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

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by spidge, Nov 20, 2009.

  1. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy:

    F/O Donald Stanley Anderson, 40458, Pilot, Age 28,

    Summary:

    26/11/1940
    T2067
    Mk IV,

    FTR, shot down on sortie from Ma'aten Bagush,

    Crew:

    F/O Donald Stanley Anderson (Pilot) RAF (Of Australia)
    Sgt. George Lee (Obs), RAF
    Sgt Earnest Young (WOp/Ag). RAF



    In Memory of
    Flying Officer DONALD STANLEY ANDERSON

    40458, 113 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 28
    on 26 November 1940
    Son of Stanley Farmer Anderson and Grace Anderson, of Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY


    In Memory of
    Sergeant GEORGE HERBERT LEE
    Mentioned in Despatches

    527515, 113 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 23
    on 26 November 1940
    Son of Alfred Henry and Rose Anna Lee.
    Remembered with honour
    ALAMEIN MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Sergeant ERNEST SEATH YOUNG

    755380, 113 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 24
    on 26 November 1940
    Son of John and Mary Young, of Roslin, Midlothian; husband of Agnes Young.
    Remembered with honour
    HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY
     
  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy:

    RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
    IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

    402198 Sergeant BULL, Leon Emile

    Source:

    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705 163/94/185 Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Wellesley
    Serial number: L 2691
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: ATTD 47 SQN RAF

    Summary:

    Wellesley L2691 crashed at 1215 hours on 27th November 1941 in a flying accident in
    position 09.50N 39.45E. The aircraft encountered a violent up draught while crossing
    mountains on a mail route. The starboard main plane was badly damaged and broke
    away, and the aircraft broke up in mid air. The crew of two were killed.

    Crew:

    RAF PO Bazeley, J P S (Pilot)
    RAAF 402198 Sgt L E Bull, (Wireless Air Gunner)

    The two members killed are buried in the Addis Ababa War Cemetery, Ethiopia,

    In Memory of
    Flying Officer JOHN SELWYN STANDISH BAZELEY

    89771, 47 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 30
    on 27 November 1941
    Son of William Selwyn and Rosa le Noir Bazeley, of Umtali, Southern Rhodesia.
    Remembered with honour
    ADDIS ABABA WAR CEMETERY


    In Memory of
    Sergeant LEON EMILE BULL

    402198, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 23
    on 27 November 1941
    Son of Richard George and Valerie Bull, of Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    ADDIS ABABA WAR CEMETERY
     
  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Do not have much information on this death.

    :poppy:

    20 OTU Wellington N2884

    In Memory of
    Sergeant MAURICE WARD

    641509, Royal Air Force
    who died age 25
    on 28 November 1940
    Son of Geoffrey and Ellen Margaret Ward, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
     
  4. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy:

    Also at this link on the forum however wanted to get this into this thread.

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/allied-units-general/12720-bravest-act-allied-side.html#post120762

    RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
    IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

    402745 Pilot Officer MIDDLETON, Rawdon Hume, VC

    Source :

    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A9300 Barcode 5259727 (Digitised) Micro Film No 463
    OAFH Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber
    Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 266, Volume 1942.
    Aircraft Type: Stirling
    Serial number: BF 327
    Radio call sign: OJ – H
    Unit: ATTD 149 SQN RAF

    Summary:

    Stirling BF327 took off from RAF Lakenheath at 1814 hours on the night of 28/29th
    November 1942, detailed to bomb Turin, Italy. The circumstances associated with the
    above mission in which PO Middleton lost his life on 29th November 1942, and was
    awarded posthumously the Victoria Cross on 13th January 1943, are set out below

    Crew :

    RAAF 402745 PO Middleton, R H, VC Captain (Pilot)
    RAF Flt Sgt L A Hyder (2nd Pilot)
    RAF Sgt J E Jeffery, (Flight Engineer)
    RAF PO G R Royde, (Navigator)
    RAF FO N E Skinner (Wireless Operator)
    RAF Sgt J W Mackie, (Front Gunner)
    RAF Flt Sgt D Cameron, (Mid Upper Gunner)
    RAF Sgt H W Gough, (Rear Gunner)

    PO Middleton, Sgt Jeffery and Sgt Mackie were killed,

    Flt Sgt Hyder and PO Skinner
    Sgt Gough, FO Royde and Sgt Cameron were uninjured.

    PO Middleton is buried in the Beck Row (St John) Churchyard, near Mildenhall, UK.
    His body was found near Shakespeare Beach Dover on 1st February 1943
    Sgt Jeffery is buried in the Poole Cemetery, UK. Sgt Jeffery is from Parkstone, Dorset.
    Sgt Mackie is buried in the Alva Cemetery, Clackmannanshire, UK..

    Middleton-vc Photo.jpg

    Beck Row (St. John) Churchyard.jpg


    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer RAWDON HUME MIDDLETON
    V C

    402745, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 29 November 1942
    Son of Francis Rawdon Hamilton Middleton and Faith Lillian Middleton, of Parkes, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    BECK ROW (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD


    In Memory of
    Sergeant JAMES ERNEST JEFFERY

    576050, 149 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 19
    on 29 November 1942

    Remembered with honour
    POOLE CEMETERY


    In Memory of
    Sergeant JOHN WILLIAM MACKIE

    994362, 149 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 30
    on 29 November 1942
    Son of Alexander and Marion Mackie, of Alva.
    Remembered with honour
    ALVA CEMETERY



    Citation :

    The Citation for the award of the Victoria Cross to PO Middleton as follows:
    “Flight Sergeant Middleton was Captain and first pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to
    attack the Fiat works at Turin, Italy, one night in November 1942. Great difficulty was
    experienced in climbing to 12,000 feet to cross the Alps which led to excessive use of
    fuel. So dark was the night that the mountain peaks were almost invisible. During the
    crossing, Flt Sgt Middleton had to decide whether to press on or turn back, there being
    barely sufficient fuel for the return journey. Flares were sighted ahead and he continued
    the mission and even dived to 2000 feet to identify the target despite the difficulty of
    regaining height. Three flights were made over Turin at this low altitude before the target
    was identified.

