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

On this day there were 63 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 61

RAAF 1

RCAF

RNZAF 1

SAAF

WAAF


Australians killed while in service with the RAF

Source: W.R. Chorley Bc Losses of the 2nd World War 1940 Page 38

12th April 1940
Hampden I
L4064
VN-
50sq
Op: Kristiansand

Crew:

RAF P/O J B Bull † (Of Australia)
RAF P/O A D Pilcher †
RAF Sgt W S Nevinson †
RAF Cpl G Fawcett †

Summary:

T/o 0815 Waddington to attack shipping reported in Kristiansand harbour. Ditched, 1420, 120 miles east of Newcastle. It is believed the crew managed to get into their dinghy, but despite an extensive search no trace was found.

Sgt Nevinson is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery; The remainder have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Three Australians in the RAF were lost piloting Hampdens in as many days - Worse was yet to come!


In Memory of
Pilot Officer
John Bartlett Bull
40599, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 12 April 1940 Age 28
Son of Alfred Clarence and Zoe Maud Bull, of Norwood, South Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Alonzo Derek Pilcher
40848, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 12 April 1940
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant Obs.
William Stuart Nevinson
580494, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 12 April 1940 Age 20
Son of William Joseph and Carrie Nevinson, of Liverpool.
Remembered with Honour
Kiel War Cemetery

In Memory of
Corporal
George Fawcett
623895, 50 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 12 April 1940 Age 23
Son of George and Sarah J. Fawcett, of Straffan, Co. Kildare, Republic of Ireland.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

On this day there were 54 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 32

RAAF 5

RCAF 6

RNZAF 6

SAAF 5

WAAF


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

421689 Flying Officer RENDALL,Malcolm Henry Gallion

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/35/526 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Typhoon
Serial number: MW 434
Radio call sign:
Unit: 609 Sqn RAF

Summary:

On the 13th April 1945, Typhoon MW434 was detailed to carry out an operational RP
attack Winkle Operation near Arnhem, Holland. The aircraft crashed near Graves Bridge,
Holland, and the pilot was killed.

In a report into the accident it stated : “ MW434 was involved in a collision in mid air
with Typhoon RB250 and both pilots were killed. The collision occurred when the
aircraft were forming up after take off.

An error of judgement on the part of the pilot of
RB250 would appear to have resulted in the mid air collision, causing the deaths of both
pilots.”

Crew: MW434

RAAF 421689 FO Rendall, M. H. G. (Pilot) †

FO Rendall is buried in the Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands. Uden is situated north of
Brabant and about 16 miles north of Eindhoven.

Crew: RB250

RAF 1814804 F/S De Blommaert, A. H. E. M. (Pilot) †
F/S De Blommaert
is buried in the Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands. Uden is situated north of
Brabant and about 16 miles north of Eindhoven.




In Memory of
Flying Officer
Marcus Harry Gallion Rendall
421689, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 13 April 1945 Age 25
Son of Joseph Henry Hewett Rendall and Marguerite Elise Rendall, of Gladesville, New South Wales,
Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Uden War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Pilot
Alain Hubert Edmond Marie De Blommaert De Soye
1814804, 609 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 13 April 1945 Age 24
Son of the Baron and Baronne de Blommaert de Soye, of Heirges, Wavre, Belgium.
Remembered with Honour
Uden War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 127 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 94

RAAF 5

RCAF 24

RNZAF 4

SAAF

WAAF




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

405005 Pilot Officer MacKENZIE, Ian Cumming MID

Source:

AWM 237 (65) AWM 54 779/3/129 Part 6, NAA : A705, 166/26/87 Digitised
Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorlet : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War, Page 108, Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Halifax
Serial number: JB 909
Radio call sign: EQ – G
Unit: 408 Sqn Royal Canadian Air Force

Summary:

On the night of 14/15th April 1943, Halifax JB909 took off from RAF Leeming, at 2151
hours, detailed to bomb Stuttgart, Germany. The aircraft was due to return at 0517 hours
on the 15th April, but the aircraft failed to return.

