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

On this day there were 54 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 30

RAAF 13

RCAF 10

RIAF

RNZAF 1

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

Source :

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/5/223 Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: HZ 333
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 142 SQN RAF

Summary:

Wellington HZ333 took off at 2328 hours on the night of 21/22nd July 1943, detailed to
attack Capodichino, Italy. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed
to return to base.

Crew :

RAAF 415222 Flt Sgt R T Bilsby, Captain (Pilot) †
RCAF Sgt B Buckley, (Navigator) †
RAAF 415337 Flt Sgt T P Laird, (Bomb Aimer) †
RAF Sgt J Scott, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAAF 412701 Flt Sgt L G Potts, (Air Gunner) †

A later report by a Missing Research and Enquiry team in Italy stated “The aircraft
crashed at approx 3am on the 22nd July 1943 at Amigliano Del Arco, presumably as a
result of enemy action. Amigliano Del Arco is seven miles north east of Naples, Italy.

All the crew were killed and they are buried in the CassinoWar Cemetery, Italy.

The cemetery is in the Commune of Cassino, Province of Frusinone, and 139kms south east
of Rome.


View attachment 85095

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Ralph Trenham Bilsby
415222, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 22 July 1943 Age 21
Son of Ralph Mason Bilsby and Lillian Emelina Bilsby, of Collie, Western Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Nav.
Bayne Buckley
R/136372, 142 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 22 July 1943, Age 22
Son of Mrs James Buckley, of 48 Weatherell Street, Toronto.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Thomas Paterson Laird
415337, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 22 July 1943 Age 23
Son of Thomas Paterson Laird and Jean Laird, of Albany, Western Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
John Scott
1367183, 142 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 22 July 1943 Age 23
Son of John and Joan McGill Scott, of Hawick, Roxburghshire.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Lindsay Gordon Potts
412701, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 22 July 1943 Age 21
Son of Clarence Rickard and Rose Potts, of Clovelly, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 55 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 30

RAAF 4

RCAF 14

RIAF 1

RNZAF 2

SAAF 4

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

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

423387 Flight Sergeant SLOANE, Brian Thomas †

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A9301 Barcode 4232387 Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type:
Serial number:
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 614 SQN RAF

Summary:

Flt Sgt Sloane (Air Gunner) died on 23rd July, 1944, from injuries received when he was
struck by a vehicle between Manfredonia and Foggia, Italy.

He is buried in the Bari War Cemetery, Italy. The Cemetery is located on the outskirts of
Bari in the locality of Carbonara.


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Brian Thomas Sloane
423387, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 23 July 1944 Age 20
Son of Thomas Noel Richard and May Maud M. Sloane, of Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Bari War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 88 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 56

RAAF 9

RCAF 20

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA: A705, 166/10/277, 166/24/501 Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses
of the Second World War, Page 347, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Halifax
Serial number: MZ 298
Radio call sign: DY – F
Unit: ATTD 102 SQN RAF

Summary:

Halifax MZ 298 of 102 (Ceylon) Sqn RAF, took off from RAF Pocklington on the night
of 23/24th July 1944, detailed to attack a flying bomb site at Les Hautes Buisson. Nothing
was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 420923 FO Donald, H W E, Captain (Pilot) †
RAAF 410443 Flt Sgt N Brand, (Navigator Bombaimer) †
RAAF 417855 Flt Sgt R T Lathlean (Air Bomber) †
RAAF 437061 Flt Sgt R B Selth (Air Gunner)
RAAF 419962 Flt Sgt D A Rogers, (Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt R V Skeates †
RAF Sgt W J Cook †

The only survivor Flt Sgt Selth later stated “the aircraft was apparently attacked by
enemy aircraft when approx 30 miles from the English coast on the return journey. A
number of flashes occurred along the port wing and a few seconds later both port engines
caught fire.The pilot retained control for a while, then the machine went into a dive and
the pilot ordered crew to abandon.

The survivor believes there was an explosion as he next found himself in the air and parachute opened a few seconds before he reached the
water. He was picked up about an hour later by a naval vessel which also recovered the
bodies of Flt Sgt Lathlean and Flt Sgt Rogers.”