    The aircraft was then subject to fire from light anti-aircraft guns. A large
    hole appeared in the port main plane which made it difficulty to maintain lateral control.
    A shell then burst in the cockpit shattering the windscreen and wounding both pilots.
    A piece of shell splinter tore into the side of Flt Sgt Middleton’s face destroying his right
    eye and exposing the bone over the eye. He was probably wounded also in the body or
    legs. The second pilot received wounds in the head and both legs which bled profusely.
    The wireless operator was also wounded in the leg.
    Fli Sgt Middleton became unconscious and the aircraft dived to 800 feet before control
    was regained by the 2nd pilot who took the aircraft up to 1500 and released the bombs.
    There was still light flak, some very intense at times and the aircraft was hit many times.
    The three gunners replied continuously until the rear turret was put out of action.

    Flt Sgt
    Middleton had now recovered consciousness and when clear of the target ordered the
    second pilot back to receive first aid. Before this was completed the latter insisted on
    returning to the cockpit as the captain could see very little and could only speak with loss
    of blood and great pain. The course was set for the base and the crew now faced the
    Alpine crossing and homeward flight in the damaged aircraft with insufficient fuel. The
    possibilities of abandoning the aircraft or landing in Northern France were discussed but
    Flt Sgt Middleton expressed the intention of trying to make the English coast
    so that his crew could leave the aircraft by parachute. Owing to wounds and diminishing
    strength he knew that by then he would have little or no chance of saving himself. After
    four hours the French coast was reached and here the aircraft flying at 6000 feet was once
    more engaged and hit by intense light anti-aircraft fire.

    Flt Sgt Middleton was still at the
    controls and mustered sufficient strength to take evasive action.
    After crossing the Channel there was only sufficient fuel for five minutes flying. Flt Sgt
    Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft while he flew parallel with the coast
    for a few miles after which he intended to head out to sea. Five of the crew left the
    aircraft safely while two remained to assist Flt Sgt Middleton. The aircraft crashed in the
    sea and the bodies of the front gunner and flight engineer were recovered on the
    following day. The gallant captain was apparently unable to leave the aircraft and his
    body has not been traced.

    Flt Sgt Middleton was determined to attack the target regardless of the consequences
    and not to allow his crew to fall into enemy hands. While all the crew displayed great
    heroism of high order, the urge to do so came from Flt Sgt Middleton whose fortitude and
    strength of will made possible the completion of the mission. His devotion to duty in the
    face of overwhelming odds is unsurpassed in the annals of the Royal Air Force.”
    Air Marshal Sir Arthur T Harris, C-in-C Bomber Command, sent this signal to
    Middleton’s father. ”In the annals of the RAF there is not yet been found a more gallant
    episode than that which Flt Sgt Middleton laid down his own life deliberately to save
    some of his crew, and if possible, his aircraft. On behalf of Bomber Command I offer you
    my sympathy in the loss of your son, whose stirring example of devotion to duty to the
    end has inspired not only the crews in the Bomber Command, but will forever remain an
    inspiration wherever there are white and blue roundels of the King’s Air Forces
    overhead.”

    The father replied: “My son did his duty”, then thanked the crew and Bomber
    Command, and sympathised with the relatives of the other two men lost.
    First RAAF VC of World War 11 and 53rd of the war.

    PO Royde and PFO Skinner both were awarded the DFC, and Flt Sgt Hyder, Flt Sgt
    Skinner and Sgt Gough were awarded DFM’s.

    Flt Sgt Middleton :
    Born 22 July 1916 at Waverley, NSW
    5 feet11 inches. Joined RAAF at Sydney, 14th October 1940. Educated Dubbo High
    School, NSW. Unmarried. Lived at Yarrabandai, NSW prior to joining RAAF.
    His father was manager of a grazing property at Wee Wang Station, Brogan Gate, in the
    middle west of NSW. Before joining the RAAF, Flt Sgt Middleton was a jackeroo,
    working with his father, riding the range, looking after the stock..

    Left Australia 22nd February 1941. In Canada until 23rd August 1941.
    Posted to 149 Sqn 26th February 1942; then to 7 Sqn 25th August 1942; then back to 149
    Sqn 2nd September 1942. Most of his flights had been over the Ruhr and other German
    target areas. He had also been on several bombing flights to Italy. His trip to Turin was
    Middleton’s 29th trip. His tour would have been completed at thirty trips and he would
    have been due for a rest.

    Appointed to commission with rank of Pilot Officer, 14 November 1942, but unaware of
    this at the time of his death.

    Flt Sgt Middleton, VC by FO Skinner on 15th January 1944.
    ANNOUNCER : This is London Calling.
    Today we bring you the story of how Flt Sgt Middleton won the VC just awarded to him
    sacrificed himself to save his crew. The story has been told throughout the world in the
    last 24 hours and here at least it has been acclaimed as one of the outstanding examples
    of human courage and steadfastness at a time when epic stories are almost commonplace.
    The story is going to be told to you today by the wireless operator of the Stirling crew
    of which Flt Sgt Middleton, VC was Captain. The wireless operator is FO Skinner, a
    Yorkshire man who came from the station specially to record this account of that last
    flight by Ron Middleton. FO Skinner speaks for the whole crew.
    SPEAKER “I am the wireless operator in the Stirling crew which Flt Sgt Middleton was
    Captain. Even while the action was on I remember thinking “I’m watching this, not part
    of it.” It was like seeing the film of a burning house. Somehow it never enters your head
    that you personally won’t come out alive. I hope that this explains why some of the detail
    may not be quite clear. I’ve remembered them as if they were in a film I’d seen some
    time ago.

    Ron Middleton was an Australian, and lived most of his life on his father’s sheep station
    at Bogans Gate in New South Wales. He was 26 years old and about the most modest
    chap I’ve ever met, and one of the best looking. He was so efficient that the three gunners
    of his crew asked to be continued to fly with him even though they had completed their
    own tour of operations. They were with us on this trip to Turin.
    After dusk we got the green light from the aerodrome control pilot in his caravan by the
    runway. Middleton opened up the throttles and we took off. Over France Middleton
    noticed that the Stirling, H for Harry, was using up a lot of fuel in climbing. We were
    detailed to go down low over Turin to attack the Fiat works and that meant we should
    have to climb twice to get over the Alps, so we naturally very careful about the
    consumption of fuel, and climbed slowly to economise.
    By the time we reached the Alps we had climbed to 12,000 feet. There was no moon and
    we should have crossed the Alps several thousand feet higher, but Middleton decided to
    go on and make his way through the mountains. The front gunner was told to watch
    ahead and everyone in the bomber began looking up at the sides of the mountains. We
    could see patches of snow, white against the dark shadows. There was an anxious
    moment when the shadows closed in and the front gunner reported “Mountains straight
    ahead”. Middleton said “We’re coming to a dead end.” He opened the bomb doors and
    the navigator was about to jettison the bombs so that we could climb when the front
    gunner called “its there, look to starboard”. For to the right we could see the lights of
    Turin and British flares blazing in the sky above the city.
    We closed our bomb doors and turned to fly down the pass. Middleton again asked about
    petrol and the Flt Engineer said that if we went down low we might not be able to get
    back to base. Then Middleton asked if we could make an airfield on the south coast of
    England. The engineer replied “yes” we could. “Right, we’re going down, Middleton
    said. The navigator went into the bombing well.