Crew:

RAAF 405005 PO MacKenzie, I C MID Captain (Pilot) †
RCAF Sgt W L Canter, (Co-Pilot)
RCAF Sgt L W McKenzie, (Flight Engineer)
RAF PO Playfair, A (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
RAF Sgt T J Coupland, (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
RAAF 403033 PO O’Connell, C (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF PO McIlroy, W A (Wireless Air Gunner)
RCAF Flt Sgt J S Murray, (Wireless Air Gunner)

The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter, and crashed at 0315 hours at la Neuvillette
(Marne), 4kms north west of Rheims, France. PO MacKenzie who sacrificed his life in
order to ensure his aircraft did not come down on houses, is buried in the Clichy Northern
Cemetery, France. Clichy is a town adjoining the northern boundary of Paris.
Sgt Canter evaded capture, and the other crew members were POW’s.
In a POW report the then FO O’Connell stated 4: “ At 0215 hours the aircraft was hit by
a night fighter which attacked from underneath. The port inner motor was blown out of
the wing, and fires were started behind the bulk head doors and to the rear of the rest
position. A shell which exploded in the engineers compartment exploded the oxygen
bottles, jammed the rudders and wounded the Mid Upper Gunner.
Attempts were made to extinguish the fires but to no avail. PO Mackenzie gave
instructions for the crew to bale out as he could not control the aircraft. Three of the crew
were injured, Sgt Murray, PO McIlroy and myself (a flesh wound in right leg). The
aircraft was under control when I left at 4,000 feet, although it was on fire. PO
MacKenzie and Sgt McKenzie were still in the aircraft. All the crew with the exception
of PO MacKenzie were alive and accounted for.”

.JPG]

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Ian Cumming Mackenzie
405005, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 15 April 1943 Age 20
Son of John Charles and Alice Mary Mackenzie, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

 

On this day there were 57 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 31

RAAF 5

RCAF 8

RIAF 1

RNZAF 11

SAAF

WAAF 1


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

425514 Pilot Officer HOOLIHAN, Patrick Gordon Thomas DFC

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/18/539 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Serial number: JF 333
Radio call sign: QJ -
Unit: ATTD 92 SQN RAF

Summary:

Spitfire JF333 took off from Bellaria airfield, Italy, at approx 1240 hours on 16th April
1945, to carry out a mission behind enemy lines and bomb enemy targets in the Medicine
area. JF333 was flying No 3 in a formation of four aircraft.
No 3 dived down to attack a gun and was seen by others in the section to be enveloped in
flames and explode on the ground. The Section Leader called his section to say No 3 had
crashed when to his amazement PO Hoolihan himself replied “I’m OK have been hit by
flak.” On being asked what side of the lines he replied “ on the Hun side, I think.”

The Section Leader called up again a few minutes later but there was no reply.
It was later thought that the explosion seen by the Leader had been the explosion
of a bomb released by PO Hoolihan’s aircraft.

In 1945 an American party found the wreck of JF333 in a field behind Casa, via
Stradone, near the village of Castel Guelf.

Crew:

RAAF 425514 PO Hoolihan P G T DFC (Pilot) †

PO Hoolihan is buried in the Faenza War Cemetery, Italy.

Citation :

The Citation for the award of DFC to PO Hoolihan is as follows :

Throughout numerous operational sorties, PO Hoolihan has displayed a high degree of
skill, gallantry and devotion to duty. In November 1944, while attacking an enemy strong
post, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and burst into flames. He flew over our lines
when he was forced to leave the aircraft by parachute at a low level. On another occasion,
his aircraft was damaged by fire from the enemy fire defences and he himself was
wounded in the legs by splinters but undeterred he returned to the attack and destroyed
the gun position. (London Gazette 30/10/1945 page 5283)


In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Patrick Gordon Thomas Hoolihan
D F C
425514, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 16 April 1945 Age 24
Son of Thomas Patrick and Dorothy Eland Hoolihan, of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Faenza War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 97 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 68

RAAF 11

RCAF 10

RIAF 3

RNZAF 3

SAAF 2

WAAF


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

404895 Flight Lieutenant ELMS, Henry

Source :

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/11/129 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Boston
Serial number: BZ 327
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 114 SQN RAF

Summary:

Boston BZ327 was detailed on 16th April 1944 to carry out an armed recce of roads in
Italy between Frosinone-Rome-Valletry. The aircraft took off at 2103 hours but nothing
was heard from the aircraft which failed to return to base.
In 1946 the wreck of the aircraft was found approx 4kms from Checano, Italy. All the
crew were killed.

Crew :

RAAF 404895 Flt Lt Elms, H Captain (Pilot)
RAF Flt Lt Andrew, B W (Navigator Bombaimer)
RAF Sgt W J Follows, (Wireless Air Gunner)
RAF Sgt F A G Thomas, (Air Gunner)

All of the crew are buried in the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.