The bodies of FO Donald, Flt Sgt Brand, Sgt Skeates and Sgt Cook were not recovered
and were recorded as lost at sea.

Their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey, UK.

Both Flt Sgt’s Lathlean and Rogers are buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, UK.





In Memory of
Flying Officer
Harley William Edwards Donald
420923, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 24 July 1944 Age 22
Son of William Irvine Donald and Gertrude Donald; husband of Thalia Alice Donald, of Bexley, New South
Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Norman Brand
410443, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 24 July 1944 Age 25
Son of Solomon and Zosia Brand; husband of Nita Brand, of South Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Rex Tidswell Lathlean
417855, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 24 July 1944 Age 24
Son of Leonard Theodore George and Marion Irene Violet Lathlean; husband of Edith Noreen Lathlean, of
Cottonville, South Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Brookwood Military Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
David Anderson Rogers
419962, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 24 July 1944 Age 32
Son of Arthur Jamieson Rogers and Annie McDonald Rogers, of Elmore, Victoria, Australia. A.F.I.A.
Remembered with Honour
Brookwood Military Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Reginald Victor Skeates
1322527, 102 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 24 July 1944 Age 23
Son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Skeates, of Mitcham, Surrey.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
Wilfred Julian Cook
1183804, 102 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 24 July 1944
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

On this day there were 198 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 124

RAAF 23

RCAF 39

RIAF 1

RNZAF 9

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

25 July 1944

453 Squadron
Spitfire IX Pl227

Armed recce pm to Falaise. Shot down by ground fire attacking motorised transport.

'Fighter Command Losses' Vol.3 - N L R. Franks


RAAF 414519 Warrant Officer Clarence Alfred Seeney was buried in Coulances Churchyard, Orne, France. †


SEENEY. — In proud & loving memory of 414519, Warrant OFficer Clarence A. Seeney, R.A.A.F. (late of Gatton Qld), who gave his life in France on 25th July, 1944.

Little we Knew when we woke that morn
What sorrow the day would bring.
Little we knew that with night's fall
We should feel death's merciless sting
Your end was sudden, Clarrle,
You made us weep and sigh.
But, oh, the saddest part of all.
You never said Good-bye.

Inserted by his loving Mother. Mrs. M. Seeney. & Brothers Alwyn & Ashley

SEENEY.— In loving memory of a dear Friend. W./Offlcer C. A. Seeney. 414519 R.A.A.F., killed In action over France on 25th July. 1944. He gave his life that we might live. A greater gift no man can give.

Inserted by Maisie Aitchison.

.JPG]


In Memory of
Warrant Officer
Clarence Alfred Seeney
414519, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 25 July 1944 Age 21
Son of Alfred and Madge Seeney, of South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Coulonces Churchyard

 

Geoff,

F/Sgt Buckley's next of kin was his mother, Mrs James Buckley, of 48 Weatherell Street, Toronto. He was 22 years of age.

Regards,

Dave

Thanks again Dave.

Post edited.

Cheers

Geoff

 

On this day there were 81 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 57

RAAF 4

RCAF 16

RIAF 2

RNZAF 1

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

405987 Warrant Officer WEST, Frank Wallace

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/43/787 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Baltimore
Serial number: FW 317
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 13 SQN RAF

Summary:

Baltimore FW317 took off from Cessina airfield at 2215 hours on 26 July 1944 to carry
out an armed recce in the Florence/Bologna area. Nothing was heard from the aircraft
after take off and it failed to return to base. Two other aircraft from the Squadron on the
same mission reported seeing an aircraft crash at 2318 hours on 26/7/44 in the
Pontassieve area. The weather was fine with a moonlight night, no cloud and good
visibility.

Crew:

RCAF Flt Lt Laird, D D Captain (Pilot) †
RAF FO McCarter, J P (Navigator Bomb Aimer) †
RNZAF WO J Finlow, (Wireless Operator Air) †
RAAF 405987 WO F W West, (Wireless Operator Air) †

No 5 Missing Research & Enquiry Unit reported in 1947 that “the wreck of FW317 was
located near Firenzuola, and according to a farmer on whose land the aircraft crashed the
crew of four were killed.”
They are buried in the Beachhead War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. Anzio is a coastal town
70kms south of Rome.






