Australian Thomas Albert Bax in RAF 9sq SN 78742

Discussion in 'Australian' started by spidge, Oct 10, 2018.

  1. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Looking for assistance when/where this lad lived/died post war.
    Came from Kadina South Australia.

    Was in the RAF with 9 Squadron and gunnery leader when downed when Wellington 1C, R1758 was shot down on 09/06/41.
    He was repatriated in 1944.
    He apparently stayed in the RAF after the war and may have stayed in UK.


    My chase came up with:
    Birth: 22/01/1910 (Nadina or Mt Pleasant)

    Aged 22, Left Australia aboard P&O Ship Ballarat.

    Arrived UK 27th July 1932 (worked his passage)

    I have him "possibly" marrying Viollette D. Locke (Surrey) in 1937 and possibly living 139 Tyers St S.E. 11

    Any assistance appreciated.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
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  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005
    Name: Thomas A Bax
    Registration Date: Apr-May-Jun 1937
    Registration district: Surrey South Eastern
    Inferred County: Surrey
    Spouse: Violette D Locke
    Volume Number: 2a
    Page Number: 1226

    You need a copy of the cert to verify its him but there are 2 Thomas Bax marriages that year - the other being Thomas E Bax

    Hmmmm - a bit of a conundrum, cant find either of them at the moment in the 1939 register but did find this which would mean she died very soon after they married - its the only result for a Violette Bax

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: Violette D Bax
    Death Age: 23
    Birth Date: abt 1914
    Registration Date: Jun 1937
    Registration district: Birmingham
    Inferred County: Warwickshire
    Volume: 6d
    Page: 537


    Australia and New Zealand, Find A Grave Index, 1800s-Current
    Name: Thomas Albert Bax
    Death Date: 7 May 1975
    Cemetery: Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park
    Burial or Cremation Place: Matraville, Randwick City, New South Wales, Australia
    Has Bio?: N
    URL: https://www.findagrave.com/mem...

    Thats all for now
    TD

    He doesnt appear on any POW lists that I have maybe contact with ICRC would help

    http://www.aircrewremembered.com/AlliedLossesIncidents/?q=78742
    9 Squadron Wellington IC WS-? W/C. Roy George Claringbould Arnold MiD
    This page states that he retired from the RAF in 1948 - so would assume he was still in the UK at that time
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2018
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  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thanks TD.

    Did you happen to come across a wife in Australia?
    I found one and discarded it as it was doing my head in.
    Adarie Alexandria
    unit 4/58 Dover Road
    Rose Bay

    I found a Thomas Albert Bax in Rose Bay (Electoral Roll) being a Taxi Driver.

    Thank you for your expertise. All seems to "marry" up!


    Cheers

    Geoff
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2018
  4. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Footprints on the Sands of Time has two Bax entries
    Flying Officer T A Bax 9 Sqdn Wellington R1758 shot down 9 June 1941 on reconnaissance mission... PoW No Not Known (? hospitalised injured/wounded?).You probably know their Wellington came down in the Channel off Zeebrugge and the pilot W/C Arnold (MiD) died. Bax is shown as tail gunner. Sgt RH Barratt, also a gunner exchanged identity with Rifleman G S Godden, no idea why.
    Another 9 Sqdn Wellington T2620 on same mission was also shot down. All except the tail gunner were killed.

    The other was Flt Sgt J H D Bax on Halifax LL597 of 102 Sqdn shot down 5 Jan 1945 attacking Hannover. Again No PoW Not known, but as near end of War perhaps records lost. I don't suppose they were related, except by surname.

    Whilst I appreciate this is off topic as WW1, it may have some bearing on the family in Mount Pleasant, and where they may have come from in UK
    BAX, MURRAY CHARLES. Lance Corporal. Service Number 107. Died 10/01/1917. Aged 30.
    3rd Australian Light Horse
    Son of Charles F. and Elizabeth Jane Bax, of Mount Pleasant, South Australia.
    Buried at KANTARA WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY. memorial reference: F. 193.

    BAX, ALEC HARTLY. Trooper. Service Number 524. Died 30/05/1915. Aged 20.
    3rd Australian Light Horse
    Son of Charles F. and Elizabeth J. Bax, of Mount Pleasant, South Australia.
    Commemorated at LONE PINE MEMORIAL reference: 3.