In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
Henry Elms
404895, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 17 April 1944 Age 28
Son of Cecil Henry and Daisy Elms; husband of Jessie Joyce Elms, of Hillend, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant Nav./Bomber
Bruce Wild Andrew
107908, 114 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 17 April 1944
Son of Joseph and Jane Andrew, of Woodhouses, Lancashire.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W. /Op.
William John Follows
579086, 114 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 17 April 1944
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Frederick Albert George Thomas
1853347, 114 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 17 April 1944 Age 19
Son of Frederick Albert and Alice Rhoda Thomas; husband of Marjorie Elsie Thomas, of North End,
Portsmouth.
Remembered with Honour
Cassino War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 87 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 49

RAAF 6

RCAF 27

RIAF 1

RNZAF 2

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps 1

WAAF

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

426426 Flight Sergeant BATES, Dudley Clive

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/5/.497 Commonwealth War Graves records
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, P172, 1944
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: LM 361
Radio call sign: WS – T
Unit: ATTD 9 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster LM361 took off from RAF Bardney at 2111 hours on the night of 18/19th April
1944 to bomb rail facilities at Juvisy, France. The aircraft was last heard on W/T at 2330
hours at which time a plot was taken which fixed the aircraft’s position 18kms south east
of Paris. LM361 failed to return from the mission.

Crew:

RAAF 413909 FO Smith J A Captain (Pilot) (Evaded)
RAF Sgt R Wilson, (Flight Engineer) †
RAF Flt Sgt D E Moss, (Navigator) †
RAF Sgt C H Martin (Bomb Aimer) (Evaded)
RAF Sgt F Heath, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAAF 402447 FO Light K W (DFM) (Mid Upper Gunner) (POW)
RAAF 426426 Flt Sgt D C Bates, (Rear Gunner) †

FO Smith and Sgt Martin evaded capture and FO Light who was a POW was previously a
member of 460 Sqn RAAF. His DFM was published on 29/12/1942.
The remaining four members of the crew were killed and they are buried in the Clichy
Northern Cemetery. Clichy is a town adjacent to the northern boundary of Paris. The
Cemetery lies between the town hall and the River Seine and is entranced from the Rue
General Rouget.
In a later report FO Smith stated “He had just left the target when a large explosion was
heard throughout the aircraft. He called up all the crew on the I/C and received
acknowledgements from all except Flt Sgt Bates. Two of the inboard motors were on fire,
and could not be extinguished. Bale out was ordered and acknowledged by Nav and
B/Aimer before I/C became U/S. He held the aircraft for approx 3 minutes and then
abandoned the aircraft at 3000 feet. A/closing height was still under control. He did not
see any member of the crew after he landed nor did he hear of their fate.”
Flt Sgt Martin reported “We took off from Bardney on 18/4 to bomb Juvisy. Reached
target at 7000 feet and dropped our bombs. About 2 seconds later there was a blinding
flash under the A/c which I believe was flak, and two engines caught fire. Both wings
were on fire and A/c filled with smoke. All crew acknowledged OK except Rear Gunner.
I checked bombs gone and Engineer tried to feather the engines. Prepare to abandon
order given and put on chute. A third engine caught fire and A/c drifting west and losing
height quickly. Bale out ordered. I opened escape hatch and jumped at 4000 feet. A/c
crashed in flames ten seconds before I hit the ground I doubt if they all got out.”

.JPG]

In Memory of
Sergeant Flt. Engr.
Ronald Wilson
1676659, 9 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 18 April 1944
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Nav.
Dennis Elvet Moss
1578638, 9 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 18 April 1944 Age 21
Son of John and Nellie Moss, of Willenhall, Staffordshire.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Frank Heath
1337216, 9 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 18 April 1944 Age 22
Son of Albert James Heath and Mary Heath, of Witley, Surrey.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Dudley Clive Bates
426426, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 18 April 1944 Age 20
Son of William Clive and Mary Elizabeth Bates, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Clichy Northern Cemetery

 

On this day there were 36 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 27

RAAF 5

RCAF 2

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

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

402482 Sergeant AVERN, Geoffrey Lennox

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/89/18 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter I
Serial number: T4936
Radio call sign:
Unit: No 2 OADU

Summary:

Beaufighter T4936 on 19th April 1942, was missing on an operational flight between UK
and the Middle East, and was en route from Treebelzue to Gibraltar. The aircraft was
found by Military authorities at Madrid. All the crew were killed.

Crew:

RAAF 402482 Sgt G L Avern, Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt P B Crossan. (Wireless Operator/Observer) †

Both the crew are buried in the Huelva British Cemetery, Spain. Huelva is the chief town
in the province of the same name in the south west of Spain, and is a port on the Atlantic
coast.

View attachment 78920


In Memory of
Sergeant
Geoffrey Lennox Avern
402482, No 2 OADU, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 19 April 1942 Age 27
Son of Henry Charles and Blanch Emily Avern, of Cooma, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Huelva British Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Obs.
Philip Bernard Crossan
998371, 236 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 19 April 1942 Age 21
Son of Bernard and Elsie Margaret Crossan, of Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.
Remembered with Honour
Huelva British Cemetery

 

Two attempts at an aircraft serial, one in the header and then another in the narrative but neither is correct

The aircraft was T4936 and was assigned to the OADU.