    As we neared Turin Middleton skilfully wove his way down through the light flak and
    flares. For a moment I wondered if we were going to get entangled in the white silk
    parachutes from which the flares were hanging. Then we were hit by flak in the wing,
    which reduced our power to lift, and Middleton called for his second pilot to help him
    with the controls. We heard him say over the inter-com “We’re still OK..” and he began
    circling again among the flak.
    Middleton had just identified the target when a shell burst in his cockpit between him and
    the second pilot and wounded both of them. I heard him say over the inter-com “I’m hit”.
    Then he lost consciousness, and the Stirling went into a dive. As we went down the
    fuselage and main planes were being hit continuously. The second pilot got to the
    controls and brought the bomber out of the dive. But we were down to 800 feet before we
    felt the bomber levelling out. Middleton came to while we were climbing, and his first
    question was to ask if we were too low to bomb. We could see the house tops of Turin
    and the tremendous fires. It was a wonderful night for bombers. We dropped our load
    from just about 1500 feet and felt the thuds of light flak along the main plane.
    Despite his appalling injuries – his right eye had been destroyed by a shell splinter and
    the bones above the eye were completely exposed – Middleton ordered his second pilot
    back to the rest bunk to get his wounds dressed. He too had been badly hit. The wounds
    on his face were dried with gauze. His hand had been torn and was dressed with a pad,
    but he refused to have a tourniquet put on his wounded leg. “I want to go back and help
    Ron.”, he said. He shambled past me, head forward, looking in his determination like a
    wounded bear. I saw the blood stains on his green flying suit as he passed the lights on
    the engineer’s panel, and I could not imagine how he kept standing.
    We thought then of flying to North Africa to avoid the climb over the Alps (some crew
    thought of Switzerland), but Middleton was determined to get his crew back to England.
    To make the most of out fuel we jettisoned everything we could. – camera, armour
    plating, oxygen bottles, ammunition, flares, sears, fire extinguisher, and even the sextant.
    The navigator prowled around the aircraft with a fireman’s axe chopping off things to
    jettison. He asked Middleton whether we should drop the guns. Middleton replied “Yes,
    OK George carry on but try not to talk to me, it hurts when I answer.”
    We had four hours flight ahead of us and the Alps to climb. Both our pilots were
    seriously wounded and their windscreen was smashed so that they were sitting in an icy
    gale. The front gunner came back and stood by the injured pilots setting their compass
    and helping them to weave their way through the passes. The time spent in bombing
    Turin had, we thought, reduced fuel so much that we would be lucky if we reached the
    sea in order to ditch. We checked our dinghies.
    Then the north wind dropped a little and we made better headway. There was still little
    hope of reaching England safely, and our captain must have realised that he could have
    baled out or crash landed on the flat plains of France, but he had made up his mind to get
    his crew back to England, although his wounds were serious.
    Over North France I saw a flash of light above me and I realised it was the reflection on
    the astrodome from searchlights. We were coned by twelve of them, and more light flak
    hit the wings. Middleton was an artist at throwing a bomber about, and we lost height
    from 6000 feet to 600 feet. Again he asked about petrol and just as we sighted the coast
    of England the engineer reported that he could guarantee five minutes fuel but not ten.
    Middleton called for his parachute, and it was passed to him by the navigator. I believe
    now that this was a gesture to re-assure us. His voice was very thick and difficult to
    understand. For a moment I went off the inter-com to get a bearing, and when I came on
    again I was told that the order had been given to bale out. I went forward to see the
    second pilot’s upturned face disappear and, and then I went out.
    No one will ever know what was going on in Middleton’s mind during those last few
    moments. But when the engines of the big bomber cut out, it does not glide easily. So
    Middleton went out to sea, possibly thinking that he had a better chance of ditching than
    crash landing. But evidently he was to far gone to alight safely on the sea. The bodies of
    the engineer and front gunner were found the next day, but Flt Sgt’s Middleton’s body
    was not recovered.
    During the return home there were many opportunities for us to abandon the aircraft over
    France, and for Middleton to live. But he preferred that we, his crew, and the aircraft of
    which he was Captain, should not fall into enemy hands. That was the kind of man he
    was.”
    ANNOUNCER :That was FO Skinner (RAF) the Yorkshire wireless operator in the
    Stirling crew of which Flt Sgt Ron Middleton, VC, was Captain. He was telling the story
    of the action in which Ron Middleton won the VC. Ron Middleton’s name is well worthy
    to be coupled with Corporal John Alexander French, another Australian, who it has just
    been announced, has been posthumously awarded the VC, for outstanding bravery in
    action at Milne Bay, in Papua.”
    Alan Storr
    Volunteer
    Australian War Memorial 2008
     

    Attached Files:

  5. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy::poppy:

    Do not have any further details on this loss.

    Summary:

    30 November 1941

    Blenheim IV Z7589
    Western Desert Communications Flight.

    Shot down by friendly AA fire and crashed near Gialo Oasis, Sudan.