    BAX, BERTRAM. Private. Service Number 1505. Died 14/11/1916. Aged 35.
    19th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
    Son of William and Eliza Bax, of 68, Falmoise Rd., Forest Hill, London, England.
    Commemorated at VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL.

    EDIT:
    Page 2898 THE LONDON GAZETTE, 14 MAY, 1940
    The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Acting Pilot Officers on - probation on the dates
    stated: — 12th Apr. 1940. Thomas Albert BAX (78742).
    THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 JULY, 1940 p 4021
    The undermentioned Acting Pilot Officers on probation are graded as Pilot Officers on probation on the dates stated: —
    1st June 1940. Thomas Albert BAX (78742)
    9 Squadron Wellington IC WS-? W/C. Roy George Claringbould Arnold MiD states
    Thomas retired from the RAF retaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant on 23 March 1948

    He was in Stalag III but second name shown incorrectly
    Draft Nominal Roll: Australians in Stalag Luft III April 1942–January 1945
    Bax, Thomas Alfred 78742 1352 9 9 June 1941. Repatriated 8 September 1944

    There is also a Rootschat thread that I couldn't open showing
    Bax, Albert J b: 1883 in of Young,,New South Wales,Australia ... Bax, Albert Thomas b: January 22, 1910 in Mount Pleasant, South Australia.

    The incorrect name is also shown at
    World War 2 (B) | Prisoner of War Memorial Ballarat
    BAX THOMAS ALFRED 78742 RAF 9 Sqn Flight Lieutenant GERMAN Australian in the RAF Interned Holland Held Stalag Luft 3 POW number 1352 repatriated 8/9/1944 Listed on 2013 Addendum

    For him to be on a recent Addendum Panel makes me think he has relatives still in Oz.....

    More...
    http://www.anzacpow.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/22740/3853_Anzac_European_Freemen_10-4-14.pdf
    Germany 78742 BAX Thomas Alfred F/Lt 9 Sq 1 October 1943 9A Severely injured. POW No. 1352. Not on German list. RAF.
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2018
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  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Geoff

    The only Violette D Bax I can find is 1937 death record. I cannot find a record of Thomas gpoing back to Australia (if he did) by ship, but would guess in the early 1950's air travel was around especially for someone ex RAF. If that death is his first wife then I havent as yet found details of a second - still looking

    I assume the problem here is that you cant apply for his RAF records as there isnt a death certificate?

    I dont have full access to Australian records so details are difficult for me to post

    TD
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980
    Name Thomas Albert Bax
    Residence 1972 Rose Bay Wentworth New South Wales Australia


    Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980
    Name Thomas Albert Bax
    Residence 1963 Rose Bay Wentworth New South Wales Australia


    I guess a copy of the death cert (post 2) for the Thomas died on 7th May 1975, couls be the way tp go and see if the date of birth matches up

    TD
     
  7. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    There's a Violet M Locke marrying in 3rd Qtr 1937 to an Edward T Phillips
    Name: Violet M Locke. Registration Date: Jul-Aug-Sep 1937
    Registration district: Croydon, Surrey
    Spouse: Edward T Phillips. Volume Number: 2a. Page Number: 2080

    has that been incorrectly cross referenced as Viloet D Locke and thus muddied the water?
     
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  8. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

     
  9. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Great info Kevin Thank You.

    My friend is very grateful for the info.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
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  10. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    The first Violette is correct. She died soon after their marriage. Could have been a number of causes / Childbirth/Bombing etc.

    Thanks Kevin.
     
  11. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Geoff

    She may have died 2 -3 months after her marriage - so I would doubt childbirth and it was 1937 - a little before the blitz. Can I suggest checking out newpapers as it may have been some sort of accident that killed her

    TD
     
  12. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    The death certificate has been received and all ties up correctly.

    Thanks TD
     
  13. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    thanks for the update - service records next then I guess??

    TD
     
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  14. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Yes, had not correlated the dates just had a guess at a couple. Someone may have access to newspapers of the time.

    Thanks TD.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     

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