Avern's service record has been digitised and shows his last two postings to No.2 OADU and then Middle East Pool.

F1180 images Copyright RAF Museum Hendon

Regards
Ross

 

Two attempts at an aircraft serial, one in the header and then another in the narrative but neither is correct

The aircraft was T4936 and was assigned to the OADU.

Avern's service record has been digitised and shows his last two postings to No.2 OADU and then Middle East Pool.

F1180 images Copyright RAF Museum Hendon

Regards
Ross

Thanks Ross,

Edited.

Would that mean that Crossan was No 2 OADU as well?

Cheers

Geoff

 

Quite probable but his F280/F543 would be the only document that would show it.

The CWGC has used No.236 Sqn so it suggests that in keeping with similar transit deaths the RAF Service Record has not been retrospectively annotated with No.2 OADU and has been closed immediately on notification of death.

They were last recorded flying as a crew in AIR27/1447, No.236 Sqn ORB on 27th March 1942

Wattisham
Sgt Avern took off at 17:30 hrs and proceeded direct to Predannack making a total of seven aircraft detached. The ground crews travelled by train.

Edit found another entry from Predannack 28/4/1942

"O" - T4793 Sgt Avern, Sgt Crossan, A/A Escort 09:58 - 13:36
Airborne from Predannack to escort secret force Chariot. (St Nazaire)

St Nazaire Raid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is the He115 aircraft they lost in cloud
"Shortly after this the ships were spotted by a Heinkel 115 floatplane of the Luftwaffe.[2] The next aircraft on the scene, a Junkers 88, was engaged by a RAF Bristol Beaufighter which had appeared in the area earlier. Both machines crashed into the sea. Other German planes arrived but were driven off by Beaufighters and Hudsons from Coastal Command."

Regards
Ross

 

On this day there were 58 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 40

RAAF 8

RCAF 4

RIAF

RNZAF 5

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

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

421008 Flight Lieutenant DOOLAN, Gregory McGowan

Source :

AWM 237 (65 NAA : A705 : 166/102/216 Digitised Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of
the Second World War : Page 175, Volume 1944.
Aircraft Type: Stirling
Serial number: LJ 448
Radio call sign: HA – D
Unit: ATTD 218 SQN RAF

Summary:

Stirling LJ448 took off from RAF Woolfox Lodge at 2103 hours on the night of 20/21st
April 1944, detailed to bomb the railway depot at Chambly, France. Nothing was heard
from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base.

Crew:

RAAF 421008 Flt Lt Doolan, G McG Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt C T Bishop, (Flight Engineer) †
RAF FO Vidler, E F D (Navigator) (Evaded)
RAAF 422210 FO Levy, A J D (Air Bomber) (Evaded)
RAAF 420989 1PO O’Neill, F H (Wireless Air Gunner) (Evaded)
RAF Sgt C Robinson, (Air Gunner) (POW)
RAF Flt Sgt D R R J Pepall, (Air Gunner) (Evaded)

The aircraft crashed on 20th April 1944 at Asnieres-sur-Gise, in the Department of Seineet-
Oise, 38kms north east of Versailles.
Flt Lt Doolan and Sgt Bishop were killed, Sgt Robinson was a POW and the others
evaded capture.
Those killed are buried in the Asnieres-sur-Oise Communal Cemetery, France. Asnieres
is a small town, 35kms north of Paris on the D922.
In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
Gregory McGowan Doolan
421008, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 20 April 1944 Age 23
Son of Ambrose Vincent and Kathleen Violet Doolan, of Binnaway, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Asnieres-Sur-Oise Communal Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Flt. Engr.
Cecil Thomas Bishop
1608815, No 2 OADU, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 20 April 1944 Age 19
Son of Thomas J. Bishop and Ethel L. Bishop, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Remembered with Honour
Asnieres-Sur-Oise Communal Cemetery

 

Quite probable but his F280/F543 would be the only document that would show it.

The CWGC has used No.236 Sqn so it suggests that in keeping with similar transit deaths the RAF Service Record has not been retrospectively annotated with No.2 OADU and has been closed immediately on notification of death.

They were last recorded flying as a crew in AIR27/1447, No.236 Sqn ORB on 27th March 1942

Wattisham
Sgt Avern took off at 17:30 hrs and proceeded direct to Predannack making a total of seven aircraft detached. The ground crews travelled by train.

