RAF Casualty Help

Paul Reed · 24-02-2008, 02:27 PM

I am trying to pin this RAF serviceman down to a unit, which is not shown on CWGC. Any ideas?

Name:	WANSBURY, WILLIAM HENRY
Initials:	W H
Nationality:	United Kingdom
Rank:	Aircraftman 1st Class
Regiment/Service:	Royal Air Force
Age:	23
Date of Death:	14/09/1943
Service No:	626655
Additional information:	Son of William Jones and Dorothy Wansbury, of Swanley, Kent.
Casualty Type:	Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:	4. A. 3.
Cemetery:	AMBON WAR CEMETERY

Peter Clare · 25-02-2008, 12:55 AM

Hope this is some help Paul

Listed in the Stubbs' "Unsung Heroes of the Royal Air Force":

"Unit not known - Held Java, Moluccas (Haruku) Died Haruku"

Info supplied by Amrit rafcommands.

Paul Reed · 25-02-2008, 09:33 PM

Peter - correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying he died whilst a POW?

Thanks for looking into him for me.

Peter Clare · 25-02-2008, 09:45 PM

Paul
I think it can be assumed he died while in captivity, at the moment I can't add more. Today I ordered the book 'Unsung Heroes of the Royal Air Force' when I get my hands on it I'll look up the relevant entry and get back to you.

Paul Reed · 25-02-2008, 10:00 PM

That's great, many thanks Peter.

Owen · 26-02-2008, 01:04 AM

I looked some info up about Ambon on another thread.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/unit-hi...ave-ambon.html
Looking at the CWGC info we can safely say he was a POW with a 1943 date.

Quote:

The War Cemetery was constructed on the site of a former camp for Australian, British and Dutch prisoners of war, some of whom had been transferred from Java in 1943, and many of those buried in it died in captivity.

Peter Clare · 27-02-2008, 12:02 PM

Paul

I have received the book I mentioned in post #4 but sorry to say it adds no more info than already posted.

Regards
Peter.

Paul Reed · 27-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Thanks Peter - much appreciated.

25-02-2008, 12:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,651	Hope this is some help Paul Listed in the Stubbs' "Unsung Heroes of the Royal Air Force": "Unit not known - Held Java, Moluccas (Haruku) Died Haruku" Info supplied by Amrit rafcommands. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

25-02-2008, 09:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,602	Peter - correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying he died whilst a POW? Thanks for looking into him for me. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

25-02-2008, 09:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,651	Paul I think it can be assumed he died while in captivity, at the moment I can't add more. Today I ordered the book 'Unsung Heroes of the Royal Air Force' when I get my hands on it I'll look up the relevant entry and get back to you. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

25-02-2008, 10:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,602	That's great, many thanks Peter. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

27-02-2008, 12:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,651	Paul I have received the book I mentioned in post #4 but sorry to say it adds no more info than already posted. Regards Peter. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

27-02-2008, 09:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,602	Thanks Peter - much appreciated. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

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