In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
David Drenel Laird
J/21258, 13 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 26 July 1944
(F/Lt David Drenel Laird was born in Johnson, Iowa 20 September 1919. He was the son of Donald A. and Hilda D. Laird. At the time of enlistment he had been working as a radio repairman in Baltimore, Md. He roomed at the home of a former neighbour from Iowa, hence the Baltimore connection in RCAF Casualty Lists.
The above information comes from the database of Wally Fydenchuk, author of "Immigrants of War - Americans in the RAF and RCAF in WWII")
Remembered with Honour
Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio

In Memory of
Flying Officer Nav./Bomber
James Phillips McCarter
130567, 13 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 26 July 1944 Age 21
Son of Robert A. H. and Margaret M. P. McCarter, of Edinburgh.
Remembered with Honour
Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio

In Memory of
Warrant Officer W. Op./Air
Jack Finlow
40561, 13 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal New Zealand Air Force
who died on 26 July 1944 Age 24
Son of John Henry and Elizabeth Goodison Finlow, of Auckland City, New Zealand.
Remembered with Honour
Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio

In Memory of
Warrant Officer
Frank Wallace West
405987, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 26 July 1944 Age 24
Son of Archibald Harold and Lydia Sarah West, of Toowong, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio

 

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
David Drenel Laird
J/21258, 13 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 26 July 1944
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio


Bit of a strange one, Geoff. No next of kin given in RCAF Casualty Lists. F/Lt Laird was 23 years of age and hailed from Baltimore, Maryland. I've seen this a few times with American volunteers in the RCAF. I will check with someone I know who may have his file.

Regards,

Dave

 

NO LOSS DETAILS


On this day there were 84 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies 1

RAF 49

RAAF 6

RCAF 17

RIAF

RNZAF 5

SAAF 6

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC
Roll of Honour - Ralph Alan Dutneall

Service number: 418083
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Unit: 453 Squadron
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of death: 27 July 1944
Place of death: France
Cause of death: Flying Battle
Cemetery or memorial details: Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery, France
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force



UK1535 | Australian War Memorial


DescriptionInformal outdoor portrait of pilots from No. 453 (Spitfire) Squadron RAAF using a spare belly tank as a resting place outside their tent at Beach-Head Airstrip, an advance landing ground, B.11, from where they operated over the Normandy battlefield. Identified from left to right: 425139 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Allan William Dowding from Goondiwindi, Queensland; 412513 Warrant Officer (WO) Allan Harold John Harris from Yenda, NSW (killed on flying operations over France on 27 July 1944); 418083 Flt Sgt Ralph Alan Dutneall from Hawthorn East, Victoria (killed on flying operations over France on 27 July 1944); and 409367 WO Hector Deeble Aldred from Bentleigh, Victoria (later Flying Officer).





In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Ralph Alan Dutneall
418083, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 27 July 1944 Age 21
Son of Alan Robert and Elizabeth Victoria Lilian Dutneall, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 58 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 43

RAAF 2

RCAF 9

RIAF 1

RNZAF

SAAF 3

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

429321 Pilot Officer HOCKING, James Wallace

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/18/419 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley ; RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1947,
Page 127 Volume 8.
Aircraft Type: Stirling
Serial number: LJ 451
Radio call sign:
Unit: 1651 Conversion RAF

Summary:

On the night of 27/28th July 1944, Stirling LJ451 took off from RAF Wratting Common
at 2337 hours, detailed to carry out a special navigation radar cross country exercise. The
aircraft crashed one mile south west of March, Cambridgeshire at 0002 hours on the 28th
July, and the Pilot was killed. All the other crew members baled out successfully, and
were either uninjured or were slightly injured.
According to a 31 Base report, flames were seen coming from the starboard inner as the
bomber flew at 7,500 feet over East Anglia, and within seconds the remaining engines
appeared to fail and the aircraft crashed at 0002 hours near a ROC post at Benwick, near
March.