Edit found another entry from Predannack 28/4/1942

"O" - T4793 Sgt Avern, Sgt Crossan, A/A Escort 09:58 - 13:36
Airborne from Predannack to escort secret force Chariot. (St Nazaire)

St Nazaire Raid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is the He115 aircraft they lost in cloud
"Shortly after this the ships were spotted by a Heinkel 115 floatplane of the Luftwaffe.[2] The next aircraft on the scene, a Junkers 88, was engaged by a RAF Bristol Beaufighter which had appeared in the area earlier. Both machines crashed into the sea. Other German planes arrived but were driven off by Beaufighters and Hudsons from Coastal Command."

Regards
Ross

Thanks for the extra info Ross.

I will place him with No 2 OADU as I have all my RAAF lads at Posting at Death.

Cheers

Geoff

 

On this day there were 172 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 124

RAAF 13

RCAF 20

RIAF 2

RNZAF 10

SAAF 3

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

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

420327 Flight Sergeant WATKINS, Marcel Alfred Barnard
411043 Flight Lieutenant MYERS, Bernard Francis

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/43/159 Commonwealth War Graves records.
W R Chorley : RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 120,
Volume 1943.
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: ED 709
Radio call sign: HW – S
Unit: ATTD 100 SQN RAF

Summary:

Lancaster ED 709 of 100 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Station Grimsby, Lincolnshire, at
2159 hours on 20 April, 1943 to attack Stettin, Germany. Nothing was heard from the
aircraft after take off and it did not return to base.

Crew:

RAF Wg Cdr Swain, J G W Captain (Pilot) †
RAF Sgt Carter, T (Flight Engineer) †
RAAF 411043 Flt Lt Myers, B F (Navigator Bombaimer) †
RAF PO Wellard, (Bombaimer) †
RAF Sgt Sidwell, R S (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) †
RAAF 420327 Flt Sgt Watkins, M A B (Mid Upper Gunner) †
RAF Sgt Whellhams, R A (Rear Gunner) †

Post war it was established that after the attack on the target, the aircraft was hit by ackack
fire and crashed in Ringkobing Bay about one mile from Velling, Denmark.


Two bodies were washed ashore and one was recovered from the sea. Both Flt Lt Myers and PO Wellard are buried in Lemvig Vester Cemetery and Wg Cdr Swain is buried in Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery.

The remaining four missing crewmen including Flt Sgt Watkins have no known grave. Their names are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey,
UK.
From:

Lancaster ED709 crashed Ringkøbing Fjord 21/4 1943

On the return flight from Stettin ED709 approached Ringkøbing from the east and was hit by flak from II Zug 3/742 based in Ringkøbing.
The Lancaster continued its flight towards Holmlands Klit from where it turned back towards Ringkøbing. At 03:28 hours it crashed in the Ringkøbing Fjord approx. 1000 metres from the harbour.

A fire started which made it impossible to get near the crash site. When the fire extinguished a search for survivors started, and after an hour the body of a flyer that the Wehrmacht identified as Navigator F/Lt. Bernhard F. Myers RAAF was found. He was laid to rest in Lemvig cemetery on 24/4-1943.

On 22/5 a flyer was found in Ringkøbing Fjord near the boundary of Velling and Stauning parish. He was laid to rest in grave 705 in Lemvig cemetery on 28/5-1943 without being identified.

The body of Air Bomber P/O Cyril E. Wellard was found in the Fjord near Velling church on 31/5 and was laid to rest in Lemvig cemetery on 4/6-1943.

On 21/6 the body of an unidentified flyer was found in the Fjord near Klovmosehus in Velling parish. He was laid to rest in grave 710 in Lemvig cemetery on 26/6-1943.

The body of the pilot Wing Cdr. James G. W. Swain M.i.D. was found in the Fjord near Velling on 22/9 and was laid to rest in Fovrfelt cemetery in Esbjerg on 27/9-1943.

In the 1998 the remains of rear gunner Sgt Reginald A. Whellams was found and he was laid to rest in Lemvig cemetery on 18/9-1998.

A team of Danes known as “The Denmark team” had for years been collecting evidence to be able to convince ”The Commenwealth War Graves Commision” of the identity of the two unknown flyers.

On the day of Whellams burial the headstones over the two unknown flyers were changed to “Believed to be” Flt. Engr. Sgt. Thomas Carter in grave 705 and W/Op-Air Gnr. Sgt. Roland S. Sidwell in grave 710.
In Memory of
Wing Commander Pilot
James George Wilson Swain
39136, 100 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 20 April 1943 Age 29
Son of Comdr. J. G. W. Swain and Susannah Rose Swain, of Southampton.
Mentioned in Despatches
Remembered with Honour
Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant Flt. Engr.
Thomas Carter
652517, 100 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died on 21 April 1943 Age 21
Son of Thomas and Hannah Carter, of Liverpool.
Remembered with Honour
Lemvig Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant Nav.
Bernard Francis Myers
411043, 100 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 21 April 1943 Age 23
Son of Francis and Kate Selina Myers, of Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Lemvig Cemetery