    Crew:
    W/C. A. McD Bowman +
    F/S. J.S.McLaren +
    G/C. C.J.S. Dearlove +
    Capt. F.C. Benn (Army passenger) +

    In Memory of
    Wing Commander ALAN MCDONALD BOWMAN
    D F C and Bar

    32138, Royal Air Force
    who died age 30
    on 30 November 1941
    Son of Adrian McDonald Bowman and Olive Eileen Bowman, of Deloraine, Tasmania, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    ALAMEIN MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Flight Sergeant JAMES SHIRLEY McLAREN
    Mentioned in Despatches

    654296, Royal Air Force
    who died age 21
    on 30 November 1941
    Son of John B. and Emma McLaren, of Hilly Land, Perthshire.
    Remembered with honour
    ALAMEIN MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Group Captain CUTHBERT JOSEPH STANLEY DEARLOVE

    Royal Air Force
    who died
    on 30 November 1941

    Remembered with honour
    ALAMEIN MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Captain FREDERICK CHRISTOPHER BENN

    130895, Intelligence Corps
    who died age 29
    on 30 November 1941
    Son of Sir Ernest Benn, C.B.E., 2nd Bt., and Lady Benn; husband of Phyllis Benn, of Slaugham, Sussex.
    Remembered with honour
    ALAMEIN MEMORIAL



    W Cdr A. McD . Bowman, DFC*, 32138 RAF (of Australia); comd 39 Sqn RAF 1939-41 . Regular air force
    offr ; of Deloraine and Launceston, Tas : b . Kinvarra Park, Tas, 18 Aug 1911 . Killed in action
    30 Nov 1941 .

    CO of 39 Sqn with Blenheims and Marylands in Egypt. Mentioned in chapter titled An Electrical Storm in The Armed Rovers by Roy Nesbit.

    Australian, commanding 39sq in Feb 41. Already had DFC and bar by that time. In Sept 41, he and a colleague found a Ju87 that had run out of fuel. They must have found some fuel as they managed to fly her to their base. Shortly after, he was killed piloting a Blenheim near the Italian fortress of Jalo, Libya.

    I can't find any reference of him on the net. What on earth did he do before Feb 41 to earn a DFC and bar?

    If anyone ever comes across a copy of The Armed Rovers and you don't own it, buy it! An excellent read so far.

    Portrait of 32138 Wing Commander Alan McDonald Bowman DFC and Bar, of Tasmania, who is serving with No. 39 Squadron RAF. Later promoted to Group Captain, he was lost on operations on 30 November 1941 at Gialo, Libya.
    SUK10686 | Australian War Memorial

    The undermentioned are granted short service commissions as Pilot Officers for four years on the active list with effect from and with seniority of 12th Jan. -1932:
    Alan McDonald BOWMAN.
    Gazette Issue 33793 published on the 26 January 1932. Page 7 of 64

    The undermentioned Pilot Officers are promoted to the rank of Flying Officer: —
    22nd Apr. 1932.
    Alan McDonald BOWMAN.
    Gazette Issue 33824 published on the 10 May 1932. Page 7 of 90

    The undermentioned Flight Lieutenants are granted permanent commissions in this rank. 1st June 1936:—
    Alan McDonald BOWMAN.
    Gazette Issue 34294 published on the 16 June 1936. Page 6 of 76http://beta.gazettes-online.co.uk/Vi...east=&similar=

    The undermentioned Flight Lieutenants are promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader,1st Dec. 1938: —
    Alan McDonald BOWMAN.
    Gazette Issue 34576 published on the 2 December 1938. Page 13 of 88

    Distinguished Flying Cross
    Squadron Leader Alan McDonald BOWMAN (32138).
    No Citation
    Gazette Issue 34978 published on the 25 October 1940. Page 4 of 36

    Squadron Leaders to be Wing Commanders (temporary).
    Alan McDonald BOWMAN, D.F.C. (32138).

    Gazette Issue 35102 published on the 11 March 1941. Page 3 of 46

    Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross.
    Wing Commander Alan McDonald BOWMAN, D.F.C. (32138), No. 39 Squadron.
    This officer has commanded the squadron since April, 1941, during which period it has carried out a large number of long distance reconnaissances. By his leadership, skill and determination, Wing Commander Bowman has contributed largely to the great successes achieved.

    Gazette Issue 35241 published on the 8 August 1941. Page 8 of 86
    Alamein Memorial Bowman_AM Photo.jpg
     
  6. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    W Cdr A. McD . Bowman, DFC*,

    Geoff, a few details of the above loss.....

    30 November 1941

    Blenheim IV Z7589
    Western Desert Communications Flight.

    Shot down by friendly AA fire and crashed near Gialo Oasis, Sudan.

    Crew
    W/C. A. McD Bowman +
    F/S. J. McLaren +
    G/C. C. Dearlove +
    Capt. F. Benn (Army passenger) +
     
  7. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy: :poppy::poppy:

    P/O Charles Robey Coventry RAFVR - (of Australia)


    Looking for information on this lad and confirmation of his crew and any personal information that may be around.

    They flew an Anson (5073) of 63sq out on a Navigation Flight however they were lost without a trace.


    Cheers

    Geoff


    He is listed on the Australian Commemorative Roll, which is for those Australians who fought in allied service.

    C R Coventry

    Rank: Pilot Officer
    Unit: No 63 Squadron
    Service: Royal Air Force
    Conflict: 1939-1945
    Date of death: 1939
    Cause of death: Killed in action

    1 December 1939

    63 Squadron
    Anson I N5073
    Op. training

    Took off from Benson at 0930 hrs for a navigation flight to Bude in Cornwall and then continuing over the sea for 50 miles before returning to base via Trevose Head. Lost without trace.


    Crew:

    Pilot Officer CHARLES ROBEY COVENTRY

    Pilot Officer ANGUS CAMERON

    Sergeant ALVIN GORDON GIBSON

    A/C 2nd Class JAMES CROMPTON BUCKLAND

    A/C 2nd Class HUGH OLIVER WILSON GORMLAY


    Family History Excerpt 08 PT2 by ~diversdream on deviantART

    It had been a Long War for those serving in the Command from Australia, either in the RAAF or in the RAF, the first Australian Airman recorded as being Killed is listed as being on 1 December 1939 when P/O Charles Robey Coventry RAFVR from Sydney Australia disappeared without trace flying an Anson with his entire Aircrew during a training operation (Navigation Flight) along the coast.

    Spidge edit:
    (There were actually seven other Australians killed in the RAF before Charles Robey Coventry who was the eighth of nine Australians killed in the RAF between the declaration of war in September and the end of December 1939.)

    They also hold the Grim Distinction of being the First of the Many Australian Airman to be recorded on the Runnymede Memorial for Airman with No Known Resting Place (Where Ian is also remembered) from inside the Command (Anson 5073 P/O CR Coventry and Aircrew with 63 RAF Sqd - No Contact after take off Presumed to have crashed over Channel due to unknown causes).

    Son of Charles James Coventry and Alice Jane Coventry, of Brighton, South Australia. Barrister.

    My father's brother was the AC2 James C Buckland lost aboard N5073. He was 19 and the family was devastated by his loss. I was born two years later and we always assumed that the aircraft had been shot down and the crew were 'missing in action' but my enquiries revealed the following.