Crew:

RAAF 429321 PO Hocking, J W Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt D E Johnson, (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt McFarlane, (Navigator)
RCAF Sgt Thorgrimson, (Air Bomber)
RAAF 434047 Flt Sgt S R Tebbutt, (Wireless Operator Air)
RAF Sgt H W Benson, (Mid Upper Gunner)
RAF Sgt E V Brooker, (Rear Gunner)

The body of FO Hocking was found in the wreck of the aircraft/ He is buried in the
Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, UK. The cemetery is known locally as the
Newmarket Road cemetery.

The Mid Upper Gunner later stated : “ The take off appeared quite normal and the Pilot
set course for Darlington when over base at 2000 feet. Twenty five minutes after the Pilot
asked the Flt Engineer to check the starboard inner. At the same time I reported that the
starboard inner was on fire. The Captain informed the Flight Engineer he was going to
feather the engine and return to base. I then said that the airscrews were still windmilling,
and the Captain ordered the crew to stand by and put on chutes. I helped the Captain to
put on his chute, and then the aircraft shuddered violently. and the Captain ordered the
crew to abandon the aircraft. I went forward to open the front escaper hatch which I did,
and then went back to the Captain to see if he was coming.

The Captain was half way out of his seat and he ordered me to leave the aircraft, and he
would follow. As the I left the aircraft the nose appeared slightly down, and the aircraft
seemed to crash as soon as my chute opened.”





In Memory of
Pilot Officer
James Wallace Hocking
429321, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 28 July 1944 Age 21
Son of William and Evangeline Susan Hocking, of Nambour, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cambridge City Cemetery

 

An horrific day of losses for the RCAF as well as the RAF


On this day there were395 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 193

RAAF 15

RCAF 174

RIAF 4

RNZAF 5

SAAF 3

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

433308 Sergeant STEWART, Michael Donald

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/38/639 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type:
Serial number:
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD Royal Air Force 11 Personnel Disp & Rec Centre

Summary:

On the 29th July 1944 Sgt Stewart, a Pilot, died as a result in the UK in a ground accident.
A Court of Inquiry into the accident found that death was caused by a fall from a steam
passenger train on which he was a passenger, and as a result of misadventure. On the
evidence available no blame was attached to any person.

Sgt Stewart is buried in the Chester (Blacon) Cemetery, UK.


In Memory of
Sergeant
Michael Donald Stewart
433308, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 29 July 1944 Age 24
Son of Alexander and Bridie Mary Stewart, of Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Chester (Blacon) Cemetery


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On this day there were 198 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 141

RAAF 22

RCAF 32

RIAF 1

RNZAF 2

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC


460 SQUADRON RAAF, WORLD WAR 2 FATALITIES

Date of Death: 30 July 1943

Source:

AWM 64 ((1/293); AWM 64 (1/294); AWM 237 (63) (64)
NAA: A705, 166/21/52
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: ED 525
Radio call sign: AR –
Unit: 460 Sqn RAAF

Summary:

Lancaster ED 525 took off from RAF Binbrook at 2355 hours on 29 July 1943 to attack Hamburg, Germany. Bomb load was 1 x 4000lb and 2 x 1000lb bombs, 48 x 30lb, 510 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing was heard form the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twenty four aircraft from the squadron took part in the raid.

Crew:

RAAF 402507 FO Johnson, A J Captain (Pilot) †
RAF WO Scruton, D G (Navigator) †
RAF Sgt Ralph, F S (Bomb Aimer) †
RAAF 411440 WO Burcher, R M (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) †
RAF PO Fox, S F N (Flight Engineer) †
RAAF 403397 FO O’Riordan, C T (Air Gunner) †
RAAF 402508 WO Jones, P L E (Air Gunner) †

Post war enquiries established that the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter on 30th July and crashed near Floglen, approx 41 miles north of Bremen, and that all the crew were killed. FO O’Riordan is buried in the Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau, Germany which is about 45 miles east of Bremen. FO Johnson, Flt Sgt Burcher and Flt Sgt Jones are missing and are commemorated on the Runnymede Missing Memorial, Surrey, UK.