In Memory of
Pilot Officer Air Bomber
Cyril Ernest Wellard
131125, 100 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 21 April 1943
Son of James and Edith Wellard; husband of Betty Margaret Wellard, of Boughton, Kent.
Remembered with Honour
Lemvig Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Roland Stanley Sidwell
1197663, 100 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 21 April 1943 Age 20
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Lemvig Cemetery

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Marcel Alfred Barnard Watkins
420327, 100 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 21 April 1943 Age 22
Son of Hubert and Yvonne Watkins, of Waverton, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant Air Gnr.
Reginald Alfred Whellams
1333520, 100 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 21 April 1943 Age 20
Son of John Edward and Annie Maria Whellams, of Walthamstow, Essex.
Remembered with Honour
Lemvig Cemetery

 

On this day there were 44 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF 32

RAAF 3

RCAF 4

RIAF

RNZAF 4

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF
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 : 166/31/140 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Beaufighter
Serial number: X 7597
Radio call sign:
Unit: 51 Operational Trg RAF

Summary:

On the 22nd April 1944, Beaufighter X7597 from RAF Cranfield, crashed at 0015 hours
at Westoning, UK. The aircraft spun in and both the crew were killed.

Crew:

RAAF 422507 FO Richins, S W L (Pilot) †
RAAF 422676 PO Owen J J (Navigator) †

FO Richins is buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, UK. The
Cemetery is known locally as the Newmarket Road Cemetery.
PO Owen was cremated at the Cambridge Crematorium.
Jervis John OWEN (b. 23 December 1914 in Nowra, NSW, SC 1923)

He was a past student of Scotch College which was one of the prestigious colleges of Melbourne.

A bank clerk in Sydney in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, he enlisted in the RAAF in 1942. Flying Officer Owen, serving in 51 Operational Training Unit RAF, died accidentally in England on 22 April 1944, aged 29. He was buried in the Cambridge Crematorium, England. His widow was Margaret June Owen, nee Belgrave and they resided at Setly Lodge, Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

> Sgt Owen Died on 22 April 1944, his death being registered in
> Ampthill, the cause of his death was given as 'Death to War
> Operations'. He was based at RAF Cranfield and was 29 years of age
> and a married man.
>
> Sgt Owen was cremated at Cambridge City Crematorium on 26 April 1994
> and his remains were scattered within the memorial gardens - the exact
> location is not documented.
>
> There is a bronze memorial plaque on the interior wall of the East
> Chapel at the Crematorium commemorating the War Dead who were cremated
> at the crematorium. The roll of honour can be viewed on
> www.roll-of-honour.com/cambridgeshire/CambridgeCrematorium.html.


.JPG]
In Memory of
Flying Officer
Stuart William Legge Richins
421507, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 22 April 1944 Age 23
Son of Albert and Alice Gertrude Richins, of Caringbah, New South Wales,
Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Cambridge City Cemetery

In Memory of
Flying Officer
Jervis John Owen
422676, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 22 April 1944 Age 29
Son of John W. Owen and Una Owen; husband of Margaret June Owen, of Brockenhurst, Hampshire.
Remembered with Honour
Cambridge Crematorium

 

On this day there were 42 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

RAF Iraq Levies 4

RAF 25

RAAF 7

RCAF 5

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

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

425367 Sergeant SELF, Keith Robert

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/37/112 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type:
Serial number:
Radio call sign:
Unit: 34 Op Training RCAF

Summary:

On the 23rd April 1943, an aircraft of which Sgt Self was an Observer, took off from RCAF
Yarmouth, at approx0900 hours, detailed to carry out a day cross-country flight. After
about an hour the WOP radioed that the aircraft had engine trouble and that the pilot was
making a forced landing near Springhaven, Nova Scotia. A fire tender and ambulance
were despatched to the scene and on arrival found the aircraft had crashed and three were
dead.

Crew:

RAF Sgt J E Franckeiss, Captain (Pilot) †
RAAF `425367 Sgt K R Self, (Observer) †
RCAF Sgt K G Calvert, (Wireless Air Gunner) †

Sgt’s Franckeiss and Self are buried in the Yarmouth Mountain Cemetery, Nova Scotia,
Canada.
Sgt Calvert is buried in the Toronto (Pine Hills) Cemetery, Canada.


