERALD IAN DACRES Sergeant 400487 1 O T U (C) RAF 28/12/1941 29 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. S. Grave 6. SILLOTH (CAUSEWAYHEAD) CEMETERY, HOLME LOW UK Cumberland

AIRMAN ATHLETE KILLED

Sgt Gerald Ian Dacres Backhouse RAAF, 28, champion Australian runner, has been reported killed in an aircraft accident in England on December 28th

A fine sportsman, Sgt Backhouse was educated at Geelong Grammar School, where he competed in the school athletic team. He later became champion half-mile and mile runner of Victoria and Australia, and was a member of the Australian team which visited Berlin in 1936 for the Olympic Games.

Before enlisting in the RAAF early in 1940, Sgt. Backhouse was on the staff of AMP. He trained at Bradfield Park and Narromine, sailing for Canada in February, 1941, and went to England last October.



LUKE, ROBERT GILLESPIE Sergeant 400722 1 O T U (C) RAF 28/12/1941 23 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. S. Grave 4. SILLOTH (CAUSEWAYHEAD) CEMETERY, HOLME LOW UK Cumberland



PUUSEPP, HAROLD Sergeant 402452 1 O T U (C) RAF 28/12/1941 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. S. Grave 5. SILLOTH (CAUSEWAYHEAD) CEMETERY, HOLME LOW UK Cumberland



ALLSOP, RICHARD WYKE Sergeant 402455 1 O T U 28/12/1941 26 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Grave 303. ALDERLEY EDGE CEMETERY UK Chester



Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/153/20 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Hudson
Serial number: AM 786
Radio call sign:
Unit: 1 ( C) Op Training RAF
Summary:
Hudson AM786 on 28th December 1941, crashed and burnt out while engaged on a
practice bombing flight. The aircraft crashed at 11.12am at Waybridge Farm, 1.5 miles
from Maryport, Cumberland, UK. All the crew were killed.
Crew:
RAAF 402452 Sgt H Puusepp, Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 400722 Sgt R G Luke, (Observer)
RAAF 402455 Sgt R W Allsop, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAAF 400487 Sgt G I D Backhouse, (Wireless Air Gunner)
In a report on the flying accident, the Wg Cdr No 1 (C) Op Training stated “ It may be an error on the part of the Pilot, who allowed his engines to run cold.”
Sgt’s Puusepp, Luke and Backhouse are buried in the Silloth (Causewayhead) Cemetery, Holme Low, UK
Sgt Allsop is buried in the Alderley Edge Cemetery, UK.

 

IRELAND, STANLEY JAMES Pilot Officer 412010 460sq 29/12/1943 30 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave 27. C. 1-12. REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY Germany Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen



BLIGHT, AMBROSE EDWARD Pilot Officer 416114 460sq 29/12/1943 29 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Coll. grave 27. C. 1-12. REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY Germany Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen

View attachment 43442

SQUIRES, MAXWELL HOPE Flight Sergeant 421518 460sq 29/12/1943 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian 15. A. 12. REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY Germany Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen



SEDDON , CYRIL Sergeant153467029/12/1943 22Royal Air Force Volunteer ReserveUnited KingdomColl. grave 27. C. 1-12.REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

SQUIRE , WILLIAM ALBERT HENRY Sergeant180357329/12/1943 19Royal Air Force Volunteer ReserveUnited KingdomColl. grave 27. C. 1-12.REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY

POULTER , REGINALD JAMES Sergeant142427929/12/1943 UnknownRoyal Air Force Volunteer ReserveUnited KingdomColl. grave 27. C. 1-12.REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY