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In Memory of
Flying Officer
Alan James Johnson
402507, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 26
Son of James Thomas Johnson and Beatrice Emily Johnson, of Bondi, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Derrick George Scruton
52599, 460 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 26
Son of Hilda Scruton, of Enfield, Middlesex.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Frederick Sydney Ralph
149829, 460 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 26
Son of Sydney and Emily Ralph; husband of Joan Mary Ralph, of Harrow, Middlesex.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Warrant Officer
Reginald Maxwell Burcher
411440, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 23
Son of Reginald Ernest and Ivy Myrtle Burcher, of Brunswick Heads, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Sydney Frederick Norman Fox
143802, 460 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 30
Son of Frederick R. and Caroline Fox; husband of Myrtle Alice Fox, of Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Flying Officer
Clifford Timothy O'Riordan
403397, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 34
Son of Michael and Julia O'Riordan, of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Becklingen War Cemetery

In Memory of
Warrant Officer
Pax Lloyd Evan Jones
402508, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 30 July 1943 Age 24
Son of Arthur Llewellyn and Margaret Alice Jones, of Edgecliff, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

On this day there were 65 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies 1

RAF 27

RAAF 20

RCAF 13

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF 4

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

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

406108 Flight Seargant KELLY,Robert Henry

Source:

AWM 237(65) NAA : A705, 163/132/193 digitised
Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Boston
Serial number: Z 2163
Radio call sign:
Unit: 24 SQN SAAF

Summary:

On 31st July 1942, Boston Z2163 crashed approx 40 miles from Alexandria, in a southeasterly
direction and off the side of the Alexandria-Cairo road, about 20 miles from
Alexandria. All the crew were killed.

The aircraft took off at 2340 hours on 30th July, and crashed at 0048 hours approx on its
way back to base, owing to damage received by ack-ack when attacking dispersed enemy
aircraft on Landing Ground 13. A search party proceeded to the scene of the crash and
found the burnt out wreck of the aircraft.

Crew:

SAAF Lt Corbey, A E Captain (Pilot) †
RAAF 406108 Flt Sgt R H Kelly (Observer) †
SAAF Sgt A Hutchison, (Gunner) †
SAAF Sgt J Forsyth, (Gunner) †

All the crew are buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.


In Memory of
Lieutenant Pilot
Alfred Edward Corbey
103116, 24 Sqdn., South African Air Force
who died on 31 July 1942
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
El Alamein War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Robert Henry Kelly
406108, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 31 July 1942 Age 23
Son of Harry and Eva Grace Kelly, of West Perth, Western Australia.
Remembered with Honour
El Alamein War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Arthur Hutchinson
103818, 24 Sqdn., South African Air Force
who died on 31 July 1942 Age 34
Son of Luke and Annie Hutchinson, of Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa.
Remembered with Honour
El Alamein War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
John Forsyth
102389, 24 Sqdn., South African Air Force
who died on 31 July 1942 Age 29
Son of John E. and Agnes B. Forsyth, of Cape Town, South Africa.
Remembered with Honour
El Alamein War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 165 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 109

RAAF 16

RCAF 35

RIAF

RNZAF 4

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

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

402582 Sergeant WARR, Herbert Cheval Archer

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A9300 Barcode 5534368 Micro Film No 463
Commonwealth War Graves records. W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War, Page 172, Volume 1942.
Aircraft Type: Hampden
Serial number: AE 244
Radio call sign: EQ – P
Unit: 408 Royal Canadian Air Force

Summary:

On the 31st July/1st August 1942, Hampden AE244 took off from RAF Balderton, at 2339
hours, detailed to bomb Dusseldorf Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after
take off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RCAF Sgt O M Nelson, Captain (Pilot) (POW)
RAAF 402582 Sgt H C A Warr, (Observer) †
RCAF Flt Sgt C F Lloyd, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt H Price, (Wireless Air Gunner) †

The aircraft was shot down by an enemy night fighter and crashed at 0335 hours, some
2kms south east of Zevendonk (Antwerpen), 4kms south of Turnhout, Belgium.
Three of the crew were killed and Sgt Nelson was a POW. Those killed are buried in the
Turnhout (Zevendonk) Churchyard, Belgium.