    N5073 left RAF Benson near Oxford on a training flight, refuelled at Bude but failed to make landfall at Trevose Head and is presumed lost in the Celtic Sea. Weather conditions were poor, the radio had failed and the most likely theory is that the compass was 180 degrees out or mis-read. The aircraft would have been unable to make a sun sight and presumably ran out of fuel before ditching.

    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer CHARLES ROBEY COVENTRY

    40606, 63 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 27
    on 01 December 1939
    Son of Charles James Coventry and Alice Jane Coventry, of Brighton, South Australia. Barrister.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer ANGUS CAMERON

    41900, 63 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 22
    on 01 December 1939
    Son of Angus and Adelaide M. Cameron, of Weston, Ontario, Canada.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Sergeant ALVIN GORDON GIBSON

    581212, 63 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 19
    on 01 December 1939
    Son of Flt. Lieut. Frederick Gibson and Edith May Gibson, of Brentford, Middlesex.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Aircraftman 2nd Class JAMES CROMPTON BUCKLAND

    619734, 63 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 19
    on 01 December 1939
    Son of James and Alice Buckland, of Rochdale, Lancashire.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Aircraftman 2nd Class HUGH OLIVER WILSON GORMLAY

    543996, 63 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 21
    on 01 December 1939
    Son of Peter and Jane Elizabeth Gormlay, of Ilford, Essex.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
     
  8. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Geoff, a few details of the above loss.....

    30 November 1941

    Blenheim IV Z7589
    Western Desert Communications Flight.

    Shot down by friendly AA fire and crashed near Gialo Oasis, Sudan.

    Crew
    W/C. A. McD Bowman +
    F/S. J. McLaren +
    G/C. C. Dearlove +
    Capt. F. Benn (Army passenger) +

    Thanks Peter,

    Great info again - Fills the gap nicely. I will edit the above to mirror your detail.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  9. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    P/O Charles Robey Coventry RAFVR


    Details of the above loss.....

    1 December 1939

    63 Squadron
    Anson I N5073
    Op. training

    Took off from Benson at 0930 hrs for a navigation flight to Bude in Cornwall and then continuing over the sea for 50 miles before returning to base via Trevose Head. Lost without trace.

    Crew confirmed as follows......

    P/O. C R. Coventry +
    P/O. A. Camron +
    Sgt. A G. Gibson +
    AC2. H O W. Gormlay +
    AC2. J C. Buckland +

    Extract - 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.1 - W R. Chorley.
     
  10. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Details of the above loss.....

    1 December 1939

    63 Squadron
    Anson I N5073
    Op. training

    Took off from Benson at 0930 hrs for a navigation flight to Bude in Cornwall and then continuing over the sea for 50 miles before returning to base via Trevose Head. Lost without trace.

    Crew confirmed as follows......

    P/O. C R. Coventry +
    P/O. A. Camron +
    Sgt. A G. Gibson +
    AC2. H O W. Gormlay +
    AC2. J C. Buckland +

    Extract - 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.1 - W R. Chorley.

    Thanks Peter for the detail.

    I used Geoff's search engine so needed to be sure. Could do it for 1939
    however later years with so many deaths it would be difficult.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  11. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Sergeant Geoffrey Edward Hiller, service number 407075, is buried at Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya. Plot 15, row D, grave 25. Age 25. Son of Charles Edward and Amanda Elizabeth Marie Hiller, of Glenelg, South Australia.
    On 26/11/41 Geoff Hiller in Curtiss Tomahawk IIB AM413 was shot down by Hauptmann Karl-Wolfgang Redlich of I/JG 27 just outside Tobruk and baled out of his burning aircraft with head burns. He was taken prisoner and hospitalised, but died of his wounds on 2/12/41.




    In Memory of
    Sergeant GEOFFREY EDWARD HILLER

    407075, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 25
    on 02 December 1941
    Son of Charles Edward and Amanda Elizabeth Marie Hiller. of Glenelg. South Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY, ACROMA
     
  12. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    CWGC has the wrong date on PO Stewart. They have the 3rd but it should be the 31st as are the two other crew.
    :poppy::poppy::poppy:

     
  13. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy:

    RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
    IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

    404924 Flight Sergeant DAY, Lawrence Keith

    Source:

    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Hurricane
    Serial number: BN 582
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: ATTD 79 SQN RAF

    Summary:

    Hurricane BN582 was detailed on 3rd December 1942 together with another Hurricane of
    the Squadron flown by Flt Sgt Perry (RAF), to do a non operational “beat up” on a Gun
    Post.
    The two aircraft took off at 1019 hours with Flt Sgt Perry as leader and Flt Sgt Day his
    No 1. They headed south down the Hooghly River and found the gun post. The aircraft
    then carried out a number of ‘beat up’ attacks. On the 5th attack, Flt Sgt Perry followed
    Flt Sgt Day in at about 90 degrees and saw Day’s aircraft stall turn back to the gun post
    as he was just crossing it. When Perry had turned back on the target he saw a fire had
    started 50 to 60 yards from the gun post and flew over to see that it was an aircraft
    burning.
    Army personnel were already by the crashed aircraft but could not get close because of
    the fire. Perry called base and then returned to base.

    Crew:

    RAAF 404924 Flt Sgt L K Day (Pilot)

    Flt Sgt Day was killed in the accident and he is buried in the Calcutta (Bhowanipore)
    Cemetery India. The Bhowanipore Cemetery is 1km from the southern end of the
    Calcutta Maiden, and is enclosed by a high wall. The war plot is at the rear of the civilian
    cemetery about 200 metres from the main entrance.

    Day_LK [1600x1200].JPG .JPG] View attachment 69763 In Memory of
    Flight Sergeant LAWRENCE KEITH DAY

    404924, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 03 December 1942
    Son of Ernest Mervyn and Mary Margaret Day, of Lewisham, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    CALCUTTA (BHOWANIPORE) CEMETERY, KOLKATA
     
  14. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy::poppy: :poppy::poppy::poppy::poppy:

    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE
    SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH
    NO KNOWN GRAVE.