460 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES
Date of Death: 29 December 1943
Source:
AWM 64 (1/293); AWM 64 (1/294) Appendix B65; AWM 237 (63) (64)
AWM 64 (1/313) NAA: A705, 166/19/38
Aircraft Type:
Lancaster
Serial number:
JB 607
Radio call sign:
AR – N
Unit:
460 Sqn RAAF
Summary:
Lancaster JB 607 took off from RAF Binbrook on 29 December 1943 to bomb Berlin. Bomb load 1 x 4000lb bomb, 56 x 30lb and 1230 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty three aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid and two of these including JB 607 failed to return.
Crew:
RAAF 412010 PO Ireland, S J Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 416114 PO Blight, A E (Navigator)
RAAF 413435 Flt Sgt Seery, R J (Bomb Aimer)
RAF Sgt Seddon, C (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt Squire, W A H (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt Poulter, R J (Mid Upper Gunner)
RAAF 421518 Flt Sgt Squires, M H (Rear Gunner)
Post war it was established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at 2239 hours on 29 December 1943 at Kerkrade (Limburg) a Dutch town on the border with Germany, and approx 8kms north of Aachen. All the crew were killed except Flt Sgt Seery (RAAF) who became a POW. In his report Flt Sgt Seery stated “I have received no information from the Germans re PO Ireland. Our aircraft exploded and almost immediately I baled out when PO Ireland was still at the controls. I believe he had his chute on attached at all times, but could not say if he was blown out safely or not.”
The remaining six crew members are interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Cleves, Germany, approx 40 miles NW of Duisberg.

 

407557 Sergeant FOOTE, Arthur James
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/113/165 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses Operational Training Units 1940-1947,
Page 98, Volume 7.
Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: X 9905
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 11 OP TRAINING RAF
Summary:
Wellington X9905 took off from RAF Steeple Morden at 1827 hours on the night of 10th
February 1942, detailed to carry out a night cross-country training exercise. By about
2035 hours, the crew were in extreme difficulties and while trying to plot their position
the aircraft crashed in the Harrow Green Leytonstone district of northeast London.
A typed manuscript of the aircraft’s wireless log has been retained in Air 29 644
Appendix D59. All the crew were killed in the crash.
Crew:
RAF Sgt W Mance, Captain (Pilot)
RAF Sgt J S Taylor, (Pilot)
RCAF Flt Sgt H E Jowett, (Observer)
RAF Sgt A C E Rogers, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt A W Ford, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAAF 407557 Sgt A J Foote, (Air Gunner)
Sgt Mance is buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery. UK.
Sgt Taylor is buried in the Haigh (St David) Churchyard, UK.
Flt Sgt Jowett and Sgt’s Rogers, Ford and Foote are buried in the Bassingbourn cum
Kneeworth Cemetery, UK.

Sergeant 407557, Royal Australian Air Force. Died 10th February 1942. Age 26. Son of William Buchanan Foote and Fanny Foote, of Adelaide, South Australia. Row EE. Grave 11.

 

406374 Sergeant STUBBS, John Henry
Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/163/306 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Blenheim
Serial number: Z9823
Radio call sign:
Unit: 21 Sqn RAF
Summary:
On the 11th February 1942, Blenheim Z9823 was one of four aircraft which took off from
RAF Station Luqa, Malta, to carry out a shipping sweep of Kerkenna Islands, Tunisia. On
returning to base, the gunner of the leading aircraft received by W/T the stand off signal
“Air Raid in progress”. The formation circled a point 50 miles south of Malta for 15
minutes, during which no more stand off signals were received.
The Gunner then wirelessed for instructions. The reply was in the form of a QDM, when
the formation was attacked by enemy fighters, and Z9823 shot down into the sea. A
search was later conducted but no survivors were found.
Crew:
RAAF 406374 Sgt J H Stubbs, Captain (Pilot)
RAF Sgt P Tyas, (Observer)
RAF Sgt J S Grabham, (Wireless Air Gunner)
The missing crew have no known grave. Their names are commemorated on the Malta
Memorial, Malta. The Memorial is situated in the area of Floriana and is easily seen by
the Golden Eagle which surmounts the column. It stands outside the entrance to Valletta.

In Memory of
Sergeant JOHN HENRY STUBBS

406374, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 23
on 11 February 1942
Son of Henry Claude and Amelia Florence Stubbs, of South Perth, Western Australia.
Remembered with honour
MALTA MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Sergeant PETER TYAS

1265240, 21 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 19
on 11 February 1942
Son of W. H. Tyas and Helen Tyas, of Alwoodley Park, Leeds.
Remembered with honour
MALTA MEMORIAL


In Memory of
Sergeant JUSTYN STUART GRABHAM

976771, 21 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 26
on 11 February 1942
Son of Edward and Margaret Grabham; husband of Mary Grabham, of Pontyclun, Glamorgan.
Remembered with honour
MALTA MEMORIAL

 

Hi Geoff, one of your chaps?