.JPG]

In Memory of
Sergeant
Herbert Cheval Archer Warr
402582, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 01 August 1942 Age 24
Son of Leslie Cleal Archer Warr and Vera May Sara Warr, of Lakemba, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Turnhout (Zevendonk) Churchyard

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Clarence Franklin Lloyd
R/62683, 408 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 01 August 1942 Age 22
Son of Olis O. and Delia M. Lloyd, of Granby, Province of Quebec, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Turnhout (Zevendonk) Churchyard

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Harold Price
1052836, 408 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 01 August 1942 Age 29
Son of Thomas E. D. and Elizabeth Price, of Mold, Flintshire.
Remembered with Honour
Turnhout (Zevendonk) Churchyard

 

On this day there were 46 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies 1

RAF 32

RAAF 5

RCAF 5

RIAF

RNZAF 1

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps 1

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

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

420435 Flight Sergeant BOWKER, Stanley Charles

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 1166/6/225 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Wellington
Serial number: HE 967
Radio call sign:
Unit: 424 Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force

Summary:

On the morning of 2nd August 1943, Wellington HE967 took off at 0035 hours to carry
out a bombing operation over Randazzo, Italy. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after
take off, and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 420435 Flt Sgt S C Bowker, Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt T A Hallam, (Navigator) †
RAF Sgt R C Dixon, (Bomb Aimer) †
RAF Sgt F C Daniels, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt H G Shoobert, (Air Gunner) †

The aircraft crashed and exploded on impact in the vicinity of Mt Etna, Sicily,
presumably as a result of enemy aircraft.

All the crew were killed and they are buried in
the Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.





In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Stanley Charles Bowker
420435, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 02 August 1943 Age 22
Son of Charles and Florence Ellen Bowker, of Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily

In Memory of
Sergeant Nav.
Thomas Alfred Hallam
1234790, 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 02 August 1943 Age 22
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Hallam, of Birstall, Leicestershire.
Remembered with Honour
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily

In Memory of
Sergeant Bomb Aimer
Ronald Coverdale Dixon
1452182, 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 02 August 1943
Remembered with Honour
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
F C Daniels
973006, 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 02 August 1943
Son of Arthur and Racheal Daniels; husband of Brenda Elsie Daniels, of Newport, Monmouthshire.
Remembered with Honour
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Harold George Shoobert
1160412, 424 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 02 August 1943 Age 21
Son of Albert Edward and Maud Louisa Shoobert, of East Dulwich, London.
Remembered with Honour
Catania War Cemetery, Sicily

 

Both P/O Gilbert and Sgt Gannon are listed on the Australian Commemorative Roll. Further research is required however until advised otherwise I will list them as Australian. Although no NOK is listed for P/O Gilbert, Sgt Gannon's NOK is listed as Wallasey, Cheshire, they may have moved from Australia pre war.


On this day there were 18 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 17

RAAF

RCAF

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC


Coastal Command Losses Vol.1 - McNeill

3 August 1940

206 Squadron
Hudson I
T9282
VX-E
Op. Patrol S.A.4

41399 P/O. John Allan Gilbert (Of Australia) †
741151 Sgt. Benjamin Peter Gannon (Of Australia) †
759044 Sgt. William Logan Johnson †
620418 Sgt. Patrick William Swinson †

Took off 1505 hrs Bircham Newton. Aircraft failed to return.





In Memory of
Pilot Officer
John Allan Gilbert
41399, 206 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 03 August 1940
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
Benjamin Peter Gannon
741151, 206 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 03 August 1940 Age 22
Son of Harold and Emily Gannon, of Wallasey, Cheshire.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
William Logan Johnston
759044, 206 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 03 August 1940 Age 20
Son of Thomas Duncan Johnston and Jessie Galt Johnston, of Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
Patrick William Swinson
620418, 206 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 03 August 1940 Age 20
Son of William H. and Bertha E. R. Swinson, of Stretton, Burton-on-Trent.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

On this day there were 20 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 17

RAAF 1

RCAF

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF 2

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC


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

400928 Sergeant MASSON, Allan Thomas

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/142/194 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Harvard
Serial number: N 7187
Radio call sign:
Unit: 20 Service Flg Trg School SRAF

Summary:

On the 4th August 1941, Harvard N7187 took off for Instrument Flying practice at a
minimum height of 2,000 feet. The aircraft crashed 16 miles from Bakenkobje Farm near
Salisbury, Rhodesia, and the crew of two were killed.
In the opinion of an Investigator into the crash : “The aircraft stalled after a steep turn
without insufficient height for recovery. It was being flown below the prescribed height
of 2,000 feet.