    406868 Pilot Officer PEARCE, Arthur

    408252 Pilot Officer JOHNSON, James Geoffrey

    Source:

    AWM 237 (65) NAA: A705, 166/32/252 166/21/103 Micro Film No 463 OAFH
    Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Flying Fortress
    Serial number: FK 206
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: ATTD 220 SQN RAF

    Summary:

    Flying Fortress FK 206 of 220 Sqn RAF on a non-operational flight on 4 December 1943,
    crashed in the sea two and a half miles north of Lagens, Azores. It took off normally but
    two miles from the end of the runway it turned to starboard and either dived or stalled
    into the sea. The cause of the crash is not known

    Crew:

    RAF FO Morris, D E (1st Pilot)
    RAF Flt Sgt R Morrison,(2nd Pilot)
    RAAF 408252 PO Johnson, J G (Observer)
    RAAF 406868 PO Pearce, A (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
    RAF PO Lawson, H (Wireless Air Gunner)
    RCAF WO2 C T Flack, (Wireless Air Gunner)
    RAF Flt Sgt M P Campion, George Cross (Air Gunner)
    RCAF WO Boudrearlt, (Air Gunner)

    PO Johnson, WO Flack and WO Boudrearlt are buried in the Lajes War Cemetery
    Azores. The remaining missing members of the crew have no known grave and their
    names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, UK.

    In Memory of
    Flying Officer DESMOND EDWARD MORRIS

    132320, 220 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died
    on 04 December 1943

    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Flight Sergeant ROBERT NOEL MORRISON

    1192004, 220 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 22
    on 04 December 1943
    Son of Robert Leonard and Edith Leiper Morrison, of Reading, Berkshire.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer JAMES GEOFFREY JOHNSON

    408252, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 20
    on 04 December 1943
    Son of Alex Arthur and Amy Florence Johnson, of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    LAJES WAR CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer ARTHUR PEARCE

    406868, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 25
    on 04 December 1943
    Son of Lionel and Phyllis Jean Edna Pearce, of Busselton, Western Australia; husband of Jean Mearns Pearce, of Glasgow.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer HAROLD LAWSON

    149162, 220 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 23
    on 04 December 1943
    Son of William James Lawson, and of Gertrude Lawson, of Whitestakes, Lancashire.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Warrant Officer MICHAEL PATRICK CAMPION
    G C

    536451, 220 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died
    on 04 December 1943
    Husband of Frances Rosina Campion, of Battersea, London.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Warrant Officer Class II CARL THOMAS FLACK

    R/121119, 220 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
    who died age 23
    on 04 December 1943
    Son of Alex and Clara Flack, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Canada.
    Remembered with honour
    LAJES WAR CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Warrant Officer Class II JOSEPH EDOUARD ROCH BOUDREAULT

    R/125388, 220 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
    who died age 22
    on 04 December 1943
    Son of Elzear and Cecile Boudreault, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
    Remembered with honour
    LAJES WAR CEMETERY
     
  15. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy:

    RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
    IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

    402856 Sergeant HUTTON, Gordon William

    Source :

    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/124/96
    Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Spitfire
    Serial number: BL 251
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: ATTD 122 SQN RAF

    Summary:

    On an operational flight on 5th December 1941, Sgt Hutton took off at 0845 hours from
    RAF Station Cetterick, Yorkshire, UK, flying Spitfire BL251 as Blue 2.
    PO R E Hardy (RAF) who was flying as Blue 1 reported :
    “Upon arrival at Thornaby, I judge the cloud base to be at 1000 feet. I considered the
    conditions to be unfit for operations by two aircraft and decided to return to Scorton as I
    had been told to do if I disliked the weather. I could not see Middlesborough or its
    obstructions and accordingly turned to starboard height 1000 feet and was forced to fly
    into some rather dense cloud (time approx 0900). I commenced a rate one half turn by
    instruments at 200mph. I looked up to see how Blue 2 was faring and saw him sliding
    into me from above. I avoided him and straightened up alongside. I commenced to turn
    again and after a few seconds saw his near port wing go up and Blue 2 again slid towards
    me. I avoided him by depressing my nose and he continued to slide to port. He
    disappeared in cloud and I saw him no more.”
    BL251 crashed at Upsall Mill Farm near Guisborg,UK, and Sgt Hutton was killed.

    Crew :

    RAAF 402856 Sgt G W Hutton, (Pilot)

    In a later Report of a Flying Accident the CO of the Sqn stated “ The pilot lost control in
    cloud, failed to transfer to instruments successfully and had insufficient height to
    recover”.
    Sgt Hutton is buried at Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire, UK. Catterick a village is in the
    North Riding is five miles south east of Richmond., and 240 miles north east of London
    on the main road north.

    In Memory of
    Sergeant GORDON WILLIAM HUTTON

    402856, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 24
    on 05 December 1941
    Son of Sidney Gordon Marshall Hutton and Bessie Hutton, of Bulli, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    CATTERICK CEMETERY
     
  16. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy::poppy:

    RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
    IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

    400167 Sergeant ABBOTT, Lewis James

    Source:

    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/85/48 Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Wellington
    Serial number: R 1066
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: ATTD 40 SQN RAF

    Summary:

    Wellington R1066 took off from RAF Luqa, Malta, at 1845 hours on the night of 5/6th
    December 1941, detailed to carry out operations against Naples, Italy. Nothing was heard
    from the aircraft and it failed to return to base.
    One of the Squadrons aircraft returning from the same operation, reported seeing distress
    signals at a position 161 degrees about 15 miles from Licato. An ASR launch and aircraft
    searched the area but no trace of the missing aircraft or crew was found.

    Crew:

    RAF PO Hutt, D F Captain (Pilot)
    RAF PO Miller, I E (2nd Pilot)
    RAF PO Pyle, A J (Observer)
    RAF Sgt W H Poole, (1st Wireless Air Gunner)
    RCAF Flt Sgt T J Arsenault, (2nd Wireless Air Gunner)
    RAAF 400167 Sgt L J Abbott, (Rear Gunner)

    Both PO’s Hutt and Miller were POW’s, and the remaining four members of the crew
    lost their lives. They are buried in the Salerno War Cemetery, Italy.