In Memory of
Sergeant Pilot
John Edward Franckeiss
1525643, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 23 April 1943 Age 20
Son of Frederick John and Elizabeth Franckeiss of Andover, Hampshire England.
Remembered with Honour
Yarmouth (Mountain) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Keith Robert Self
425367, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 23 April 1943 Age 24
Son of Alfred Frederick and Ellen Annie Self, of Gaythorne, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Yarmouth (Mountain) Cemetery

In Memory of
Sergeant
Kenneth George Calvert
R/ 144389, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 23 April 1943 Age 21
Son of Fred and Ellen Calvert, of Toronto.
Remembered with Honour
Toronto (Pine Hills) Cemetery

 

On this day there were 34 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA 1

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 22

RAAF 3

RCAF 6

RIAF

RNZAF

SAAF 2

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

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

403673 Flight Sergeant MACKIE, John Stewart

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/26/103 Digitised Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records.
Aircraft Type: Hudson
Serial number: FH 350
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 233 SQN RAF

Summary:

Hudson FH350 took off from RAF Station North Front, Gibraltar, on 24th April 1943,
detailed to carry out a day operational Air Sea Rescue. The aircraft crashed into the sea in
perfect weather conditions. It was plotted 36 miles from base when returning from the
patrol and the plot then faded. The position of the crash was 36.07N 04.42W. .
All the crew lost their lives.

Crew:

RAAF 403673 Flt Sgt J S Mackie, Captain (Pilot) †
RCAF WO1 J M Main, (Navigator) †
RAF FO I B Brown, (Navigator) †
RAF Sgt W B McCallum, (Wireless Air Gunner) †
RAF Sgt J C W Thomson, (Wireless Air Gunner) †

Flt Sgt Mackie, WO Main and Sgt McCallum were buried at sea. Their names are
commemorated on the Gibraltar Memorial. The Memorial stands in a triangular site close
to the sea and west of the Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery.
FO Brown and Sgt Thomson have no known graves and their names are commemorated
on the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, UK.

In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
John Stewart Mackie
403673, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 24 April 1943 Age 22
Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Mackie, of Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Gibraltar Memorial

In Memory of
Warrant Officer Class I
John Mckinnon Main
R/60602, 233 (R.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 24 April 1943
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Gibraltar Memorial

In Memory of
Flying Officer
Ian Browning Brown
124880, 233 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 24 April 1943 Age 28
Son of John Brown, and of Jane Barr Brown, of Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire. B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
William Barrie McCallum
1113769, 233 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 24 April 1943
No NOK Listed
Remembered with Honour
Gibraltar Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
James Clark Wilkie Thomson
1112044, 233 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 24 April 1943 Age 21
Son of John and Euphemia Geddes Thomson, of Lochgelly, Fife.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

 

On this day there were 82 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 39

RAAF 1

RCAF 35

RIAF 1

RNZAF 2

SAAF 3

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps 1

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

413463 Pilot Officer WESTGARTH, Donald Dudley

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/43/1322 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Thunderbolt
Serial number: KJ325
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 261 SQN RAF

Summary:

On 25th April 1945, PO Westgarth was leader of a Section of two aircraft taking part in
an offensive patrol over Pyu. The section carried out the patrol sortie and were entering
the landing circuit at base, RAF Myingyaw, Burma, when KJ325 collided with a Harvard
aircraft of No 261 Sqn which was also preparing to land.
The Harvard aircraft crashed immediately, but KJ325 continued on the circuit for a
considerable distance until the engine began to splutter and then completely cut. The
aircraft finally crashed near the airstrip and the Pilot was killed.

Crew:

RAAF 413463 PO Westgarth, D D (Pilot) †

PO Westgarth is buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar.


In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Donald Dudley Westgarth
413463, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 25 April 1945 Age 23
Son of Dudley and Lucy Kathleen Westgarth, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Taukkyan War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 44 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 33

RAAF 4

RCAF 3

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF 1



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

404565 Flight Sergeant LEWIS, Wallace George

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/137/144 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Defiant
Serial number: AA 377
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 264 SQN RAF

Summary:

On 26th April 1942, Defiant AA377 crashed at Sheerness, UK, and the crew were killed.

Crew:

RAAF 404565 Flt Sgt W G Lewis, (Pilot)†
RAF Flt Sgt W Mair, (Gunner)†

Flt Sgt’s Lewis and Mair are buried in the Leysdown (St Clement) Churchyards, UK.
Leysdown is a coastal parish and village in the north eastern side of Sheppey, six miles
NNE of Faversham.