Crew:

SAAF Sgt G W Ford (Instructor Pilot) †
RAAF 400928 Sgt A T Masson, (Safety Pilot) †

Both the crew are buried in the Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery, Zimbabwe.


In Memory of
Sergeant Pupil Pilot
G W Ford
103561, South African Air Force
who died on 04 August 1941 Age 19
Son of Walker V. and May S. Ford, of Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa.
Remembered with Honour
Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Allan Thomas Masson
400928, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 04 August 1941 Age 25
Son of William and Elizabeth Masson, of Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Harare (Pioneer) Cemetery

 

On this day there were 46 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 25

RAAF 9

RCAF 7

RIAF

RNZAF 5

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

407522 Pilot Officer MORPHETT, Philip Harold

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/28/122 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Blenheim
Serial number: Z 7977
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 11 SQN RAF

Summary:

Blenheim Z7977 crashed at 0648Z on 5 August 1943 during a ferry trip to Nagpur. The
aircraft dived into the ground at high speed and exploded on impact and all the crew were
killed. There was heavy rain and low cloud at the time. The aircraft crashed 6 miles south
of Barabhum, Bengal, India. Barabhum is approx 70 miles ESE of Ranchi and 140 miles
WNW of Calcutta.

Crew:

RAF PO Beresford, A Captain (Pilot) †
RAAF 407522 PO Morphett, P H (2nd Pilot) †
RAF WO L Davies, (Navigator Bomb Aimer) †
RAF Cpl E W Gillingwater, (Quartermaster) PAX. †

The crew of four are buried in the Ranchi War Cemetery, Bengal, India. Ranchi is a town
in the State of Jharkhand, some 419kms NW of Calcutta, India.
NO HEADSTONE PHOTOS YET FOR RANCHI WAR CEMETERY

In Memory of
Pilot Officer Air Gnr.
Arthur Beresford
145726, 11 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 05 August 1943 Age 27
Son of John George and Elizabeth Anne Beresford, of New Silksworth, Co. Durham; husband of Annie
Beresford, of New Silksworth.
Remembered with Honour
Ranchi War Cemetery

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Philip Harold Morphett
407522, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 05 August 1943 Age 22
Son of Norman Harold and Anna Elizabeth May Morphett, of Fullarton, South Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Ranchi War Cemetery

In Memory of
Warrant Officer Nav.
Leonard Davies
1112037, 11 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 05 August 1943 Age 20
Son of George and Gladys Davies, of Brymbo, Denbighshire.
Remembered with Honour
Ranchi War Cemetery

In Memory of
Corporal
Edward William Gillingwater
628345, 11 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 05 August 1943 Age 25
Son of Henry James Gillingwater and Elizabeth Jane Gillingwater, of Walworth, London.
Remembered with Honour
Ranchi War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 67 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 44

RAAF 9

RCAF 5

RIAF

RNZAF 4

SAAF 4

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

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

421311 Flying Officer BUCKNELL, Geoffrey Charles

424551 FlightSergeant McAllister, Ronald

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/6/644 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley :RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 371,
Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: ND 840
Radio call sign: OF – J
Unit: ATTD 97 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster ND840 took off from RAF Coningsby at 0918 hours on 6th August 1944, to
destroy a flying bomb storage site at Bois de Cassan, France. Nothing was heard from the
aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 421311 FO Bucknell, G C Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Flt Sgt L Barlow, (Flight Engineer) †
RAF Flt Sgt L B Daitz, (Navigator) †
RAF FO James, R A V DFC (Observer) (Evaded)
RAAF 424551 Flt Sgt R McAllister, (Air Bomber) †
RAF Flt Sgt G C Dyke, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt W R Patience, (Mid Upper Gunner) †
RAF Sgt L D Farmer, (Rear Gunner) †

The aircraft was hit by flak and the pilot was incapacitated. The British Embassy later
reported that the aircraft crashed at Eaubonne (Val D’Oise) a small town 14kms ESE of
Pontoise, France.