10 February 1942

357 Squadron
Dakota IV KJ927

This aircraft was involved in an air drop but failed to return. The wreckage of the aircraft was found in the Chin Hills near Mount Victoria, Burma.

W/O. James Warwick Davison Reid RAAF and three others killed.

CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

Thanks for the extra info on the crash site Peter. Another Aussie on board as well.



In Memory of
Warrant Officer JOHN BEGG

425109, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 25
on 10 February 1945
Son of John and Elizabeth Begg, of Scarness, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with honour
SINGAPORE MEMORIAL



Source:
NAA : A705, 166/5/950.
Aircraft Type: Dakota
Serial number: KJ 927
Radio call sign:
Unit: 357 Sqn RAF
Summary:
Dakota KJ 927 of 357 Sqn RAF India, failed to return to base from a ferry flight mission
in Burma on 10 February 1945. A wireless message from KJ 927 reported the aircraft
over the target area in cloud in position 25.45 N 93.25 E, and that the turbulence was
excessive with the aircraft almost uncontrollable.
There was no report of a forced landing and it was assumed that the aircraft had crashed
as the range limit had been exceeded.
Crew:
RAAF 421464 PO Reid, J.W.D., Captain ( Pilot).
RAF WO Hartely, Navigator.
RAAF 425109 WO J.Begg, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.
RAF Flt Sgt T.L.Longhurst, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.
RAF Flt Sgt T.Nathaniel, Air Gunner.
Following post war enquiries and investigations it was recorded that the missing crew
had no known grave.
This aircraft was involved in an air drop but failed to return. The wreckage of the aircraft was found in the Chin Hills near Mount Victoria, Burma.

 

Do not have any information on his death.
B.P.Dunstan
Sergeant BRUCE PAUL DUNSTAN (RAF)

1256932, 41 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21
on 12 February 1942
Son of Horace John Dunstan, and of Helene Josephine Dunstan, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Born in Australia 1/9/1920 and returned to the UK with his mother and older brother in 1924.

 

In Memory of
Sergeant MERVYN HARRY HOLT

402354, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 22
on 12 February 1942
Son of Harry and Janet Elizabeth Edith Holt, of St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL



12 February, 1942: In recent months, Bomber Command had dropped over 3,000 tons of bombs on the battle cruisers 'Scharnhorst' and 'Gneisenau' and the light cruiser 'Prinz Eugen' as they resided in the French port of Brest.

The two larger ships had both been badly damaged, and the threat of further damage had prevented the ships from sailing out into the Atlantic on another raid against allied shipping. In a daring and well-executed operation, the Germans sailed their 3 ships straight up through the English Channel to bring them back to the greater protection of a German port.

What followed on the part of the British Command has since been labelled as a catalogue of catastrophes, needless to say that the German warships achieved their destination unharmed. Heavily armed and protected by the Luftwaffe, the Germans exacted a heavy toll during the gallant British attempts to stop their breakout;

Fighter Command lost 16 aircraft and the Fleet Air Arm had 6 Swordfish destroyed. Bomber Command's part in the action involved 244 aircraft of which 15 were lost in action, and a further 2 crashing on return.

Only 5 Group had been on a 4 hour 'stand by', as bomber Squadrons made frantic efforts to prepare their aircraft. Eventually, 5 Group contributed 64 Hampdens and 15 Manchesters to attack the German warships; 9 Hampdens were reported missing and one crashed on return. 49 Squadron's participation was prompted by a signal from Group received at 10.00hrs requesting 20 aircraft to attack the 'Scharnhorst' and 'Gneisenau' at sea!

We know for certain that two crews (who were shot down) plus that of Sgt Mervyn Holt (AE249) disappeared into the dark waters of the North Sea without trace.

Hampden AE240 (EA-P)
Sgt M.H. Holt Pilot (Missing)
P/O S.W.A. Way W/AG (Missing)
Sgt E.G. Green Pilot (Missing)
Sgt C.L. Lee A/OB (Missing)