Australian in the RAF "Suicide" F/L Thomas Kevin Hurley 44120

Discussion in 'Australian' started by spidge, Oct 16, 2009.

  1. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    AWM – I requested an update of his Commemorative Roll entry with his full name as per the collection entry for his Log Books (the entry was showing T.K. Hurley in lieu of Thomas Kevin Hurley). That entry has now been taken down, I don’t know if it will go back up following the addition of extra details or if they have removed it permanently due to his non-eligibility (due to his suicide following discharge from the RAF). Permanent removal would be odd as over the last few years Spidge & I have queried a few entries on the roll where death was shown to have been post-war (or where the person actually survived the war) and we were informed that they were very reluctant to remove entries once placed.

    I have also asked if any detail is known on who donated the books to their collection (with no reply as yet) or if it might be possible for someone to go in and take a copy of them for me (I can get this done through contacts). Once again no response as yet, but as one can imagine, the AWM is pretty busy at the moment.
     
    CL1 likes this.
  2. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    1977 - Lawrence Ronan Hurley is shown as living at Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove, Bennelong NSW. No sign of anyone else living with him.

    2014 - after 14 days from today an application for a grant of probate of the Will dated 30 January 2014 of LAWRENCE RONAN HURLEY




    I bit the bullet and contacted the solicitor handling the probate, it appears that he had no NoK.
     

    Attached Files:

    • LR.jpg
      LR.jpg
      File size:
      107.5 KB
      Views:
      25
  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    So to sum it all up and see what is outstanding on the life of Thomas Kevin Hurley.

    Possibly without his service record we will not know the reason or cause of this illness that caused him to relinquish his commission.

    He gave the RAF good service and it is sad that he is not listed on the CWGC database.

    What was the catalyst for him to commit suicide? Was he was forced to relinquish his commission or was it of his own volition?

    Who is "the Private offspring listed to him on the Family Tree?

    His brother Lawrence Ronan Hurley had no "living" heirs!

    The "sister" (not proven) may not have had any children or they died before Lawrence in 2014.

    Who actually purchased the plot at Stroud Cemetery in1943

    Who paid for the finishing of the grave in March 1945?

    Someone may fill in the gaps sometime in the future.

    Thomas Kevin Hurley has a grave and it is inscribed.

    Much thanks to all involved and especially Ramacal for his extra efforts as the man at the coalface.

    Cheers Geoff
     
  4. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    I'll contact Stroud Town Council again, to see if they have any information about the purchase of the grave plot and the finishing of the grave. Possibly the Solicitor acting on behalf of TKH's estate with some input from the family back home.

    Thanks for your kind words everyone. It was a Forum effort. I just happen to live locally and was able to put boots on the ground.
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Geoff

    I think some of the answers to fill in the missing gaps will come from:
    1. His death certificate - this may also provide further areas of contact to follow (ie who registered his death)
    2. His Coroners report - but this remains closed until 2019 (?)

    Still no response from the family tree originator :(

    TD
     
  6. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Hi TD,

    You never know what may turn up on this forum.

    The photo was the initial reason for the thread so everything else we find out is a bonus.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  7. martinb

    martinb Member

    Been following this with much interest having helped Spidge with his photos in the past.
    Well done ramacal for your detective work. Perhaps we should call you "Shoestring"
     
  8. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    I managed to get copies of some of the private records held by the AWM (through the efforts of Dr Andrew Richardson of the Australian Army History Unit)) - attached is a portrait photograph of FLTLT Hurley (by the looks of it, while he was still a FLGOFF).

    The pdf file has another view of the photo (front & back) plus extracts from his flying log and some reports (ie Assessment of Ability) from the time of his discharge. I can't see any indications that he was not well at the time of his discharge - odd that a perfectly serviceable flying instructor / test pilot would be discharged mid-war. (& I wonder who Miss Worthington was......)
     

    Attached Files:

    Buteman and CL1 like this.
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    I assume Miss Worthington was a ferry pilot he was 'training.

    But on his assessment at discharge (May 1943) I not the comment:

    "A good pilot who was at times inclined to be absent minded"

    It also says I think:
    "Certain points on instruction require brushing up and in particular he must learn not to touch the controls unnecessarily when the pupil is flying ??????? ???????, a satisfactory instructor"

    From his own writing it can be seen that he was some form of draughtsman, very neat and precise.

    TD
     
  10. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Fantastic Dave - Thank you for the info = Great stuff!

    Cannot help thinking that I have seen his photo before!

    Miss Worthington - Probably the W/C daughter.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  11. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Well done Dave
     

Share This Page