    Salerno War Cemetery.jpg
    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer ARTHUR JOHN PYLE

    103034, 40 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 25
    on 06 December 1941
    Son of John Robert and M. M. Pyle, of Peterborough, Northamptonshire; husband of F. F. Pyle.
    Remembered with honour
    SALERNO WAR CEMETERY


    In Memory of
    Sergeant WILLIAM HENRY POOLE

    1284492, 40 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 21
    on 06 December 1941
    Son of Edward Lionel and Cornelia Poole, of Hampton, Middlesex.
    Remembered with honour
    SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Flight Sergeant TOUSSAINT JOSEPH ARSENAULT

    R/64553, 40 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
    who died age 25
    on 06 December 1941
    Son of Philibert and Marguerite Arsenault, of Wellington, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
    Remembered with honour
    SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Sergeant LEWIS JAMES ABBOTT

    400167, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 06 December 1941

    Remembered with honour
    SALERNO WAR CEMETERY
     
  17. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy: :poppy::poppy::poppy:


    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL AIR FORCE
    SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS IN WORLD WAR 2 AND MISSING WITH
    NO KNOWN GRAVE.

    404531 Pilot Officer HAYNE, William Keith

    Source:

    NAA: A705, 163/35/149
    Aircraft Type: Wellington
    Serial number: Z 8426
    Radio call sign: EP – E
    Unit: 104 Sqn RAF

    Summary:

    Wellington Z 8426 of 104 Sqn RAF took off at 2005 hours on 7 December 1941 from
    RAF Station Driffield, to carry out air operations, but did not return to base from the
    mission. It was presumed that the aircraft was missing as a result of enemy action, and
    that the crew were lost at sea.

    Crew:

    RAF Sgt Anson, R K
    RAAF 404531 PO Hayne, W K (Observer)
    RNZAF PO Murdoch, B N
    RAF Sgt Covey, W W
    RAF Sgt Turner, R
    RAF Sgt McGarrow, H B

    In Memory of
    Sergeant REGINALD KENNETH ANSON

    1154272, 104 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died
    on 07 December 1941

    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer WILLIAM KEITH HAYNE

    404531, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 30
    on 07 December 1941
    Son of William Thomas Hayne and Bertha Hayne, of Woy Woy, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer BERNARD NORRIS MURDOCH

    40421, 104 Sqdn., Royal New Zealand Air Force
    who died age 27
    on 07 December 1941
    Son of Arthur and Louisa Murdoch, of Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Sergeant WILLIAM WALTER COVEY

    751961, 104 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died
    on 07 December 1941

    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Sergeant RAYMOND TURNER

    1256781, 104 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 22
    on 07 December 1941
    Son of Frank Baldwin Turner and Edith Mary Turner, of Moorgate, London.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Flight Sergeant HENRY BRODIE McGARROW

    935691, 104 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died
    on 07 December 1941

    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
     
  18. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy::poppy:

    I have only a few newspaper details on Pilot Officer Preece and no details on the loss except for the four RAF 50sq deaths listed in Geoff's search engine for that day.

    Any details on the loss would be appreciated.


    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer MALCOLM JAMES PREECE (of Australia)

    43292, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 08 December 1940
    Son of Cleopatra Preece, and stepson of Harold Illingworth, of Devonport, Tasmania, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Flying Officer ROBERT TREVOR MULLIGAN

    41864, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 21
    on 08 December 1940
    Son of Arthur William Mulligan, C.B.E., J.P., and Florence May Mulligan, of Martinborough, Wellington, New Zealand.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Sergeant FRANCIS ARTHUR BUCKLE

    638746, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 20
    on 08 December 1940
    Son of Harold and Agnes Annie Buckle, of Hulme, Manchester.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    In Memory of
    Sergeant CYRIL JAMES SMITH

    612904, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 19
    on 08 December 1940
    Son of Sydney and Mary Smith, of Ystrad, Glamorgan.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    Officers In Casualty List Sailed Together

    MELBOURNE, January 3

    Three of four Australian officers whose names appear in the latest R.A.F casualty list sailed together in the Orama, which left Melbourne on August 15, 1939. They are:

    Pilot Officer Albert Tindall, killed in action:
    Pilot Officer Malcolm James Precce, missing,
    Pilot Officer Ronald George Ash. missing

    The fourth officer mentioned is Flight-Lieutenant Robert James Cosgrove. who is presumed killed. He is the son of the Premier of Tasmania.

    Flight-Lieutenant Cosgrove 25, was for two years a member of the Tasmanian State premiership football team. He was also captain and stroke of the crew of St. Virgil's College Hobart, in 1931 and 1932. After having trained as a pilot he embarked for the United Kingdom in January, 1937.
    (He was killed on 14/04/1940, also with 50sq and is remembered on the Air Forces Memorial (Runnymede), Surrey, UK)

    Pilot Officer Preece 26, who was a native of Maldon, Victoria was educated at Davenport Tasmania and joined Australian National Airways in 1937. (He was killed on 8/12/1940 with 50sq and is remembered on the Air Forces Memorial (Runnymede), Surrey. UK)

    Born at Parkes NSW, Pilot Officer Tindall 21, attended Stanmore Commercial Intermediate High School. In August 1939 he was chosen for direct entry to the RAF, where he graduated as a pilot and received a short service commission.
    (He was killed on 9/12/1940 while with 115sq and is buried at Llantwit Major Cemetery, Glamorganshire, UK.)

    Pilot Officer Ronald George Ash was educated at Brisbane Grammar School. He trained for a short service commission with the RAF and left Australia in 1939. (He was killed on 12/12/1940 over Germany while with 50sq and is buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany)
    (His fathers obituary)

    Mr. J. W. Preece

    Mr. James William Preece, who died in the Ulverstone General Hospital yesterday, aged 71 years, was born in Malvern, Victoria. He received his education at the Church of England private school for boys in that centre. He studied music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and matriculated in 19O6. For many years he was a professional accompanist in musical competitions through out Victoria, where he also taught music. He later moved to Ulverstone and taught until four years ago. He composed the song "V for Victory" and also "Compassion", compiled for Eastertide observance. This won first prize at a Launceston competition when sung by his present wife, the former Gwen Baker of Launceston. "Compassion" was first sung by her in the Paterson Street church.

    Mr. Preece's son by a previous marriage, Pilot Officer Malcolm Preece, lost his life in
    1940 while on a bombing mission over Germany.
    This group of Australians, among them Pilot Officer Malcolm James Preece, show's how short life could be flying during ww2.

    The undermentioned are granted short
    service commissions as Acting Pilot Officers
    on probation for four years on the active list
    on the dates stated: —
    10th Apr. 1940.