Flt Sgt Corserr a witness to a Court of Inquiry into the accident stated : “ On 26th April
WO Lauder, Flt Sgt Lewis and self were detailed for air to sea firing at the Leysdown
range. Lauder was firing and Lewis and I were orbiting the range at approx 2000 feet. Sgt
Lewis was approx 500 feet above me and half a mile in front when I observed that his
port wing dropped, and he went into a vertical dive travelling in the opposite direction to
his original course. It appeared that Lewis tried to pull out of this dive but only partially
succeeded in doing so, when the machine turned to starboard and then hit the ground.”
Flt Sgt Rose, Flt Sgt Corser’s Gunner stated : “ We were at approx 2000 feet awaiting our
turn to do our air firing practice. I saw a Defiant diving past us at a very steep angle about
50 feet away on our port side, this dive continued until 500 feet from the ground, The
aircraft then went into a flat spin to starboard doing 3 or 4 slow turns before hitting the
ground and bursting into flames “
The opinion of the Court was that : “ the accident was due to loss of control by the Pilot,
but we cannot determine what caused the loss of control.
Wg Cdr CO RAF West Melling stated,:“ I concur with the findings. There is no evidence
to show whether the loss of control was due to some structural failure or to some
temporary physical failure on the part of the Pilot.”
In Memory of
Flight Sergeant
Wallace George Lewis
404565, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 26 April 1942 Age 22
Son of Thomas Henry and Alice Lewis, of Bardon, Queensland, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Leysdown (St. Clement) Churchyard


In Memory of
Flight Sergeant Air Gnr.
William Mair
971422, 264 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 26 April 1942 Age 27
Son of David and Marion Mair, of Swinhill, Lanarkshire.
Remembered with Honour
Leysdown (St. Clement) Churchyard

 

On this day there were 147 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 99

RAAF 15

RCAF 31

RIAF

RNZAF 2

SAAF

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

WAAF

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

403584 Flight Lieutenant HAMLET, Joseph Aylmer

Source:

AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/17/82 Commonwealth War Graves records
Aircraft Type: Hurricane
Serial number: HW 745
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 241 SQN RAF

Summary:

Hurricane HW745 crashed on 27th April 1943 at 1645 hours, at approx six miles north of
Pont Du Fahs, Tunisia. The aircraft burst into flames while diving through enemy ackack
fire, and the pilot was killed. His body was found by members of a British Regiment.

Crew:

RAAF 403584 Flt Lt Hamlet, J A (Pilot) †

Flt Lt Hamlet is buried in the Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. The town of
Enfidaville is 100kms south of Tunis on the main coast road.



In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
Joseph Aylmer Hamlet
403584, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 27 April 1943 Age 25
Son of Joseph William and Lydia Maud Hamlet, of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
Enfidaville War Cemetery

 

On this day there were 103 Commonwealth Air Force Deaths.

ATA

RAF Iraq Levies

RAF 75

RAAF 12

RCAF 14

RIAF

RNZAF 1

SAAF 1

Rhodesia Air Askari Corps

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

403587 Sergeant HOSKINS, John Richard

Source:

Draft RAF Coastal Command Losses Vol 2.
AWM 237 (65) Micro Film 463 OAFH NAA : A9301, Barcode 5622670
Commonwealth War Graves records

Aircraft Type: Hudson V
Serial number: AM639
Radio call sign: TR-Z
Unit: ATTD 59 SQN RAF
Training, RAF North Coates

Summary:

Sgt Hoskins (Wireless Air Gunner) lost his life in an accident on 28th April 1942.

Crew:

P/O D V Thesiger RAF 903497 (Pilot) †
Sgt J R Hoskins RAAF 403587 †
Sgt E S Normore RAF 798538 †
Sgt H F Neary RAF 798535 †

Flew too low and struck the sea with a wingtip while on bombing practice at the City of Birmingham wreck at 11:15 hrs. The bodies of Sgt Hoskins and Sgt Neary were picked up by HMT Sheraton. Both are buried in St. Nicholas Churchyard, North Cotes, Lincolnshire, while the others, including Sgt Normore from Deer Lake, Newfoundland, are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
.jpg]

In Memory of
Pilot Officer
Dermont Vigors Thesiger
903497, 59 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 28 April 1942 Age 28
Son of Capt. the Hon. Wilfred Thesiger, D.S.O., and of Kathleen Thesiger, of Chelsea, London. Barrister of
the Middle Temple.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant
John Richard Hoskins
403587, Royal Australian Air Force
who died on 28 April 1942 Age 22
Son of Harold Vincent and Gladys Muriel Hoskins, of Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.
Remembered with Honour
North Cotes (St. Nicholas) Churchyard

In Memory of
Sergeant
Eric Stanley Normore
798538, 59 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 28 April 1942 Age 22
Son of William and Fanny Normore, of Deer Lake, Newfoundland.
Remembered with Honour
Runnymede Memorial

In Memory of
Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr.
Henry Francis Neary
798535, 59 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 28 April 1942 Age 19
Son of Edward and Margaret Neary, of St. John'S, Newfoundland.
Remembered with Honour
North Cotes (St. Nicholas) Churchyard