Seven of the crew were killed and FO James evaded capture.

Those killed are buried in the Clichy Northern Cemetery, Locality Haute de Seine,
France. Clichy is a town adjacent to the northern boundary of Paris.

In a report by FO James he stated “I landed about 10 yards from the aircraft and no one
baled out before me. The aircraft was in a steep spin and on fire. The inter com was U/S
so no orders could be given.

The French saw only one chute come out, and that the
Germans had extricated seven bodies from the aircraft.”

.JPG]

.JPG]

In Memory of
Flying Officer
Geoffrey Charles Bucknell
421311, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 33
Son of Norman Charles and Ruby Leah Bucknell; husband of Joan Lucie Bucknell, of Inverell, New South
Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Flt. Engr.
Leonard Barlow
1603320, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 19
Son of Albert Rolph Barlow and Elizabeth May Barlow, of Merton Park, Surrey.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Nav.
Leslie Bernard Daitz
1577121, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 22
Son of Sidney Charles and Blanche Daitz, of Stamford Hill, London.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Ronald McAllister
424551, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 24
Son of Henry and Lucy Ethel Annie McAllister, of Alectown, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
George Clifford Dyke
1095605, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 22
Son of Gershom and Elizabeth Ann Dyke, of North Wingfield, Derbyshire.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
William Ronald Patience
1893740, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 19
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Patience, of Penshurst, Kent.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Leslie Desmond Farmer
2220935, 97 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 06 August 1944 Age 22
Son of Leonard George and Florence Lily Farmer, of Coventry.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

 

On this day there were 44 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 36

RAAF 1

RCAF 5

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

WAAAF

WAAF (SAAF)

WAAC

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

400014 Sergeant DENIER, Desmond Ernest George

Source :

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/101/63 (Digitised)
Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War, Page 111, Volume 1941.
Aircraft Type: Wellngton
Serial number: X 9633
Radio call sign: OJ – R
Unit: ATTD 149 SQN RAF

Summary:

Wellington X9633 took off from RAF Mildenhall at 2239 hours on the night of 6/7th
August 1941, detailed to bomb Mannheim, Germany. Nothing was heard from the
aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base.

Crew :

RAF Sgt J T Farmer, Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt F S Ellis, (Pilot) †
RAAF 400014 D E G Denier, (Observer) †
RAF Sgt G Lickley, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt A Yoxall (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RCAF Sgt V B Quinlan, (Air Gunner) †

The aircraft crashed at Thorembais St Trond (Brabant), 15kmns south east of Wavre,
Belgium, and all the crew were killed.
They are buried in the Thorembais-St Trond Communal Cemetery, Belgium. The village
of Thorembais-Saint-Trond is located south east of the town of Wavre off the E411
motorway which runs between Brussels and Namur. The six crew members are the only
Commonwealth WW2 fatalities buried in the cemetery.




In Memory of
Sergeant Pilot
James Thompson Farmer
1053520, 149 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 07 August 1941 Age 20
Son of James S. and Elizabeth T. H. T. Farmer, of Jordanhill, Glasgow.
Remembered with Honour
Thorembais-St. Trond Communal Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Pilot
Frederick Shirley Ellis
1251685, 149 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 07 August 1941
Remembered with Honour
Thorembais-St. Trond Communal Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Desmond Ernest George Denier
400014, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 07 August 1941 Age 29
Son of John Thomas Denier and Ella May Denier; husband of Mona Marguerite Denier, of Wentworth, New
South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Thorembais-St. Trond Communal Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Geoffrey Lickley
1052299, 149 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 07 August 1941 Age 20
Son of Albert and Eva B. Lickley, of Edenthorpe, Yorkshire.
Remembered with Honour
Thorembais-St. Trond Communal Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Arthur Yoxall
987165, 149 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 07 August 1941 Age 25
Son of Charles Lewis Yoxall and Margaret Yoxall, of Higher Blackley, Manchester.
Remembered with Honour
Thorembais-St. Trond Communal Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Vernon Beverley Quinlan
R/58012, 149 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 07 August 1941 Age 21
Husband of Dorothy E. Quinlan, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
Remembered with Honour
Thorembais-St. Trond Communal Cemetery