    Ronald George ASH (43278).:poppy:......................12/12/1940
    Jack Clarence BURRASTON (43279).:poppy: .............6/07/1940
    Colin Deans CHAPMAN (43280).:poppy: ..................14/11/1940
    Ronald Jack COOPER (43281).:poppy: ................... 26/11/1941
    Geoffrey James CORNISH (43282).
    John Dallas CROSSMAN (43283).:poppy: ............... 30/09/1940
    Jack Cranwell DALE (43284).:poppy: .................... 21/12/1940
    James Lee HERON (43285).
    Allan James HOLLAND (43286).
    Kent Ryder HUGHES (43287).
    Hugh Murtagh MACROSSAN (43288).:poppy: ...........5/04/1941
    John Mclntosh (43289).:poppy: ............................5/10/1940
    Philip Bennett MOORE (43290).
    John Francis PAIN (43291).
    Malcolm James PREECE (43292).:poppy: ............... 8/12/1940
    John Oliver SLATTER (43293).
    Albert TINDALL (43294).:poppy: ..........................9/12/1940
     
  19. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy::poppy::poppy: :poppy::poppy::poppy:


    Pilot Officer ALBERT TINDALL.RAF. (of Australia)

    Summary:

    Wellington T2520 Information
    Type Wellington
    Serial Number T2520
    Squadron 115
    X1D KO-A
    Operation Bordeaux
    8th/9th December 1940


    Airborne 1715 8Dec40 from Marham. Strayed off track on the return and crashed 0312 9Dec40 into a hillside at Cefn-y-strad near Tredegar, Glamorgan, Wales. Three of the crew, including the pilot, are buried in Llantwit Major Cemetery, while the rest were taken to their home towns for burial.

    Wellington T2520 of 115 Squadron coded `KO-A` Apple Took off from RAF Marham in Norfolk at 17.15 hrs on 8th December 1940 for a night bombing raid to Bordeux evans, having completed their mission the crew were returning to Marham in poor weather, however despite this other aircraft managed to make base and none were lost on operations, T2520 though somehow managed to drift way off track and crossing the Bristol Channel in the early hours of the ninth and were headed straight for the Black Mountains above Tredegar,Glamorgan where at 03.12 hrs it collided with the mountain of Cefn-Yr-Ystrad (2,000ft) above the old quarry workings and immediately broke up and burst into flames killing all on board. The Wellington continued to burn through the small hours and workers arriving at the quarry around 6 am saw the flames on the mountain and rushed to the scene, alas on arrival though they soon realised nothing could be done for the six unfortunate souls, and all they could do was help bring the bodies down to the quarry and wait for the authorities to arrive. Three of the crew, Tindall, Brown and Howard were buried in Llantwit Major Cemetery, while others were buried in their hometowns.


    Crew:

    PILOT: P/O ALBERT TINDALL.RAF. (Of Australia)
    Co-PILOT: SGT DAVID MILLS. RAFVR.
    OBS: HYLTON DANIEL ELLIS. RAF.
    W/AG: SGT STANLEY GORDON HOWARD. RAFVR.
    A/G: SGT REGINALD BROWN.RNZAF.
    A/G: SGT DAVID ERNEST WALLACE. RAFVR.


    The pilot P/O Albert Tindall was from Rockdale, NSW, Australia. He was just 20 years old when he left family and friends in Australia and sadly he died just a little over a year later.

    Albert Tindall, a native of New South Wales,Australia,
    was quite an experienced pilot with 115 Squadron, and
    had flown several missions to Berlin,Hamburg and the
    like. On the 8/9th Dec 1940, he was returning from a
    bombing mission on Bordeaux, when he flew into heavy
    cloud & bad weather, his Wellington T2520 hit a peak
    in the Mountains above Tredegar,Glamorgan, he and his
    crew were all killed.


    Death notice Australia.
    TINDALL.—December 9, Pilot Officer Albert Tindall, Aircraft Captain 115th Heavy Bomber Squadron, R.A.F., England, beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Tindall, 63 Villiers Street, Rockdale, brother of Alan and Verdun, killed in action, aged 21 years. For King and Empire.

    Llantwit Major Albert Tindall Photo.jpg

    Llantwit Major Cemetery.jpg
    In Memory of
    Pilot Officer ALBERT TINDALL

    43294, 115 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 21
    on 09 December 1940
    Son of Stafford Wreghitt Tindall and Rachael May Tindall, of Rockdale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    LLANTWIT MAJOR CEMETERY


    In Memory of
    Sergeant DAVID MILLS

    748521, 115 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 21
    on 09 December 1940

    Remembered with honour
    BELFAST CITY CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Sergeant HYLTON DANIEL ELLIS

    523372, 115 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 09 December 1940
    Son of Hylton Charles and Agnes Harriet Ellis, husband of Alice Ellis, of Dinnington Colliery. His brother Richard William also died in service.
    Remembered with honour
    NORTH GOSFORTH JOINT BURIAL GROUND

    In Memory of
    Sergeant STANLEY GORDON HOWARD

    966313, 115 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died
    on 09 December 1940

    Remembered with honour
    LLANTWIT MAJOR CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Sergeant REGINALD BROWN

    40913, 115 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal New Zealand Air Force
    who died age 22
    on 09 December 1940
    Son of Charles and Isabel Emily Brown.
    Remembered with honour
    LLANTWIT MAJOR CEMETERY

    In Memory of
    Sergeant DAVID ERNEST WALLACE

    905336, 115 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died
    on 09 December 1940

    Remembered with honour
    SOUTHEND-ON-SEA (SUTTON ROAD) CEMETERY
     

    Attached Files:

  20. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    :poppy:

    RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG
    RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT
    IN ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITS

    403408 Sergeant HUNTER, Archibald William James

    Source:

    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/124/99 Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Oxford
    Serial number: L 9643
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: 3 Service Flg Trg School RAF

    Summary:

    On the 10th December 1941, Oxford L9643, on a solo non operational flight, crashed at
    1600 hours at Haley Wood, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The Pilot was killed.
    The Pilot was carrying out deliberate unauthorised low flying, and the aircraft hit a tree.

    Crew:

    RAAF 403408 Sgt A W J Hunter, (Pilot)

    Sgt Hunter is buried in the Cirencester Cemetery, Gloucestershire, UK.

    Gloucestershire Cirencester Chesterton Cemetery The Fallen_2.jpg
    In Memory of
    Sergeant ARCHIBALD WILLIAM JAMES HUNTER

    403408, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 20
    on 10 December 1941
    Son of Archie and Almyra Hunter, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    CIRENCESTER CEMETERY
     

    Attached Files:

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